1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're back 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 1: from Africa and we've taken up residents on the couch, 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: WNBA Playoffs, Track and Field Worlds, the Emmy Awards, and 4 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: some delicious takeout the perfect Welcome Back Sunday. It's Monday, 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: September fifteenth, and on today's show, we'll recap Sunday's WNBA 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: Playoff game ones and break down the first round matchups. 7 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: We'll cry over unspilt milk and sprint through the biggest 8 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: stories from the last two weeks. It's all coming up 9 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 1: right after this welcome backslices. 10 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 2: I missed you. 11 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: I hope you missed us too. We know we missed 12 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:42,160 Speaker 1: a lot while we were gone, but don't worry. Here's 13 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: a little recap of what happened during the last two weeks. 14 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: Arena Sabalanca won the women's singles title at the US Open. 15 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: Three on three League Unrivaled unveiled two new expansion teams 16 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: ahead of next season, the Breeze and the Hive, and 17 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: they announce they've been valued at three hundred and forty 18 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: million dollars after closing another investment round that included buy 19 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 1: in from the likes of Warner Brothers, Discovery, Serena Williams 20 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: venture capital Company, and MNBA player Trey Young. Gotham FC 21 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: snacked Jadenshaw from the North Carolina Courage in a record 22 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: one point two to five million dollar deal, the largest 23 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: intra league transfer fee in NWSL history, and then she 24 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: scored in her first game with the squad. BFC announced 25 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: that its head coach, Alberton Montoya is stepping down at 26 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: the end of the season, a disappointing one in terms 27 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 1: of wins and losses, but also a turbulent one due 28 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: to an investigation into Montoya. The league ultimately cleared him 29 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 1: of misconduct, but announced findings of quote unquote shortcomings in 30 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: his communications style and also after a fourteen and fourteen 31 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: start to the season, Las Vegas Aces finished on a 32 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: sixteen game win streak, the longest win streak ever to 33 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: end a WNBA regular season, with star Asia Wilson becoming 34 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: the first player to average at least twenty points and 35 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 1: ten rebounds per game in multiple seasons. Angel Rees expressed 36 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: frustrations with the Chicago Sky front office and commented on 37 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: teammates and roster changes in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. 38 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: Sparking locker room discontent that led to an apology to 39 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: her teammates and a half game suspension for Reese from 40 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: the team. She sat at the fire a few games 41 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: of the season, officially with a back injury. But it's 42 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: hard not to wonder whether it was less about the 43 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: injury than those insults, said head coach Tyler marsh when 44 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: asked if Reese has a future in Chicago. 45 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 2: Quote. Sure, plenty more to say on that story in 46 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: the future. 47 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 1: All right, Way too much happened to cover it all, 48 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: so let's just get to what you need to know today. 49 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: The WNBA playoffs got underway on Sunday with four first 50 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,680 Speaker 1: round games. As a reminder, the playoffs this year feature 51 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 1: a best of three first round, followed by a best 52 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 1: of five semi final round, and then, for the first 53 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: time ever, a best of seven finals. All that to say, 54 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,160 Speaker 1: still a lot of basketball left this season. Round one 55 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: got underway with the number one Minnesota Links hosting the 56 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: number eight Golden State Valkyries and winning one oh one 57 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: to seventy two. After the games, coach Natalie Nicasse criticized 58 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: the officiating. She said it was tough to get and 59 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,800 Speaker 1: sustain momentum, saying she wants quote a fair fight. In 60 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: the second game, the number three Atlanta Dream defeated the 61 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 1: number six Indiana Fever eighty to sixty eight, and overtime 62 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:02,359 Speaker 1: was required to decide Game one between the number four 63 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 1: Phoenix Mercury and the number five New York Liberty, with 64 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: the Libs pulling out the seventy six to sixty nine win, 65 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,679 Speaker 1: but Brianna Stewart sustaining a scary looking knee injury in 66 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: the extra period. She managed to stay in the game, 67 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 1: but it was clear she was very much in pain, 68 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: so we'll keep you posted once we know more. 69 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 2: About her status. 