1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're shouting 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: out our listener in Yemen. If you're listening right now, 3 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 1: give us a sign, tweet us, email us, tell us 4 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: more about you. On today's show, it's time for another 5 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: group chat. We'll be joined by two of the best 6 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: in basketball reporting, la China Robinson and Treka Foster Brasby, 7 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: to discuss everything from the Aces chances of a three peat, 8 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:25,159 Speaker 1: to the Liberty success to the greatest w teams of 9 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:28,159 Speaker 1: all time. Plus we get into some spice at a 10 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: press conference, a special bond between a coach and an athlete, 11 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: and a shout out to slices across the globe. It's 12 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: all coming up right after this. Welcome back, my little 13 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:45,640 Speaker 1: Orange Slices. Here's what you need to know today. Las 14 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: Vegas Aces star and South Carolina alum Asia Wilson somehow 15 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:54,600 Speaker 1: getting another award. She's the latest recipient of the WNBA's 16 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: Dawn Stay Community Leadership Award. Wilson being honored for the 17 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: work she's done empowering youth, from creating the Asia Wilson 18 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: Foundation in twenty nineteen, which is an org that helps 19 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,279 Speaker 1: kids with theeslexia, to host in the Unapologetic Girls Summit 20 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: in March of this year, an event that was aimed 21 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 1: at uplifting and inspiring young girls. Asia said receiving the 22 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: award named for her college coach is especially meaningful, and 23 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 1: to honor the win, the w is going to make 24 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 1: a ten thousand dollars donation to the charity of her choice, 25 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: MVP Dboy. She's racking up every single word gold medal. 26 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: It's Asia's world. We're just living in it. Also in 27 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: the WNBA, you remember we talked about Tuesday Night's electric 28 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: game between the Sun and the Sparks in front of 29 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: nineteen thousand plus at TD Garden. Alex was there. She 30 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: gave us the awesome play by play of how it 31 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: all went down. Afterwards, she mentioned that Sun guard DJ A. 32 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: Carrington said every night should feel like tonight, and first 33 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: of all, I love that sentiment, but also very specifically, 34 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: Carrington called out the league for disrespecting the Sun franchise. 35 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: Despite being the third largest attendance of any WNBA game 36 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: so far this season, as well as the best attended 37 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: game in Sun franchise history, the game was not televised 38 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: by any of the WNBA's national broadcast or streaming partners. 39 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 1: Fans at home needed to watch via League Pass or 40 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: NBC Sports Boston. Carrington told reporters, quote, the game should 41 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,080 Speaker 1: have been on a national television broadcast. You shouldn't have 42 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: to pay for any type of subscription to see a 43 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: game that's this historic in my opinion, end quote. So 44 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 1: producer Alex looked it up and they actually announced that 45 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: this game was going to be at TD Garden last December. 46 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 1: So I completely agree with Carrington. They needed to look 47 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 1: ahead and prioritize making this one of the games that 48 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: got on a national schedule so that all the fans 49 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 1: could see it and listen. This is something that might be, 50 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: as Carrington said, specific to the Sun where they feel 51 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 1: particularly disrespected. This was a Fever game or Angel Reesa 52 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 1: in the Sky, or even the Liberty or Aces, a 53 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: team with a slightly higher profile than the Sun. That 54 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,839 Speaker 1: might have been something that the league was thinking about 55 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 1: or that the networks were thinking about. Now I won't 56 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 1: pretend to know exactly how games are assigned. There's different 57 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: networks and channels that have rights packckages. I don't know 58 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: how many they get and what days and whatever, but 59 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: I will say that it feels like there was enough 60 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: time and enough excitement building up to this game that 61 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 1: it would have been really cool to have it on 62 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: a national broadcast. Sticking with the WNBA Chicago Skyrookie, Angel 63 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 1: Reese has another sponsorship deal and this one is so perfect. 64 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: It's a deal with Reese's like the Candy Reese's pieces. 65 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 1: So Angel Reese Reese's piece, you get, you get it, 66 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: you get it. Okay. So the first apparel collab with 67 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: the brand dropped yesterday and then there's two more drops 68 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: to come. All of the pieces see what I did 69 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: there are currently available for purchase and they're up on 70 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: Angel's website. Theanngelreese dot com will put the link in 71 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 1: our show notes for you too. I'm already picturing me 72 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: showing up in that beige hoody for every single show 73 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 1: this fall. You could book it to the Track Athlos NYC. 74 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: It's a new women's track competition backed by Alexis o'hannian, 75 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:55,320 Speaker 1: founder of Reddit, husband to Serena Williams, and headlined by 76 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 1: Gabby Thomas, one of our favorite athletes that we watched 77 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: at the Paris Olympics. They announced that Megan the Stallion 78 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 1: is going to be performing at the event, which takes 79 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: place on September twenty sixth. They also announced previously that 80 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 1: DJ d Nice will be spinning throughout the event and 81 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,520 Speaker 1: winners will be getting Tiffany Crowns instead of medals. This 82 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: is very cool and a really cool way to put 83 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,679 Speaker 1: women's track and racing in an event that just looks 84 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: a little different, has a vibe to it, and hopefully 85 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: we'll bring more attention, not to mention way bigger paychecks 86 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: for the winners. So about that listener in Yemen. So 87 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 1: one of our great iHeart executive producers, Christina, who is 88 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: a certified Slice, sent us a chart of our listeners 89 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 1: across the world and they're from places near like Canada, 90 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: and far like Australia, and places I've literally never heard 91 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: of before we got the whole globe saying good game, 92 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 1: good game. View shout out to our pair of listeners 93 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: in the Island Islands of Finnish Archipelago. And it looks beautiful. 94 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 1: I googled it a youtubed, I watch some visuals. I 95 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: hope you're looking at those beautiful views while you're listening. 