1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: Full Circle is an iheartwoman's sports production and partnership with 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 4 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:16,079 Speaker 2: Well, hello, everybody, welcome back to another episode of Full 5 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 2: Circle Podcast. I'm Lexi Brown. If y'all in a know, 6 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 2: today is a little bit of a different type of vibe. 7 00:00:23,079 --> 00:00:26,599 Speaker 2: I'm doing my first solo episode, so bear with me please. 8 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:31,639 Speaker 2: Mariah was having some technical difficulties and we did not 9 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:33,639 Speaker 2: want to leave y'all hanging for the week, so we 10 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 2: decided that, hey, let me just wing this and just 11 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 2: see how it goes. So I guess we can just 12 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 2: first and foremost start off with a vibe check, which 13 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 2: is what Mariah usually asked me. How I'm doing. How 14 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 2: the season has been going for me? And this has 15 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 2: probably been my most productive week of the entire season. 16 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 2: I've been playing more. I finally scored in double figures 17 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 2: last week at Chicago. I went five for five in 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 2: that game, scoring twelve points, so that really felt good. 19 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 2: We played at Chicago, we played in DC, which we lost, 20 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 2: but I also got to play a lot in that 21 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,200 Speaker 2: game because we got down big early. In the game, 22 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 2: and our bench actually got us back within a two 23 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 2: possession game in the fourth quarter, so it was nice 24 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 2: to be a part of that. And then we finished 25 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 2: our road trip in Connecticut where we won and we 26 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 2: were up big early again, so I got to play 27 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 2: a little bit. Didn't shoot the ball great, but it's 28 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 2: still good to get out there and play and contribute. 29 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 2: I still would not say I'm part of the rotation, 30 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 2: contrary to what maybe you guys might see in the 31 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: minutes played. But I'm very much still not in the rotation. 32 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 2: But when you are trying to break into the rotation, 33 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: you have to take advantage of the moment you get 34 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: on the court, which I think I did this past week. 35 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 2: So baby steps. I know the season is over halfway 36 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 2: through and we're still talking about baby steps into the rotation, 37 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: but that is just the reality of being a bench 38 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 2: player slash role player in this league. You just have 39 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 2: to be ready when your opportunity comes. So proud of myself, 40 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 2: proud of my other teammates that are coming off the 41 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 2: bench for the Storm because they've come in and been 42 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 2: productive and have been working really hard. So when it 43 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 2: comes to playoffs and the end of the season, when 44 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 2: the wear and tear becomes more obvious, that's when you 45 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 2: know teams have to look to their benches a little 46 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 2: bit more, and I think that our team has a 47 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 2: very capable, more than capable bench. It's just about getting 48 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: on the cord and getting cohesion and getting reps. Because 49 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,639 Speaker 2: you can do all the practices you want, all the 50 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:43,359 Speaker 2: workouts you can, but at the end of the day, 51 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 2: you need game reps to be able to contribute in 52 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 2: a game. So I'm excited that, you know, our starting 53 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 2: unit is starting games a little bit better, giving us 54 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 2: an opportunity to get in and get some game reps. 55 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 2: So that's my vibe check for right now. But on 56 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 2: the topic of the wear and tear of a season, 57 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 2: I think that this season has been grueling for a 58 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 2: lot of teams. I think for every team, but definitely 59 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,079 Speaker 2: players have been a lot more vocal about the war 60 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 2: and tear of this season and how it's been affecting 61 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 2: the play and our bodies and our recovery. Time. I 62 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: looked it up shout out chat GPT about what the 63 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 2: average days in between games have been for the past 64 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: few seasons. So this season, the average days in between 65 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: games is at around two point seven days in between games. 66 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty one, it was four days, an average 67 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 2: of four days in between games. Last year it was 68 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 2: three point two three average days in between games, and 69 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 2: even last year a lot of players wore having issues 70 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 2: with the schedules. So the biggest blessing within all of 71 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: that is that we are flying and charter playing, so 72 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 2: we are able to maximize our recovery time versus when 73 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 2: we used to have to fly commercial. So that's you know, 74 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,560 Speaker 2: definitely still a blessing. But we have forty four games 75 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: this year versus the forty we had last year, and 76 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 2: that number is only going to increase. You know, we're 77 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 2: adding two more teams next season, which means more games, 78 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 2: which means longer playoffs, longer road trips, and just more 79 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 2: and more wear and tear on our bodies. And we're seeing, 80 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: you know, a lot of players dealing with injuries. You know, 81 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: we just saw Kayla thorn Is out for the season 82 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 2: with an injury. Breonna Stewart just went down with an 83 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: injury this past weekend in their game versus the Sparks. 