WEBVTT - The Shootaround: Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury 0:00:00.840 --> 0:00:03.000 Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're taking 0:00:03.080 --> 0:00:06.280 bets on who number two WNBA draft pick, Dominique Malonga 0:00:06.320 --> 0:00:09.560 will dunk on first. It's Wednesday, May fourteenth, and on 0:00:09.600 --> 0:00:11.520 today show, we'll be skipping the need to know and 0:00:11.600 --> 0:00:14.400 digging straight into the shoot around, previewing our next two 0:00:14.600 --> 0:00:17.639 WNBA teams, the Seattle Storm and the Phoenix Mercury. 0:00:18.000 --> 0:00:20.400 Ready for the starstak stats and stories. 0:00:20.360 --> 0:00:22.120 A little bit of history, a little bit of lore, 0:00:22.200 --> 0:00:24.520 a little bit of gossip, and a little bit more 0:00:25.120 --> 0:00:27.080 well good because it's all coming up right after this, 0:00:38.720 --> 0:00:41.840 all right sliceas let's start by talking Seattle Storm, who 0:00:41.880 --> 0:00:44.120 bounced back from a losing season in twenty twenty three 0:00:44.200 --> 0:00:46.920 to finish twenty five and fifteen last season, their best 0:00:46.960 --> 0:00:49.960 regular season record since twenty eighteen. They went on to 0:00:49.960 --> 0:00:52.000 get swept by the Aces in the first round of 0:00:52.000 --> 0:00:54.240 the playoffs. Here's your need to know history of the 0:00:54.280 --> 0:00:57.560 Seattle Storm. The team was founded in two thousand as 0:00:57.560 --> 0:01:00.320 a sister team to the Seattle SuperSonics the eight in 0:01:00.360 --> 0:01:03.600 Seattle when the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in two 0:01:03.640 --> 0:01:05.920 thousand and eight, as they were sold to Force ten 0:01:05.959 --> 0:01:08.720 Hoops LLC, a collection of Seattle businesswomen. 0:01:09.160 --> 0:01:10.039 Sue Byrd, who. 0:01:09.880 --> 0:01:12.200 Spent her whole w career with the team, joined the 0:01:12.240 --> 0:01:16.080 ownership group after retiring. The Storm had been consistently competitive, 0:01:16.200 --> 0:01:19.280 qualifying for the postseason in nineteen of twenty five seasons, 0:01:19.440 --> 0:01:21.679 and they've won the WNBA title in each of the 0:01:21.680 --> 0:01:24.800 four seasons that they went to the finals four twenty ten, 0:01:25.000 --> 0:01:28.559 twenty eighteen, and twenty twenty. All time Storm grates include 0:01:28.600 --> 0:01:32.560 the aforementioned Bird, Lauren Jackson, Swin Cash, and Brianna Stewart, 0:01:32.560 --> 0:01:35.080 still playing but now with the New York Liberty, the 0:01:35.120 --> 0:01:37.800 twenty twenty five tag line for this team in their 0:01:37.920 --> 0:01:41.480 rebuild era. Now, the Storm should probably be a playoff 0:01:41.520 --> 0:01:43.679 team this season, but I wouldn't expect a deep run 0:01:43.760 --> 0:01:46.360 as they're dealing with a new look roster, young players 0:01:46.400 --> 0:01:49.600 to develop, and a bad string of injuries. The team's 0:01:49.600 --> 0:01:52.560 offseason additions and losses, including trading away one of their 0:01:52.600 --> 0:01:55.360 biggest stars to get the number two draft pick, reveal 0:01:55.440 --> 0:01:58.200 a clear eye toward the future and point to a 0:01:58.240 --> 0:02:01.480 reset and rebuild starting this U season. So let's talk 0:02:01.520 --> 0:02:05.080 about losses. The biggest one that aforementioned star, Jewel Lloyd 0:02:05.320 --> 0:02:07.560 who went to the Aces in a three team deal 0:02:07.680 --> 0:02:10.000 that brought the Storm the number two draft pick to 0:02:10.160 --> 0:02:13.560 use on French national fenom Dominique Belonga, who could be 0:02:13.639 --> 0:02:17.960 the team's next franchise player. At six', six this dunking 0:02:18.040 --> 0:02:20.679 teenager started her pro career at the ripe old. 0:02:20.480 --> 0:02:22.120 Age of, fifteen now. 0:02:22.240 --> 0:02:24.800 Nineteen this, year she made The all Euro Cup First 0:02:24.800 --> 0:02:27.639 team and