70 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: Finally, we're recording this before the number two Las Vegas 71 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: Aces tip off against the number seven Seattle Storm late 72 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: Sunday night, so we'll update you on that one tomorrow. 73 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: For now, just based on Seattle season, we're going to 74 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: guess another single digit loss for a Storm team that struggles. 75 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:32,519 Speaker 2: To close out games. 76 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: I'll have plenty more to say about those game ones 77 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 1: later in the show, but a quick note here on 78 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: a side story. As these playoffs begin, you remember the 79 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: WNBA collective bargaining agreement looms as the end of the 80 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: season nears and at several of Sunday's games, fans were 81 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,119 Speaker 1: holding up pay the Players signs. The NWSL got into 82 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: the action too, as some players rocked pay them What 83 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: You Owe Them t shirts into their Sunday games. You 84 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: love to see that show of solidarity, and the players 85 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: love to see their leverage increased. With report whor it's 86 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 1: that the league continues to grow in popularity, ESPN announced 87 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: that this WNBA season was their most watched in league history, 88 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: even with Caitlin Clark out since July. Round one of 89 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 1: the w playoffs continues Tuesday, with two game twos, followed 90 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: by another two game twos on Wednesday. We'll link to 91 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,919 Speaker 1: the full WNBA playoff schedule in the show notes. To 92 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: track and field, the twenty twenty five World Championships got 93 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: underway on Saturday in Tokyo, and Team USA got off 94 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: to a strong start, with Melissa Jefferson Wooden winning the 95 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: one hundred meter world title, Tara Davis Woodhall winning the 96 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 1: long jump, and Valerie Allman winning the discus throw. In 97 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: the one hundred meter, Jefferson Wooden's time of ten sixty 98 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: one makes for the fourth fastest woman in history. Meantime, 99 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: defending World Championship carry Richardson finished fifth, posting her best 100 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: time of the season in the process, while Jamaica Shelley 101 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: and Fraser Price, competing in the final individual race of 102 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 1: her career, was sixth. The nine day World Championship competition 103 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: continues through next Sunday. We'll link to the broadcast schedule 104 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: in the show notes to the NWSL. Where there's just 105 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 1: over a month left in the regular season. The top 106 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: two teams in the standings, the Kansas City Current and 107 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: Washington Spirit, met on Saturday, playing to a scoreless draw 108 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Even without scoring a goal, 109 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: the Current still set a few records, becoming the fastest 110 00:05:17,320 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: team to reach fifty points in a season, accomplishing the 111 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: feat in. 112 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 2: Just twenty games. 113 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: Finally, some breaking soccer news that we're happy to be 114 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: the first to share. Carrie Fleishauer will be named the 115 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 1: new chief operating Officer of Gotham FC. She previously worked 116 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: as the head of Strategy and chief of staff for 117 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 1: Angel City FC. 118 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 2: Slices. 119 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: As I mentioned, a lot happened while we were gone, 120 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:42,880 Speaker 1: and there were a few things in particular that I 121 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: just wanted to spend a couple more minutes on first, 122 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: some congrats are in order for a few WNBA players 123 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,240 Speaker 1: who set new marks in the final games of the 124 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: regular season. 125 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 2: Let's start with the. 126 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: Minnesota Lynks's Nafisa Collier, who became just the second player 127 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: in WNBA history to finish a regular season with a 128 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 1: fifty to forty ninety s shooting split. That's at least 129 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:04,360 Speaker 1: fifty percent from the field, at least forty percent from three, 130 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: and at least ninety percent from the free throw line. 131 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: Fee joins former Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics standout Elena 132 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: Deladon as the only WNBA players to have such a season. 