84 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 2: We've seen a lot of season ending injuries. We've seen 85 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: a lot of star players missing significant amount of games 86 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 2: due to injuries. And for the first time I think 87 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 2: that since I've ever played in the league, we saw 88 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 2: a player out for rest and that player was Pagebackers 89 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 2: and she sat out for rest over this past weekend, 90 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 2: which in my mind for a rookie, that's kind of wow. 91 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 2: But as a WNBA player, you know, I'm looking at 92 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 2: her like, you know what, that makes sense? And we 93 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: haven't released it's seen load management in the WNBA before 94 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 2: because our schedule is so short, but because of the 95 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 2: closeness of games, you know, we are having more back 96 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 2: to backs. Like I just stated, there's not that many 97 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 2: days in between games anymore. I do foresee more load 98 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 2: management being implemented into the WNBA. And if you guys 99 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: don't know what load management is, because it's a big 100 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: trigger word in the NBA, like I said, we haven't 101 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 2: really had to deal with it in the w Load 102 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: management is the practice of strategically resting players to promote 103 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 2: longevity and protect them from injuries. There was a study 104 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:37,360 Speaker 2: done for the NBA and they didn't really find anything 105 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:42,119 Speaker 2: that connected load management to injury risk, but they didn't 106 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:46,039 Speaker 2: really say if it helped or didn't help Therefore, the 107 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: load management has stayed in the NBA, which for me 108 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 2: as a player, I completely understand wanting to prioritize the 109 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: longevity of your career. And yes, for fans it is 110 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 2: a bummer because you know, there have been a lot 111 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: of situations that people have been very vocal about. So oh, 112 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,280 Speaker 2: I saved up all my money to come watch this 113 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 2: player play. You know, in my city, it's the only 114 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: time they come into town and he is resting, And 115 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 2: you know, I know that's a bummer for fans, and 116 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 2: I see it from that perspective as well. For sure, 117 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,279 Speaker 2: like somebody could be spending all they have to come 118 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:23,600 Speaker 2: watch you play, and that's the game you happen to 119 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: be resting on. And I'm sure that the athlete feels 120 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 2: bad about it. But at the end of the day, 121 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 2: like they have to prioritize ourselves. We have to prioritize 122 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 2: our bodies and our careers and just finding the balance 123 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 2: between too much rest not enough rest. I think every 124 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:41,720 Speaker 2: player is different. For example, my team, the Seattle Storm, 125 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 2: my teammates, they'll have to be missing a limb to 126 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 2: miss a game, Like I swear, like I've never seen 127 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: so many players just wanting to play all the time, 128 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 2: always locked in, wanting to play all the minutes, which 129 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:57,400 Speaker 2: is amazing. I love it. You know, you always want 130 00:06:57,440 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 2: to have players on your team that want to give 131 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 2: a hundred and ten percent every game, for every minute. 132 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 2: But during the course of a season, that's not really 133 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 2: a feasible thing. And we saw it with the New 134 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 2: York Knicks in the NBA. You know, they went that 135 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: route of you know, playing their starters heavy, heavy, heavy minutes, 136 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 2: and yes, they found success in the regular season, but 137 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 2: once that postseason grind hits, you know, you got to 138 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,239 Speaker 2: look to your bench. And it's nothing against the players 139 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: that are playing all the minutes. It's the fact that 140 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 2: you've now had these players sitting on your bench for 141 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: a long, long, long, long time, and you look over 142 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 2: one of the most important parts of your season, which 143 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 2: is the playoffs, and they're not as productive as you 144 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 2: need them to be or as you want them to be. 145 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 2: And that's just the balance of being able to find 146 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 2: a rotation going into your benches, resting your stars, because 147 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 2: stars need to star when it's time, and the time 148 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 2: to be a star is absolutely during the playoffs. So 149 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 2: it's been interesting seeing a lot of these WNBA teams 150 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 2: and coaches in front office is trying to navigate this 151 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 2: grueling schedule because I know at the beginning of the year, 152 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 2: I said that there was a bit of intentionality in 153 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 2: putting these rosters together. But as the season has gone on, 154 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: I think we all have seen that there really wasn't 155 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 2: much intention putting some of these teams together. You know, 156 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 2: a lot of teams typically go six seven players deep 157 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 2: every year, and I don't think that is a thing anymore. 