Ben Pickman, staff writer for The Athletic, joins Khristina to break down the biggest storylines across the W. They preview the Fever–Lynx Commissioner’s Cup title game, unpack the Dallas–Vegas trade that sent NaLyssa Smith to the Aces, and take stock of other notable roster moves around the league. Plus, they discuss what Inky Son’s exit means for WNBA Toronto and break down the league’s expansion timeline, with three new teams expected by 2030.
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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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. Hey, in case you missed it, Gang, we
are back and it's July. I can't believe that it's
already July, but we're here and I'm stuck in Miami
(00:24):
because of weather issues, and so I'm excited to bring
you the show from Miami, Happy July. I'm super excited
for today's show because obviously there's so much happening around
the WNBA, and that would happen while I'm on a
mini vacation, like the news just goo's super crazy while
(00:44):
I'm trying to have an all day on the beach.
But I'm excited about this week's guest joining us to
break down the latest in and around the w NBA.
He is and he is a staff writer for The
Athletic and one of my favorite I have to give
him his props. He is super great at his job,
and I'm super excited that we could finally make this happen.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
So please help me and welcoming and Ben Pickman to
the show.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Welcome Vin, thanks a lot for having me. Christina stuck
in Miami. That doesn't sound too bad at all, it
does it?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It doesn't I get an extra day on the beach.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I'm so excited to have you here this week, and
there's lots to talk about, so let's dive right into it.
So before we get into the topics of the week,
I like to start every show with asking each guest
to name a win of the week that they had.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
So what was your win of the week? Ben?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
For me right now to start this week, it's a
little win that I am taping this in Minneapolis and
that I have made it to Minneapolis for the Commissioner
scut because there was a long while on Monday afternoon
it did not look like I was gonna get to
Minneapolis because my flight from New York to Minneapolis just
kept getting delayed and delay and delayed, and then we
(02:01):
sat on a plane for another, you know, more than
an hour, and then the pilot came back on and said,
they're twenty nine to thirty planes in front of you
waiting to taxi. So look, I'll provide some WNB analysis
on this show, but my mind is fully on airlines
and air travel right now. I guess I finished the
rehearsal too. Speaking of other wins of the week.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah, no, that's super well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
I have the same issue on Monday and going. I
was trying to leave Miami and go back to New
York via look Audiat Airport and we were on the
tarmac for an hour and then there were a bunch
of planes ahead of us and they were like, oh,
actually we had to go back to the gate and
dye plane and then got delayed and then eventually canceled.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And as you said earlier, it's not bad getting stuck
in Miami. So all right, that's a great win for
the week.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
You made it to Minneapolis, and obviously there's a lot
of excitement surrounding the Commissioners Cup this week, and it
all came down to two teams, the Indiana Fever and
Minnesota Lynx, who actually played in the championship game last
year versus the New York Liberty and won the Commissioners Cup.
So we haven't had back to back Commissioners Cup champions
(03:08):
as of yet, but many Minnesota, they're playing so so
so well this season.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
What are you looking forward to seeing in this matchup?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Well, I mean the first question when we take this
and this we should say Tuesday morning is whether Caitlyn
Clark is going to play or not. You know, she's
been dealing with injury, missed the last two games, and
that comes after she missed five games earlier in this season,
so a lot is still kind of up in the
air as it relates to her status. But independent of Clark,
I mean, for me, I'm really interested to see how
(03:38):
Eliah Boston tries to attack the Minnesota Link's front court,
because that is really one of the strengths of their team. Really,
everything is a strength, but you know, you can argue
that the front court is where their bread is buttered,
so to speak. I mean, they have Alana Smith, who
made the All w Defensive Team second team last year.
To me, one of the most underrated players still in
the WNBA. Year after year I banged the drum that
(03:59):
she should there be an All Star most improved. She
continues to progress. She can handle I think Boston and
potentially slow down Boston in short role situations. And then
you throw someone like Nafisa Collier, the Defensive Player of
the Year, as another body who can guarded the of Boston.
