1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're listening 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: to Taylor Swift's new album Life of a Showgirl on 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,039 Speaker 1: repeat for the next forty eight hours, taking just one 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: quick break to see Chapel Ronan concert, then right back 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:12,560 Speaker 1: to Life. 6 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 2: Of a Showgirl. Please do not disturb. 7 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: It's Friday, October third, Happy Friday, Slices and swifties. On 8 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 1: today's show, Big Citrus is getting back together once again. 9 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: We'll talk the latest on the fallout from NAFISA Collier's comments, 10 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: plus a preview of the WNBA Finals tip it off 11 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: tonight from the stars who need to show up and 12 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,199 Speaker 1: show out, to the X factors that might make all 13 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: the difference, and we put our pride on the line 14 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: with some predictions. 15 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 2: Plus Jill Ellis gets hit with the lawsuit. 16 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: The w's all rookie team is full of stars and 17 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: a whole bunch of pucks. 18 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 2: E gaish. 19 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:56,440 Speaker 1: It's all coming up right after this Welcome back Slices. 20 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: Here's what you need to know today. 21 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 2: Hoops. 22 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: The WNBA Finals tip off tonight at eight pm Eastern 23 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: on ESPN. It's the second seed Las Vegas Aces hosting 24 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: the fourth seed, Phoenix Mercury in Game one of the 25 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 1: best of seven championship series. Vegas will host Game two 26 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: as well, before the series shifts to the Mercury's PHX 27 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: Arena for games three and four. If necessary, Vegas hosts 28 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,639 Speaker 1: Game five, Phoenix Game six, and if we're all real lucky, 29 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: we'll get a winner take all Game seven back in 30 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 1: Sin City. More on that series with Big Citrus. In 31 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: just a couple minutes, Hoops continued, we got an update 32 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: on the status of Minnesota Links Darnafisa Collier, who you 33 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 1: remember went down with the left ankle injury in Game 34 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 1: three of their WNBA semi final series with the Phoenix Mercury. 35 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: Per reporting from ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne, Collier sustained a Grade 36 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: two tear of three ligaments in her ankle and a 37 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: muscle in her shin after that incidental contact with Mercury 38 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: forward Alyssa Thomas. The injury has a minimum six week 39 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,360 Speaker 1: recovery time, so Callier would not have been available if 40 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: the Links had advanced to the finals based on that timeline. 41 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: No Collier, who's also a co creator of the unrivaled 42 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: three on three league that set to play at second 43 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: season in January could be cleared to play by the 44 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: time it starts, assuming all goes well. Speaking of Callier, 45 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: her comments on Tuesday about WNBA leadership continue to reverberate 46 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,680 Speaker 1: around the league, inspiring debates from talking heads, some of 47 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:21,239 Speaker 1: them spot on, some of them involving folks need to 48 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: learn that her name is Nefisa, not Nefisia or Neficia, 49 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: and also eliciting responses from more of her fellow w players, 50 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: including the Indiana Fevers Caitlin Clark. In her exit interview 51 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,440 Speaker 1: on Thursday. Here's a bit of what Clark had to say. 52 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 3: I have great respect for Fee and I think she 53 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 3: made a lot of very valid points, and you know, 54 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 3: I think what people need to understand, you know, we 55 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 3: need great leadership in this time across all levels. 56 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 2: This is. 57 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 3: Straight up the most important moment in this league's history. 58 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 3: What this league's been around for twenty five plus years, 59 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 3: and this is a moment we have to capitalize on. 60 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 3: So that's honestly what I would say. I think there's 61 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 3: you know Fisa at all. 62 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 2: Clark continued, we are. 63 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 3: In the biggest moment in WNBA history. There's no denying that. 64 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 3: Everybody knows that, and everybody that's in a place in 65 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 3: power has a true responsibility, and even myself, we have 66 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,519 Speaker 3: a responsibility to make sure that this game and is 67 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 3: in a great place going forward with the CBA and 68 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 3: you know, caring for our players and you know, building 69 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 3: this league to make sure it's in a great spot 70 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 3: for many years to come, because you all know I 71 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 3: grew up as a huge fan of this league and 72 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 3: I'm going to do everything I can to make this 73 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 3: the league that you know, a five year old, a 74 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 3: ten year old, a fifteen year old, a girl in 75 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 3: college is really proud of to come into and to 76 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 3: be able to put a WNBA uniform on, and you know, 77 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 3: that's what they dream of and then hopefully they can 78 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 3: accomplish that goal because that's exactly who I was, and 79 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 3: that's you know, really at the end of the day, 80 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 3: like I hope that's what my legacy can be, is 81 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 3: just how I impacted the impacted people to be able 82 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 3: to to maybe want to be in the WNBA, but 83 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 3: to really just achieve what I've they want to achieve. 