96 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 1: Thank you, And I want to give a little love 97 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: to our top countries right now, the US, Australia, UK, 98 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: Canada and New Zealand, plus Ireland and Germany. Yell are 99 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: holding us down. Thank you for listening, and to you 100 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: solo slices in Yemen and Belize and Rwanda and Greenland 101 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,359 Speaker 1: and North Macedonia and a couple other places. Thank you. 102 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: Now copy that link and send it to a friend. 103 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 1: Let's get to you a listening buddy. I don't want 104 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 1: any solo slices. We need a handful of slices everywhere. Okay, awesome, 105 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 1: We're gonna take a quick break. When we come back, 106 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: we're bringing the group chat to life with la China 107 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:37,359 Speaker 1: Robinson and Tarika Foster Brasby. It's time for another group 108 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: chat where we take the tea from the text and 109 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: bring it on to the airwaves. Joining us. We've got 110 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: a fifteen year ESPN vetch calling games and doing studio 111 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: hosting for the WNBA and college women's hoops. She's in 112 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: her fifteenth season on the broadcast team for the Atlanta 113 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: Dream and you just heard her calling the Team USA 114 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: basketball games at the Paris Olympics. She's the co founder 115 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 1: of a nonprofit mentorship program called Rising Media stars a 116 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,280 Speaker 1: former wake Forest Hooper, and she battles me for Halloween 117 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: costume supremacy every year. It's La China Robinson. What up? 118 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: Join here? We've got an analyst, host and reporter for 119 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: CBS Sports and NBC and a reporter and analysts for 120 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: The connect Son. You've heard her for years alongside The 121 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: China on ESPN's Around the Rim Show, and have seen 122 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: a runterer on ESPN and Escape, The New York Times, 123 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: w Slam Magazine, and more. Ninety five percent of her 124 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: wardrobe is royal blue and antique gold in honor of 125 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 1: her beloved sorority Sigma Gamba Row. It's Serika Foster Brasby 126 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: and she's wearing royal blue right now. 127 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 2: Thank you for as always, Thank you for having me, Sarah. 128 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,600 Speaker 1: Thank you for getting the colors right. You know I'm 129 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:41,239 Speaker 1: going to get them right. I was at a wedding 130 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: with all of your soroarers and I was like, wait, 131 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,120 Speaker 1: I know this one. I know everything about this one. 132 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 3: Right. 133 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: Let's start with you, Terrika, because you were working the 134 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: sidelines for the Sun against the Sparks at that game 135 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 1: in Boston on Tuesday night. What was your biggest takeaway? 136 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 1: Because the scenes were very cool from AFAR. 137 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,840 Speaker 2: Women's Basketball is Here to stay like that was the 138 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 2: biggest takeaway. 139 00:07:01,960 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 1: It was completely packed in there. 140 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 2: It was literally I think I kind of felt like 141 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 2: Djena that there may be a section to two that 142 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 2: would have been closed off or covered up. 143 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: No, there was literally not an empty seat in the building. 144 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 1: It was electric. 145 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 2: The beat La chance started to break out, so it 146 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 2: even had an old school bosted La feel to it. 147 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: It truly was amazing. 148 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: That's really cool. I also agree with DJNA that should 149 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: have been televised nationally. I get the DNC might have 150 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 1: been part of that with ABC or other outlets, but 151 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: it was it was really cool to watch. Speaking of 152 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: cool to watch the China the Olympics gig, that was 153 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: absolutely incredible to hear you on the call. What was 154 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 1: the most surprising part of the games or that job 155 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: to you? 156 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 4: Well, first, thanks Sarah, I would say the physicality. Like 157 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,920 Speaker 4: for many years I'd been hearing from WNBA players, you know, 158 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 4: during our season that oh, that's not gonna get called overseas. 159 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:00,679 Speaker 4: They wouldn't call that, you know, an internet national play, 160 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 4: and they are right. It was a very physical brand 161 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 4: of basketball, and so I was just really impressed with 162 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 4: the athlete's ability to focus through the physicality to finish. 163 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 4: I mean, it took that much more strength, resilience, you know, 164 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 4: to finish around the bucket and really to even get 165 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 4: up the court off the dribble because of how physical 166 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 4: FEBA basketball really is. So I would say that's the 167 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 4: part that really surprised me the most. 168 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: Maybe that's why Liz Cambis just couldn't make it work 169 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: in the WNBA. She was like, We're allowed to do 170 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: all this shit in Australia, right that part. 171 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 4: We need to check the foul count to start WNBA season. 172 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:38,959 Speaker 4: I'm sure all the Olympians are like, oh wait, we 173 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 4: can't do that. Oh my bad foul trouble. 174 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, let's talk about that so lengthy Olympic break. Some 175 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 1: of those players did get used to that physical play. 176 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: Now they're back in the w Lots of storylines to 177 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: get to you. Let's start with the front runners. In twenty sixteen, 178 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,679 Speaker 1: the league changed the playoff format. They now seed the 179 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: top eight teams, and in every year since then, except 180 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:59,319 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty one, a number one or number two 181 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 1: seed one at all Tarika for weeks it has been 182 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: Liberty Links Sun atop the standings and the two time 183 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 1: defending champ aces always in the mix of specially when 184 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: Chelsea Gray came back. How many teams do you see 185 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: as legitimate title contenders? How far down do I have 186 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: to go for you to say there's no way I 187 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: see that happening. 188 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 2: I would say maybe five, because now that Gabby Williams 189 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 2: has re entered the WNA and joined the Seattle Storm, 190 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 2: there's no way you can say that they don't have 191 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 2: a legitimate shot. I think Seattle was a team that 192 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 2: we probably already considered someone that could be right there 193 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 2: on a cusp, but just needed to really jail with 194 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 2: the addition of Nekka Agumak and adding Scaler, Digg and Smith. 195 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 2: I mean, we talk about super teams and powerhouses. Seattle 196 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 2: is a team that has often left out and probably 197 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 2: shouldn't be. But now you've added a Gabby Williams to 198 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 2: the team who brings that physicality that we talked about 199 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 2: from international play. I don't think you can talk about 200 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:52,719 Speaker 2: contenders and not include them in that conversation. 