158 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 2: I think there's too much talent. The game is faster, 159 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 2: it's more physical. They're letting us play this year, if 160 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 2: you guys haven't noticed, So teams are having to go 161 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 2: deeper into their benches, and not every team has built 162 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 2: a roster that they can do that with. So we're 163 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 2: going to see teams like find some problems as the 164 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 2: season goes on, because you know, after player number seven, 165 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 2: they're like, this player doesn't even match with the rest 166 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 2: of my team. This player can't even come in and 167 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 2: do what I need them to do. And that's not 168 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,439 Speaker 2: the player's fault at all. You know, the player doesn't 169 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 2: ask to be brought into a team. The player doesn't 170 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: ask for a role they're giving it and they do 171 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 2: it to the best of their ability. I've already said 172 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 2: the Phoenix Mercury is the best put together team of 173 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 2: this season in my opinion. You know, the Liberty and 174 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 2: the Links are at the top of the standings, but 175 00:09:16,360 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 2: they didn't really put a team together this past offseason. 176 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 2: They already had their team in place, and you know, 177 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 2: those were the two finals teams, So why would you 178 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 2: make a lot of dramatic changes when you were in 179 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 2: the finals. So it's going to be interesting to see 180 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 2: for these next twenty ish games what these rotations look like. 181 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 2: You get to the playoffs and that's when like your 182 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 2: rotation shrinks. But I think this season it might go 183 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 2: the opposite way. You know, as we get close to 184 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 2: the playoffs, you're going to see these teams trying to explore, 185 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 2: you know, the rotations, the depth that they really have, 186 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:48,960 Speaker 2: because you know, this is way far in advance, and 187 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 2: we'll get into a playoff picture in a second. Our 188 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 2: finals is best to seven. We have never had a 189 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 2: best of seven finals before. And for Kathy Kathy to 190 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 2: hear us complaining and having issues with the longevity of 191 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 2: this season and the compactness of it, and be like, oh, yeah, 192 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:09,959 Speaker 2: I heard y'all, so I'm gonna give y'all the longer playoffs. 193 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 2: That doesn't really make sense to me, but again I 194 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:15,640 Speaker 2: am excited for it because it's new, it's fun. But again, 195 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:19,439 Speaker 2: that's like way far in advanced. But speaking of playoffs, 196 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 2: I looked at our standings, and you know, ESPN does 197 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 2: are like power rankings. I hope y'all understand that power 198 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 2: rankings and standings are not the same. Power rankings are 199 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 2: strictly opinion based, obviously, because the power rankings do not 200 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 2: match the current standings at all. So yes, it's a 201 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 2: good list and they have their reasoning and their logic 202 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 2: and it and you know, it's fun to read. But like, 203 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,200 Speaker 2: this is like what the standings would actually be if 204 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 2: the playoffs started today. So if the playoffs started today, 205 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 2: the matchups would be the Links versus the Mystics at 206 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 2: the one in eight matchup, The two and seven matchup 207 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: would be the Liberty versus the Aces, the three and 208 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 2: six matchup would be the Mercury versus the Fever, and 209 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 2: the four or five matchup would be the Dream versus 210 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 2: the Storm. So honestly, I love that playoff picture I 211 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 2: have no idea who would come out of these first 212 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 2: round of games. Honestly, obviously you give the benefit to 213 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 2: the home team to come out of these series, but 214 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 2: I would love to see this as the potential playoff. 215 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,960 Speaker 2: But I think that seven six, seven to eight spot 216 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 2: is absolutely up for grabs. A lot of these teams 217 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 2: have similar records. Only one team right now has reached 218 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,360 Speaker 2: twenty wins and that's the Links, and seven teams are 219 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 2: five hundred or worse right now, which I don't know 220 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 2: if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but 221 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 2: it would be nice to see some more of these 222 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 2: teams get above five hundred, especially heading into playoffs. You 223 00:11:50,559 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 2: want to go in, you know, winning games. I will 224 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,679 Speaker 2: give us a quick little weekend recap of some of 225 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 2: the games that stuck out to me. We'll start with 226 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 2: the Liberty and Sparks matchup. Rakia Jackson had twenty four 227 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 2: points and a game winner. I don't know if you 228 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 2: guys saw the game winner, but it was definitely a 229 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 2: little wonky, not your typical game winner, but a bucket 230 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 2: is a bucket, so shout out to Rakia. She's been 231 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: playing really great. In the midst of a five game 232 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 2: win streak, which is currently the longest in the WNBA, 233 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 2: So shout out to the Sparks. They're really, you know, 234 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 2: figuring it out. I'm pretty sure that three of those 235 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:36,719 Speaker 2: five games were on the road, so to be able 236 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 2: to go on a road trip undefeated is definitely amazing. 