84 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: We'll talk a little bit more about Clark's comments with 85 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: Big Citrus later in the show. More w the WNBA 86 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: announced its All Rookie team earlier this week, and it's 87 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: the first time since twenty fourteen that the top four 88 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: draft picks in a w class made the cut. Dallas 89 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,799 Speaker 1: Wings guard and Rookie of the Year Pagebeckers, Dominique Malonga 90 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: of the Seattle Storm, Sonya Citron, and Kiki erie Fen 91 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: of the Washington Mystics, and international signing Janee Salon of 92 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 1: the Golden State Valkyries rounded out the squad class of 93 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five baled out. 94 00:04:29,720 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 2: In Footy News. 95 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: The antipenultimate, third to last week of the NWSL season 96 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: begins tonight. The Kansas City Current has already clinched the 97 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 1: shield and the number one seed in the playoffs, and 98 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:43,359 Speaker 1: the Washington Spirit have also clinched a postseason birth, but 99 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: the rest of the slots are wide open. In fact, 100 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 1: the race is so tight that no other teams can 101 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 1: clinch a playoff berth this weekend, but two teams can 102 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 1: be eliminated. Both the Utah Royals and BAFC will be 103 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,359 Speaker 1: fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive and worth noting 104 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: when the Orlando Pride visit the Houston Dash at eight 105 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: pm Eastern tonight on Prime Video Orlando could leapfrog the 106 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 1: Seattle Rain and slide into fourth place. That's the only 107 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: game on the schedule this evening. We'll link to the 108 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 1: full weekend schedule in our show notes. Also, the Golden 109 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: Boot Race is still alive and well Casey's ten Wi 110 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: Shwingo holds the top spot with fourteen goals, followed by 111 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: Gotham FSI's Estaire Gonzales at thirteen. Both players will be 112 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: in action with their squads over the weekend. More soccer news. 113 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:28,839 Speaker 1: FIFA CHI Football officer, former US women's national team head coach, 114 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,600 Speaker 1: and former San Diego WAVEFC president Jill Ellis is being 115 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: sued by Wave owners Lauren Lightman and Arthur Levine through 116 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: an entity that purchased the Wave last October. Per lawsuit 117 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 1: filed Monday in San Diego Superior Court. Lightman and Levine 118 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: alleged that Ellis lied, claiming she'd stay through purchase negotiations 119 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,119 Speaker 1: last year, but then resigned two days after the sale 120 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: was complete for what was then an NWSL record price. Ellis, Lightman, 121 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: and Levine became acquainted prior to their Wave involvement, and 122 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: the suit claims that Ellis told the billionaire couple she 123 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,919 Speaker 1: would quote god the team for many years to come 124 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 1: end quote. Now, the lawsuit didn't clarify whether Ellis put 125 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,600 Speaker 1: that statement in writing or in a contract, but it 126 00:06:07,640 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: does say that she never intended to stay and was 127 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: in negotiations with FIFA around her current role with the 128 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 1: governing body while simultaneously making assurances to Lightman and Levine. 129 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: The suit officially accuses Ellis and other unnamed defendants of 130 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: engaging in intentional and negligent misrepresentation, concealment, and false promise, 131 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: allegedly leading to the loss of forty million dollars in 132 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:32,359 Speaker 1: the Wave's total value. An attorney representing Ellis claims the 133 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 1: suit was filed in retaliation because she asked the owners 134 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 1: to pay over one point two million dollars in deferred 135 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 1: compensation she alleges is owed as part of her previous 136 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 1: contract with the Wave. This is the third legal matter 137 00:06:44,360 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: spawning from Ellis's time with the Wave. She filed the 138 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: defamation lawsuit against a former team videographer who alleged an 139 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 1: abusive environment at the club, and that former employee and 140 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: four others sued both the Wave and the NWSL, alleging 141 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,160 Speaker 1: that those entities failed to act on the workplace culture complaints. 142 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: We'll keep you update on this as we hear more, 143 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: and we'll link to the San Diego Union Tribune's original 144 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 1: reporting in our show notes. 145 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: More soccer up in the Northern Super League. 146 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 1: With a few weeks left in the regular season, the 147 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: league's top four teams are in a pack well ahead 148 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 1: of the bottom two, so the postseason picture is complete 149 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 1: with each of those four teams already clinching a playoff berth. 150 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: The postseason will work as follows, so those four squads AFC, Toronto, 151 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: Ottawa Rapid FC, Montreal Roses FC, and Vancouver Rise FC 152 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: will play two leg semifinals early next month. That means 153 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: each matchup will have one home and one away game, 154 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: and the two teams who score the most total goals 155 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 1: combined in those contests will advance to the final. The 156 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: NFL Final will be played November fifteenth at Bimo Field 157 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: in Toronto. We'll link where you can grab tickets in 158 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: our show notes. 159 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 2: We got to take a quick break. 160 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 1: When we come back, Big Citrus gets you ready for 161 00:07:51,600 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: the WNBA finals. Be right back, Welcome back, slices, Happy Friday. 