201 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: You teed me right up, I was going to ask 202 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 1: you about Gaby and if that adds to that number, China, 203 00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:58,160 Speaker 1: is it five for you as well? 204 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 3: I'm going with six. 205 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 4: I had to check my standings just to be sure 206 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 4: because I have been talking about the Phoenix Mercury since 207 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 4: the season started. 208 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 3: Right now, they are. 209 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 4: In sixth place, and I just believe that they have 210 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 4: on paper everything that it takes to win a championship. 211 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 3: Right. 212 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 4: The addition of Khalia Copper definitely puts them over the top. 213 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:22,760 Speaker 4: With her being a finals MVP, you know, Diana getting 214 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 4: up in years but deciding to defer to Kullia and 215 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 4: some of the big moments. This tells you that she's 216 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 4: ready to pass the torch in that team, obviously Brittany 217 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 4: Grinder and then Natasha Cloud. They they played like a 218 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 4: team that had something to prove. Not surprised with the 219 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 4: Philly attitude. But it's just not consistent and I think 220 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 4: it's gonna take right right, So it'll take some time 221 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 4: for that team to jail. But I agree with Tarika 222 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 4: that Seattle and quite honestly, they've been in the conversation. 223 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 3: For me, the three spot was the one question mark. 224 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,559 Speaker 4: When I went to Seattle before the season started, I said, Okay, 225 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 4: I can look at this starting lineup, and there four 226 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,839 Speaker 4: of the five Asie magnago or Jewel, Lloyd Skyler, Digas Smith, 227 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 4: Nakagoo Makay all proven right, like no question. The three spot, 228 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:10,680 Speaker 4: which has been occupied by Jordan Horston most recently Victoria 229 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 4: Vivian started at that spot. That's where I had some question, right, 230 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 4: would they get what they needed defensively from that position offensively? 231 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 4: And now you have Gabby Williams adding to that equation 232 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 4: of who can fill into that fifth spot. What she 233 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 4: does on defense, They're still not knocking down enough threes. 234 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:30,440 Speaker 4: That's their biggest issue, and Gabby doesn't fix that. But 235 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 4: if she can help them create more offense from their defense, 236 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 4: she's a great assistor underrated passer. I think she can 237 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 4: help to facilitate some easier three point looks that would 238 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 4: help them on the offensive end. 239 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, you're leading me into all the places 240 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: I want to go, because I was going to ask 241 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 1: the same question about the Mercury being just a couple 242 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: of games ago above five hundred, despite that incredible list 243 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: of players that you listen off, and I guess part 244 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:57,640 Speaker 1: of that is to find out when push comes to 245 00:11:57,640 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 1: shove at the end of the season. Do they feel 246 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 1: like they have something to prove and they take out 247 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 1: another team that they've been hovering well below for most 248 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: of the season. I guess let's go to the top then, 249 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 1: because you just made clear how many teams could make 250 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 1: a run. Would not surprise us if they ended up 251 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 1: on top. And yet it's been New York pretty much NonStop. 252 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: They have played for the title five times the China. 253 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 1: How do they get over the hump and actually win 254 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: their first championship. 255 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:27,560 Speaker 4: I'll be honest with you, Sarah, I had been mad 256 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 4: at the New York Liberties since Game four of last 257 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:33,560 Speaker 4: year's final, like, refuse to really talk about them in 258 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 4: terms of championship contender. Like, I was just upset with 259 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 4: the way things ended. I couldn't believe it. I felt 260 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 4: like they didn't play with enough pride. I was disappointed 261 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,599 Speaker 4: for New York because they were in the building. You go, Astrika, 262 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 4: I've been kind of anti New York. However, the way 263 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 4: they have played this season, they are absolutely number one 264 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 4: in my mind in terms of title contender, and a 265 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 4: lot of it has to do with the improvement of 266 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 4: Sabrina and Escu. Like quite honestly, she looks like a 267 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 4: completely different player. Everyone was sent home from New York 268 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 4: and I'm sure Sandy Broundello said, y'all better find some 269 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 4: time to get together on Zoom because you need to 270 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 4: work on your chemistry, you need to work on, you know, 271 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 4: your togetherness, all that stuff like team building. But also 272 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 4: players individually went home and got better. And Sabrina's at 273 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 4: the top of that list. She's no doubt one. 274 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,199 Speaker 3: Of the best guards in the league right now. 275 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 4: Her ability to finish and the paint has improved. We 276 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:25,680 Speaker 4: know she can knock down the three. But also moving 277 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 4: her back to her natural position at the point guard 278 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:32,040 Speaker 4: with Fortney Vandersloup being out, I think has unlocked some 279 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 4: other dimensions of her game. So I would say absolutely 280 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 4: New York is at the top. And I'll just say 281 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 4: one more thing. They made enough moves in free agency, 282 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 4: like everyone was wondering why didn't you get Natasha Cloud, 283 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 4: what happened to Nekagoma Kay, But starting to see their 284 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,680 Speaker 4: supporting cast foebish, you know, some of the other pieces. 285 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 4: Thornton obviously is great, like some of their other additions 286 00:13:55,640 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 4: to that team are proving at least right now. 287 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 3: To be enough. 288 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, and what's interesting about that is Corney Vanderslute from 289 00:14:02,640 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: my perspective, wasn't a problem. She had been such a 290 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 1: dominant player, such a great passer, and yet her stepping 291 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 1: back either to have less playing time or actually missing 292 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: time this season has allowed Sabrina to step into a 293 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: space that perhaps we didn't even realize she would have 294 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: such shine in, and it's made such a difference. Tarikas 295 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: she most improved player for you, because sometimes when a 296 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 1: player is as good as she is, we don't see 297 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 1: them in that role. But to me, it's night and 298 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: day with her in terms of what it's meant for 299 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: that team for her to take this next step forward. 