1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:02,719 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we think 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: our college commencements would have been a whole lot more 3 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:08,479 Speaker 1: fun with Simone Biles as the speaker, shout out to 4 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: Washington University in Saint Louis for securing the gold with 5 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: that choice. We'll link to Simone's speech in our show notes. 6 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:16,840 Speaker 1: It's Thursday, May fifteenth, and on today's show, it's the 7 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: penultimate day of the shoot around our Team by Team 8 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: WNBA previews. 9 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:22,799 Speaker 2: Today we're heading to Dallas and Los. 10 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,959 Speaker 1: Angeles to spend a little time with two teams that 11 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: have nowhere to go but up after they finished the 12 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: twenty twenty fourth season at the bottom of the standings. 13 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:33,559 Speaker 1: We'll get you set for Friday's WNBA season openers with 14 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 1: all the stars, stakes, stats and stories, a little history, 15 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: a little lower, a little gossip, and a little more, 16 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: plus retirement, retirement, a quack and comeback, and a piece 17 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: of the pie that comes with a dollop of hype. 18 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: It's all coming up right after this. 19 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: Welcome back slices. Here's what you need to know today. 20 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: Let's start with the endsl where we've got an update 21 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: on Angel City defender Savvy King, who collapsed due to 22 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 1: a medical event during last Friday's game against the Utah Royals. 23 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: Angel City announced on Tuesday that doctors, when evaluating King, 24 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: discovered a heart abnormality and that the twenty year old 25 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: has undergone successful surgery. In a statement, the club said quote, 26 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 1: she is now resting and recovering, surrounded by her family, 27 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: and her prognosis is excellent. 28 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 2: Quote. 29 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: King's family also released a statement which reads, in part 30 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: quote on behalf of our entire family along with Savv. 31 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: We have been so moved by the love and support 32 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 1: from Angel City players, staff, fans, and community, as well 33 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: as soccer fans across the country. We are blessed to 34 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: share Savvy is recovering well and we are looking forward 35 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: to having her home with us soon. 36 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 2: End quote. 37 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: So many of us have been thinking about Savv since Friday. 38 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: You'll remember I was at that game and sat through 39 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: the awful ten minutes of her being treated on the 40 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: field before she was carted off and was hospitalized. We 41 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: were relieved to hear that she was alert and responsive 42 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: that night, but there were so many questions about what 43 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: happened about what might come next, so we've all been 44 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: waiting for an update and while we still don't know 45 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: how this is going to affect her career in soccer 46 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: or her future in general, seeing the words her prognosis 47 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 1: is excellent, I think can. 48 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 2: Let us all just breathe a little deeper. 49 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: So we're sending you lots of love and lots of 50 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: fast healing, savvy and once again we are so grateful 51 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: for the medical staff who rushed to her aid at 52 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: that Angel City game. We got some more NWSL news. 53 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: Recently retired soccer legend Alex Morgan is getting into the 54 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 1: ownership game. The two time World Cup champ is the 55 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 1: latest minority investor in the San Diego Wave, the club 56 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: she played with for the final three seasons of her 57 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: career before retiring last fall ahead of the birth of 58 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 1: her second child. Morgan was one of the first players 59 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,839 Speaker 1: signed by the Wave, which started playing twenty twenty two. 60 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: In a statement about joining the ownership group, she said, quote, 61 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,520 Speaker 1: San Diego is where I've built my home, where I'm 62 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: raising my children, and found a purpose beyond my playing career. 63 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: I believed in Wave FC before a single match was played, 64 00:02:57,560 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: and I still believe this club has the power to 65 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: change the future of women's sports. 66 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 2: More soccer. 67 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 1: The FIFA Council has unanimously approved plans to increase the 68 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 1: number of teams and the Women's World Cup from thirty 69 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: two to forty eight, in line with plans for the 70 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: Men's World Cup. The new tournament format will go into 71 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:16,799 Speaker 1: effect for the twenty thirty one Women's World Cup, which 72 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: is expected to be held in the United States. 73 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 2: No other nations submitted a bid for the tournament. 74 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: With forty eight teams, round robin play will include twelve 75 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: groups of four teams. The two teams in each group, 76 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: along with the best eight of the twelve third place teams, 77 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 1: will advance to the round of thirty two knockout stage. 78 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: Because the total number of matches increases from sixty four 79 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: to one hundred and four, the tournament will be extended 80 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 1: by one week to accommodate the additional contests. 81 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 2: More World Cup, I'm here for it, and a little 82 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 2: more soccer Today. 83 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: Brazilian legend Marta initially said she was retiring from national 84 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: team duty following last year's Paris Olympics, where her team 85 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: won silver, But on Tuesday, surprise. 