August 29, 2025 • 44 mins
Women’s basketball writer and podcast host Jordan Robinson joins Sarah to preview the final two weeks of the WNBA regular season and dole out a team-by-team scouting report. What is Minnesota’s biggest weakness? Is this version of the Aces the real thing? And which lower seeds most deserve to make the postseason? Plus, the US Open gets heated, a social media troll f***s around and finds out, and we send our best wishes to the future Mrs. and Mr. Swift.
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Watch the heated exchange between Townsend and Ostapenko here
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The WNBA schedule is here
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The NWSL schedule can be found here
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where I'm trying
to figure out how not to put my entire life
in a suitcase. An African safari means small planes and
small bags, and I'm struggling. Just once, I'd love to
check a bag that weighs like seventy pounds and have
someone else carry it. Of course, It's Friday, August twenty ninth.
The Happy Friday Slices on today's show will be getting
(00:23):
you ready for the home stretch of the WNBA season
With Women's basketball writer, podcast host, self proclaimed professional yapper,
and friend of the show Jordan Robinson. We dish on
the teams at the top as the postseason approaches, the
streaking aces, the battle for the six, seven, eight spots,
and more, plus a heated moment at the US Open.
We send our best wishes to mister and missus Swift,
and a social media troll surround and finds out it's
(00:45):
all coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Right after this.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Welcome Back Slices, Happy Fria, Here's what you need to
know today.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
In tennis news.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
On Wednesday, Taylor Townsend picked up a second round upset
win at the US Open seven five six' to one
over world number twenty Five Elena. Ostapenco It's townsend's second
victory Over ostapenco in a short period of. Time she
also defeated her in straight sets at The National Bank
open In toronto earlier this.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Month it was a.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Good, win but it's the exchange that the two shared
following the match that's making. Headlines After townshend's, win the
two shook hands with each other and the chair, official
and then started talking and then. Shouting at one, Point
ostapenco pointed demonstratively At townsend and at the, court but
neither party back. Down crowd got into it, too dishing
out a cascade of. Booze video can show you better
(01:44):
than we can tell, you so we'll just link to
a clip of the whole situation in our show, notes
but we will tell you that in the postmatch on court.
Interview townsend shared this with THE. Espn, YEAH i, mean you,
know it's.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Competition people get upset when they, lose and you can
some people say bad. THINGS i have no, CLASS i
have no, education and to see what happens when we
get outside THE.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Us Matthew futterman Of The New York times described the
mid match incident that seemed to Inspire ostapenko's comments in
a story On, thursday writing, quote late in the first,
Set ostapenko prepared to close into the, Net townshend fired
a groundstroke that ticked the net and looped up into the,
air Sending ostapenko scrambling to lever the ball over the
net from just in front of. It it Gave, townsend
(02:24):
who said she was shocked the ball went over and
easy put. Away in the heat of the, moment she
celebrated her good fortune and rode the momentum into the
next point and on to the victory For, ostapenko the
perceived snub of an apology lingered to the end of
the match and into the furious altercation end. Quote, now
apologizing for a net cord when the ball hits the
net and then goes over is very common in, tennis
(02:45):
but it is not required by, rule And townshend is
neither the first to skip the apology nor the first
to be criticized for skipping, It but many in the
sport acknowledge how silly and unnecessary it is to apologize
for what's ostensibly a lucky. Point of, course the language
that ostapenco used about the perceived snub seemed racially. Coded
townsend was asked in the postmatch press conference whether she
(03:06):
believed that the comments were racially.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Inspired take a.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
LISTEN i can't speak on how she felt about. It
that's something that you're going to have to ask. HER
i didn't take it in that. Way but, also you,
know that has been a stigma in our community of you,
know being non educated in all the things when it's
the furthest thing from the truth and the most the
thing That i'm the most proud of is.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
THAT i let my racket talk because.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Ultimately i'm the one here sitting in front of you,
guys moving on to the next, round getting the next,
check moving, on being able to still be here and
speak to you. Guys and that's what's the most. Important
she's packed up and she's, Gone i'm.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Here after the, Match astapanco made a statement of her
own on social, media posting to Her instagram story that
she quote told my opponent that she was very disrespectful
as she had a netball and a very deciding moment
and didn't say sorry at. All there are some rules
in tennis that most of the players, follow and it
was first time that happened to me on. Tour if
she plays in her, homeland it doesn't mean that she
can behave and do whatever she.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Wants end.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Quote we're all welcome to pick a side on the
net court, dispute but either, Way townsend advances to the
third round and will face world number Five Mira. Andreva
TO Wnba, news don't call it a. Comeback after dropping
as low as ninth in the league standings back In,
july The Las Vegas aces clinched a playoff birth and
sole possession of second place in the standings with an
(04:25):
eighty one seventy five road win over The Atlanta dream
On wednesday. Night Asia wilson continued stack in stats for
HER mvp campaign in this, one Leading vegas with thirty
four points and ten. Boards Jackie young also put on a,
show notching ten, points a career high tying eleven rebounds
and ten, asis good for her second triple double this.
Season Watching vegas claw their way back towards the top
(04:46):
has been so much, fun and there are a handful
of teams hoping to do the. Same in the last
couple weeks of the, season every squad in the w
has less than ten games left, now and eight teams
are in the mix for the final six playoff, spots
so teams out of the running as of this.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Recording buckle, up.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Y'all speaking of teams trying to make the, playoffs The
Golden State valkyries are currently seventh in the standings and
hoping to stay in the. Pack head Coach Natalie nicasse
has helped the first year franchise to fight all. Expectations
they've won nineteen games this. Season that's good for the
most dubs by an expansion squad in league.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
History now worth noting that each.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Team in the w is playing forty four games for
the first time this, season but that's still a lot of,
wins especially the big wins That nicase squad has racked
up over teams like The, Aces, Dream Indiana, fever And
Seattle storm have turned heads And nicasse herself has two
in immediate. Scrum On, wednesday she was asked about being
a front runner For coach of The. Year take a
listen to her, Response no one really.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Cares, Honestly i'm just being dead Us, like our goal
is to make the. Playoffs, okay that's our. Goal but
WHEN i actually to think about, it it should be
coaching staff of the. Year Like i'm not doing the
scouting on my. Own i'm not doing the player development
on my. Own you, Know i'm not doing the film
work where they have to individually do it with their.
(06:03):
Players not doing this on my. Own so it shouldn't
be coach of the. Year it should be coaching staff
of The. Year and you, know if that ends up,
again it doesn't really. Matter but like it's credit to my.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Staff dead. ASS i love.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It, listen she's keeping the main thing the main. Thing
more on the basketball, court two games, tonight both On
ion And League. Pass at seven Thirty, eastern The Dallas
wings pay a visit to The dream hoping to play
spoiler for the number three team in the. League atlanta's
hanging on to that number three spot by a, thread
only a half game up on The Phoenix. Mercury then
at ten Pm, eastern it's The La sparks host in
(06:40):
The Indiana, fever who are sitting at sixth in the,
standings just a half game ahead of The. Valkyries since
in a theme, here that's, right this playoff race is,
tight we'll link to the remaining regular season schedule in
our show notes MORE wnba. News AND i hate THAT
i even have to say, this but you may have
heard by now that there was yet another mass shooting
On wednesday, morning this one At Annunciation Catholic, school a
(07:02):
preschool through fifth grade primary school In. Minneapolis two children
aged eight and ten were killed and seventeen, others mostly,
children were. Wounded an immediate scrum On, Wednesday Minnesota link's
head Coach Cheryl reeve was asked about the, shooting which
happened less than seven miles From Target, center where The
Minnesota links play their home. Games here's what she had to.
Speaker 5 (07:22):
Say it's you, know to have you, know our staff
that has.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Kids we drop our kids off to, school.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
Texting with my mom, saying you, know, mom when we
would go to, school we trained for. Tornadoes kiss today
trained for after. Students it's such an indictment of our
society and our lack of regard for. Life there are
things that we can do about, it and we, know
(07:55):
but for some, reason As, americans we value sick the
goods staff for the hiss world safford, hilt.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Not know one's going to. Happen well said By Cheryl
reeve In footy plenty OF nwsl action to catch this.
Weekend there are still nine match weeks left in the regular,
season but believe it or, not On, saturday The Kansas
City current could become the first team to mathematically clinch
a playoff. Spot Kansas city has a record of fourteen,
wins one draw and two losses so far this, year
(08:33):
with one of those losses coming against The North Carolina,
courage who they play again On. Saturday there are also
FOUR nwsl games, tonight starting With Racing louisville and in
The Houston dash at seven Thirty eastern that'll stream ON Nwsl.
Plus then at eight The Orlando pride square off With
GOTHAM fc On Prime, video and capping things off two
contests at ten thirty Eastern Seattle rain Versus San Diego
(08:54):
wave and The Portland thorns playing The Utah. Royals both
those games are ON Nwsl plus And Paramount plus. Well
link to the FULL nwsl schedule in our show notes
and some more soccer. NEWS a fifty nine year old
man was arrested yesterday in relation to online racist abuse
sent To England's Jess carter during the twenty twenty Five
Euros you might recall us telling you That, carter who
also plays for THE nwsl Side GOTHAM, fc shared a
(09:17):
statement about the abuse on social media back In. July she,
said in, part quote hopefully speaking out will make the
people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't
have to deal with.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It end.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Quote while it appears her speaking out has sparked some,
action the man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications
after an investigation by THE Uk Football Policing, unit per
a police news. Release he has since been released under.
Investigation All, Right seys, says you heard me mention my
vacation in the, open WHICH i am so excited. For
(09:47):
i'm hitting the road for An african adventure with my
mom and Super Slice Hobby, brad which means today's show
will be our last normal show for a few. Weeks
but don't. Fret we've got some incredible episodes slotted in
the next Two mondays and when days to keep your
company while we're. Away just you, know little names Like Robin.