133 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 1: Deladon did in twenty nineteen and was named the league's MVP. 134 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:22,479 Speaker 1: Collier did Deladon one better this season, not only hitting 135 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: fifty forty ninety but also averaging over twenty points a game, 136 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: first time anyone's done that. But will it be enough 137 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 1: to hold off Asia Wilson for MVP. We also got 138 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 1: a shout out the Connecticut Suns Tina Charles, who passed 139 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: the legendary Dina Tarassi to become the WNBA's all time 140 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: leader in made field goals. Charles did so in the 141 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: Suns September third game against the Chicago Sky with her 142 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:46,279 Speaker 1: three thousand, three hundred and forty second field goal and 143 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 1: ended up finishing the season sitting at three thousand and 144 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,359 Speaker 1: three sixty four. Now, because she scores predominantly inside, Charles 145 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:56,039 Speaker 1: still trails Tarassi in points scored by more than two thousand. 146 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: Charles is at eight thousand, three ninety six, while Tarasi 147 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 1: finished her career with ten thousand and four to sixty four, 148 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: and it's not likely we're going to see the thirty 149 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 1: six year old Charles surpassed DT. She already took a 150 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: season off back in twenty twenty three, and earlier this season, 151 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: she told brand of the Show Sue Byrd on her 152 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,239 Speaker 1: Bird's Eye View podcast that she thinks about retirement quote 153 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 1: every day. Charles also hit three other big milestones late 154 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: this season, recording her two hundredth career double double to 155 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: become the first player in league history to record two 156 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: hundred double doubles for a career. She also set a 157 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 1: new mark for the most points scored in a season 158 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: in Sun franchise history with six hundred ninety nine, besting 159 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: Dwana Bonders six ninety seven. She also moved into tenth 160 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: all time in games played in the WNBA, and she 161 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:41,040 Speaker 1: capped it all off by winning the prestigious Don Staley 162 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: Community Leadership Award, which recognizes a player who's an inspiration 163 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: in her community and who reflects Day's leadership, spirit, charitable efforts, 164 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: and love for the game. Now, Charles didn't get much 165 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 1: pub this year, mainly because she was playing on a 166 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: Sun team that struggled. But she's one of the all 167 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: time greats and she's still performing at a very high level, 168 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: so I thought it was worth mentioning all those incredible accomplishments. 169 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: I also mentioned Sue Byrd there, and of course Bird, 170 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: Sylvia Fowls and Maya Moore were all inducted into the 171 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: Nasmith Basketball Hall. 172 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 2: Of Fame during our break. 173 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: Now, if you didn't see Sue's speech, it was peppered 174 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: with barbes aimed at Yukon coach Gino Riema and there 175 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: was a sweet, funny nod to fiance Megan Rappino. 176 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 2: So you gotta check it out. We'll link to it 177 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:22,239 Speaker 2: in the show notes. 178 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 1: Also, be sure to check out the Jordan Brand celebration 179 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: of Maya Moore, which included a recreation of the iconic 180 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: Michael Jordan rings photo with the caption need we say More. 181 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 2: We'll link to that one as well. 182 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: Also some big soccer news while we were gone, US 183 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 1: women's national team player at Angel City standout Alyssa Thompson 184 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,440 Speaker 1: has joined the ranks of American players across the Pond. 185 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: Despite signing a three year contract extension with Angel City 186 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: just this January, Thompson chose to depart her hometown team 187 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: and her sister Giselle, to join Chelsea of the Women's 188 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: Super League, where she's suiting up alongside fellow national team 189 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: players Naomi Germa and Katerina Macario. She made her debut 190 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: on Sunday, coming on as a halftime substitute in chelsea 191 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: three to one win over Aston Villa. Per a lengthy 192 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: detailed story about the move from The Athletic which we'll 193 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 1: link to in the show notes. The transfer fee from 194 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: Chelsea to Angel City for Thompson near's one point four 195 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: to five million dollars, setting a new outgoing transfer record, 196 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 1: surpassing the one million dollar fee paid by Chelsea for Germa. 