April 23, 2025 • 32 mins
Fresh off a historic 2024 WNBA title, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello joins Khristina for an in-depth conversation about winning it all—and doing it in the city that never sleeps. From reflections on her journey as a player and coach to the evolution of the Liberty’s roster and staff, Coach Sandy opens up about leadership, longevity, and what it takes to repeat in a stacked league.
She also shares personal stories—from her days as a long jump champ in Australia to coaching legends like Diana Taurasi—and speaks on the growing global influence in the WNBA, the impact of player development, and the Liberty’s upcoming move into a brand-new practice facility.
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
Let us know what you think of the show by leaving a rating and a review!
CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Producers:
Mike Coscarelli
Buffy Gorrilla
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
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 and New York Liberty fans.
You are in for a super free this week. I'm
(00:24):
super excited about this week's guest. Obviously, the WNBA season
is slowly approaching, so what better way to celebrate that
than by having the head coach of the raigning champions
join the show this week. Please welcome to the show,
New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brundelo Coach, Sandy, how
are you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I'm doing great, Christina, thank you so much for having
me on. I'm really excited it's about to kick off soon.
I know.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I can't believe that another season is already happening. I
feel like everything's moving so fast. But how has your
off season been?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
What have you been up to?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, look, obviously spend the off season in Phoenix, but
continually keep an eye on all of our players playing
all around the world and staying connected and you know,
preparing for the new season and enjoying a little bit
of time. I am a mother as well, so to
spend some time, a little bit of time with my children,
it is very special. Had opportunities to go back to
Australia because my son has moved back there to play basketball,
(01:20):
and but yeah, I always you know, I had a
bit a few months off after it. It was a
pretty long busy season. But from January, she's scaring up
for this new year and now it's here and really excited.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
That's super exciting. Glad you were able to take some
time off and you know, celebrate a little bit, but
also be with your family. I like to start the
show off by asking every single guest that come to
the show what is their favorite basketball memory or the
thing that got you into, you know, loving basketball.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I actually I started playing when I was the age
of nine. At that time, I was pretty good at
track and field, so you know, I was an Australian
champion long jump at the age of twelve. So but
when I played first played basketball, I loved it, and
so it was an easy decision when I had to
choose between the two sports, and I'm glad I did
(02:10):
because I have to pinch myself sometimes just to obviously
the playing career that I had and now obviously being
a coach and a coach for the New York Liberty
and Australian Oples is you know, is you know is
a great privilegion. I'm very grateful for it.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I just learned something new about coach Sandy, a long
jump champion that is insane.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
That is insane.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So you talked about the moment you fell in love
with basketball and having to choose between the two sports.
What would you say is the biggest difference of playing
sports in Australia versus here in the United States.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Never played sports early in my career, I mean, and
only from the WNBA. But you know, I think why
I chose basketball was because of playing with my friends
and you know, long jump, track and field it's an
individual sport and I was quite a shy kid growing up,
believe it or not, And you know, I liked being
(03:06):
around my friends and then competing with them and the
camaraderie that you got. Now, I think basketball that's where
it is wherever you play all around the world, that's
what brings you. It's about the competition, but it's also
about the camaraderie. And you could be anywhere and you're
you're going to get that. And that's why basketball is
so special. It's such a great game and that everyone
can play. And I'm just obviously lucky that I get
(03:28):
to coach now the best players in the world.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
I want to congratulate you on your contract extension with
the Opals.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
You've been with the team for such a long time,
not only as a player but now as.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
A head coach as well. Just talk about the Opals
and what excites you the most about being the head
coach for your hometown's Nashville team.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, I think you know. Obviously, I played in four
Olympic Games, so I bleed Green and gold. It's you know,
it's it's everyone's dream to go to an Olympic Games,
and I got to go to four and memories that
I'll never forget. So when the opportunity came up to
coach the Opens, I actually turned it down a few
times because I didn't think I could do it from
(04:08):
being an international coach and this was my priority obviously
in the WNBA. But they supported me and I'm grateful
for that because I take a lot of pride and
what I do, and it's been fun to be around
these amazing athletes and impacting them. And for the most part,
we've had great success, but we've had some values along
(04:28):
the way too, and I think that's a part of
the growing of coaches and myself, and I've loved that environment.
Now it is a lot of pressure coaching your home country,
but here I am going for another four years. But
I'm excited. Obviously it's in LA. I see, I live
in America, so I think that would be pretty cool.
And we've got some really nice young talent coming through
that will really connect well with the core players. And
(04:51):
Zie mcbegel or Atlanta Smith. You know, Semi Witcom's still
playing great ball. Let's see if she can keep going
into LA. But we've got just got some really talented
young young players coming through and you'll see a lot
in training camps this year. So really excited to see
how they go.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
He talks about all the nice young talent.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
But I can't think about how Lauren Jackson was able
to come back and play.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
What was that like? Because she is a legend, A
basketball legend.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah she is, and she still is. I mean, her
legacy was already set before she made this comeback. And
I can remember the day. Like Lauren and I we
were teammates. We played in two Olympic Games together, so
you know, so we've been we've been friends, you know,
as a teammate. And then when she told me she
wanted to make a comeback, I'm like, well, if anyone
can do it, you can do it. But I really
(05:37):
wasn't quite sure she could do it because I was high.
You know. We had to make sure we had a
baseline and place that she had to reach, and she
was going to be chosen on merit, not because of
her name, and she did, and she went to a
whole other level. Now if people see like you know her,
her minutes changed. Obviously this is a much older experienced player,
(05:59):
but her was still the same and a different capacity.
And her leadership of you know, building our culturing and
being a leader, especially in those difficult moments and two
stand out in the World Cup and then the first
game in the Olympics. We lost both and we didn't
handle the pressure very well. We didn't play very well.
I mean, Nigeria's probably the worst game I've ever seen
(06:21):
us play. But it was more like me like, obviously
building them up, let's stay the course, everyone knows we're
very limited preparation, but when Lauren speaks, everyone lessons and
everyone believes it because she has so much passion and
belief in what we're doing. So that was impactful. But no,
she's had moments where she's helped carried us on the court,
none bigger than that bronze medal game in the World
Cup when she had thirty points to help us get
(06:44):
us back on the podium.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I want to switch gears a little bit and obviously
talk about that group that's right behind you in that
picture above your head, which is the championship team, the
New York Liberty. Just talk about what that twenty twenty
four championship run was like, just bouncing back from that
previous year where you went to the finals and lost,
and then you've completed the goal of winning another championship.
(07:06):
That's two for you as a head coach as well,
ten years to the date of you winning as ahead
your first one as a head coach in Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
What was that like, what was that experience like?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Well, the most amazing experience I think you know it was.
Twenty twenty four will go down as the best years
for New York to finally get the monkey of the back,
so to speak, and to do what we all set
out to do when we arrived here. And I think
Jonathan's done a great job of just putting these players together.
