1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:02,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're in 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,800 Speaker 1: sunny SoCal for an Angel City FC game tonight, one 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:10,880 Speaker 1: step closer to making Jennifer Garner our bestie. It's Friday, 4 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: May eighth, Happy Friday Slices. On today's show, we'll be 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 1: continuing the shoot around our team by team previews, getting 6 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:19,919 Speaker 1: your prep for the twenty twenty five WNBA season. And 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,840 Speaker 1: today we're talking Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever. Ready for 8 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: the Stars, Steaks, stats and stories, a little history, a 9 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: little Lord, a little gossip, and a little more strap 10 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: in y'all. It's all coming up right after this Welcome 11 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: Back slices. Here's what you need to know today in 12 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: hockey news. The PWHL Playoffs continue tonight with Game two 13 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: of the series between the Minnesota Frost and the Toronto Scepters. 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: Toronto took game one on home ice Wednesday, downing the 15 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: Frost three to two. Scepters. Forward Blair Turnbull opened up 16 00:01:01,080 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: the scoring in the first period, then position mate Julia 17 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: Gosling blasted two pucks into the goal in the second. 18 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: Britta carl Salem and Katie Nole were the players who 19 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: put Minnesota on the board in the second and third frames. 20 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: Puck drops on Game two at seven pm Eastern tonight. 21 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: You can catch it on Prime Video or fan Dual 22 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,680 Speaker 1: Sports Network. The Montreal Ottawa series continues this weekend after 23 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: Ottawa took Game one. We'll put the full schedule in 24 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: our show notes in Hoops Friend of the Show in 25 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: Nasmith Hall of Famer Sue Byrd was named the first 26 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:31,560 Speaker 1: ever managing director of the USA women's national team yesterday. 27 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: The five time Olympic gold medalist will be tasked with 28 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: choosing the national team's coaching staff and players for major 29 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: international competitions like the twenty twenty six FEEBO Women's World 30 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: Cup and the LA twenty eight Olympics. She'll also handle 31 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,680 Speaker 1: roster selection for the program's training camps over the next 32 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: three years. Prior to the creation of the managing director 33 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: position on the women's side, these decisions were made by 34 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 1: a committee. Byrd, who amassed a one hundred and sixty 35 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 1: two to nine record in her time playing for USA basketball, 36 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 1: now assumes a role that is exist stood on the 37 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: men's side for two decades, currently held by former MNBA 38 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: great Grant Hill. That's two new jobs in one week. 39 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: For Sube Bird in addition to everything else that she does. 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: Sue drop the dates on the cloning. No way, just 41 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: one of you is doing all of this more hoops 42 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: Las Vegas Asystar Asia Wilson's signature A one Nike shoe 43 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,760 Speaker 1: sold out within minutes of its release. On Tuesday morning. 44 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: The Pink Aura colorway dropped it ten Eastern and by 45 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: ten oh five it was out of stock on the 46 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 1: company's website. But if you missed it, don't worry. Wilson 47 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: wrote in a post on her Instagram story that quote 48 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: We're dropping again Thursday at Nike stores and other spots everywhere. 49 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: I do this for the real ones always end quote. 50 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: In addition to a restock on the Pink auras, the 51 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: Blue Indigo Girl and og Pearl colorways are dropping May fifteenth, 52 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,240 Speaker 1: the day before the WNBA season tips off. Even more hoops. 53 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: The WNBA has entered into an agreement with the pop 54 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: culture lifestyle brand Funko Pop, which will launch its first 55 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: ever WNBA player Pop Figures. Four players will have their 56 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: likenesses transformed into these highly coveted collectibles. Asia Wilson, Angel Reese, 57 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: Brienna Stewart, and Caitlin Clark. The collab was announced on 58 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 1: Wednesday via press release, and the teeny tiny figures will 59 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 1: be available for pre sale on May fourteenth to the court. 60 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 1: Just one WNBA preseason game to indulge in this evening, 61 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,519 Speaker 1: the Connecticut Sun had to Barclays Center to face the 62 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,239 Speaker 1: New York Liberty at seven eastern. This will be Connecticut's 63 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: last tune up before the season officially starts May sixteenth. 