86 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 2: The thirty nine year old was named to Brazil's. 87 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: Roster for two upcoming friendlies against Japan happening May thirtieth 88 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: and June second. Brazil's coach Artur Alias told reporters that 89 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: he has spoken to Marta and that quote she said, 90 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: she is available to help the team while she is 91 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: playing at a high level as she is now end quote, 92 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,600 Speaker 1: maybe feeling herself a little after her Orlando Pride won 93 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 1: the NWSL title last ball. 94 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:19,479 Speaker 2: Can't blame her. 95 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: Smoke him if you got him, and of course I 96 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: mean defenders, because Marta still be smoking defenders Later this summer, 97 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,679 Speaker 1: Brazila is going to attempt to defend their Copa America 98 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 1: title when the tournament heads to Ecuador. 99 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 2: Are we crossing our fingers? Marta will be on that 100 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 2: roster too? You bet you. 101 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: Some more ownership news, this time in the WNBA. Canadian 102 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 1: comedian and TV host Lilyes Singh is joining the ownership 103 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: group of the Toronto Tempo. But Sing's contribution isn't just 104 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: a financial one. She'll also serve as the team's chief 105 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: hype officer. Now what exactly are the responsibilities of a 106 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 1: chief hype officer, you ask? According to the club's release, 107 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,359 Speaker 1: the role includes quote building and amplifying excitement for the 108 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:02,039 Speaker 1: tempo on and off the court, including cultivating the fan community, 109 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 1: curating in game rituals, and celebrating the sport of women's 110 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 1: basketball end quote. Singh is also an owner of the 111 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,799 Speaker 1: NWSL's Angel City team and per my friends with that side, 112 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 1: she's one of the most vocal hype owners of the bunch, 113 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: attending a ton of games, so it sounds like she's 114 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:22,240 Speaker 1: well suited to that cho role. Also, we need to 115 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:25,359 Speaker 1: talk about the fits from both sing and Serena Williams 116 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: in their tempo ownership announcements. 117 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,719 Speaker 2: Y'all these suits, I can't. 118 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: We'll link to the photos in our show notes so 119 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: you can ooh and ah over them just like I did. 120 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 2: More WNBA. 121 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 1: We mentioned a report from Sportico earlier this week that 122 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: the Connecticut Sun has hired an investment bank to explore 123 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: selling and relocating the franchise. Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti addressed 124 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: the report on Tuesday, saying that the team is exploring 125 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: all options, including a potential sale. In a statement to ESPN, 126 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: the team's current owner, the Mohegan Tribe, said quote. As 127 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: an organization, Mohegan is consistently aboutuating strategic options, investments, and 128 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: capital expenditures. The statement continues, Mohegan remains committed to the 129 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: team's continued success, which includes looking at all strategic options 130 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: in the best interests of the ct SUN, MTGA and 131 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 1: WNBA end quote. The thing about this it would be 132 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: a real bummer for Connecticutdvance if the team were to move, 133 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: But also if the Mohegan tribe can't or isn't interested 134 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,840 Speaker 1: in keeping up with the modern WNBA when it comes 135 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: to facilities and resources. 136 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 2: It just might be time for the team to move on. 137 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: Finally, a shout out to the athletes who are featured 138 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 1: as part of the twenty twenty five Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. 139 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: They include basketball players Cameron Brink and Hayley Vanlet, surfer 140 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:44,479 Speaker 1: Caroline Marx, sprinter Gabby Thomas, rugby player Alona mar gymnasts 141 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: Jordan Chiles, Olivia Dunn and Sunny Lee golfer Nelly Corda, 142 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 1: Paralympic swimmer Ali Truett, heptathlete Anna Hall, race car driver 143 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:57,559 Speaker 1: Tony Bridinger, and freestyle skier Eileen Goo. As Gabby Thomas 144 00:06:57,560 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: wrote on insta quote, strength is beauty. 145 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 2: Slices. I want to give a quick. 146 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 1: Shout out to the Gist and amazing women's sports website, 147 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 1: slash newsletters, slash pod that hopefully you already subscribe to 148 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: and frequent and this week I had the pleasure of 149 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: attending a Chicago Cubs game with all of the full 150 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,840 Speaker 1: time staff of the Gist, so just co founders Ellen 151 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: and jac were hosting their on site here in Chicago 152 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: with twenty plus members of their team from all over 153 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: the US and Canada, and a Cubs Marlin's game was 154 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: part of the fun they scheduled, so they shot me 155 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 1: an invite and we got a gorgeous night, super sunny, 156 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: super warm, especially for this year here in Chicago, and 157 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: a dramatic Cubs walk off win, which was a blast. 