September 24, 2025 • 37 mins
In this episode, Khristina and SB Nation WNBA senior writer Noa Dalzell break down the latest news in women’s basketball. They discuss A’ja Wilson earning her fourth WNBA MVP, coaching changes with the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm, Kara Lawson becoming head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Basketball team, and preview the WNBA semifinals.
Want more women’s basketball scoop? Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina, follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams
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CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Producer:
Buffy Gorrilla
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. Here on Iheartwomen's Sports Network
w fans, the semi Finals are underway and there's lots
(00:24):
of news and excitement around women's basketball and a lot
to unpack this week. So joining me this week to
break down all of the headlines and beyond is Noah Dalzel.
She covers the w and the Celtics for sp Nation
and I want to welcome Noah to In Case you
missed a Gang. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Hey, thanks so much for having me. Looking forward to
being here.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
So Noah, we like to start every show by asking
our guests to share a win of the week, and
it could be anything that was a win for you
this week. What was a win for you this week? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Actually, I have for a long time wanted a platform
to be able to talk the WNBA I podcast about
the Celtics and I write about both. But we officially
launched AWNBA.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Podcast this week. So that was a lot of fun
and it just feels nice.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
If I have like something I want to say now
I could just go and say it there instead of
just tweeting it. So that's WNBA today. It's our new
show on Sianness.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Welcome to the podcast world, and congratulations launching your pod.
All right, now, a lots of breakdown this week in
terms of w NBA headlines. So we're going to start
at the top with Asia Wilson earning her fourth MVP
award over the eight years that she's played in the
w What is becoming a four time MVP at the
age of twenty nine say about Aja Wilson's impact and
(01:42):
where she stands amongst the greatest of all time.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
It's kind of hard to put into words, honestly, because
to win four MVPs in an eight year career, like,
there have been few athletes that have had that level
of like individual success across sports in general.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
And I think most people didn't.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Foresee her being a top candidate a couple of months ago,
just earlier this season. So the fact that even this
season she ended up kind of being the strongest candidate
at the end is just kind of wild. And you know,
I looked at some of the you know, there's a
lot of great women's basketball players with a great resume,
so it's not like already, you know, right aways in
a league of her own.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
But I do think the four MVPs in eight.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Years is pretty pretty unique, and if she can win
a couple more titles, I think she has the case
of being the best, if not the best women's basketball
player of all time. And I don't like getting two
like carried away with like the goat discussions. I think
it ends up taking away from all of the greats.
But she's in that company, whether she is your best
player of all time or whatnot. You know, the fact
that she's not even thirty, you know, you who knows
(02:43):
where her career is going to.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
End as far as accolades go.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Yeah, and her resume continues to grow, and as you said,
a couple more championships will definitely put her up there.
And that Goat conversation, but there's no doubt to me
that Asia Wilson is the player of this generation right
now and where the way's game is going. I feel
like Asia embodies that, and it's just so great to
be able to witness that and be able to cover
(03:07):
her story and amplify what she's doing in real time.
It's almost an out of body experience to be able
to experience something like us, to see greatness in real
time happening. But what do you think separates her from
the other top MVP candidates from this season?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yeah, I had a hard time, like kind of looking
through the field.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
This was my first year having a media vote, and
at first I was excited about that, and then once
I actually had to do it, I was like, I
don't know that I actually want to do this anymore.
But I think Nafisa Collier had an incredible season. You know,
everyone's going to talk about the fact that she finished
with the fifty to forty ninety, you know, incredible shooting efficiency.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Obviously, the Links are the best record in the league.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
All season log and finish with a four game lead
in the standings, which is pretty sizable. I thought Alyssa
Thomas had the best year of her career, and we
all know she's been really close to winning MVP before,
so they were both really good candidates. And I think
on any given year, that is your MVP and there's
no questions asked about that in player's performance. And I
think Becky Hammond said it best, where it kind of
(04:09):
sucks for the other players that you're playing with, this
generational player, and Becky Hammond always has these fiery speeches
when it comes to kind of pushing for Asia to
win awards, and you know, as a voter and you
try to tune all.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
That stuff out, it's not going to influence your decision.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
But I do think she had a point there where
what Asia did this past season, if you look at
the number one thing that was the designer for me
was if you look at her on off numbers, like
when she sat this Aces team struggled so much and
when she played, they were dominant. It was a twenty
six point nine point per game swing. When I came
across that number, I was like, Okay, so she's this.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
She's the leading scorer in the league. She's leading the
lead in blocks.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You know, of the players in the pool that I considered,
she was leading in rebounds, steals, Like, it's just hard
to build a case against her. At a certain point.
I wanted to see. I love seeing like a first
time MVP. And if he says never won one before,
list has never won one before, you know, I think
they both deserve to finish their career with an MVP Trophy.
But this season, I do think that she was the
most impactful player for her team, and so it was
(05:11):
hard to kind of work against that, even though I
had like this desire to see somebody win it for
the first time. But she earned it, She deserved it,
and it ended up not even being that close, which
I was a little surprised, but I think a lot
of voters came to the same conclusion when they started
digging into the numbers and seeing how this ACES team
relied on her for everything.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, and you know, I'm a media voter as well,
so I think that this was one of the hardest
categories when it came to just the three top candidates
in the historic seasons that they each have been having.
But you know, Asian Wilson, she separated herself in the
second half of the season for me, especially with that
sixteen game win streak, that thirty twenty game and as
you mentioned, just her impact for the Aces, wielding them
(05:52):
from the eight seed to the two seed and what
she's been able to do. So for me, once she
separated herself, I was like, Okay, she's my number one
MVP for the season. I did have Alyssa Thomas at two,
given I felt like she didn't feel like because we're
living in the age of Asia Wilson and a piece
of Collier right now, what she's doing is getting underlooked
(06:14):
in terms of leading the league and assists, the triple doubles,
being able to take a franchise like the Phoenix Burkury
to the semi finals, the record that they've been able
to have, and the success that they've been able to have,
all the adversities that they've been able to overcome this
season was mainly in part due to Alyssa Thomas, the engine.
You know, once she gets going, everything else falls into place,
(06:38):
and so I had her at my number two. In
the twenty five percent miss games for fee, it definitely
impacted somewhat of my vote for MVP, only because historically
no MVP winner in WBA history had missed that many games.
But what she's been able to do for Minnesota in
(06:58):
terms of her efficiency, her impact for the team, I
think also can't be denied. But as Becking Hammon mentioned,
it just sucks that they're playing at the same time
as Asian Wilson. All Right, moving right along. Huge news
out of Seattle this week. Noel Quinn is out as
head coach after seeing a first round exit and the
(07:20):
WNBA playoffs this season. The Storm announced that Noel Quinn
will not be getting a contract for Nowell for twenty
twenty six and the search for new head coach will
begin immediately. So what was your take on Seattle moving
on from Noel Quinn.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, I think for me this didn't come as a
surprise because ultimately, you know, I think many speculated even
last year that she potentially was on the hot sleep
with everything that was going on with the team, underachieving,
the whole investigation with Juloid, which again, you know, I
don't know exactly what that was all about, but it
always kind of raises questions when you do hear those
(07:57):
kinds of reports surrounding a team. Not conclusively, but I
think it just kind of raises those questions. But to me,
like she had a pretty good chance. You know, she
was with you know, she was head coached since twenty
twenty one. What bothers me is when I see a
coach get one year and they slightly underperform or whatnot,
and they don't really get a chance to even recruit
(08:18):
new players or have a full off season, and then
they get the boot because it's just not enough time
for a first year head coach to really leave an
imprint on an organization.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I feel like she had her chance.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
You know, she had four seasons, five season, four seasons
with the Seattle Storm, and at the end of the day,
like I love that she was a player there first.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
I think she did some good things.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
They were obviously like they were winning organization, but the
amount of talent, especially the last two years that they have,
I do feel like they underperformed quite a bit.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So it doesn't mean that she's a bad coach.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
So I'm sure she'll get other opportunities elsewhere, but for
this group right now, it feels like something has to
give because there's just too much talent on this roster
for them going to be a first round exit two
years in a row. So, whether it was going to
be overhauling the rest the front office or whatever it
was going to be, I'm not surprised that somebody, you know,
kind of got the blame for that, and usually it's
the head coach right in those situations.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Yeah, and as you mentioned on paper, they had the
talent to compete, uh, and she had five years to
just turn the organization around. Seattle Storm is a winning
old organization. When you look at the history of the championships,
the post Superbird era, Brianna Stewart era, this is a
franchise that's trying to find the identity post ju Loyd Stewy,
(09:28):
Sue Bird. And so I think that the way that
you that is to start fresh. So I'm all, I'm
not for a coach getting fired or contract not being renewed,
but I do think that it may be time to
or for the Seattle Storm to kind of look elsewhere
and to do a little resa. And I know that
Noel will land on her feet. There are expansion teams
(09:49):
searching for a head coach. She she was a former player,
so she has that experience under her belt. She's won
a championship as a player, won as an assistant coach
and so and she knows how to coach talent. So
you know, I wish you're the best. To look, how
should we view Quinn's legacy in Seattle.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
It's hard, you know, I think rady when the coach
guts let go, it's usually when you're the most sour
on them because of kind of recency buyas, And I
do think this regular season was pretty disappointing for Seattle.