Won European player of The year And center 0:02:27.639 --> 0:02:30.840 of The year for the tournament as. Well what about, Additions, 0:02:30.880 --> 0:02:33.079 well The storm acquired vet and friend of The Show 0:02:33.160 --> 0:02:36.320 Lexi brown via trade and were active in free, agencies 0:02:36.320 --> 0:02:39.160 Signing Katie Lou samuelson And Erica, wheeler both of whom 0:02:39.160 --> 0:02:42.880 spent last year with the. Fever, Unfortunately samuelson is set 0:02:42.919 --> 0:02:46.080 to miss the season with AN acl, tear joining Teammates Jordan, 0:02:46.160 --> 0:02:49.680 horston injured In Athletes unlimited And Nika, mule who tour 0:02:49.760 --> 0:02:52.960 HER acl playing In. Turkey horston and mules contracts are, 0:02:53.000 --> 0:02:56.760 suspended But samuelson's deal is on the, books so The 0:02:56.800 --> 0:02:59.280 storm will likely carry less than the twelve allowed active 0:02:59.280 --> 0:03:01.480 players to start the season while they worked to create 0:03:01.600 --> 0:03:03.760 enough cap from the stand of the league's hard salary. 0:03:03.800 --> 0:03:07.840 Cap the team also brought back three TIME wnba Champion Alisia, 0:03:07.880 --> 0:03:10.720 clark recently of The, aces who spent her first nine 0:03:10.760 --> 0:03:13.200 seasons In, seattle winning two of her titles with the. 0:03:13.240 --> 0:03:17.080 Team as For, Stars Neca ogumaka is entering just her 0:03:17.200 --> 0:03:20.400 second season on this, team but she's the Elder stateswoman 0:03:20.440 --> 0:03:23.280 and face of the franchise all the. SAME A wnba, 0:03:23.400 --> 0:03:26.400 champ Former LEAGUE, mvp Former rookie of The, year nine 0:03:26.400 --> 0:03:29.519 Time All, star seven Time All Defensive team, selection member 0:03:29.520 --> 0:03:32.600 of THE wnba twenty Fifth Anniversary, team And president of 0:03:32.639 --> 0:03:35.480 The Players. Association she's been a star since she came 0:03:35.520 --> 0:03:38.120 into the league in twenty, twelve spending her first twelve 0:03:38.120 --> 0:03:42.480 seasons with THE La. Sparks Skyler diggins No, smith she's 0:03:42.520 --> 0:03:45.320 dropped her married name entering this, season is back for 0:03:45.360 --> 0:03:47.600 her second season with The storm as. WELL a six 0:03:47.680 --> 0:03:50.160 Time All star And olympic gold, medalist she's been one 0:03:50.160 --> 0:03:52.720 of the league's best known players since her stellar career 0:03:52.720 --> 0:03:54.880 At Notre, dame helping The irish to back to BACK 0:03:54.960 --> 0:03:59.480 Ncaa championship. Appearances and then There's, malonga The french teenager 0:03:59.520 --> 0:04:01.920 who dunk in her very First storm practice and should 0:04:01.920 --> 0:04:04.000 be a big draw for fans this, season as she 0:04:04.040 --> 0:04:07.240 projects to be a future superstar for the. Franchise we'll 0:04:07.240 --> 0:04:09.440 be keeping an eye on how head Coach Noel, quinn 0:04:09.440 --> 0:04:11.960 who's back for her fifth season at The, helm Rotates 0:04:11.960 --> 0:04:14.800 malanga and fellow Center ezzie Mag, bagore who was the 0:04:14.840 --> 0:04:17.440 third highest scorer returning from last year's team and is 0:04:17.480 --> 0:04:19.880 the last remaining player from The storm's twenty twenty, title 0:04:20.080 --> 0:04:22.440 but is expected to get fewer minutes With malanga in the. 0:04:22.480 --> 0:04:25.200 Mix to be, frank the stakes for The storm team 0:04:25.240 --> 0:04:27.880 are relatively. Low they'll aim for the, postseason but they 0:04:27.880 --> 0:04:29.760 don't look prime to compete with the league's best this. 0:04:29.839 --> 0:04:30.800 Season like a. 0:04:30.720 --> 0:04:32.800 Lot of other, teams several of The storm's top names 0:04:32.839 --> 0:04:34.960 will be free agents next season in time for the NEW, 0:04:35.000 --> 0:04:39.840 cba Including Oguomakay, Diggins, clark And Gabby. Williams the focus 0:04:39.839 --> 0:04:43.960 will be on Developing maloga this. Season let's