197 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 1: Thompson's deal with her new club is a five year, 198 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: fully guaranteed contract speaking of that Chelsea team, I want 199 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 1: to welcome back Sam Kerr, one of my all time 200 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: favorite players. After a six hundred and thirty four day 201 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: absence due to a twenty twenty four ACL tear and 202 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: setbacks during her recovery, the Australian star returned and scored 203 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: in her first game back with Chelsea. It was her 204 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: one hundredth goal for the club. Back in the States, 205 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,439 Speaker 1: the Chicago Stars claimed a big five to win over 206 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: the defending champion Orlando Pride a week ago Sunday in 207 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: front of a season high attendance at Northwestern's Martin Stadium. Now, 208 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: it was just a regular season game, but it turned 209 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:58,720 Speaker 1: out it was a preview of what's to come. The 210 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: Stars announced they'll play next season at the lake Front 211 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 1: Venue as well. The stadium is home to Northwestern lacrosse 212 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 1: and soccer teams and is far more convenient and accessible 213 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: for fans coming from the city. Plus, at a capacity 214 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: of twelve thousand seats, it's a good size for a 215 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 1: team that has struggled to pack the stands at their 216 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: current home, the twenty. 217 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 2: Eight thousand seat seat Geek Stadium. 218 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: Finally in soccer, sending a big congratulations to a third 219 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: of Triple Espresso. Sophia Wilson, formerly known as soph Smith, 220 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: who welcomed her first baby with NFL player husband Michael Wilson. 221 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to the world, baby girl, Gianna Capri Wilson. 222 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 2: All right, slices, we got to take a quick break 223 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 2: when we come back. 224 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 1: Kudoo versus Leopard, Elephant versus Hippo, the WNBA Playoffs meet 225 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: the African Bush stick around. 226 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 2: Welcome back slices. Now. 227 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: I mentioned before our break that I was heading off 228 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: to Africa. So I just got back from two weeks 229 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: out there with my mom and husband, starting with about 230 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 1: a week in Cape Town, which was an incredible city, 231 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 1: fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, restaurants, wineries everywhere, and then we 232 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 1: went and spent a week on an unbelievable safari in Botswana, 233 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: took a little day trip to Zimbabwe to to see 234 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: Victoria Falls. 235 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 2: It was pretty much the trip of a lifetime. 236 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:19,640 Speaker 1: There were so many highlights, but just a couple include 237 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,560 Speaker 1: this heaven of a place called Babylon Storin which is 238 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: this farm and winery and I would like to literally 239 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: live there. We also saw endangered African wild dogs and 240 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: their new pups. We saw a lion devouring a freshly 241 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,680 Speaker 1: killed buffalo under a blood moon full lunar eclipse, which 242 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 1: was pretty metal. And I was hanging out by the 243 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: swimming pool at one of the camps and an elephant 244 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,439 Speaker 1: wandered up to take a drink and share the. 245 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 2: Pool with me, which was pretty wild. 246 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: It's an incredible place, incredible people. Just feeling very very 247 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: lucky to have experienced it all, and very lucky to 248 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 1: not have too bad a jet lag at least right now. 249 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 2: We'll see what happens tomorrow. 250 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: But while I was gone, Super Maple Bacon, Canada's lice 251 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 1: Marcus Sisson was keeping track of my travels on Instagram, 252 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: which is at Spain two three two three if you 253 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: want to go see some incredible shots of animals. But 254 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,080 Speaker 1: Margas suggested that I do a quote w Playoff teams 255 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 1: as animals I saw on my trip, And you know what, 256 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 1: I'm always here for a slice, So let's do this, 257 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: presenting the WNBA Playoff first round matchups as African animals. 