They honestly had a pretty good like they were one
shot away from upsetting the Aces and who knows where
the conversation is there, So just always funny to think
about that she might actually have kept her a.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Job if that Erica Wheeler jumper goes in.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
But I think ultimately, like anybody that's given that much
time to an organization and has been a part of
a lot of winning, ultimately both you know, a little
bit as a player, but then also as a coach.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Because she did have a positive record, I think she was,
you know, a good reputation here.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Is she going to be one of the all time
legends for the Storm like they have those people like,
I think we all know who those people are. But
I don't think there's like a negative connotation with her time.
I've always been kind of curious about what has really
been going on in the Seattle Storm locker room.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I live on the opposite side of the country.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It's on a team that I've covered closely, but I'm
curious if more comes out now, if there is more
to the story. I think there's a lot of like
there's a feeling in the public that there was like
it was a bad locker room when there was like
you know, abuse and the coaching staff just because there
were players requesting trades, you know, geul Lloyd Atlisha Clark.
There was investigation, but I don't know how substantiated that
stuff is. So I don't know if in ten years
(11:19):
that's going to have anything to do with her legacy
or we're you know, nothing more is going to come out.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Of these stories. And it was just kind of you know,
people being unhappy and nothing more than that.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
But I think right now it does cloud a little
bit of the view I have of Noel Quinn and
just like that organization is that like is there something
there that's a little bit worse than just like not
maximizing town.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
So it's just but it's just a feeling that I
have a little bit just seeing kind of some of
the reports and comments that have come out of that organization.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Yeah, and she is the second most woman is coach
in Seattle Storm history, which is no easy feat. And
in terms of you know, all of the negative things
kind of clouding or recency barriers in terms of what's
been going on in the locker room. As someone who's
reported on some of these stories, including the Lee Rouge trade,
the sentiment around a lot of players, even if you
(12:06):
listen to some of the postgate of the exit interviews
from Seattle that came out this week, is players were
expecting to be used a certain way in terms of
requesting trades. Right, Alicia Clark came out and said, you know,
she wanted to trade because she wasn't being used. How
I guess they pitched to her she was going to
be used lead more playing time was successful this season
(12:26):
in Dallas before she was injured, So that was like
the thing with the coaches staff. Now, in terms of
the complaint that was submitted, you know, I reported on
this story earlier in the season, and my sources had
told me that after a game against the Las Vegas Aces,
Juloyd had a verbal altercation with someone on the coaching staff.
(12:47):
The team filed a complaint to the league, to the
Seattle Storm, and that's where the league started to, you know,
make some phone calls and investigate the complaint. And so
you know, it's because ju Alloyd was such a cornerstone
for some of those championships, and you definitely want to
leave something on a bad note. And I definitely think
(13:09):
that in the last two seasons, the negativity around the
Seattle storm kind of clouded the greatness of the organization.
And maybe this one said can be good. But now
there's no black women coaching in the WNBA right now?
What does that say about who gets the opportunities at
the top.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It's honestly one of the most like like disturbing stats,
honestly that you could come across, because you're talking about
a league of black women and the fact that even
in the WNBA you're seeing black women be outed from
leadership positions is is pretty mind boggling. Like I actually,
like I obviously knew this was coming because there was
a lot of you know, a lot of losses in
(13:46):
that department last off season. But and it's not like
Seattle should not let Noel Quinn go because that's going
to make that sisic happen. Like it's not about Seattle's decision,
but just in general, like what does that signify?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Like I think that it everybody it needs to pause
and think about.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
It's like who is best position to coach these players
At the end of the day, if you were a player,
like I covered the NBA two Like you know, former
NBA players the ones that have a leg up when
it comes to getting new job opportunities, and I think
that should be the case for the w NBA as well.
And this is a you know, majority black league still
and so it doesn't it's hard to kind of get
an explanation for how that came to be, but it's
(14:22):
not right moving forward, right, Like, you know, players want
to be coached by people that have had their experience
on the cord in life, and I think it's it's
going to have to change, and especially with new teams coming,
like I would I would hope that at least one
of these new three positions between Toronto, Portland and Seattle,
I do see a black woman as head coach.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
And it's not just a tech chick a box.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It's just like this would make sense, right, Like that's
that's who has been playing in this league for a
long time, who's been coaching in this league. And we
already know around you know, across the world that black
women often don't receive the opportunities that they deserve, but
at the very least in a in a league, you know,
filled with black women athlete, it's like you would think
that would all be the case. So it does not
make me feel great about the state of the world.
(15:03):
And I do think that it is something that has
to change.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
And I know, whether it's.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
A process in the hiring structures, whether it's about something else.
I don't know exactly what it is that has led
to that point, but it does not I don't think
it can continue long term.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Yeah, and I think that's twenty twenty two where at
least a fourth of the coaches in the WBA were
black women. You had Noel Planned, you had Vicky Johnson,
you had to initial rights as the head coach when
the league hit, you know, twelve coaches before you know,
the expansion team came in. You know, that was a
historical time in the league. And since then it's numbers
(15:38):
gott it a smaller, smaller and now none. But hopefully, uh,
you know, these organizations are doing their due diligence and
hiring the best person for the job, and the league
they definitely have a pathways to hiring some of these
coaches or the player to coach pipeline in terms of
the programs that the NBA and WNBA offer the assistant
(15:59):
coach program in the WNBA where former players are able
to serve as assistant coaches on the bench for organizations
and worked their way up. So my question would be
who could be candidates for the storms opening and upcoming
expansion teams. Who would you like to see in some
of those first year positions.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Yeah, one assistant that I've had my eye on that
I think probably a lot.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Of people do is Pree January because she has been
like just an awesome assistant coach, you know, for the
Conneticuts on last year, for the Indiana Fever this year.
I think she Sometimes the assistants just kind of fly
under the radar because it's the head coach that's addressing
the media, the head coach that gets the accolade or
the blame. But I think both as a player and
as a coach, she brings a lot to the table.
On the defensive ent. She's been critical to Stephanie White's success,
(16:44):
and when I think about Natalie Nicassai and what she
was able to do this year, where she was relatively
unknown last year and now she's Coach of the Year
and everybody's like, Wow, what to hire?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
That was by Golden State, Like I'm all for.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Saying, like, is there like a stud assistant somewhere that's
been coaching under a successful head coach that maybe actually
has a lot to do with the success that we
don't really know about it. I do think that Free
is one of those people. So she would be at
the top of my list. You know, I would be
actually surprised if she does not get a head coach
position in the next year or two, considering how many
opportunities are coming up. Tanisha, right, who you mentioned, I
(17:18):
think is another candidate who would be worth kind of
looking at for the storm. You know, I think she
has the head coaching experience, she has a sistant experience,
she has the playing experience.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
And you know, there's the two schools of thought.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
There's like the coaches that have already been head coaches
and kind of cycling through all of those and a
lot of times this is an NBA as well, Like
coaches get fired, they get rehired, they get fired, they
get rehired, and then there's the assistant pathway where it's like,
let's look at the top assistance in the league, and
I think both of those pools are worth considering. But
those two names are kind of at the top of
my list right now. Those like countless good candidates that
(17:50):
I'm sure the Storm will consider.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah, two names that you know I was thinking, or
a few names that I was thinking about almost the
top of my head is And I don't know she
will ever leave Shryl's coaching through. But Rebecca Brunted, I mean,
I think about the top defense in the league and
just the success the Rings five WMBA championships. If she
wants it all right, I feel like Seattle with the
(18:12):
roster that they have now, lord knows what it's going
to look like in twenty twenty six, but she could
be a good defensive minded coach to be able to
coach Seattle. Letrician Trammell, who joined the LA Sparks mid
season on their coaching staff. I think that she deserves
another shot, and I think that it was unfair that
she was was let go by the Dallas Wings when
she was Christy Tolliver and Phoenix. I mean, she's retired
(18:36):
from the WNBA, but what she's been able to offer
on Nate's Tibbetsbinch. I think would be very great for
any WNBA team in terms of she will have the
players respect because one, she's played with some of the
people that are currently in the w but just also
just the success of Phoenix and how she's been able
to help develop players. And she also did the NBA
(18:58):
coaching program as well. So those a couple of names
that I always thinking about at the top of my head.