Roberts i've said too. Much you'll just have to wait
(10:08):
and see what we serve y up. Slices just know
it'll be. Good we'll get back to regularly scheduled every
day programming On, Monday september, fifteenth hopefully with a few
fun tales From Cape town And botswana to. Share as,
always we thank you for sticking with, us and if
you're anything like, me we hope this inspires you to
plan a vacation because you deserve a. BREAK i think
we know that we all deserve a. Break speaking, of
(10:32):
we got to take one when we come. Back my
chat with hoops journalist Extraordinaire Jordan, robinson see you on
the other.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Side joining us now for a third.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Time a member of the rare three timers club here
On Good. Games she's host of The Women's Hoops show
podcast formerly known As queens of The. Court she does
bi WEEKLY wnba chats as part of the new Br,
creer and she's a host for The Women's Sports. Network
she co authored a book with friend of the Show Emma,
bacalari coming out In march of twenty twenty, six Called
Court Queen Welcome.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Back Jordan. Robinson, Hi, Jordan.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
Hi thanks for having me. BACK i love being part
of a rare. Club love.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It, yeah did you pick up any new jobs since
you were last? HERE i feel like every time you.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Have i'm trying to.
Speaker 7 (11:23):
Think, WELL i did complete a season of my radio
show Called She's Got next With Jordan, robinson which was
all about women's, sports and it was. Awesome we just
finished our last. Episode it was kind of like in
between football. Season so now that football season's picking back.
Up but that was so much, fun so.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Amazing, yeah you're everywhere another. Job, yeah we love, It
we love.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It so our show is taking a little break SO
i can take a trip with my mom and my.
Hobby so we're going to be out for two weeks
of some real JUICY wnb. Action we're still gonna have,
shows but we won't be keeping up day to day with.
Everything so we're going to rely on your sort of
encyclopedic knowledge of everything women's basketball to set us up
for this final. Stretch make sure we got to have
our storylines and all of our controversies, sorted and that
(12:11):
we know what to expect over the next few weeks of. Action,
now we're recording this On, Thursday august twenty, eighth which
means there are just two weeks left until THE wnba
regular season. Ends as of this, moment two teams of
clinch playoff. Spots The Minnesota links and The Las Vegas.
Cass three teams are already out The Connecticut's, On Chicago
sky And Dallas, wings which means they're eight teams in
(12:32):
the mix.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
For the final six playoff.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Spots we're going to get to that mix in a,
minute but FIRST i want to start at the. TOP
i want to start with The Minnesota. Links they have
the best record in the. League they've pretty much had
the best record all. Season they weathered the loss Of
visacalia for seven. Games they've kept basketball the main, thing
even as the stud buds are popping off and becoming media.
Darlings they've got new, Owners they've got a NEW, CEO
(12:55):
i Think prouble the, mascot got a new. Tricycle everything is,
changing and yet it doesn't. Matter they look teflon. Strong
so what is the weakness of The Minnesota Links?
Speaker 7 (13:05):
Who that is a great. QUESTION i don't know if
too many people have figured that part out. Yet AND
i think we all thought it was going to. Be,
oh they don't have no feast of, caller they don't
have THEIR mvp front. Runner that's this is the. Time
if we were going to beat The. Links this would
be the time when she was out for what almost three,
(13:26):
weeks but that.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Also proved not to be.
Speaker 7 (13:29):
True they had a winning record without. Her they were
still able to stay afloat do more than just hold.
ON i think The Minnesota links are at their best
when they are moving the ball and turning teams, over
and so when you have seen them. STRUGGLE i think
their worst game was The Commissioner's cup. Game the brightest,
(13:51):
stage the brightest, lights the most, money the most money
on the. Line you, Know Courtney williams wanted that, money
and their offense was really, stagnant and The Indiana fever
were taking care of the, ball and both of those
things kind of are the kryptonite to The Minnesota links
because they can't get into their offensive, flow which is
(14:13):
mostly run off of fast breaks and then they lead
in team. Assists they want to pass the, ball they
want to move it. Around it's like the old School
San Antonio. Spurs they want the ball moving AND i
Know Cheryl read wants. That so when you start seeing
people go one on, one when you start kind of
one shot jacket, up one pass jacket, up that's where
(14:37):
they can kind of get into, Trouble so defenses make
sure you want that to. Happen pressure them so that
they can feel out of sorts and feel.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Rushed all, right that's a good scouting. Report we'll see
if anyone can actually make it. Work it's been tough
so far all season.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Long noone's done, it so they do what they want to,
do all.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Right so we've got The Las Vegas, aces who many
all but gave up on after a terrible start to the.
Season they have ridden a twelve game win streak all
the way up to second. Place right, Now Asia wilson's
tearing it. Up Jackie young And Chelsea gray showing, Out
Jewel lloyd taking one for the, team learning how to
come up off the. Bench Melissa smith a solid. Edition
(15:16):
is this the Real aces this last twelve games or?
So or are they still susceptible to the inconsistencies that
we saw earlier this?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
YEAR i think this is the Real.
Speaker 7 (15:28):
Aces this is The aces we were expecting from the,
Beginning AND i think that's what a lot of the
disappointment and the questions were from the beginning of the,
year because we.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Were, like, wait this doesn't make.
Speaker 7 (15:45):
Sense they're supposed to be on, paper they are supposed
to be winning. Games they are supposed to be you,
Know asia is supposed to be Doing asia, things which
that hasn't. Changed she's been doing that all season. Long
but it was everyone else not playing the, role not
living up to the. Hype so now that they, are it's, Like,
(16:05):
okay this is what.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
We thought was going to happen from the.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
Jump it just took you guys a little bit to
now get, here and it had. To they had to
go through a huge embarrassment to get. Here that fifty
three point loss against The Minnesota lynx that's the last
time they, lost And asia became more, vocal became more
of a vocal. LEADER i don't think anyone would say
(16:31):
that she isn't a leader just from what she does
night in and night. Out but she, said do not
come here if you are not embarrassed off of that,
loss like it needed to be a culture, shift AND
i think that's what we all, saw like something just seems.
Off not everybody is really hype to be, here what
are the?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Roles?
Speaker 7 (16:52):
Like it was just a lot of question, Marks and
NOW i feel like those questions have been answered and
this is The aces team THAT i was predicting to
be one of these top top teams THAT i had
given up on before The All star, break and they
approved everyone wrong who was giving up on. Them i'm
(17:13):
this has been one of my favorite stories all season,
long of their complete and utter.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Turnaround. YEAH i think you're right on so many.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
THINGS i do think maybe we didn't put enough stock
into the transition From Kelsey plum To Jewel. LLOYD i
think we knew they weren't interchangeable. Players we knew, that
but we, ALSO i think expected one great player another great,
player they'll figure it.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Out there's so much talent on this.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Team, style, chemistry, flow everything just didn't seem to work
at the beginning of the. SEASON i did expect them
to fix it, faster, though and part of that was
that inconsistency didn't seem like it was solely, like.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Oh we're still figuring each other. Out it just seemed like.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Sloppiness for a while, there and to your, point they
got their asses beat and it was, Like, OKAY i
guess we got to figure this, out and now they.
Have i'm interested to see if they can keep up
what they're doing. Now it is what's expected from a
team with this kind of, Talent but it's very surprising
to see a team snap their fingers and that's. It
(18:18):
they fixed all the problems that they.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Had so jury's still a.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Little out for me on whether they're this what they
were before or a little bit of somewhere in the.
Middle Asia wilson figuring out how to consistently hit threes
all game is going to be a, problem as if she.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Wasn't everyone should be garriflied.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
Terrified if she is going to be shooting consistently from,
three there's no. Way you have to lock her out
of the. Gym that's the only way that you're going
to keep her.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Under thirty points a. Game that's. It there's no other
answer talk about.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Consistency let's get to The New York, liberty the defending.
Champs solid twenty three and fifteen on the, season just
five and five in their last, ten but most of
those Without Brianna stewart and earlier in the season a
long stretch without John Quell. Jones this team has excuses
for why they aren't the top of the table because
of those. INJURIES i don't think it's a hangover from
(19:14):
the championship to, me it feels like you just keep
missing really important parts and you're still doing really well despite.
That earlier in the, SEASON i think we saw some
stretches when everyone was there and we were, like, oh,
yeah it's still The. LIBERTY a bunch of trees who
can hit. Threes this is a giant lineup with tremendous
ability to spread the. Floor outside Of sabrina And, escu
(19:36):
who's not, short they are. Huge so now With stuart,
back is this team as likely as any to win it?
All how do you stop a, fresh Healthy liberty.
Speaker 7 (19:47):
Team not a lot of things you can do to
stop a, fresh Healthy liberty, team which we saw at
the beginning of the. Season when they started, undefeated it was, Like,
oh my, goodness this is A liberty team that could
go back to. Back and then even though there were
some injuries WITH, jj they Get Emma miseman and you're, like,
(20:09):
oh this is a done. Deal this is a team
that you know it's going to be The Minnesota links
and The liberty in the finals. Again but as we're recording,
this seeing The liberty in the fifth spot of the
standings is a huge, surprise AND i think now it's
(20:32):
going to take so much effort for them to not
only possibly have to win out the rest of the,
season they have one of the challenging schedules. Left they
had a easier front, load a way harder back end
of the season scheduling. Wise then you're going to have
to now fight to get back to those, finals whereas
(20:55):
you were kind of cruising last season as the number one.
Seed SO i think it's this thought That i've been
having to process that we might not get A links
And liberty rematch in the, finals WHICH i think is
a huge, surprise even though they might be.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
HEALTHIER i think we have to think about how.
Speaker 7 (21:16):
Everyone else is, playing Because minnesota's playing so, well Because
atlanta is playing so, well because The aces are playing so.