258 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: First series number eight Golden State Valkyries versus number one 259 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 1: Minnesota Links. All right, the Links have been the queens 260 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 1: of the w all season long, pretty much dominated every turn, 261 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 1: afraid of no one, feared by all. So the Links 262 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: are quite clearly the lion led by MVP candidate and 263 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: Ifisa Collier who plays with the power and elegance of 264 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 1: a lioness, supported by spunky cubs the stud buds, and 265 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 1: led by a head coach and Cheryl Reeve who will 266 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: tear into her enemies like a four inch canine tooth 267 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: ripping through buffalo flesh. Minnesota went four to oh against 268 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: the Alex in the regular season and took Game one 269 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:56,199 Speaker 1: of the series on Sunday very handily one oh one 270 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 1: seventy two. Collier put up twenty and Natisha Heideman had 271 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 1: eighteen off the bench. The Links entered the postseason with 272 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,719 Speaker 1: the league's best offense one hundred and eight point one 273 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: points per one hundred persessions and the league's best defense 274 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: ninety five point two opponent points per one hundred possessions. 275 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 1: So it'll take a herculean effort from the Valkyries to 276 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 1: win the next two and pull off an upset in 277 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: this one. While they may not come out on top, 278 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: there will be flashes of brilliance and beauty along the way. 279 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: Some dazzling moves made in those unmistakable Valkyrie violet unis, 280 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,720 Speaker 1: which makes this team the gorgeous African bird. The lilac 281 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: breasted ruler a purple chest, turquoise and royal blue. 282 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 2: Body and wings. 283 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 1: This acrobatic beauty spins, rolls, and dives in the air, 284 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 1: and luckily, after birdwatchers' night, Valkx fans all have binoculars 285 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 1: to get a better view of their flock. Likely head 286 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:45,120 Speaker 1: Coach of the Year, Natalie Nicasse and her squad will 287 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: never admit to being pleased with a first round exit, 288 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: but I think everyone else in and around the league 289 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: would say even if they suffer a two and out 290 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,959 Speaker 1: performance in the postseason, it won't dull the shine of 291 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: their debut season. The first expansion team to make the 292 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,040 Speaker 1: playoffs in league history, these pretty Birds perched atop the 293 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: league all season, with their impressive fan turnout, setting the 294 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 1: all time WNBA attendance record for average attendants at eighteen 295 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: thousand and sixty four per game and the record for 296 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: total fans at three hundred and ninety seven thousand and 297 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: four a wight. They sold out all twenty two regular 298 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: season games at the Chase Center and established a brand, 299 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: a story, and a presence from day one. 300 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 2: Truly a delight to bird watch all season long. Ps. 301 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: If you think Violet the Raven is cute, google a 302 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: lilac breasted roller. Second series Number six Indiana Fever versus 303 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: the number three Atlanta Dream Now. The Dream took a 304 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: solid core in Ali Chagray, Ryan Howard and Jordan Canada, 305 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 1: and added to their herd in this past offseason, snagging 306 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: Britney Griner from Phoenix and Brianna Jones from the Sun. 307 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: Nos Hillman, the AP six Player of the Year this year, 308 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: came up big as well, leading the team in net 309 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: rating swing and finishing number two in the league in 310 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: plus minus. An imposing group, these dream are the African 311 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 1: Cape Buffalo of the playoffs. Their depth provides safety in 312 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: numbers and helps them thrive against treacherous opponents. Cape Buffalo 313 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: are one of the most dangerous animals in the bush, 314 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: ready to charge at any moment, and they're all gas, 315 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 1: no breaks. Once they're coming at you, they don't stop. 316 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: They trample several hundred people every year, earning them the 317 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: nickname the Black Death. Kind of like that Black Home 318 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: Court in Atlanta, a place that teams went to die 319 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 1: in sixteen of twenty two Dream Home games this year. 320 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 1: Rookie head coach Carl Smesco said it himself quote, I 321 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 1: want it to be an intimidating environment. Under Smesco, this 322 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: Dream Team finished the regular season thirty and fourteen for 323 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: a best enfranchise history sixty eight point two percent win percentage. 