158 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: And I think the best part was I really got 159 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: to enjoy watching a bunch of folks experience my city 160 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: and my team for the first time. A lot of 161 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: them were new to Chicago and a ton of them 162 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: had never been to a Cubs game. So they got 163 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,320 Speaker 1: the certificates that were honoring their first visit to historic 164 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 1: Wrigley Field. They got the foot long beers in the 165 00:07:55,880 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: giant plastic baseball bats, they got the ice cream served 166 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: in the little Cubs helmet. They did it right. There's 167 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: just something kind of special. I think about showing off 168 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: a place that you love so much to people who 169 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 1: are super pumped to be there and are enjoying it too. 170 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 2: So it was really fun. 171 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 1: Also a bonus, I got to hang with a few 172 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: gisters who are slices, including Canadian super slice Marca. So 173 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 1: shout out to the gist for the invite, open invite 174 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: to come back to Chicago anytime. All right, we got 175 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: to take a quick break when we come back. The 176 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: Dallas Wings entered their perique era. 177 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 2: All right, y'all. 178 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: The shoot around continues our team by team previews getting 179 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:38,599 Speaker 1: you ready for the twenty twenty five WNBA season, and 180 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 1: let's start today with the Dallas Wings, who ended last 181 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: season in eleventh place with a nine and thirty one record, 182 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: the franchise's worst winning percentage since twenty eleven, and injury 183 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,080 Speaker 1: Tosatusabli that kept her out for all but fifteen games 184 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: helped sink a Wings team that had been improving, posting 185 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: a winning record in twenty twenty three for the first 186 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 1: time since the team relocated to Dallas in twenty sixteen. 187 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:02,559 Speaker 1: Speaking of that relocation, here's the Wings history you need 188 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: to know. The team originated as the Detroit Shock in 189 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 1: nineteen ninety eight, relocated and became the Tulsa Shock in 190 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: twenty ten, and then moved to Arlington, Texas, and rebranded 191 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: as the Dallas Wings ahead of the twenty sixteen season. 192 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:21,439 Speaker 1: Past greats include Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith, Odyssey Simms, Liz Cambije, 193 00:09:21,600 --> 00:09:25,079 Speaker 1: and active player Skyler Diggins now with the Seattle Storm. 194 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 2: The twenty twenty five tag. 195 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:31,439 Speaker 1: Line for this team, Everything's Becker's in Texas, good one meche. 196 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: Let's talk offseason additions and losses for the Wings because 197 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,679 Speaker 1: there's been a lot of turnover. Top line here, only 198 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 1: three players from last year squad are back in Arlington, 199 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:47,199 Speaker 1: Rik Agombuwallee, Tierra McCown and Mattie Siegrist, so let's talk losses. 200 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: First three time WNBA Champ, two time All Star, and 201 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard left 202 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,560 Speaker 1: in free agency to join the Indiana Fever, and the 203 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: Wings were also part of a four team trade with 204 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,680 Speaker 1: the Connecticut Sun, Phoenix, Ma Mercury and Indiana Fever that 205 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: saw them part ways with two time All Stars Satusabili 206 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 1: and J. C. Sheldon, Koalanie Brown, and sevgi Uzen. The 207 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: trade brought the Wings Ty Harris and defensive stalwart de 208 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: Jene Carrington from the Connecticut Sun plus Melissa Smith from 209 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: the Indiana Fever. All good pickups, but the most notable 210 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 1: off season addition to this team is number one overall 211 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: draft pick Paige Beckers out of Yukon, one of five 212 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 1: total draft picks for the Wings that also included NC 213 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:33,200 Speaker 1: State's Azaiah James at number twelve. The team also signed 214 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: Maisha heinz Allen in free agency. She was most recently 215 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: with the Lynks, but spent her first six seasons with 216 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: the Mystics. There were big changes to the coaching staff 217 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: and front office this offseason as well, with head coach 218 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: Letricia Trammel out in October, the franchise's third straight coach 219 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: to be replaced after just two seasons. 220 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: So incomes Chris Cochlanis. 221 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: Who has more than a decade of experience as an 222 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: assistant coach in the WNBA and in D one college hoops. 223 00:10:57,960 --> 00:10:59,959 Speaker 1: Coklanis made a bit of a statement with the assistant 224 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 1: hired to help guide this Wing squad, including Nola Henry, 225 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 1: a thirty year old with a breadth of experience who 226 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:09,199 Speaker 1: led Roseby C to the inaugural Unrivaled championship in the offseason. 227 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 1: Also his sister, Belle kochlanis who offers up two decades 228 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: worth of Division One coaching experience. The team also brought 229 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: in Kurt Miller, former head coach of the Sun and 230 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: the Sparks in twenty seventeen WNBA Coach and Executive of 231 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: the Year, to be the team's new GM. So who 232 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: are this team stars? Well, you gotta start with shooting 233 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: guard ari Ka Agunboalle, a four time All Star and 234 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty league scoring champ who's entering her seventh 235 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: year in the league out of Notre Dame. To put 236 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: it simply, she might be the toughest guard in the 237 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:41,200 Speaker 1: w to defend one on one, and she's only going 238 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:43,440 Speaker 1: to get more dangerous this season with the help of 239 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: the team's other big star, Pagebeckers, a point guard fresh 240 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 1: off a national championship, with an unlimited professional ceiling and 241 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 1: major star quality. She's got the ability to sell a 242 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 1: whole lot of tickets, merch and hope to this Dallas 243 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: fan base. Dj A Carrington star is on the as well, 244 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: coming off at twenty twenty four season that saw her 245 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 1: earn Most Improved Player and All Defensive Team honors. She 246 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: started thirty nine of the Sun's forty regular season games 247 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: last year, after making just three. 248 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 2: Starts over her first three seasons. 