162 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: We're going to get into a big finals preview, but 163 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: first we wanted to address an email from a Slice 164 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 1: named Iris and the comments that Kaitlin Clark made in 165 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 1: her exit interview on Thursday. You might recall that we 166 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,240 Speaker 1: mentioned that Caitlin Clark did not comment, but Lexi, who 167 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 1: was actually prepping for the game, had time to check 168 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: out Feas' comments and make a statement. Slice Iris writes 169 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: in and says Lexi was doing pregame media and answered 170 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: questions about Fees' comments. Asia, when asked pregame, claims she 171 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: hadn't heard them, but did comment postgame. Did she read 172 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 1: or listen on the way off the court after the game? 173 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 2: Question Mark? 174 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: Caitlyn wasn't playing and hasn't had media availability since All Star. 175 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: If she had issued a written statement, it would have 176 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,560 Speaker 1: overshadowed everyone else's response and fees original comments, and I 177 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: doubt a mere retweet or like would have satisfied Big Citrus. 178 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: I don't know when you recorded, but since you included 179 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: Kelsey's statement about her medical situation, by the time that 180 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: was posted on Wednesday, it was known that Caitlin would 181 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: be sitting for an exit interview on Thursday. Was it 182 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,199 Speaker 1: not reasonable to think you would adress the comments then, 183 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: which she in fact did and fully supported Fee. She 184 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 1: also said she hadn't heard the Kathy story about her 185 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: that Fee recalled, so it wasn't like she could have 186 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 1: a statement prepared in response. Some people had speculated that, 187 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: since they share the same agent, Fee would have given 188 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: Kaitlin a heads up, but that apparently didn't happen. And 189 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 1: I'm not knocking Fee at all. I like her and 190 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: support what she said. I don't know if Kaitlyn's comments 191 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 1: today will be enough for Big Citrus, and if they 192 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: are not, that's fine, but the rush to judgment here 193 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: was unfair and unnecessary and unfortunately somewhat predictable. You could 194 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 1: have said that Caitlyn hasn't spoken yet and that you 195 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: hope she would in the future, which she did within 196 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 1: forty eight hours, but instead you went right for the 197 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: most negative conclusion. I would expect better and producer Alex 198 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: Caitlyn did attend the CBA meeting at All Star in Indy. 199 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 1: What you said was factually incorrect, and even if you 200 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: don't address anything else said on the podcast, this should 201 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: be corrected. Thank you for coverage of women's sports IRIS. Okay, 202 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: let's start with that last thing. Quick, Alex, because I 203 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: think your intended statement was not to imply that she 204 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 1: didn't attend, but that the injury might have impacted her attendants. 205 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, more that the injury overshadowed that. So Caitlyn announced 206 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,199 Speaker 4: that she was planning to attend the CBA meeting had 207 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 4: of a Tuesday night game that I was at against 208 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 4: the Connecticut Sun in Boston. That was big news that 209 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 4: she was going to attend the CBA meetings. Then she 210 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 4: got injured in that same game. Then the news became 211 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 4: that she wasn't going to be playing. And so I 212 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 4: didn't mean to imply that she didn't attend the CBA meetings. 213 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 4: I just meant that she had made news prior to 214 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 4: the injury that she was planning on being engaged in them. 215 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 4: So apologies for any confusion there. 216 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I think as far as the point being 217 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: made about us rushing to criticize, I think there's some 218 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: fairness to that. I think that not every single player responded, 219 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: but because she was the one who was called out 220 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 1: directly and hadn't posted anything even the ten out of 221 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:48,439 Speaker 1: ten that Angel said or the stand with Fee, essentially 222 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 1: that Paige Becker's posted that the absence of anything stood 223 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: out to us, not that we thought necessarily she needed 224 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 1: a written or spoken statement. And I think it's a 225 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: good point from Iris that she hasn't done me availability 226 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: well in street clothes, so perhaps it would have been 227 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 1: too much to expect that they would summon her to 228 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: speak on Feas's comments before this decisive Game five and 229 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 1: take focus away from the game being played. 230 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 4: I do want to clarify one thing, though, because it 231 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 4: wasn't just that she didn't say anything. Multiple news outlets, 232 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 4: including The Indianapolis Star, reached out to The Fever and said, 233 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 4: does Caitlyn have any comment on this? And the reply 234 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 4: was no comment And to reply with a no comment 235 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 4: instead of a response, then I think is notable, even 236 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 4: though she did the media availability two days later with 237 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 4: her exit interview. 238 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think sometimes no comment says something. 