324 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: They migrated into the number three spot in the playoffs 325 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: with a run of eight wins in their last ten games. 326 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 2: A two horned approach. 327 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: They boast the league's second best offense and defense, behind 328 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: only the Links in both categories. Facing the Dream a 329 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,240 Speaker 1: team that's been trampled more than any other this season, 330 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: the Indiana Fever somehow some way. With Caitlin Clark out 331 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: for most of the year and not coming back for 332 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 1: the postseason. With season ending injuries to Sid Colson, Erry McDonald, 333 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:14,119 Speaker 1: Sophie Cunningham, and Chloe Bibbi, the Fever still made the playoffs, 334 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: hanging on like hyenas, an animal with incredible resilience and 335 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 1: a very high tolerance for injury. Terrifyingly, hyenas are born 336 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: with their eyes open and a full set of teeth, 337 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: prepared to fight immediately and They're armed with an immune 338 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: system and a tough hide that make it extremely hard 339 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: to kill them off, and so like a pack of 340 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: battered hyenas heading out for another hunt, this Fever team 341 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: has persevered, posting their first winning season in a decade. 342 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: They've got a productive and persistent offense, finishing near fourth 343 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: and three point percentage and effective field goal percentage and 344 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: fourth in offensive rebounds, and they've got a consistent defense 345 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: that allowed the second fewest three pointers and finished top 346 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 1: four and assists allowed. Kelsey Mitchell is the clear leader 347 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 1: of the Hyena pack. She's the first Guarden League history 348 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,800 Speaker 1: to record at least eight hundred and fifty points and 349 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty assists in a season. Her eight 350 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:07,439 Speaker 1: hundred ninety points this year were good for sixth the 351 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: best all time in a single season, and her one 352 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:12,880 Speaker 1: hundred and eleven made three pointers led the league. These 353 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 1: two teams met in three straight postseasons back in twenty eleven, 354 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 1: twenty twelve, and twenty thirteen, so there's a history of 355 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: playoff Fever dreams. The Dream took two of those three series, 356 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 1: and they took Game one on Sunday eighty sixty eight 357 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 1: behind twenty points apiece from Ali Shagray and Ryan Howard, 358 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:33,119 Speaker 1: and sixteen points and nine rebounds from Nos Hillman. Third 359 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:37,199 Speaker 1: Series number five, New York Liberty versus Number four Phoenix Mercury. Now, 360 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: after watching the Phoenix Mercury lose Dinah Tarassi to retirement 361 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: and Britney Grinder to Atlanta, you might have mistaken them 362 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 1: for a less dangerous squad this season, But like the 363 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:50,199 Speaker 1: African hippo, they're far more deadly than imagined, aggressive and 364 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: unfriendly neighbors to other animals in their habitat. They're also 365 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: responsible for more human deaths than any other animal in Africa. 366 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: Quiet killer Alissa Thomas hovers below the surface, scoring, passing, 367 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:05,879 Speaker 1: rebounding and leading her team, putting up triple doubles and 368 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 1: initiating the offense from the forward position. Hippos are loud 369 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: and brash, grunting, growling, and bellowing all the time, kind 370 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:17,000 Speaker 1: of like the X Factor fan base in Phoenix, and 371 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 1: they assert their dominance and mark their territory by spinning 372 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,639 Speaker 1: their tails while defecating, spraying their poop around like a 373 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 1: sprinkler to let everyone know whose boss and anyone who 374 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,320 Speaker 1: follows the Phoenix Mercury Social media knows that admin can 375 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 1: hurl shit better than anyone. Just look at those ruthless 376 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 1: game recaps their opponent, the defending champs, and don't be 377 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 1: fooled by that number five seed next to the Liberty. 