64 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,320 Speaker 1: We previewed both teams and yesterday's show, so if you 65 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,239 Speaker 1: missed it, go back and listen before tonight's showdown. As 66 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,400 Speaker 1: with the rest of the preseason games, this contest will 67 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 1: be available for free on League Pass in the WNBA 68 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: app to College Softball Conference championships are underway across the 69 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: country this weekend. Programs are buying for spots in the 70 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: Division One Softball Championships sixty four team bracket. The postseason 71 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 1: picture will be set in stone this coming Sunday when 72 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty five NCAA Softball Selection Show airs at 73 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: seven eastern on ESPN two. Then the championship tournament begins 74 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: with regionals for May sixteenth to eighteenth. We'll link to 75 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: the full college softball schedule in our show notes in 76 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: vib's news. The PVF Championship is this weekend. The semi 77 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: finals are tonight starting at eight pm Eastern, with the 78 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: number one Omaha Supernovas facing number four Indie Ignite, followed 79 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 1: by number two Atlanta Vibe against number three Orlando Valkyries 80 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 1: at ten thirty pm Eastern. The winners of those contests 81 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: will meet in the championship match on Sunday at four 82 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: pm Eastern, and you can catch all this weekend's action 83 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,960 Speaker 1: on CBS Sports Network. A little bit more on the 84 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: PVF Championship coming later in the show to Soccer. We've 85 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 1: got a double dose of NWSL action tonight. First up, 86 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: it's Racing Louisville FC hosting Gotham FC at eight pm 87 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: Eastern on Prime Video, followed by Angel CITYFC and the 88 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,920 Speaker 1: Utah Royals at ten thirty pm Eastern on NWSL Plus 89 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: and Paramount Plus. Look for me and my bestie Jen 90 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: in the crowd. I'm sorry the owners suite off the pitch. 91 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: We want to say a huge congratulations to Christy Muis, 92 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: former US women's national team player and a midfielder, most 93 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 1: recently with west Ham United and her partner Chelsea and 94 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: Australia forward Sam Kerr. On Thursday, the footy couple announced 95 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 1: they've welcomed their first child into the world. The pair 96 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: introduced their little one via Instagram post with the caption quote, 97 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: our little man is here, Jagger muis Kerr end quote 98 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 1: hell of a name, young man. We'll link to the 99 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: post in our show notes. And a little more footy 100 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: and baby news. US Women's national team and Chicago Stars 101 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: forward Mallory Swanson, who announced she'd missed the Nwslcason opener 102 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: back in March with a quote personal Matter, has revealed 103 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 1: that she's expecting her first child with her husband, Chicago 104 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson. The caption on the Instagram announcement 105 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: read quote our greatest blessing, with a picture of the 106 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,920 Speaker 1: gorgeous couple holding hands in all white. They're surrounded by 107 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 1: beautiful bouquets and Malice holding the sonogram in her hand. 108 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 1: We'll link to the post in our show notes so 109 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 1: you can check it out. How about that little Chicago 110 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: sports baby. That kid is going to be cute and 111 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,720 Speaker 1: way athletic. My heart is happy for them. In tam 112 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:03,920 Speaker 1: USA News on Tuesday, the United States Olympic and Paralympic 113 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: Committee announced the inductees to the twenty twenty five US 114 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame class. The class includes 115 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:15,000 Speaker 1: jymnast Gabby Douglas, rower, Anita de France, sprinter Allison Felix, 116 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:18,359 Speaker 1: para archer, track and field athlete and wheelchair basketball player, 117 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: Susan Hagel, indoor volleyball player Flow Hyman, beach volleyball player 118 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: Carrie Walsh Jennings para track and field athlete Marla Runyon, 119 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: tennis player Serena Williams, and the two thousand and four 120 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: women's wheelchair basketball team. What a group. They'll all be 121 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday, July twelfth, at 122 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: a ceremony in Colorado Springs. Congratulations class of twenty twenty 123 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: five Slices. I want to let you know about a 124 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 1: very special E sixty feature coming out this weekend. Reported 125 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 1: by Friends of the show soccer legend Julie Foudy and 126 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:53,080 Speaker 1: director producer Jennifer Carson Strauss. It's the story of Stanford 127 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: soccer captain Katie Meyer, who died by suicide just three 128 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 1: months shy of graduation. When her family went searching for answers, 129 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: they found out Katie was facing a Stanford disciplinary procedure 130 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: relating to hot coffee spilled on a football player, a 131 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: disciplinary issue they had heard nothing about. The Future tells 132 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 1: the heartbreaking story of Katie's death and the advocacy that's followed, 133 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: including the California law in her name that her parents 134 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: fought to pass. The Future premieres this Saturday, eleven am 135 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: Eastern on ESPN, and we'll be streaming afterward on ESPN Plus. 136 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: I know this has been a very long time coming 137 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 1: and took a lot of work in cooperation with Katie 138 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: Meyer's grieving family, So I want to give a shout 139 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: out to Julie Foudy for all her hard work on this. 140 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: Look forward to watching it. We got to take a 141 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: quick break when we come back, time to go to sleep. 142 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: Not quite, but we are talking about the Dream stick around. 