239 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 5: Exactly Yes, I agree, and I feel like, you know, 240 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 5: in regards to my reaction to all of it, that's 241 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 5: exactly what it was hinging on. I'm like, if you 242 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 5: went to Caitlyn and she intentionally said I have no comment, 243 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 5: then I take a big freaking issue with that because 244 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 5: of everything that we said in the episode, Because you know, 245 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 5: PI uh, kind of went to bat for her and 246 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 5: her com and all that good stuff. But to your point, Iris, 247 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 5: I am satisfied with these comments. I'm very satisfied with 248 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 5: these comments. I'm very happy that, you know, it seems 249 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 5: like she took the time to really look at what 250 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 5: Fee said and come up with something thoughtful and response 251 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 5: and in support. And I think at the end of 252 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 5: the day, that's what we were all asking for, right, 253 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 5: That's what we were all looking for, and she gave 254 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 5: that to us. But I also don't think I don't 255 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 5: think it was so much a rush to judgment as 256 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 5: like you said, Sarah, She's commented on so many little 257 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 5: things since she's been out, just off the cuff. You 258 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 5: mentioned the Angelies ten out of ten, like we've seen 259 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 5: Caitlin make little you know, Snyder marks on on social media, 260 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 5: which I tend to actually really love, And that's all 261 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 5: it really would have taken to satisfy that. But I 262 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:44,199 Speaker 5: am happy that she said something. I'm happy that you 263 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 5: spoke up, Iris, and I'm happy that we've gotten the 264 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 5: opportunity to clear the air. 265 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I do want to clarify, and I think as 266 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 1: much as it might not be fair when you draw 267 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: the amount of attention when you have the amount of pull, 268 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: when your influence is as big as it is, and 269 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: when the claim around and about you, which is no 270 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: fault of her own, are about the amount of weight 271 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: she has in this league that brings with it an expectation. 272 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: And so again, I'm so grateful she said something. We 273 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 1: played you to those statements. I thought she did a 274 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: great job speaking to it. And in the end, it 275 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: doesn't really matter if she had commented the day before 276 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: or one day later, but in that moment, it was 277 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:24,559 Speaker 1: noteworthy that she hadn't said anything and that what was 278 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: attributed to her was no comment, which is what we 279 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,959 Speaker 1: were reacting to. But thank you, Iris, and thanks to 280 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 1: all of y'all that keep us honest and make make 281 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 1: sure we're clarifying on this stuff. Okay, let's get into 282 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: the finals. Oh holy shit, let me start with that. 283 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: Let me just say, if you had told me just 284 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: a month or so ago that the finals were going 285 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:49,360 Speaker 1: to be Aces Mercury, Wow, And I'm fired up for 286 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: this matchup. I am so excited about the superstars that 287 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: are going to be in this head to head and 288 00:13:57,559 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 1: I want to start there. I want to start with 289 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: what needs to go right for each team to win? 290 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 1: Just big picture meche. If the Mercury are going to 291 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: win the finals, what needs to go right? 292 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 5: If the Mercury are going to win. 293 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 2: We know At is going to do what she does. 294 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 5: Everybody around At needs to hit shots. 295 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 2: Understand, they need to make their shot. 296 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 5: I'm talking threes, I'm talking contested twos, I'm talking layups. 297 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 5: When she drops a dime, you need to finish on 298 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 5: that shot. That is going to be imperative to me 299 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 5: for the Mercury because if they don't At as dominant 300 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 5: as she can be in stretches, I don't think that 301 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 5: her shooting twos is going to be the thing that 302 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 5: you know she can do to push them ahead of 303 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 5: the Aces in any single game or in an entire 304 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 5: seven game series. So she's not gonna be able to 305 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 5: do it on her own. She's gonna do what she does. 306 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 5: Everybody else has to hit shots. 307 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 4: Though. 308 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I want to build on that meiche, which is 309 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: to say that I think Satu Sobbily is going to 310 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 1: end up being a massive piece here because if the 311 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: Aces are able to either slow down a list or 312 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: just force her, like you said, into twos it's gonna 313 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: be Satu beyond the arc drain in threes and the 314 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: vibes she gives off a vibe of your not catching us. 315 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 2: I'm going to keep making these, you know. 316 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: Alissa Thomas is like the muscle and Satu is the smirk. Yeah, 317 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: and when you put those two together, you're like, well. 318 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 2: We're fucked. 319 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: You know, Like if they get into a group, I 320 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: think there's a vibe there, And so I agree with you. 321 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 1: Of course it needs to be Alyssa Thomas doing what 322 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: she does. But I also think that the Mercury's defense 323 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 1: in this postseason has been really spectacular. They've led the 324 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: WNBA and opponents points per play, points per one hundred 325 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: per sessions, and three point percentage, But in their regular 326 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: season matchups with the Aces, they were not able to 327 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: contain the same way they have against these teams in 328 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 1: this postseason. 