talk. Stats last, 0:04:43.960 --> 0:04:46.520 season The storm finished eighth and field goal percentage and 0:04:46.600 --> 0:04:48.920 had the worst three point percentage in the, league so 0:04:48.960 --> 0:04:51.400 they'll look to improve on the offensive. End they took 0:04:51.480 --> 0:04:53.360 care of the ball last, year, though posting the second 0:04:53.360 --> 0:04:56.240 lowest turnover, rate the lowest opponent steel, rate and the 0:04:56.240 --> 0:04:59.400 lowest opponent block. Rate as for individual, stats we'll be 0:04:59.400 --> 0:05:01.440 watching Sky diggins for a bit of a bounce back, 0:05:01.480 --> 0:05:04.680 season especially since last year was her first back from maternity. 0:05:04.760 --> 0:05:07.200 Leave her fifteen point one points per game were her 0:05:07.320 --> 0:05:10.040 fewests since twenty, sixteen and her twenty nine point one 0:05:10.040 --> 0:05:12.960 percent shooting from three was her worst since twenty, fourteen 0:05:13.360 --> 0:05:15.480 but she did finish fourth in the, league averaging a 0:05:15.520 --> 0:05:18.040 career high six point four. Assists the thirty four year 0:05:18.040 --> 0:05:20.359 Old Uguma kay may be a long time, vet but 0:05:20.440 --> 0:05:23.080 her sixteen point seven points and seven point six rebounds 0:05:23.080 --> 0:05:25.800 per game last season were still slightly better than her career, 0:05:25.839 --> 0:05:29.160 averages and last year marked a third Straight All star. 0:05:29.240 --> 0:05:31.480 Season we'll see if she can keep those numbers up 0:05:31.520 --> 0:05:34.680 in year. Fourteen while there's a lot of storm lore 0:05:34.800 --> 0:05:37.800 around the many, championships the big story that stands out 0:05:37.800 --> 0:05:39.599 to me is just their relationship with the city Of, 0:05:39.600 --> 0:05:43.120 seattle a basketball crazed place that still dearly misses the 0:05:43.240 --> 0:05:47.359 Mnba's SuperSonics and is very dedicated to its very successful w. 0:05:47.560 --> 0:05:50.280 Team From afar to, me it feels like the team 0:05:50.320 --> 0:05:53.640 and Especially Sue, bird have been recognized and embraced across 0:05:53.680 --> 0:05:55.719 the city along with all the men's, teams in a 0:05:55.720 --> 0:05:58.520 way that other cities are only now more recently. Doing 0:05:59.000 --> 0:06:01.680 The storm also built the first dedicated training facility for 0:06:01.680 --> 0:06:05.280 A wnba, team helping inspire the facility wars across the. 0:06:05.360 --> 0:06:07.120 League fun fact for The. 0:06:07.160 --> 0:06:09.599 Storm one of The seattle business women who owns the 0:06:09.600 --> 0:06:12.839 team Is Jinny, gilder a former collegiate And olympic, rower 0:06:13.160 --> 0:06:15.560 and while she was rowing At, yale the conditions for 0:06:15.600 --> 0:06:18.920 the women's team were so unsatisfactory that she was part 0:06:18.920 --> 0:06:22.320 of a noteworthy nineteen seventy six protest in which nineteen 0:06:22.360 --> 0:06:25.240 members of her team Wrote title nine on their naked 0:06:25.279 --> 0:06:28.840 bodies and went into the athletic director's office demanding better 0:06:28.880 --> 0:06:31.640 treatment and a locker room for their. Team pretty, badass, 0:06:32.440 --> 0:06:33.680 Meish what DID i forget About? 0:06:33.680 --> 0:06:34.120 Seattle? 0:06:34.800 --> 0:06:38.240 Oh you mentioned two pieces of WHAT i want to talk, About, 0:06:38.279 --> 0:06:39.800 sarah but you didn't quite put them. 0:06:39.839 --> 0:06:41.280 Together And i'm gonna put them together for. 0:06:41.360 --> 0:06:46.599 You Dominique belonga entering THE wnba with a veteran point 0:06:46.600 --> 0:06:50.559 guard Like Skylar, diggins the rest of the, league y'all messed, 0:06:50.640 --> 0:06:54.479 up y'all and messed up, now because who better to 0:06:54.560 --> 0:06:58.719 teach you from a guard's perspective how to read defenses 0:06:58.760 --> 0:07:01.760 in THE wnba than some who has been in all 0:07:01.839 --> 0:07:04.119 kinds of different positions with some of the best post 0:07:04.120 --> 0:07:06.880 players in the. League that is going to be a 0:07:06.920 --> 0:07:09.880 stupid good pick and roll connection first and. Foremost and 0:07:09.920 --> 0:07:11.920 then you add to the mix that she's coming into 0:07:11.920 --> 0:07:15.240 a situation with Her french national team Teammate Gabby, williams 0:07:15.280 --> 0:07:16.560 so there's some familiarity there. 