143 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: Welcome back, y'all. We're starting today's previews with the Atlanta Dream, 144 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: who finished with a fifteen to twenty five record last 145 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: season and lost in the first round of the playoffs 146 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: to the eventual champs, the New York Liberty. Here's the 147 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: Atlanta Dream history. You Need to Know, an expansion franchise 148 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: that joined the league in two thousand and eight, The 149 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: Dream have made ten playoff appearances but have yet to 150 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 1: win it all. Past stars include Sancho Little, Angel mccattree 151 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: and Renee Montgomery, who's now co owner and vice president 152 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: of the franchise. Also, two big contributors to Dream history 153 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: are still active but with other teams, Courtney Williams, who's 154 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: not with the Minnesota Linx, and Tiffany Hayes, currently a 155 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 1: member of the Golden State Valkyries. Their twenty twenty five 156 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: tagline keep the Dream alive. After his sixth straight season 157 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 1: with a losing record, the Dream need to shake things up, 158 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: and a new look roster will hopefully do just that. 159 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: Let's talk this team's offseason additions and losses, starting at 160 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: the top. The team let go of head coach Tanisha 161 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: Wright in the off season and will enter twenty twenty 162 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: five under Carl Smesco, a first time w head coach 163 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: who had a very successful coaching career at Florida Gulf 164 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: Coast University. He helped them to eleven Atlantic Sun Tournament 165 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: championships and seven trips to the Division one NCAA Tournament 166 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,319 Speaker 1: roster wise, the Dream said goodbye to some pieces from 167 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four, including vet Tina Charles, who's back with 168 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: the Connecticut Sun, and forward Giant Parker Tias who's with 169 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: the Las Vegas Aces. They picked up some pretty big 170 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: names eleven year vet, nine time All Star and former 171 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: WNBA champ with Brittany Griner coming over from Phoenix, and 172 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: they signed three time All Star Breonna Jones, who spent 173 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: the first eight seasons of her w career in Connecticut, 174 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: making the playoffs each year but never quite coming away 175 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: with the title. They also added shatory walker kimbro who 176 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: spent the last four seasons with the Washington Mystics and 177 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 1: has a championship on her resume. In the draft, atl 178 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: picked up South Carolina guard to Hina Powell Pow at 179 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: number eighteen, then got Ohio State forward Taylor Theory at 180 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: thirty six. Both of them are fighting to stick on 181 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: this roster. So who are this team's stars. Well, twenty 182 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 1: five year old two time All Star Ryan Howard is 183 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: the scoring leader on this squad in just her third 184 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: year in the league. The guard paced the Dream at 185 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: seventeen point three points per game a sneaky to presence. 186 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: She also snatched the second most deals among guards in 187 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty four campaign, a little under two per game. 188 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: Atlanta has also got another dynamic guard at Alisha Gray, 189 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: known for her defensive intensity and ability to hit the 190 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,680 Speaker 1: three ball at a strong clip, shooting over thirty four percent. 191 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: An All Star in each of the last two seasons, 192 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: Gray was right on Howard's heels last season, putting up 193 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: fifteen point six points per game. Jordan, Canada's the point 194 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 1: guard glue who brings things together, and she had a 195 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 1: strong showing in her first year with Atlanta last season, 196 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 1: but she went down with an apparent right knee injury 197 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: in the team's first preseason game against the Washington Mystics 198 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: on Wednesday, so TBD on her health status to begin 199 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 1: the regular season. Then, of course, some stars in the 200 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,679 Speaker 1: newcomers Britney Griner, one of the most dominant players in 201 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: league history coming off a seventh career season averaging at 202 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,440 Speaker 1: least seventeen points and six boards, and perennial All Star 203 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 1: Breanna Jones. The stakes this season for Atlanta not super high. 204 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: With the coaching and personnel changes, it wouldn't be a 205 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 1: surprise if they struggle a little bit to start the 206 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: season and adjust. They finished below five hundred every year 207 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 1: since twenty eighteen, though the past couple seasons have seen 208 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 1: them clinch a playoff berth before losing in the first round. 