300 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 2: So I do not put her in the most improved category, 301 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 2: but I want one hundred percent agree with the fact 302 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,920 Speaker 2: that she has improved her game on multiple levels. I 303 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 2: have been one who have criticized her defensively like it. 304 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 2: It's funny because last year during the during the playoffs, 305 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 2: she made a joke to me to kind of let 306 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:49,680 Speaker 2: me know that she that. 307 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 1: She knew I was pretty much talking about her. 308 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 2: She's like, you know, I don't want to be a 309 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 2: defensive liability, which is my exact frame. 310 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 1: You weren't alone though clearly. 311 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 2: So what I love is that, oh, she isn't a 312 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 2: top defender in the league, but you can absolutely see 313 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 2: that she has worked to improve defensively, and in a 314 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 2: couple of games, even one against Connecticut recently, she stepped 315 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: up had a big block at the end of the 316 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 2: game that really helped secure a much needed win for them. 317 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: So I love the way that she had improved. But 318 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: it's kind of difficult for. 319 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 2: Me to put a Sabrina in Nescu in a most 320 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 2: improved category because her ceiling is already so high for me, 321 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 2: like she to me, it's the expectation, Like I feel 322 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 2: like this is the expectation of Sabrina, Like she should 323 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 2: be playing like this, This was what was expected for 324 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 2: us to see of her. So it's not to not 325 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 2: the work that she's put in. But my most improved 326 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 2: right now has been DJ Carrington, and I don't feel 327 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 2: that there's anyone who has knocked her off yet, although 328 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 2: I do believe that Essie magmcgor is very very close. 329 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 4: How can you not have Sabrina You're most improved? Sorry, Sarah, 330 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 4: this is what we used to do all the time 331 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 4: on our podcast. 332 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 2: So and there's there is one more that I'd have 333 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 2: to throw in that category two and that's Kennedy Carter. 334 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 1: I was gonna say Kennedy Carter might be in there too, 335 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: although she hasn't been quite as fire in the last 336 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 1: couple of games. You can get back up with this, China. 337 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 4: We're not gonna not even in the conversation. I'm not 338 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 4: saying your favorites aren't legit. I'm with him, but Sabrina, 339 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 4: not even in the conversation. That's that's wild. 340 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: I'm just saying, if Tarika has kids there, you know 341 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: she's gonna be like an A minus. I'm so sorry. 342 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: I don't care for before. The expectation is a straight 343 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: a no min period. Yeah, okay, really quickly, China, how 344 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 1: important is the healthy Benagelini Hamilton to that team in 345 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 1: terms of taking that step and winning the title because 346 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 1: they have enough even when she's sitting, but they do 347 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: need to finally prove it and win it all. 348 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 4: Yeah. I think we all know that when it comes 349 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 4: to the playoffs, you need to have your entire arsenal 350 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 4: available to you because you just never know what's going 351 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 4: to happen. And I and I go, I lean more 352 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 4: into Benaja experience, right. So we talked about some of 353 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 4: the other X factors, Kennedy Burke, Cayla Thornton, who's been there, 354 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 4: Laoni Phoebish. But like when I say been there, been 355 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,359 Speaker 4: with the Liberty, But do they have experience that Benaja 356 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 4: has playing in a finals matchup? Those big lights get right, right, 357 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,199 Speaker 4: And so while they have been able to win in 358 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 4: the regular season without her, I think it's in their 359 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 4: best interest. In fact, I know it is to have 360 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 4: her there, and I feel like she also has Her 361 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 4: skill set is just incredible. I mean the athleticism, she 362 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 4: can create her own shot, she can defend anyone and 363 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 4: nothing against those other players who I think have stepped 364 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 4: up and really done their part in the regular season. 365 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 4: You absolutely want a healthy Benige Lanni Hamilton on your team, Trika. 366 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,360 Speaker 1: Since June thirteenth, the Fever are ten and five, that 367 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: includes some wins over Phoenix, New York, Minnesota, Seattle. Does 368 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:45,439 Speaker 1: this team have enough time to keep improving at the 369 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,879 Speaker 1: rate there and actually potentially do some damage in the 370 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:50,200 Speaker 1: postseason or is it all a build up to next 371 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 1: year and beyond. 372 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:53,480 Speaker 2: Well, I think it's a little bit of both, to 373 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,920 Speaker 2: be honest, I do feel like this team is capable 374 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 2: of remaining into the playoffs. I'm not looking at the 375 00:17:58,119 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 2: stand ins currently, but I believe they're in the eighth 376 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 2: spot or the seventh spot, so I think that they 377 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 2: should be a playoff team. I think we all thought 378 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:06,479 Speaker 2: last year that they were capable of being a playoff 379 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 2: team and were maybe just a piece of way, and 380 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 2: Caitlyn Clark is absolutely that piece. But I think what 381 00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:14,199 Speaker 2: hurt them, as we can maybe all agree, is that 382 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 2: they didn't have the most favorable schedule in the beginning 383 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 2: of the season. 384 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: It was a lot of teams, tough teams. 385 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 2: I mean, you literally started off your first four games 386 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:26,160 Speaker 2: against New York and Connecticut, so set up to fail immediately. 387 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 2: On top of that, it takes a lot to begin 388 00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 2: to jail and build chemistry. And when you have two 389 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:35,680 Speaker 2: first round picks a number two overall pick on your team, 390 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:38,199 Speaker 2: it takes some chemistry to figure out what we're going 391 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 2: to do with the ball, how are we going to 392 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,720 Speaker 2: work in these rotations. So there was a lot that 393 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 2: this team had to figure out early on. Unfortunately, those 394 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 2: early losses really come back to bite you in this 395 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 2: half of the season. However, I think that the more 396 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 2: we are starting to see Aleah Boston, and we started 397 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 2: to see that going into the Olympic break, actually going 398 00:18:56,320 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 2: into All Star we started to see Aleeah Boston really 399 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 2: recognize who she is and why she is the number 400 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:04,640 Speaker 2: one overall pick in twenty twenty three Rookie of the Year. 401 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:06,639 Speaker 2: Right when you started to see that, you started to 402 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 2: see Kayln Clark understand she doesn't nearly have to be 403 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 2: the person to take. 404 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:10,400 Speaker 1: A million shots. 