329 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 2: So we'll see how that matchup works out for them. 330 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: And speaking of that, I actually want to talk about 331 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: what I think needs to go right in order for 332 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: the Aces to win this and that is for the 333 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,560 Speaker 1: offensive love to be spread out a little more than 334 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: what we've seen so far in this postseason. Heading into 335 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: this series, fifty three percent of Las vegas Is playoff 336 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: scoring has come from Wilson and Young, and we saw 337 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: in that final game they combined for sixty seven points. 338 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: They were the first pair in the history of the 339 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 1: WNBA to have thirty plus points each in the same 340 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 1: game in a playoff game. And it's great when they 341 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: go off like that, they're going to be tough to beat. 342 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: But they're going to need to see folks like Jeweloyd 343 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: step up, Chelsea Gray. We need the stars that have 344 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: been a part of the Ace's success in the past 345 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: to show up. And then we need, of course Jewel 346 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: Lloyd to be the Jewellloyd we know she can be 347 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: when she's hitting hard. 348 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 5: Agree, I mean you lead me right into my X 349 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 5: factor for Vegas. 350 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 2: Who is Jeweloyd? 351 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 5: To me, she's gotta be the Jewel that we saw 352 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 5: in Seattle. She's got to be playoff Jewel and we 353 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 5: haven't seen that just yet. She had one double digit 354 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,200 Speaker 5: game in the last series, which to me is not enough. 355 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 5: When Asia you could struggle, as we did see her 356 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 5: struggle in the last series, she came back. It had 357 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 5: a bunch of thirty point games, and that's what it is. 358 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 5: But in order for them to get over the hump 359 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 5: against the Phoenix Mercury team that plays the defense that 360 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 5: you just mentioned, Jewel has to give them something. Give 361 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 5: us something, girl, give us double digits. 362 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 2: At the very least. 363 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: You're onto X factors, and I'm gonna get there in 364 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: a second because I have a different one for the Aces. 365 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 1: But I want to say one last thing about what 366 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 1: needs to go right for the Aces, and that is 367 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 1: defense and rebounding. This is a team that, when it 368 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:19,160 Speaker 1: does that well, is so hard to face, particularly when 369 00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: you've got Asia Wilson being a dominant force offensively on 370 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 1: the other side, If you can. 371 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,399 Speaker 2: Hold the opponent to few enough points, you know you're. 372 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: Gonna get enough from at the very least Asia and Jackie, 373 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:32,439 Speaker 1: if not everybody else. But their defense and rebounding throughout 374 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,160 Speaker 1: this postseason has waxed and waned, and it has made 375 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 1: it very difficult for them to close out games at times, 376 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: which brings me to my X factor for the Aces. 377 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,080 Speaker 2: My EX factor is focus. 378 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,199 Speaker 1: This has been something that Becky Hammond has harped on 379 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: all year long, where she'll show up and be like, 380 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: I don't know who the fist team is, but they're 381 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: not the ones that showed up last game, and they 382 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: probably won't be the ones that show up next game. 383 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:58,080 Speaker 1: And it's surprising for a team that brings back so 384 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: many players that have been here before. There's five players 385 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 1: who have been with Vegas since at least twenty twenty 386 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: two who have been a part of title winning runs, 387 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: and yet it seems like every night there's any number 388 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: of them who are like looking off into space, shiny object, 389 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:18,480 Speaker 1: squirrel and focus. Focus for me is the X factor. 390 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 4: Do you think that staring off into space comes from 391 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:24,720 Speaker 4: I don't want to say complacency, but when you've won 392 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:27,479 Speaker 4: a title, when you've experienced success, getting back to that 393 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 4: point can be hard. And I'm curious if you think 394 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,879 Speaker 4: some of that comes from, I don't know, having reached 395 00:18:32,880 --> 00:18:34,439 Speaker 4: the peak and then having to reach it again. You 396 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 4: know how hard it is. 397 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 2: I think it's possible. 398 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:40,199 Speaker 1: But I think also the way last season went and 399 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:43,120 Speaker 1: even early in this season, there's a lot of pride 400 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: in this team, and I would like to think that 401 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 1: they don't rest on the laurels of having won before. 402 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,879 Speaker 1: I know, I think it's very hard to create the 403 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 1: kind of hunger that comes from never having won. I 404 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: think you can only really have that fire if you're 405 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: still seeking that first one. But I do think there's 406 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: some pride in being a team that's like, oh they're 407 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:03,879 Speaker 1: past their peak. Oh they're not going to get back 408 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:06,400 Speaker 1: to the mountaintop again. Oh that you know, the kind 409 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 1: of stuff we've heard about them. 410 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree with that. 411 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:13,639 Speaker 5: I agree with that, And I think, you know, turning 412 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 5: it back over to Phoenix, because I gave you my 413 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:18,919 Speaker 5: X factor for Vegas, it's gonna be Jewel. I stand 414 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 5: on that. That's gonna be my answer the entirety of 415 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,920 Speaker 5: this series. For Phoenix, it's got to be Natasha Mac 416 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 5: because she's going to be in there with at battling 417 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 5: against the MVP, the four time MVP, Asia Wilson and 418 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 5: Melissa Smith, who has been excellent for Vegas since being 419 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 5: traded mid season. And I think, you know, Mac is 420 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 5: a second year player, she's young. She played some good 421 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 5: minutes last season as well, but these are going to 422 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 5: be the most important minutes probably of her career. 