209 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: This season, they've got the same foundational pieces Howard and Gray, 210 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: so their ceiling should be another playoff appearance. Anything more 211 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: than that and maybe goals have been exceeded. This is 212 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 1: also a team with enough talent to bring the fireworks 213 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: on any given night, though, which makes the Dream a 214 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: bit of a wildcard. As for stats, Atlanta was second 215 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: to last in three point percentage last season, hitting only 216 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: thirty point eight percent of attempts, and they were tenth 217 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: in the league in total made three pointers, slightly better 218 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: than dead last in that category of the year before, 219 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 1: so they need to improve their outside shooting. In fact, 220 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,560 Speaker 1: their offense on the whole needs work. The Dream averaged 221 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:44,880 Speaker 1: the fewest points in the league last season at seventy 222 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: seven per contest, and shot the worst field goal percentage 223 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: at forty point eight percent. The team's offensive rating, or 224 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: points scored per one hundred possessions, was ninety nine, second 225 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: to last in the WNBA last season, and to top 226 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: it off, was also eleventh in the WNBA in pace. So, 227 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 1: like I said, they got to put in some work 228 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: on the offensive side of the floor. On the flip side, 229 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 1: The Dream snag the third most defensive rebounds in the 230 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: WNBA at twenty six point nine per game, held opponents 231 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: to just forty two point nine percent shooting from the floor, 232 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: fourth lowest clip in the league, and we're middle of 233 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: the pack in defensive rating. The stories and lore for 234 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 1: this team mostly surround Ryan Howard and Alisha Gray. They're 235 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: not just scoring threats on the court, they're also buds 236 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 1: off of it. Both are kind of soft spoken with 237 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 1: laid back vibes, but also low key hilarious in their downtime. 238 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: Howard and Gray have earned reps as entertaining TikTok food 239 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 1: and drink critics. We'll be sure to link to one 240 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:42,559 Speaker 1: of their bids in our show notes. And Grey's Sandersville, 241 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:45,880 Speaker 1: Georgia accent is a hoot. We can listen to her 242 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:49,199 Speaker 1: talk all day. I love especially how she's like surprised 243 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: that people find her accent interesting. She doesn't even hear 244 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 1: what she sounds like. It's great. Gray also made waves 245 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:57,960 Speaker 1: at WNBA All Star twenty twenty four when she became 246 00:12:58,000 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: the first player to win the three point in skill 247 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: competitions in the same year. Seems like when there's money 248 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 1: on the line, Alisha does her best work. In an 249 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 1: interview with ros gold On Woode during the unrivaled basketball season, 250 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: Gray put it like this. 251 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 2: Oh, you always trying to get to the bay with 252 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 2: money on the line, Like, who don't want no money? 253 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: I know, that's right. Fun fact about the dream. So 254 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 1: they were at the heart of major political and social 255 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 1: change back in twenty twenty and from within the Wubble. 256 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 1: Alongside their WNBA sisters, they push back against then team 257 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: owner and appointed GOP Senator Kelly Loffler, who was openly 258 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 1: critical of Black Lives Matter and had become more and 259 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 1: more aligned with President Trump and the GOP. The team 260 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: helped get her opponent, Raphael Warnock elected, flipping the Senate 261 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: and confirming the WNBA is one of the most powerful 262 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 1: forces in sport. You can watch it all unfold in 263 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,720 Speaker 1: the dock. Power of the dream. All right, mesh, let's 264 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:53,199 Speaker 1: talk dream. What did I miss? 265 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 2: Not much, sir. You pretty much got the long and 266 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:59,200 Speaker 2: short of it. The Dreamer just a big wild card 267 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,679 Speaker 2: to me. I was watching that preseason game the other 268 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 2: night against my Mystics, of course, and that's starting lineup 269 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 2: of Jordan Canada, Ryan Howard, Ali Sha Gray, Brianna Jones 270 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 2: and Britney Griner. 271 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: Looks a little scary. It's nice. 272 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 2: It's very nice Canada. Of course, as you said, did 273 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 2: go down though, and it'd be a huge bummer if 274 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 2: that's serious, because I think with her in that lineup 275 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 2: they can orchestrate some really amazing things. 276 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:25,640 Speaker 1: Here's hoping she's gonna be okay. 277 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 2: But in a nutshell, this team's ceiling is really high, 278 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 2: like first second round of the playoffs high, and its 279 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 2: floor is really low, like last three or four teams 280 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 2: in the league low. I think it really all just 281 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 2: depends on how they mesh and whether Carl Smesco can 282 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 2: translate his success from FGCU in college to the pros. 283 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 2: It's a big jump. It's his first time as a 284 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 2: w head coach with a brand new squad, so. 285 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: We'll just have to see. Yeah. And I think also 286 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: there's something about the dream that feels a little dated 287 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: to me, you know what I mean. I think, just 288 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: like logo and vibes. They don't stand out to me 289 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 1: among the rest of the teams in terms of like 290 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: their social and the way they sell themselves. I don't know, 291 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: just feels like they haven't quite caught up to the 292 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 1: modern WNBA. Does it feel like that's you ever interesting? 