0:07:16.640 --> 0:07:17.560 ALREADY i. 0:07:17.880 --> 0:07:21.040 Understand it completely makes sense why this was the pick 0:07:21.080 --> 0:07:22.960 And Dominique mlungo was so excited to come To. 0:07:23.040 --> 0:07:23.920 SEATTLE i just. 0:07:25.120 --> 0:07:28.440 Worry if you're an, opponent worry you should be having, 0:07:28.520 --> 0:07:31.360 nightmares should be staying up all night already game planning 0:07:31.400 --> 0:07:32.280 for how you're gonna deal with. 0:07:32.280 --> 0:07:34.280 THAT i get, It, LISTEN i get. It but, like 0:07:34.320 --> 0:07:36.559 we can't say this about every team in the. League every. 0:07:36.560 --> 0:07:39.640 Team we. Can't every team can't be terrifying and a. 0:07:39.720 --> 0:07:41.600 Contender AND i get what you say they can though 0:07:41.640 --> 0:07:43.560 there are pieces of, this and absolutely they should have 0:07:43.640 --> 0:07:44.640 nightmares about gettingdug. 0:07:44.680 --> 0:07:48.240 Done we already saw some folks being, like ain't gonna be. 0:07:48.320 --> 0:07:49.480 Me i'm not gonna be the. 0:07:49.480 --> 0:07:52.440 First player IN wnba history to get absolutely post. Terrized 0:07:52.760 --> 0:07:55.240 gonna be, someone gonna be. SOMEONE i get what you're, 0:07:55.240 --> 0:07:56.640 saying AND i agree with. You And i'm not saying 0:07:56.640 --> 0:07:57.400 that The storm are going to. 0:07:57.440 --> 0:07:57.760 Be a bad. 0:07:57.760 --> 0:08:01.320 Team i'm just trying to figure out to reconcile that every, 0:08:01.360 --> 0:08:03.520 team on, paper not every. 0:08:03.520 --> 0:08:07.080 TEAM a lot of the teams that felt. Shady, sorry, 0:08:07.120 --> 0:08:07.720 Well i'm. 0:08:07.600 --> 0:08:10.240 Looking right at your face and that jersey behind you 0:08:10.880 --> 0:08:14.600 for The washington but not every team seems like a. 0:08:14.640 --> 0:08:16.280 Contender BUT i agree with, you there are a lot 0:08:16.320 --> 0:08:18.680 of aspects about This storm team to be terrified. 0:08:18.800 --> 0:08:21.520 About, YEAH i think that you're right in saying that 0:08:21.760 --> 0:08:24.720 maybe we expect the playoff, birth but past, that it 0:08:24.960 --> 0:08:27.480 just there's not enough. There there's not going to be enough. 0:08:27.480 --> 0:08:30.840 Cohesion and yet again a situation WHERE i. 0:08:30.880 --> 0:08:32.840 WISH i don't wish that we weren't getting a NEW. 0:08:32.920 --> 0:08:34.760 Cba i'm glad we're getting a NEW, cba BUT i 0:08:34.800 --> 0:08:36.960 do wish there was just more time to see this 0:08:37.040 --> 0:08:39.200 group come together and have a little bit more. 0:08:39.240 --> 0:08:43.920 Chemistry All, right gotta take a quick. 0:08:43.960 --> 0:08:45.720 Break when we come, back we'll chat about a new 0:08:45.720 --> 0:08:48.400 Look Phoenix mercury squad hoping to make its mark catch 0:08:48.440 --> 0:08:49.000 you on the other. 0:08:48.880 --> 0:09:13.040 Side. 0:09:02.960 --> 0:09:03.480 Welcome back. 0:09:03.520 --> 0:09:06.880 Slices let's Talk Phoenix, mercury who finished nineteen and twenty 0:09:06.880 --> 0:09:08.920 one last year in their first season under head Coach 0:09:09.000 --> 0:09:11.520 Nate tibbets and their last with one of the goats 0:09:11.520 --> 0:09:14.280 of the, Game Diana. Trossi it was a third straight 0:09:14.320 --> 0:09:16.640 losing season for the, squad but they doubled their wins 0:09:16.640 --> 0:09:18.280 from the previous season and made it back to the, 0:09:18.320 --> 0:09:20.680 playoffs where they were swept by The Minnesota links in 0:09:20.720 --> 0:09:23.800 the first. Round here's The Phoenix mercury history you need to. 0:09:23.840 --> 0:09:27.439 Know one of the w's eight original, teams The mercury 0:09:27.480 --> 0:09:30.280 began competing in nineteen ninety, seven operating as a sister 0:09:30.360 --> 0:09:33.760 squad to the Mnba's Phoenix, suns founded by Former sons 0:09:33.800 --> 0:09:34.320 Owner Jerry. 