405 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,199 Speaker 2: She really just needs to do what her s frint is, 406 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 2: which is pass the ball, facilitate, get people open, create 407 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:18,520 Speaker 2: the space. That's when you started to see Indiana, in 408 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 2: my opinion. 409 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:20,400 Speaker 1: Really show up and show out. 410 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 2: So I think there's plenty of time for them to 411 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 2: lock in positioning. Now will they go far into playoffs, 412 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 2: I'm not sure because I think playoff playoff positioning is 413 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 2: one thing, but playoff success is built on experience, is 414 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 2: built on chemistry, and it's really built on being hot 415 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 2: at the right time. So I'm not sure how far 416 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,240 Speaker 2: they'll go, but I certainly think they have the chops 417 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 2: to get in. 418 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 1: And I think what we saw from Kaitlyn was not 419 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 1: being on the same page with her teammates earlier in 420 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: the season, both because she's trying to learn their style, 421 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 1: their speed, their chemistry, they're trying to read the floor 422 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: as quickly or she does, but also her ability to 423 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,680 Speaker 1: take advantage of getting double teamed and having the pressure 424 00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: come meet her at half court by finding the open 425 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:01,679 Speaker 1: look forces teams to guard her more honestly and the 426 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:03,879 Speaker 1: rest of the team more honestly, which will then also 427 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: open her up to shoot more because we weren't seeing 428 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 1: the shooting from her at the beginning of the season 429 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,680 Speaker 1: that we would be potentially expected after her collegiate play. 430 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 1: But her passing then opens that door because they can't 431 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 1: just keep leaving everybody open because she finds them. She 432 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 1: finds them as soon as that double team hits. 433 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 2: Can I also add Sarah and I really think the 434 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 2: Olympic break was great for Caitlin though, because like it 435 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:24,959 Speaker 2: really gave her and to me, it gave her an 436 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 2: opportunity to like really work on some things, really focus 437 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:29,880 Speaker 2: on some things, take a bit of a break, but 438 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,600 Speaker 2: get a bit more acclimated to what it means to 439 00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:35,399 Speaker 2: be a point guard in the w NBA in a 440 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 2: lot of time, right without the eyes, without the attention, 441 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 2: I think that break was great for her, which is 442 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 2: one of the reasons why I'm very happy she was 443 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 2: not selected to. 444 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: Go to the Olympics as a team Lachana. You spent 445 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:50,400 Speaker 1: the break working, and so did Asia Wilson. You got 446 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: to watch her with Team USA. You've obviously watched her 447 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: with the Aces. We have spent the whole season marveling 448 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 1: at how she's gotten even better than she was before. 449 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:00,880 Speaker 1: What is it about her game that sets her apart? 450 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: If you're telling someone going to an ACS game for 451 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:05,200 Speaker 1: the first time, here's who to watch and here's why. 452 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 1: What sets her apart? 453 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 4: Well, first and foremost is her mindset. I mean, whoever 454 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,920 Speaker 4: that fourth place voter was has brought out the best 455 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:17,800 Speaker 4: in Asia Wilson. I mean seriously, she's motivated like never before. 456 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 4: And every time she talks about that since says she's 457 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 4: had this year, it starts. 458 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 3: With that fourth place vote. 459 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 4: But this has been this has been building for Asia 460 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 4: Wilson over the last few years. When I say building, 461 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 4: she's been a great player obviously, two time MVP, two 462 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:32,040 Speaker 4: time champ, two time. 463 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 3: Defensive Player of the Year, but she has been working 464 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:35,679 Speaker 3: on her game. 465 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 4: I mean every year since she's stepped on the court 466 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 4: in the WNBA, And there are a few areas that 467 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 4: I see she's had vast improvement that I think separate 468 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 4: her from the rest, because, to be honest with you, 469 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 4: there haven't been many games that I've watched this year, 470 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 4: Olympics or WNBA where I haven't said, this is a 471 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 4: woman amongst girls. Like what she's doing is of historical proportion. 472 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 4: It's not just having a great WNBA season, leading the 473 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 4: league in points, leading the league in rebounds, leading the 474 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 4: league in blocks. No one has ever finished the season 475 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 4: leading the league in all three of those. So, but 476 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:08,760 Speaker 4: there are some key areas that I'll just talk about 477 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 4: really quickly. One is her strength and conditioning. I mean, 478 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 4: she is There's no way she should be able to 479 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 4: dominate on both ends of the floor on every possession 480 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 4: the way she does, except for the fact that she's 481 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 4: an incredible shape. 482 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:21,160 Speaker 3: She's gotten stronger. 483 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 4: I keep talking about her work with Donnie Raymond, who 484 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 4: was Lebron's long time what do they call them, not 485 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:30,880 Speaker 4: a biokids, biomechanic, And so she's gotten herself into really 486 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 4: good shape. Her mid range game. I watched her put 487 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,520 Speaker 4: up fifty three points in Atlanta. I was courtside. Most 488 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 4: of those shots were her MIDI her face up game. 489 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 4: Since leaving South Carolina and in her progression the WNBA 490 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 4: has gotten better and better. 491 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 3: The last area I would say. 492 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 4: I think she has really improved is in her decision 493 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 4: making in the post. Asia is making moves so quickly, 494 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 4: so decisively, like she's reading the defense so well, she 495 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 4: knows what she wants to do and you just can't 496 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 4: stop her. Like she's so power, she plays with so 497 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,680 Speaker 4: much explosiveness. But I go back to that fourth place 498 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:07,439 Speaker 4: vote because I feel like every night she reminds herself 499 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 4: of that and she's out to prove that. 500 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:13,480 Speaker 1: Listen, that's the origin story. Every kid superhero needs that 501 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: origin story. 