237 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 2: I think that they have found their lineup that works 238 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 2: with Julie Oliman starting at the one. Like I said earlier, 239 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 2: Kelsey Plumb is a great passer, but she's an elite 240 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 2: two guard and they have found that complimentary piece at 241 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 2: the point guard position for her. And she has been 242 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 2: bawling ever since that they made that change in the 243 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 2: starting lineup with Julie Oliman starting at the one. She's 244 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 2: had two ten plus assists games in the last i 245 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 2: think two weeks, and Kelsey Plum is currently fourth in 246 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 2: the WNBA in scoring at twenty points per game. I 247 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 2: think that's her career high. Let's double check that. No, 248 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:21,199 Speaker 2: it is tied with her career high from twenty twenty two, 249 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,599 Speaker 2: when she was also averaging twenty points per game. But 250 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 2: she is having a career high in minutes, she's having 251 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 2: a career high and assists, she's having a career high. 252 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 2: In rebounds. So this move to the Sparks has definitely 253 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 2: been beneficial for Kelsey Plumb, which we all knew it 254 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 2: would be because she definitely is a walking bucket. Cameron 255 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,320 Speaker 2: Brink is returning tonight Today's Tuesday, July twenty ninth. This 256 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,959 Speaker 2: episode will drop Wednesday, so we will have seen Cameron 257 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,440 Speaker 2: play return to the WNBA court by the time this 258 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,439 Speaker 2: episode dropped. So super excited for her coming back from 259 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 2: an ACL injury. I think they said it's been thirteen months, 260 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 2: which is a long time for someone to not play 261 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 2: the game that they love, So perfect time for her 262 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 2: to come back. Five game winning streak. They're at home 263 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:08,959 Speaker 2: on TV. Couldn't be a better comeback game for her. 264 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 2: So really excited for Cam and the Sparks and riding 265 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 2: that wave. We actually play them this week on Friday, 266 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 2: so you know, I would be tuned into the game 267 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 2: as a spectator, as a fan, and absolutely as a 268 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 2: competitor because we got to see what they got going 269 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 2: on because they are hooping right now. Another game that 270 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 2: stood out to me this weekend was the Aces versus 271 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 2: the Wings where we saw Jeweloyd come off the bench. 272 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 2: I don't want to say this incorrectly. But I don't 273 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 2: know if Jeweloyd has ever come off the bench in 274 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 2: her entire WNBA career. But she did have a very 275 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 2: efficient twenty point outing while coming off the bench for 276 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 2: the Aces against the Wings, and in her place they 277 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 2: started KB, who had nineteen points. And I said earlier 278 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: this season that she's been under a lot of scrutiny, 279 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 2: a lot of opinions about what her role is on 280 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 2: that Aces team, and she played in AU. She's been 281 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 2: playing in AU, and I know and we all know 282 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 2: what type of player that she is. And like I 283 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 2: said earlier in the episode, it's all about your opportunity, 284 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 2: and it's all about being ready for your opportunity. So 285 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,680 Speaker 2: she got that opportunity over the weekend in Dallas and 286 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 2: showed out. So shout out to KB for making the 287 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 2: most of her minutes. I don't know if the Jewel 288 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 2: Lloyd on the bench is long term or if it was, 289 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 2: like you don't know what goes on in these locker rooms. 290 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:29,240 Speaker 2: I don't know if it was her idea. I don't 291 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 2: know if it was Becky's idea to bring her off 292 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 2: the bench. But sometimes you kind of just have to 293 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 2: make those adjustments. To your lineup and see what happens. 294 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 2: The Aces have been a team with a huge question 295 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,600 Speaker 2: mark all season long, like what's going on with the Aces? 296 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 2: And again, I just think it's them figuring out how 297 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 2: to incorporate a megastar into a team already full of them. 298 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 2: So I think Jewel coming off the bench was really 299 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 2: good for her. She got the shots that she wanted, 300 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 2: the shots that she needed. She looked like she was 301 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 2: in rhythm. So honestly, I mean they won, they looked good. 302 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 2: So this could be a long term thing for the Aces. 303 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 2: But if it's not, that wouldn't be surprising. But if 304 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 2: it is, it also wouldn't be surprising. Becky has been 305 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 2: known to be a coach that does everything she can 306 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 2: to win, and if that means shaking up her starting 307 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 2: lineup from time to time, she's going to do it. 308 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 2: So shout out to the Aces. You know they're still 309 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 2: finding their way. They are sitting comfortably well I guess 310 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 2: not comfortably for them. For them, this is definitely an 311 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:30,880 Speaker 2: uncomfortable five hundred at their standards. But