0:09:34.360 --> 0:09:36.440 Clangelo Robert sarver purchased the. 0:09:36.440 --> 0:09:39.080 Team alongside The suns in two thousand and, four and 0:09:39.120 --> 0:09:41.280 in twenty twenty, three both teams were bought, again this 0:09:41.320 --> 0:09:43.839 time by Businessman Matt. Eshbia this is one of the 0:09:43.880 --> 0:09:46.920 most successful franchises in the, league making it to five, 0:09:47.000 --> 0:09:50.360 finals losing to the now Defunct Houston comets in ninety 0:09:50.360 --> 0:09:53.120 eight and losing to The Chicago sky in twenty twenty, 0:09:53.120 --> 0:09:56.040 one but hanging three championship banners and The rafters in, 0:09:56.080 --> 0:09:58.760 between winning titles in two thousand and, seven two thousand and, 0:09:58.800 --> 0:10:02.240 nine and twenty fourteen over the now Defunct Detroit, shock 0:10:02.440 --> 0:10:05.839 The Indiana, fever and The, sky. Respectively phoenix has made 0:10:05.840 --> 0:10:07.719 it to the playoffs in eighteen of its twenty nine, 0:10:07.760 --> 0:10:10.439 seasons and all time legends who have helped him get 0:10:10.480 --> 0:10:13.920 there Include, tarasi her wife and former Teammate Penny, Taylor 0:10:14.280 --> 0:10:17.400 candice To, prix And Cappie, pondexter as well as active 0:10:17.400 --> 0:10:20.280 Players Britney, Griner Dwana, bonner And Skyler diggins who are 0:10:20.280 --> 0:10:23.360 all on other rosters. Now The mercury's twenty twenty five 0:10:23.400 --> 0:10:26.640 tag line is a new. Start, listen you might not 0:10:26.679 --> 0:10:29.040 recognize The mercury team that takes the court in twenty twenty, 0:10:29.080 --> 0:10:31.720 five and WHEN i tell you about this team's offseason 0:10:31.760 --> 0:10:36.240 additions and, losses you'll understand. Why, first AS i, mentioned 0:10:36.559 --> 0:10:39.240 the team finally had to say goodbye to retiring Legend Diana, 0:10:39.280 --> 0:10:42.600 tarassi the league's all time leading scorer with ten, thy 0:10:42.760 --> 0:10:44.959 six hundred and forty six points in five hundred and 0:10:44.960 --> 0:10:47.760 sixty five regular season. GAMES dt hung them up In, 0:10:47.760 --> 0:10:51.040 february after twenty seasons of hoops with the franchise that 0:10:51.160 --> 0:10:53.400 took her number one in two thousand and four out Of. 0:10:53.480 --> 0:10:55.400 Yukon goes without. 0:10:55.120 --> 0:10:58.000 Saying that those are big shoes to, Fill but it's 0:10:58.040 --> 0:10:59.840 not just the loss of D t that has This 0:11:00.000 --> 0:11:02.800 mercury squad looking brand. New this will also be the 0:11:02.800 --> 0:11:06.920 first season since twenty twelve without eleven year VETERAN Wnba, 0:11:07.040 --> 0:11:09.920 champ ten Time All, star two Time league Scoring, champ 0:11:10.000 --> 0:11:12.160 two Time Defensive player of The, year seven Time All 0:11:12.240 --> 0:11:14.679 Defensive team, member eight Time league. 0:11:14.480 --> 0:11:17.120 Blocks later AND wnba twenty Fifth. 0:11:16.960 --> 0:11:20.760 Anniversary team Member Britney, griner who The mercury drafted first 0:11:20.800 --> 0:11:24.080 overall out Of baylor in twenty. Thirteen all those stats 0:11:24.280 --> 0:11:28.800 Ann griner wears a men's size seventeen, shoe so, yeah, 0:11:28.840 --> 0:11:32.200 again big shoes to. Fill Point Guard Natasha cloud went 0:11:32.200 --> 0:11:34.200 to the reigning Champion New York liberty in a four 0:11:34.240 --> 0:11:36.880 team trade that also Sent Rebecca allen to The Chicago 0:11:36.960 --> 0:11:40.359 sky And Sophie cunningham to The, Fever but the franchise 0:11:40.480 --> 