And you know, we missed out in twenty twenty three,
(07:39):
but the lessons of that, the experience certainly aided us
in getting it done this year and the belief that
we had in each other. And it was it was close,
but it was exciting and we never lost focus of
what we wanted to accomplish. But yeah, it's kind of
still surreal really. I mean when you were at the
parade and just the impact this team has had on
(08:01):
the city of New York makes it really really special.
The amount of people that come and watch us, that
know us, so you go down the street. Look, we
talk about it women's sport as a movement. It is
a real movement, and it's starting in New York and
I think that's you know, you see the impact it's
having all around the world, and it's really special. So
now the challenge obviously we've won. Now that's in the past.
(08:22):
Now is now we have to focus on, you know,
doing it again, and we have to earn it because
we know it's really really hard to be the champions,
but we have to remember how it feels and embrace
the new challenge that we have.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I want to take my reporter hat off for a
minute because I'm a native New Yorker and I grew up,
you know, watching in New York Liberty and just being
able to one be a part of the championship Prairie
covers because I was covering for Box five at City All,
So it was it was a full circle for me
to see you all when you know, the first championship
for this city as a young girl who grew up
(08:55):
loving basketball.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
And the sport and just being able to see that happens.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Know, it was.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Historic for sure, But putting the reporter back on.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Looking ahead to twenty twenty five, obviously there was a
lot of movement in the roster and the off season.
KT one of the dogs for the New York Liberty,
as Jonathan Cole would say, but also in Courtney Vandersloot
just the general and having her as a point guard,
you lose two huge pieces to that championship team. And
there was also some shifting with the coaching assistants, adding
(09:28):
Sonia Rahman and Andrew Wade as well on your coaching staff.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So can you just talk about just the additions and
the subtractions and the coaching staff and then the roster
and how do you all plan to you know, defend
the title.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
After you know, winning it, you always sit back as
what do we need to do now? You know Kayla
getting chosen from the Golden State welgraz I mean it's
a no brainer, I suppose, but it's really sad to
see her lose her because she's such an impactful player
for us on the court, but in the locker room
just her personality. So you know, but you can't keep everyone.
(10:06):
Courtney Vannislut's gone back to Chicago and you know they
can offer a bigger role. And so for it was
more about what do we need to do? I think
it focusing and Jonathan I it is like what do
we need to do to repeat but to be better,
to continue to evolve, And you know, I think we've
done a really good job. I'm really excited about the team.
We've got a little bit of freshness about us. I
(10:26):
think that's important after winning a championship, is you know,
we ran it back twenty three to twenty four. Now
it's more about just making some little tweaks to give
us a little extra motivation and because it will be hard.
This is the hardest thing is to repeat. But I
think we're up for the challenge because of the new
players we got in and Natasha Cloud and Noe. Bigger
than that, I mean, I just think she's a real
(10:48):
complimentary piece to what she does on the basketball court.
We talked about losing cayleb Thornton as the dog. Well
this is a this is a big dog coming in too.
And I love the emotion that she will bring this team.
And you know how the connections that we'll she'll have
with these with the players, she's a real connector. It's
been fun to watch her this last week since she's
(11:08):
been in town. How that all works. Now, it's about
putting the pieces together. We haven't marine Johanna's coming back.
We saw what she has done in the past. She's
a great player that's going to continue to get better.
Bet Gardners, we cover it. Returning from injury. We're excited
about where she's at. I think that's great. We assigned
Izzy Harrison, but then we've got our core group coming
back and we you know, it's about the evolution. Now,
(11:30):
how do we continue to grow and what we did
last year, we can all get better. We know that
that's part of it. Every team is saying the same things.
But you know, once you win it once, you want
to win it again. I mean, you were here. It
was pretty special. But we want to make sure we're
putting a great product on the court every single night.
And that's the plan. I think the players we brought
in excited about it. The same thing with the coaches.
(11:51):
We continue to explore, how do we get better. Okay,
let's okay. Sonya's got NBA experience, so let's bring her
in the connector because we're all you know, we're all
doing the same things now, aren't we? But those little
one percent so he can do it differently. So excited
to add another new voice here. And then Andrew Wade,
he was that unrivaled, just a really talented He actually
(12:13):
is quite young. I didn't think that that young, but
so knowledgeable and just his interactions and his role and
even though it's director of player development, he'll still it's
it's an assistant coach and he'll have those responsibilities as well.
So just excited. I think we have a great staff
and we want to you know, have added people in
a triple s M team, and Jonathan does a great
(12:34):
job of, you know, making sure that we have everything
that we need to go out there and perform at
the best level.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Sticking on the coaching staff because a lots of there's
been a lot of coaching changes throughout the w But
you mentioned Son, you're having that NBA experience and the
Andrew having that connection from Unrivaled with Stewey and some
of the players that you know, participated in Unrabeled. When
you think about the system that you want to create
with this group, this with the group returning and some
(13:01):
of the new players coming in, what parts of what
they can contribute in terms of their coaching and you
know style of coaching would be a benefit to the
liberty in that sense.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yeah, look, I think right now it's just bringing different perspectives,
you know of maybe let's consider that now we're the champions,
so we're not going to throw everything out with what
we've done. But I think offensively, you know, we did
play a lot of five out, but where can we
do it in the transition phase? Where can just be
a little bit better and you know, every area, so
(13:35):
it's more those one percent and getting a different perspective
and like, ah okay, because we didn't think about that,
and that's what I like. I like, you know, it's
the game continues to evolve. I think that staff that
I have around me, they're really they're students, you know,
where we're studying, you know, including myself in the in
the off scenes, it's about review and reflect and what
(13:58):
needs to be done. And I think we had that
we have a growth mindset and I think, you know,
the new voices that we have coming in compliment what
our other you know, coaches have and you know, maybe
see things differently, but can add to what we want
to do. So you know, we always aim to we
want to be the best, so you have to bring
in the best absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
And you talked about in the off season like kind
of reviewing, right, And you mentioned earlier about tweaking. Were
you able to watch any part of the final series
and the off season and if so, what was what
would be some of the things that you would have tweaked.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, yeah, no, there's a few. I mean there's a
few straight after it you'd think you would have tweaked.
I mean, you know, obviously Game one, I you know,
should have put a big line up in there at
the end, and that was the wrong decision. So I
took ownership for that and just other kind of lineups,
maybe a play that we ran and here and there,
and that's a part of the journey here. It's like
we aim for perfection, but sometimes we all don't get
(14:55):
it right, and there's things that I could have done
better too, and my players will be saying the same thing.
That's that's kind of mentality we want. It's like take ownership.
I take ownership, and you know I want to continue
to evolve as well. It's not about the play the players,
the playing style, it's also about the coaching is continue
to get better. Because just I had the same mentality
(15:18):
as when I was a player, Like I retired at
the age of thirty six because I didn't think I
could achieve anymore. But I felt I had faced every
kind of adversity that had prepared me for this too,
and that's no different as a coach now. And I'm
very like, you know, I hold myself to high standards,
but I've learned to handle high pressure situations and I
(15:40):
think I do that well. But you know, there's I'm
easy to hold myself accountable too, because I mean that's
a part of you know, we aim for perfection. We're
not there yet, so the goal is hopefully we can
get even more perfection this year.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
I think about that series.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
I think about the high jump that players like Leoni
Feebitch took in that series Niarisabli as well. What role
will they play in twenty twenty five for this roster.
But also you were talking about Marine Johannes returning, Rebecca
Gardner who was entered last year, She's expected to return
this season as well. How do you see, you know,
(16:16):
that bench or those players taking another jump to compliment
some of the stars.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Yeah, no, excited about that. I think everyone saw what
Leone Phoebish did as the season progressed, progressed and has
she got comfortable. She just plays her role, but we'd
like to increase that role. We would like to be
a little bit more aggressive on the offensive side. I
think she has the skills as guy's a limit for her.
And as with Naiara, I mean I was that was
(16:46):
one of the biggest things. I can't believe you went
with that lineup in the fifth game, I had to
do something and it could have backfired and me, but
that's okay. Then the things that's what I needed to
do and it worked out. And so happy for Niara.
She's had to face a lot of adversity with their
injuries and including it started last year, like we couldn't
even play really till after the Olympics, you know, so
(17:07):
there's not much preparation there. But we think she's so
special and you see what she does overseas. She's coming
back obviously this week. Really excited just to have a
healthy Niara. I think we could continue to add to
the game. And if you've been watching some games in Fenna,
she's out there shooting threes too, so you know we
love that. So it's her continue to get better and
(17:27):
staying healthy and you know, Marine, We want Marine to
be Marine. I mean, you know just what she can
add on the offensive end, but I think she's improved
on the defensive end, and bet Gardner's she hasn't played
for a while, but she's showing some really good signs
that could really be beneficial for us.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
The New York Liberty just announced the building of a
new practice facility, and that is kind of insane because
I feel like every team wants one team introduces one
that it's like, we're gonna build one hundred million dollars
eighty million dollar.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
But how exciting is it to see, you know, the
owners invest into this organization and it's completely different from
when you played a w Right, where now the standard
is you have to have a practice facility for your
players and continue to invest.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
It's so exciting and really like this doesn't all happen
without the vision and you know from our owners, so
Joe and Clarence say how great have they been and
their investment and taking over a team from twenty nineteen,
you know the journey, I mean it was some lean
years there and hiring Jonathan that was a you know,
genius move and just the way that he's built this
(18:31):
team together. But it doesn't start. You know, everything starts
at the top, and it really does start with our ownership.
So for them to invest in this, you know, we
have a training facility at Barclay's, but it's smaller, so
to have our very own in New York, I mean
that's a commitment to excellence, isn't it. So we're very
excited about that. It's a game changer. I think every league,
(18:51):
every team in the WNBA need it, and you know,
I'm super excited. I can't wait for it to get built.
It's made for the player, because that's what it's about.
Let's give the players everything that they need. And it's
certainly going to help the coaches with two courts and
how we prepare so we can't wait to move in.
And this is just the new normal now. But our ownership's,
(19:13):
our ownership group is simply amazing with the investment they
put in to the WNBA and the New York Liberty.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Okay, New York Liberty fans, hang tight, because we'll have
more from this conversation with Coach Sandy when we return.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Earlier.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Talked about the evolution of the game and a lot
of the new coaches that are coming into the W
this season. They're talking about running fast paced offices, offices
that are kind of centered around players shooting through. Just
mentioned Niara, like how she's grown in her game and
shooting threes. Do you see that as a trend to
where the W game is heading in general? Just shooting threes,
(19:58):
lights out, spacing the floor, fast piece that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Yeah, no, one hundred percent. I think obviously we go
in that's the way that you know, we've wanted to play.
We play a lot of five out. We probably didn't
have enough players to go to the pace with the
when we got a little lower here. But you know,
pace is important, but it's more about being efficient with
what you do. But you know it's pay space and
you know we want to get to the rim. We
want to shoot threes. I think everyone has an identical
(20:23):
vision of how they want to play, and then it's
about for me, it's like you have the how you
want to play, but you have to have those players
to fit that style as well too. So I think
we really do and you know we want to we
want to run more hopefully, but be it's still about
protecting the ball too, having not you know, running, you
don't want to take running and take bad shots. So
you know, there's the vision of how you want to
(20:44):
play and what what's a good shot over over a
bad shot. But I think that's just the way the
game's evolving. I think these players are so skilled. So
you see, you know last year we shot a lot.
We like to shoot a lot of threes. That's a
great shot for us. You know, we don't like the
long term who you know, we love to get to
the rim, so all those kinds of things. So we're
basically going to be Yeah, the game's going to evolve
(21:05):
there some teams a little bit more than others, but
we're just going to be competing against each other and
who can best stop them on the defensive end and
take away and take away the strengths of their opponents.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
It's also very satisfying to see that jump with Sabrina
as well, becoming a three level score, more vocal, being
a leader on the floor as well. From a coach's perspective,
what were some of your thoughts about her season last
year and just becoming a bigger leader for the team
of bigger voice.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Yeah, really really proud of Sabrina's development over the last
few years since I've arrived here, from from year one
to you know, coming into year four now and just
her growth. But she wants to be great. She has
she is already great, but there's an excellence about her.
She's very intentional with how she wants to approve and
what she can. She's a real student of the game.
(21:57):
So you know, there's a whole other level that she
could keep get better. That excites me because she's so
she's such a competitor. We know she can shoot the threes.
We know that she loves the moment. I mean, I
think her pick and roll game, I think we changed it.
We put the ball more in her hands last year
and you saw the great success she's she's a great
facilitator and you talked about it. The leadership. That's something
(22:18):
that I've been you know, honing on her these last
few years. Like you know, your voice matters. You are
a leader. This is your responsibility of this team. And
it's been really fun to see her be a connector
with her teammates and and but be that voice, you
know in that locker room when we need it, because
that's important, and you know it's everyone can can be
(22:39):
a leader, but she's, you know, one of our big three.
That's that's the responsibility there. So I'm excited, you know,
to get this started again. Everyone's motivated and you know,
we're ready to go knowing that this league keeps getting
better and better, and that excites me as well. There's
more eyes on us. The competition is going to be fierce,
but how great is.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And to know that you guys will probably be to
hunt it this year as well. But I think about
longevity in terms of coaching, it's you, it's Cheryl Reeves
as well. What would you credit you know that longevity
to in the w as a head coach.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Yeah, that's a great question there. I'm grateful to still
be coaching because I have a love for it. But
I think we're being very adaptable when we needed to
with the teams that we have. We've had these opportunities.
We've had some really good obviously players that we coach.
You can't win without the you know, really best talent,
but then hard working and the commitment together. Look, I'm
(23:37):
I think I lead lead teams well. I think I
can relate to to to all different you know, the stars,
to the role players because I've been there as a player.
I think that has helped me understand. I think for me,
you know now, I evolve because it's the relationships start.
But that's the most importantly getting to know your players.
(23:57):
And because I do, they become family, spend so much
time together. I care for them, but at the same time,
like keep evolving as a coach. Where you can get
better and you know, in the end, what you see
is what you get. I've yeah, every year, I'm going
to keep getting better as a coach. And I'm fifty
seven this year, and you know I'm going in my
twentieth years coaching and thirteenth year I believe as a
(24:20):
head coach. But it's continued to evolve like and but
what you see is what you get. So hopefully, Christina,
when you first met me as a player, I haven't
really changed, and I think I think that's refreshing and
I will never change because this is how I am.
I mean, there's a you know, I work really hard
to be the best I can at my job, but
I want to do it with the values that I've grown.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Up with, absolutely, and also with a lot of the
movement the coach is we're seeing, well, your international player
coach yourself, and you've been in this game for over
twenty years, as you stated, but we're seeing a trend
this season with the Connecticut Sun head coach Rasid coming
over Chicago added the Nigerian team coach on their coaching
staff as well. Do you see more of a trend
(25:03):
of some of these international coaches coming over to the
w and then looking ahead to obviously the new CBA,
do you see that shift happening as well.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Yeah, Look, number one, basketball is a global game, so
there's coaches all around the world, you know, doing their
craft at a high level. So I really do think
it comes down to those individual teams of what they need.
But they're just like we do with our scouting. We've
got so many international players here. I think teams can
start to expand their network all around the world and
(25:35):
then bring in pieces that they think will help them,
you know, achieve the goals that they have. But I
think it's fine, it's great. Obviously I've competed against Rashid
and against in the bronze medal game at the Olympics,
and yes, you know, so it's good to get those opportunities.
They're being seen. Obviously, he's done a great job with
the team so that he's coached over in Europe, so
(25:56):
you're excited for him to what he can do in
the w NBA is well. But yeah, I think, like
I think, it's an individual thing and I'm Australian, so
that's a great thing. All off. Langer, he's German, so
we've got a few here, and the Nigerian coach, I mean,
she gave us a real spanking in that first game.
So it's great that they're getting the opportunities.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
I couldn't agree with you more about globalizing the game,
but yeah, I feel like the W is a representation
of that with the players and the coaches that get
an opportunity to come over. So I can't let you
go without getting a Diana Tarazi memory because you've coached
her for such a long time when you coached with
the Phoenix Mercury and so obviously she announced her retirement
(26:38):
for basketball, But what were some of your greatest memories
of coaching Diana Tarazi.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Oh there's so many. We might go overboard here, but
what a great career it was. You know, amazing what
Diana was able to accomplish internationally as well. It's not
just in the WNBA and college, but also what she
did over in Russia. And as she said, I got
to coach her for eight years in Phoenix as the
Phoenix head coach there, but also was a coach in
(27:06):
Russia in Ugempka, So I spent a lot of time
with Diana and now at number one, I mean she's
such a connector and she she loves loves on her teammates.
I love that there's some great stories. Obviously, winning the
twenty fourteen WNBA Championship was super special and Diana, you know,
when your best players buying in, great things happen. And
(27:27):
Diana is a winner, and I think she uplifts so
many players around her. But we've had some funny things
around it. You know, Diana loves the officials, as you know,
and she's been kicked out a few times on purpose
or really funny, but none more funny there in the
bubble when you know, obviously you had no fans, so
she told the officials she'll see him in there, She'll
(27:48):
see him. Yeah, everyone's talks about the kick door on
my art and you know it was kicked down. I
mean we have of course, we just lost the final
in twenty twenty one to Chicago, so obviously, but like
she's funny, she's so she is funny, like just her
dry weird. Sometimes I'm like, is that a joke or
not a joke, But just what she's able to go
(28:09):
on the court, I don't think anyone can match it.
Just her, the success that she's had, how she makes
players better, you know, the game. We're going to miss her.
Put it that way, We're going to miss her personality
and her three points shooting, but also her great passes
as well.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Absolutely, and I love how unapologetic she was during her
career as well. Coach Sandy, what is something that fans
should be excited about for the twenty twenty five New
York Liberty?
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Everything we're bringing it. We finally made history, you know,
getting that first championship for New York was super special,
but just the love that we got and the players
how they want to compete, you know, we're ready to
earn it again. So that excise is so we're going
to go work hard every single day and you know,
hopefully we can back be back where we were in
(28:56):
twenty twenty four. We know it would be hard, but
come along for the rong and we're all excited.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Coach Sandy, thank you for your time and thank you
for being here with us this week on in case
you missed it with Christina Williams, I'm looking forward to
seeing what the Liberty will do this season and I'll
probably see you at training camp.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Yes, she will look forward to it.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Okay, y'all, were going to take another quick break and
when we get back, we're going to do the things that.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
I love this week. Stay with us.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Welcome back to In case you missed it with Christina Williams,
and I just want.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
To thank Coach Sandy again for joining us this week.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Super excited about the New York Liberty and don't forget,
I'll be live from their training camp in a couple
of days, so stick around for that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
Before we get out of.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Here, we're going to do one of my favorite segments
and parts of the show. Here's the things that I
love this week. So the thing that I love this week.
While Tech Weekend, obviously, all the buzz is surrounding Ryan
Coogler's new film Centers featuring Michael B. Jordan, and I
(30:09):
feel like Ryan and Michael are like the Scottie Pippet
and Michael Jordan of films right now, like they are
just in Banger after Banger after Banger.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Sinners did not disappoint.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
I was able to go see it on Saturday with
my homegirl in Natalia, and we went to go see
it at the Imax. So in the peers form and
the best version I think it was.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
It was great. I don't want to give anything away
about the.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Film, but I do recommend that you run, job hop, skip,
do whatever you can to go see this film. There
was a lot of symbolism in the film. One of
my favorite scenes that is floating around the internet right
now was the music scene at the juke joint, where
it kind of paid homage to music of the past
(30:57):
and how it led us to the music that we
see today. I think that that was one of the
most brilliant sequences ever and they should win all of
the awards.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Michael B.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Jordan he played the hell out of the role of
Stacks and Smoke. I think that it looked like he
had fun doing it, but also like it feels like
it was one of his most challenging roles as an actor.
And so I've been scrolling on TikTok ever since looking
at all the different reactions and discussions and going down
(31:28):
all of the vampire lore. There was some great comedic
moments in the film as well. I think you guys
would appreciate the character corn Bread if you watch the film,
But yeah, there was there was a lot of great
moments in the film. Obviously, I love vampire films, horror films,
so it was really right up my alley. I grew
(31:50):
up watching like The Vampire Diaries, the Originals, all that stuff,
so I thoroughly enjoyed the film. So if you haven't
seen it, go run and see it. And that's gonna
do it for this edition of In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams, don't forget to rate, review and
subscribe to the podcast, and we'll be back here next week.
(32:10):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
You can find us on
Speaker 1 (32:18):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your
podcasts
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 and New York Liberty fans.
You are in for a super free this week. I'm
(00:24):
super excited about this week's guest. Obviously, the WNBA season
is slowly approaching, so what better way to celebrate that
than by having the head coach of the raigning champions
join the show this week. Please welcome to the show,
New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brundelo Coach, Sandy, how
are you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I'm doing great, Christina, thank you so much for having
me on. I'm really excited it's about to kick off soon.
I know.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I can't believe that another season is already happening. I
feel like everything's moving so fast. But how has your
off season been?
Speaker 3 (00:58):
What have you been up to?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yeah, look, obviously spend the off season in Phoenix, but
continually keep an eye on all of our players playing
all around the world and staying connected and you know,
preparing for the new season and enjoying a little bit
of time. I am a mother as well, so to
spend some time, a little bit of time with my children,
it is very special. Had opportunities to go back to
Australia because my son has moved back there to play basketball,
(01:20):
and but yeah, I always you know, I had a
bit a few months off after it. It was a
pretty long busy season. But from January, she's scaring up
for this new year and now it's here and really excited.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
That's super exciting. Glad you were able to take some
time off and you know, celebrate a little bit, but
also be with your family. I like to start the
show off by asking every single guest that come to
the show what is their favorite basketball memory or the
thing that got you into, you know, loving basketball.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I actually I started playing when I was the age
of nine. At that time, I was pretty good at
track and field, so you know, I was an Australian
champion long jump at the age of twelve. So but
when I played first played basketball, I loved it, and
so it was an easy decision when I had to
choose between the two sports, and I'm glad I did
(02:10):
because I have to pinch myself sometimes just to obviously
the playing career that I had and now obviously being
a coach and a coach for the New York Liberty
and Australian Oples is you know, is you know is
a great privilegion. I'm very grateful for it.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
I just learned something new about coach Sandy, a long
jump champion that is insane.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
That is insane.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So you talked about the moment you fell in love
with basketball and having to choose between the two sports.
What would you say is the biggest difference of playing
sports in Australia versus here in the United States.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Never played sports early in my career, I mean, and
only from the WNBA. But you know, I think why
I chose basketball was because of playing with my friends
and you know, long jump, track and field it's an
individual sport and I was quite a shy kid growing up,
believe it or not, And you know, I liked being
(03:06):
around my friends and then competing with them and the
camaraderie that you got. Now, I think basketball that's where
it is wherever you play all around the world, that's
what brings you. It's about the competition, but it's also
about the camaraderie. And you could be anywhere and you're
you're going to get that. And that's why basketball is
so special. It's such a great game and that everyone
can play. And I'm just obviously lucky that I get
(03:28):
to coach now the best players in the world.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
I want to congratulate you on your contract extension with
the Opals.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
You've been with the team for such a long time,
not only as a player but now as.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
A head coach as well. Just talk about the Opals
and what excites you the most about being the head
coach for your hometown's Nashville team.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yeah, I think you know. Obviously, I played in four
Olympic Games, so I bleed Green and gold. It's you know,
it's it's everyone's dream to go to an Olympic Games,
and I got to go to four and memories that
I'll never forget. So when the opportunity came up to
coach the Opens, I actually turned it down a few
times because I didn't think I could do it from
(04:08):
being an international coach and this was my priority obviously
in the WNBA. But they supported me and I'm grateful
for that because I take a lot of pride and
what I do, and it's been fun to be around
these amazing athletes and impacting them. And for the most part,
we've had great success, but we've had some values along
(04:28):
the way too, and I think that's a part of
the growing of coaches and myself, and I've loved that environment.
Now it is a lot of pressure coaching your home country,
but here I am going for another four years. But
I'm excited. Obviously it's in LA. I see, I live
in America, so I think that would be pretty cool.
And we've got some really nice young talent coming through
that will really connect well with the core players. And
(04:51):
Zie mcbegel or Atlanta Smith. You know, Semi Witcom's still
playing great ball. Let's see if she can keep going
into LA. But we've got just got some really talented
young young players coming through and you'll see a lot
in training camps this year. So really excited to see
how they go.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
He talks about all the nice young talent.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
But I can't think about how Lauren Jackson was able
to come back and play.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
What was that like? Because she is a legend, A
basketball legend.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Yeah she is, and she still is. I mean, her
legacy was already set before she made this comeback. And
I can remember the day. Like Lauren and I we
were teammates. We played in two Olympic Games together, so
you know, so we've been we've been friends, you know,
as a teammate. And then when she told me she
wanted to make a comeback, I'm like, well, if anyone
can do it, you can do it. But I really
(05:37):
wasn't quite sure she could do it because I was high.
You know. We had to make sure we had a
baseline and place that she had to reach, and she
was going to be chosen on merit, not because of
her name, and she did, and she went to a
whole other level. Now if people see like you know her,
her minutes changed. Obviously this is a much older experienced player,
(05:59):
but her was still the same and a different capacity.
And her leadership of you know, building our culturing and
being a leader, especially in those difficult moments and two
stand out in the World Cup and then the first
game in the Olympics. We lost both and we didn't
handle the pressure very well. We didn't play very well.
I mean, Nigeria's probably the worst game I've ever seen
(06:21):
us play. But it was more like me like, obviously
building them up, let's stay the course, everyone knows we're
very limited preparation, but when Lauren speaks, everyone lessons and
everyone believes it because she has so much passion and
belief in what we're doing. So that was impactful. But no,
she's had moments where she's helped carried us on the court,
none bigger than that bronze medal game in the World
Cup when she had thirty points to help us get
(06:44):
us back on the podium.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
I want to switch gears a little bit and obviously
talk about that group that's right behind you in that
picture above your head, which is the championship team, the
New York Liberty. Just talk about what that twenty twenty
four championship run was like, just bouncing back from that
previous year where you went to the finals and lost,
and then you've completed the goal of winning another championship.
(07:06):
That's two for you as a head coach as well,
ten years to the date of you winning as ahead
your first one as a head coach in Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
What was that like, what was that experience like?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Well, the most amazing experience I think you know it was.
Twenty twenty four will go down as the best years
for New York to finally get the monkey of the back,
so to speak, and to do what we all set
out to do when we arrived here. And I think
Jonathan's done a great job of just putting these players together.
And you know, we missed out in twenty twenty three,
(07:39):
but the lessons of that, the experience certainly aided us
in getting it done this year and the belief that
we had in each other. And it was it was close,
but it was exciting and we never lost focus of
what we wanted to accomplish. But yeah, it's kind of
still surreal really. I mean when you were at the
parade and just the impact this team has had on
(08:01):
the city of New York makes it really really special.
The amount of people that come and watch us, that
know us, so you go down the street. Look, we
talk about it women's sport as a movement. It is
a real movement, and it's starting in New York and
I think that's you know, you see the impact it's
having all around the world, and it's really special. So
now the challenge obviously we've won. Now that's in the past.
(08:22):
Now is now we have to focus on, you know,
doing it again, and we have to earn it because
we know it's really really hard to be the champions,
but we have to remember how it feels and embrace
the new challenge that we have.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I want to take my reporter hat off for a
minute because I'm a native New Yorker and I grew up,
you know, watching in New York Liberty and just being
able to one be a part of the championship Prairie
covers because I was covering for Box five at City All,
So it was it was a full circle for me
to see you all when you know, the first championship
for this city as a young girl who grew up
(08:55):
loving basketball.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
And the sport and just being able to see that happens.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Know, it was.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Historic for sure, But putting the reporter back on.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Looking ahead to twenty twenty five, obviously there was a
lot of movement in the roster and the off season.
KT one of the dogs for the New York Liberty,
as Jonathan Cole would say, but also in Courtney Vandersloot
just the general and having her as a point guard,
you lose two huge pieces to that championship team. And
there was also some shifting with the coaching assistants, adding
(09:28):
Sonia Rahman and Andrew Wade as well on your coaching staff.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
So can you just talk about just the additions and
the subtractions and the coaching staff and then the roster
and how do you all plan to you know, defend
the title.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
After you know, winning it, you always sit back as
what do we need to do now? You know Kayla
getting chosen from the Golden State welgraz I mean it's
a no brainer, I suppose, but it's really sad to
see her lose her because she's such an impactful player
for us on the court, but in the locker room
just her personality. So you know, but you can't keep everyone.
(10:06):
Courtney Vannislut's gone back to Chicago and you know they
can offer a bigger role. And so for it was
more about what do we need to do? I think
it focusing and Jonathan I it is like what do
we need to do to repeat but to be better,
to continue to evolve, And you know, I think we've
done a really good job. I'm really excited about the team.
We've got a little bit of freshness about us. I
(10:26):
think that's important after winning a championship, is you know,
we ran it back twenty three to twenty four. Now
it's more about just making some little tweaks to give
us a little extra motivation and because it will be hard.
This is the hardest thing is to repeat. But I
think we're up for the challenge because of the new
players we got in and Natasha Cloud and Noe. Bigger
than that, I mean, I just think she's a real
(10:48):
complimentary piece to what she does on the basketball court.
We talked about losing cayleb Thornton as the dog. Well
this is a this is a big dog coming in too.
And I love the emotion that she will bring this team.
And you know how the connections that we'll she'll have
with these with the players, she's a real connector. It's
been fun to watch her this last week since she's
(11:08):
been in town. How that all works. Now, it's about
putting the pieces together. We haven't marine Johanna's coming back.
We saw what she has done in the past. She's
a great player that's going to continue to get better.
Bet Gardners, we cover it. Returning from injury. We're excited
about where she's at. I think that's great. We assigned
Izzy Harrison, but then we've got our core group coming
back and we you know, it's about the evolution. Now,
(11:30):
how do we continue to grow and what we did
last year, we can all get better. We know that
that's part of it. Every team is saying the same things.
But you know, once you win it once, you want
to win it again. I mean, you were here. It
was pretty special. But we want to make sure we're
putting a great product on the court every single night.
And that's the plan. I think the players we brought
in excited about it. The same thing with the coaches.
(11:51):
We continue to explore, how do we get better. Okay,
let's okay. Sonya's got NBA experience, so let's bring her
in the connector because we're all you know, we're all
doing the same things now, aren't we? But those little
one percent so he can do it differently. So excited
to add another new voice here. And then Andrew Wade,
he was that unrivaled, just a really talented He actually
(12:13):
is quite young. I didn't think that that young, but
so knowledgeable and just his interactions and his role and
even though it's director of player development, he'll still it's
it's an assistant coach and he'll have those responsibilities as well.
So just excited. I think we have a great staff
and we want to you know, have added people in
a triple s M team, and Jonathan does a great
(12:34):
job of, you know, making sure that we have everything
that we need to go out there and perform at
the best level.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Sticking on the coaching staff because a lots of there's
been a lot of coaching changes throughout the w But
you mentioned Son, you're having that NBA experience and the
Andrew having that connection from Unrivaled with Stewey and some
of the players that you know, participated in Unrabeled. When
you think about the system that you want to create
with this group, this with the group returning and some
(13:01):
of the new players coming in, what parts of what
they can contribute in terms of their coaching and you
know style of coaching would be a benefit to the
liberty in that sense.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Yeah, look, I think right now it's just bringing different perspectives,
you know of maybe let's consider that now we're the champions,
so we're not going to throw everything out with what
we've done. But I think offensively, you know, we did
play a lot of five out, but where can we
do it in the transition phase? Where can just be
a little bit better and you know, every area, so
(13:35):
it's more those one percent and getting a different perspective
and like, ah okay, because we didn't think about that,
and that's what I like. I like, you know, it's
the game continues to evolve. I think that staff that
I have around me, they're really they're students, you know,
where we're studying, you know, including myself in the in
the off scenes, it's about review and reflect and what
(13:58):
needs to be done. And I think we had that
we have a growth mindset and I think, you know,
the new voices that we have coming in compliment what
our other you know, coaches have and you know, maybe
see things differently, but can add to what we want
to do. So you know, we always aim to we
want to be the best, so you have to bring
in the best absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
And you talked about in the off season like kind
of reviewing, right, And you mentioned earlier about tweaking. Were
you able to watch any part of the final series
and the off season and if so, what was what
would be some of the things that you would have tweaked.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, yeah, no, there's a few. I mean there's a
few straight after it you'd think you would have tweaked.
I mean, you know, obviously Game one, I you know,
should have put a big line up in there at
the end, and that was the wrong decision. So I
took ownership for that and just other kind of lineups,
maybe a play that we ran and here and there,
and that's a part of the journey here. It's like
we aim for perfection, but sometimes we all don't get
(14:55):
it right, and there's things that I could have done
better too, and my players will be saying the same thing.
That's that's kind of mentality we want. It's like take ownership.
I take ownership, and you know I want to continue
to evolve as well. It's not about the play the players,
the playing style, it's also about the coaching is continue
to get better. Because just I had the same mentality
(15:18):
as when I was a player, Like I retired at
the age of thirty six because I didn't think I
could achieve anymore. But I felt I had faced every
kind of adversity that had prepared me for this too,
and that's no different as a coach now. And I'm
very like, you know, I hold myself to high standards,
but I've learned to handle high pressure situations and I
(15:40):
think I do that well. But you know, there's I'm
easy to hold myself accountable too, because I mean that's
a part of you know, we aim for perfection. We're
not there yet, so the goal is hopefully we can
get even more perfection this year.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
I think about that series.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
I think about the high jump that players like Leoni
Feebitch took in that series Niarisabli as well. What role
will they play in twenty twenty five for this roster.
But also you were talking about Marine Johannes returning, Rebecca
Gardner who was entered last year, She's expected to return
this season as well. How do you see, you know,
(16:16):
that bench or those players taking another jump to compliment
some of the stars.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Yeah, no, excited about that. I think everyone saw what
Leone Phoebish did as the season progressed, progressed and has
she got comfortable. She just plays her role, but we'd
like to increase that role. We would like to be
a little bit more aggressive on the offensive side. I
think she has the skills as guy's a limit for her.
And as with Naiara, I mean I was that was
(16:46):
one of the biggest things. I can't believe you went
with that lineup in the fifth game, I had to
do something and it could have backfired and me, but
that's okay. Then the things that's what I needed to
do and it worked out. And so happy for Niara.
She's had to face a lot of adversity with their
injuries and including it started last year, like we couldn't
even play really till after the Olympics, you know, so
(17:07):
there's not much preparation there. But we think she's so
special and you see what she does overseas. She's coming
back obviously this week. Really excited just to have a
healthy Niara. I think we could continue to add to
the game. And if you've been watching some games in Fenna,
she's out there shooting threes too, so you know we
love that. So it's her continue to get better and
(17:27):
staying healthy and you know, Marine, We want Marine to
be Marine. I mean, you know just what she can
add on the offensive end, but I think she's improved
on the defensive end, and bet Gardner's she hasn't played
for a while, but she's showing some really good signs
that could really be beneficial for us.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
The New York Liberty just announced the building of a
new practice facility, and that is kind of insane because
I feel like every team wants one team introduces one
that it's like, we're gonna build one hundred million dollars
eighty million dollar.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
But how exciting is it to see, you know, the
owners invest into this organization and it's completely different from
when you played a w Right, where now the standard
is you have to have a practice facility for your
players and continue to invest.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
It's so exciting and really like this doesn't all happen
without the vision and you know from our owners, so
Joe and Clarence say how great have they been and
their investment and taking over a team from twenty nineteen,
you know the journey, I mean it was some lean
years there and hiring Jonathan that was a you know,
genius move and just the way that he's built this
(18:31):
team together. But it doesn't start. You know, everything starts
at the top, and it really does start with our ownership.
So for them to invest in this, you know, we
have a training facility at Barclay's, but it's smaller, so
to have our very own in New York, I mean
that's a commitment to excellence, isn't it. So we're very
excited about that. It's a game changer. I think every league,
(18:51):
every team in the WNBA need it, and you know,
I'm super excited. I can't wait for it to get built.
It's made for the player, because that's what it's about.
Let's give the players everything that they need. And it's
certainly going to help the coaches with two courts and
how we prepare so we can't wait to move in.
And this is just the new normal now. But our ownership's,
(19:13):
our ownership group is simply amazing with the investment they
put in to the WNBA and the New York Liberty.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Okay, New York Liberty fans, hang tight, because we'll have
more from this conversation with Coach Sandy when we return.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Earlier.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
Talked about the evolution of the game and a lot
of the new coaches that are coming into the W
this season. They're talking about running fast paced offices, offices
that are kind of centered around players shooting through. Just
mentioned Niara, like how she's grown in her game and
shooting threes. Do you see that as a trend to
where the W game is heading in general? Just shooting threes,
(19:58):
lights out, spacing the floor, fast piece that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Yeah, no, one hundred percent. I think obviously we go
in that's the way that you know, we've wanted to play.
We play a lot of five out. We probably didn't
have enough players to go to the pace with the
when we got a little lower here. But you know,
pace is important, but it's more about being efficient with
what you do. But you know it's pay space and
you know we want to get to the rim. We
want to shoot threes. I think everyone has an identical
(20:23):
vision of how they want to play, and then it's
about for me, it's like you have the how you
want to play, but you have to have those players
to fit that style as well too. So I think
we really do and you know we want to we
want to run more hopefully, but be it's still about
protecting the ball too, having not you know, running, you
don't want to take running and take bad shots. So
you know, there's the vision of how you want to
(20:44):
play and what what's a good shot over over a
bad shot. But I think that's just the way the
game's evolving. I think these players are so skilled. So
you see, you know last year we shot a lot.
We like to shoot a lot of threes. That's a
great shot for us. You know, we don't like the
long term who you know, we love to get to
the rim, so all those kinds of things. So we're
basically going to be Yeah, the game's going to evolve
(21:05):
there some teams a little bit more than others, but
we're just going to be competing against each other and
who can best stop them on the defensive end and
take away and take away the strengths of their opponents.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
It's also very satisfying to see that jump with Sabrina
as well, becoming a three level score, more vocal, being
a leader on the floor as well. From a coach's perspective,
what were some of your thoughts about her season last
year and just becoming a bigger leader for the team
of bigger voice.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Yeah, really really proud of Sabrina's development over the last
few years since I've arrived here, from from year one
to you know, coming into year four now and just
her growth. But she wants to be great. She has
she is already great, but there's an excellence about her.
She's very intentional with how she wants to approve and
what she can. She's a real student of the game.
(21:57):
So you know, there's a whole other level that she
could keep get better. That excites me because she's so
she's such a competitor. We know she can shoot the threes.
We know that she loves the moment. I mean, I
think her pick and roll game, I think we changed it.
We put the ball more in her hands last year
and you saw the great success she's she's a great
facilitator and you talked about it. The leadership. That's something
(22:18):
that I've been you know, honing on her these last
few years. Like you know, your voice matters. You are
a leader. This is your responsibility of this team. And
it's been really fun to see her be a connector
with her teammates and and but be that voice, you
know in that locker room when we need it, because
that's important, and you know it's everyone can can be
(22:39):
a leader, but she's, you know, one of our big three.
That's that's the responsibility there. So I'm excited, you know,
to get this started again. Everyone's motivated and you know,
we're ready to go knowing that this league keeps getting
better and better, and that excites me as well. There's
more eyes on us. The competition is going to be fierce,
but how great is.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And to know that you guys will probably be to
hunt it this year as well. But I think about
longevity in terms of coaching, it's you, it's Cheryl Reeves
as well. What would you credit you know that longevity
to in the w as a head coach.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Yeah, that's a great question there. I'm grateful to still
be coaching because I have a love for it. But
I think we're being very adaptable when we needed to
with the teams that we have. We've had these opportunities.
We've had some really good obviously players that we coach.
You can't win without the you know, really best talent,
but then hard working and the commitment together. Look, I'm
(23:37):
I think I lead lead teams well. I think I
can relate to to to all different you know, the stars,
to the role players because I've been there as a player.
I think that has helped me understand. I think for me,
you know now, I evolve because it's the relationships start.
But that's the most importantly getting to know your players.
(23:57):
And because I do, they become family, spend so much
time together. I care for them, but at the same time,
like keep evolving as a coach. Where you can get
better and you know, in the end, what you see
is what you get. I've yeah, every year, I'm going
to keep getting better as a coach. And I'm fifty
seven this year, and you know I'm going in my
twentieth years coaching and thirteenth year I believe as a
(24:20):
head coach. But it's continued to evolve like and but
what you see is what you get. So hopefully, Christina,
when you first met me as a player, I haven't
really changed, and I think I think that's refreshing and
I will never change because this is how I am.
I mean, there's a you know, I work really hard
to be the best I can at my job, but
I want to do it with the values that I've grown.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Up with, absolutely, and also with a lot of the
movement the coach is we're seeing, well, your international player
coach yourself, and you've been in this game for over
twenty years, as you stated, but we're seeing a trend
this season with the Connecticut Sun head coach Rasid coming
over Chicago added the Nigerian team coach on their coaching
staff as well. Do you see more of a trend
(25:03):
of some of these international coaches coming over to the
w and then looking ahead to obviously the new CBA,
do you see that shift happening as well.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Yeah, Look, number one, basketball is a global game, so
there's coaches all around the world, you know, doing their
craft at a high level. So I really do think
it comes down to those individual teams of what they need.
But they're just like we do with our scouting. We've
got so many international players here. I think teams can
start to expand their network all around the world and
(25:35):
then bring in pieces that they think will help them,
you know, achieve the goals that they have. But I
think it's fine, it's great. Obviously I've competed against Rashid
and against in the bronze medal game at the Olympics,
and yes, you know, so it's good to get those opportunities.
They're being seen. Obviously, he's done a great job with
the team so that he's coached over in Europe, so
(25:56):
you're excited for him to what he can do in
the w NBA is well. But yeah, I think, like
I think, it's an individual thing and I'm Australian, so
that's a great thing. All off. Langer, he's German, so
we've got a few here, and the Nigerian coach, I mean,
she gave us a real spanking in that first game.
So it's great that they're getting the opportunities.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
I couldn't agree with you more about globalizing the game,
but yeah, I feel like the W is a representation
of that with the players and the coaches that get
an opportunity to come over. So I can't let you
go without getting a Diana Tarazi memory because you've coached
her for such a long time when you coached with
the Phoenix Mercury and so obviously she announced her retirement
(26:38):
for basketball, But what were some of your greatest memories
of coaching Diana Tarazi.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
Oh there's so many. We might go overboard here, but
what a great career it was. You know, amazing what
Diana was able to accomplish internationally as well. It's not
just in the WNBA and college, but also what she
did over in Russia. And as she said, I got
to coach her for eight years in Phoenix as the
Phoenix head coach there, but also was a coach in
(27:06):
Russia in Ugempka, So I spent a lot of time
with Diana and now at number one, I mean she's
such a connector and she she loves loves on her teammates.
I love that there's some great stories. Obviously, winning the
twenty fourteen WNBA Championship was super special and Diana, you know,
when your best players buying in, great things happen. And
(27:27):
Diana is a winner, and I think she uplifts so
many players around her. But we've had some funny things
around it. You know, Diana loves the officials, as you know,
and she's been kicked out a few times on purpose
or really funny, but none more funny there in the
bubble when you know, obviously you had no fans, so
she told the officials she'll see him in there, She'll
(27:48):
see him. Yeah, everyone's talks about the kick door on
my art and you know it was kicked down. I
mean we have of course, we just lost the final
in twenty twenty one to Chicago, so obviously, but like
she's funny, she's so she is funny, like just her
dry weird. Sometimes I'm like, is that a joke or
not a joke, But just what she's able to go
(28:09):
on the court, I don't think anyone can match it.
Just her, the success that she's had, how she makes
players better, you know, the game. We're going to miss her.
Put it that way, We're going to miss her personality
and her three points shooting, but also her great passes
as well.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
Absolutely, and I love how unapologetic she was during her
career as well. Coach Sandy, what is something that fans
should be excited about for the twenty twenty five New
York Liberty?
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Everything we're bringing it. We finally made history, you know,
getting that first championship for New York was super special,
but just the love that we got and the players
how they want to compete, you know, we're ready to
earn it again. So that excise is so we're going
to go work hard every single day and you know,
hopefully we can back be back where we were in
(28:56):
twenty twenty four. We know it would be hard, but
come along for the rong and we're all excited.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Coach Sandy, thank you for your time and thank you
for being here with us this week on in case
you missed it with Christina Williams, I'm looking forward to
seeing what the Liberty will do this season and I'll
probably see you at training camp.
Speaker 2 (29:13):
Yes, she will look forward to it.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
Okay, y'all, were going to take another quick break and
when we get back, we're going to do the things that.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
I love this week. Stay with us.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Welcome back to In case you missed it with Christina Williams,
and I just want.
Speaker 3 (29:35):
To thank Coach Sandy again for joining us this week.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Super excited about the New York Liberty and don't forget,
I'll be live from their training camp in a couple
of days, so stick around for that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
Before we get out of.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Here, we're going to do one of my favorite segments
and parts of the show. Here's the things that I
love this week. So the thing that I love this week.
While Tech Weekend, obviously, all the buzz is surrounding Ryan
Coogler's new film Centers featuring Michael B. Jordan, and I
(30:09):
feel like Ryan and Michael are like the Scottie Pippet
and Michael Jordan of films right now, like they are
just in Banger after Banger after Banger.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Sinners did not disappoint.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
I was able to go see it on Saturday with
my homegirl in Natalia, and we went to go see
it at the Imax. So in the peers form and
the best version I think it was.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
It was great. I don't want to give anything away
about the.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Film, but I do recommend that you run, job hop, skip,
do whatever you can to go see this film. There
was a lot of symbolism in the film. One of
my favorite scenes that is floating around the internet right
now was the music scene at the juke joint, where
it kind of paid homage to music of the past
(30:57):
and how it led us to the music that we
see today. I think that that was one of the
most brilliant sequences ever and they should win all of
the awards.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Michael B.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Jordan he played the hell out of the role of
Stacks and Smoke. I think that it looked like he
had fun doing it, but also like it feels like
it was one of his most challenging roles as an actor.
And so I've been scrolling on TikTok ever since looking
at all the different reactions and discussions and going down
(31:28):
all of the vampire lore. There was some great comedic
moments in the film as well. I think you guys
would appreciate the character corn Bread if you watch the film,
But yeah, there was there was a lot of great
moments in the film. Obviously, I love vampire films, horror films,
so it was really right up my alley. I grew
(31:50):
up watching like The Vampire Diaries, the Originals, all that stuff,
so I thoroughly enjoyed the film. So if you haven't
seen it, go run and see it. And that's gonna
do it for this edition of In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams, don't forget to rate, review and
subscribe to the podcast, and we'll be back here next week.
(32:10):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
You can find us on
Speaker 1 (32:18):
The iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your
podcasts
Host
Khristina Williams
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