502 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, somebody will piss you off. 503 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, over and over. You know. It feels like this 504 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: WNBA season, we've been talking around things instead of about them. 505 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,159 Speaker 1: Not so much the fourth place vote. We used to 506 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:29,439 Speaker 1: talk around it, Now we talk straight about it, in 507 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 1: part because she keeps bringing up when talking about her season. 508 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 1: But when it comes to Caitlin Clark's transition to the league, 509 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:36,880 Speaker 1: when it comes to Caitlin versus Angel, when it comes 510 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:39,720 Speaker 1: to the wrong people given a platform, to talk about 511 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: a league that they don't know jack shit about. We've 512 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 1: been trying to address a lot of these things and 513 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,160 Speaker 1: picking and choosing our battles because frankly, some folks are 514 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 1: so unhinged that we don't have time. We don't always 515 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:53,160 Speaker 1: have time to get back in to the bullshit. We're 516 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 1: a few months in now. Is there anything from all 517 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: of that garbage that you still think needs to be discussed? 518 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: Because when I have folks on the top about the 519 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 1: W I'm tempted to ask them about all that crap, 520 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 1: and I also want to move on. So, Tika, is 521 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 1: there anything left there to mine? Or do we actually think? 522 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 1: Are we thankful that we're talking basketball and try to 523 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: keep it moving. 524 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 2: I've been so thankful that we're talking basketball. I don't 525 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 2: know what to do with myself because I just, you know, 526 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:24,879 Speaker 2: I think the one thing that for me specifically, I 527 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 2: just didn't want y'all in my mentions. I'm so sick 528 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,040 Speaker 2: of y'all in my damn mensons, Please leot me alone, 529 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 2: So I like, so really, a lot of it is 530 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 2: not necessarily the discourse. It was the social aspect, and 531 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,199 Speaker 2: I get, as you know, as athletes, you can't control people, right, 532 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:38,600 Speaker 2: You can't. 533 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:40,400 Speaker 1: You can't really control. 534 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 2: People and what they do and what they say, but 535 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 2: you can certainly suggest. 536 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: And I think the only criticism. 537 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 2: That I had specifically with Caitlyn Clark is that there 538 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:52,720 Speaker 2: was a there was starting to become a bit of 539 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 2: a synonymy with this fan base equaling this, equaling division, 540 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:03,879 Speaker 2: equaling racism. I'm equaling this, And I really wanted Caitlyn 541 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,400 Speaker 2: and say, hey, listen, I get it, Like this really 542 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 2: ain't my lane. 543 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:08,120 Speaker 1: I'm not trying to be like. 544 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:11,080 Speaker 2: A political superstar here, but I'm saying that type of 545 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 2: behavior doesn't represent me. 546 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: So I really would not like it to represent my 547 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:15,120 Speaker 1: fan base. 548 00:25:15,320 --> 00:25:18,439 Speaker 2: People listen, people may not, but I just really wanted 549 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 2: her to say it. Nevertheless, it is what it is 550 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,760 Speaker 2: at this point, and we do move on. But I'm 551 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 2: so happy to get to the basketball. 552 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 1: You could tell Terica's fired up because she got her 553 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:31,879 Speaker 1: bracelets jangling right into her mind the whole time. She's like, listen, 554 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,199 Speaker 1: this is how much this means to me? Angle jangle, 555 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: How about that? They are have no doubt? I know 556 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 1: what about you? Is there anything left from that that's 557 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: still worth talking about? 558 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 4: You know? I've taken a little bit of a different 559 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 4: approach with all this, where I just am at a 560 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 4: point in my life. I'm not arguing with fools. I'm 561 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:55,120 Speaker 4: not arguing with people that refuse to be educated. I'm 562 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 4: not arguing with people that want to tell me about 563 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 4: what I know. After seven teen years of covering this sport, 564 00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:05,560 Speaker 4: like it's just not worth my time, and so I've 565 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 4: been able to put it in this proper place. But 566 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,360 Speaker 4: it is sad because I think people are using Caitlin 567 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 4: and Angel as a vehicle for their hatred, whether that's 568 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:19,040 Speaker 4: racism or misogyny or whatever it is, instead of enjoying 569 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,639 Speaker 4: the game of basketball and how amazing those two players 570 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 4: are and what they've done for the sport of women's basketball. 571 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:27,160 Speaker 4: So I let people be stupid because they really want 572 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,720 Speaker 4: to be stupid, like they don't want to be educated, 573 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:32,119 Speaker 4: and the people that want to be educated. What I 574 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 4: feel like my job is is to point you in 575 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:37,959 Speaker 4: the direction that you should be focusing in. Right, Like 576 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 4: with my coverage, I'm going to educate you. I'm going 577 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 4: to tell you what's actually happening. I'm going to bring 578 00:26:42,840 --> 00:26:45,480 Speaker 4: some historical perspective, like that's what I can control. I 579 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 4: can control where I focus my energy and my platform, 580 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 4: and it's definitely not going to be on these people 581 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 4: who are hell bent on this understanding all of. 582 00:26:54,760 --> 00:26:58,439 Speaker 3: Us the sport, what's happening, have at it. 583 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: I'm good, very smart approach. I wasn't as smart right 584 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 1: off the bat. I was like, no, I'm going to 585 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:06,879 Speaker 1: help people calm down and like make good choices. And 586 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:08,760 Speaker 1: then I was like, oh no, I'm I'm a woke 587 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:12,040 Speaker 1: progressive and a white lady, which means either way, I'm 588 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 1: definitely kissing everybody off. Either they assume I'm saying one 589 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:17,360 Speaker 1: thing because I'm a white lady, or they assume I'm 590 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:20,639 Speaker 1: saying another because I've always been outspoken about progressive issues. 591 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:24,520 Speaker 1: So I'm going to just step back and stop engaging whatsoever. 