293 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 2: So I'm biased because I know they're social teams, so 294 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 2: I can't quite say. 295 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: I don't know. I think there's definitely maybe I just 296 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: don't follow as many of them. Maybe, you know what 297 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 1: I mean. You know, it's like so much of our 298 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: vibes just kind of come from like what fills our timelines. 299 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: That's what we see regularly. So I think that's probably 300 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: part of it. Like I probably should seek to follow 301 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: more of their players and get caught up more with 302 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 1: their storylines, but they don't break through as much, I guess. 303 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 2: And you know what, there's there's something there, Sarah, right, 304 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 2: because you talked about Ryan Howard and Alicia Gray being 305 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 2: more soft spoken, and I feel like that has a 306 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 2: lot to do with it. Right, when you have stars 307 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 2: who are obviously doing what they do on the court, 308 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 2: but maybe not so much in the spotlight off the court, 309 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 2: that can also lend itself to what you're talking about here, 310 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 2: So yeah, I understand that. 311 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: So no shade of the social team. In fact, I 312 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 1: just literally while we're talking, followed them back on Insta. 313 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: So part of it might just be that I wasn't 314 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 1: following the right people. But yeah, as far as breaking 315 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: through into the big time stories of the w part 316 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: of it is winning and when you win more, you 317 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 1: also get more stories told about you. So that's gonna 318 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: be a big part of it. All Right, we got 319 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 1: to take a break. Let me come back, crank up 320 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 1: the heat because we're talking Indiana Fever. Welcome back, slices. 321 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 1: Let's dig into the Indiana Fever. This squad was an 322 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: even five hundred last season. They're twenty and twenty records, 323 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: seven games better than the previous year and good enough 324 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:43,760 Speaker 1: to earn them a spot in the playoffs, where they 325 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: were swept by the Connecticut Sun in two games. They'll 326 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: look to take a big leap in year two of 327 00:16:48,640 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: having phenom and crowd creator Caitlin Clark. Here's the Fever 328 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: history you need to know. The team is founded in 329 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 1: two thousand and shares an owner with the mnba's Indiana Pacers. 330 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: The team's all time greats include Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Breon, 331 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: January Tully Bevilaqua, Candice Dupre, and Cappy Pond Dexter. The 332 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 1: Fever of qualified for the postseason in fourteen of their 333 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: twenty five seasons, winning the WNBA title in twenty twelve 334 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: over the Minnesota Lynx and twice losing in the finals 335 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: in two thousand and nine and twenty fifteen. Their twenty 336 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: twenty five tag line, the Time is Now. Here's why 337 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: their off season additions and losses, this franchise wants to 338 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: capitalize on every year They've got superstar Caitlin Clark on 339 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 1: the roster, and their off season moves make that quite clear. 340 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 1: First couple noteworthy losses, the Fever sent and Melissa Smith 341 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: to the Dallas Wings as part of a three team deal, 342 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: lost backup center and significant contributor Temmy fag Benley to 343 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:48,359 Speaker 1: the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft, and 344 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 1: watched Katie Lou Samuelson leave in free agency to sign 345 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 1: with the Seattle Storm. But the additions the Fever signed 346 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: to Wanna Bonner in free agency, grabbing the Connecticut sun 347 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: Star and her head coach Stephanie White. Bonner is a 348 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,120 Speaker 1: sixteen year VET, six time All Star and two time 349 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: WNBA Champ. While White was the twenty twenty three WNBA 350 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: Coach of the Year and previously coached and played for 351 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 1: the Fever, White not the only one returning to Indy. 352 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,960 Speaker 1: The Fever also welcoming back three time WNBA champ Natasha Howard. 353 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: Originally drafted by the team in twenty fourteen, the thirty 354 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: three year old Howard has been around the league, playing 355 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:27,800 Speaker 1: for five franchises and winning titles with the Minnesota Links 356 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:31,679 Speaker 1: and Seattle Storm. The Fever also added longtime Phoenix Mercury 357 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: standout Sophie Cunningham acquired in the Satusaboli deal, and two 358 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:39,719 Speaker 1: time WNBA champion Sidney Colson, a solid backup for Clark, 359 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: a seasoned bet and a locker room superstar. Speaking to stars, 360 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 1: who are the Fever stars, well, the only place to 361 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: start is Caitlin Clark, who has her own gravitational pull, 362 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:53,719 Speaker 1: not just in the WNBA, but the sports world in general, 363 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: changing the game when it comes to eyeballs and interest, 364 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,479 Speaker 1: luring in even casual viewers with logo threes and big 365 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: brash celebrations She's joined by fellow former number one overall 366 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 1: draft pick and fellow former Rookie of the Year a 367 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: Leah Boston, an All Star in both of her first 368 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 1: two seasons so far in the league, plus two time 369 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: All Star Kelsey Mitchell and new edition Bonner, whose lengthy 370 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: list of accomplishments we already shared the stakes for the Fever. 