0:11:43.880 did do some work with. Acquisitions that four team trade 0:11:43.920 --> 0:11:46.440 also brought five Time All star and six Time All 0:11:46.480 --> 0:11:49.920 Defensive team Member Alyssa, thomas Two phoenix from The Connecticut, 0:11:49.960 --> 0:11:53.839 sun The unicorn two Time All Star Sawtu, sobolei Plus 0:11:53.920 --> 0:11:57.079 Kalanie brown and Sevgae, uzen all of whom spent last 0:11:57.120 --> 0:11:59.720 season with The Dallas. Wings they also signed two time 0:11:59.840 --> 0:12:02.520 W Nba Champ Sammy, whitcombe who spent the last two 0:12:02.559 --> 0:12:05.920 seasons In. Seattle despite the big name, departures this team 0:12:06.000 --> 0:12:09.880 still boasts a couple bona fide, stars INCLUDING Wnba, CHAMP 0:12:10.040 --> 0:12:13.600 Wnba FINALS, mvp four Time All, star and recent unrivaled 0:12:13.679 --> 0:12:17.640 Champ Kalia, copper plus the NEWBIES i Mentioned Alyssa, thomas 0:12:17.840 --> 0:12:20.000 one of the most consistent triple double threats in the 0:12:20.080 --> 0:12:23.319 league with a league record fifteen all, time and The 0:12:23.440 --> 0:12:26.240 Unicorn satusable who can do it all when she stays. 0:12:26.280 --> 0:12:29.720 Healthy the stakes for this, team, Well we've mentioned during 0:12:29.720 --> 0:12:32.680 these previews that several teams carry a number of soon 0:12:32.720 --> 0:12:34.960 to be free, agents all of them trying to time 0:12:35.000 --> 0:12:36.480 their deals to the NEW cba next. 0:12:36.559 --> 0:12:38.560 Year phoenix takes the. 0:12:38.640 --> 0:12:42.040 Cake this team has just one contract that goes beyond 0:12:42.040 --> 0:12:44.920 twenty twenty Five Colonie. Brown she's going to be standing 0:12:44.960 --> 0:12:46.800 in an empty locker room day one of the, offseason 0:12:46.800 --> 0:12:47.920 looking like The Fresh prince. 0:12:48.000 --> 0:12:51.000 Meme the good news, is, though they do have one. 0:12:50.960 --> 0:12:53.080 Of the best recruiting tools in the, league a brand 0:12:53.160 --> 0:12:56.720 new one hundred million dollar practice, Facility so this year's 0:12:56.760 --> 0:12:59.080 stakes might be as much about winning as they are 0:12:59.080 --> 0:13:01.480 about sending a message to the league That phoenix is 0:13:01.520 --> 0:13:03.560 the place to be and a great team to work. 0:13:03.600 --> 0:13:06.800 For as for the, stats the team looks so different this. 0:13:06.960 --> 0:13:09.360 YEAR i think the thing that's most worth mentioning is 0:13:09.400 --> 0:13:12.120 what this team loses with dt And grinder. Gone the 0:13:12.160 --> 0:13:15.199 pair are The mercury's top two all time in scoring and. 0:13:15.360 --> 0:13:19.400 Rebounding tarasi is the franchise leader and, Assists grinder's fourth 0:13:19.440 --> 0:13:21.680 on that, list And griner is the all time blocks, 0:13:21.720 --> 0:13:25.240 leader With taras's second in that. Category that's a lot of, points, 0:13:25.360 --> 0:13:28.720 boards dimes and blocks to try to. Replace they'll try 0:13:28.760 --> 0:13:31.000 to do it Playing Nate tibbet's style of high volume 0:13:31.040 --> 0:13:33.800 three point. Shooting the team averaged the fourth most attempts 0:13:33.840 --> 0:13:35.720 in the league last, year though they were middle of 0:13:35.720 --> 0:13:38.240 the pack in percentage shooting just thirty two point six. 0:13:38.320 --> 0:13:41.760 Percent for all that, shooting the squad didn't corral a 0:13:41.800 --> 0:13:44.199 lot of boards on. Offense they were next to last 0:13:44.240 --> 0:13:46.480 in offensive, boards so a lot of one and done, 0:13:46.559 --> 0:13:50.120 possessions and they weren't great at rebounding, overall finishing eleventh 0:13:50.160 --> 0:13:54.280 in total Rebounds. Individually satusabli's one of just four players 0:13:54.320 --> 0:13:58.360 IN wnba history averaging at least fifteen, points seven, rebounds 0:13:58.360 --> 0:14:01.040 and three assists per, Game but she's also only played 0:14:01.040 --> 0:14:04.320 more than twenty games in a season. Once in twenty twenty, 0:14:04.400 --> 0:14:06.959 Three we'll see if she can stay healthy and put 0:14:07.040 --> 0:14:09.520 up those numbers across an entire forty four game. Season 0:14:10.280 --> 0:14:12.439 the stories and lore for This Phoenix mercury. 