Well The liberty have to kind of play catch up
right now because of all of that valuable time and
also winnable games that they lost without being. Healthy so
it's this kind of fingers crossed weight and see if
(21:40):
everyone is able to make it to the playoffs and
make it through the. Playoffs But i'm going to be
disappointed with the additions Of Natasha cloud With Emma, miseiman
with them being able to win a. CHAMPIONSHIP i THINK
i was just hoping and everybody was hoping that The
liberty would be for sure one and two With, links
(22:00):
and that's just not the Real it still could.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Happen i'm looking back at when My Chicago sky won
it all coming out of the sixth. Seed they just
have to stay in those eight positions and if they are,
Healthy i'm telling you, WATCH i, mean. LISTEN i had
a very bad sample size in person recently when they
lost to The Chicago, sky which was, Wild but on
a good, night they look like a very tough team to,
(22:25):
guard a very tough team to deal with that, height
to deal.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
With their ability to shoot from the.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Perimeter SO i think you might be, Right BUT i
also think you might have forgotten just how good they
looked at the beginning of the season when everybody was in.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
There, okay that's. FAIR i think that it's anything could.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Happen Your Chicago sky of twenty twenty one proved that
to the point where they changed the playoff, schedules so
when it happened, again but they the idea of them
just having to work, HARDER i guess to get there
when The links are, like, yeah we're, wait, Hoasting we've
been at the top all all season, long that's, true
(23:03):
can't DO i want a finals. Rematch of, course we're
gonna get seven. Games it's gonna be so much fun
to see them go at it. AGAIN i think The
links just look more.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Poised, YES i, AGREE i.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Agree, yeah let's talk about The Atlanta dream because you mentioned,
them AND i have to ADMIT i have not gotten
a hype on them AS i. Should this season twenty
four to, fourteen third best record in the league as
of right, Now Ali Sha gray having the best season
of her career since the, Jump Ryan howard back, healthy
you got The, Bigs jones and grind are clogging up that.
Middle this is a team that has outperformed my. Expectations
(23:36):
so what AM i sleeping on when it comes to
The Dream no pun.
Speaker 7 (23:39):
INTENDED i think that The dream have been sneaky like
they have. Been this sneaky good team that coming into
the YEAR.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I was excited.
Speaker 7 (23:52):
About But i've also been let down By dream hype
in the, past SO i didn't want to get too.
Excited new coach And Carl, smith we knew what was
going to. Happen we knew they were going to shoot
threes in kind of this running gun. Style but then
the free agency signings Of Bree jones And Brittany, griner
we were, like, well how is that going to fit
into the mix of shooting a lot of. Threes so
(24:14):
again it was a lot of question, marks especially for
our first year head coach coming to THE, wnba but
they have proved everyone, wrong like we can shoot, threes
we can be. Big they also started Bringing beg off
the bench recently and that has been. Helping also riddled by,
injuries the fact that they are third when they missed
(24:36):
a month Without Ryan howard and now they're Missing Jordan canada,
again those are the things that still. Them being able
to hold three makes me way more confident that WHEN
jc comes, back they'll have a point guard to be
able to run their system like they were all season,
long and they're going to be. Solid the thing with
(24:57):
The Atlanta dream, though is that they're there have been
some moments where they could shine even brighter and they've fallen.
SHORT i think of The Commissioner's, cup they pretty much
had that in the, bag like they just needed to
win one game to be able to go to The Commissioner's.
Cup that was to defeat The. Liberty they had already
(25:18):
beaten them. Before they couldn't do. It they fell short
and recently in these close, Games Ryan howard her shot
selection at the end of the games last second draw,
Up i'm, Like, god.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
You guys are so, Close BUT i don't believe put
it all to be able.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
To get, it put it all together and get over
the hump when the playoffs are on the, line or
when it's a close game at the.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
End so that's my.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
Hesitation BUT i think Nas hillman is someone that we
need to talk about more and who has needed to
be in the most improved category Sixth player of The.
Year for most of the, year she has completely changed
her game and turned into a three point shooter because
of carl S mesko's offense and taking on the challenge
(26:05):
of a lot of defensive, assignments and has been a
key piece outside Of Alicia gray having her career Year
Ryan howard doing all star. Things Na's hillman has also
been a piece THAT i don't think we talk about.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Enough one team we have talked about here Because i've
been excited in surprise since the start of the season
is The Phoenix. Mercury top of the table for much
of the. Season No Dinah, tarrossi No britney grind or no.
Problem Alyssa thomas is putting up triple doubles night and night,
Out Sawtu soabai the unicorn that she, Is Kalia copper.
(26:37):
Consistent then they add To Wanna bonner midway, through like
this is a surprise for me BECAUSE i expected time
to adjust a new, look a new. Roster they haven't needed.
Time how dangerous can they actually be when it comes
to the. POSTSEASON i think they can be very. DANGEROUS
i was right there with.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
YOU i was not a believer in This Phoenix mercury.
Roster on, paper this was pre Do Wanna, bonner but
it was a lot of.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
People we just didn't. Know they have a lot of.
Rookies they pulled.
Speaker 7 (27:11):
And did some scouting THAT, i even THOUGH i love this,
game did not know what these players could bring and shocked.
Everybody they have been shooting the three so, well and
especially when they started the, season and that is always
a weapon that you can pull out in the postseason when.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
You're at, home when you need a.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
Game Sammy wickham is going to come out of nowhere
and have a twenty point game because she can light
it up from beyond the arc like.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
That Catherine, westbeld like all of these players can really really.
Shoot and then you have the.
Speaker 7 (27:49):
Engine you Have Alyssa, thomas who unfortunately probably won't win
THE Mvp award even though she is so deserving and
having career triple. DOUBLES i feel like we have gotten
used to, it, unfortunately but it is a really hard
thing to do what she has been able to. Do
(28:12):
AND i, GOSH i think when you have An Alyssa
Thomas Adwana, bonner these are players who have made it to.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
The, finals who have won, championships who have been there.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
Before that experience alone makes them so deadly when it
comes to the, postseason AND i think that's going to
carry them a lot farther than other.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Teams, okay, so as we're recording right, now the six,
seven eight spots are The Indiana, Fever Golden State, balkyries
and The Seattle Storm. Sparks just a couple games, back
mystics aren't yet out of it is the current top,
eight the eight you think most deserve to see the,
postseason and the eight that you think Will.
Speaker 7 (28:56):
Oh my, goodness that is such a good. Question, okay
let me go one by. One The fever somehow still
being able to make the playoffs would be, remarkable like
injury devastation this, year a huge shock to the system
(29:21):
because nobody thought that The fever would be hanging on
by a thread when you especially at the start of
the year with their huge free agency. Acquisitions SO i
think just despite everything they've been, through would love to.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
See them make the.
Speaker 7 (29:38):
Postseason The Golden State valkyries my second favorite.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Story of the.
Speaker 7 (29:43):
Year they totally deserve to be in the playoff, run
especially With Cayleer thornton going, Down SO i just want
to see what they would.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
DO i think that would be really good.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
ENTERTAINMENT i think they could play spoiler to someone at
least a couple games here and, there just by the
home court.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Advantage SO i did, strategy, strategy not only she is
so so.
Speaker 7 (30:10):
Good so if, anything just for them to get that
experience and to be the first expansion team to make the,
POSTSEASON i want that for them.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Now The Seattle, Store.
Speaker 7 (30:24):
By the grace Of, god somehow they are holding on.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
To this eighth.
Speaker 7 (30:30):
Spot they have been lucky in the sense that The
sparks and mystics have not.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Been able to win a couple close games.
Speaker 7 (30:40):
That people above them haven't completely lost. Control but The
Seattle storm is a really good, team but they have
not figured it out and people have very much figured
them out on how to beat. THEM i think Nekau
maka having an incredible season that we haven't really been
(31:05):
talking about because we've just been so confused at why
The Seattle storm have been losing so. Much there's no
way this team should have nineteen, losses like, honestly there's
no reason for, that and especially when it was a
what was it a seven game losing streak at one.
Point SO i think right now The sparks are playing.
(31:28):
BETTER i think them Getting cameron bring, Back Kelsey plumb
is putting up career. Numbers Rakia jackson gets me so
excited about the future of THE wnba And Deerica azure
both having unconventionally great seasons for The sparks and they
have put it together at the right. Time is it
(31:51):
enough to pass The Seattle. STORM i would like that storyline.
BETTER i think that they are more deserving right now
because of how Poor seattle has been playing and could
They Seattle storm could turn it. Around they have the,
veterans they could turn it around in the, postseason BUT
i just don't believe. IT i don't believe in this
(32:12):
team anymore because of what they showed me all. Season
SO i would want The sparks to get in at
that eighth spot.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Well and, interestingly The storm actually get The sparks pick
in the draft twenty twenty, six their first round. Pick
and this is a team that we've sort of, wondered
are they four right now or are they building for
an next? Year dominique no. Longer early on was just
getting her feet. Wet now we've seen her consistently putting
up double. Doubles neka obviously the every single season matters to,
(32:40):
her she's later in her, career but it was kind
of a question mark about whether this team was intent
on getting it right now or looking. Ahead and to your,
POINT i think some of the, inconsistencies the maddening, inconsistencies
especially down the stretch of close, games has made it
really hard to get a read on this. Team so
sometimes when they're playing, Well i'm, like, OH i want
(33:02):
to see them in the. Postseason they could mess some shit.
Up and then Sometimes i'm, LIKE i don't know if
they've earned. It they just they just aren't showing up
in and out every single. Night to your. Point The,
fever on the other, hand have been inconsistent for very obvious.
Reasons all the injuries that you, mentioned including Losing Said
colson And aarry McDonald for the, Season Kaitlin clark missing
more than half the season with a couple different. Injuries
can you even get a read on how head Coach
(33:24):
Stephanie white has done in her first year back with
this team with all the injuries that we've, Seen it's.