371 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:21,960 Speaker 1: While twenty twenty four was the Fever's first season since 372 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: twenty sixteen without a losing record, but they were still 373 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: just five hundred. The steady improvement they've shown over the 374 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: last two years won't be enough to satiate fans from 375 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: here on out. With Caitlin Clark jerseys flying off the rack, 376 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: arenas selling out and money flowing in, folks will expect 377 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: wins to follow. They've got their sight set on a 378 00:19:40,320 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 1: championship this year. Stats Wise, last season, the Fever allowed 379 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: one hundred and five point one points per one hundred possessions, 380 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 1: the second highest mark in the WNBA, so improving on 381 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,399 Speaker 1: defense will be a big focus this year, especially for 382 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: Clark and Mitchell. Defensive wind share is an advanced statistic 383 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,040 Speaker 1: that estimates a player's contribution to team wins through the 384 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 1: defensive performance and per her hoopstats, Mitchell has posted a 385 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 1: negative defensive wind share in each of the last six seasons. 386 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: No other WNBA player has posted more than two such 387 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,960 Speaker 1: seasons in the same span. New addition to Wanna Bonner 388 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 1: should help per her hoopstats. She was in the ninety 389 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: second percent tilent defensive wind shares per forty minutes last season, 390 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: and she's been in the top fifteen percent in each 391 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: of the last five seasons. Individually. Last year, Caitlin Clark 392 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:28,480 Speaker 1: lit up the stat sheets, setting a few records in 393 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,080 Speaker 1: a Rookie of the Year season, including becoming the only 394 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: player in league history to average more than sixteen points 395 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: and six point three assists in the same season. Her 396 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,439 Speaker 1: eight point four assists per game were good for fifth 397 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: highest in league history. Unfortunately, Clark also set some new 398 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:47,879 Speaker 1: records in turnovers per game and turnovers per forty minutes, 399 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 1: with an all time WNBA season record two hundred and 400 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: twenty three turnovers, and the next player wasn't even close. 401 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: Clark's two to twenty three were seventy eight more than 402 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: Alyssa thomas Is one hundred and forty five turnovers last year, 403 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: which itself would have been a new record. The stories 404 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,160 Speaker 1: and lower around this Fever team grow every year as 405 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: the quote unquote Caitlin Clark effect continues. In fact, the 406 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: Fever have already set a record this season before a 407 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: single game has been played. The team will be featured 408 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: on national television in forty one of their forty four 409 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:21,439 Speaker 1: regular season games, marking a franchise high for most national 410 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:24,120 Speaker 1: TV games and Fever history, as well as the most 411 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:27,320 Speaker 1: for a single team in WNBA history. Now, of course, 412 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 1: this is the first season that teams are playing forty 413 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: four games, so more to choose from, but still it's 414 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: clear that the demand for the Fever is off the charts. 415 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 1: Caitlan Clark and company are also inspiring a whole lot 416 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: of teams to move their games to larger arenas, anticipating 417 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,680 Speaker 1: the giant crowds they attract. From Washington to Chicago, Dallas 418 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: to Vegas and even today's other featured squad Atlanta. Teams 419 00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:52,879 Speaker 1: that don't already play in NBA arenas are moving games 420 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 1: to larger spaces to take advantage of the buzz around 421 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:59,439 Speaker 1: the Fever. Fun fact about this Fever team, Fever Superstars, 422 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,639 Speaker 1: Boston and Clark share a very wholesome moment before every 423 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: game where they sit next to each other on the 424 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: bench during pregame and Caitlyn tells Aliyah, You're going to 425 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:12,160 Speaker 1: be amazing because you are amazing. It's really cute. Guys. 426 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 1: They were excited to get back to it in the 427 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,399 Speaker 1: team's first preseason game, for which Caitlyn happened to be 428 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:20,800 Speaker 1: miked up. Take a lesson, I make it gonna be 429 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 1: amazing because you are amazing. Love so wholesome, all right, beich, 430 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: what am I forgetting about the fever? 