Jess Shephard, another high quality big off the bench. So
Minnesota just has a lot of depth. So I'm just
(04:20):
interested to see what is Boston able to do and
how is Indiana. I'm going to try and attack this,
you know staunch links defense.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Hey, and you brought up an a piece of Collier
And no doubt she is the front runner this year
for MVP. What have you been seeing from her this
season that stands out to you?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
She continues to just elevate. I think her game in
all levels. You know, for me, it starts with she
might have the most unguardable shot in the w NBA
right when you think about some of her post moves
and her post turnarounds like find a player who is
consistently able to guard them, And I will say you
are lying, because there is not a player who is
(04:58):
consistently able to slow her down. She's just really effective
in how she scores everywhere on the four, She's one
of the best players when she rolls to the basket
in finishing, she's elite. As I mentioned, her POSTEP game
is elite. There just isn't a lot she can't do
right now. She is definitely in that group who you know,
continue to ascend after unrivaled.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
There just is not a lot not to like about
how he is playing right now to start the year.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
One of the things that I realized about the Commissioner's
Cup is for the past two years or so, is
kind of foreshadow of the two teams that would make
it to the w NBA Finals. Do you think that
we'll see that kind of thing mirroring again this year?
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yeah, it's a good question. It's a little bit of
an acceptable We'll see if it's an exception to the rule. Right,
you mentioned Minnesota and New York last year. I want
to say the year before was right, new York and
Las Vegas. So I want to say in I guess
each of the last three, at least one of the
two participants then has made it to the commiss Cup Championship.
If we're betting a team to make it, I mean
(06:04):
the safe bet here is Minnesota obviously, of these two,
I mean Indiana Anders. I want to say eight and
eight on the year kind of an up and down
season two start, whereas Minnesota is the league's best team
record wise and looks very much like a team Ani mission.
So I wouldn't bet this exact matchup, but I think
I would bet the Minnesota Links to get back there
(06:26):
come October.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And sticking with Many and Indiana.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
No surprise that Caitlin Clark Mpisa Collier have been named
the captains for the twenty twenty five w NBA All
Star Game. And I know a lot of people gave
me flat a little flak for my ballot, but I
stand by who I've voted for, y'all.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
So if you're listening to this, I stand by it.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
But how excited are you for these two to be
named captain? I know in previous yeares we had Brianna
Stewart and Asia Wilson as captain, So it's kind of
a changing of the guard right now with all new
fresh captains and the starters were also revealed.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Yeah, I mean, look, it's certainly a changing of the guard,
but really it is the start of probably a dynastic
run if we're being fully honest about Kaitlin Clark being
a team captain in the All Star Game format, because
it is hard to imagine that as long as she
plays and plays well and is like healthy, that she's
not going to be number one in fan vote for
(07:22):
a very long time. So in theory that will mean
she will be the captain for a very long time. Yeah,
I mean it's definitely exciting to see it. Should you
know it should it should just be a great All
Star game for me. The thing that stuck out though,
is that Paige Becker's was the number one guard in
terms of weighted score, so we should say, you know,
fan vote was fifty percent, media was twenty five, player
(07:44):
was twenty five, and Page of the four starting guards Clark,
Enescu and Gray being the others, actually had the highest
cumulative score. And I think that's really interesting when we
start to break down the ballots and the reveals.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, and I think that there was no surprise in
terms of the guards who have been producing this season.
I like either one of those out in my ballot.
I had Skyler Diggins as one of the guards for
my starters, and I think she used him play at
a high level. Also, was just how Seattle's been clicking.
I really enjoy sky but I know that the fan
(08:21):
vote part wasn't necessarily there for her. When you look
at the front court, Leah Austin, you mentioned this is
she's starting. Any other things that stand out to you
about the front court starters.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Well, I get a lot wrong in terms of predictions
and analysis. I was six for six on my front
court ballot and Front Court reveal.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Make of that what you will.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I mean, I think Alyssa Thomas had a really strong case,
and you know, had voting been open past her, I
want to say, fifteen to fifteen game on Friday Night,
then maybe she would have actually.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Been on my ballot.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
I mean the player that I'm glad, you know, it's
good to see she's getting some recognition and she'll be
a first time All Star by the coaches is Gabby
Williams the on off splits for Seattle. When when she's
on the court versus off, she's I want to say,
it's like better than plus thirty. Overall, she's having career
highs across the board, points and assists, like she gets
downhill in a way she's in before, not just on
the right side of the basket, but on the left too.
(09:15):
She's super balanced. She's just been great for Seattle, and
I think she will be a first time All Star
this year and kind of highlight a group of you know,
potentially one or two or three first timers. I guess
at least two because page is the first time or
so we'll go from there.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Last to look forward to for w NBA All Star
No Pisa and both Caitlyn Clark will choose their teams
on July.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Eighth, so you guys don't want to miss.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
That, all right, Moving right along.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Also on Monday, lots of transactions around the WNBA, most notably,
the Dallas Wings acquired our first round twenty twenty seventh
pick from the Las Vegas ass in exchange for Melissa Smith. Now,
there was a lot of uproar on social media about this.