378 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 1: This team is stacked deeper than anyone. Bunch of trees 379 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: that can hit threes, big bodies with length and reach 380 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: that can sometimes feel like they've got an extra limb. 381 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,399 Speaker 1: This team obviously shout out Ellie are the Elephants of 382 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: the Playoffs, a herd of talent that includes three former 383 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: WN Finals MVPs in John Qwell Jones, Brianna Stewart and 384 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: Emma Mesiman. Elephants can feed up to three fourths of 385 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,239 Speaker 1: their day, and you know whether it's beyond the arc 386 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: or in the shop making kicks. Sabrinian Escu always eats. 387 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:17,440 Speaker 1: Also Elephants never forget, and former Mercury head coach current 388 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello certainly remembers that the Mercury 389 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: haven't won a playoff series since she was at the Helm, 390 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,679 Speaker 1: and the Liberties certainly won't forget Game one of this series, 391 00:19:27,680 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: which saw them pull off the upside over the Mercury 392 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: as far as seeds go seventy six sixty nine in 393 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 1: overtime final series Number seven Seattle Storm versus the number 394 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 1: two Las Vegas Aces. Now the Las Vegas Aces were 395 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 1: all but left for dead after a slow start to 396 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,679 Speaker 1: the season and a fifty three point beat down at 397 00:19:46,720 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: the hands of the Links last month, but they ripped 398 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,439 Speaker 1: off sixteen straight wins to finish the season and snag 399 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: the number two seed. In a recent ESPN interview with 400 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:59,399 Speaker 1: Malik Andrews, Asia Wilson shared an analogy oft used by 401 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: Ace's head coach Becky Hammon. Quote Lions wake up every 402 00:20:02,840 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 1: morning and they know that they have to be faster 403 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 1: than the gazelle just to eat. And the gazelle wakes 404 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: up and knows that they've got to be faster than 405 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,119 Speaker 1: the lion just to survive. It's every single morning you 406 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 1: have to wake up and say, I want to be 407 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 1: better just to survive and eat. 408 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 2: End quote. 409 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: Well, last week, after Wilson's thirteenth thirty point game of 410 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: the season, Hammon evoked those animals again, saying Wilson has 411 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,680 Speaker 1: a rare combination of agility and strength. Quote She's the 412 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: only person in the gym in the world that is 413 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: both lion and gazelle. 414 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 2: She can dance around you or she can eat you. 415 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 2: Up end quote. 416 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 1: So as Asia Wilson goes, so go the Aces. And 417 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: if she's the most striking example of strength and agility 418 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,440 Speaker 1: in the African bush, then she and her team are 419 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:48,560 Speaker 1: the leopard. Leopards can thrive in diverse habitats. They can 420 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: leap across the plains or up into the trees to hunt. 421 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 1: They're strong climbers that feast up high, like Wilson, who 422 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 1: led the league in blocks and finished second in rebounding. 423 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: Leopards are also excellent camouflaging themselves, kind of like the Aces, 424 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 1: looking like a trash team for half the season before 425 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: showing their spots down the stretch. On the other side 426 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: of this matchup, the seven seeded Seattle Storm, the kudo 427 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: of the postseason. Now Kudos are bovids. They're cloven hooved 428 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:19,359 Speaker 1: animals with permanent horns that they don't shed, kind of 429 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:21,360 Speaker 1: like the Storm not being able to shed their reputation 430 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 1: for inconsistency. A team that can be great and just 431 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: as often leave you scratching your head. 432 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 2: Now on the. 433 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: Heads of the kudu giant, beautiful, spiraling horns, and they've 434 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 1: got grayish brown bodies that are painted by beautiful white bands, 435 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:39,119 Speaker 1: almost like tattoos see Gabby Williams. Their lack of social 436 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 1: structure and rejection of hierarchy gets them labeled as anarchists, 437 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,160 Speaker 1: which is an attitude the feisty shits during Skyler Diggins 438 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 1: can certainly get behind. 439 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 2: Kudu are elusive. 440 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:52,640 Speaker 1: Like a complete game from the Storm, The Storm also struggled. 441 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 2: To close in tight games. 442 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:56,920 Speaker 1: Seattle went just eleven and fourteen in games decided by 443 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: single digit margins. But while the team was in consulit, 444 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,639 Speaker 1: its star was reliable as ever. In her fourteenth season, 445 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:07,119 Speaker 1: veteran neck Ogumkay averaged eighteen point three points and seven 446 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:10,280 Speaker 1: rebounds while hitting nearly thirty seven percent from beyond the 447 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 1: arc and nearly fifty two percent from the field. She's 448 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 1: shot at least fifty percent from the field in all 449 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:20,320 Speaker 1: fourteen of her WNBA seasons. Insane Now. Game one of 450 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 1: this series wrapped up after we finished recording, so we'll 451 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 1: update you on who wins in the Battle of Kudu 452 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,919 Speaker 1: versus Leopard Oh and one of the teams that didn't 453 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:32,880 Speaker 1: make the playoffs would best be described as a marabou 454 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 1: stork with a face and a dangling throat sack only 455 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:37,880 Speaker 1: a mother could love. 456 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:40,679 Speaker 2: I'll let you decide which team I'm talking about. 