249 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 1: Carrington is proof that second round draft picks could bind 250 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: a spot in this league and stick, giving hope to 251 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: some of our college faves. The stakes for this team 252 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:25,439 Speaker 1: are in as high as the expectations. With a new coach, 253 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,559 Speaker 1: new GM and so many new players, you imagine they're 254 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,199 Speaker 1: going to need some time to click. But fans will 255 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:34,199 Speaker 1: expect a lot from Paige Beckers, the kind of expectations 256 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 1: folks had for Caitlin Clark in her first year with 257 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: the Fever last season. Already this preseason, Beckers has shined, 258 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 1: looking in sync with new teammate Agunbuale, especially in the 259 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:47,079 Speaker 1: wings victory over the Toyota Antelopes of Japan. So from 260 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:49,839 Speaker 1: the lottery to the postseason thanks to an electric number 261 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 1: one draft pick. We saw it last year with the Fever, 262 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,360 Speaker 1: and we could see it again with the Wings. 263 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 2: As for stats, we got to. 264 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 1: Start on the defensive side of the ball where the 265 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: Wings finished in the league in defensive rating last season, 266 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:05,079 Speaker 1: allowing one hundred nine point one points per one hundred 267 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: possessions per her Hoopstats. That's the second worst mark in 268 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 1: league history. And it wasn't just a one year problem. 269 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: The team hasn't finished higher than eighth in defensive ratings 270 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 1: since two thousand and eight, and they finished eleventh or 271 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: twelfth in the category in ten of the last fifteen seasons, 272 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:26,800 Speaker 1: including four last place finishes. Wolf Coklanis's first job will 273 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 1: be to sort out the defense. On offense, Arik has 274 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,960 Speaker 1: proven to be one of the best scorers in the league, 275 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: trailing only Asia Wilson last season, averaging twenty two point 276 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: two points per game. She's consistent two after Brianna Stewart. 277 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:42,520 Speaker 1: She's just the second player in league history to average 278 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 1: at least eighteen points per game in each of her 279 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 1: first six WNBA seasons. Ogunbuale also led the league in steels, 280 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: averaging just over two per game, and had a career 281 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 1: high and assists with five point one per game. Let's 282 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 1: talk some Wings stories and lore now. This season is 283 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: just the start of one big story, the story of 284 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 1: Pari k The name affectionately granted to the duo of 285 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 1: Arik Agunbowale and Paige Beckers. In the preseason, Arik was 286 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 1: an outspoken fan of Beckers game while the rookie was 287 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: at Yukon, and by all accounts, they're meshing well down 288 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,560 Speaker 1: in Arlington. Beckers is also known for her activity on TikTok, 289 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 1: so we'll see if we get some pary k bangers 290 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: on the social media platform. We already got one very 291 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: memorable meme of the duo, a shot of Arik cheesing 292 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 1: mid catch and layup as she received a bullet of 293 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: a pass from Beckers. 294 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 2: Feels like Arik could be. 295 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 1: Smiling a lot this season, getting fed by the rook 296 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: We'll put a link to that clip in the show 297 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,240 Speaker 1: notes so you could watch. And of course, we got 298 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: some hoops of gay shit on this squad. We got 299 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: Djda Carrington and Melissa Smith who played on the same 300 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: Baylor squad for a year in college and are an 301 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: item and this year they're embarking on their first pro 302 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: season on the same team. They've given us a ton 303 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 1: of cute moments on and off the court, like last year, 304 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: with a video of Smith helping Carrington up off the 305 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: floor after a collision sent the Internet into a frenzy. 306 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: Or when Carrington posted one of her Game Day get 307 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: Ready with Me videos from Smith's apartment in Indiana before 308 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: their Fever and Sun squads went head to head, Or 309 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: when Smith gave us a behind the scenes look at 310 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,840 Speaker 1: her surprise celebration of Carrington's Most Improved Player honors. She 311 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 1: decorated her place with confetti and balloons and roses and 312 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: mini trophies, and then took a video of herself trying 313 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: but failing to set off a confetti cannon when Carrington 314 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: walked through the door. It was real cute. Carrington picked 315 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 1: up the misfired Confettian threw it in the air to 316 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 1: make up for the blunder. Some real rom com shit. 317 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: They're absolutely adorable, So this season is shaping up to 318 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: be full of some cute hoops and gay shit moments. 319 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: Fun fact about this franchise, The Wings, back when they 320 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,120 Speaker 1: were the Detroit Shock, became the first team in w 321 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:47,119 Speaker 1: history to go from last place one season to WNBA 322 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 1: champions the next, back in two thousand and three. After 323 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: an awful two thousand and two season that sparked rumors 324 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: that the team might fold. 325 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 2: Head coach Bill Lambier. 326 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 1: Yes, that Bill Lambier of MNBA Detroit Pistons fame, convinced 327 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 1: the old nurse he could turn things around, and he 328 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: did to the tune of a title. So after a 329 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: second to last place finished last season, maybe the team 330 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: is looking for some more of that same magic this year. 331 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 1: All right, Meish, I think that's it for the Wings. 332 00:16:14,080 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 2: Anything you want to add. 333 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've got a nickname for this squad, Sarah. 334 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 2: You want to hear it. I know you want to 335 00:16:20,560 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 2: hear it. 336 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 3: The Young Guns because Maisha Heinz Allen is the vet 337 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: of this bunch, and she's only got seven years of 338 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 3: WNBA experience. Everybody else compared to the rest of the 339 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 3: league relatively inexperienced. But I think if this squad can 340 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 3: nail down a pace, a very high pace, get a 341 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:43,119 Speaker 3: lot of shots up led by Arika and Page, terrorized 342 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 3: teams on defense behind Dja Carrington, She's got that energy 343 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 3: and intensity that we love so much, Unlock the bag 344 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 3: that her girlfriend Melissa Smith has that we've seen in 345 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 3: flashes but not necessarily consistently in her WNBA career this far, 346 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 3: and get more improvement from Metty Secrets, who I think 347 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 3: she's one of those players we don't talk enough about 348 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 3: because she has just improved steadily every season in the 349 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 3: league as well. I think they have the potential to 350 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:10,040 Speaker 3: be a thorn in a lot of team sides. Does 351 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 3: that mean they're going to be top of the league. No, 352 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 3: but I do think when it comes down to playoff 353 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:19,200 Speaker 3: race time, they could be the squad that pisses. 354 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:20,360 Speaker 2: Some teams and some fan bases off. 355 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 3: And I also think that another player, Tierra McCowan, she 356 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 3: could be a huge X factor for them. She hasn't 357 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:30,840 Speaker 3: had I don't think her best WNBA season yet. She's 358 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:33,400 Speaker 3: averaging a little over eleven points a little over eight 359 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:35,880 Speaker 3: rebounds for her career right now. But I think she's 360 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 3: got more in the tank. And you add her to 361 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 3: Paige Beckers, who can get her the ball wherever she 362 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:43,160 Speaker 3: wants it and when the defense collapses, hit that three 363 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 3: ball from long range. It's a huge plus for Chris 364 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:46,919 Speaker 3: Coklanis in his squad. 365 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:50,440 Speaker 2: I love your enthusiasm, Niche, I really do. I agree 366 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 2: with you on a lot of that. 367 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 1: Maddy Secrets is an interesting one because when Tsatusabli was 368 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: out last year, and she got a lot more minutes. 369 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 1: She averaged over sixteen points and four rebounds. Again, so 370 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,920 Speaker 1: when she gets enough minutes to start to get hot, 371 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: she looks good. So I'd like to see them give 372 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 1: her a little bit more time out there to try 373 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 1: to develop. I agree with you offensively, I think this 374 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:13,400 Speaker 1: team is gonna be a real bitch. But I love 375 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 1: that you just added Carrington and suddenly all their defensive 376 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 1: woes are fixed. Meanwhile, Melissa Smith is not gonna help 377 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,639 Speaker 1: them on that side. Defense has always been an issue 378 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:28,439 Speaker 1: for her. Her hoopstats thirty fifth percentile or worse in 379 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 1: defensive wind shares for forty minutes in all three of 380 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 1: her seasons. So maybe a new place will offer her 381 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: a fresh chance at committing to the defensive side. But again, 382 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: I love your optimism, and I do think this Wings 383 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: team is going to make a huge leap this season. 384 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,080 Speaker 1: I'll still be watching how things go defensively. 385 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 3: I will say you right, But she's playing with her 386 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 3: girlfriend now, Oh she's showing up. Yeah, she knows she 387 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 3: got to step it up on the defensive end. Or 388 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 3: you know, Hey, I can't talk. 389 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: And when your girlfriend, I don't know, Misha, have you 390 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 1: ever had a girlfriend that made you try harder on defense? 391 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:07,199 Speaker 2: Uh, not on the team. Not on the team. I 392 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 2: can't say that I've had that experience. 393 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 1: Chickstick the offense, I'm not sure. But to be fair, 394 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,479 Speaker 1: if anyone's going to appreciate a good defensive effort, it's 395 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:16,679 Speaker 1: Dja Kring exact. 396 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,400 Speaker 2: So I'll give you that one. I'll give you that one. 397 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 2: All right, we got to take a break. 398 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:23,440 Speaker 1: When we come back, we shine our spotlight on Hollywood's team, 399 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: the La Sparks. All right, slices, Let's head to La 400 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 1: La Land, where the Los Angeles Sparks finished last season 401 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:39,159 Speaker 1: eight and twenty six, dead last in the standings in 402 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 1: their second year under head coach Kurt Miller, missing the 403 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,360 Speaker 1: postseason for the fourth straight year and sending Miller packing. 404 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 1: Here's the La Sparks history you need to know. The 405 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: Sparks are one of the league's original eight franchises. Founded 406 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety seven, They shared an owner with the 407 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: mnba's La Lakers until two thousand and six. Since twenty fourteen, 408 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 1: the team has been owned by Sparks LA Sports, a 409 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 1: group led by businessman Mark Walter, also the primary owner 410 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,920 Speaker 1: of the PWHL and the MLB's LA Dodgers. That group 411 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: also includes Laker great Magic Johnson. The Sparks have qualified 412 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,120 Speaker 1: for the WNBA playoffs in twenty of their twenty eight 413 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 1: years in Los Angeles. Note four of those eight seasons 414 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: where they missed out are the last four seasons. The 415 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:23,879 Speaker 1: Sparks have won three titles in two thousand and one, 416 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,840 Speaker 1: two thousand and two, and twenty sixteen, losing in the 417 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:30,399 Speaker 1: finals twice two thousand and three and twenty fifteen. Some 418 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 1: of the stars who helped the Sparks to greatness include 419 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 1: Candice Parker, Lisa Leslie, Pennytoler, Tina Thompson, Tisha Peicero, Christy Tolliver, 420 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 1: and Neka Ugumkay, who's still active and playing with the. 421 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 2: Storm twenty twenty five tag line. 422 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: For this team, they might be in Sunny LA, but 423 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:50,120 Speaker 1: they're not quite ready to shine. Let's talk auditions and losses, 424 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: starting at the top, with new head coach Lynn Roberts 425 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 1: replacing Kurt Miller after a disappointing two seasons. Roberts springs 426 00:20:56,520 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: twenty seven years of college coaching experience, most recently at Utah, 427 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,440 Speaker 1: with three hundred and eighty six wins to her name, 428 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 1: she'll take over a Sparks team that welcomes new edition. 429 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: Kelsey Plum, a two time WNBA Champ, three time All Star, 430 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 1: former sixth Woman of the Year, and Olympic gold medalist. 431 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:14,199 Speaker 1: Plumb was acquired from the Las Vegas Aces in a 432 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 1: three team trade with the Aces and the Storm. The 433 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:19,199 Speaker 1: Sparks traded the number two pick in this draft to 434 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 1: get Plumb for one year. So if she bolts in 435 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 1: free agency next season and the Storm's selection with that pick, 436 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: French phenom Dominique Malonga has a long, successful career, this 437 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: could go down in bad trade history. As for the 438 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: Sparks draft picks, they selected Alabama's Sarah Ashley Barker with 439 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:38,360 Speaker 1: the ninth overall pick. You may remember her forty five 440 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: point performance in the Tides double overtime loss to Maryland 441 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 1: in the NCAA Tournament. 442 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 2: This year. 443 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: The Sparks also grab South Carolina Senaa Fagan, a two 444 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 1: time NCAA champ, with the Game Cocks selecting her with 445 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,360 Speaker 1: the twenty first pick. As for losses, the Sparks said 446 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 1: goodbye to a friend at the show, Lesia Clarendon, who 447 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: retired and can now be seen doing studio work for 448 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: the Valkyries, Stephanie Talbot, who's also heading to the after 449 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 1: she was selected by the Balks and the expansion draft, 450 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:05,879 Speaker 1: Kia Nurse, who left for the Chicago Sky in free agency, 451 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 1: and former South Carolina standout Zia Cook, who the team waived. 452 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:12,480 Speaker 1: She's since been picked up by the Storm. So who 453 00:22:12,520 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 1: are the stars of this team? Well, the newly acquired Plum, 454 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,479 Speaker 1: host of an off season camp for top collegiate guards 455 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: called the Dog Class, will appropriately be the alpha dog 456 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:26,400 Speaker 1: on this team. She's reunited with former Aces teammate Deerica Hamby, 457 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 1: a WNBA champ, three time All Star and two times 458 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,879 Speaker 1: sixth Woman of the Year. Hamby led the Sparks in 459 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: scoring and rebounding last year, earning her third. 460 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,440 Speaker 2: All Star nod in four seasons. 461 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: Then there's the team's number two draft pick last year, 462 00:22:39,320 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 1: Cameron Brink, who played just fifteen games before suffering a 463 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 1: season ending ACL injury. A talent on the floor and 464 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: a favorite offit with a podcast and sponsorship deals galore, 465 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 1: brinks return to the court will be a huge boost 466 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:53,199 Speaker 1: for this squad. 467 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 2: She's expected back mid June. 468 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 1: Also, we can't forget fellow class of twenty twenty four 469 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,880 Speaker 1: draft d Rakia Jackson, who made the All Rookie team 470 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,639 Speaker 1: last year and added to some sparks team lore with 471 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 1: an epic hard launch of her relationship with former Tennessee 472 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 1: football player James Pierce Junior, when she popped up during 473 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 1: the NFL draft coverage sitting next to him on the couch, 474 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: hand on his knee as he was drafted by the Falcons. 475 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:18,440 Speaker 1: The stakes for this team, eh, The stakes are really 476 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,119 Speaker 1: just to show improvement. No one should expect them to 477 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 1: rock it to the top of the standings, but they 478 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 1: do need to start building toward the future. Last season, 479 00:23:25,720 --> 00:23:28,040 Speaker 1: the team put up its fewest wins and most losses 480 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:32,440 Speaker 1: in franchise history, so convincing Plumb to re sign, developing 481 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 1: Brink and Jackson, and establishing an identity will be key 482 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 1: to making LA a destination for free agents next season. 483 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 2: Let's talk some stats. 484 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: Despite finishing in the bottom three in the standings for 485 00:23:42,359 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 1: the last four seasons, the team hasn't been bad defensively, 486 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:48,480 Speaker 1: boasting a top five defensive rating twice during that four 487 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: year stretch of futility. Offensively, they've struggled. Per her hoopstats, 488 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: The Sparks finished tenth or eleventh in points per play, 489 00:23:56,560 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: points per scoring attempt, and effective field goal percentage each 490 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:02,679 Speaker 1: of the last four seasons, and they were ninth or 491 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 1: worse in three point percentage in each season as well. Now, 492 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 1: as far as individual stats, something to keep an eye on. 493 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:12,919 Speaker 1: Also from her hoopstats in a very small sample size, admittedly, 494 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 1: but in a very small sample size of just fifteen 495 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: games last season, Cameron brinks four point two blocks per 496 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,359 Speaker 1: forty minutes were the most by a WNBA player since 497 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 1: the twenty seventeen season. Now, of course, the question is 498 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 1: can she keep up that pace for. 499 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 2: A full season. 500 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,840 Speaker 1: The stories and lore for the Sparks include a tumultuous 501 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 1: time from twenty nineteen to twenty twenty two under head 502 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,639 Speaker 1: coach and GM Derek Fisher, who had been a star 503 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 1: player with the mnba's Lakers, helping them to five titles. 504 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 1: Fisher's very first season with the Sparks in twenty nineteen 505 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:47,159 Speaker 1: ended in a playoff meltdown as the team got swept 506 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 1: by the Sun in the semi finals, and Fisher not 507 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 1: only benched star Candae Parker for all but eleven minutes 508 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 1: in the last game, but He also sat his big 509 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: three Parker neck Ogumukay and Chelsea Gray for the entire 510 00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:02,359 Speaker 1: fourth quarter as their season came to an end. Folks 511 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: in LA are still complaining about the Derek Fisher era. 512 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:09,399 Speaker 1: Fun fact, in two thousand and two, the Great Lisa 513 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: Leslie became the first player in the league to dunk 514 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,479 Speaker 1: in a game, And in two thousand and eight, rookie 515 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 1: superstar Kandas Parker won both Rookie of the Year honors 516 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,959 Speaker 1: and MVP honors in her first season, the first and 517 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 1: only time that's happened in league history. All Right, Mesh, 518 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 1: I think that's most of it for the Sparks. What 519 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 1: do you want to add? 520 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:27,680 Speaker 2: First? 521 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,480 Speaker 3: I want to add that folks in LA aren't the 522 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,680 Speaker 3: only ones still complaining about the Fisher era in LA 523 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 3: as somebody who grew. 524 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:37,639 Speaker 2: Up watching Kandas Parker. Please don't get me started. 525 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,879 Speaker 3: But as far as this year squad, Kelsey Plumb, of 526 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,359 Speaker 3: course you mentioned she's the top dog. She's the alpha 527 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 3: on this roster. She made the move to LA from 528 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:50,040 Speaker 3: Vegas in this offseason because she wanted to take on 529 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 3: a bigger role, not just on the court. 530 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,679 Speaker 2: Right, She's always been a scorer even before. 531 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,960 Speaker 3: The pros held that NCAA D one scoring record until 532 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 3: Kayln Clark broke it in twenty twenty four. But in 533 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 3: terms of her leadership, right, she's learned, She's gleaned so 534 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 3: much I think from working with Becky Hammond, with Chelsea Gray, 535 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 3: with Asia Wilson. I'm very excited to see how that 536 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:15,040 Speaker 3: translates and how she's able to help alongside Deerica Hanby 537 00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,920 Speaker 3: and alongside Odyssey Simms, both who have more than ten 538 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 3: years in the WNBA, how the three of them can 539 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:25,159 Speaker 3: help Rikia and Cam and Ray Burrell, which is somebody 540 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 3: I don't think a lot of people talk about, somebody 541 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 3: I think has the potential to be a great role 542 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 3: player on an excellent team, whether that's at LA or 543 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,840 Speaker 3: somewhere else. So I'm very excited for her just to 544 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,959 Speaker 3: see her blossom, especially after last year dealing with you know, 545 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,400 Speaker 3: having the divorce and people talking about that, and there's 546 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 3: all the stuff that has come her way since she 547 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:45,679 Speaker 3: entered the league. 548 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:47,879 Speaker 1: You just made me think of some other lord that 549 00:26:47,960 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 1: I need to point out because you mentioned Kelsey Plumb 550 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:52,440 Speaker 1: and her leadership and one of the things she does, 551 00:26:52,480 --> 00:26:54,840 Speaker 1: as I mentioned is that dog class where she wants 552 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:57,200 Speaker 1: to help these collegiate players make in the transition, learn 553 00:26:57,240 --> 00:26:59,560 Speaker 1: how to thrive in the pro game. And do you 554 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:04,200 Speaker 1: remember that she blocked the WNBA on social media because 555 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 1: she felt like she was getting preferential treatment in her 556 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:08,520 Speaker 1: first season in the league because she was straight and white. 557 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 2: She didn't think she was playing. 558 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 1: She was like, I wasn't even playing well. I was 559 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 1: just bad and they were still treating me and hyping me. Now, 560 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: presumably part of that's because she came out of college 561 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:19,479 Speaker 1: with that scoring record, so she had a big name 562 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:21,639 Speaker 1: and people were excited to see her. But she literally 563 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:24,440 Speaker 1: blocked the league and said, I was pissed. It's absolutely 564 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 1: a problem in our league. Just straight up I was 565 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 1: getting preferential treatment because I was straight and white, and 566 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:30,880 Speaker 1: I just like what a leader. 567 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:31,240 Speaker 2: In that sense. 568 00:27:31,359 --> 00:27:34,000 Speaker 1: Yes, to be in that moment thinking like, partly, I'm 569 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:35,119 Speaker 1: embarrassed that you're hyping me. 570 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 2: I suck right now. 571 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:38,280 Speaker 1: I need to get better, but also understanding where it 572 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 1: was coming from and wanting to help correct it. 573 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:42,600 Speaker 2: So definitely forgot to put that in the Kelsey plumb more. 574 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:47,439 Speaker 3: But the humility there, right that is something having a 575 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 3: mind and a heart towards the work period and leaving 576 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 3: the distractor decide and recognizing when. 577 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 2: You know you're getting a little more hype than you should. 