Speaker 7 (33:29):
HARD i think she's doing the best that she. CAN
i think that this is just there were such high
expectations For Caitlyn clark's team in year, two and When
Kayln clark isn't even on the, floor you can't you
can't even gauge how many games they would have won
(33:51):
or could have, lost OR i just don't feel like.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
Their record is a full.
Speaker 7 (33:57):
Picture if if everybody was healthy and if everyone was
there those glimpses that we did see that were, Intoxicating
LIKE i will never forget That Fever liberty. Game that's
how The fever got into The Commissioner's, cup and it
Was caitlin being her best. Self Aliah boston is her best.
Self When Caitlin clark is on the, floor you had
(34:19):
every all the others knocking down, shots doing their. Roles
Natasha howard is, incredible AND i think we've seen glimpses
of that.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
For maybe like four.
Speaker 7 (34:31):
GAMES i want to, say but it's hard to say
that for the entire. SEASON i Think Stephanie white has
tried her, best AND i feel very confident in her, knowing,
like all, right IF i had everybody, healthy we would
be having a different conversation about this. Team and she
knows that her, receipts her resume speaks for. Itself SO
(34:55):
i think they're just hoping that everybody comes, back And i'm, like,
whoop we'll try it again next.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Year.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yeah and that's what's going to be so difficult about this,
offseason that there could be a ton of movement and
all the work put in with a build toward the
future might have to be shaken up by different. ROSTERS
i do think If clark gets healthy enough to be
in the, postseason it's really hard to get a read
on what's really going on with.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Her injury, wise but if she comes.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
Back hard to say they have enough pieces or enough
time on the court together to really factor into the.
Postseason but to your, Point i'd like to see them in.
It it feels like such a lost season for a
team that puts so much investment into this second year
Of Caitlin, clark The All Star, game everything. Else just
a lot of disappointments for The fever all season. Long
so be nice to see them at least get in,
there get a couple, games even IF i don't know
(35:39):
that they'll have the chemistry to put it. Together The
valkyries that you mentioned potentially A coach of The year
season For Natalie, nicasse especially since many me included really
questioned the makeup of this roster coming. IN i was
surprised they couldn't get more big free. Agents Kayla, Thornton Veronica,
Burton Tiffany. Hayes you see these. Names they're great, players
but they're not house. Names how did they make it
(36:02):
work without? Superstars and how are they continuing to make
it work Without?
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Thornton it is one hundred thousand percent buy. In this
is a wonderful. EXAMPLE i hope high school, coaches college.
COACHES i hope they are all telling their team to
watch The Golden State valkyries. On it doesn't matter if
we have a superstar or, not if everyone is bought into.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
The system to the goal the idea of we are
a defense.
Speaker 7 (36:34):
First this is a scouting, report this is what we're gonna.
Run this is the example of, that and The Golden
State valkyries have shown that time and time, again where
we were all, like who are these? Players where did
they come? From what country did you pull them? From
how do we pronounce their?
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Name doesn't? Matter they're hoopers.
Speaker 7 (36:56):
And THE gm did an amazing job of putting together
complimentary pieces that all work. Together Veronica burton is also
one of those names for most improved. Players she is
shining in a role that puts her as a point,
guard puts her as a scorer and a defensive, presence
which she has always been Since. Northwestern so it has
(37:20):
just been fascinating to see everything come together.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
Because you have a good coach that the players trust and,
say you, Know Natalie, nicasse what are we gonna? Run
what's the scouter report On Caitlin? Clark what's the scouter
report on every?
Speaker 7 (37:37):
Team superstar and they have limited them under their scoring
averages for most of the. Time and that is because
what's the. Deal what do we gotta.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
Do give us our marching orders and we will execute,
that and.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
We're gonna go do. It we're gonna go do.
Speaker 7 (37:53):
It not all teams do, that not all players want
to do. That so that's WHAT i.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
Think is the main.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
Thing so we're watching all these teams that are going
to be battling it out down the. Stretch question for,
you how do you think coaches are going to manage
THEIR mvp candidate stars when it comes to balancing playing
time versus rest when they've sewed up a, spot versus
trying to move around to try to get the right.
Matchups what do you think we're going to see from
these coaches who might have very different ideas about what
(38:19):
the right thing to do is for their.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
STAR i would.
Speaker 7 (38:23):
Be so curious if we're going to be able to,
see especially in those first, rounds superstar is playing heavy.
MINUTES i think that this season has put a glaring
spotlight on how many, games how little. REST i feel
like the league, said, oh we gave you charter, flights
(38:43):
so you can't complain about these back to.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Backs this is what you.
Speaker 7 (38:47):
Wanted, right and it has not taken into a full
count of rest and, recovery and it has felt like
there's just so many injuries and so many people not
able to be on these bright, Stages like we're having
These links And liberty games in the middle of the.
(39:08):
Year we're really excited about. It but both of the
superstars are out with injuries because their bodies are. Tired
so you don't want that in a game seven in the.
Finals so how do we pace in these early? Rounds
how can we use the strategy of get an early
lead so we can rest In Asia, wilson so we
(39:29):
can rest A Brianna stewart to make sure that the
one day in between these playoff games they can get
the most. Rest so this is a whole other conversation
about the others. Too who else is going to be
able to step up so that we can rest our
superstars to make sure they're going to be in the
game and healthy when we get to the finals or
(39:53):
the later in the playoffs to hit those.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Shots, Well i'm going to be trying to keep tap
on all the action from the continent away AND i
look forward to seeing how it all shakes out over
the next couple, weeks the final weeks of regular season.
Action you got us ready for. It we couldn't have
asked for. More thank you so, Much.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
Jordan thank you for having. Me oh we got a dance,
too Because i've got me really excited NOW i want
the playoffs to.
Speaker 1 (40:18):
Start thanks so much To jordan for joining. Us we
got to take another break when we come. Back sports
headlines aren't the only Headlines i've got my eye.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
On welcome.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
Back.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Slices want to give a.
Speaker 1 (40:42):
Quick shout out to The Atlanta, dream who yesterday announced
a powerful tribute to celebrate the anniversary Of Martin Luther
King JUNIOR'S I have A dream. Speech they partnered with
cash app And Forgive coo to eliminate ten million dollars
in debt for families Across. Atlanta per, release the funds
will directly benefit more than thirty five hundred. Recipients one
of our favorite parts of women's sports is that it's
(41:02):
not just about the. Game it's always about so much.
More shout out to The dream for proven that once.
Again we love that you're, Listening, slices but we want
you to get in the game every day, Too so
here's our good game play of the. Day Follow jordan on.
Socials it's her third time on the, show.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
Y'all if you.
Speaker 1 (41:18):
Haven't followed her, already what are you? Doing we'll link
to our instagram in our show. Notes also one more
call for, athletes, agents, coaches and other influential folks in
women's sports who are interested in Supporting Representative Lori trehan
as she works to stop the passing of The Score.
Act that's A republican led bill that will not center
and serve women college. Athletes so shoot us an email
(41:38):
if you want to help out in person or via,
zoom we'll connect you to our. Team we always love
to hear from, you so hit us up on. Email
good game at wondermedianetwork dot, com or leave us a
voicemail at eight seven two two o four fifty, seventy
and don't forget to, subscribe rate and. Review it's easy
watch Pretending Taylor swift And Travis kelsey's engagement news is a.
(41:58):
Sport twenty four out of twenty four hours of the
day spent monitoring coverage. Review is it my job to
read every piece of commentary About tay And travs pending.
Nuptials AM i being paid to know every detail of the?
Proposal is it important THAT i listened to every Interview
travis's dad does and keep tabs On travis's mom changing
Her facebook cover photo to baby pictures Of tay And. Trav,
(42:21):
no of course. Not but we're living in a fascist, state.
People everything is a. Disaster EVERYWHERE i. Look everything is
the literal. Worst so just let me read about ring
designers and floral arrangements and the dent In taylor's hair
that was clearly from wearing, headphones which definitely means that
the proposal happened right after The New heights podcast, recording
(42:42):
which means When travis winkingly looked at the camera When
taylor said, boyfriend it's because he knew he was about
to be her. Fiance and that podcast was recorded On august,
thirteenth but they didn't announce it until exactly thirteen days,
later and it was shared right at one Pm, eastern
which is thirteen hundred in military, time and everyone knows
thirteen Is taylor's favorite. Number, guys these are important statistics to.
Know Thank, God i'm going on vacation AND i can
(43:04):
devote my entire fourteen hour flight To africa to continuing
this deep dive into the biggest game of our, lives
The Royal WEDDING. Tnt it's a love, story, baby she just. Said,
yes holy, Shit i've lost it. Entirely it's time for THAT.
Vaka now that's your. Turn, Y'all rate and Review daxualists and,
Slices Good Game, Jordan Good Game, tailor And Travis few
(43:26):
the fact That i'm probably not going to that, wedding
AND i only say probably because even Though i've never
met either of, THEM i don't. THINK i do think
if they knew how MUCH i wanted to be, there
maybe they would consider.
Speaker 4 (43:34):
It AND i don't.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
Know it's pbably gonna be a pretty big, wedding so
like it's one more, INVITE i mean probably plus one
BECAUSE i would need to Bring brad of, course but
it's like that much of an inconvenience to just add
like two more people to a wedding like. THIS i
don't really think it. Is PLUS i don't know when
the wedding. Is by the time it actually, HAPPENS i
might know, THEM i might know. THEM i don't know
if it is be, INVITED i might be one of.
Them Good game With Sarah spain is An iHeart women's
(43:56):
sports production in partnership With Deep Blue sports And. Entertainment
you can find it on The iHeartRadio, App Apple, podcasts
or wherever you get your. Podcasts production By Wonder Media,
network our producers Are Alex azzie And Misha. Jones our
executive producers Are Christina, Everett Jesse, Katz Jenny kaplan And Emily.