592 00:27:24,680 --> 00:27:27,160 Speaker 1: So I got to it just took me a little 593 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: bit longer. Ye, speaking of getting people to know the 594 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:33,040 Speaker 1: right things about players, though, we're running out of time here, 595 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:34,639 Speaker 1: but I did want to shout out La China this 596 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: WNBA off day show, because it's so great for people 597 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: to actually see and hear from and get to know 598 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: the players so that they can make decisions about who 599 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:46,879 Speaker 1: they are, what they stand for and what they know 600 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 1: about them by actually seeing them instead of the bullshit 601 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 1: alphatar's being held up as you know, positions that they 602 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 1: don't even hold or think, which is what we saw 603 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:57,880 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the season. So Benigelinie Hamilton, dj A, Carrington, 604 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:00,479 Speaker 1: Skylar Digg and Smith, all these people that folks are 605 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:04,480 Speaker 1: getting to see and see you dancing and otherwise in 606 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 1: very fun ways. So everybody needs to check that out. 607 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:09,239 Speaker 1: WNBA off day you can really get a look at 608 00:28:09,240 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 1: some of the players and get to know them better, 609 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:14,400 Speaker 1: which is so cool. Okay, before you go, we have 610 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 1: to do the standard group chat. Fight me. I said 611 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:24,640 Speaker 1: what I said, So you know what, fight me. We're 612 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:26,239 Speaker 1: gonna get your answers to this and we're gonna put 613 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:27,879 Speaker 1: it out on social and people are gonna fight you. 614 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 1: The question is to top three best WNBA Championship winning 615 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: teams of all time? Who had the most talent, the 616 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:37,840 Speaker 1: most chemistry. Who is the krem de la Kremist of 617 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:40,520 Speaker 1: all of the best teams of all time? I gotta 618 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 1: go old school first. The ninety eight Houston Comets twenty 619 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 1: seven and three still the highest winning percentage in WNBA history, 620 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:50,640 Speaker 1: and two of those three losses were in overtime. You 621 00:28:50,680 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 1: had Cynthia Cooper doing with Cynthia Cooper things. They only 622 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:56,320 Speaker 1: had five games in the postseason at that point, so 623 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:58,719 Speaker 1: they went four and one. You know, a little bit 624 00:28:58,720 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: of an old school throwback, different different game now. But 625 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:05,080 Speaker 1: if you're gonna go comments not on this list, then 626 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:08,560 Speaker 1: I think you're missing out. They were too dominant. Twenty 627 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 1: ten Seattle Storm my girl Sue Berd my girls swin cash, 628 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:13,479 Speaker 1: so I'm a little bias on this one. And then 629 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:16,640 Speaker 1: Lauren Jackson, who was a Finals MVP League MVP that year. 630 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:18,600 Speaker 1: But they were twenty eight and six in the regular 631 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:23,120 Speaker 1: season and they were thirteen games better than the second 632 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 1: place team in the Western Conference, so this was not 633 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 1: a season where anybody was touching them. They went a 634 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 1: perfect seven to zero in the postseason. So shout out 635 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:34,480 Speaker 1: the twenty ten Storm and a little recentcy bias, but 636 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 1: last year's aces the competition is better than ever. Thirty 637 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,959 Speaker 1: four wins, six losses, eight and one in the postseason. 638 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:44,040 Speaker 1: They led the league in points per game, more than 639 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 1: ten points above the average. They were second in team 640 00:29:46,600 --> 00:29:49,440 Speaker 1: defense across the league. Asia Wilson was crushing it. They 641 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:51,520 Speaker 1: had a bunch of other players averaging at least fifteen 642 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:53,280 Speaker 1: plus points a game, so it was a well rounded 643 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 1: attack again recentcy bias, but also the league has never 644 00:29:56,480 --> 00:29:59,360 Speaker 1: been better, more stacked, more talented, So that team that 645 00:29:59,400 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 1: could be that they're up there for me, Tarika, who 646 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:03,320 Speaker 1: you got? 647 00:30:03,600 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 3: All right? 648 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 2: I just want you to know that I had wrote 649 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 2: mine down and so on as the dinner I did. 650 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 2: I wrote it on a post it so that I 651 00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 2: would not like mess it up, and so in order 652 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 2: from three to one, three for me was also the 653 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 2: ninety eight comments for all of the reasons that you 654 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:22,080 Speaker 2: just mentioned, so I don't even need to go deeper 655 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 2: in The number two for me is the twenty seventeen 656 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:30,840 Speaker 2: Minnesota Links. That team was on a mission twenty seven 657 00:30:30,840 --> 00:30:33,280 Speaker 2: and seven to end the season, and they had just 658 00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 2: come fresh off of a loss in the WNBA Finals 659 00:30:35,920 --> 00:30:39,719 Speaker 2: to La who they also played again in the WNBA finals, 660 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 2: and Maya Moore said excuse me, and Saya fout that 661 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 2: excuse me. So I absolutely love that twenty seventeen team, 662 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:48,239 Speaker 2: and it was also the end of the dynasty for 663 00:30:48,280 --> 00:30:49,080 Speaker 2: that team too. 664 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: So that's just one of my all time favorite stories 665 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:54,160 Speaker 1: that Princess Courtson and brought them all to Paisley Park 666 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 1: after the win, just like one of the coolest post 667 00:30:57,600 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 1: win celebrations of all time would just be going hanging 668 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:03,120 Speaker 1: at Prince's house. Okay, carry out, you got one more? Okay, Okay. 669 00:31:03,160 --> 00:31:05,720 Speaker 2: So twenty seventeen is my number two and my number one. 670 00:31:05,800 --> 00:31:09,080 Speaker 2: My favorite to me best WNBA winning championship team is 671 00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 2: the two thousand and three Detroit Shot. 672 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:13,360 Speaker 1: Yes, I am a homer, but. 673 00:31:13,480 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 2: Come on, Ruth Riley's Finals MVP Sheryl fod Rookie of 674 00:31:17,840 --> 00:31:20,400 Speaker 2: the Year, and quite literally, this team was the worst 675 00:31:20,440 --> 00:31:22,560 Speaker 2: team in the league in twenty twenty two. They were 676 00:31:22,600 --> 00:31:26,720 Speaker 2: the exact worst to first squad. That squad could not 677 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 2: be touched. Cheryl was the beast, Ruth was the beast. 678 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:32,040 Speaker 2: Tweety Deanna Nolan was a beast who ended up being 679 00:31:32,280 --> 00:31:34,440 Speaker 2: a Finals MVP in her own right just a couple 680 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:37,960 Speaker 2: of years later. The two thousand and three Detroit Shot 681 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 2: was a legit, legit squad. I would put them up 682 00:31:42,560 --> 00:31:43,680 Speaker 2: against the best any day. 683 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,000 Speaker 1: That's what that's that's what most improved award is worse 684 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:51,920 Speaker 1: to first. That's how severe your improvement has to be. Yes, seriously, 685 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: last in the league to winning it all. Also, you 686 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:57,360 Speaker 1: are a tremendous homer. Okay, China, what you got? 687 00:31:57,760 --> 00:31:59,800 Speaker 4: All right? So I have a little bit of a 688 00:31:59,840 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 4: different spin as to the reasons why I picked these teams. 689 00:32:02,960 --> 00:32:06,160 Speaker 4: But I'm starting with the twenty eleven Minnesota Links because 690 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:09,440 Speaker 4: no one expected Maya Moore to hop into the league 691 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:13,280 Speaker 4: and win a championship in her first season back of Brunson. Obviously, 692 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:15,440 Speaker 4: Simoda Guss keeping in mind this said also been in 693 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:18,360 Speaker 4: an organization that for a while was riddled with injury, 694 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:22,160 Speaker 4: high expectations, lots of high draft picks, nothing really happening. 