423 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's a good one. 424 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: I think I don't know if it's fair to call 425 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,119 Speaker 1: do Wanna Bonner an X factor because she can be 426 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,399 Speaker 1: such a big piece and obviously was in previous iterations 427 00:19:57,440 --> 00:19:59,159 Speaker 1: of this Mercury team. But from what we saw in 428 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: that final Game four with the Links, she was an 429 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: X factor in the sense that she didn't do a lot, 430 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: and then when she did it made a huge difference, 431 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: and she came up in the clutch. Sodwana Bonner to me, 432 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 1: is certainly a part of it. And then I would say, 433 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,679 Speaker 1: you know, there's there's something about Sammy Whitcomb, who also 434 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes kind of disappears or isn't a huge factor. 435 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:25,200 Speaker 1: But then she forced overtime in the game to win 436 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 1: at Minnesota with that huge shot, and she comes up 437 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: big and stretches when the other teams are focused on 438 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 1: the Superstars and they're like, shit, Sammy again. So that's 439 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: an interesting one to keep in mind. Okay, So that 440 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,119 Speaker 1: brings us to the all important question of who is 441 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,639 Speaker 1: going to win this series and how long will it 442 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: take that team? And for me, I'm riding with the Mercury. Oh, 443 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:54,920 Speaker 1: i am riding with the Mercury. I have seen too 444 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: much inconsistency from the aces and if you look at 445 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:03,720 Speaker 1: the pass for these two teams, Vegas is the first 446 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: team in the current WNBA playoff format, so this is 447 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 1: just since twenty twenty two, but they're the first ones 448 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: not to face the top four seed in getting to 449 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:16,919 Speaker 1: the finals, and they struggled, they were pushed to the 450 00:21:17,040 --> 00:21:20,679 Speaker 1: brink and they very easily could not be here in 451 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 1: these finals. 452 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 2: Ball bounces one way, ball bounce is another. 453 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: Meanwhile, the Mercury went through the Liberty and the Links. 454 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:33,160 Speaker 1: The Mercury went through both of last year's WNBA Finals teams, 455 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 1: And while the Liberty struggled a little bit and there 456 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: were injuries that Minnesota team and again without Cheryl Reeve 457 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:42,640 Speaker 1: at the Helm, without Nafista Kalier. I understand that, but 458 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: I said in the previous show they were my favorite 459 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: for that game, even if the Links had been at 460 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:49,440 Speaker 1: full strength. The way they were playing, to me made 461 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 1: them my favorite in that series. So I'm not picking 462 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 1: against the Mercury at this point. I'm not picking against 463 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 1: Alyssa Thomas barreling through you and then kicking it out 464 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: to the unicor horn and Satu sobbily and smirking their 465 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 1: way down the court as they're like, Hey, you didn't. 466 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 2: Expect this from us. 467 00:22:06,160 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 1: And the only thing I can say about that is 468 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 1: that there is a real lack of experience in getting 469 00:22:14,359 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 1: over the finish line from this team. They are the 470 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 1: first team in WNBA history to get to the finals 471 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: twice in five years without a single player that carried 472 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,639 Speaker 1: over from the previous roster. So this is a brand 473 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:29,240 Speaker 1: new team showing up and needing to weather the adversity 474 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 1: in the storms and be able to finish and get 475 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 1: over the line. Which you know, some of these players 476 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 1: have been on other teams that haven't been able to 477 00:22:36,240 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 1: do that. 478 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:41,160 Speaker 2: But I'm going Mercury. I'm going Mercury. 479 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:45,159 Speaker 1: My gut is saying six, but my heart wants seven. Oh, 480 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:47,640 Speaker 1: but you know what my heart does. Think if they're 481 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:49,320 Speaker 1: gonna win, it's fun for them to win at home. 482 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go with Mercury in six. 483 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 5: Okay, Okay, Hi Sarah, I think maybe you stole my 484 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 5: notes I took prior to this big Citrus conversation because 485 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:04,840 Speaker 5: for every reason that you just mentioned, I have the 486 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:09,720 Speaker 5: Phoenix Mercury. Wow, they they showed us their their guts, 487 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:11,959 Speaker 5: They showed us exactly what they were made of. In 488 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 5: the first couple of rounds Vegas, I didn't get a 489 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:17,440 Speaker 5: taste of championship Vegas. Yet we know what that looks 490 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 5: and feels like from their previous championship wins, and I 491 00:23:20,520 --> 00:23:22,159 Speaker 5: do not think we have gotten it so far in 492 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:24,200 Speaker 5: these playoffs, and I don't think that's the kind of 493 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:27,880 Speaker 5: thing that everybody on that roster can just tap into 494 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:29,119 Speaker 5: in a final situation. 