Rutterer our editors Are Emily, Rutterer Britney, Martinez Grace, lynch
(44:18):
And Gianna. Palmer our associate producer Is Lucy. Jones production
assistance From Avery loftus And I'm Your Host Sarah spain
Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where I'm trying
to figure out how not to put my entire life
in a suitcase. An African safari means small planes and
small bags, and I'm struggling. Just once, I'd love to
check a bag that weighs like seventy pounds and have
someone else carry it. Of course, It's Friday, August twenty ninth.
The Happy Friday Slices on today's show will be getting
(00:23):
you ready for the home stretch of the WNBA season
With Women's basketball writer, podcast host, self proclaimed professional yapper,
and friend of the show Jordan Robinson. We dish on
the teams at the top as the postseason approaches, the
streaking aces, the battle for the six, seven, eight spots,
and more, plus a heated moment at the US Open.
We send our best wishes to mister and missus Swift,
and a social media troll surround and finds out it's
(00:45):
all coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Right after this.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Welcome Back Slices, Happy Fria, Here's what you need to
know today.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
In tennis news.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
On Wednesday, Taylor Townsend picked up a second round upset
win at the US Open seven five six' to one
over world number twenty Five Elena. Ostapenco It's townsend's second
victory Over ostapenco in a short period of. Time she
also defeated her in straight sets at The National Bank
open In toronto earlier this.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Month it was a.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Good, win but it's the exchange that the two shared
following the match that's making. Headlines After townshend's, win the
two shook hands with each other and the chair, official
and then started talking and then. Shouting at one, Point
ostapenco pointed demonstratively At townsend and at the, court but
neither party back. Down crowd got into it, too dishing
out a cascade of. Booze video can show you better
(01:44):
than we can tell, you so we'll just link to
a clip of the whole situation in our show, notes
but we will tell you that in the postmatch on court.
Interview townsend shared this with THE. Espn, YEAH i, mean you,
know it's.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Competition people get upset when they, lose and you can
some people say bad. THINGS i have no, CLASS i
have no, education and to see what happens when we
get outside THE.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Us Matthew futterman Of The New York times described the
mid match incident that seemed to Inspire ostapenko's comments in
a story On, thursday writing, quote late in the first,
Set ostapenko prepared to close into the, Net townshend fired
a groundstroke that ticked the net and looped up into the,
air Sending ostapenko scrambling to lever the ball over the
net from just in front of. It it Gave, townsend
(02:24):
who said she was shocked the ball went over and
easy put. Away in the heat of the, moment she
celebrated her good fortune and rode the momentum into the
next point and on to the victory For, ostapenko the
perceived snub of an apology lingered to the end of
the match and into the furious altercation end. Quote, now
apologizing for a net cord when the ball hits the
net and then goes over is very common in, tennis
(02:45):
but it is not required by, rule And townshend is
neither the first to skip the apology nor the first
to be criticized for skipping, It but many in the
sport acknowledge how silly and unnecessary it is to apologize
for what's ostensibly a lucky. Point of, course the language
that ostapenco used about the perceived snub seemed racially. Coded
townsend was asked in the postmatch press conference whether she
(03:06):
believed that the comments were racially.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Inspired take a.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
LISTEN i can't speak on how she felt about. It
that's something that you're going to have to ask. HER
i didn't take it in that. Way but, also you,
know that has been a stigma in our community of you,
know being non educated in all the things when it's
the furthest thing from the truth and the most the
thing That i'm the most proud of is.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
THAT i let my racket talk because.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Ultimately i'm the one here sitting in front of you,
guys moving on to the next, round getting the next,
check moving, on being able to still be here and
speak to you. Guys and that's what's the most. Important
she's packed up and she's, Gone i'm.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Here after the, Match astapanco made a statement of her
own on social, media posting to Her instagram story that
she quote told my opponent that she was very disrespectful
as she had a netball and a very deciding moment
and didn't say sorry at. All there are some rules
in tennis that most of the players, follow and it
was first time that happened to me on. Tour if
she plays in her, homeland it doesn't mean that she
can behave and do whatever she.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Wants end.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Quote we're all welcome to pick a side on the
net court, dispute but either, Way townsend advances to the
third round and will face world number Five Mira. Andreva
TO Wnba, news don't call it a. Comeback after dropping
as low as ninth in the league standings back In,
july The Las Vegas aces clinched a playoff birth and
sole possession of second place in the standings with an
(04:25):
eighty one seventy five road win over The Atlanta dream
On wednesday. Night Asia wilson continued stack in stats for
HER mvp campaign in this, one Leading vegas with thirty
four points and ten. Boards Jackie young also put on a,
show notching ten, points a career high tying eleven rebounds
and ten, asis good for her second triple double this.
Season Watching vegas claw their way back towards the top
(04:46):
has been so much, fun and there are a handful
of teams hoping to do the. Same in the last
couple weeks of the, season every squad in the w
has less than ten games left, now and eight teams
are in the mix for the final six playoff, spots
so teams out of the running as of this.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Recording buckle, up.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Y'all speaking of teams trying to make the, playoffs The
Golden State valkyries are currently seventh in the standings and
hoping to stay in the. Pack head Coach Natalie nicasse
has helped the first year franchise to fight all. Expectations
they've won nineteen games this. Season that's good for the
most dubs by an expansion squad in league.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
History now worth noting that each.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Team in the w is playing forty four games for
the first time this, season but that's still a lot of,
wins especially the big wins That nicase squad has racked
up over teams like The, Aces, Dream Indiana, fever And
Seattle storm have turned heads And nicasse herself has two
in immediate. Scrum On, wednesday she was asked about being
a front runner For coach of The. Year take a
listen to her, Response no one really.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Cares, Honestly i'm just being dead Us, like our goal
is to make the. Playoffs, okay that's our. Goal but
WHEN i actually to think about, it it should be
coaching staff of the. Year Like i'm not doing the
scouting on my. Own i'm not doing the player development
on my. Own you, Know i'm not doing the film
work where they have to individually do it with their.
(06:03):
Players not doing this on my. Own so it shouldn't
be coach of the. Year it should be coaching staff
of The. Year and you, know if that ends up,
again it doesn't really. Matter but like it's credit to my.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Staff dead. ASS i love.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It, listen she's keeping the main thing the main. Thing
more on the basketball, court two games, tonight both On
ion And League. Pass at seven Thirty, eastern The Dallas
wings pay a visit to The dream hoping to play
spoiler for the number three team in the. League atlanta's
hanging on to that number three spot by a, thread
only a half game up on The Phoenix. Mercury then
at ten Pm, eastern it's The La sparks host in
(06:40):
The Indiana, fever who are sitting at sixth in the,
standings just a half game ahead of The. Valkyries since
in a theme, here that's, right this playoff race is,
tight we'll link to the remaining regular season schedule in
our show notes MORE wnba. News AND i hate THAT
i even have to say, this but you may have
heard by now that there was yet another mass shooting
On wednesday, morning this one At Annunciation Catholic, school a
(07:02):
preschool through fifth grade primary school In. Minneapolis two children
aged eight and ten were killed and seventeen, others mostly,
children were. Wounded an immediate scrum On, Wednesday Minnesota link's
head Coach Cheryl reeve was asked about the, shooting which
happened less than seven miles From Target, center where The
Minnesota links play their home. Games here's what she had to.
Speaker 5 (07:22):
Say it's you, know to have you, know our staff
that has.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Kids we drop our kids off to, school.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
Texting with my mom, saying you, know, mom when we
would go to, school we trained for. Tornadoes kiss today
trained for after. Students it's such an indictment of our
society and our lack of regard for. Life there are
things that we can do about, it and we, know
(07:55):
but for some, reason As, americans we value sick the
goods staff for the hiss world safford, hilt.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Not know one's going to. Happen well said By Cheryl
reeve In footy plenty OF nwsl action to catch this.
Weekend there are still nine match weeks left in the regular,
season but believe it or, not On, saturday The Kansas
City current could become the first team to mathematically clinch
a playoff. Spot Kansas city has a record of fourteen,
wins one draw and two losses so far this, year
(08:33):
with one of those losses coming against The North Carolina,
courage who they play again On. Saturday there are also
FOUR nwsl games, tonight starting With Racing louisville and in
The Houston dash at seven Thirty eastern that'll stream ON Nwsl.
Plus then at eight The Orlando pride square off With
GOTHAM fc On Prime, video and capping things off two
contests at ten thirty Eastern Seattle rain Versus San Diego
(08:54):
wave and The Portland thorns playing The Utah. Royals both
those games are ON Nwsl plus And Paramount plus. Well
link to the FULL nwsl schedule in our show notes
and some more soccer. NEWS a fifty nine year old
man was arrested yesterday in relation to online racist abuse
sent To England's Jess carter during the twenty twenty Five
Euros you might recall us telling you That, carter who
also plays for THE nwsl Side GOTHAM, fc shared a
(09:17):
statement about the abuse on social media back In. July she,
said in, part quote hopefully speaking out will make the
people writing this abuse think twice so that others won't
have to deal with.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
It end.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Quote while it appears her speaking out has sparked some,
action the man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications
after an investigation by THE Uk Football Policing, unit per
a police news. Release he has since been released under.
Investigation All, Right seys, says you heard me mention my
vacation in the, open WHICH i am so excited. For
(09:47):
i'm hitting the road for An african adventure with my
mom and Super Slice Hobby, brad which means today's show
will be our last normal show for a few. Weeks
but don't. Fret we've got some incredible episodes slotted in
the next Two mondays and when days to keep your
company while we're. Away just you, know little names Like Robin.
Roberts i've said too. Much you'll just have to wait
(10:08):
and see what we serve y up. Slices just know
it'll be. Good we'll get back to regularly scheduled every
day programming On, Monday september, fifteenth hopefully with a few
fun tales From Cape town And botswana to. Share as,
always we thank you for sticking with, us and if
you're anything like, me we hope this inspires you to
plan a vacation because you deserve a. BREAK i think
we know that we all deserve a. Break speaking, of
(10:32):
we got to take one when we come. Back my
chat with hoops journalist Extraordinaire Jordan, robinson see you on
the other.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Side joining us now for a third.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
Time a member of the rare three timers club here
On Good. Games she's host of The Women's Hoops show
podcast formerly known As queens of The. Court she does
bi WEEKLY wnba chats as part of the new Br,
creer and she's a host for The Women's Sports. Network
she co authored a book with friend of the Show Emma,
bacalari coming out In march of twenty twenty, six Called
Court Queen Welcome.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Back Jordan. Robinson, Hi, Jordan.