431 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,119 Speaker 2: I mean, it's hard to miss a lot with the 432 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:34,600 Speaker 2: fever because they've been so well documented, which I am 433 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 2: not mad about. I wish more WNBA teams got the 434 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 2: coverage that the fever has been getting. Shout out to Caitlyn, 435 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 2: and shout out to everybody who is obviously in for 436 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 2: good reason excited about her and about the rest of 437 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 2: the squad. You mentioned it. Clark cemented herself as one 438 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 2: of the best assisters in the WNBA in just her 439 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:54,920 Speaker 2: rookie season. In this team in twenty twenty five has 440 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 2: a barrage of players who can fill it up straight 441 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 2: like that, like making no bones about it. All three levels, 442 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 2: whether it's finishing at the rim and transition. Hitting threes 443 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 2: doesn't matter. So I'm just looking forward to buckets being 444 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 2: scored at an extremely high clip, some beautiful dimes being thrown, 445 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 2: and hopefully, like you mentioned, a lower assist to turnover ratio. 446 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: For Kaitlin Clark. 447 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 2: But one other thing I've got my eye on Sarah, 448 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 2: that connection between her and do Wanna Bonner. Do Wanna 449 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 2: is in the sunset of her career, right, that's just 450 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 2: the reality of it. Does this mean it's gonna be 451 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,439 Speaker 2: her last season? Not necessarily, but you know she's on 452 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:36,640 Speaker 2: that downward slide and she's hungry for another championship after 453 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 2: being in Connecticut where they got close and then got 454 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 2: close again and then got close again. She needs it, 455 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 2: she wants it, and she's tired of coming up short. 456 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 2: Combine that energy with a team that's got fresh faces, 457 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 2: fresh energy, young legs who are also just as hungry 458 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 2: as she is. I think we can say that definitively 459 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 2: after watching the twenty twenty four season, this is gonna 460 00:23:59,480 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 2: be scary. 461 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,159 Speaker 1: There's yeah, there's no other way to put it. 462 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:04,680 Speaker 2: And of course I would be remiss if I didn't 463 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 2: mention Kelsey Mitchell is gonna do what Kelsey Mitchell does too. 464 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 2: She's also gonna be pouring that thing in the basket. 465 00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 2: Plus somebody who I think is potentially the sleeper acquisition 466 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 2: of the entire WNBA offseason, Natasha Howard. Not only is 467 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 2: this lady a bucket, she's a versatile defender, she's six two, 468 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 2: three time WNBA Champ, two time All Star, great experience, 469 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 2: She's she can give you ten points to twenty five 470 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:35,920 Speaker 2: points on any given night. Like She's gonna be a 471 00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:38,479 Speaker 2: Swiss army knife for this team and for Stephanie White. 472 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:42,000 Speaker 1: Uh So a lot of people should be scared. Yeah, 473 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:43,919 Speaker 1: people should be. I mean you summed up exactly what 474 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 1: I think about this team, which is very scary and 475 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 1: also a lot of mouths to feed. So figuring out 476 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 1: how to balance who's got the ball, who's taken the shots, 477 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: how many minutes people are getting, Who's the quote unquote star. 478 00:24:58,119 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 1: We know who the face of the team is, but 479 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:01,480 Speaker 1: there a lot of players there that are used to 480 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:04,240 Speaker 1: be in big time bucket getters. So I'm very interested 481 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: to see how Stephanie White kind of manages it all. 482 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 1: And I do think Caitlyn's turnovers will be helped by 483 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 1: the fact that she's had more time with her teammates, 484 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: at least the ones from last year. And also I 485 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:14,679 Speaker 1: think she's playing with some good vets that are going 486 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,199 Speaker 1: to have good basketball IQ be able to keep up 487 00:25:17,240 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: with where she goes. That's a lot of her turnovers 488 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:21,919 Speaker 1: are her just you know, trying to make passes that 489 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,880 Speaker 1: other people can't handle and things like that. So very 490 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:28,200 Speaker 1: excited to watch this team, all right. One of the 491 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: other things we've asked you all to do is we 492 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 1: get ready for this big WNBA season to start, is 493 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 1: to send us any questions you might have, So tim 494 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 1: to answer another one, and this one's from seys Amanda 495 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 1: Vallo who emailed that she doesn't understand the restricted area. 496 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: That's that little half arc at the bottom of the lane. 497 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: So the long and short of it is the restricted 498 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,920 Speaker 1: area is what officials use to determine whether a call 499 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,960 Speaker 1: is a blocking foul on the defense or a charging 500 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: foul on the offense. When an offensive player goes up 501 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: for a shot or makes a move in the post, 502 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 1: their defender can be called for a blocking foul if 503 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,760 Speaker 1: they make enough contact while they're inside that respect area. 504 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,520 Speaker 1: This goes for defenders trying to block the shot, and 505 00:26:03,600 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: for defenders trying to bait the offensive player into a charge. 