457 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: And if you're looking for the maraboo, by the way, 458 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 1: it's usually in the sky. We got to take another 459 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:48,639 Speaker 1: break when we come back. 460 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 2: You are what you drink. Welcome back slices. 461 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 1: We always love that your list, but we want you 462 00:23:00,800 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 1: to get in the game every day too, So here's 463 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: our good game play of the day. Let us know 464 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:09,119 Speaker 1: your favorite of my WNBA team to animal comparisons, and 465 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 1: if you want to expand beyond the African bush because 466 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:13,080 Speaker 1: you think an animal a little closer to home actually 467 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: does your favorite team justice, we want to hear. 468 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 2: About that too. 469 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:18,439 Speaker 1: Or if there's an individual player who strikes you as 470 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:21,959 Speaker 1: a particular creature, let us know in my book pagebackers 471 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:25,440 Speaker 1: looks exactly like a jackrabbit and you can't tell me otherwise. 472 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 1: We always love to hear from you, so hit us 473 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 1: up on email good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or 474 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:32,480 Speaker 1: leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two oh 475 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe, rate and 476 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: review It's easy. Watch Skyler Diggin's milk jacket rating four 477 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 1: hundred twenty two out of four hundred and twenty two 478 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: grams of protein review Earlier this month, ahead of the 479 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 1: Seattle Storms playoff clinching game against the Golden State Valkyries, 480 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 1: Skyler Diggins arrived wearing a whole lot of protein four 481 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:56,600 Speaker 1: hundred twenty two grams, or at least that's what Diggins 482 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: said when she was asked who she was wearing for 483 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 1: her tunnel fit. She wore a puff coat filled with milk, 484 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 1: part of a paid partnership with Gunna need Milk. Now, 485 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 1: you know, we like to see athletes get paid, and 486 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:11,160 Speaker 1: somehow it's not even the worst tunnel fit we've seen 487 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: this year. 488 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:14,400 Speaker 2: But what happens after the game? 489 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 1: You know, to this jacket made of actual perishable milk 490 00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:21,160 Speaker 1: feels like real fast fashion, if you know what I'm saying. 491 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 2: Putrescible if you will. 492 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: Now, the best part of the stunt had to be 493 00:24:26,840 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 1: arikeay A Gunbowalle's contribution, because she replied to Diggins's post 494 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: on Instagram quote, I want to poke a needle in 495 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:37,640 Speaker 1: it so bad. Same girl now it's your turn, rate 496 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:41,440 Speaker 1: and review. Thanks for listening. See you tomorrow. Good Game 497 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: World Champs Melissa, Tara and Valerie Good Game Botswana and 498 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 1: South Africa. You have my heart you Lyon, who ate 499 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 1: two of the six endangered wild dog pups before we 500 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: could see them. But also, I know you have to 501 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:56,400 Speaker 1: eat stuff to stay alive. But also you weren't even 502 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:58,280 Speaker 1: killing it to stay alive. You were just killing it 503 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: to assert your dominance. And it made me really and 504 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 1: I don't like the circle of life. Good Game with 505 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:07,359 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership 506 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:09,879 Speaker 1: with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us 507 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get 508 00:25:13,119 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are 509 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 1: Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, 510 00:25:21,480 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are 511 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:29,199 Speaker 1: Emily Rutter, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch and Gianna Palmer. Our 512 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 1: associate producer is Lucy Jones. Production assistance from Avery Loftus 513 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:35,399 Speaker 1: and I'm your Host Sarah Spain