Speaker 7 (11:12):
Hi thanks for having me. BACK i love being part
of a rare. Club love.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It, yeah did you pick up any new jobs since
you were last? HERE i feel like every time you.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Have i'm trying to.
Speaker 7 (11:23):
Think, WELL i did complete a season of my radio
show Called She's Got next With Jordan, robinson which was
all about women's, sports and it was. Awesome we just
finished our last. Episode it was kind of like in
between football. Season so now that football season's picking back.
Up but that was so much, fun so.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Amazing, yeah you're everywhere another. Job, yeah we love, It
we love.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
It so our show is taking a little break SO
i can take a trip with my mom and my.
Hobby so we're going to be out for two weeks
of some real JUICY wnb. Action we're still gonna have,
shows but we won't be keeping up day to day with.
Everything so we're going to rely on your sort of
encyclopedic knowledge of everything women's basketball to set us up
for this final. Stretch make sure we got to have
our storylines and all of our controversies, sorted and that
(12:11):
we know what to expect over the next few weeks of. Action,
now we're recording this On, Thursday august twenty, eighth which
means there are just two weeks left until THE wnba
regular season. Ends as of this, moment two teams of
clinch playoff. Spots The Minnesota links and The Las Vegas.
Cass three teams are already out The Connecticut's, On Chicago
sky And Dallas, wings which means they're eight teams in
(12:32):
the mix.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
For the final six playoff.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Spots we're going to get to that mix in a,
minute but FIRST i want to start at the. TOP
i want to start with The Minnesota. Links they have
the best record in the. League they've pretty much had
the best record all. Season they weathered the loss Of
visacalia for seven. Games they've kept basketball the main, thing
even as the stud buds are popping off and becoming media.
Darlings they've got new, Owners they've got a NEW, CEO
(12:55):
i Think prouble the, mascot got a new. Tricycle everything is,
changing and yet it doesn't. Matter they look teflon. Strong
so what is the weakness of The Minnesota Links?
Speaker 7 (13:05):
Who that is a great. QUESTION i don't know if
too many people have figured that part out. Yet AND
i think we all thought it was going to. Be,
oh they don't have no feast of, caller they don't
have THEIR mvp front. Runner that's this is the. Time
if we were going to beat The. Links this would
be the time when she was out for what almost three,
(13:26):
weeks but that.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Also proved not to be.
Speaker 7 (13:29):
True they had a winning record without. Her they were
still able to stay afloat do more than just hold.
ON i think The Minnesota links are at their best
when they are moving the ball and turning teams, over
and so when you have seen them. STRUGGLE i think
their worst game was The Commissioner's cup. Game the brightest,
(13:51):
stage the brightest, lights the most, money the most money
on the. Line you, Know Courtney williams wanted that, money
and their offense was really, stagnant and The Indiana fever
were taking care of the, ball and both of those
things kind of are the kryptonite to The Minnesota links
because they can't get into their offensive, flow which is
(14:13):
mostly run off of fast breaks and then they lead
in team. Assists they want to pass the, ball they
want to move it. Around it's like the old School
San Antonio. Spurs they want the ball moving AND i
Know Cheryl read wants. That so when you start seeing
people go one on, one when you start kind of
one shot jacket, up one pass jacket, up that's where
(14:37):
they can kind of get into, Trouble so defenses make
sure you want that to. Happen pressure them so that
they can feel out of sorts and feel.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Rushed all, right that's a good scouting. Report we'll see
if anyone can actually make it. Work it's been tough
so far all season.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Long noone's done, it so they do what they want to,
do all.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Right so we've got The Las Vegas, aces who many
all but gave up on after a terrible start to the.
Season they have ridden a twelve game win streak all
the way up to second. Place right, Now Asia wilson's
tearing it. Up Jackie young And Chelsea gray showing, Out
Jewel lloyd taking one for the, team learning how to
come up off the. Bench Melissa smith a solid. Edition
(15:16):
is this the Real aces this last twelve games or?
So or are they still susceptible to the inconsistencies that
we saw earlier this?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
YEAR i think this is the Real.
Speaker 7 (15:28):
Aces this is The aces we were expecting from the,
Beginning AND i think that's what a lot of the
disappointment and the questions were from the beginning of the,
year because we.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Were, like, wait this doesn't make.
Speaker 7 (15:45):
Sense they're supposed to be on, paper they are supposed
to be winning. Games they are supposed to be you,
Know asia is supposed to be Doing asia, things which
that hasn't. Changed she's been doing that all season. Long
but it was everyone else not playing the, role not
living up to the. Hype so now that they, are it's, Like,
(16:05):
okay this is what.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
We thought was going to happen from the.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
Jump it just took you guys a little bit to
now get, here and it had. To they had to
go through a huge embarrassment to get. Here that fifty
three point loss against The Minnesota lynx that's the last
time they, lost And asia became more, vocal became more
of a vocal. LEADER i don't think anyone would say
(16:31):
that she isn't a leader just from what she does
night in and night. Out but she, said do not
come here if you are not embarrassed off of that,
loss like it needed to be a culture, shift AND
i think that's what we all, saw like something just seems.
Off not everybody is really hype to be, here what
are the?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Roles?
Speaker 7 (16:52):
Like it was just a lot of question, Marks and
NOW i feel like those questions have been answered and
this is The aces team THAT i was predicting to
be one of these top top teams THAT i had
given up on before The All star, break and they
approved everyone wrong who was giving up on. Them i'm
(17:13):
this has been one of my favorite stories all season,
long of their complete and utter.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Turnaround. YEAH i think you're right on so many.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
THINGS i do think maybe we didn't put enough stock
into the transition From Kelsey plum To Jewel. LLOYD i
think we knew they weren't interchangeable. Players we knew, that
but we, ALSO i think expected one great player another great,
player they'll figure it.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Out there's so much talent on this.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Team, style, chemistry, flow everything just didn't seem to work
at the beginning of the. SEASON i did expect them
to fix it, faster, though and part of that was
that inconsistency didn't seem like it was solely, like.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Oh we're still figuring each other. Out it just seemed like.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Sloppiness for a while, there and to your, point they
got their asses beat and it was, Like, OKAY i
guess we got to figure this, out and now they.
Have i'm interested to see if they can keep up
what they're doing. Now it is what's expected from a
team with this kind of, Talent but it's very surprising
to see a team snap their fingers and that's. It
(18:18):
they fixed all the problems that they.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Had so jury's still a.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Little out for me on whether they're this what they
were before or a little bit of somewhere in the.
Middle Asia wilson figuring out how to consistently hit threes
all game is going to be a, problem as if she.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Wasn't everyone should be garriflied.
Speaker 7 (18:36):
Terrified if she is going to be shooting consistently from,
three there's no. Way you have to lock her out
of the. Gym that's the only way that you're going
to keep her.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Under thirty points a. Game that's. It there's no other
answer talk about.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Consistency let's get to The New York, liberty the defending.
Champs solid twenty three and fifteen on the, season just
five and five in their last, ten but most of
those Without Brianna stewart and earlier in the season a
long stretch without John Quell. Jones this team has excuses
for why they aren't the top of the table because
of those. INJURIES i don't think it's a hangover from
(19:14):
the championship to, me it feels like you just keep
missing really important parts and you're still doing really well despite.
That earlier in the, SEASON i think we saw some
stretches when everyone was there and we were, like, oh,
yeah it's still The. LIBERTY a bunch of trees who
can hit. Threes this is a giant lineup with tremendous
ability to spread the. Floor outside Of sabrina And, escu
(19:36):
who's not, short they are. Huge so now With stuart,
back is this team as likely as any to win it?
All how do you stop a, fresh Healthy liberty.
Speaker 7 (19:47):
Team not a lot of things you can do to
stop a, fresh Healthy liberty, team which we saw at
the beginning of the. Season when they started, undefeated it was, Like,
oh my, goodness this is A liberty team that could
go back to. Back and then even though there were
some injuries WITH, jj they Get Emma miseman and you're, like,
(20:09):
oh this is a done. Deal this is a team
that you know it's going to be The Minnesota links
and The liberty in the finals. Again but as we're recording,
this seeing The liberty in the fifth spot of the
standings is a huge, surprise AND i think now it's
(20:32):
going to take so much effort for them to not
only possibly have to win out the rest of the,
season they have one of the challenging schedules. Left they
had a easier front, load a way harder back end
of the season scheduling. Wise then you're going to have
to now fight to get back to those, finals whereas
(20:55):
you were kind of cruising last season as the number one.
Seed SO i think it's this thought That i've been
having to process that we might not get A links
And liberty rematch in the, finals WHICH i think is
a huge, surprise even though they might be.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
HEALTHIER i think we have to think about how.
Speaker 7 (21:16):
Everyone else is, playing Because minnesota's playing so, well Because
atlanta is playing so, well because The aces are playing so.
Well The liberty have to kind of play catch up
right now because of all of that valuable time and
also winnable games that they lost without being. Healthy so
it's this kind of fingers crossed weight and see if
(21:40):
everyone is able to make it to the playoffs and
make it through the. Playoffs But i'm going to be
disappointed with the additions Of Natasha cloud With Emma, miseiman
with them being able to win a. CHAMPIONSHIP i THINK
i was just hoping and everybody was hoping that The
liberty would be for sure one and two With, links
(22:00):
and that's just not the Real it still could.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Happen i'm looking back at when My Chicago sky won
it all coming out of the sixth. Seed they just
have to stay in those eight positions and if they are,
Healthy i'm telling you, WATCH i, mean. LISTEN i had
a very bad sample size in person recently when they
lost to The Chicago, sky which was, Wild but on
a good, night they look like a very tough team to,
(22:25):
guard a very tough team to deal with that, height
to deal.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
With their ability to shoot from the.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Perimeter SO i think you might be, Right BUT i
also think you might have forgotten just how good they
looked at the beginning of the season when everybody was in.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
There, okay that's. FAIR i think that it's anything could.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Happen Your Chicago sky of twenty twenty one proved that
to the point where they changed the playoff, schedules so
when it happened, again but they the idea of them
just having to work, HARDER i guess to get there
when The links are, like, yeah we're, wait, Hoasting we've
been at the top all all season, long that's, true
(23:03):
can't DO i want a finals. Rematch of, course we're
gonna get seven. Games it's gonna be so much fun
to see them go at it. AGAIN i think The
links just look more.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Poised, YES i, AGREE i.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Agree, yeah let's talk about The Atlanta dream because you mentioned,
them AND i have to ADMIT i have not gotten
a hype on them AS i. Should this season twenty
four to, fourteen third best record in the league as
of right, Now Ali Sha gray having the best season
of her career since the, Jump Ryan howard back, healthy
you got The, Bigs jones and grind are clogging up that.
Middle this is a team that has outperformed my. Expectations
(23:36):
so what AM i sleeping on when it comes to
The Dream no pun.
Speaker 7 (23:39):
INTENDED i think that The dream have been sneaky like
they have. Been this sneaky good team that coming into
the YEAR.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
I was excited.
Speaker 7 (23:52):
About But i've also been let down By dream hype
in the, past SO i didn't want to get too.
Excited new coach And Carl, smith we knew what was
going to. Happen we knew they were going to shoot
threes in kind of this running gun. Style but then
the free agency signings Of Bree jones And Brittany, griner
we were, like, well how is that going to fit
into the mix of shooting a lot of. Threes so
(24:14):
again it was a lot of question, marks especially for
our first year head coach coming to THE, wnba but
they have proved everyone, wrong like we can shoot, threes
we can be. Big they also started Bringing beg off
the bench recently and that has been. Helping also riddled by,
injuries the fact that they are third when they missed
(24:36):
a month Without Ryan howard and now they're Missing Jordan canada,
again those are the things that still. Them being able
to hold three makes me way more confident that WHEN
jc comes, back they'll have a point guard to be
able to run their system like they were all season,
long and they're going to be. Solid the thing with
(24:57):
The Atlanta dream, though is that they're there have been
some moments where they could shine even brighter and they've fallen.
SHORT i think of The Commissioner's, cup they pretty much
had that in the, bag like they just needed to
win one game to be able to go to The Commissioner's.
Cup that was to defeat The. Liberty they had already
(25:18):
beaten them. Before they couldn't do. It they fell short
and recently in these close, Games Ryan howard her shot
selection at the end of the games last second draw,
Up i'm, Like, god.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
You guys are so, Close BUT i don't believe put
it all to be able.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
To get, it put it all together and get over
the hump when the playoffs are on the, line or
when it's a close game at the.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
End so that's my.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
Hesitation BUT i think Nas hillman is someone that we
need to talk about more and who has needed to
be in the most improved category Sixth player of The.
Year for most of the, year she has completely changed
her game and turned into a three point shooter because
of carl S mesko's offense and taking on the challenge
(26:05):
of a lot of defensive, assignments and has been a
key piece outside Of Alicia gray having her career Year
Ryan howard doing all star. Things Na's hillman has also
been a piece THAT i don't think we talk about.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Enough one team we have talked about here Because i've
been excited in surprise since the start of the season
is The Phoenix. Mercury top of the table for much
of the. Season No Dinah, tarrossi No britney grind or no.
Problem Alyssa thomas is putting up triple doubles night and night,
Out Sawtu soabai the unicorn that she, Is Kalia copper.
(26:37):
Consistent then they add To Wanna bonner midway, through like
this is a surprise for me BECAUSE i expected time
to adjust a new, look a new. Roster they haven't needed.
Time how dangerous can they actually be when it comes
to the. POSTSEASON i think they can be very. DANGEROUS
i was right there with.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
YOU i was not a believer in This Phoenix mercury.
Roster on, paper this was pre Do Wanna, bonner but
it was a lot of.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
People we just didn't. Know they have a lot of.
Rookies they pulled.
Speaker 7 (27:11):
And did some scouting THAT, i even THOUGH i love this,
game did not know what these players could bring and shocked.
Everybody they have been shooting the three so, well and
especially when they started the, season and that is always
a weapon that you can pull out in the postseason when.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
You're at, home when you need a.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
Game Sammy wickham is going to come out of nowhere
and have a twenty point game because she can light
it up from beyond the arc like.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
That Catherine, westbeld like all of these players can really really.
Shoot and then you have the.
Speaker 7 (27:49):
Engine you Have Alyssa, thomas who unfortunately probably won't win
THE Mvp award even though she is so deserving and
having career triple. DOUBLES i feel like we have gotten
used to, it, unfortunately but it is a really hard
thing to do what she has been able to. Do
(28:12):
AND i, GOSH i think when you have An Alyssa
Thomas Adwana, bonner these are players who have made it to.
Speaker 2 (28:22):
The, finals who have won, championships who have been there.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
Before that experience alone makes them so deadly when it
comes to the, postseason AND i think that's going to
carry them a lot farther than other.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Teams, okay, so as we're recording right, now the six,
seven eight spots are The Indiana, Fever Golden State, balkyries
and The Seattle Storm. Sparks just a couple games, back
mystics aren't yet out of it is the current top,
eight the eight you think most deserve to see the,
postseason and the eight that you think Will.
Speaker 7 (28:56):
Oh my, goodness that is such a good. Question, okay
let me go one by. One The fever somehow still
being able to make the playoffs would be, remarkable like
injury devastation this, year a huge shock to the system
(29:21):
because nobody thought that The fever would be hanging on
by a thread when you especially at the start of
the year with their huge free agency. Acquisitions SO i
think just despite everything they've been, through would love to.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
See them make the.
Speaker 7 (29:38):
Postseason The Golden State valkyries my second favorite.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Story of the.
Speaker 7 (29:43):
Year they totally deserve to be in the playoff, run
especially With Cayleer thornton going, Down SO i just want
to see what they would.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
DO i think that would be really good.
Speaker 7 (29:55):
ENTERTAINMENT i think they could play spoiler to someone at
least a couple games here and, there just by the
home court.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Advantage SO i did, strategy, strategy not only she is
so so.
Speaker 7 (30:10):
Good so if, anything just for them to get that
experience and to be the first expansion team to make the,
POSTSEASON i want that for them.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Now The Seattle, Store.
Speaker 7 (30:24):
By the grace Of, god somehow they are holding on.
Speaker 2 (30:28):
To this eighth.
Speaker 7 (30:30):
Spot they have been lucky in the sense that The
sparks and mystics have not.
Speaker 2 (30:37):
Been able to win a couple close games.
Speaker 7 (30:40):
That people above them haven't completely lost. Control but The
Seattle storm is a really good, team but they have
not figured it out and people have very much figured
them out on how to beat. THEM i think Nekau
maka having an incredible season that we haven't really been
(31:05):
talking about because we've just been so confused at why
The Seattle storm have been losing so. Much there's no
way this team should have nineteen, losses like, honestly there's
no reason for, that and especially when it was a
what was it a seven game losing streak at one.
Point SO i think right now The sparks are playing.
(31:28):
BETTER i think them Getting cameron bring, Back Kelsey plumb
is putting up career. Numbers Rakia jackson gets me so
excited about the future of THE wnba And Deerica azure
both having unconventionally great seasons for The sparks and they
have put it together at the right. Time is it
(31:51):
enough to pass The Seattle. STORM i would like that storyline.
BETTER i think that they are more deserving right now
because of how Poor seattle has been playing and could
They Seattle storm could turn it. Around they have the,
veterans they could turn it around in the, postseason BUT
i just don't believe. IT i don't believe in this
(32:12):
team anymore because of what they showed me all. Season
SO i would want The sparks to get in at
that eighth spot.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Well and, interestingly The storm actually get The sparks pick
in the draft twenty twenty, six their first round. Pick
and this is a team that we've sort of, wondered
are they four right now or are they building for
an next? Year dominique no. Longer early on was just
getting her feet. Wet now we've seen her consistently putting
up double. Doubles neka obviously the every single season matters to,
(32:40):
her she's later in her, career but it was kind
of a question mark about whether this team was intent
on getting it right now or looking. Ahead and to your,
POINT i think some of the, inconsistencies the maddening, inconsistencies
especially down the stretch of close, games has made it
really hard to get a read on this. Team so
sometimes when they're playing, Well i'm, like, OH i want
(33:02):
to see them in the. Postseason they could mess some shit.
Up and then Sometimes i'm, LIKE i don't know if
they've earned. It they just they just aren't showing up
in and out every single. Night to your. Point The,
fever on the other, hand have been inconsistent for very obvious.
Reasons all the injuries that you, mentioned including Losing Said
colson And aarry McDonald for the, Season Kaitlin clark missing
more than half the season with a couple different. Injuries
can you even get a read on how head Coach
(33:24):
Stephanie white has done in her first year back with
this team with all the injuries that we've, Seen it's.
Speaker 7 (33:29):
HARD i think she's doing the best that she. CAN
i think that this is just there were such high
expectations For Caitlyn clark's team in year, two and When
Kayln clark isn't even on the, floor you can't you
can't even gauge how many games they would have won
(33:51):
or could have, lost OR i just don't feel like.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
Their record is a full.
Speaker 7 (33:57):
Picture if if everybody was healthy and if everyone was
there those glimpses that we did see that were, Intoxicating
LIKE i will never forget That Fever liberty. Game that's
how The fever got into The Commissioner's, cup and it
Was caitlin being her best. Self Aliah boston is her best.
Self When Caitlin clark is on the, floor you had
(34:19):
every all the others knocking down, shots doing their. Roles
Natasha howard is, incredible AND i think we've seen glimpses
of that.
Speaker 2 (34:29):
For maybe like four.
Speaker 7 (34:31):
GAMES i want to, say but it's hard to say
that for the entire. SEASON i Think Stephanie white has
tried her, best AND i feel very confident in her, knowing,
like all, right IF i had everybody, healthy we would
be having a different conversation about this. Team and she
knows that her, receipts her resume speaks for. Itself SO
(34:55):
i think they're just hoping that everybody comes, back And i'm, like,
whoop we'll try it again next.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
Year.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yeah and that's what's going to be so difficult about this,
offseason that there could be a ton of movement and
all the work put in with a build toward the
future might have to be shaken up by different. ROSTERS
i do think If clark gets healthy enough to be
in the, postseason it's really hard to get a read
on what's really going on with.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Her injury, wise but if she comes.
Speaker 1 (35:17):
Back hard to say they have enough pieces or enough
time on the court together to really factor into the.
Postseason but to your, Point i'd like to see them in.
It it feels like such a lost season for a
team that puts so much investment into this second year
Of Caitlin, clark The All Star, game everything. Else just
a lot of disappointments for The fever all season. Long
so be nice to see them at least get in,
there get a couple, games even IF i don't know
(35:39):
that they'll have the chemistry to put it. Together The
valkyries that you mentioned potentially A coach of The year
season For Natalie, nicasse especially since many me included really
questioned the makeup of this roster coming. IN i was
surprised they couldn't get more big free. Agents Kayla, Thornton Veronica,
Burton Tiffany. Hayes you see these. Names they're great, players
but they're not house. Names how did they make it
(36:02):
work without? Superstars and how are they continuing to make
it work Without?
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Thornton it is one hundred thousand percent buy. In this
is a wonderful. EXAMPLE i hope high school, coaches college.
COACHES i hope they are all telling their team to
watch The Golden State valkyries. On it doesn't matter if
we have a superstar or, not if everyone is bought into.
Speaker 2 (36:28):
The system to the goal the idea of we are
a defense.
Speaker 7 (36:34):
First this is a scouting, report this is what we're gonna.
Run this is the example of, that and The Golden
State valkyries have shown that time and time, again where
we were all, like who are these? Players where did
they come? From what country did you pull them? From
how do we pronounce their?
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Name doesn't? Matter they're hoopers.
Speaker 7 (36:56):
And THE gm did an amazing job of putting together
complimentary pieces that all work. Together Veronica burton is also
one of those names for most improved. Players she is
shining in a role that puts her as a point,
guard puts her as a scorer and a defensive, presence
which she has always been Since. Northwestern so it has
(37:20):
just been fascinating to see everything come together.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
Because you have a good coach that the players trust and,
say you, Know Natalie, nicasse what are we gonna? Run
what's the scouter report On Caitlin? Clark what's the scouter
report on every?
Speaker 7 (37:37):
Team superstar and they have limited them under their scoring
averages for most of the. Time and that is because
what's the. Deal what do we gotta.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
Do give us our marching orders and we will execute,
that and.
Speaker 2 (37:51):
We're gonna go do. It we're gonna go do.
Speaker 7 (37:53):
It not all teams do, that not all players want
to do. That so that's WHAT i.
Speaker 2 (37:57):
Think is the main.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
Thing so we're watching all these teams that are going
to be battling it out down the. Stretch question for,
you how do you think coaches are going to manage
THEIR mvp candidate stars when it comes to balancing playing
time versus rest when they've sewed up a, spot versus
trying to move around to try to get the right.
Matchups what do you think we're going to see from
these coaches who might have very different ideas about what
(38:19):
the right thing to do is for their.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
STAR i would.
Speaker 7 (38:23):
Be so curious if we're going to be able to,
see especially in those first, rounds superstar is playing heavy.
MINUTES i think that this season has put a glaring
spotlight on how many, games how little. REST i feel
like the league, said, oh we gave you charter, flights
(38:43):
so you can't complain about these back to.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Backs this is what you.
Speaker 7 (38:47):
Wanted, right and it has not taken into a full
count of rest and, recovery and it has felt like
there's just so many injuries and so many people not
able to be on these bright, Stages like we're having
These links And liberty games in the middle of the.
(39:08):
Year we're really excited about. It but both of the
superstars are out with injuries because their bodies are. Tired
so you don't want that in a game seven in the.
Finals so how do we pace in these early? Rounds
how can we use the strategy of get an early
lead so we can rest In Asia, wilson so we
(39:29):
can rest A Brianna stewart to make sure that the
one day in between these playoff games they can get
the most. Rest so this is a whole other conversation
about the others. Too who else is going to be
able to step up so that we can rest our
superstars to make sure they're going to be in the
game and healthy when we get to the finals or
(39:53):
the later in the playoffs to hit those.
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Shots, Well i'm going to be trying to keep tap
on all the action from the continent away AND i
look forward to seeing how it all shakes out over
the next couple, weeks the final weeks of regular season.
Action you got us ready for. It we couldn't have
asked for. More thank you so, Much.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
Jordan thank you for having. Me oh we got a dance,
too Because i've got me really excited NOW i want
the playoffs to.
Speaker 1 (40:18):
Start thanks so much To jordan for joining. Us we
got to take another break when we come. Back sports
headlines aren't the only Headlines i've got my eye.
Speaker 2 (40:29):
On welcome.
Speaker 1 (40:40):
Back.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Slices want to give a.
Speaker 1 (40:42):
Quick shout out to The Atlanta, dream who yesterday announced
a powerful tribute to celebrate the anniversary Of Martin Luther
King JUNIOR'S I have A dream. Speech they partnered with
cash app And Forgive coo to eliminate ten million dollars
in debt for families Across. Atlanta per, release the funds
will directly benefit more than thirty five hundred. Recipients one
of our favorite parts of women's sports is that it's
(41:02):
not just about the. Game it's always about so much.
More shout out to The dream for proven that once.
Again we love that you're, Listening, slices but we want
you to get in the game every day, Too so
here's our good game play of the. Day Follow jordan on.
Socials it's her third time on the, show.
Speaker 2 (41:17):
Y'all if you.
Speaker 1 (41:18):
Haven't followed her, already what are you? Doing we'll link
to our instagram in our show. Notes also one more
call for, athletes, agents, coaches and other influential folks in
women's sports who are interested in Supporting Representative Lori trehan
as she works to stop the passing of The Score.
Act that's A republican led bill that will not center
and serve women college. Athletes so shoot us an email
(41:38):
if you want to help out in person or via,
zoom we'll connect you to our. Team we always love
to hear from, you so hit us up on. Email
good game at wondermedianetwork dot, com or leave us a
voicemail at eight seven two two o four fifty, seventy
and don't forget to, subscribe rate and. Review it's easy
watch Pretending Taylor swift And Travis kelsey's engagement news is a.
(41:58):
Sport twenty four out of twenty four hours of the
day spent monitoring coverage. Review is it my job to
read every piece of commentary About tay And travs pending.
Nuptials AM i being paid to know every detail of the?
Proposal is it important THAT i listened to every Interview
travis's dad does and keep tabs On travis's mom changing
Her facebook cover photo to baby pictures Of tay And. Trav,
(42:21):
no of course. Not but we're living in a fascist, state.
People everything is a. Disaster EVERYWHERE i. Look everything is
the literal. Worst so just let me read about ring
designers and floral arrangements and the dent In taylor's hair
that was clearly from wearing, headphones which definitely means that
the proposal happened right after The New heights podcast, recording
(42:42):
which means When travis winkingly looked at the camera When
taylor said, boyfriend it's because he knew he was about
to be her. Fiance and that podcast was recorded On august,
thirteenth but they didn't announce it until exactly thirteen days,
later and it was shared right at one Pm, eastern
which is thirteen hundred in military, time and everyone knows
thirteen Is taylor's favorite. Number, guys these are important statistics to.
Know Thank, God i'm going on vacation AND i can
(43:04):
devote my entire fourteen hour flight To africa to continuing
this deep dive into the biggest game of our, lives
The Royal WEDDING. Tnt it's a love, story, baby she just. Said,
yes holy, Shit i've lost it. Entirely it's time for THAT.
Vaka now that's your. Turn, Y'all rate and Review daxualists and,
Slices Good Game, Jordan Good Game, tailor And Travis few
(43:26):
the fact That i'm probably not going to that, wedding
AND i only say probably because even Though i've never
met either of, THEM i don't. THINK i do think
if they knew how MUCH i wanted to be, there
maybe they would consider.
Speaker 4 (43:34):
It AND i don't.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
Know it's pbably gonna be a pretty big, wedding so
like it's one more, INVITE i mean probably plus one
BECAUSE i would need to Bring brad of, course but
it's like that much of an inconvenience to just add
like two more people to a wedding like. THIS i
don't really think it. Is PLUS i don't know when
the wedding. Is by the time it actually, HAPPENS i
might know, THEM i might know. THEM i don't know
if it is be, INVITED i might be one of.
Them Good game With Sarah spain is An iHeart women's
(43:56):
sports production in partnership With Deep Blue sports And. Entertainment
you can find it on The iHeartRadio, App Apple, podcasts
or wherever you get your. Podcasts production By Wonder Media,
network our producers Are Alex azzie And Misha. Jones our
executive producers Are Christina, Everett Jesse, Katz Jenny kaplan And Emily.
Rutterer our editors Are Emily, Rutterer Britney, Martinez Grace, lynch
(44:18):
And Gianna. Palmer our associate producer Is Lucy. Jones production
assistance From Avery loftus And I'm Your Host Sarah spain
Host
Sarah Spain
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