506 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:09,119 Speaker 1: But when an offensive player goes up for a shot 507 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: and initiates contact with a defender who's outside that restricted 508 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: area in a legal guarding position, then the offensive player 509 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,680 Speaker 1: can be called for a charge. Now that's the simple explanation, 510 00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 1: but the rule book gets more technical about primary and 511 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: secondary defenders, what happens when the offense receives the ball, 512 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 1: and what's called the lower defensive bucks. YadA, YadA, YadA. 513 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 1: So we recommend checking it out. If you're really curious 514 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:33,399 Speaker 1: about the minutia. They'll link to the rule books in 515 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:37,199 Speaker 1: our show notes. But honestly, don't stress yourself about it, 516 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 1: because to this day, producer Meisch disagrees with approximately thirty 517 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 1: percent of all block charge goals, so being frustrated about 518 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: them is sort of part of the game's culture at 519 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:49,400 Speaker 1: this point. All right, Slice is keep sending in those questions, 520 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:50,719 Speaker 1: tell us what else you want to know about the 521 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 1: WNBA or basketball in general before the season starts, because 522 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: you know, we always love that you're listening, but we 523 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:57,920 Speaker 1: want you to get in the game every day too, 524 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:00,400 Speaker 1: So here's your good game play of the day. Tune 525 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:03,399 Speaker 1: into the PVF Semi Finals tonight. The action starts at 526 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:05,920 Speaker 1: eight pm Eastern on CBS Sports Network. To help you 527 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: get pumped, We've got a message from a very special guest. 528 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 3: Hey listeners, I'm Jens Biker, CEO for Pro Volleyball Federation, 529 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 3: and I am so excited for the twenty twenty five 530 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 3: Big Solei PVF Championship, happening tonight and Sunday at Lee's 531 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:23,720 Speaker 3: Family Forum just outside Las Vegas and Henderson. Our top 532 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:26,360 Speaker 3: four teams in the standings are competing for a one 533 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:29,639 Speaker 3: million dollar prize in our match for a million the 534 00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:32,919 Speaker 3: title of the nation's top pro volleyball team. We've had 535 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 3: some amazing play in the PVF this year and are 536 00:27:35,600 --> 00:27:39,399 Speaker 3: thrilled to see the Omaha Supernovas, the Atlanta Vibe, the 537 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 3: Orlando Valkyries, and the Indie Ignite battle it out. Hope 538 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:45,359 Speaker 3: you can join us in person or catch the broadcast 539 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 3: this weekend. 540 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 1: Thanks Jen. We always love to hear from you slices, 541 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:51,879 Speaker 1: so hit us up on email good game at wondermedianetwork 542 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,400 Speaker 1: dot com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven 543 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:57,199 Speaker 1: to two two oh four fifty seventy. That's right, our 544 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,920 Speaker 1: voicemail is back. Please call up. We want to hear 545 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 1: your voices, and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. 546 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:08,480 Speaker 1: It's real easy watch a Chicago Pope and Pride, Love 547 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: and Nuns rating ten out of ten. Grabbers and Polish 548 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:17,360 Speaker 1: Sassages review. Honestly, it's about damn time. I'm not particularly 549 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:19,520 Speaker 1: invested in the Pope doom, but if they're going to 550 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:21,880 Speaker 1: scan the world for the best of the best, I'm 551 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: frankly not surprised that they found the best in Chicago. 552 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 1: To quote Chicago Party at Peyton, Jordan Oprah, Ditka, Roy 553 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:34,119 Speaker 1: Coo and now God. And to quote friend of the 554 00:28:34,119 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 1: show Josh Bard, this Pope comes with pickles, mustard, relish 555 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 1: and poppy seeds. Don't forget the sport peppers, white onion 556 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:44,800 Speaker 1: and a Dyl pickle spear Josh, and no ketchup. By 557 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:47,240 Speaker 1: the way, not just the news of a Chicago born 558 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:49,880 Speaker 1: and raised pope. We also got a nun in the 559 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: crowd in Saint Peter's Square, recording the Pope's first addressed 560 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 1: with an Orlando Pride sticker visible on the back of 561 00:28:56,600 --> 00:29:00,840 Speaker 1: her phone. God's team would explain year's title run. I 562 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 1: guess wait quick, someone get a Chicago Stars bumper sticker 563 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 1: on the popemobile. That team needs more divine intervention than 564 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: any would. Now it's your turn, y'all, rate and review. 565 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:13,720 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. See you Monday when we dish on 566 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 1: everything you need to know about the Chicago Sky and 567 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:21,360 Speaker 1: Washington mystics. Good Game, Atlanta, Good Game Indiana. Few people 568 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 1: using Caitlin Clark as an avatar for your racism. We're 569 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:27,520 Speaker 1: not doing any of that shit this year. Okay, You've 570 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 1: been warned. Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart 571 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 1: women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. 572 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 573 00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 574 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:46,520 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive 575 00:29:46,520 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. 576 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,480 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez, and Grace Lynch. 577 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:56,720 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm your host 578 00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:57,600 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain