1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're taking 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,280 Speaker 1: bets on who number two WNBA draft pick, Dominique Malonga 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,560 Speaker 1: will dunk on first. It's Wednesday, May fourteenth, and on 4 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: today show, we'll be skipping the need to know and 5 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: digging straight into the shoot around, previewing our next two 6 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: WNBA teams, the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury. 7 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 2: Ready for the starstak stats and stories. 8 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: A little bit of history, a little bit of lore, 9 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: a little bit of gossip, and a little bit more 10 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: well good because it's all coming up right after this, 11 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 1: all right sliceas let's start by talking Seattle Storm, who 12 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: bounced back from a losing season in twenty twenty three 13 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: to finish twenty five and fifteen last season, their best 14 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: regular season record since twenty eighteen. They went on to 15 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:52,000 Speaker 1: get swept by the Aces in the first round of 16 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: the playoffs. Here's your need to know history of the 17 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: Seattle Storm. The team was founded in two thousand as 18 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 1: a sister team to the Seattle SuperSonics the eight in 19 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: Seattle when the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in two 20 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: thousand and eight, as they were sold to Force ten 21 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: Hoops LLC, a collection of Seattle businesswomen. 22 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 2: Sue Byrd, who. 23 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,200 Speaker 1: Spent her whole w career with the team, joined the 24 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: ownership group after retiring. The Storm had been consistently competitive, 25 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: qualifying for the postseason in nineteen of twenty five seasons, 26 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: and they've won the WNBA title in each of the 27 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: four seasons that they went to the finals four twenty ten, 28 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:28,559 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen, and twenty twenty. All time Storm grates include 29 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 1: the aforementioned Bird, Lauren Jackson, Swin Cash, and Brianna Stewart, 30 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: still playing but now with the New York Liberty, the 31 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five tag line for this team in their 32 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: rebuild era. Now, the Storm should probably be a playoff 33 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: team this season, but I wouldn't expect a deep run 34 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: as they're dealing with a new look roster, young players 35 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: to develop, and a bad string of injuries. The team's 36 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 1: offseason additions and losses, including trading away one of their 37 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: biggest stars to get the number two draft pick, reveal 38 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: a clear eye toward the future and point to a 39 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: reset and rebuild starting this U season. So let's talk 40 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: about losses. The biggest one that aforementioned star, Jewel Lloyd 41 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: who went to the Aces in a three team deal 42 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: that brought the Storm the number two draft pick to 43 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: use on French national fenom Dominique Belonga, who could be 44 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: the team's next franchise player. At six', six this dunking 45 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,679 Speaker 1: teenager started her pro career at the ripe old. 46 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 2: Age of, fifteen now. 47 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 1: Nineteen this, year she made The all Euro Cup First 48 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 1: team and Won European player of The year And center 49 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: of The year for the tournament as. Well what about, Additions, 50 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,079 Speaker 1: well The storm acquired vet and friend of The Show 51 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 1: Lexi brown via trade and were active in free, agencies 52 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 1: Signing Katie Lou samuelson And Erica, wheeler both of whom 53 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: spent last year with the. Fever, Unfortunately samuelson is set 54 00:02:42,919 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: to miss the season with AN acl, tear joining Teammates Jordan, 55 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 1: horston injured In Athletes unlimited And Nika, mule who tour 56 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: HER acl playing In. Turkey horston and mules contracts are, 57 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: suspended But samuelson's deal is on the, books so The 58 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 1: storm will likely carry less than the twelve allowed active 59 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 1: players to start the season while they worked to create 60 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: enough cap from the stand of the league's hard salary. 61 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: Cap the team also brought back three TIME wnba Champion Alisia, 62 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: clark recently of The, aces who spent her first nine 63 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 1: seasons In, seattle winning two of her titles with the. 64 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 1: Team as For, Stars Neca ogumaka is entering just her 65 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: second season on this, team but she's the Elder stateswoman 66 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: and face of the franchise all the. SAME A wnba, 67 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: champ Former LEAGUE, mvp Former rookie of The, year nine 68 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,519 Speaker 1: Time All, star seven Time All Defensive team, selection member 69 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: of THE wnba twenty Fifth Anniversary, team And president of 70 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: The Players. Association she's been a star since she came 71 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: into the league in twenty, twelve spending her first twelve 72 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: seasons with THE La. Sparks Skyler diggins No, smith she's 73 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: dropped her married name entering this, season is back for 74 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: her second season with The storm as. WELL a six 75 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: Time All star And olympic gold, medalist she's been one 76 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: of the league's best known players since her stellar career 77 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: At Notre, dame helping The irish to back to BACK 78 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: Ncaa championship. Appearances and then There's, malonga The french teenager 79 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: who dunk in her very First storm practice and should 80 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: be a big draw for fans this, season as she 81 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: projects to be a future superstar for the. Franchise we'll 82 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: be keeping an eye on how head Coach Noel, quinn 83 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 1: who's back for her fifth season at The, helm Rotates 84 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: malanga and fellow Center ezzie Mag, bagore who was the 85 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: third highest scorer returning from last year's team and is 86 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: the last remaining player from The storm's twenty twenty, title 87 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: but is expected to get fewer minutes With malanga in the. 88 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: Mix to be, frank the stakes for The storm team 89 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: are relatively. Low they'll aim for the, postseason but they 90 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: don't look prime to compete with the league's best this. 91 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: Season like a. 92 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: Lot of other, teams several of The storm's top names 93 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: will be free agents next season in time for the NEW, 94 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:39,840 Speaker 1: cba Including Oguomakay, Diggins, clark And Gabby. Williams the focus 95 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 1: will be on Developing maloga this. Season let's talk. Stats last, 96 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 1: season The storm finished eighth and field goal percentage and 97 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 1: had the worst three point percentage in the, league so 98 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 1: they'll look to improve on the offensive. End they took 99 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: care of the ball last, year, though posting the second 100 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: lowest turnover, rate the lowest opponent steel, rate and the 101 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: lowest opponent block. Rate as for individual, stats we'll be 102 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: watching Sky diggins for a bit of a bounce back, 103 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: season especially since last year was her first back from maternity. 104 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: Leave her fifteen point one points per game were her 105 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 1: fewests since twenty, sixteen and her twenty nine point one 106 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: percent shooting from three was her worst since twenty, fourteen 107 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 1: but she did finish fourth in the, league averaging a 108 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,040 Speaker 1: career high six point four. Assists the thirty four year 109 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:20,359 Speaker 1: Old Uguma kay may be a long time, vet but 110 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: her sixteen point seven points and seven point six rebounds 111 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: per game last season were still slightly better than her career, 112 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: averages and last year marked a third Straight All star. 113 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: Season we'll see if she can keep those numbers up 114 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: in year. Fourteen while there's a lot of storm lore 115 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: around the many, championships the big story that stands out 116 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: to me is just their relationship with the city Of, 117 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: seattle a basketball crazed place that still dearly misses the 118 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,359 Speaker 1: Mnba's SuperSonics and is very dedicated to its very successful w. 119 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 1: Team From afar to, me it feels like the team 120 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: and Especially Sue, bird have been recognized and embraced across 121 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: the city along with all the men's, teams in a 122 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: way that other cities are only now more recently. Doing 123 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: The storm also built the first dedicated training facility for 124 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: A wnba, team helping inspire the facility wars across the. 125 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 2: League fun fact for The. 126 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: Storm one of The seattle business women who owns the 127 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,839 Speaker 1: team Is Jinny, gilder a former collegiate And olympic, rower 128 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: and while she was rowing At, yale the conditions for 129 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 1: the women's team were so unsatisfactory that she was part 130 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: of a noteworthy nineteen seventy six protest in which nineteen 131 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: members of her team Wrote title nine on their naked 132 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,840 Speaker 1: bodies and went into the athletic director's office demanding better 133 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: treatment and a locker room for their. Team pretty, badass, 134 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 1: Meish what DID i forget About? 135 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 2: Seattle? 