0:14:12.440 --> 0:14:13.360 Team where do we? 0:14:13.440 --> 0:14:17.080 Begin maybe with that fancy practice FACILITY i mentioned taking 0:14:17.160 --> 0:14:20.480 the acl of Actress Aubrey plaz as a sacrifice during 0:14:20.560 --> 0:14:23.720 last Year's All star. Weekend how about Coach Nate timbitt's 0:14:23.720 --> 0:14:26.240 coming into the league with no head coaching experience and 0:14:26.280 --> 0:14:29.880 no women's basketball experience and immediately being made the highest. 0:14:29.640 --> 0:14:31.640 Paid coach in the, league all while. 0:14:31.440 --> 0:14:34.080 The team proudly called him a girl dad in the 0:14:34.120 --> 0:14:38.200 social media post announcing is. Higher what About Diana tarassi's 0:14:38.200 --> 0:14:41.480 infamous episode with the door in The chicago skylocker room 0:14:41.640 --> 0:14:43.840 after The mercury lost in the finals in twenty twenty. 0:14:43.880 --> 0:14:46.000 One speaking, up by the, way. 0:14:46.120 --> 0:14:48.600 More info soon to come on the unveiling of Our 0:14:48.640 --> 0:14:51.120 Diana tarassi commemorative bench In Door. 0:14:51.280 --> 0:14:52.880 COUNTY i promise. 0:14:53.280 --> 0:14:55.520 Fun fact about The. Mercury, ah you gotta go with 0:14:55.520 --> 0:14:57.920 some hoops and gay shit. Here So Alyssa thomas and 0:14:57.920 --> 0:15:01.080 Fiance Duana bonner spent the last five seasons together on 0:15:01.120 --> 0:15:05.200 The Connecticut sun the perfect love and basketball. Situation but 0:15:05.360 --> 0:15:07.920 Now i'll have to see how time a part affects 0:15:07.960 --> 0:15:10.720 the power. Couple With thomas on The mercury And bonner 0:15:10.760 --> 0:15:13.160 on The Indiana, fever can their love go the? 0:15:13.200 --> 0:15:15.360 Distance, also who follows who? 0:15:15.360 --> 0:15:17.280 First when their teams meet for the first time On july. 0:15:17.400 --> 0:15:21.480 Thirtieth my money's On. Bonner all, right that's most of, 0:15:21.520 --> 0:15:23.240 IT i think for The, mercury what DID i? 0:15:23.280 --> 0:15:25.520 Forget, Sarah phoenix is. 0:15:25.560 --> 0:15:28.240 Tough phoenix is tough for, Me i've got some question 0:15:28.320 --> 0:15:31.960 marks around this. Squad they got a little, better but 0:15:32.000 --> 0:15:34.200 they also got a little. Worse so WHAT i mean 0:15:34.240 --> 0:15:37.520 by that Is Nate tibbetts in his first year at 0:15:37.520 --> 0:15:39.680 the home in twenty twenty, four said that one of 0:15:39.680 --> 0:15:42.160 his main points of emphasis was for his team to 0:15:42.200 --> 0:15:44.920 get up a lot of, shots specifically a lot of three. 0:15:44.960 --> 0:15:46.840 Pointers and they did that. 0:15:46.960 --> 0:15:47.520 Right they did. 0:15:47.560 --> 0:15:49.320 That they didn't hit it at the clip that they wanted. 0:15:49.360 --> 0:15:53.560 To but With Alyssa, thomas now somebody who is you, 0:15:53.600 --> 0:15:58.120 know a four, traditionally but she can assist one of 0:15:58.120 --> 0:16:00.520 the best of sisters in the. League like she's gonna 0:16:00.520 --> 0:16:05.080 be able to help out in drawing attention defensively because 0:16:05.080 --> 0:16:08.280 she can score the basketball as. Well but she's an excellent, 0:16:08.280 --> 0:16:10.920 pastor has great court vision in the, half in the full, 0:16:10.960 --> 0:16:13.480 court so she'll be able to feed the Cock coppers 0:16:13.680 --> 0:16:16.680 and The Satu sabilis who are out on the wing 0:16:16.760 --> 0:16:19.800 open for. Threes but they also got a little worse 0:16:19.920 --> 0:16:23.600 Than mercury did because bench, WISE i just don't know 0:16:23.720 --> 0:16:27.280 that there's enough of a spark. THERE i don't know 0:16:27.280 --> 0:16:30.200 if there's enough role players who come in and you 0:16:30.240 --> 0:16:33.040 know what you're gonna. Get SO i don't first see 0:16:33.080 --> 0:16:36.680 this team going very. FAR i think they're gonna have 0:16:36.720 --> 0:16:38.480 some tight games with some of the top teams in 0:16:38.520 --> 0:16:40.800 the in the. League for, sure but will it be? 0:16:40.840 --> 0:16:43.760 Sustainable will it be? Consistent THAT i don't. 0:16:43.520 --> 0:16:44.960 Know couldn't agree more. 0:16:45.040 --> 0:16:47.640 Mash this is definitely a wait and see team for, 0:16:47.760 --> 0:16:49.800 me WHERE i just, LIKE i want to see how 0:16:49.840 --> 0:16:52.760 all the pieces fit, together because no doubt they've got, 0:16:52.800 --> 0:16:56.520 talent but how quickly does that talent mesh? Together how 0:16:56.600 --> 0:17:00.040 quickly do they find whatever their new identity? Is and 0:17:00.120 --> 0:17:02.640 not to, mention there's just so little experience on this 0:17:02.680 --> 0:17:04.800 team once you get beyond the starting, lineup so it's 0:17:04.800 --> 0:17:06.040 gonna be a lot of wait and see for me 0:17:06.160 --> 0:17:07.320 on This Phoenix mercury. 0:17:07.320 --> 0:17:09.480 Squad all, right we got to take another break when 0:17:09.520 --> 0:17:12.720 we come. Back did you hear the News i'm an. 0:17:12.760 --> 0:17:28.520 Author welcome, Back. 0:17:28.560 --> 0:17:30.439 Slices we love that you're, listening but we want you 0:17:30.480 --> 0:17:32.400 to get in the game every day. Too so here's 0:17:32.400 --> 0:17:35.280 our good game play of the. DAY i come before 0:17:35.320 --> 0:17:39.040 you once More, slices humbly requesting that you pre order 0:17:39.119 --> 0:17:40.919 my Book runs in The. 0:17:40.960 --> 0:17:41.360 Family. 0:17:42.040 --> 0:17:46.520 Y'all official release date keeps getting closer and. Closer june. 0:17:46.560 --> 0:17:49.320 Third it's almost, here AND i just can't wait for 0:17:49.359 --> 0:17:51.960 you to dig into this incredible. Story i'd hate for 0:17:52.000 --> 0:17:53.879 you to miss out on. It in, Fact i'm doing 0:17:53.920 --> 0:17:56.240 you a favor by telling you about, it And i'm 0:17:56.240 --> 0:17:58.840 doing you another favor by putting the link to preorder 0:17:58.920 --> 0:18:01.080 the book right in our show. Note you can read, 0:18:01.119 --> 0:18:04.600 it you can listen to the audiobook, version whatever you. 0:18:04.640 --> 0:18:09.080 Want just order. It we'd love to hear from. You 0:18:09.160 --> 0:18:11.640 hit us up on Email Good game at wondermedianetwork dot, 0:18:11.680 --> 0:18:13.960 com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two 0:18:13.960 --> 0:18:17.760 two oh four fifty. Seventy don't forget to, subscribe rate 0:18:17.800 --> 0:18:18.320 and review. 0:18:18.400 --> 0:18:19.200 Slices it's. 0:18:19.240 --> 0:18:24.200 Easy Watch Dominique malonga arriving with a bang or SHOULD 0:18:24.200 --> 0:18:27.359 i say, stuff rating tens across the. 0:18:27.400 --> 0:18:28.760 Board Review. 0:18:28.920 --> 0:18:30.680 Now i'm a little, late BUT i finally watched the 0:18:30.760 --> 0:18:33.399 Video The Seattle storm posted last week of number two 0:18:33.480 --> 0:18:36.280 draft Pick malonga throwing one down in her very first 0:18:36.280 --> 0:18:38.639 practice with her new. Squad we'll link to it in 0:18:38.680 --> 0:18:40.000 our show notes if you haven't seen. 0:18:39.800 --> 0:18:42.480 It because. LISTEN i just have to say. 0:18:42.480 --> 0:18:44.800 THIS i do not think the women's game is missing 0:18:44.960 --> 0:18:47.920 anything without. Dunks at the end of the, day whether 0:18:47.960 --> 0:18:49.960 you shoot it or slam, it you get two points 0:18:49.960 --> 0:18:53.120 for finishing around the. Rim but damn, IT i would 0:18:53.160 --> 0:18:55.280 be lying IF i, said it isn't incredible to see 0:18:55.280 --> 0:18:59.440 HOW w players continue to evolve and become more explosive 0:18:59.440 --> 0:19:02.760