495 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 2: I think Asia and Jackie. 496 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:32,640 Speaker 5: Are gonna come with it because they've kind of got 497 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:35,199 Speaker 5: that momentum you mentioned it, like, what was this that 498 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 5: fifty percent or so of their. 499 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 2: Offenses come from those two. 500 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,160 Speaker 5: But we still had question marks around Jewel, We still 501 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,639 Speaker 5: had question marks around Chelsea Gray, who's. 502 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 2: So fully healthy by the way. 503 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, she came back into that game, but like ankles 504 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:49,920 Speaker 1: especially can blow up with a little time. 505 00:23:50,119 --> 00:23:50,439 Speaker 4: Yeah. 506 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, So there's just too many unknowns around that squad 507 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 5: for me right now, and the Mercury are on a tear. 508 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: So I've got I want you to hear what you 509 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:00,440 Speaker 1: just said, and I agree with you. But that's what's 510 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: so wild about it. There are too many unknowns on 511 00:24:02,760 --> 00:24:05,160 Speaker 1: the team that's bringing back five players that you've had 512 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 1: since at least twenty twenty two, and the Mercury are 513 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: just too strong despite the fact that this is the 514 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:12,239 Speaker 1: first time that this team looking like this with all 515 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:13,400 Speaker 1: these pieces. 516 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 2: Is at it. But it's true. I completely agree with you. 517 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 5: Yeah, but you know what I think part of it is. 518 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:22,479 Speaker 5: I think you cannot ignore the fact that Alyssa Thomas 519 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 5: and Doana Bonner, who may be an X factor, who 520 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:26,479 Speaker 5: may wax and wan in this series, we don't know. 521 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 5: You cannot ignore the fact that there are two of 522 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 5: the veterans on this team and they've experienced so much 523 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:36,640 Speaker 5: heartbreak at this juncture, it feels like at a certain point, 524 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 5: with somebody like at especially, you can't bring her to 525 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 5: the edge of the of the pinnacle and not expect 526 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 5: her to eventually get there. I selfishly really really want 527 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 5: this for her. 528 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, we know. Back to two gay moms. 529 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,399 Speaker 5: We know, and you know I haven't mentioned this, but 530 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 5: shout out to my mamast she's my mom's favorite player too. 531 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 4: Ooh, you always got to root for your mom's favorite player, Yeah. 532 00:24:57,520 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 2: Got to I can't. 533 00:24:58,240 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 5: I can't root against their Shout out to Penny. 534 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:02,720 Speaker 1: My mom's favorite player is anyone who played against me, 535 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 1: and unfortunately they have all retired. She rooted for me too, 536 00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:11,280 Speaker 1: but I did not go on to play in the pros. 537 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 1: So what I mean is she rooted for the professional 538 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: players who I used to play. 539 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 2: Against, because she was like I remember heard that school. Yeah, 540 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 2: she was always rooting for me. Okay, that would be weird. 541 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:22,919 Speaker 2: That would be weird. 542 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 5: Was like, damn, She's like, heter that's crazy. 543 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:32,000 Speaker 2: How many games? How many games? I want seven? 544 00:25:32,240 --> 00:25:34,360 Speaker 5: I know you said in six, but I want I 545 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 5: was the one who wrote in our script today for 546 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 5: lucky we get game seven. I wrote that for a 547 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 5: reason because I really want us to get game seven. 548 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:44,400 Speaker 5: So I'm gonna say mark in seven on Vegas home court, 549 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 5: and that's. 550 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 2: Gonna be that, all right, Alex. 551 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 1: We did not end up jinxing the Aces with our 552 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 1: three ACES pick in that Game five semi final series, 553 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: But do we run the chance of jinxing the Mercury 554 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: or are you going appo? 555 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:02,880 Speaker 4: Well, first off, I wanted to celebrate the winners here, 556 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:07,240 Speaker 4: which is people who invest in women's sports, because when 557 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 4: we look at these two teams, they represent two teams 558 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 4: that have been heavily invested in, with two coaches that 559 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,440 Speaker 4: are the highest paid in the league. And I don't 560 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:18,440 Speaker 4: think it's an accident that they then end up here. 561 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:21,679 Speaker 4: Even if we you know, make Nate tippets the punchline. Occasionally, 562 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,880 Speaker 4: the other winners are the people that get to watch 563 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 4: Kathy Engelbert's press conference ahead of Game one because she's 564 00:26:28,920 --> 00:26:29,840 Speaker 4: apparently still. 565 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 5: Doing that. 566 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:34,879 Speaker 4: Little jealous are not going to be there, and you 567 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,480 Speaker 4: can tell that I am stalling trying to figure this out. 568 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:41,000 Speaker 4: And it makes me think how sometimes back in my 569 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 4: days of doing Olympic stuff, we would have to come 570 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:45,119 Speaker 4: up with our metal predictions, and there were always the 571 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:47,400 Speaker 4: predictions of what I wanted to happen versus the ones 572 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 4: that I actually thought would happen. And I think, in 573 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:52,200 Speaker 4: my heart of hearts, I do want the Mercury to win. 574 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 4: Like the idea of seeing Alyssa Thomas lift the trophy 575 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:58,480 Speaker 4: after seeing her come so close and doing so much 576 00:26:58,520 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 4: work in Connecticut, something I want to say. 577 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:06,280 Speaker 1: So we're going with wanna see instead of will see 578 00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,199 Speaker 1: to avoid you're putting your pride on the line with 579 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: the prediction. 