All right, let's move right along, speaking of coaching moves.
While the Storm are searching for a new head coach,
(19:20):
USA basketball just made a major hire of their own.
Carol Lost and Olympic gold medalist and Duke head coach,
has been named the head coach of the US women's
national team through twenty twenty eight. I think this is
a great pick, someone who will come after Cheryl Reap.
What makes Kiara the right choice to lead USA in
(19:42):
twenty twenty eight?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Yeah, I think, like you said, you know, she has
the experience both as a player for the Olympic team,
as an assistant coach, as a college coach for a
couple of years now as a former NBA assistant, Like,
she really does.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Have it all. I've heard great things about her.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
As I mentioned I covered the Celtics, I've heard great
things about her even from her time here one year
in Boston. But obviously she's impacted coaching in a lot
of different ways. And I always have preference towards people
who've played as well.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
I think it just gives you an edge in a
lot of.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Different ways as far as buy in, as far as experience,
far as on court understanding and everything.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But she's just you know, I think she just kind
of checks all the boxes.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
And obviously there's a lot of turnover when it comes
to coaching USA basketball, and there's been a lot of
story coaches that have held that seat.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Like I was actually looking today at.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Like the last twenty years and I was like, this
is like an all star cast here. But it does
make sense to get, you know, a fresh racing and
I think she's been in the mix for those conversations
for a while now, and I look forward to seeing
how she leads this team in twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah, and if you look at the Paris Olympics, I
feel like the gap is starings to close a little
bit in terms of the talent and the separation between
team USA and everyone else. They were literally a shot away.
Gaby Split was not on that line. They were shot
away from possibly being dethroned. Who do you see as
USA's biggest competitors in twenty twenty eight such a far
(21:00):
time from now, But.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Yeah, honestly, I think it has to be France.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Like I've been watching, you know, I think Dominic Malonga
is going to be incredible by twenty twenty eight, So
that's one thing where she was not. You know, I
think she's going to be an MVP or an All
Star candidate, you know, at that point.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
So that's one.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
You know, Gabby Williams has obviously been awesome for that program,
but then you look at some of the young players
like Janelle Saloon, like there's just an endless pool. It
feels like coming from France. So they would be at
the top of my list. In fact, if I had to,
you know, if I was a sports better, I would say,
you know, it's gonna be US US France and the
gold medal game again, because it just feels like there's
more and more talent coming over there.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And this is yeah, this is just this situation in
the world right now.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Like I think I think the gap is closing, and
the US lead in basketball globally has closed a lot,
even just in the last few years, and will probably
continue to over the next few years. So I don't
think I think this job gets increasingly harder so for
Carol loss and to take over right now, especially having
you know, Gino, Don Staley, Shelle Reeve's some of the
greatest coaches ever and behind. There's a lot of pressure
(22:03):
that's gonna come with that seed, and there's a lot
of wonderfully talented American players that will help her.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
But certainly if you look at that France roster, I
think that's at the top of my list.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Yeah. And then like the USA men's nationale team team,
USA Basketball hired superd as the managing directors to sort
of build the roster for twenty twenty eight, how might
lost In and Bird work together to build a roster
for the next Olympic cycle, Because when you look at
the roster pre paris, some of those players are not
(22:33):
going to be going into twenty twenty eight. One. Diane
to Rozzi, she's retired. I don't see she going to
LA in twenty twenty eight. I don't know about Chelsea
grat in twenty twenty eight, So there's gonna be huge
shoes to feel But how might they work together to
build a roster that is competitive?
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah, Seabird is a very well positioned person to do that.
I always listen to her podcast, which reminds me that
she has personal relationships with like every single basketball player
on this planet. It feels like, but I think, yeah,
like you said, that was a little bit of an
aging team. Not everybody, but they had some players on
the older side, and I think you're gonna see a
lot of new young talent And I would not want
(23:14):
to be in that spot because I don't know how
you narrow that feel down.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Like I know there was a.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Lot of discourse this most recent cycle about specifically like
Katha Clark and Dana to ROSSI. But there's gonna be
a lot more decisions than just figuring out one or
two guard positions. I think probably, if I had to guess, like,
probably at least half the roster won't be back next
time around, just because there's gonna be like other even
if you're still a good player, like, there might be
better players coming in that are younger. So I'm sure
(23:38):
it'll be a collaborative effort that spans the next couple
of years. I think we've already seen how talented the
youngest WNBA players are, Like, I feel like this year's
rookie class was one of the best that I can remember,
and it wasn't even really expected to be. Obviously, last
year's rookie class had some you know, great names as well,
So it's gonna be hard to narrow that field, especially
because you do want to keep some of those better
(24:00):
that have been you know, critical in the success of
you see, women's basketball in previous years.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
But yeah, I'm looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Seeing kind of who they come up with there because
it is going to be And another thing is.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
That it's not just about who the most talented players are.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
It's about how do you assemble a roster that compliments
one another well and that you have star players that
are willing to play five minutes on a given night,
because not everybody can be the same players that they're
used to being in the WNBA. So you have to
consider a lot of different things when you're constructing these
kind of international teams, not just like who are the
twelve most talented players in USA women's.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Yeah, superb. She definitely has her work cut out for
her and she's kind of our boss here on in
case you missed it, so shout out to Sue. But
let's move right along. The New York Liberty they were
eliminated in the first round of the w NBA Playoffs.
Liberty players were asked if their head coach, Sandy Bundelo
(24:54):
should be fired after being knocked out of the first
round of the w NBA Playoff by the Phoenix Mercury.
Breaking news brush off the press of the New York
Liberty has announced that they will not be renewing the
contract of head coach Sandy Brundello through the twenty twenty
sixth season. Here's a statement from general manager Jonathan Coulp.
(25:17):
He says, quote, we would like to thank Sandy Brundello
for her everlasting impact on the New York Liberty, said
Jonathan Culp, general manager in New York Liberty. Sandy finishes
her tenure in New York as the winning his coach
in franchise history, and she took us to never before
seeing heights as the first head coach to lead the
Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best
(25:38):
in her next chapter, Okay, Noah, brush off the press.
The New York Liberty are moving on from coach Sandy Brundello.
Where are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I'm stunned, honestly.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I know there was a lot of noise around the
Liberty underachieving the season, but they literally were crowned championss
the new year go.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
And it just kind of reminds you that these coaches.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Have no leash, like a you know, you have one
bad season, and that's a lot of times is what
ends your tenure at an organization.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
So it was a super underwhelming season.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
I thought that the Liberty, regardless of injuries, I think
they have more than enough talent to have finished with
a better record than the fifth seed. And I thought
that their performance in Game three, you know, except for
Breonna Stewart, who was incredible, it was a little uninspired
for an elimination game. So I don't think it was
a great coaching job for her by this season. But
I would have thought that winning the title last year
would have bought her a little bit of time, maybe
(26:28):
another year to see if it kind of works better
with it roster a little bit healthier and everything but
this is the life of coaching, so I guess I
shouldn't be shocked anymore when these kinds of things happened.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
That sort of seems like it's a mirror with coach
Sandy because when she or her contract wasn't renewed in
Phoenix after taking the team to the WNBA Finals in
twenty twenty one, her contract wasn't renewed. She moved on
to New York and it took a while, right, great
things take time, and she was able to coach them
to their first championship in franchise history. And then you
(27:00):
see a situation where they don't go back to back
when entitles, which is something that isn't that easy to beat.
The Aces was the first team to do it in
twenty two to twenty three and two decades, so this
is something that is not easy. In the parody in
the league, teams responded to the Aces creating or developing
somewhat of a super team, the Liberty going out and
get the Stewie Courtney Vanders to help Subrinia mascueing John
(27:21):
quaal Jones. So I think that the parody in this
league it makes it hard to just go back to back.
But do you think that it's fair to put this
all on Sandy or should there be more accountability on
the players in terms of their performance this season, regardless
of the injuries.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Yeah, that's the thing that the coach always seems to
take the fall. For example, you know, John call Jones,
who I at her best is one of the best
players in the league, had a really difficult season and
a really tough postseason, and they're not going to just
you know, cut her because of a bad year, a
bad playoffs. She was the Finals and the MVP less.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Than a year ago, right, So it was just player
is just seem to have a different margin of error
than the coaches do. So what I you know, who
do I blame more for the proseason? John kell Jones
or Sandy Broundella, Like, I don't know, I'm not in
the locker room. I don't know exactly what. You know,
how much of it is on the players not executing,
how much of it is bad gameplay. I'm like, it's
really hard to sit on the sidelines and kind of
have hot takes about those things. But I certainly would
(28:20):
have thought that with this group, especially if you know
she has buying from the players.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
I would have thought they'd give her another chance. That's
the big question though.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
If Sabrina and Escue and John call Jones and Brianna
Stewart sat down with Jonathan Cole and said, hey, we
don't think this worked this year. We need a new
voice here, then that's your answer, right, you don't. You
don't bring her back. But if she still has the
players support, then I would be pretty stunted this decision.
So my thing with coaching is as long as the
star players still believe in you, you probably deserve that spot.
And as soon as they lose that faith, then that's
(28:47):
usually when a coach a coach's ten year ends.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So yeah, I'm pretty shocked. You know.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
As I mentioned, I covered the Celtics and they had
a disappointing finish this year, but they just want the title,
your your you know year earlier, and Joe Mazzola got
anson afterwards. So normally, like I think, the title buys
you a little bit of time. But she may have
lost the faith of her players, which I'd be curious
to see if that's what the reporting indicates moving forward.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Yeah, and I mean it certainly didn't feel like she
lost the support of the players in eighteen because Brianna
Stewart was put on the spot in that postgame interview
when they were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury when she
was asked should Sandy be fired after being knocked out
the first round? And Stewie said, you know, like she said,
what the f which is going viral, But she also
said that, you know, we have coached Sandy's back and
(29:31):
so on the spot it seemed as if you know,
the franchise player of Banana Stewart, she backed up her
head coach. But what do the Liberty need to learn
from this year in order to close that gap and
put themselves in the position to compete for a true
(29:51):
title next season.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Yeah, it's tough because on paper, this was the best
roster in the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Like I remember when they signed Emmy Samid, people were like,
there's the title, like you know, and the next thing
you know, MMSONN is basically scoreless an elimination game, and
this team hasn't even advanced out of the first round.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
So I don't think it's.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
A roster construction issue ultimately, Like if I'm like, I
kind of get it, Like if I'm Jonathan coleb.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm like, we have literally everything you could ask for
in a roster, right, Like they do have a pretty
complete group.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Obviously, they were not healthy this year, as you know,
and that's kind of what happens when you win a
title because you.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Have the you know, the long playoff run.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
It's more like, you know, they have some players that
are beginning to age and not like a super Bowl team.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
But yeah, I don't know. It does feel like they
weren't like completely maximize this group.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
And it's hard again, like I'm not going to be
right for the Liberty. Hard for me to point like
it was Sandy's fault, if it was a player's fault,
if it was something going on in the locker room.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
But I think you can.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Bring back a similar group and hope that things will
be different in year two unless there's something like under
the surface that we're not aware of.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Pritchard GM had on for a little bit. Should the
Liberty then look to hire a former Liberty legend in
Teresa Witherspoon. That's the first thing. The last two years
after she was like go from the Chicago's guys, she's
been court side at these games, you know, we know
how the Liberty love to honor their legends. I think
she did pretty well in her first season, considering the
(31:25):
wrong so she had in Chicago. The history is there
in terms of her connection to the franchise. Should the
Liberty go out and look for a coach like Teresa
Witherspoon for next season, especially given the cloud of information
about Chicago people speculating about Angel Reese. Could a play
like Angel Rees possibly fit the New York Liberty.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
I would love to see that.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Honestly, we didn't get to, you know, we were talking
about Seattle Storm candidates. We didn't get to all of them.
But she's on my list for Seattle as well, and
for these expansion teams, Like I think you need more
than a year to establish an impact on an organization,
and Chicago had things to celebrate in year one under her,
Like it wasn't all bad. You saw that she had
the buying from Angel Reese. It seems like she got
(32:11):
the most out of Kennedy Carter as well. I think
she Yeah, I think she deserves another spot as a
head coach, and she's a franchise legend, and so I'd
be curious to see how she You know what exactly
her interest level is in returning as head coach and
whether the Liberty or interested, but it would certainly be
a nice kind of storybook ending here.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
All right, Noah, let's move right along to talk about
the playoffs the semi finals. But you have the Fever
Aces and a series in the semi finals and the
Fever League currently one zero. When you think about this series,
West strengths have each team shown so far that could
determine the outcome of how this is gonna go.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Yeah, I think the obviously people are picked, you know,
picked the Aces to win this series, especially considering just
how short handed in Indiana is. But Indiana has a
couple of advantages. One, Galiah Boston is probably the most
frustrating defender or one of them for Asia Wilson to
deal with. And it's not just Game one, like She's
had a couple of showings where she has really bothered
her this season.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
So that's kind of a cheat card to have that
in your back pocket.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
And if you didn't watch Game one, Leah Boston had
six points and you might have thought she was kind
of a quiet game. It was not a quiet game
for her. She was instrumental. I think the other thing
that Indiana has is that they have, you know, one
of the most reliable scores in the game right now
in Kelsey Mitchell, who has just feels like she's been
on a heater all year. But this is just kind
of how she is. She's just sufficient and she's been
(33:32):
awesome in this postseason. She was the best player on
the floor in Game one, and until they find a
way to slow her down, like she is single handedly
going to keep this this team in the series. So
that's you know, obviously, you know, Indiana's biggest two advantages.
I do think for the Aces, Asia Wilson is not
going to struggle as much as she did in Game one.
She doesn't usually have two performances like this in a row.
(33:53):
And at the end of the day, like they do
have other players that can step up. I thought the
others were kind of quiet in Game one. Melissa Smith,
who's been awesome, didn't have much of an impact. So
it's gonna come down to the other players. I think,
like both of the both teams have great stars at
the top, but it's you know, Odyesty Simms was much
better than the Aces others in Game one, so that's
kind of what it's going to come down to.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
And sometimes teams just have magical runs.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
It's funny because the Indiana Pacers were the team that
had a magical run this past NBA season, and it
feels like their magic is kind of carried over to
the fever. Maybe Talburn on the sidelines, but it does
feel like this is not a fluke.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
I did not watch Game one.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Thinking, Okay, that's a fluke and the Aces are going
to now rattle off three blowout victory. Reason we're gonna
forget about this, Like I feel if there's something really there,
so really interested in the series and how it plays out.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Here, all right, and let's talk Liberty Links. No surprise
that the Links came out on top. They lead this
series one zero. What are some key backtors that you're
looking for in this series?
Speaker 3 (34:50):
Yeah, I mean the Links are at their best, are
the best team in the league by by decent amount.
And I think you saw in Game one Courtney Williams
is the hero there, but it anybody you know, And
if VI's a Collier was relatively quiet in this game.
You're eighteen points nine rebounds efficient, but like she can
do way more than she did in this game. They
just really didn't need her to. But it's gonna come
down to I think Alyssa Thomas saw how she impacted
(35:12):
that Round one series against the Liberty. She had a
really good first half versus the Links, and it was
a little bit more quiet in the second. But how
much she can impose her will, her physicality on you know,
the next couple of games here is going to have
a huge role.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
I think Satusavoi is.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
Kind of an X factor for Phoenix because she's had
a couple of tough shooting performances. Game one versus Liberty,
I think she was two seventeen, she was three and
eleven in Game one versus the Mercury, and they just
don't have enough to be able to withstand one of
their top offensive options kind of being so inefficient from
the field. So they are going to need like a
twenty efficient twenty points fifteen points.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
From her every night in order to have a chance here.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
Because I do think Minnesota is the better team from
top to bottom. You know, the end of the day,
Phoenix does rely on more inexperienced players. Monnica Collle mcconie,
who I was a huge fan of season. She's a rookie,
you know, she hasn't been here before. Or as you
look at Minnesota, it's like they're bringing back a finals
roster that was within a possession of winning it all.
So I have the links winning the series, but I'm
putting a lot on soccer, Sobolian kind of her ability
(36:12):
to help keep Phoenix and it because Alyssa Thomas is
at this point is as reliable as it guess.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
You know. Well, Noah, I want to thank you for
joining us this week on In Case You Missed It
WNBA fans, make sure you follow her work over at
s B Nation. Such a pleasure to chat all things
WNBA with you this week.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Yeah, thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
All Right, well that's gonna do it for this week's
episode of In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and rate and review.
We'll see you guys next week. In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams is an iHeart women's sports production
in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can
find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
(36:57):
you get your podcasts eight six
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. Here on Iheartwomen's Sports Network
w fans, the semi Finals are underway and there's lots
(00:24):
of news and excitement around women's basketball and a lot
to unpack this week. So joining me this week to
break down all of the headlines and beyond is Noah Dalzel.
She covers the w and the Celtics for sp Nation
and I want to welcome Noah to In Case you
missed a Gang. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Hey, thanks so much for having me. Looking forward to
being here.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
So Noah, we like to start every show by asking
our guests to share a win of the week, and
it could be anything that was a win for you
this week. What was a win for you this week? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Actually, I have for a long time wanted a platform
to be able to talk the WNBA I podcast about
the Celtics and I write about both. But we officially
launched AWNBA.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Podcast this week. So that was a lot of fun
and it just feels nice.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
If I have like something I want to say now
I could just go and say it there instead of
just tweeting it. So that's WNBA today. It's our new
show on Sianness.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Welcome to the podcast world, and congratulations launching your pod.
All right, now, a lots of breakdown this week in
terms of w NBA headlines. So we're going to start
at the top with Asia Wilson earning her fourth MVP
award over the eight years that she's played in the
w What is becoming a four time MVP at the
age of twenty nine say about Aja Wilson's impact and
(01:42):
where she stands amongst the greatest of all time.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
It's kind of hard to put into words, honestly, because
to win four MVPs in an eight year career, like,
there have been few athletes that have had that level
of like individual success across sports in general.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
And I think most people didn't.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Foresee her being a top candidate a couple of months ago,
just earlier this season. So the fact that even this
season she ended up kind of being the strongest candidate
at the end is just kind of wild. And you know,
I looked at some of the you know, there's a
lot of great women's basketball players with a great resume,
so it's not like already, you know, right aways in
a league of her own.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
But I do think the four MVPs in eight.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Years is pretty pretty unique, and if she can win
a couple more titles, I think she has the case
of being the best, if not the best women's basketball
player of all time. And I don't like getting two
like carried away with like the goat discussions. I think
it ends up taking away from all of the greats.
But she's in that company, whether she is your best
player of all time or whatnot. You know, the fact
that she's not even thirty, you know, you who knows
(02:43):
where her career is going to.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
End as far as accolades go.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Yeah, and her resume continues to grow, and as you said,
a couple more championships will definitely put her up there.
And that Goat conversation, but there's no doubt to me
that Asia Wilson is the player of this generation right
now and where the way's game is going. I feel
like Asia embodies that, and it's just so great to
be able to witness that and be able to cover
(03:07):
her story and amplify what she's doing in real time.
It's almost an out of body experience to be able
to experience something like us, to see greatness in real
time happening. But what do you think separates her from
the other top MVP candidates from this season?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Yeah, I had a hard time, like kind of looking
through the field.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
This was my first year having a media vote, and
at first I was excited about that, and then once
I actually had to do it, I was like, I
don't know that I actually want to do this anymore.
But I think Nafisa Collier had an incredible season. You know,
everyone's going to talk about the fact that she finished
with the fifty to forty ninety, you know, incredible shooting efficiency.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Obviously, the Links are the best record in the league.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
All season log and finish with a four game lead
in the standings, which is pretty sizable. I thought Alyssa
Thomas had the best year of her career, and we
all know she's been really close to winning MVP before,
so they were both really good candidates. And I think
on any given year, that is your MVP and there's
no questions asked about that in player's performance. And I
think Becky Hammond said it best, where it kind of
(04:09):
sucks for the other players that you're playing with, this
generational player, and Becky Hammond always has these fiery speeches
when it comes to kind of pushing for Asia to
win awards, and you know, as a voter and you
try to tune all.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
That stuff out, it's not going to influence your decision.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
But I do think she had a point there where
what Asia did this past season, if you look at
the number one thing that was the designer for me
was if you look at her on off numbers, like
when she sat this Aces team struggled so much and
when she played, they were dominant. It was a twenty
six point nine point per game swing. When I came
across that number, I was like, Okay, so she's this.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
She's the leading scorer in the league. She's leading the
lead in blocks.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
You know, of the players in the pool that I considered,
she was leading in rebounds, steals, Like, it's just hard
to build a case against her. At a certain point.
I wanted to see. I love seeing like a first
time MVP. And if he says never won one before,
list has never won one before, you know, I think
they both deserve to finish their career with an MVP Trophy.
But this season, I do think that she was the
most impactful player for her team, and so it was
(05:11):
hard to kind of work against that, even though I
had like this desire to see somebody win it for
the first time. But she earned it, She deserved it,
and it ended up not even being that close, which
I was a little surprised, but I think a lot
of voters came to the same conclusion when they started
digging into the numbers and seeing how this ACES team
relied on her for everything.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, and you know, I'm a media voter as well,
so I think that this was one of the hardest
categories when it came to just the three top candidates
in the historic seasons that they each have been having.
But you know, Asian Wilson, she separated herself in the
second half of the season for me, especially with that
sixteen game win streak, that thirty twenty game and as
you mentioned, just her impact for the Aces, wielding them
(05:52):
from the eight seed to the two seed and what
she's been able to do. So for me, once she
separated herself, I was like, Okay, she's my number one
MVP for the season. I did have Alyssa Thomas at two,
given I felt like she didn't feel like because we're
living in the age of Asia Wilson and a piece
of Collier right now, what she's doing is getting underlooked
(06:14):
in terms of leading the league and assists, the triple doubles,
being able to take a franchise like the Phoenix Burkury
to the semi finals, the record that they've been able
to have, and the success that they've been able to have,
all the adversities that they've been able to overcome this
season was mainly in part due to Alyssa Thomas, the engine.
You know, once she gets going, everything else falls into place,
(06:38):
and so I had her at my number two. In
the twenty five percent miss games for fee, it definitely
impacted somewhat of my vote for MVP, only because historically
no MVP winner in WBA history had missed that many games.
But what she's been able to do for Minnesota in
(06:58):
terms of her efficiency, her impact for the team, I
think also can't be denied. But as Becking Hammon mentioned,
it just sucks that they're playing at the same time
as Asian Wilson. All Right, moving right along. Huge news
out of Seattle this week. Noel Quinn is out as
head coach after seeing a first round exit and the
(07:20):
WNBA playoffs this season. The Storm announced that Noel Quinn
will not be getting a contract for Nowell for twenty
twenty six and the search for new head coach will
begin immediately. So what was your take on Seattle moving
on from Noel Quinn.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yeah, I think for me this didn't come as a
surprise because ultimately, you know, I think many speculated even
last year that she potentially was on the hot sleep
with everything that was going on with the team, underachieving,
the whole investigation with Juloid, which again, you know, I
don't know exactly what that was all about, but it
always kind of raises questions when you do hear those
(07:57):
kinds of reports surrounding a team. Not conclusively, but I
think it just kind of raises those questions. But to me,
like she had a pretty good chance. You know, she
was with you know, she was head coached since twenty
twenty one. What bothers me is when I see a
coach get one year and they slightly underperform or whatnot,
and they don't really get a chance to even recruit
(08:18):
new players or have a full off season, and then
they get the boot because it's just not enough time
for a first year head coach to really leave an
imprint on an organization.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I feel like she had her chance.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
You know, she had four seasons, five season, four seasons
with the Seattle Storm, and at the end of the day,
like I love that she was a player there first.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
I think she did some good things.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
They were obviously like they were winning organization, but the
amount of talent, especially the last two years that they have,
I do feel like they underperformed quite a bit.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
So it doesn't mean that she's a bad coach.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
So I'm sure she'll get other opportunities elsewhere, but for
this group right now, it feels like something has to
give because there's just too much talent on this roster
for them going to be a first round exit two
years in a row. So, whether it was going to
be overhauling the rest the front office or whatever it
was going to be, I'm not surprised that somebody, you know,
kind of got the blame for that, and usually it's
the head coach right in those situations.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Yeah, and as you mentioned on paper, they had the
talent to compete, uh, and she had five years to
just turn the organization around. Seattle Storm is a winning
old organization. When you look at the history of the championships,
the post Superbird era, Brianna Stewart era, this is a
franchise that's trying to find the identity post ju Loyd Stewy,
(09:28):
Sue Bird. And so I think that the way that
you that is to start fresh. So I'm all, I'm
not for a coach getting fired or contract not being renewed,
but I do think that it may be time to
or for the Seattle Storm to kind of look elsewhere
and to do a little resa. And I know that
Noel will land on her feet. There are expansion teams
(09:49):
searching for a head coach. She she was a former player,
so she has that experience under her belt. She's won
a championship as a player, won as an assistant coach
and so and she knows how to coach talent. So
you know, I wish you're the best. To look, how
should we view Quinn's legacy in Seattle.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
It's hard, you know, I think rady when the coach
guts let go, it's usually when you're the most sour
on them because of kind of recency buyas, And I
do think this regular season was pretty disappointing for Seattle.
They honestly had a pretty good like they were one
shot away from upsetting the Aces and who knows where
the conversation is there, So just always funny to think
about that she might actually have kept her a.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Job if that Erica Wheeler jumper goes in.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
But I think ultimately, like anybody that's given that much
time to an organization and has been a part of
a lot of winning, ultimately both you know, a little
bit as a player, but then also as a coach.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Because she did have a positive record, I think she was,
you know, a good reputation here.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Is she going to be one of the all time
legends for the Storm like they have those people like,
I think we all know who those people are. But
I don't think there's like a negative connotation with her time.
I've always been kind of curious about what has really
been going on in the Seattle Storm locker room.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I live on the opposite side of the country.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
It's on a team that I've covered closely, but I'm
curious if more comes out now, if there is more
to the story. I think there's a lot of like
there's a feeling in the public that there was like
it was a bad locker room when there was like
you know, abuse and the coaching staff just because there
were players requesting trades, you know, geul Lloyd Atlisha Clark.
There was investigation, but I don't know how substantiated that
stuff is. So I don't know if in ten years
(11:19):
that's going to have anything to do with her legacy
or we're you know, nothing more is going to come out.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Of these stories. And it was just kind of you know,
people being unhappy and nothing more than that.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
But I think right now it does cloud a little
bit of the view I have of Noel Quinn and
just like that organization is that like is there something
there that's a little bit worse than just like not
maximizing town.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
So it's just but it's just a feeling that I
have a little bit just seeing kind of some of
the reports and comments that have come out of that organization.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Yeah, and she is the second most woman is coach
in Seattle Storm history, which is no easy feat. And
in terms of you know, all of the negative things
kind of clouding or recency barriers in terms of what's
been going on in the locker room. As someone who's
reported on some of these stories, including the Lee Rouge trade,
the sentiment around a lot of players, even if you
(12:06):
listen to some of the postgate of the exit interviews
from Seattle that came out this week, is players were
expecting to be used a certain way in terms of
requesting trades. Right, Alicia Clark came out and said, you know,
she wanted to trade because she wasn't being used. How
I guess they pitched to her she was going to
be used lead more playing time was successful this season
(12:26):
in Dallas before she was injured, So that was like
the thing with the coaches staff. Now, in terms of
the complaint that was submitted, you know, I reported on
this story earlier in the season, and my sources had
told me that after a game against the Las Vegas Aces,
Juloyd had a verbal altercation with someone on the coaching staff.
(12:47):
The team filed a complaint to the league, to the
Seattle Storm, and that's where the league started to, you know,
make some phone calls and investigate the complaint. And so
you know, it's because ju Alloyd was such a cornerstone
for some of those championships, and you definitely want to
leave something on a bad note. And I definitely think
(13:09):
that in the last two seasons, the negativity around the
Seattle storm kind of clouded the greatness of the organization.
And maybe this one said can be good. But now
there's no black women coaching in the WNBA right now?
What does that say about who gets the opportunities at
the top.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It's honestly one of the most like like disturbing stats,
honestly that you could come across, because you're talking about
a league of black women and the fact that even
in the WNBA you're seeing black women be outed from
leadership positions is is pretty mind boggling. Like I actually,
like I obviously knew this was coming because there was
a lot of you know, a lot of losses in
(13:46):
that department last off season. But and it's not like
Seattle should not let Noel Quinn go because that's going
to make that sisic happen. Like it's not about Seattle's decision,
but just in general, like what does that signify?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Like I think that it everybody it needs to pause
and think about.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
It's like who is best position to coach these players
At the end of the day, if you were a player,
like I covered the NBA two Like you know, former
NBA players the ones that have a leg up when
it comes to getting new job opportunities, and I think
that should be the case for the w NBA as well.
And this is a you know, majority black league still
and so it doesn't it's hard to kind of get
an explanation for how that came to be, but it's
(14:22):
not right moving forward, right, Like, you know, players want
to be coached by people that have had their experience
on the cord in life, and I think it's it's
going to have to change, and especially with new teams coming,
like I would I would hope that at least one
of these new three positions between Toronto, Portland and Seattle,
I do see a black woman as head coach.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
And it's not just a tech chick a box.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It's just like this would make sense, right, Like that's
that's who has been playing in this league for a
long time, who's been coaching in this league. And we
already know around you know, across the world that black
women often don't receive the opportunities that they deserve, but
at the very least in a in a league, you know,
filled with black women athlete, it's like you would think
that would all be the case. So it does not
make me feel great about the state of the world.
(15:03):
And I do think that it is something that has
to change.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
And I know, whether it's.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
A process in the hiring structures, whether it's about something else.
I don't know exactly what it is that has led
to that point, but it does not I don't think
it can continue long term.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Yeah, and I think that's twenty twenty two where at
least a fourth of the coaches in the WBA were
black women. You had Noel Planned, you had Vicky Johnson,
you had to initial rights as the head coach when
the league hit, you know, twelve coaches before you know,
the expansion team came in. You know, that was a
historical time in the league. And since then it's numbers
(15:38):
gott it a smaller, smaller and now none. But hopefully, uh,
you know, these organizations are doing their due diligence and
hiring the best person for the job, and the league
they definitely have a pathways to hiring some of these
coaches or the player to coach pipeline in terms of
the programs that the NBA and WNBA offer the assistant
(15:59):
coach program in the WNBA where former players are able
to serve as assistant coaches on the bench for organizations
and worked their way up. So my question would be
who could be candidates for the storms opening and upcoming
expansion teams. Who would you like to see in some
of those first year positions.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Yeah, one assistant that I've had my eye on that
I think probably a lot.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Of people do is Pree January because she has been
like just an awesome assistant coach, you know, for the
Conneticuts on last year, for the Indiana Fever this year.
I think she Sometimes the assistants just kind of fly
under the radar because it's the head coach that's addressing
the media, the head coach that gets the accolade or
the blame. But I think both as a player and
as a coach, she brings a lot to the table.
On the defensive ent. She's been critical to Stephanie White's success,
(16:44):
and when I think about Natalie Nicassai and what she
was able to do this year, where she was relatively
unknown last year and now she's Coach of the Year
and everybody's like, Wow, what to hire?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
That was by Golden State, Like I'm all for.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Saying, like, is there like a stud assistant somewhere that's
been coaching under a successful head coach that maybe actually
has a lot to do with the success that we
don't really know about it. I do think that Free
is one of those people. So she would be at
the top of my list. You know, I would be
actually surprised if she does not get a head coach
position in the next year or two, considering how many
opportunities are coming up. Tanisha, right, who you mentioned, I
(17:18):
think is another candidate who would be worth kind of
looking at for the storm. You know, I think she
has the head coaching experience, she has a sistant experience,
she has the playing experience.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
And you know, there's the two schools of thought.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
There's like the coaches that have already been head coaches
and kind of cycling through all of those and a
lot of times this is an NBA as well, Like
coaches get fired, they get rehired, they get fired, they
get rehired, and then there's the assistant pathway where it's like,
let's look at the top assistance in the league, and
I think both of those pools are worth considering. But
those two names are kind of at the top of
my list right now. Those like countless good candidates that
(17:50):
I'm sure the Storm will consider.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah, two names that you know I was thinking, or
a few names that I was thinking about almost the
top of my head is And I don't know she
will ever leave Shryl's coaching through. But Rebecca Brunted, I mean,
I think about the top defense in the league and
just the success the Rings five WMBA championships. If she
wants it all right, I feel like Seattle with the
(18:12):
roster that they have now, lord knows what it's going
to look like in twenty twenty six, but she could
be a good defensive minded coach to be able to
coach Seattle. Letrician Trammell, who joined the LA Sparks mid
season on their coaching staff. I think that she deserves
another shot, and I think that it was unfair that
she was was let go by the Dallas Wings when
she was Christy Tolliver and Phoenix. I mean, she's retired
(18:36):
from the WNBA, but what she's been able to offer
on Nate's Tibbetsbinch. I think would be very great for
any WNBA team in terms of she will have the
players respect because one, she's played with some of the
people that are currently in the w but just also
just the success of Phoenix and how she's been able
to help develop players. And she also did the NBA
(18:58):
coaching program as well. So those a couple of names
that I always thinking about at the top of my head.