695 00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:25,080 Speaker 4: Here comes Maya, and in my opinion, Maya changed the 696 00:32:25,120 --> 00:32:27,600 Speaker 4: game like anyone else in the WNBA. I mean what 697 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:30,080 Speaker 4: she accomplished in her short time. So you have to 698 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:32,600 Speaker 4: have a Mayamar team in this conversation. Yeah, my shout 699 00:32:32,640 --> 00:32:33,320 Speaker 4: out my girl. 700 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 1: Lindsay Whaling too, because she was a dog for that 701 00:32:35,240 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 1: franchise and a handful of those titles. 702 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:38,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, she was a dog, all right. 703 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:43,240 Speaker 4: My next one is the twenty twelve Indiana Fever championship team. Now, 704 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:45,640 Speaker 4: the reason why I say the Fever team is because 705 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:49,720 Speaker 4: Tamika Catchings had done everything except for win a championship. Right, 706 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:51,880 Speaker 4: We didn't know if she was gonna win one. We 707 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:54,440 Speaker 4: knew it as soon she would retire. And here she 708 00:32:54,520 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 4: is busting out a championship, having to go through the 709 00:32:57,040 --> 00:32:59,600 Speaker 4: Minnesota Links in a year that everyone thought, Okay, here 710 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,560 Speaker 4: they go, gonna win another one. She was fantastic. And 711 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 4: listen to some of the key players that year. It 712 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:09,600 Speaker 4: was Tamika Ketching's Chavonte Zealous, your starting center was six ' 713 00:33:09,640 --> 00:33:12,840 Speaker 4: to one, or Leyden Larkins, Aaron Phillips, who to this 714 00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:15,200 Speaker 4: day is underrated, one of the best to ever do 715 00:33:15,240 --> 00:33:18,840 Speaker 4: it in Australia. Like this team was the underdog by far. 716 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:21,840 Speaker 4: For them to win a championship was just icing on 717 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:23,480 Speaker 4: the cake. For Tamika Catching, it's a career. 718 00:33:23,760 --> 00:33:26,239 Speaker 1: And want to know that any time Tamika Ketching's name 719 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:27,920 Speaker 1: is brought up, I have to remind everyone that I 720 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:29,480 Speaker 1: blocked her at the free throw line and took it 721 00:33:29,520 --> 00:33:32,280 Speaker 1: down for a lamp in a high school game, including 722 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: to Meek. Every time I see her at this point, 723 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 1: she's like, shut the fuck up about the one blade, 724 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 1: But I do. We don't have to always say it 725 00:33:39,480 --> 00:33:41,520 Speaker 1: because it's Tamika catching well. 726 00:33:41,800 --> 00:33:45,760 Speaker 4: No, and no one believes you, so all right, So 727 00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:49,480 Speaker 4: next up is the twenty sixteen LA Sparks. 728 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:49,880 Speaker 1: Again. 729 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:53,200 Speaker 4: I don't know, maybe I'm a sucker for the Lady Balls, 730 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:56,800 Speaker 4: but Kennas Parker's first championship will always be special. The 731 00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 4: Sparks had all kinds of things going on twenty fifteen 732 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:01,680 Speaker 4: to twenty sixteen, getting left off the Olympic team as 733 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 4: far as Neca and Candas Candace had taken a season off, 734 00:34:05,080 --> 00:34:07,360 Speaker 4: like there were all this going on their bench. No 735 00:34:07,400 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 4: one could could even pronounce anyone's name. 736 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:10,600 Speaker 3: From their bench. 737 00:34:10,640 --> 00:34:13,760 Speaker 4: It was like Dublavic and all these like random European 738 00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:16,839 Speaker 4: players who left the league after they won the championship, 739 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:20,960 Speaker 4: like not a probable winner, right, And then Necca's put 740 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:24,279 Speaker 4: back will always be especially because I was in the 741 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:27,520 Speaker 4: building for that, to me, the biggest shot in w 742 00:34:27,719 --> 00:34:32,319 Speaker 4: NBA Championship pitchs Wow. For me, that put back, which 743 00:34:32,400 --> 00:34:38,440 Speaker 4: was just incredible, taking down the links another unprobable championship. 744 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:41,719 Speaker 3: So those would be my those would be my three. 745 00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 1: Incredible that I was the only one who wasn't a 746 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:45,840 Speaker 1: homer about being in the building or my team winning, 747 00:34:45,880 --> 00:34:48,280 Speaker 1: even though Candas Park are coming home to take Chicago's 748 00:34:48,280 --> 00:34:51,040 Speaker 1: Sky to their first title. Pretty good, pretty good, but 749 00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:54,200 Speaker 1: I didn't mention it. Oops, I just didn't no too late. 750 00:34:57,880 --> 00:35:00,759 Speaker 1: Thanks so much to Tarika and the China for joining us. 751 00:35:00,920 --> 00:35:02,640 Speaker 1: Such a good time, so much fun. We got to 752 00:35:02,640 --> 00:35:05,239 Speaker 1: take another break. We'll be right back with more good 753 00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:14,320 Speaker 1: game with Sarah Spain. Welcome back. We love that you're listening, 754 00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:15,680 Speaker 1: but we want you to get in the game every 755 00:35:15,760 --> 00:35:18,040 Speaker 1: day too. So today's good game play of the day 756 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:21,360 Speaker 1: is to battle with our basketball reporters over the WNBA's 757 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:25,200 Speaker 1: all time best. You heard our lists and fight me now, 758 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:28,200 Speaker 1: who are your three best in w history? Hit us 759 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:31,040 Speaker 1: up on email good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or 760 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:32,960 Speaker 1: leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two o 761 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:35,319 Speaker 1: four fifty seventy. And you can always hit me up 762 00:35:35,360 --> 00:35:39,600 Speaker 1: on social at Sarah Spain on Twitter x. And of course, 763 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:44,760 Speaker 1: as always I would never forget subscribe, rate and review. 764 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:50,880 Speaker 1: It's so easy. Watch people who say reces and also 765 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:55,400 Speaker 1: adjacently people who say real litter rating zero out of 766 00:35:55,480 --> 00:36:00,239 Speaker 1: five stars. Review it's reeses. It rhymes with pieces. See 767 00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:03,840 Speaker 1: how that works. Reese's pieces. That's the point, Reese's pieces. 768 00:36:04,080 --> 00:36:07,719 Speaker 1: Recee's pieces sounds like a venereal disease. Yeah, man, Ever 769 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:10,120 Speaker 1: since I hooked up with that scuba instructor in the Bahamas, 770 00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:12,200 Speaker 1: something mate right down there. When I pee, I think 771 00:36:12,239 --> 00:36:17,839 Speaker 1: I got the Reese's pieces. So, yeah, Reese's pieces. And 772 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:21,560 Speaker 1: while we're here, it's real tour. It's spelled right out 773 00:36:21,600 --> 00:36:24,400 Speaker 1: for you, not one of those tricky ones with silent 774 00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:27,800 Speaker 1: letters or some Brett Favar Ruber shit. It's just real 775 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:32,200 Speaker 1: tur not real litor. That's the wrong order of letters, 776 00:36:32,280 --> 00:36:39,880 Speaker 1: and it sounds ridiculous. Reese's Pieces. Realtor signed, wife of 777 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:44,440 Speaker 1: a realtor and lover of Reese's pieces. Thank you Now 778 00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:48,480 Speaker 1: it's your turn subscribe. Great review, Thanks for listening, slices. 779 00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:52,040 Speaker 1: See you tomorrow. Good game with China, Good game to Rika. 780 00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 1: You wnba quote unquote fans getting stupid in our mentions. 781 00:36:57,640 --> 00:36:58,319 Speaker 1: You know who you are. 782 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:00,000 Speaker 3: Good Game. 783 00:37:00,040 --> 00:37:02,560 Speaker 1: Name with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production 784 00:37:02,719 --> 00:37:05,440 Speaker 1: in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can 785 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 1: find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 786 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:12,279 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our 787 00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:15,880 Speaker 1: producers are Alex Azzi and Misha Jones. Our executive producers 788 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:19,480 Speaker 1: are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 789 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:23,279 Speaker 1: Our editors are Jenny Kaplan, Emily Rudder, Britney Martinez and 790 00:37:23,360 --> 00:37:26,880 Speaker 1: Grace Lynch. Production assistants from Lucy Jones and I'm Your 791 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:27,960 Speaker 1: Host Sarah Spain