136 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 3: Oh you mentioned two pieces of WHAT i want to talk, About, 137 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 3: sarah but you didn't quite put them. 138 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:41,280 Speaker 2: Together And i'm gonna put them together for. 139 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 3: You Dominique belonga entering THE wnba with a veteran point 140 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,559 Speaker 3: guard Like Skylar, diggins the rest of the, league y'all messed, 141 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,479 Speaker 3: up y'all and messed up, now because who better to 142 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 3: teach you from a guard's perspective how to read defenses 143 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 3: in THE wnba than some who has been in all 144 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,119 Speaker 3: kinds of different positions with some of the best post 145 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 3: players in the. League that is going to be a 146 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 3: stupid good pick and roll connection first and. Foremost and 147 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 3: then you add to the mix that she's coming into 148 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 3: a situation with Her french national team Teammate Gabby, williams 149 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 3: so there's some familiarity there. 150 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 4: ALREADY i. 151 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: Understand it completely makes sense why this was the pick 152 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 3: And Dominique mlungo was so excited to come To. 153 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 2: SEATTLE i just. 154 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 3: Worry if you're an, opponent worry you should be having, 155 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 3: nightmares should be staying up all night already game planning 156 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 3: for how you're gonna deal with. 157 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: THAT i get, It, LISTEN i get. It but, like 158 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,559 Speaker 1: we can't say this about every team in the. League every. 159 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 2: Team we. Can't every team can't be terrifying and a. 160 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 1: Contender AND i get what you say they can though 161 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: there are pieces of, this and absolutely they should have 162 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: nightmares about gettingdug. 163 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 2: Done we already saw some folks being, like ain't gonna be. 164 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 2: Me i'm not gonna be the. 165 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 1: First player IN wnba history to get absolutely post. Terrized 166 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: gonna be, someone gonna be. SOMEONE i get what you're, 167 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: saying AND i agree with. You And i'm not saying 168 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: that The storm are going to. 169 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 2: Be a bad. 170 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: Team i'm just trying to figure out to reconcile that every, 171 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: team on, paper not every. 172 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 2: TEAM a lot of the teams that felt. Shady, sorry, 173 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 2: Well i'm. 174 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: Looking right at your face and that jersey behind you 175 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: for The washington but not every team seems like a. 176 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: Contender BUT i agree with, you there are a lot 177 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: of aspects about This storm team to be terrified. 178 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 3: About, YEAH i think that you're right in saying that 179 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 3: maybe we expect the playoff, birth but past, that it 180 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 3: just there's not enough. There there's not going to be enough. 181 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 3: Cohesion and yet again a situation WHERE i. 182 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 2: WISH i don't wish that we weren't getting a NEW. 183 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 3: Cba i'm glad we're getting a NEW, cba BUT i 184 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 3: do wish there was just more time to see this 185 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 3: group come together and have a little bit more. 186 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 2: Chemistry All, right gotta take a quick. 187 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: Break when we come, back we'll chat about a new 188 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 1: Look Phoenix mercury squad hoping to make its mark catch 189 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: you on the other. 190 00:08:48,880 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 4: Side. 191 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 2: Welcome back. 192 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: Slices let's Talk Phoenix, mercury who finished nineteen and twenty 193 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: one last year in their first season under head Coach 194 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 1: Nate tibbets and their last with one of the goats 195 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 1: of the, Game Diana. Trossi it was a third straight 196 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: losing season for the, squad but they doubled their wins 197 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 1: from the previous season and made it back to the, 198 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 1: playoffs where they were swept by The Minnesota links in 199 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: the first. Round here's The Phoenix mercury history you need to. 200 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:27,439 Speaker 1: Know one of the w's eight original, teams The mercury 201 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 1: began competing in nineteen ninety, seven operating as a sister 202 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: squad to the Mnba's Phoenix, suns founded by Former sons 203 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 1: Owner Jerry. 204 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 2: Clangelo Robert sarver purchased the. 205 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,080 Speaker 1: Team alongside The suns in two thousand and, four and 206 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty, three both teams were bought, again this 207 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:43,839 Speaker 1: time by Businessman Matt. Eshbia this is one of the 208 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 1: most successful franchises in the, league making it to five, 209 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: finals losing to the now Defunct Houston comets in ninety 210 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: eight and losing to The Chicago sky in twenty twenty, 211 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: one but hanging three championship banners and The rafters in, 212 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: between winning titles in two thousand and, seven two thousand and, 213 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: nine and twenty fourteen over the now Defunct Detroit, shock 214 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,839 Speaker 1: The Indiana, fever and The, sky. Respectively phoenix has made 215 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:07,719 Speaker 1: it to the playoffs in eighteen of its twenty nine, 216 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,439 Speaker 1: seasons and all time legends who have helped him get 217 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: there Include, tarasi her wife and former Teammate Penny, Taylor 218 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: candice To, prix And Cappie, pondexter as well as active 219 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: Players Britney, Griner Dwana, bonner And Skyler diggins who are 220 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 1: all on other rosters. Now The mercury's twenty twenty five 221 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 1: tag line is a new. Start, listen you might not 222 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 1: recognize The mercury team that takes the court in twenty twenty, 223 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: five and WHEN i tell you about this team's offseason 224 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: additions and, losses you'll understand. Why, first AS i, mentioned 225 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: the team finally had to say goodbye to retiring Legend Diana, 226 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: tarassi the league's all time leading scorer with ten, thy 227 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:44,959 Speaker 1: six hundred and forty six points in five hundred and 228 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: sixty five regular season. GAMES dt hung them up In, 229 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: february after twenty seasons of hoops with the franchise that 230 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: took her number one in two thousand and four out Of. 231 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 2: Yukon goes without. 232 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: Saying that those are big shoes to, Fill but it's 233 00:10:58,040 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: not just the loss of D t that has This 234 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: mercury squad looking brand. New this will also be the 235 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 1: first season since twenty twelve without eleven year VETERAN Wnba, 236 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: champ ten Time All, star two Time league Scoring, champ 237 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: two Time Defensive player of The, year seven Time All 238 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 1: Defensive team, member eight Time league. 239 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 2: Blocks later AND wnba twenty Fifth. 240 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: Anniversary team Member Britney, griner who The mercury drafted first 241 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 1: overall out Of baylor in twenty. Thirteen all those stats 242 00:11:24,280 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: Ann griner wears a men's size seventeen, shoe so, yeah, 243 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 1: again big shoes to. Fill Point Guard Natasha cloud went 244 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 1: to the reigning Champion New York liberty in a four 245 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: team trade that also Sent Rebecca allen to The Chicago 246 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:40,359 Speaker 1: sky And Sophie cunningham to The, Fever but the franchise 247 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: did do some work with. Acquisitions that four team trade 248 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,440 Speaker 1: also brought five Time All star and six Time All 249 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 1: Defensive team Member Alyssa, thomas Two phoenix from The Connecticut, 250 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:53,839 Speaker 1: sun The unicorn two Time All Star Sawtu, sobolei Plus 251 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:57,079 Speaker 1: Kalanie brown and Sevgae, uzen all of whom spent last 252 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 1: season with The Dallas. Wings they also signed two time 253 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: W Nba Champ Sammy, whitcombe who spent the last two 254 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: seasons In. Seattle despite the big name, departures this team 255 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: still boasts a couple bona fide, stars INCLUDING Wnba, CHAMP 256 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: Wnba FINALS, mvp four Time All, star and recent unrivaled 257 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 1: Champ Kalia, copper plus the NEWBIES i Mentioned Alyssa, thomas 258 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: one of the most consistent triple double threats in the 259 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:23,319 Speaker 1: league with a league record fifteen all, time and The 260 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: Unicorn satusable who can do it all when she stays. 261 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: Healthy the stakes for this, team, Well we've mentioned during 262 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 1: these previews that several teams carry a number of soon 263 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:34,960 Speaker 1: to be free, agents all of them trying to time 264 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 1: their deals to the NEW cba next. 265 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 2: Year phoenix takes the. 266 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: Cake this team has just one contract that goes beyond 267 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: twenty twenty Five Colonie. Brown she's going to be standing 268 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: in an empty locker room day one of the, offseason 269 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:47,920 Speaker 1: looking like The Fresh prince. 270 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 2: Meme the good news, is, though they do have one. 271 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 1: Of the best recruiting tools in the, league a brand 272 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,720 Speaker 1: new one hundred million dollar practice, Facility so this year's 273 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 1: stakes might be as much about winning as they are 274 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 1: about sending a message to the league That phoenix is 275 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: the place to be and a great team to work. 276 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: For as for the, stats the team looks so different this. 277 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: YEAR i think the thing that's most worth mentioning is 278 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 1: what this team loses with dt And grinder. Gone the 279 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,199 Speaker 1: pair are The mercury's top two all time in scoring and. 280 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 1: Rebounding tarasi is the franchise leader and, Assists grinder's fourth 281 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 1: on that, list And griner is the all time blocks, 282 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 1: leader With taras's second in that. Category that's a lot of, points, 283 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: boards dimes and blocks to try to. Replace they'll try 284 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: to do it Playing Nate tibbet's style of high volume 285 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: three point. Shooting the team averaged the fourth most attempts 286 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 1: in the league last, year though they were middle of 287 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: the pack in percentage shooting just thirty two point six. 288 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: Percent for all that, shooting the squad didn't corral a 289 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,199 Speaker 1: lot of boards on. Offense they were next to last 290 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 1: in offensive, boards so a lot of one and done, 291 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: possessions and they weren't great at rebounding, overall finishing eleventh 292 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: in total Rebounds. Individually satusabli's one of just four players 293 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 1: IN wnba history averaging at least fifteen, points seven, rebounds 294 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 1: and three assists per, Game but she's also only played 295 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: more than twenty games in a season. Once in twenty twenty, 296 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 1: Three we'll see if she can stay healthy and put 297 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: up those numbers across an entire forty four game. Season 298 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 1: the stories and lore for This Phoenix mercury. 299 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 2: Team where do we? 300 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 1: Begin maybe with that fancy practice FACILITY i mentioned taking 301 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 1: the acl of Actress Aubrey plaz as a sacrifice during 302 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: last Year's All star. Weekend how about Coach Nate timbitt's 303 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 1: coming into the league with no head coaching experience and 304 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: no women's basketball experience and immediately being made the highest. 305 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 2: Paid coach in the, league all while. 306 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: The team proudly called him a girl dad in the 307 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: social media post announcing is. Higher what About Diana tarassi's 308 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: infamous episode with the door in The chicago skylocker room 309 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: after The mercury lost in the finals in twenty twenty. 310 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 2: One speaking, up by the, way. 311 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 1: More info soon to come on the unveiling of Our 312 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: Diana tarassi commemorative bench In Door. 313 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 2: COUNTY i promise. 314 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: Fun fact about The. Mercury, ah you gotta go with 315 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: some hoops and gay shit. Here So Alyssa thomas and 316 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 1: Fiance Duana bonner spent the last five seasons together on 317 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: The Connecticut sun the perfect love and basketball. Situation but 318 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: Now i'll have to see how time a part affects 319 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 1: the power. Couple With thomas on The mercury And bonner 320 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: on The Indiana, fever can their love go the? 321 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 2: Distance, also who follows who? 322 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 1: First when their teams meet for the first time On july. 323 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 1: Thirtieth my money's On. Bonner all, right that's most of, 324 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 1: IT i think for The, mercury what DID i? 325 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 2: Forget, Sarah phoenix is. 326 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 3: Tough phoenix is tough for, Me i've got some question 327 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 3: marks around this. Squad they got a little, better but 328 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 3: they also got a little. Worse so WHAT i mean 329 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 3: by that Is Nate tibbetts in his first year at 330 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,680 Speaker 3: the home in twenty twenty, four said that one of 331 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 3: his main points of emphasis was for his team to 332 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 3: get up a lot of, shots specifically a lot of three. 333 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 3: Pointers and they did that. 334 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 2: Right they did. 335 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 3: That they didn't hit it at the clip that they wanted. 336 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 3: To but With Alyssa, thomas now somebody who is you, 337 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 3: know a four, traditionally but she can assist one of 338 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 3: the best of sisters in the. League like she's gonna 339 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 3: be able to help out in drawing attention defensively because 340 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 3: she can score the basketball as. Well but she's an excellent, 341 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 3: pastor has great court vision in the, half in the full, 342 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 3: court so she'll be able to feed the Cock coppers 343 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 3: and The Satu sabilis who are out on the wing 344 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 3: open for. Threes but they also got a little worse 345 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 3: Than mercury did because bench, WISE i just don't know 346 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 3: that there's enough of a spark. THERE i don't know 347 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 3: if there's enough role players who come in and you 348 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 3: know what you're gonna. Get SO i don't first see 349 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 3: this team going very. FAR i think they're gonna have 350 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 3: some tight games with some of the top teams in 351 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 3: the in the. League for, sure but will it be? 352 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 3: Sustainable will it be? Consistent THAT i don't. 353 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 2: Know couldn't agree more. 354 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:47,640 Speaker 1: Mash this is definitely a wait and see team for, 355 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 1: me WHERE i just, LIKE i want to see how 356 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 1: all the pieces fit, together because no doubt they've got, 357 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 1: talent but how quickly does that talent mesh? Together how 358 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:00,040 Speaker 1: quickly do they find whatever their new identity? Is and 359 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: not to, mention there's just so little experience on this 360 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 1: team once you get beyond the starting, lineup so it's 361 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot of wait and see for me 362 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 1: on This Phoenix mercury. 363 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: Squad all, right we got to take another break when 364 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 2: we come. Back did you hear the News i'm an. 365 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 2: Author welcome, Back. 366 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:30,439 Speaker 1: Slices we love that you're, listening but we want you 367 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 1: to get in the game every day. Too so here's 368 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 1: our good game play of the. DAY i come before 369 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: you once More, slices humbly requesting that you pre order 370 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: my Book runs in The. 371 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:41,360 Speaker 2: Family. 372 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: Y'all official release date keeps getting closer and. Closer june. 373 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: Third it's almost, here AND i just can't wait for 374 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 1: you to dig into this incredible. Story i'd hate for 375 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 1: you to miss out on. It in, Fact i'm doing 376 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: you a favor by telling you about, it And i'm 377 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 1: doing you another favor by putting the link to preorder 378 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: the book right in our show. Note you can read, 379 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: it you can listen to the audiobook, version whatever you. 380 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: Want just order. It we'd love to hear from. You 381 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 1: hit us up on Email Good game at wondermedianetwork dot, 382 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two 383 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: two oh four fifty. Seventy don't forget to, subscribe rate 384 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 1: and review. 385 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:19,200 Speaker 2: Slices it's. 386 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 1: Easy Watch Dominique malonga arriving with a bang or SHOULD 387 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:27,359 Speaker 1: i say, stuff rating tens across the. 388 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 2: Board Review. 389 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: Now i'm a little, late BUT i finally watched the 390 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:33,399 Speaker 1: Video The Seattle storm posted last week of number two 391 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 1: draft Pick malonga throwing one down in her very first 392 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 1: practice with her new. Squad we'll link to it in 393 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: our show notes if you haven't seen. 394 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:42,480 Speaker 2: It because. LISTEN i just have to say. 395 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: THIS i do not think the women's game is missing 396 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:47,920 Speaker 1: anything without. Dunks at the end of the, day whether 397 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:49,960 Speaker 1: you shoot it or slam, it you get two points 398 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:53,120 Speaker 1: for finishing around the. Rim but damn, IT i would 399 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: be lying IF i, said it isn't incredible to see 400 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: HOW w players continue to evolve and become more explosive 401 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: and dynamic. Athletes we are seeing teenagers now that are 402 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: dunking with, ease teenagers Like, milonga WHO i can't wait 403 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: to see do. 404 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 2: This in a. 405 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: Game AND i also can't help but think about what 406 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,480 Speaker 1: would have been possible if we'd started studying women athletes 407 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 1: and women's bodies a long time, Ago like let me 408 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: find out we got springs during our, cycle and we've 409 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 1: just been standing on the ground not even trying to 410 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: dunk like soup a. 411 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 2: Period we don't. Know we just don't. KNOW i could 412 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,720 Speaker 2: have been reverse slamming it all this. Time now it's 413 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 2: your jurd, Y'all rate and. 414 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,199 Speaker 1: Review thanks for, listening see you tomorrow when we Talk 415 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: Dallas wings And Los Angeles sparks. Basketball Good, Game, Seattle Good, Game. 416 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 1: Phoenix you to the fact we still have to wait 417 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: Until friday to watch our first regular SEASON w. 418 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:46,919 Speaker 2: Game all these previews have got me itching for some. 419 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: Hoops Good game With Sarah spain is An iHeart women's 420 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 1: sports production in partnership With Deep Blue sports And. Entertainment 421 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 1: you could find us on The, iHeartRadio, App Apple podcasts 422 00:19:59,200 --> 00:19:59,919 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your. 423 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 2: Podcasts production By Wonder Media. Network our producers Are Alex 424 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 2: azzie And Misha. 425 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 1: Jones our executive producers Are Christina, Everett Jesse, Katz Jenny 426 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: kaplan And Emily. Rutterer our editors Are Emily, Rutterer Britney, 427 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:16,680 Speaker 1: Martinez Grace, lynch And Gianna. Palmer our associate Producers Lucy 428 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: jones And I'm Your Host Sarah spain