All right, let's move right along, speaking of coaching moves.
While the Storm are searching for a new head coach,
(19:20):
USA basketball just made a major hire of their own.
Carol Lost and Olympic gold medalist and Duke head coach,
has been named the head coach of the US women's
national team through twenty twenty eight. I think this is
a great pick, someone who will come after Cheryl Reap.
What makes Kiara the right choice to lead USA in
(19:42):
twenty twenty eight?
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Yeah, I think, like you said, you know, she has
the experience both as a player for the Olympic team,
as an assistant coach, as a college coach for a
couple of years now as a former NBA assistant, Like,
she really does.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
Have it all. I've heard great things about her.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
As I mentioned I covered the Celtics, I've heard great
things about her even from her time here one year
in Boston. But obviously she's impacted coaching in a lot
of different ways. And I always have preference towards people
who've played as well.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
I think it just gives you an edge in a
lot of.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Different ways as far as buy in, as far as experience,
far as on court understanding and everything.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
But she's just you know, I think she just kind
of checks all the boxes.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
And obviously there's a lot of turnover when it comes
to coaching USA basketball, and there's been a lot of
story coaches that have held that seat.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
Like I was actually looking today at.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
Like the last twenty years and I was like, this
is like an all star cast here. But it does
make sense to get, you know, a fresh racing and
I think she's been in the mix for those conversations
for a while now, and I look forward to seeing
how she leads this team in twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Yeah, and if you look at the Paris Olympics, I
feel like the gap is starings to close a little
bit in terms of the talent and the separation between
team USA and everyone else. They were literally a shot away.
Gaby Split was not on that line. They were shot
away from possibly being dethroned. Who do you see as
USA's biggest competitors in twenty twenty eight such a far
(21:00):
time from now, But.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
Yeah, honestly, I think it has to be France.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Like I've been watching, you know, I think Dominic Malonga
is going to be incredible by twenty twenty eight, So
that's one thing where she was not. You know, I
think she's going to be an MVP or an All
Star candidate, you know, at that point.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
So that's one.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
You know, Gabby Williams has obviously been awesome for that program,
but then you look at some of the young players
like Janelle Saloon, like there's just an endless pool. It
feels like coming from France. So they would be at
the top of my list. In fact, if I had to,
you know, if I was a sports better, I would say,
you know, it's gonna be US US France and the
gold medal game again, because it just feels like there's
more and more talent coming over there.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And this is yeah, this is just this situation in
the world right now.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Like I think I think the gap is closing, and
the US lead in basketball globally has closed a lot,
even just in the last few years, and will probably
continue to over the next few years. So I don't
think I think this job gets increasingly harder so for
Carol loss and to take over right now, especially having
you know, Gino, Don Staley, Shelle Reeve's some of the
greatest coaches ever and behind. There's a lot of pressure
(22:03):
that's gonna come with that seed, and there's a lot
of wonderfully talented American players that will help her.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
But certainly if you look at that France roster, I
think that's at the top of my list.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Yeah. And then like the USA men's nationale team team,
USA Basketball hired superd as the managing directors to sort
of build the roster for twenty twenty eight, how might
lost In and Bird work together to build a roster
for the next Olympic cycle, Because when you look at
the roster pre paris, some of those players are not
(22:33):
going to be going into twenty twenty eight. One. Diane
to Rozzi, she's retired. I don't see she going to
LA in twenty twenty eight. I don't know about Chelsea
grat in twenty twenty eight, So there's gonna be huge
shoes to feel But how might they work together to
build a roster that is competitive?
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah, Seabird is a very well positioned person to do that.
I always listen to her podcast, which reminds me that
she has personal relationships with like every single basketball player
on this planet. It feels like, but I think, yeah,
like you said, that was a little bit of an
aging team. Not everybody, but they had some players on
the older side, and I think you're gonna see a
lot of new young talent And I would not want
(23:14):
to be in that spot because I don't know how
you narrow that feel down.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Like I know there was a.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Lot of discourse this most recent cycle about specifically like
Katha Clark and Dana to ROSSI. But there's gonna be
a lot more decisions than just figuring out one or
two guard positions. I think probably, if I had to guess, like,
probably at least half the roster won't be back next
time around, just because there's gonna be like other even
if you're still a good player, like, there might be
better players coming in that are younger. So I'm sure
(23:38):
it'll be a collaborative effort that spans the next couple
of years. I think we've already seen how talented the
youngest WNBA players are, Like, I feel like this year's
rookie class was one of the best that I can remember,
and it wasn't even really expected to be. Obviously, last
year's rookie class had some you know, great names as well,
So it's gonna be hard to narrow that field, especially
because you do want to keep some of those better
(24:00):
that have been you know, critical in the success of
you see, women's basketball in previous years.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
But yeah, I'm looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Seeing kind of who they come up with there because
it is going to be And another thing is.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
That it's not just about who the most talented players are.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
It's about how do you assemble a roster that compliments
one another well and that you have star players that
are willing to play five minutes on a given night,
because not everybody can be the same players that they're
used to being in the WNBA. So you have to
consider a lot of different things when you're constructing these
kind of international teams, not just like who are the
twelve most talented players in USA women's.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Yeah, superb. She definitely has her work cut out for
her and she's kind of our boss here on in
case you missed it, so shout out to Sue. But
let's move right along. The New York Liberty they were
eliminated in the first round of the w NBA Playoffs.
Liberty players were asked if their head coach, Sandy Bundelo
(24:54):
should be fired after being knocked out of the first
round of the w NBA Playoff by the Phoenix Mercury.
Breaking news brush off the press of the New York
Liberty has announced that they will not be renewing the
contract of head coach Sandy Brundello through the twenty twenty
sixth season. Here's a statement from general manager Jonathan Coulp.
(25:17):
He says, quote, we would like to thank Sandy Brundello
for her everlasting impact on the New York Liberty, said
Jonathan Culp, general manager in New York Liberty. Sandy finishes
her tenure in New York as the winning his coach
in franchise history, and she took us to never before
seeing heights as the first head coach to lead the
Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best
(25:38):
in her next chapter, Okay, Noah, brush off the press.
The New York Liberty are moving on from coach Sandy Brundello.
Where are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
I'm stunned, honestly.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I know there was a lot of noise around the
Liberty underachieving the season, but they literally were crowned championss
the new year go.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
And it just kind of reminds you that these coaches.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Have no leash, like a you know, you have one
bad season, and that's a lot of times is what
ends your tenure at an organization.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
So it was a super underwhelming season.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
I thought that the Liberty, regardless of injuries, I think
they have more than enough talent to have finished with
a better record than the fifth seed. And I thought
that their performance in Game three, you know, except for
Breonna Stewart, who was incredible, it was a little uninspired
for an elimination game. So I don't think it was
a great coaching job for her by this season. But
I would have thought that winning the title last year
would have bought her a little bit of time, maybe
(26:28):
another year to see if it kind of works better
with it roster a little bit healthier and everything but
this is the life of coaching, so I guess I
shouldn't be shocked anymore when these kinds of things happened.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
That sort of seems like it's a mirror with coach
Sandy because when she or her contract wasn't renewed in
Phoenix after taking the team to the WNBA Finals in
twenty twenty one, her contract wasn't renewed. She moved on
to New York and it took a while, right, great
things take time, and she was able to coach them
to their first championship in franchise history. And then you
(27:00):
see a situation where they don't go back to back
when entitles, which is something that isn't that easy to beat.
The Aces was the first team to do it in
twenty two to twenty three and two decades, so this
is something that is not easy. In the parody in
the league, teams responded to the Aces creating or developing
somewhat of a super team, the Liberty going out and
get the Stewie Courtney Vanders to help Subrinia mascueing John
(27:21):
quaal Jones. So I think that the parody in this
league it makes it hard to just go back to back.
But do you think that it's fair to put this
all on Sandy or should there be more accountability on
the players in terms of their performance this season, regardless
of the injuries.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
Yeah, that's the thing that the coach always seems to
take the fall. For example, you know, John call Jones,
who I at her best is one of the best
players in the league, had a really difficult season and
a really tough postseason, and they're not going to just
you know, cut her because of a bad year, a
bad playoffs. She was the Finals and the MVP less.
Speaker 3 (27:57):
Than a year ago, right, So it was just player
is just seem to have a different margin of error
than the coaches do. So what I you know, who
do I blame more for the proseason? John kell Jones
or Sandy Broundella, Like, I don't know, I'm not in
the locker room. I don't know exactly what. You know,
how much of it is on the players not executing,
how much of it is bad gameplay. I'm like, it's
really hard to sit on the sidelines and kind of
have hot takes about those things. But I certainly would
(28:20):
have thought that with this group, especially if you know
she has buying from the players.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
I would have thought they'd give her another chance. That's
the big question though.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
If Sabrina and Escue and John call Jones and Brianna
Stewart sat down with Jonathan Cole and said, hey, we
don't think this worked this year. We need a new
voice here, then that's your answer, right, you don't. You
don't bring her back. But if she still has the
players support, then I would be pretty stunted this decision.
So my thing with coaching is as long as the
star players still believe in you, you probably deserve that spot.
And as soon as they lose that faith, then that's
(28:47):
usually when a coach a coach's ten year ends.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So yeah, I'm pretty shocked. You know.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
As I mentioned, I covered the Celtics and they had
a disappointing finish this year, but they just want the title,
your your you know year earlier, and Joe Mazzola got
anson afterwards. So normally, like I think, the title buys
you a little bit of time. But she may have
lost the faith of her players, which I'd be curious
to see if that's what the reporting indicates moving forward.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Yeah, and I mean it certainly didn't feel like she
lost the support of the players in eighteen because Brianna
Stewart was put on the spot in that postgame interview
when they were eliminated by the Phoenix Mercury when she
was asked should Sandy be fired after being knocked out
the first round? And Stewie said, you know, like she said,
what the f which is going viral, But she also
said that, you know, we have coached Sandy's back and
(29:31):
so on the spot it seemed as if you know,
the franchise player of Banana Stewart, she backed up her
head coach. But what do the Liberty need to learn
from this year in order to close that gap and
put themselves in the position to compete for a true
(29:51):
title next season.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Yeah, it's tough because on paper, this was the best
roster in the WNBA.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Like I remember when they signed Emmy Samid, people were like,
there's the title, like you know, and the next thing
you know, MMSONN is basically scoreless an elimination game, and
this team hasn't even advanced out of the first round.
Speaker 2 (30:06):
So I don't think it's.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
A roster construction issue ultimately, Like if I'm like, I
kind of get it, Like if I'm Jonathan coleb.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm like, we have literally everything you could ask for
in a roster, right, Like they do have a pretty
complete group.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Obviously, they were not healthy this year, as you know,
and that's kind of what happens when you win a
title because you.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Have the you know, the long playoff run.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
It's more like, you know, they have some players that
are beginning to age and not like a super Bowl team.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
But yeah, I don't know. It does feel like they
weren't like completely maximize this group.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
And it's hard again, like I'm not going to be
right for the Liberty. Hard for me to point like
it was Sandy's fault, if it was a player's fault,
if it was something going on in the locker room.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
But I think you can.
Speaker 3 (30:45):
Bring back a similar group and hope that things will
be different in year two unless there's something like under
the surface that we're not aware of.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Pritchard GM had on for a little bit. Should the
Liberty then look to hire a former Liberty legend in
Teresa Witherspoon. That's the first thing. The last two years
after she was like go from the Chicago's guys, she's
been court side at these games, you know, we know
how the Liberty love to honor their legends. I think
she did pretty well in her first season, considering the
(31:25):
wrong so she had in Chicago. The history is there
in terms of her connection to the franchise. Should the
Liberty go out and look for a coach like Teresa
Witherspoon for next season, especially given the cloud of information
about Chicago people speculating about Angel Reese. Could a play
like Angel Rees possibly fit the New York Liberty.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
I would love to see that.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
Honestly, we didn't get to, you know, we were talking
about Seattle Storm candidates. We didn't get to all of them.
But she's on my list for Seattle as well, and
for these expansion teams, Like I think you need more
than a year to establish an impact on an organization,
and Chicago had things to celebrate in year one under her,
Like it wasn't all bad. You saw that she had
the buying from Angel Reese. It seems like she got
(32:11):
the most out of Kennedy Carter as well. I think
she Yeah, I think she deserves another spot as a
head coach, and she's a franchise legend, and so I'd
be curious to see how she You know what exactly
her interest level is in returning as head coach and
whether the Liberty or interested, but it would certainly be
a nice kind of storybook ending here.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
All right, Noah, let's move right along to talk about
the playoffs the semi finals. But you have the Fever
Aces and a series in the semi finals and the
Fever League currently one zero. When you think about this series,
West strengths have each team shown so far that could
determine the outcome of how this is gonna go.
Speaker 3 (32:50):
Yeah, I think the obviously people are picked, you know,
picked the Aces to win this series, especially considering just
how short handed in Indiana is. But Indiana has a
couple of advantages. One, Galiah Boston is probably the most
frustrating defender or one of them for Asia Wilson to
deal with. And it's not just Game one, like She's
had a couple of showings where she has really bothered
her this season.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
So that's kind of a cheat card to have that
in your back pocket.
Speaker 3 (33:12):
And if you didn't watch Game one, Leah Boston had
six points and you might have thought she was kind
of a quiet game. It was not a quiet game
for her. She was instrumental. I think the other thing
that Indiana has is that they have, you know, one
of the most reliable scores in the game right now
in Kelsey Mitchell, who has just feels like she's been
on a heater all year. But this is just kind
of how she is. She's just sufficient and she's been
(33:32):
awesome in this postseason. She was the best player on
the floor in Game one, and until they find a
way to slow her down, like she is single handedly
going to keep this this team in the series. So
that's you know, obviously, you know, Indiana's biggest two advantages.
I do think for the Aces, Asia Wilson is not
going to struggle as much as she did in Game one.
She doesn't usually have two performances like this in a row.
(33:53):
And at the end of the day, like they do
have other players that can step up. I thought the
others were kind of quiet in Game one. Melissa Smith,
who's been awesome, didn't have much of an impact. So
it's gonna come down to the other players. I think,
like both of the both teams have great stars at
the top, but it's you know, Odyesty Simms was much
better than the Aces others in Game one, so that's
kind of what it's going to come down to.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
And sometimes teams just have magical runs.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
It's funny because the Indiana Pacers were the team that
had a magical run this past NBA season, and it
feels like their magic is kind of carried over to
the fever. Maybe Talburn on the sidelines, but it does
feel like this is not a fluke.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
I did not watch Game one.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Thinking, Okay, that's a fluke and the Aces are going
to now rattle off three blowout victory. Reason we're gonna
forget about this, Like I feel if there's something really there,
so really interested in the series and how it plays out.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
Here, all right, and let's talk Liberty Links. No surprise
that the Links came out on top. They lead this
series one zero. What are some key backtors that you're
looking for in this series?
Speaker 3 (34:50):
Yeah, I mean the Links are at their best, are
the best team in the league by by decent amount.
And I think you saw in Game one Courtney Williams
is the hero there, but it anybody you know, And
if VI's a Collier was relatively quiet in this game.
You're eighteen points nine rebounds efficient, but like she can
do way more than she did in this game. They
just really didn't need her to. But it's gonna come
down to I think Alyssa Thomas saw how she impacted
(35:12):
that Round one series against the Liberty. She had a
really good first half versus the Links, and it was
a little bit more quiet in the second. But how
much she can impose her will, her physicality on you know,
the next couple of games here is going to have
a huge role.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
I think Satusavoi is.
Speaker 3 (35:26):
Kind of an X factor for Phoenix because she's had
a couple of tough shooting performances. Game one versus Liberty,
I think she was two seventeen, she was three and
eleven in Game one versus the Mercury, and they just
don't have enough to be able to withstand one of
their top offensive options kind of being so inefficient from
the field. So they are going to need like a
twenty efficient twenty points fifteen points.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
From her every night in order to have a chance here.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
Because I do think Minnesota is the better team from
top to bottom. You know, the end of the day,
Phoenix does rely on more inexperienced players. Monnica Collle mcconie,
who I was a huge fan of season. She's a rookie,
you know, she hasn't been here before. Or as you
look at Minnesota, it's like they're bringing back a finals
roster that was within a possession of winning it all.
So I have the links winning the series, but I'm
putting a lot on soccer, Sobolian kind of her ability
(36:12):
to help keep Phoenix and it because Alyssa Thomas is
at this point is as reliable as it guess.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
You know. Well, Noah, I want to thank you for
joining us this week on In Case You Missed It
WNBA fans, make sure you follow her work over at
s B Nation. Such a pleasure to chat all things
WNBA with you this week.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
Yeah, thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
All Right, well that's gonna do it for this week's
episode of In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and rate and review.
We'll see you guys next week. In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams is an iHeart women's sports production
in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can
find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
(36:57):
you get your podcasts eight six
Host
Khristina Williams
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