580 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 4: I'm gonna be a contrarian here because there's nothing to 581 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:14,680 Speaker 4: lose in. All I can gain is pride in investing 582 00:27:14,680 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 4: the two of you. So I'm gonna go aces in 583 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:18,680 Speaker 4: seven games because then we all win. 584 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 2: Or you win or we're losers. Win again. 585 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:24,960 Speaker 4: I don't bet, don't bet. 586 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:26,400 Speaker 2: Very interesting approach. 587 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,919 Speaker 1: Now, all right, well, we got game one tonight. We 588 00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 1: are fired up for this. I'm not even gonna wait 589 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:34,400 Speaker 1: for the good game play of the day. I'm gonna 590 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: tell it to you right now. Give us your predictions. 591 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,240 Speaker 1: Shoot us an email good game at Wondermedia neetwork dot com, 592 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 1: or leave us a voicemail eight seven two two oh 593 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 1: four fifty seventy. What do you think is going to happen? 594 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:46,080 Speaker 1: What are your X factors for this one? What has 595 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 1: to go right for these teams to win? And what's 596 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 1: your prediction? Put your pride on the line too. We 597 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:52,679 Speaker 1: got to take another break when we come back a 598 00:27:52,800 --> 00:28:03,479 Speaker 1: very busy offseason for pucks and gay shit. Welcome back, 599 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:06,399 Speaker 1: places time for little pucks and gay shit. Listen, we 600 00:28:06,440 --> 00:28:09,000 Speaker 1: know the PWHL is wonderful because of you know, high 601 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:11,120 Speaker 1: level hockey and all that stuff, But it's also wonderful 602 00:28:11,119 --> 00:28:14,120 Speaker 1: because it's full of gays, and we know things full 603 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 1: of gays are usually pretty great. 604 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 2: Seriously, though, we do want. 605 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:18,480 Speaker 1: To give a quick shout out to a couple players 606 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:20,320 Speaker 1: who got married in the off season. We saw the 607 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 1: p WHL just announced the season three schedule, so these 608 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:26,960 Speaker 1: folks made sure that they got their vows done before 609 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,240 Speaker 1: the action started up again. First, a gigantic huzzah to 610 00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 1: Montreal victoir defender Amanda Boulie, who tied the knot with 611 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: her boo. Former Harvard standout turned to Harvard head coach 612 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 1: Laura Bellamy back in July. It was a gorgeous ceremony Manchester, 613 00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:45,760 Speaker 1: Vermont looked lovely. Both of the brides were donning white dresses. 614 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 1: They took cute little pictures with an old school chevy. 615 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 1: There's a big old photo dump of their big day 616 00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 1: that Bouliet posted to Instagram, so we'll link to it 617 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 1: in our show notes. Also want to say a huge 618 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 1: congrats to Minnesota frost defender Sidney Morin, who married her 619 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: crush of all crushes and former Minutes Soda white Caps 620 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 1: teammate back from her Premier Hockey Federation days, Ronya Mogrin. 621 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: The two became one back in June in a celebration 622 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 1: in Santan Valley, Arizona. Will link to the cute picks 623 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 1: from their ceremony in the show notes as well. And 624 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,600 Speaker 1: of course we are also happy for those who celebrated 625 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 1: heterosexual unions this offseason, including the Ottawa Charges, Beca Leslie 626 00:29:20,120 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 1: and Taylor Heisi, and Matti Rooney of the Minnesota Frost. 627 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:25,400 Speaker 1: They all married dudes, but you know they can still 628 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,880 Speaker 1: get a little love during pucks and gay shit, because y'all, 629 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:31,920 Speaker 1: love is love. Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review slices. 630 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:35,960 Speaker 1: It's real easy. Watch the Portland Thorns Christine Sinclair look 631 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 1: alike contest, rating ten out of ten. Low Ponytails and 632 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: red Kits review. Tomorrow, Friend of the Show, Christine Sinclair 633 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: will become the first player inducted into the Thorns Hall 634 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: of Fame, with a ceremony set to take place ahead 635 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: of the team's match with BFC. We've run down Sinclair's long, 636 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:55,640 Speaker 1: impressive list of stats many times here on the show, 637 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: and the honors and awards that she's received over the 638 00:29:57,920 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 1: course of her twenty five year career are way too 639 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 1: many to count. But Saturday we'll see what I believe 640 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:09,120 Speaker 1: is a first, a Christine Sinclair lookalike contest before the 641 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:12,640 Speaker 1: game with fifty bucks on the line for the big winner. 642 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 1: Cannot wait to see the photos of this one. Now 643 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:19,400 Speaker 1: it's your turn y'all rate and review. Thanks for listening, 644 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 1: Have a great weekend, See you next week. Good Game, 645 00:30:22,440 --> 00:30:28,000 Speaker 1: Aces and Mercury, Good Game, PWHL Newlyweds Few any quote 646 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:31,400 Speaker 1: unquote basketball fans who aren't excited about this finals matchup? 647 00:30:31,720 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 2: You shitting't me? 648 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:39,000 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 649 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:42,160 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 650 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 651 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:49,000 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 652 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive 653 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:57,120 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. 654 00:30:57,560 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutter, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and 655 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones. Production assistance 656 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:08,640 Speaker 1: from Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain