May 7, 2026 • 35 mins
The WNBA season begins tomorrow, which means it’s time for the return of The Shootaround, Good Game’s WNBA season preview. Sarah breaks down each and every W squad to get you prepped for tipoff, starting with the Eastern Conference squads. Plus, grab your mittens, it’s the 11th hour, and complaints hit the clay.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're wheels
down in New York City for the espnW seven and
a quick side quest to see Maya, Rudolph and O
Mary on Broadway. Speaking of my travel schedule, you might
be able to tell I'm not in a studio recording
part of this episode. Nope, I'm actually coming to you
from the green room just outside where the espnW summit
will take place. Wherever I am in the world, I'm
(00:23):
always going to make it work for you, slaces. It's Thursday,
May seventh, and today is the first of our WNBA
season preview shows. Yep, we're bringing back the shoot around,
just like last year, but this time smashed into two
jam packed episodes. We'll give you a look at each
and every w squad to get you prepped for the
historic thirtieth season of the league, starting with the Eastern
Conference squads today. Whether you're tuning into the WNBA for
(00:46):
the first time this summer, or you've been rocking with
the Dubs since the start, Welcome. Now. We're splitting up
these two episodes by conference. But remember when we talk
conferences in the w the league doesn't use conferences for
Playoff seating. The top eight teams in the league, regardless
of conference, qualify for the playoffs based on their overall
winning percentage. Conferences do matter when it comes to the
Commissioner's Cup, and for regular season scheduling to reduce travel,
(01:10):
teams play in conference opponents more than cross conference opponents.
But for the purposes of these previews, we're going Eastern
Conference and Western Conference. Buckle up, plus, grab your mittens.
It's the eleventh hour and complaints hit the clay. It's
all coming up right after this Welcome back Slays. Here's
(01:35):
what you need to know today. Let's start with hockey,
where the women's game is officially growing again. The PWHL
announced on Wednesday that the next expansion team will be
in Detroit, Michigan. The league's ninth team, will begin playing
in the twenty twenty six twenty seven season, with home
games to be played at Little Caesars Arena. P WHL Detroit,
(01:55):
as they're called for now, is joined by Ally Financial
as the team's inaugural partner, with team jerseys to feature
an exclusive Ally patch on the chest. Shout out to
friend of the show Andrea Brimmer, you did it again. Detroit,
which is known as Hockey Town since the NHL's Detroit
Red Wings trademark the nickname in the nineties, is not
a surprising addition for the PWHL. The city hosted the
(02:17):
league's first ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena
during its inaugural season in twenty twenty four, and they've
since hosted four more games, the most of any neutral
site city, with multiple of those games bringing in record
setting crowds. So congrats to Detroit and the p Dubs.
Now we're waiting to see if Detroit is the only
addition for next season, aka, will I be close to
(02:40):
a PWHL city or is there still a chance I'll
be in a PWHL city. We'll also keep you updated
on how the league will handle building out, expansion rosters,
more hockey. Sure, we're excited about next season, but this
season's playoffs can't miss already. On Tuesday, Montreal Victoire captain
Marie Feliepulenz scored her first ever postseason overtime winner in
(03:03):
the third overtime period to take down the Minnesota Frost
one nothing in Game two of the semi final series.
Who scored the game winning goal often assist from friend
of the show Abby Rock, and it couldn't have come
soon enough for what I'm sure were some dead tired players.
The goal brought an end to the fourth longest game
in PWHL history. Viktwar goalkeeper and Renee Debn stopped thirty
(03:24):
eight shots en route to her first career playoff shutout,
helping the Victoire even the series at one game apiece.
The two time league champion Frost will host Game three
of the series tonight at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul.
Cuck Drop is at seven pm Eastern to the WNBA.
Tina Charles, the league's all time leading rebounder and number
two all time scorer behind Diana Tarassi, is retiring. On Tuesday,
(03:47):
the fifteen year vet, an eight time All Star, announced
her decision to hang them up. Charles helped Yukon to
two NCAA titles, helped the US bring home three Olympic
gold medals, earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in
twenty ten and MVP honors in twenty twelve. Was the
league's top scorer in two seasons, and entered the NYC
Basketball Hall of Fame as the head of the Class
(04:08):
of twenty twenty four, the first female to head a
class at any major basketball Hall of Fame, and the
first active player ever inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall
of Fame. Now, despite all of her success, Charles never
got the chance to play for a WNBA title. Congrats
on a hell of a career. Tina more W News
Schoolden State valkyriese guard Kate Martin was originally expected to
(04:29):
miss up to two weeks due to a right quad
strain sustained during a preseason game on April twenty eighth,
but the team is announced that Martin has been progressing
well and she'll now be reevaluated on a day to
day basis, leaving the door open for her to take
the court for the team's home opener on Friday. And
an update on sabrinian Escu, the New York Liberty Star,
is now expected to be out at least two weeks
nursing that foot injury suffered in the team's final preseason contest.
(04:54):
More W. Each team must submit its twelve player roster today,
so it's going to be a tough one for folks
who don't make the final cut. We've already seen a
handful of players waved or moved the last few days,
including the Chicago Sky Waving forward Matty Westbeld, who appeared
in twenty six games for the team in her rookie
season last year. Over on the West Coast, the La
Sparks waved guard Sevgiya Zun and guard Julie vanlu Meantime,
(05:16):
Chloe Bibbie has been traded from the Portland Fire to
the Phoenix Mercury and dukelum Tyana Mayor has been signed
as a Seattle Storm developmental player, just a few days
after the team waived her man. Start of the season
is just one day away, and it's kind of feeling
like those infomercials that used to play at night. You know,
it's ten pm. Do you know where your children are?
Except it's the eve of season tip off? Do you
(05:37):
know where your favorite players are? More w ploy wait
for Navisakllier to get healthy and make headlines again with
her play, We'll settle for her dropping gems and interviews
about the league. In an interview with NPR Steve Inskeepe
that aired on Wednesday, Klier talked about the new WNBA contract,
the upcoming season and her future in basketball. Now, we'll
link to the full interview in the show notes, but
(05:58):
we got to point out one part that left us dead.
When Inskeep reminded Klier that she had called league commissioner
Kathy Engelbert, quote unquote the worst leadership in the world,
Collier softened her stance a little, saying, quote, thinking about
the state of the world right now, I think that's
a little dramatic. Yeah, fair, I mean, last I heard,
Kathy wasn't clearing a path so miners could use tanning
(06:20):
beds while simultaneously discouraging them from getting the measles vaccine.
And she's not, you know, an alleged rapist pedophile to
college hoops. In a rare off season press availability on Monday,
Yukon head coach Gino Oriama was asked about his heated
postgame exchange with Game Cox coach John Staley during the
NCAA Tournament last month. Now, he avoided the first question
(06:41):
about the exchange, refusing to shed light on what conversations
have happened since then, but when asked again to reflect
on his actions, he opened up a bit.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Take a listen, when I walked in the locker room
afterwards with the coaches. It was, you know, you're just
shaking your head, going, you know, on five more seconds.
You know, you couldn't keep it in for five more second,
So you know, you just feel like a dumbass, you know,
for the way it played out. Yeah, we're all human
and we all do dumb shit.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
A reporter then asked Gino how he handled the public
backlash that followed. Here's part of his answer.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I didn't see a lot of it, but that's to
be expected, and I think that maybe some of it
was warranted and some of it was people have been
lying in the weeds waiting for that moment. Unfortunately, that's
the world that we that we live in today. You know,
it usually is one sided. I brought the criticism on myself.
I didn't bring the bullshit that came after that on myself.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Gino also said in the pressor that it's focus now
is on the twenty twenty six, twenty seventh season. Despite
the loss of two starters WNBA number one pick Asy
Fudd and Sarah Williams, the Huskies are expected to contend
for the title once again. To Volleyball, the Major League
Volleyball Championships start tonight in Frisco, Texas. The top four
teams enter the single elimination semifinals with their eyes on
(07:56):
the title and a one million dollar bonus. The actions
start with the number one in the Ignite taken on
the number four Omaha Supernova's at Comerica Center at seven
pm Eastern. After that game, the number two Dallas Pulse
will play the number three San Diego Mojo. The winners
of each game will face off in the finals at
three pm Eastern on Saturday. You can catch all the
postseason games on Ion to Tennis, where the pros are
(08:20):
calling out the upcoming French Open for what they call
a deeply disappointing prize pot Ahead of the tournament, tournament
organizers announced last month that this year's prize money was
increasing by about ten percent from last year for an
overall pot of seventy two point one million dollars. Sounds
pretty good, right, But some of the world's top players,
including world number one Arena Sabalnka and number four Coco Golf,
(08:41):
are pointing out that the increase isn't in line with
the increased revenue the tournament is bringing.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
In.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
In a statement on Monday, the group of players said quote,
player's share of role on Garrow's tournament revenue has declined
from fifteen and a half percent in twenty twenty four
to fourteen point nine percent projected in twenty twenty six
end quote. Then on tuesday press conference in Rome, ahad
of the Italian Open. So I made the stakes clear.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Take a listen when you see the number and you
see the amount that the player is receiving, and I
feel like the show is on us. I feel like
without us, there wouldn't be a tournament and it wouldn't
be that entertainment. So I feel like, definitely we deserve
to be paid more percentage.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
And I just really hope that.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
With all of the negotiations that we're having, we at
some point we're going to get to the right decision,
to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
As you say, you're the show, how far do you
think it could go? Do you think players would ever
threaten to boycott and not play to I think at
some point we will boycote it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I feel like that's going to be the only way
to kind of like fight for our rights.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Now, this is just the latest in an ever growing
list of public complaints made by players over the last
few years about not just compensation, but also the length
of the season and a lack of rest and recovery time.
We got to pay the bills when we come back.
We break down the Eastern Conference for part one of
the shoot Around. Welcome back Slices, and welcome to the
(10:15):
shoot Around Part one. Today we're doing WNBA Eastern Conference
teams presented in order based on their regular season finish
last year. The Atlanta Dream The story of last season.
The Dream finished this season thirty and fourteen under new
head coach and w first timer Carl Smesco, the best
season in franchise history and good for a tie for
(10:35):
the number two seed in the playoffs. The story of
this season. The Dream are no longer up and coming.
They've arrived and they expect to make a deep postseason run.
What looks different this year? Let's talk about notable losses
and additions. The team saw ten time All Star Britney
Griner depart for the Connecticut Sun in free agency, and
defensive specialists Maya Caldwell was lost to the Portland Fire
(10:56):
in the expansion Draft, but they added the MVP of
Australia's wnbl Isabelle Borlis, who averaged almost twenty three points
a game down Under, and six sixth center medda Ocott,
a rookie drafted number thirteen out of South Carolina. The
stars for this team, while the Dreams starting five for
much of last year were all free agents, but the
team was able to bring back all five Brianna Jones,
(11:19):
Ryan Howard, Jordan, Canada Nas Hillman and Ali Shagray. Hillman
came off the bench for enough games last year to
qualify for and win sixth Player of the Year, and
Gray improved from just an All Star to a legit
MVP candidate. The team also traded future draft picks to
the Chicago Sky to acquire two time All Star and
ferocious rebounder Angel Reese. Stats the dream led the league
(11:41):
in rebounds last year, and even though Brianna Jones is
set to miss time recovering from knee surgery, when she's back,
she and Reese are going to be a two headed
monster on the boards, likely keeping Atlanta at or near
the top of that category again. The dream were also
top five in points, assists, and blocks last season, and
they took care of the ball averaging the fewest turnovers
in the league last year. Some sounds from this team well,
(12:05):
Like I mentioned, the Dream will take the court this
season with Angel Freakin Reese, star forward, model, actor, entrepreneur,
met gala aficionado, pretty much all the things, and at
the Dreams opening press conference last month, Reese decided she
would shut down anyone who might say she isn't putting
basketball first.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
I wouldn't be here without basketball, and that's always going
to be my priority. I mean, I think anybody that
knows me knows that I put my work first, and
I'm going to put a hundred percent in anything I do.
And I'm here to who I'm a professional athlete, and
I know how to take care of my business and
everything off the court is off the court, but when
I come between the lines, it's about business, and I
think everybody knows that.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Tell them Angel. As for the stakes, well, after a
fantastic regular season in twenty twenty five, the Dream lost
to an injured but scrappy Indiana Fever squad in the
first round of the playoffs, a disappointing finish. They expect
nothing less than to contend for the championship this year
and The franchise is still looking for its first w tiitle,
so a win would be truly history, making the New
(13:03):
York Liberty. The story of last season, Well, the Liberty
suffered from a bit of a championship hangover, and it
was made worse by a whole bunch of injuries. They
ultimately secured the number five seed and got bounced in
the first round of the playoffs. The story of this season.
Can the Liberties star studded roster rediscover the magic of
their twenty twenty four title run and returned to greatness
(13:24):
under new leadership. What looks different this year? While it
starts with head coach Sandy Brondelo, who the front office
elected not to re up just one year after she
led the franchise to its first ever championship, she heads
to Toronto and the team turns to Chris DeMarco, who
helped the mnba's Golden State Warriors achieve dynasty status in
the twenty tens and early twenty twenties and will be
(13:45):
coaching women for the first time in his career. As
for players, niar Sable's gone lost to the Toronto Tempo
and the expansion Draft, but the Liberty added her sister,
the Unicorn Satu Sabai, fresh off of finals run with
the Phoenix Mercury. The team also so brought back Rebecca Allen,
who was last in New York in twenty twenty two,
and Han Chu, who fell out of the rotation in
(14:05):
twenty twenty three and spent the last two years getting stronger, smarter,
and somehow even taller. She's now six foot eleven. Benijel
Lane Hamilton missed all of last season to a knee injury,
so her return to the court and not just the
sidelines for this team is the equivalent of adding a
top player in free agency. The stars for this team
John Qwell Jones, Brianna Stewart and Sabrinian Escup. They all return,
(14:28):
and they each helped the squad by signing for one
point one to nine million instead of the one point
four million Supermax. They'll join Sobli, Landy Hamilton, Leoni Phoebitch
and Marine Johanns to make for a loaded Liberty Corps now.
After injuries derailed their season last year, there's been a
lot of talk of them needing depth, and they already
need to put it to use because Danescu will miss
(14:48):
at least the first couple games of the season with
an ankle injury. Let's talk stats for this team. Last season,
the Liberty were top five in points, field goal percentage,
three point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, and blocks the
most important stat though, because of injuries. They're big three
of Stuart, Jones and Unescu played just fifteen games and
two hundred and thirty four total minutes on the court together.
(15:09):
Staying healthy this year will be key. Two more numbers
to ponder, six and four, as in six foot four.
The Liberty starting lineup of Joanes, Stuart, Sabii, Phoebich and
Unescu is huge, six foot four and up for everyone
but Unescu. Let's get to some sound then. Because training
camp a few weeks ago, Stewie brought up that height advantage,
(15:31):
specifically what it means to have six foot four Satu
Sabli joined the team.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
I'm really happy to have Satsu here. I think that
it is a long time coming because we were up
on her lists pretty high in last year's free agency.
But she's someone wants to learn, you know. I'm gonna
help guide her in whatever way she needs and her
to bring her versatility and offensive and defensive prowess to
our team is really exciting. And obviously the fact that
(15:56):
she's back healthy is the number one thing. So we're
going to be tall. It'd be very tall, which is
cool and yeah, let's see.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
What happens tall indeed scary times for the rest of
the league. Finally, what are the stakes for the Liberty
this year? Well, with the talent on this roster, anything
other than a title is a disappointment. All eyes will
be on De Marco and whether the team was right
to move on from two time WNBA Championship winning coach
Sandy Brondelo the Indiana Fever. The story of last season
(16:24):
for the Fever was injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Last
year's postseason run, featuring a bunch of subs and mid
season pickups, was a remarkable show of grit and teamwork.
So the story of this season is with Caitlin Clark
back healthy and most of last year's team returning, the
Fever get a chance to redo last season, but now
with even bigger expectations. What looks different this year? Well,
(16:47):
let's talk notable losses and additions for Indiana. Natasha Howard
and Branda Turner left in free agency to sign with
the Links and the Aces, respectively, while Chloe Bibby and
Christy Wallace were lost to the expansion Draft. The Fever
did add South Carolin is Raven Johnson, who they selected
at number ten in the draft, and they're going to
look to her immediately for energy and defensive pressure. Johnson
can also bring the ball up and keep Clark from
(17:09):
taking a beating just getting the ball to half court.
The Fever also added the Valkyrie's Moe Billings and the
Wings Maisha Heinz Allen and Ty Harris in free agency.
Billings notably played with Clark and Mitchell on tam Usa
this offseason. The stars of this team, well, the big
three of Kelsey Mitchell, Aleah Boston, and Caitlin Clark, are
all healthy and ready to go. Lexi Hall and Sophie
(17:30):
Cunningham returned this season as well. Stats last season, the
Fever were top five in points, field goal percentage, three
point percentage, and steals, but they were in the bottom
five in rebounding, free throw percentage, and blocks. They'll need
to improve on defense. The Fever were eighth in points
allowed per game and ninth in opponent field goal percentage.
Oh and one more stat forty four. As in all,
(17:53):
forty four of the Fever's games will be broadcast nationally
this season. Some sound from this team. If folks wondered
how rookie Raven Johnson would fit in with this Fever squad,
she sounds real comfortable. Take a listen to her answering
a question about her new coach, Stephanie White. Oh she's funny.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Oh don't know how it is, but her wife's chants
and pregnant moatther day and I'm like, hey, you got taste.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
But shout out to Lisa salters Man, you got the
Raven Johnson sealed approval. The stakes for this Fever team Well,
Indiana was one overtime period away from making the finals
last year, despite Caitlin Clark's sidelined in street clothes. They're
hungry for another shot, especially knowing how previous teams with
back to back number one picks have fared in this league.
(18:40):
The Saddle Storm in twenty four and twenty eighteen and
the Las Vegas Aces in twenty twenty two each won
a title within three seasons of having back to back
overall number one draft picks, So, with Boston and Clark
selected number one in twenty twenty three and twenty twenty four, respectively,
the Fever are on the clock and hoping to repeat
the pattern the Washington Mystics. Well. The story of last
(19:02):
season was that the twenty twenty five Mystics were clearly
in the first year of a rebuild. They finished with
a sixteen and twenty eight record and their eyes firmly
on the future all season long. The story this season
They've got a very young team, still in a rebuild,
with a bit of a lopsided roster that they'll have
to figure out. So what looks different for the Mystics
this year? More than half the team is new via
(19:24):
the draft just a few days before season tip off.
There are ten rookies in Mystics camp, including UCLA stars
Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalleach taken at number four and
number nine respectively, and number eleven pick Cody McMahon out
of Ole. Miss Georgia Amore might as well be part
of the twenty twenty six rookie class after an acl
tair sidelined her before she could even get started last year,
(19:45):
though she will have a leg up on the first years,
having had a season to watch and learn from the bench.
The team also added veteran Mikaela Onionuede, who spent the
last two seasons with the Chicago Sky and was an
assistant coach for UCLA's national title run, so she's worked
with Bets and Dougallee. Meantime, the Mystics traded j C.
Sheldon to Chicago, Steph Dolson and Jade Melbyn left for
(20:05):
Seattle in free agency, Alicia Clark left a sign with
the Wings, and Emily Engstler went to Portland in the
expansion draft. So the stars of this team are last
year's rookie standouts Kiki Eriefen and Sonya Citron, both all
stars in their first season. They joined fifth year vet
Shakira Austin to form the core of this very young team.
The stats well, the Mystics were bottom three in the
(20:26):
league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals last season, and
they were dead last and three pointers attempted per game
just over seventeen a game, but they didn't add any
three point threats or shooters at all for that matter,
in the offseason. Also, their youth showed up when it
came to taking care of the ball, they finished with
the second highest turnover rate in the league. More numbers
to Know two as in the number of players on
(20:48):
the Mystics with more than one year of experience in
the w Austin and Onionwayde and six the number of
first round draft picks from the last two seasons that
are on the roster of this team. While Kiki erie
E Fence spoke to the team's youth during a press
conference on Monday, she said she learned a lot in
her rookie season and that'll make her a better player
this time around.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
I'm just a competitor, and I feel like this level really.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Taught me that. Like in college, you are a competitor,
but when you go to like.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
A great program and a great team, like you're expected
to win, so you don't have so many moments where
you're losing to people. But here everybody is so talented,
like you're seeing ten of you, so it's really hard
to win. And I think that's when I really saw
how competitive I am. Like, losing is not fun, but
winning is really really hard. So just having to you know,
(21:38):
maybe not have the outcome you have one night and
then forty eight hours later. You have to be your
best self again to play another great team. Just that
competitive spirit in that fire I think really came out
of me last season.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
The youth of this team is going to make them
exciting and high energy, but there will be some mistakes
to iron out for sure. Stakes of this team, well,
the stakes and expectations are fairly low for the Mystic,
but year two of the rebuild does need to be
about more than just continuing to develop young talent. The
team needs to find an identity. With a logjam in
the paint with Eriefen, Austin, and Betts all battling for
(22:11):
minutes and a dearth of shooters, this team's not going
anywhere until there's a better built roster. The Connecticut Sun
The story of last season. The twenty twenty five son
were the first team in WNBA history to lose its
entire starting lineup between the last playoff game at the
previous season and the start of a new season. So
they started fresh, finished the season eleven and thirty three,
and missed out on the playoffs for the first time
(22:33):
in eight years. The story of this season. One year later,
the team is somehow even more rudderless they'll play out
the year, cleverly named their Sunset season, knowing that next
year brings new ownership and a relocation to Houston, and
potentially a new head coach too. Second year man Rashid
Mezzin has already been announced as the coach for EuroLeague
team Galatasaray in the fall, and he's not likely to
(22:55):
be able to do both jobs and what looks different
this year. While Marina Maybrey is going, she was left
unprotected and snagged by the Tempo in the expansion draft.
Lindsay Allen chose to leave for Dallas, and veteran Tina
Charles just announced her retirement this week. Diamond Miller arrived
to the sun via trade with Dallas, and they also
added vetts via free agency, Kennedy Burke, Shape Petty, and
(23:15):
most notably ten time All Star Britney Griner, who's a
Houston native and presumably hoping to stick around through the
relocation so she can finish her career at home. The
team also added talent via the draft, including grabbing two
national champs in UCLA's Gianna Neepkins and Charlie Sledger Walker.
Also French forward Nell Angloma the stars of this team,
while the Sun returned their young core, all on rookie
(23:37):
contracts Aliah Edwards, Senaia Rivers, Anissa Morrow, and French star
Leila Laken who arrived mid season last year but had
a big impact, and of course Griner is still a
game changer and a draw for fans. Stats, the Sun
were bottom two in the league in points, field goal percentage,
three point percentage, rebounds, and assists. With one of the youngest,
(23:58):
most unproven rosters in the league, It's yet to be
seen which of their young could be stars steps up
to help improve those numbers. Another number to know twenty four,
as in twenty four seasons of Connecticut Sun basketball coming
to an end after this season sounds well. One thing
we can count on. According to the Connecticut Sun's Instagram
is a whole lot of b G and Sanaia Rivers
(24:20):
content throughout the season. The team posted a video during
training camp showing the duo goofing around with six foot
nine Griner making six to one Rivers look like a
true little This is my bodyguard and nobody is even more.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
Yeah back up, yeah, I wish you would, I wish
you I wish you about.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Help that pick, and we out. We can't wait for
all of these antics. The stakes for this team. Expectations
are low, but the stakes are high when it comes
to respect. This team somehow needs to find a way
to give loyal Sun fans the goodbye they deserve, even
though everyone knows this is sort of a lame duck season.
As for the future, if they struggle, at least Houston
(25:07):
fans can look forward to a fresh start featuring a
big name draft pick like Juju Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo
the Chicago Sky. The story of last season for the Sky.
The twenty twenty five team finished the season tied for
dead last in the league at ten and thirty four,
with locker room turmoil and a disgruntled second year star
Angel Reese with one foot already out the door. The
(25:29):
story of this season. Yet another Sky star departed before
her contract was up. That's Reese, But the team didn't
just lick its wounds this time. It actually added feisty,
exciting talent in free agency. So what looks different this year?
A whole lot departures and additions marked this Sky off season.
Reese went to Atlanta in a trade and Beck Allen, Mikhaela,
(25:49):
Onionwade and Kia Nurse left in free agency.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
J C.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Sheldon arrived via trade with the Mystics, and second year
standout Rakia Jackson arrived via trade with the Sparks that
sent Aeriel act Kins to LA. Free agent additions were
huge for the Sky Skyler Diggins, as A, Ray Stevens,
dj A Carrington, and Natasha Cloud all joined the team,
and they also added some promising draft talent in Gabriella
Hakez out of UCLA. The stars for this team Diggins, Stevens, Jackson,
(26:17):
and Cloud joined third year center Camilla Cardoso to form
the core, and at some point in the season, veteran
point guard Courtney Vanderslut will turn from acl tair that
sidelined her for almost all of last season. Now, the
jury still out on how all these stars in the
Sky will fit together, but this team will be entertaining,
that's for sure. Stats for this team. While Chicago was
tied for last in the league in points last year
(26:38):
and finished the season tops and turnovers, they were second
in rebounds thanks to Reese, who won't be around to
save him on the boards this year. It's tough to
base anything off of last year's numbers, though, as an
almost entirely different team will step on the court this season,
but it is still worth mentioning one notable number, infinity,
which feels like the number of stars who have asked
out of Chicago before their contracts were up, from Molina
(27:00):
Dela Dan to Sylvia Fowls to Kalia Copper and this
year Angel Reese. Let's hope the influx of free agents
choosing to come to Chicago this offseason means things are
changing in the Windy City sound. I am very excited
as a Chicago Sky fan for this new look Sky squad,
but I'm also a little worried about some of the
newbies after watching the team's recent We listen, but we
(27:21):
don't judge social video, specifically Djana's lip gloss trick and
Rakia's food choices. Okay, we listen and we don't judge.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
Sometimes big games, I'll play with some lipgloss tucked in
my spandex so that at any moment I can reapply.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
We listen, but we don't judge. Sugar goes on mac
and cheese and spaghetti. Period. We listen, and who are
you Rikia, Buddy the Elf. The stakes for the Sky
team well, angry fans like yours truly definitely softened when
the Sky followed up the Reese trade with a handful
of blockbusters acquisitions, moves that should make the team, at
(28:02):
the very least super fun and exciting to watch and
at best a playoff squad. Jury's out on which one
it'll be. The Toronto Tempo. The story of last season,
there wasn't one. Last year. The Tempo were in planning
mode for their debut season. The story of this season,
while matching the Golden State Valkyrie's first year postseason run,
may not be realistic, but establishing Toronto as a women's
(28:25):
hoop city and a free agent destination well just might
be what looks different this year. While there are actually
players in those Bordeaux colored jerseys, namely the folks they
acquired via the Expansion Draft, including Marina Maybray, Julia Alamond
and Niarasabli, the team also grabbed twenty twenty five All
Star Britney Sikes, Tammy fag Benley, Isabel Harrison, and Canada
(28:46):
native Kia Nurse all in free agency. They also grabbed
UCLA's Keky Rice, who headlined their Tempo draft class the
stars of this team. While we'll start with head coach
Sandy Brondello, a two time WNBA Championship winning coach who
is certainly one of the team stars. She'll try to
make Pikes, mabray alamand and more household names in Toronto Stats.
(29:06):
Two stats before the team has ever even played a
regular season game. First eight two hundred and ten. That's
the number of fans who packed Coca Cola Coliseum for
the Tempo's home preseason game. Second forty one and a
half million. It's the population of Canada, all of them
potential Toronto Tempo fans if the team plays its cards right.
(29:26):
Sounds While I caught up with coach Brondela last November
to hear what it was about the Tempo that made
her want to jump on board. Here's what she said.
Speaker 7 (29:33):
Took my time in the process and make sure it
was the right fit. And I feel like Toronto is
and you know, at the stage of my career, I'm
a little older now, I've been around a while, I've
won two championships, but I've never you know, coached an
expansion team. And what really sold me was you know,
in a whole different country, so it's not just Toronto's team,
it's Canada's team.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
And yeah, I think my experience, like you said.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
Just being an international coach, have played around the world,
coached around the world. But I am also the Australian
head coach, so I know what that's like when you're
playing for the whole country, not just for the city,
and the expectations that come with that.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
I can't think of a much better situation for an
expansion team than having a coach like Brondelo on the sideline.
The stakes for this team. Expectations are always pretty low
for expansion teams when it comes to record, so the
wins for the Tempo will be mostly in attendance, awareness, enthusiasm,
and having enough success and promise to draw free agents
up north next season. We made it slices. We're halfway
(30:31):
through all fifteen w teams. You may want to download
or maybe save this episode to refer back to as
the season gets going. It's a lot of info to remember,
but we did hear from some of you that we're
a comfort show of sorts. So what's more comforting than
being reminded of the hope that prevails at the start
of every new season. All right, we got to take
a break when we return. We love when slices sing
(30:53):
our praises, especially when they're doing it on TV. Welcome
back Slices. With the lights perhaps brightest on opening night.
The players of the w are certainly feeling the pressure
ahead of tomorrow's season tip off. Here's a message from
Colgate and the Colgate Women's Games about pushing through doubt
(31:16):
to find confidence on the other side. It's remarkable the
number of ways doubt can pop up when we put
ourselves out there as athletes, vulnerable to criticism, vulnerable to failure.
We might doubt whether we're as fast or strong as
the person next to us, whether we could push through
pressure to succeed when the lights are brightest, whether we
can find an extra gear at the end of a race,
(31:38):
or calm our nerves to hit that game winning free throw.
Self doubt can paralyze us. But the incredible thing about
self doubt is that the resilience you find within yourself
to come out on the other side of it can
prove to be a powerful reminder for future moments of
fear or uncertainty. Doubt fuels you, sends you on a
mission to find strength within, and when you're smiling at
(31:59):
the finish line, we're celebrating. After that final buzzer, you
know you've pushed beyond what you believed you could do.
The next time you're at the foul line, the starting line,
or the starting blocks, you remember the moments you found
success before to find doubt, to push ahead and win.
For over fifty years, Colgate has supported the Colgate Women's Games,
(32:19):
giving women and girls a sense of personal achievement and
self esteem, plus the chance to earn scholarships to pursue
a healthier, brighter future. In total, five thousand academic scholarships
totally more than one and a half million dollars have
been awarded through the Colgate Women's Games. Now that's something
to smile about. We love that you're listening slices, but
(32:39):
we want you to get in the game every day too.
So here's our good game play of the day. Watch
the WNBA. Yeah, I mean, if we haven't convinced you
by now, frankly, that sounds like a you problem. But
put the games on your calendar, make those plans in
the group chat, whatever it takes. You're not going to
want to miss this historic thirtieth season. We always love
to hear from you, so us up on email Good
(33:00):
Game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail
at eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy, and
don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy. Watch
Minnesota Aurora FC president Sara has soon spreading the gospel
of Good Game, rating ten out of ten for execution
checks in the mail. Sara review on a recent edition
(33:21):
of Watch Read Listen on Minnesota's KSTPTV. Hasson chose Good
Game as her listen recommendation. She said, in part quote,
I had to shout out our community owner Sarah Spain here,
but also just a phenomenal voice in women's sports. Sarah
does a really good job of mixing entertainment and humor
with a lot of really good information about women's sports.
So I've heard so many of my friends because I
(33:43):
talk about this all the time. So many of my
non sports friends have started listening to Good Game, and
she just does such a good job. It's such an
easy entry point. You don't have to be an expert,
you don't have to know everything. I always just feel
so much more informed about what's happening, and it's great.
End quote. She then all so deemed our podcast teen
appropriate and said I was, quote the perfect role model
(34:04):
for that space. You just gotta, you know, ignore the foks. Right,
We'll link to Sara's review. I'm sorry the TV segment
in the show notes. If you want to check it
out now, it's your turn. Y'all rate and review, Thanks
you listen, See you tomorrow for all the story Steake, stats,
stars and sounds for the Western Conference of the WNBA.
(34:25):
Good Game. All the GMS presidents, agents and marketing folks
working to make this thirtieth w season great Good Game
WNBA legend. Tina Charles for your incredible career, Hugh. The
fact that in the thirteen hours between recording this episode
and it being published, even more players could get cut,
making our thoughtfully research previews partly inaccurate. Good Game with
(34:50):
Sarah Spain is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are Alex Azzi
and Bianca Hillier. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz,
Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder,
(35:10):
Lucy Jones, Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistant from
Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're wheels
down in New York City for the espnW seven and
a quick side quest to see Maya, Rudolph and O
Mary on Broadway. Speaking of my travel schedule, you might
be able to tell I'm not in a studio recording
part of this episode. Nope, I'm actually coming to you
from the green room just outside where the espnW summit
will take place. Wherever I am in the world, I'm
(00:23):
always going to make it work for you, slaces. It's Thursday,
May seventh, and today is the first of our WNBA
season preview shows. Yep, we're bringing back the shoot around,
just like last year, but this time smashed into two
jam packed episodes. We'll give you a look at each
and every w squad to get you prepped for the
historic thirtieth season of the league, starting with the Eastern
Conference squads today. Whether you're tuning into the WNBA for
(00:46):
the first time this summer, or you've been rocking with
the Dubs since the start, Welcome. Now. We're splitting up
these two episodes by conference. But remember when we talk
conferences in the w the league doesn't use conferences for
Playoff seating. The top eight teams in the league, regardless
of conference, qualify for the playoffs based on their overall
winning percentage. Conferences do matter when it comes to the
Commissioner's Cup, and for regular season scheduling to reduce travel,
(01:10):
teams play in conference opponents more than cross conference opponents.
But for the purposes of these previews, we're going Eastern
Conference and Western Conference. Buckle up, plus, grab your mittens.
It's the eleventh hour and complaints hit the clay. It's
all coming up right after this Welcome back Slays. Here's
(01:35):
what you need to know today. Let's start with hockey,
where the women's game is officially growing again. The PWHL
announced on Wednesday that the next expansion team will be
in Detroit, Michigan. The league's ninth team, will begin playing
in the twenty twenty six twenty seven season, with home
games to be played at Little Caesars Arena. P WHL Detroit,
(01:55):
as they're called for now, is joined by Ally Financial
as the team's inaugural partner, with team jerseys to feature
an exclusive Ally patch on the chest. Shout out to
friend of the show Andrea Brimmer, you did it again. Detroit,
which is known as Hockey Town since the NHL's Detroit
Red Wings trademark the nickname in the nineties, is not
a surprising addition for the PWHL. The city hosted the
(02:17):
league's first ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena
during its inaugural season in twenty twenty four, and they've
since hosted four more games, the most of any neutral
site city, with multiple of those games bringing in record
setting crowds. So congrats to Detroit and the p Dubs.
Now we're waiting to see if Detroit is the only
addition for next season, aka, will I be close to
(02:40):
a PWHL city or is there still a chance I'll
be in a PWHL city. We'll also keep you updated
on how the league will handle building out, expansion rosters,
more hockey. Sure, we're excited about next season, but this
season's playoffs can't miss already. On Tuesday, Montreal Victoire captain
Marie Feliepulenz scored her first ever postseason overtime winner in
(03:03):
the third overtime period to take down the Minnesota Frost
one nothing in Game two of the semi final series.
Who scored the game winning goal often assist from friend
of the show Abby Rock, and it couldn't have come
soon enough for what I'm sure were some dead tired players.
The goal brought an end to the fourth longest game
in PWHL history. Viktwar goalkeeper and Renee Debn stopped thirty
(03:24):
eight shots en route to her first career playoff shutout,
helping the Victoire even the series at one game apiece.
The two time league champion Frost will host Game three
of the series tonight at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul.
Cuck Drop is at seven pm Eastern to the WNBA.
Tina Charles, the league's all time leading rebounder and number
two all time scorer behind Diana Tarassi, is retiring. On Tuesday,
(03:47):
the fifteen year vet, an eight time All Star, announced
her decision to hang them up. Charles helped Yukon to
two NCAA titles, helped the US bring home three Olympic
gold medals, earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in
twenty ten and MVP honors in twenty twelve. Was the
league's top scorer in two seasons, and entered the NYC
Basketball Hall of Fame as the head of the Class
(04:08):
of twenty twenty four, the first female to head a
class at any major basketball Hall of Fame, and the
first active player ever inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall
of Fame. Now, despite all of her success, Charles never
got the chance to play for a WNBA title. Congrats
on a hell of a career. Tina more W News
Schoolden State valkyriese guard Kate Martin was originally expected to
(04:29):
miss up to two weeks due to a right quad
strain sustained during a preseason game on April twenty eighth,
but the team is announced that Martin has been progressing
well and she'll now be reevaluated on a day to
day basis, leaving the door open for her to take
the court for the team's home opener on Friday. And
an update on sabrinian Escu, the New York Liberty Star,
is now expected to be out at least two weeks
nursing that foot injury suffered in the team's final preseason contest.
(04:54):
More W. Each team must submit its twelve player roster today,
so it's going to be a tough one for folks
who don't make the final cut. We've already seen a
handful of players waved or moved the last few days,
including the Chicago Sky Waving forward Matty Westbeld, who appeared
in twenty six games for the team in her rookie
season last year. Over on the West Coast, the La
Sparks waved guard Sevgiya Zun and guard Julie vanlu Meantime,
(05:16):
Chloe Bibbie has been traded from the Portland Fire to
the Phoenix Mercury and dukelum Tyana Mayor has been signed
as a Seattle Storm developmental player, just a few days
after the team waived her man. Start of the season
is just one day away, and it's kind of feeling
like those infomercials that used to play at night. You know,
it's ten pm. Do you know where your children are?
Except it's the eve of season tip off? Do you
(05:37):
know where your favorite players are? More w ploy wait
for Navisakllier to get healthy and make headlines again with
her play, We'll settle for her dropping gems and interviews
about the league. In an interview with NPR Steve Inskeepe
that aired on Wednesday, Klier talked about the new WNBA contract,
the upcoming season and her future in basketball. Now, we'll
link to the full interview in the show notes, but
(05:58):
we got to point out one part that left us dead.
When Inskeep reminded Klier that she had called league commissioner
Kathy Engelbert, quote unquote the worst leadership in the world,
Collier softened her stance a little, saying, quote, thinking about
the state of the world right now, I think that's
a little dramatic. Yeah, fair, I mean, last I heard,
Kathy wasn't clearing a path so miners could use tanning
(06:20):
beds while simultaneously discouraging them from getting the measles vaccine.
And she's not, you know, an alleged rapist pedophile to
college hoops. In a rare off season press availability on Monday,
Yukon head coach Gino Oriama was asked about his heated
postgame exchange with Game Cox coach John Staley during the
NCAA Tournament last month. Now, he avoided the first question
(06:41):
about the exchange, refusing to shed light on what conversations
have happened since then, but when asked again to reflect
on his actions, he opened up a bit.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
Take a listen, when I walked in the locker room
afterwards with the coaches. It was, you know, you're just
shaking your head, going, you know, on five more seconds.
You know, you couldn't keep it in for five more second,
So you know, you just feel like a dumbass, you know,
for the way it played out. Yeah, we're all human
and we all do dumb shit.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
A reporter then asked Gino how he handled the public
backlash that followed. Here's part of his answer.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I didn't see a lot of it, but that's to
be expected, and I think that maybe some of it
was warranted and some of it was people have been
lying in the weeds waiting for that moment. Unfortunately, that's
the world that we that we live in today. You know,
it usually is one sided. I brought the criticism on myself.
I didn't bring the bullshit that came after that on myself.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Gino also said in the pressor that it's focus now
is on the twenty twenty six, twenty seventh season. Despite
the loss of two starters WNBA number one pick Asy
Fudd and Sarah Williams, the Huskies are expected to contend
for the title once again. To Volleyball, the Major League
Volleyball Championships start tonight in Frisco, Texas. The top four
teams enter the single elimination semifinals with their eyes on
(07:56):
the title and a one million dollar bonus. The actions
start with the number one in the Ignite taken on
the number four Omaha Supernova's at Comerica Center at seven
pm Eastern. After that game, the number two Dallas Pulse
will play the number three San Diego Mojo. The winners
of each game will face off in the finals at
three pm Eastern on Saturday. You can catch all the
postseason games on Ion to Tennis, where the pros are
(08:20):
calling out the upcoming French Open for what they call
a deeply disappointing prize pot Ahead of the tournament, tournament
organizers announced last month that this year's prize money was
increasing by about ten percent from last year for an
overall pot of seventy two point one million dollars. Sounds
pretty good, right, But some of the world's top players,
including world number one Arena Sabalnka and number four Coco Golf,
(08:41):
are pointing out that the increase isn't in line with
the increased revenue the tournament is bringing.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
In.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
In a statement on Monday, the group of players said quote,
player's share of role on Garrow's tournament revenue has declined
from fifteen and a half percent in twenty twenty four
to fourteen point nine percent projected in twenty twenty six
end quote. Then on tuesday press conference in Rome, ahad
of the Italian Open. So I made the stakes clear.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Take a listen when you see the number and you
see the amount that the player is receiving, and I
feel like the show is on us. I feel like
without us, there wouldn't be a tournament and it wouldn't
be that entertainment. So I feel like, definitely we deserve
to be paid more percentage.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
And I just really hope that.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
With all of the negotiations that we're having, we at
some point we're going to get to the right decision,
to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
As you say, you're the show, how far do you
think it could go? Do you think players would ever
threaten to boycott and not play to I think at
some point we will boycote it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I feel like that's going to be the only way
to kind of like fight for our rights.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Now, this is just the latest in an ever growing
list of public complaints made by players over the last
few years about not just compensation, but also the length
of the season and a lack of rest and recovery time.
We got to pay the bills when we come back.
We break down the Eastern Conference for part one of
the shoot Around. Welcome back Slices, and welcome to the
(10:15):
shoot Around Part one. Today we're doing WNBA Eastern Conference
teams presented in order based on their regular season finish
last year. The Atlanta Dream The story of last season.
The Dream finished this season thirty and fourteen under new
head coach and w first timer Carl Smesco, the best
season in franchise history and good for a tie for
(10:35):
the number two seed in the playoffs. The story of
this season. The Dream are no longer up and coming.
They've arrived and they expect to make a deep postseason run.
What looks different this year? Let's talk about notable losses
and additions. The team saw ten time All Star Britney
Griner depart for the Connecticut Sun in free agency, and
defensive specialists Maya Caldwell was lost to the Portland Fire
(10:56):
in the expansion Draft, but they added the MVP of
Australia's wnbl Isabelle Borlis, who averaged almost twenty three points
a game down Under, and six sixth center medda Ocott,
a rookie drafted number thirteen out of South Carolina. The
stars for this team, while the Dreams starting five for
much of last year were all free agents, but the
team was able to bring back all five Brianna Jones,
(11:19):
Ryan Howard, Jordan, Canada Nas Hillman and Ali Shagray. Hillman
came off the bench for enough games last year to
qualify for and win sixth Player of the Year, and
Gray improved from just an All Star to a legit
MVP candidate. The team also traded future draft picks to
the Chicago Sky to acquire two time All Star and
ferocious rebounder Angel Reese. Stats the dream led the league
(11:41):
in rebounds last year, and even though Brianna Jones is
set to miss time recovering from knee surgery, when she's back,
she and Reese are going to be a two headed
monster on the boards, likely keeping Atlanta at or near
the top of that category again. The dream were also
top five in points, assists, and blocks last season, and
they took care of the ball averaging the fewest turnovers
in the league last year. Some sounds from this team well,
(12:05):
Like I mentioned, the Dream will take the court this
season with Angel Freakin Reese, star forward, model, actor, entrepreneur,
met gala aficionado, pretty much all the things, and at
the Dreams opening press conference last month, Reese decided she
would shut down anyone who might say she isn't putting
basketball first.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
I wouldn't be here without basketball, and that's always going
to be my priority. I mean, I think anybody that
knows me knows that I put my work first, and
I'm going to put a hundred percent in anything I do.
And I'm here to who I'm a professional athlete, and
I know how to take care of my business and
everything off the court is off the court, but when
I come between the lines, it's about business, and I
think everybody knows that.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Tell them Angel. As for the stakes, well, after a
fantastic regular season in twenty twenty five, the Dream lost
to an injured but scrappy Indiana Fever squad in the
first round of the playoffs, a disappointing finish. They expect
nothing less than to contend for the championship this year
and The franchise is still looking for its first w tiitle,
so a win would be truly history, making the New
(13:03):
York Liberty. The story of last season, Well, the Liberty
suffered from a bit of a championship hangover, and it
was made worse by a whole bunch of injuries. They
ultimately secured the number five seed and got bounced in
the first round of the playoffs. The story of this season.
Can the Liberties star studded roster rediscover the magic of
their twenty twenty four title run and returned to greatness
(13:24):
under new leadership. What looks different this year? While it
starts with head coach Sandy Brondelo, who the front office
elected not to re up just one year after she
led the franchise to its first ever championship, she heads
to Toronto and the team turns to Chris DeMarco, who
helped the mnba's Golden State Warriors achieve dynasty status in
the twenty tens and early twenty twenties and will be
(13:45):
coaching women for the first time in his career. As
for players, niar Sable's gone lost to the Toronto Tempo
and the expansion Draft, but the Liberty added her sister,
the Unicorn Satu Sabai, fresh off of finals run with
the Phoenix Mercury. The team also so brought back Rebecca Allen,
who was last in New York in twenty twenty two,
and Han Chu, who fell out of the rotation in
(14:05):
twenty twenty three and spent the last two years getting stronger, smarter,
and somehow even taller. She's now six foot eleven. Benijel
Lane Hamilton missed all of last season to a knee injury,
so her return to the court and not just the
sidelines for this team is the equivalent of adding a
top player in free agency. The stars for this team
John Qwell Jones, Brianna Stewart and Sabrinian Escup. They all return,
(14:28):
and they each helped the squad by signing for one
point one to nine million instead of the one point
four million Supermax. They'll join Sobli, Landy Hamilton, Leoni Phoebitch
and Marine Johanns to make for a loaded Liberty Corps now.
After injuries derailed their season last year, there's been a
lot of talk of them needing depth, and they already
need to put it to use because Danescu will miss
(14:48):
at least the first couple games of the season with
an ankle injury. Let's talk stats for this team. Last season,
the Liberty were top five in points, field goal percentage,
three point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, and blocks the
most important stat though, because of injuries. They're big three
of Stuart, Jones and Unescu played just fifteen games and
two hundred and thirty four total minutes on the court together.
(15:09):
Staying healthy this year will be key. Two more numbers
to ponder, six and four, as in six foot four.
The Liberty starting lineup of Joanes, Stuart, Sabii, Phoebich and
Unescu is huge, six foot four and up for everyone
but Unescu. Let's get to some sound then. Because training
camp a few weeks ago, Stewie brought up that height advantage,
(15:31):
specifically what it means to have six foot four Satu
Sabli joined the team.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
I'm really happy to have Satsu here. I think that
it is a long time coming because we were up
on her lists pretty high in last year's free agency.
But she's someone wants to learn, you know. I'm gonna
help guide her in whatever way she needs and her
to bring her versatility and offensive and defensive prowess to
our team is really exciting. And obviously the fact that
(15:56):
she's back healthy is the number one thing. So we're
going to be tall. It'd be very tall, which is
cool and yeah, let's see.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
What happens tall indeed scary times for the rest of
the league. Finally, what are the stakes for the Liberty
this year? Well, with the talent on this roster, anything
other than a title is a disappointment. All eyes will
be on De Marco and whether the team was right
to move on from two time WNBA Championship winning coach
Sandy Brondelo the Indiana Fever. The story of last season
(16:24):
for the Fever was injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Last
year's postseason run, featuring a bunch of subs and mid
season pickups, was a remarkable show of grit and teamwork.
So the story of this season is with Caitlin Clark
back healthy and most of last year's team returning, the
Fever get a chance to redo last season, but now
with even bigger expectations. What looks different this year? Well,
(16:47):
let's talk notable losses and additions for Indiana. Natasha Howard
and Branda Turner left in free agency to sign with
the Links and the Aces, respectively, while Chloe Bibby and
Christy Wallace were lost to the expansion Draft. The Fever
did add South Carolin is Raven Johnson, who they selected
at number ten in the draft, and they're going to
look to her immediately for energy and defensive pressure. Johnson
can also bring the ball up and keep Clark from
(17:09):
taking a beating just getting the ball to half court.
The Fever also added the Valkyrie's Moe Billings and the
Wings Maisha Heinz Allen and Ty Harris in free agency.
Billings notably played with Clark and Mitchell on tam Usa
this offseason. The stars of this team, well, the big
three of Kelsey Mitchell, Aleah Boston, and Caitlin Clark, are
all healthy and ready to go. Lexi Hall and Sophie
(17:30):
Cunningham returned this season as well. Stats last season, the
Fever were top five in points, field goal percentage, three
point percentage, and steals, but they were in the bottom
five in rebounding, free throw percentage, and blocks. They'll need
to improve on defense. The Fever were eighth in points
allowed per game and ninth in opponent field goal percentage.
Oh and one more stat forty four. As in all,
(17:53):
forty four of the Fever's games will be broadcast nationally
this season. Some sound from this team. If folks wondered
how rookie Raven Johnson would fit in with this Fever squad,
she sounds real comfortable. Take a listen to her answering
a question about her new coach, Stephanie White. Oh she's funny.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Oh don't know how it is, but her wife's chants
and pregnant moatther day and I'm like, hey, you got taste.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
But shout out to Lisa salters Man, you got the
Raven Johnson sealed approval. The stakes for this Fever team Well,
Indiana was one overtime period away from making the finals
last year, despite Caitlin Clark's sidelined in street clothes. They're
hungry for another shot, especially knowing how previous teams with
back to back number one picks have fared in this league.
(18:40):
The Saddle Storm in twenty four and twenty eighteen and
the Las Vegas Aces in twenty twenty two each won
a title within three seasons of having back to back
overall number one draft picks, So, with Boston and Clark
selected number one in twenty twenty three and twenty twenty four, respectively,
the Fever are on the clock and hoping to repeat
the pattern the Washington Mystics. Well. The story of last
(19:02):
season was that the twenty twenty five Mystics were clearly
in the first year of a rebuild. They finished with
a sixteen and twenty eight record and their eyes firmly
on the future all season long. The story this season
They've got a very young team, still in a rebuild,
with a bit of a lopsided roster that they'll have
to figure out. So what looks different for the Mystics
this year? More than half the team is new via
(19:24):
the draft just a few days before season tip off.
There are ten rookies in Mystics camp, including UCLA stars
Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalleach taken at number four and
number nine respectively, and number eleven pick Cody McMahon out
of Ole. Miss Georgia Amore might as well be part
of the twenty twenty six rookie class after an acl
tair sidelined her before she could even get started last year,
(19:45):
though she will have a leg up on the first years,
having had a season to watch and learn from the bench.
The team also added veteran Mikaela Onionuede, who spent the
last two seasons with the Chicago Sky and was an
assistant coach for UCLA's national title run, so she's worked
with Bets and Dougallee. Meantime, the Mystics traded j C.
Sheldon to Chicago, Steph Dolson and Jade Melbyn left for
(20:05):
Seattle in free agency, Alicia Clark left a sign with
the Wings, and Emily Engstler went to Portland in the
expansion draft. So the stars of this team are last
year's rookie standouts Kiki Eriefen and Sonya Citron, both all
stars in their first season. They joined fifth year vet
Shakira Austin to form the core of this very young team.
The stats well, the Mystics were bottom three in the
(20:26):
league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals last season, and
they were dead last and three pointers attempted per game
just over seventeen a game, but they didn't add any
three point threats or shooters at all for that matter,
in the offseason. Also, their youth showed up when it
came to taking care of the ball, they finished with
the second highest turnover rate in the league. More numbers
to Know two as in the number of players on
(20:48):
the Mystics with more than one year of experience in
the w Austin and Onionwayde and six the number of
first round draft picks from the last two seasons that
are on the roster of this team. While Kiki erie
E Fence spoke to the team's youth during a press
conference on Monday, she said she learned a lot in
her rookie season and that'll make her a better player
this time around.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
I'm just a competitor, and I feel like this level really.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Taught me that. Like in college, you are a competitor,
but when you go to like.
Speaker 6 (21:16):
A great program and a great team, like you're expected
to win, so you don't have so many moments where
you're losing to people. But here everybody is so talented,
like you're seeing ten of you, so it's really hard
to win. And I think that's when I really saw
how competitive I am. Like, losing is not fun, but
winning is really really hard. So just having to you know,
(21:38):
maybe not have the outcome you have one night and
then forty eight hours later. You have to be your
best self again to play another great team. Just that
competitive spirit in that fire I think really came out
of me last season.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
The youth of this team is going to make them
exciting and high energy, but there will be some mistakes
to iron out for sure. Stakes of this team, well,
the stakes and expectations are fairly low for the Mystic,
but year two of the rebuild does need to be
about more than just continuing to develop young talent. The
team needs to find an identity. With a logjam in
the paint with Eriefen, Austin, and Betts all battling for
(22:11):
minutes and a dearth of shooters, this team's not going
anywhere until there's a better built roster. The Connecticut Sun
The story of last season. The twenty twenty five son
were the first team in WNBA history to lose its
entire starting lineup between the last playoff game at the
previous season and the start of a new season. So
they started fresh, finished the season eleven and thirty three,
and missed out on the playoffs for the first time
(22:33):
in eight years. The story of this season. One year later,
the team is somehow even more rudderless they'll play out
the year, cleverly named their Sunset season, knowing that next
year brings new ownership and a relocation to Houston, and
potentially a new head coach too. Second year man Rashid
Mezzin has already been announced as the coach for EuroLeague
team Galatasaray in the fall, and he's not likely to
(22:55):
be able to do both jobs and what looks different
this year. While Marina Maybrey is going, she was left
unprotected and snagged by the Tempo in the expansion draft.
Lindsay Allen chose to leave for Dallas, and veteran Tina
Charles just announced her retirement this week. Diamond Miller arrived
to the sun via trade with Dallas, and they also
added vetts via free agency, Kennedy Burke, Shape Petty, and
(23:15):
most notably ten time All Star Britney Griner, who's a
Houston native and presumably hoping to stick around through the
relocation so she can finish her career at home. The
team also added talent via the draft, including grabbing two
national champs in UCLA's Gianna Neepkins and Charlie Sledger Walker.
Also French forward Nell Angloma the stars of this team,
while the Sun returned their young core, all on rookie
(23:37):
contracts Aliah Edwards, Senaia Rivers, Anissa Morrow, and French star
Leila Laken who arrived mid season last year but had
a big impact, and of course Griner is still a
game changer and a draw for fans. Stats, the Sun
were bottom two in the league in points, field goal percentage,
three point percentage, rebounds, and assists. With one of the youngest,
(23:58):
most unproven rosters in the league, It's yet to be
seen which of their young could be stars steps up
to help improve those numbers. Another number to know twenty four,
as in twenty four seasons of Connecticut Sun basketball coming
to an end after this season sounds well. One thing
we can count on. According to the Connecticut Sun's Instagram
is a whole lot of b G and Sanaia Rivers
(24:20):
content throughout the season. The team posted a video during
training camp showing the duo goofing around with six foot
nine Griner making six to one Rivers look like a
true little This is my bodyguard and nobody is even more.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
Yeah back up, yeah, I wish you would, I wish
you I wish you about.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Help that pick, and we out. We can't wait for
all of these antics. The stakes for this team. Expectations
are low, but the stakes are high when it comes
to respect. This team somehow needs to find a way
to give loyal Sun fans the goodbye they deserve, even
though everyone knows this is sort of a lame duck season.
As for the future, if they struggle, at least Houston
(25:07):
fans can look forward to a fresh start featuring a
big name draft pick like Juju Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo
the Chicago Sky. The story of last season for the Sky.
The twenty twenty five team finished the season tied for
dead last in the league at ten and thirty four,
with locker room turmoil and a disgruntled second year star
Angel Reese with one foot already out the door. The
(25:29):
story of this season. Yet another Sky star departed before
her contract was up. That's Reese, But the team didn't
just lick its wounds this time. It actually added feisty,
exciting talent in free agency. So what looks different this year?
A whole lot departures and additions marked this Sky off season.
Reese went to Atlanta in a trade and Beck Allen, Mikhaela,
(25:49):
Onionwade and Kia Nurse left in free agency.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
J C.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Sheldon arrived via trade with the Mystics, and second year
standout Rakia Jackson arrived via trade with the Sparks that
sent Aeriel act Kins to LA. Free agent additions were
huge for the Sky Skyler Diggins, as A, Ray Stevens,
dj A Carrington, and Natasha Cloud all joined the team,
and they also added some promising draft talent in Gabriella
Hakez out of UCLA. The stars for this team Diggins, Stevens, Jackson,
(26:17):
and Cloud joined third year center Camilla Cardoso to form
the core, and at some point in the season, veteran
point guard Courtney Vanderslut will turn from acl tair that
sidelined her for almost all of last season. Now, the
jury still out on how all these stars in the
Sky will fit together, but this team will be entertaining,
that's for sure. Stats for this team. While Chicago was
tied for last in the league in points last year
(26:38):
and finished the season tops and turnovers, they were second
in rebounds thanks to Reese, who won't be around to
save him on the boards this year. It's tough to
base anything off of last year's numbers, though, as an
almost entirely different team will step on the court this season,
but it is still worth mentioning one notable number, infinity,
which feels like the number of stars who have asked
out of Chicago before their contracts were up, from Molina
(27:00):
Dela Dan to Sylvia Fowls to Kalia Copper and this
year Angel Reese. Let's hope the influx of free agents
choosing to come to Chicago this offseason means things are
changing in the Windy City sound. I am very excited
as a Chicago Sky fan for this new look Sky squad,
but I'm also a little worried about some of the
newbies after watching the team's recent We listen, but we
(27:21):
don't judge social video, specifically Djana's lip gloss trick and
Rakia's food choices. Okay, we listen and we don't judge.
Speaker 3 (27:29):
Sometimes big games, I'll play with some lipgloss tucked in
my spandex so that at any moment I can reapply.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
We listen, but we don't judge. Sugar goes on mac
and cheese and spaghetti. Period. We listen, and who are
you Rikia, Buddy the Elf. The stakes for the Sky
team well, angry fans like yours truly definitely softened when
the Sky followed up the Reese trade with a handful
of blockbusters acquisitions, moves that should make the team, at
(28:02):
the very least super fun and exciting to watch and
at best a playoff squad. Jury's out on which one
it'll be. The Toronto Tempo. The story of last season,
there wasn't one. Last year. The Tempo were in planning
mode for their debut season. The story of this season,
while matching the Golden State Valkyrie's first year postseason run,
may not be realistic, but establishing Toronto as a women's
(28:25):
hoop city and a free agent destination well just might
be what looks different this year. While there are actually
players in those Bordeaux colored jerseys, namely the folks they
acquired via the Expansion Draft, including Marina Maybray, Julia Alamond
and Niarasabli, the team also grabbed twenty twenty five All
Star Britney Sikes, Tammy fag Benley, Isabel Harrison, and Canada
(28:46):
native Kia Nurse all in free agency. They also grabbed
UCLA's Keky Rice, who headlined their Tempo draft class the
stars of this team. While we'll start with head coach
Sandy Brondello, a two time WNBA Championship winning coach who
is certainly one of the team stars. She'll try to
make Pikes, mabray alamand and more household names in Toronto Stats.
(29:06):
Two stats before the team has ever even played a
regular season game. First eight two hundred and ten. That's
the number of fans who packed Coca Cola Coliseum for
the Tempo's home preseason game. Second forty one and a
half million. It's the population of Canada, all of them
potential Toronto Tempo fans if the team plays its cards right.
(29:26):
Sounds While I caught up with coach Brondela last November
to hear what it was about the Tempo that made
her want to jump on board. Here's what she said.
Speaker 7 (29:33):
Took my time in the process and make sure it
was the right fit. And I feel like Toronto is
and you know, at the stage of my career, I'm
a little older now, I've been around a while, I've
won two championships, but I've never you know, coached an
expansion team. And what really sold me was you know,
in a whole different country, so it's not just Toronto's team,
it's Canada's team.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
And yeah, I think my experience, like you said.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
Just being an international coach, have played around the world,
coached around the world. But I am also the Australian
head coach, so I know what that's like when you're
playing for the whole country, not just for the city,
and the expectations that come with that.
Speaker 1 (30:09):
I can't think of a much better situation for an
expansion team than having a coach like Brondelo on the sideline.
The stakes for this team. Expectations are always pretty low
for expansion teams when it comes to record, so the
wins for the Tempo will be mostly in attendance, awareness, enthusiasm,
and having enough success and promise to draw free agents
up north next season. We made it slices. We're halfway
(30:31):
through all fifteen w teams. You may want to download
or maybe save this episode to refer back to as
the season gets going. It's a lot of info to remember,
but we did hear from some of you that we're
a comfort show of sorts. So what's more comforting than
being reminded of the hope that prevails at the start
of every new season. All right, we got to take
a break when we return. We love when slices sing
(30:53):
our praises, especially when they're doing it on TV. Welcome
back Slices. With the lights perhaps brightest on opening night.
The players of the w are certainly feeling the pressure
ahead of tomorrow's season tip off. Here's a message from
Colgate and the Colgate Women's Games about pushing through doubt
(31:16):
to find confidence on the other side. It's remarkable the
number of ways doubt can pop up when we put
ourselves out there as athletes, vulnerable to criticism, vulnerable to failure.
We might doubt whether we're as fast or strong as
the person next to us, whether we could push through
pressure to succeed when the lights are brightest, whether we
can find an extra gear at the end of a race,
(31:38):
or calm our nerves to hit that game winning free throw.
Self doubt can paralyze us. But the incredible thing about
self doubt is that the resilience you find within yourself
to come out on the other side of it can
prove to be a powerful reminder for future moments of
fear or uncertainty. Doubt fuels you, sends you on a
mission to find strength within, and when you're smiling at
(31:59):
the finish line, we're celebrating. After that final buzzer, you
know you've pushed beyond what you believed you could do.
The next time you're at the foul line, the starting line,
or the starting blocks, you remember the moments you found
success before to find doubt, to push ahead and win.
For over fifty years, Colgate has supported the Colgate Women's Games,
(32:19):
giving women and girls a sense of personal achievement and
self esteem, plus the chance to earn scholarships to pursue
a healthier, brighter future. In total, five thousand academic scholarships
totally more than one and a half million dollars have
been awarded through the Colgate Women's Games. Now that's something
to smile about. We love that you're listening slices, but
(32:39):
we want you to get in the game every day too.
So here's our good game play of the day. Watch
the WNBA. Yeah, I mean, if we haven't convinced you
by now, frankly, that sounds like a you problem. But
put the games on your calendar, make those plans in
the group chat, whatever it takes. You're not going to
want to miss this historic thirtieth season. We always love
to hear from you, so us up on email Good
(33:00):
Game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail
at eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy, and
don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy. Watch
Minnesota Aurora FC president Sara has soon spreading the gospel
of Good Game, rating ten out of ten for execution
checks in the mail. Sara review on a recent edition
(33:21):
of Watch Read Listen on Minnesota's KSTPTV. Hasson chose Good
Game as her listen recommendation. She said, in part quote,
I had to shout out our community owner Sarah Spain here,
but also just a phenomenal voice in women's sports. Sarah
does a really good job of mixing entertainment and humor
with a lot of really good information about women's sports.
So I've heard so many of my friends because I
(33:43):
talk about this all the time. So many of my
non sports friends have started listening to Good Game, and
she just does such a good job. It's such an
easy entry point. You don't have to be an expert,
you don't have to know everything. I always just feel
so much more informed about what's happening, and it's great.
End quote. She then all so deemed our podcast teen
appropriate and said I was, quote the perfect role model
(34:04):
for that space. You just gotta, you know, ignore the foks. Right,
We'll link to Sara's review. I'm sorry the TV segment
in the show notes. If you want to check it
out now, it's your turn. Y'all rate and review, Thanks
you listen, See you tomorrow for all the story Steake, stats,
stars and sounds for the Western Conference of the WNBA.
(34:25):
Good Game. All the GMS presidents, agents and marketing folks
working to make this thirtieth w season great Good Game
WNBA legend. Tina Charles for your incredible career, Hugh. The
fact that in the thirteen hours between recording this episode
and it being published, even more players could get cut,
making our thoughtfully research previews partly inaccurate. Good Game with
(34:50):
Sarah Spain is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are Alex Azzi
and Bianca Hillier. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz,
Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder,
(35:10):
Lucy Jones, Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistant from
Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain
Host
Sarah Spain
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