578 00:27:57,280 --> 00:27:59,399 Speaker 3: That's I mean, it's an excellent lesson for her to 579 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 3: pass on to the rest of these youngsters. But speaking 580 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 3: of the youngsters, Rakiah Jackson, who I've been high on, 581 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:09,440 Speaker 3: I remain high on, showed us some flashes of excellence 582 00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:12,360 Speaker 3: of brilliance in twenty twenty four and in the unrivaled 583 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:16,120 Speaker 3: season in the offseason scores from all three levels. On offense, 584 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:19,359 Speaker 3: held her own against opponents some of the best guards 585 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:23,119 Speaker 3: in the WNBA. On defense, to just a little stat 586 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:26,640 Speaker 3: here among rookies, she was fifth in rebounds and steals 587 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:29,160 Speaker 3: and tally the six most block shots at six to two. 588 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:32,480 Speaker 3: So that's just a lot of versatility for her and 589 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:36,000 Speaker 3: of course her teammate Cambrink. I am just so excited 590 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,960 Speaker 3: for this young lady to have a season of healthy basketball. 591 00:28:39,800 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 2: Y'all. 592 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:43,960 Speaker 3: She's going to be electrifying. She was electrifying in those 593 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:46,480 Speaker 3: fifteen games last season. Last but not at least I 594 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:49,160 Speaker 3: mentioned Ray Burrell. Don't forget about her, and don't forget 595 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:51,720 Speaker 3: about Azray Stevens. I'm keeping my up close eyes on 596 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 3: both of them. They're giving me really good vibes. 597 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:56,720 Speaker 1: Azray Stevens was great with my Chicago Sky, helping them 598 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 1: to their one and only title. And you may remember, 599 00:28:59,280 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 1: if you're a die Slice that I had to apologize 600 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 1: to her after watching Unrivaled. 601 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:06,080 Speaker 2: I thought she was a little stiffer. 602 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:08,200 Speaker 1: And then not only did she hoop in all the games, 603 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:10,240 Speaker 1: but in the one v one tournament she showed me 604 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: something I didn't know she had. 605 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 2: So I would like to see more Azay Stevens in space. 606 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 1: Now that I have been proven wrong, I would like 607 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:18,280 Speaker 1: to see more of that, please, So shout out to 608 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 1: Azaree Stevens. All Right, we love that you're listening Slices, 609 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:24,240 Speaker 1: but we want you to get in the game every 610 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 1: day too. 611 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 2: So here's our good game play of the day. 612 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:30,959 Speaker 1: Give us your biggest, boldest, craziest WNBA prediction of the season. 613 00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 1: We want your hottest take, your spiciest stance, and all 614 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:38,200 Speaker 1: of your stat driven assertions. So send them to us 615 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a 616 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 1: voicemail at eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy 617 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 1: we always love to hear your voice. And also if 618 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,040 Speaker 1: it's a super spicy stance, a super hot take, we 619 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:51,800 Speaker 1: want to have the clip of you saying it so 620 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 1: we can play it later when you're right. Of course, 621 00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 1: when you're when you're right, obviously, is when we want 622 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 1: to play it. Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. 623 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:00,360 Speaker 2: It's easy, y'all. 624 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 1: Watch Sabrinian Escu's return to Oregon, rating twenty five out 625 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 1: of twenty five points back on campus in Eugene Review. 626 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 1: On Monday, the New York Liberty played their final preseason game, 627 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 1: and they played it at Matthew Knight Arena on the 628 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 1: Oregon campus, letting former Ducks Sabrini and Escu and Niara 629 00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:21,120 Speaker 1: Sabli soak up all the love at their alma mater, 630 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 1: and Sabrina put on a show with twenty five points 631 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:29,240 Speaker 1: and six threes, including one from way downtown. Now, if 632 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:31,400 Speaker 1: you remember, Sabrina was a senior in twenty twenty when 633 00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:34,800 Speaker 1: the pandemic ended the season prematurely, so she really relished 634 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: the chance to get back in front of her adoring 635 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:40,160 Speaker 1: fans and accept the Eugene Mayor's proclamation of May twelfth, 636 00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 1: as quote Sabrina Yonescu Day. Also, guys, there was a 637 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:48,280 Speaker 1: dance off between the Oregon Duck and Ellie the Elephant, 638 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:52,200 Speaker 1: complete with a duck twerk. That's the stuff dreams are 639 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,840 Speaker 1: made of, folks, well my dreams at least. 640 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:58,240 Speaker 2: Now it's your turn. Rate and review. Give us five stars, 641 00:30:58,280 --> 00:31:00,760 Speaker 2: tell us you love us. Thanks, Danielle. 642 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:02,960 Speaker 1: See you tomorrow when I'll be in San Francisco to 643 00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:05,840 Speaker 1: close out the shoot around with the thirteenth and final team, 644 00:31:06,080 --> 00:31:09,880 Speaker 1: the Golden State Valkyries, ahead of their very first WNBA 645 00:31:09,960 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 1: regular season game. Good Game, Dallas, Good Game, Los Angeles. 646 00:31:15,000 --> 00:31:20,960 Speaker 1: You retiring, MARTA's got this right, Just play forever. Good 647 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,800 Speaker 1: Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production 648 00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 1: in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You could 649 00:31:26,680 --> 00:31:29,760 Speaker 1: find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 650 00:31:29,760 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our 651 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:37,000 Speaker 1: producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive producers 652 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 1: are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. 653 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:44,160 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and 654 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:47,800 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer, Our associate producer is Lucy Jones, and I'm 655 00:31:47,840 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: Your Host Sarah Spain.