I think that 312 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 2: once they figure out their rotation and who can play 313 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 2: with who which at twenty six games, you're kind of 314 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 2: like Dun' shouldn't they have that figured out already? No, 315 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 2: absolutely not. Twenty six games and very limited practice time 316 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 2: is not enough time to figure out how to win 317 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 2: basketball games, especially not in this league. So the Aces 318 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 2: seem to be heading in the right direction though, and 319 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 2: that's always great for the league when the Aces are 320 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 2: playing well. The third game that stuck out to me 321 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 2: this past weekend was they Dream versus the Links game, 322 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 2: and the Dream handed the Minnesota Links their first home 323 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:08,680 Speaker 2: loss of the season. Target Center is not an easy 324 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 2: place to win in. They have great energy, their fans 325 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,880 Speaker 2: are amazing, and like I said, the layout of Target 326 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 2: Center is like the fans are like sitting on top 327 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: of you. So for someone that enjoys environments like that, 328 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 2: like it's a great gym to play in. And some 329 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,639 Speaker 2: people maybe if they get, you know, anxiety about having 330 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 2: people kind of being on top of you, maybe it's 331 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 2: not a great place to play in. But the Dream 332 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 2: still have quietly been very dominant this season, and I 333 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 2: still think that they're under the radar, even though I 334 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 2: thought post All Star Break they would get a lot 335 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 2: more recognition for the way that they've been playing. But Nope, 336 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 2: not yet so that's good for them though. I mean, 337 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 2: I think being led by Ali Shagray, Bree Jones and 338 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 2: Brittany Grinder, like those are probably some of the mower 339 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 2: quiet superstars in our league. So it kind of makes 340 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 2: sense that this is the way that the Dream you know, 341 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:01,199 Speaker 2: are navigating this season. BIGI had a season high I 342 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 2: think of twenty two points in that game, and I've 343 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 2: been really enjoying watching how the Dream have been utilizing 344 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 2: Bree Jones and Brittany Grinder. I know a lot of 345 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 2: people had a lot of question marks coming into the 346 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 2: season about how the coaches style of play, which is 347 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 2: very run and gun a lot of outside shooting, would 348 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 2: compliment having two of the best post players in the 349 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 2: WNBA on the same team. And they've had their ups 350 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 2: and downs, but I think that they are most consistently 351 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:36,120 Speaker 2: successful when either Brie or BG have a really good game. 352 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 2: I don't know if we'll see both of them have 353 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,479 Speaker 2: dominant games, because then that would mean that they're not 354 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 2: doing their outside shooting. There's three point shooting. They're scoring 355 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 2: because they have very talented guards and Ryan Howard Jordan 356 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 2: Canada and Leash. Ryan Howard is still out though with 357 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 2: an injury, but they have been managing without her, which 358 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:57,359 Speaker 2: is also a really good thing to see one of 359 00:18:57,440 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 2: your stars is out with an injury. It's nice to 360 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 2: see Beg have one of her Beg type games. You know, 361 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:08,120 Speaker 2: she's had a pretty quiet season so far. Wasn't an 362 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 2: All Star, which is something that we're not used to seeing. 363 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:14,679 Speaker 2: But she's been quietly helping this Stream team stay in 364 00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 2: the top four of this league this entire season. Na 365 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 2: Fista Collier did have thirty to eight and seven in 366 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,440 Speaker 2: that loss, though, so I think even though the Links 367 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:28,560 Speaker 2: are technically the best team in the league as far 368 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:33,720 Speaker 2: as their record goes, who do they go to if 369 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:36,239 Speaker 2: they have other players that are struggling. You know, two 370 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 2: of their starters in Bridget Carlton and Kayla McBride only 371 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 2: combined for four points, which that's not going to happen 372 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 2: very often, probably won't even happen ever again this entire season. 373 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 2: But when you have Pee put up a monster performance 374 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 2: like that, who is the next person that's going to 375 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,439 Speaker 2: step up in multiple ways? You know? Alana Smith had 376 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 2: twelve points, Corney Williams eleven points, and Natsha Hideman comes 377 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 2: off the bench contributes ten. But you know when you 378 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 2: have a team that has such a star and Fee, 379 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 2: who's always going to give you numbers, She's always going 380 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 2: to be consistent. And you do have those those days 381 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 2: where you have starters that you know they're a little off. 382 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 2: It happens. You know, you can't make every shot that 383 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 2: you take. Who's going to be that next person that 384 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 2: brings them energy on both sides of the ball, because 385 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 2: they did give up ninety points, so it's not always 386 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:27,919 Speaker 2: about scoring. Who's going to come in and be a 387 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 2: defensive leader for them, who's going to get those rebounds, 388 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:32,439 Speaker 2: who's going to get them those extra possessions? And I 389 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:35,399 Speaker 2: think as dominant as the Links have been, they still 390 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 2: have a weakness in Okay, so we already know it's 391 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 2: going to be Fee and then who's next, Who's up next? 392 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 2: And I think that's what makes them so dangerous is 393 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 2: that they they rotate. That's how good they are. Like 394 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,959 Speaker 2: one day it's Kmac, one day, it's Courtney, one day 395 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 2: it's Bridgid. You never really know who that second person is. 396 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 2: But when it comes to the longevity of a season, playoffs, 397 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 2: you kind of have to have that consistent one two 398 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,959 Speaker 2: three punch, And I think that's something that always is 399 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,959 Speaker 2: hard about having such a talented team is when it 400 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 2: gets down to the nitty gritty who is going to 401 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 2: have the ball, who's gonna make the plays? And I 402 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:13,880 Speaker 2: think that's literally probably the only downside of the Minnesota 403 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 2: Lynx right now is that they have so much talent, 404 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 2: So who's gonna have the ball in these moments and 405 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 2: who's gonna make the plays in these moments? If it's 406 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 2: not Fee? But again that loss, I want to be 407 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:26,440 Speaker 2: too worried about it. If I'm the links, there's still 408 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 2: twenty two and five comfortably sitting in first place in 409 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 2: the in the WNBA right now, having a great season, 410 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 2: Fees having an MVP type season, I think that it 411 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,600 Speaker 2: is her award to lose still, and I do not 412 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,400 Speaker 2: think it's close anymore. But we'll see. We still have, 413 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 2: you know, a lot of games left in our season 414 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:54,959 Speaker 2: for someone to try and take that MVP award from her. 415 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: This episode is going to be short and sweet, y'all. 416 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,360 Speaker 2: You know I usually depend on for a little back 417 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 2: and forth banter here and there. I think I guess 418 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,560 Speaker 2: I can just use this time to even talk about 419 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 2: my season A little bit more and what the reality 420 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,399 Speaker 2: is for a lot of players in our league. You know, 421 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 2: we're at the halfway mark. Over the halfway mark, all 422 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:17,880 Speaker 2: Star break has come and gone, and like I said, 423 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 2: you start to see, you know, the real rotations of 424 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 2: these teams coming together as you head towards playoffs, as 425 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,399 Speaker 2: you start to know if your if your team is 426 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 2: going to be in playoffs or not going to be 427 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 2: in playoffs. I haven't been in I haven't been to 428 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 2: the playoffs in three years, right so I only know 429 00:22:35,160 --> 00:22:38,439 Speaker 2: what it's like to be in survival mode, trying to 430 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:41,679 Speaker 2: claw your way to the seventh or eighth spot in 431 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 2: the WNBA playoffs. You know, I've never been halfway through 432 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,400 Speaker 2: the year and been like, yeah, we're about to make playoffs, 433 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 2: Like I haven't felt that in a long time. So 434 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 2: being in that situation right now is really nice. Not 435 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 2: saying that there's any room for us to like relax 436 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 2: or get comfortable, because when we want home court two, 437 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 2: we want to continue to rise in the standing. So 438 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:05,080 Speaker 2: not saying that we're guaranteed a playoff position. We still 439 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 2: got to play at a high level and act as 440 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:09,359 Speaker 2: if we are fighting for a playoff position. But I 441 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 2: just have never, not never, I just haven't been in 442 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:14,119 Speaker 2: a position like this in a while. So it's actually 443 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 2: really nice, and it's kind of a refreshing change to 444 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 2: not be in like survival mode trying to get into 445 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:23,439 Speaker 2: the playoffs, being so far away from getting into the 446 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 2: playoffs at this season no longer matters to anybody, and 447 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 2: you're already looking to the next year. Like so it 448 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 2: is nice being in a different environment in that regard. 449 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 2: But you know, I have a lot of friends in 450 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:36,159 Speaker 2: the league that are in very similar situations as me, 451 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:39,000 Speaker 2: as far as being on the bench and having a 452 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 2: role probably given to you at the beginning of the 453 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:44,439 Speaker 2: year or before you signed, or when you're in training 454 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 2: camp and you know your team has an expectation for 455 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 2: you before you even step foot into their facility or 456 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 2: before you even have a practice. There's conversations that are 457 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,120 Speaker 2: had to get you ready, to make sure that you've 458 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: come prepared. And I think for me in the WNBA, 459 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 2: there's just not there's not enough appreciation for role players 460 00:24:05,600 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 2: and bench players throughout the league. And yes, there's a 461 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:13,119 Speaker 2: six woman award, like, yes, that's like a thing, but 462 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 2: typically there's only like two or three players that are 463 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 2: even eligible for that sixth Player of the Year award 464 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 2: because there's no six women that really get a real 465 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:27,159 Speaker 2: opportunity to come in and make a real impact and 466 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 2: play how they want to play and how they know 467 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,399 Speaker 2: how to play. I'm actually going to go down the 468 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,639 Speaker 2: last few six Women of the Year in the WNBA. 469 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:36,879 Speaker 2: You know, it is a great award. I think that 470 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 2: it's important to have a player of high caliber coming 471 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 2: off of your bench. I think it's one of the 472 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 2: most important awards, or one of the most important roles 473 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:48,879 Speaker 2: on a basketball team is your first person off the bench. 474 00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 2: But I see it all the time. I'm experiencing it currently, 475 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,359 Speaker 2: like a lot of teams, there's not really a consistency 476 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 2: when it comes to the person is coming off of 477 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:02,160 Speaker 2: your bench. So last year Tiffany Hayes twenty twenty three, 478 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 2: Alicia Clark twenty twenty two, Breonna Jones twenty twenty one, 479 00:25:06,800 --> 00:25:10,560 Speaker 2: Kelsey Plumb twenty twenty and twenty nineteen was Dericka Hamby 480 00:25:10,720 --> 00:25:13,680 Speaker 2: in twenty eighteen. John Cuel Jones from the Connecticut Sun. 481 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:16,719 Speaker 2: What I just saw in this list is that the 482 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: six Women of the Year awards has come from two 483 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 2: teams for the last six years, seven years, two teams, 484 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:29,960 Speaker 2: the Sun and the Aces. Okay, so within these six 485 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 2: Women of the Year awards, you have multiple All Stars, 486 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 2: multiple champions, multiple potential MVP candidates. John Cuell Jones actually 487 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 2: was an MVP. Kelsey Plump could become an MVP if 488 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:46,359 Speaker 2: she keeps playing at this level and can get the 489 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 2: Sparks to the playoffs. And Deerica Hamby is one of 490 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:52,639 Speaker 2: the best players at her position right now and was 491 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:55,119 Speaker 2: even when she was in Vegas coming off of the bench. 492 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 2: So it's an interesting award for me because, like I said, 493 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:05,120 Speaker 2: the starters in this league play eighty five ninety percent 494 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:08,439 Speaker 2: of the minutes in these games. And if you have minutes, 495 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 2: and you have opportunity, and you have the green light, 496 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:14,479 Speaker 2: you have a chance to be a really good player 497 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:17,360 Speaker 2: in this league. But that's not the reality for all 498 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:20,280 Speaker 2: of us. That has never been my reality ever in 499 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,400 Speaker 2: this league. And that's okay. I've been in the league 500 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 2: for eight seasons figuring it out and finding ways to 501 00:26:26,280 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 2: help teams win and being a good teammate win a championship. 502 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:33,439 Speaker 2: But I don't want y'all to get this confused just 503 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:36,440 Speaker 2: because you are not getting major minutes on your current 504 00:26:36,480 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 2: team does not mean that you are not a capable 505 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,560 Speaker 2: basketball player. Actually, to ask chat GPT again, so shout 506 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,119 Speaker 2: out to chat GPT for helping me today in this episode. 507 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 2: What my career highs have been in this league? And 508 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 2: my career high end points is twenty six, my career 509 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:57,359 Speaker 2: high and assists is nine, My career high and steals 510 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 2: is seven. So again, I think people forget how talented 511 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 2: this league is from top to bottom, and it's all 512 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:11,120 Speaker 2: about opportunity, and it's all about fit, and it's all 513 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 2: about the confidence that gets instilled in you from your 514 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:18,760 Speaker 2: teammates and your coaching staff. But I do think it's 515 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:22,200 Speaker 2: always so interesting at what these six Players of the 516 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,240 Speaker 2: Year look like. And the fact that for the last 517 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,879 Speaker 2: seven years they have come from only two teams is 518 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 2: a little bit concerning to me because you're trying to 519 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:34,920 Speaker 2: tell me that two of the best teams in the 520 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 2: league at that Connecticut and the Aces have consistently been 521 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,640 Speaker 2: in the top four of the WNBA through this entire 522 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 2: time period that I'm talking about from twenty eighteen to now. 523 00:27:44,680 --> 00:27:48,120 Speaker 2: So you're supposed to tell me that no other teams 524 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 2: in the entire NBA has a player that has come 525 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 2: off their bench and can make an impact, like the 526 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:58,200 Speaker 2: defending champs and the team at the time that had 527 00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:01,960 Speaker 2: the most playoff wins in WNBA history. I just think 528 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 2: that there needs to be more of an appreciation for 529 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 2: the role players and the bench players because it is 530 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 2: not an easy It's not easy. It is not easy 531 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 2: to come in and your job is to not mess up. 532 00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,480 Speaker 2: If you have a lead, don't lose the lead. If 533 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:20,639 Speaker 2: you're down, don't make the lead even worse than it 534 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,840 Speaker 2: already is, and just be ready at all times, no 535 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 2: matter what you know. You might come in the game 536 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 2: at the three minute mark in the first quarter, great, 537 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:31,679 Speaker 2: next game you might not play at all, and then 538 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:34,479 Speaker 2: the next game you might play twenty minutes, and then 539 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:38,120 Speaker 2: the next game might not play at all. So it's 540 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 2: definitely a mind game. It's difficult. Not saying that being 541 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:45,000 Speaker 2: a starter in this league a star in this league 542 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,880 Speaker 2: is also not difficult. I think that is also very difficult, 543 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 2: but just difficult in a different way. But I do 544 00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 2: see a lot of super talented players that are just 545 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 2: chilling on benches, being great teammates coming in and being 546 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 2: productive when they have the opportunity but those actually are 547 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:01,400 Speaker 2: a lot of the players that I know when I 548 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:06,240 Speaker 2: talk to frequently. So we all are getting through these 549 00:29:06,280 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 2: situations together and continue to be uplifting towards one another 550 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,840 Speaker 2: and reminding each other that we're all here for a reason. 551 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 2: We earned our right to be in this league. We 552 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:19,440 Speaker 2: earned our spots on these teams, and your minutes played, 553 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 2: your points per game does not define you as a player, 554 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,719 Speaker 2: and it doesn't define you as a person either. So 555 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 2: shout out to my girls that are chilling on the bench, 556 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:30,840 Speaker 2: Shout out to my role players, Shout out to my 557 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:34,880 Speaker 2: six women. Y'all are valuable. Y'all are important, and y'all 558 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:41,480 Speaker 2: are needed, especially in these long, compact, grueling seasons. So 559 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:43,240 Speaker 2: I just wanted to give a little shout out to 560 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,760 Speaker 2: my bench girls because I don't think that they get 561 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,920 Speaker 2: enough love at all in this league. So I just 562 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:52,480 Speaker 2: wanted to take a little bit of time to talk 563 00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 2: about that and give a little preview now for some 564 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 2: of the games that we should be looking forward to 565 00:29:57,720 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 2: this weekend. This episode short and sweet, y'all. I hope 566 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 2: y'all are enjoying me just being by myself because I 567 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 2: was a little nervous not gonna lie, but I think 568 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 2: that it's been fun. But I can't wait for a 569 00:30:06,800 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 2: ride to get back. But this week some of the 570 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 2: games that you should definitely be circling is the Aces 571 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:16,840 Speaker 2: versus the Sparks. Cameron brings return the Liberty versus The 572 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:21,520 Speaker 2: Links on the thirtieth, which, once this episode drops, will 573 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:27,480 Speaker 2: be that night the first time we've seen the Finals rematch. Okay, 574 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 2: so that's something that we should absolutely be excited for. 575 00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:35,760 Speaker 2: Another game that we should circle is Us versus the Sparks. 576 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 2: It is the first time the Sparks are coming to Seattle, 577 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 2: and their team looks completely different from the last time 578 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:46,040 Speaker 2: we played them, So definitely looking forward to playing them 579 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 2: and how well they're playing. It'll be a great test 580 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 2: for us. And then Saturday, August second, we have The 581 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 2: Links versus the Aces, which, despite what the Aces record is, 582 00:30:57,640 --> 00:31:00,520 Speaker 2: I think that's going to be a great game time 583 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 2: ABC in Vegas, So it's gonna be popping, it's gonna 584 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:07,720 Speaker 2: be lit. So yeah, I think that this second half 585 00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 2: of this season is proving to be very interesting. It's 586 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,520 Speaker 2: proving to be a lot of fun, and I am 587 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:18,360 Speaker 2: actually predicting that we're gonna have a dark horse make 588 00:31:18,360 --> 00:31:21,840 Speaker 2: a playoff push? What team is gonna be that dark horse? 589 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 2: Right now? My bets are with the La Sparks, but 590 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 2: that could absolutely change, as you've seen things change very 591 00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:31,400 Speaker 2: very quickly in this league. So thank y'all for tuning 592 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:34,160 Speaker 2: in with me my solo episode. I promise I'll get 593 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 2: better if I need to do more solo episodes. But 594 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 2: your girl's been a little bit busy. You know, I've 595 00:31:39,080 --> 00:31:40,920 Speaker 2: been on the court. Finally, you know how to get 596 00:31:40,960 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 2: a little bit more locked in on the games because 597 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 2: I've been playing them a little bit more. But shout 598 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:49,680 Speaker 2: out to y'all. Thank you for tuning in, and we 599 00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:54,520 Speaker 2: will see y'all next week. Bye, Thanks for listening to 600 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:55,120 Speaker 2: Full Circle. 601 00:31:55,200 --> 00:31:58,160 Speaker 1: We'll be back next week with more basketball for the girls, 602 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:00,800 Speaker 1: by the girls. We want to hear from you. Leave 603 00:32:00,880 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 1: us a review on Apple Podcasts and tell us what 604 00:32:03,160 --> 00:32:05,640 Speaker 1: you want us to talk about. Full Circle is hosted 605 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 1: by Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose. Our executive producer is 606 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:12,800 Speaker 1: Jesse Katz. Our supervising producer is Grace Fuse. Our producer 607 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:16,640 Speaker 1: is Zoe Danklab. Listen to Full Circle on America's number 608 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:20,080 Speaker 1: one podcast network. iHeart Open your free iHeart app and 609 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:22,560 Speaker 1: search Full Circle with Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose and 610 00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:23,280 Speaker 1: start listening