A lot of people felt like Melissa wasn't necessarily worth
(10:17):
a first round pick. I think that I like this
for Vegas because they needed someone at the fore position
because as Wilson plays better as a five, I think,
especially when you think about the small ball lineup. But
with Melissa Smith's size and her ability, I think that
she could help them. Do I think that she moves
the needle and they'll win a championship from.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
That one move.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I don't think so.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But also they released Tiffany Mitchell and Liz Kitley. I
don't think the Las Vegas acies are done when it
comes to moves right now, I think that they listened
to their star players. She needs help and they want
to get back to, you know, the Las Vegas Aces
team that we all know them to be. How do
you feel about this trait that happened and went down
(10:59):
on Monday.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yeah, I mean, I think top line, I have the
same reaction that you did, Christina that I don't think
this makes the Aces suddenly a title contender. I mean,
and I had them making it back to the finals
at the start of the year, and I don't think
that prediction has aged very well through the first month
plus of the season. I don't think Melyssa Smith is
moving the needle as you're saying. I think more than anything,
(11:21):
she's you know, Las Vegas is hoping that she provides
some more front core depth. As you said, I mean,
this is a team that relies heavily on its starters,
both its five player lineup and also its four player lineup.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
We see the Aces.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Trot out it's four four of its five starters, the
second most of any team in the league. And we
also see that it's starting lineup when you have Kia
Stokes in there, not as effective as some other starting
lineups in the league. There are minus two point one
net rating. Las Vegas is starters. You know, when you
have Stokes and the four kind of Olympian All Star
level players.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
If you just.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Swap kias Stokes for a Lee and I, suddenly Vegas
is plus twenty eight in terms of net rating. So
Leah and I, she has been super impressive coming off
the Asis bench. I think very much part of should
be part of closing lineups and key lineups going forward.
And clearly they're hoping that Melissa Smith continues to take
some pressure off the starters and the front court especially.
(12:18):
And you know, this is a team that is reworking
its bench, it's reworking its depth. You know, she's in
theory a high potential player, you know, obviously with some
high draft pedigree. So I guess we'll kind of see how,
uh see how it fits when the ball gets tipped.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Yeah, and we obviously know I betrayed. Deadline is next, mom,
But there's.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Still moves to be made, and we know that there
are people that are still kind of in the free
agent pool right now to Wanta. Honor is the biggest name,
but we, according to multiple reports, have heard that she
wants Phoenix to be her ultimate destination. And but I
think that a player like to Wanta could definitely help
the Las Vegas Aces. But with the move with Melissa Smith,
(13:00):
if it doesn't seem likely that she will sign there,
what do you think that this team needs to be better? Like,
do you have any pre agents in mind that could
possibly help the Las Vegas.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I mean next offseason.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I could throw some names out there for you, but yeah,
you know, do I do I think that any in
season move right now is drastically changing the Las Vegas
acest ceiling.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
I have a hard time seeing that.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
I think that's just the kind of the reality of
the hard cap system that the w NBA operates in.
It's really hard to make these like big swing mid
season trades. They're very very rare, and I think Las
Vegas is basically locked in, you know, there they can
add some players, as you mentioned, it would take some
cap gymnastics to make some moves, But you know, I
(13:45):
don't see the wind like anything drastically shifting my outlook
on the ace's mid season.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah, well, who are some of those names for next
season that you're thinking about?
Speaker 3 (13:55):
I mean, the whole league is a free agent so like,
we'll have to see what happens with this ACES roster.
I mean, you know, we'll see you do any of
you of the core four decide to break up right
and go somewhere else? Break ups the wrong word, but
just go to another team? I think that's an open question.
And then you certainly have just like the rest of
(14:16):
the league. You know, pretty much every veteran player is
a free agent, which I'm sure you've talked about before,
and so then you can say, can they get players
on cheaper contracts? You know, with a new CBA, does
the salary cap change, does a salary structure change? You know,
I think this team certainly could look a lot different
heading into heading into next year.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Do you think it hurts Las Vegas Aces to not
have a named GM and then to that point, giving
up a twenty twenty seven first round pick, I mean,
that's the Juju class that everyone's talking about. How do
you think this impacts them not having someone in that
GM position?
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Yeah, I mean I think with the pick selection first,
they're banking on one staying competitive in the next two years.
And if you also think about the twenty twenty seven
WNBA Draft, there's gonna be two more teams than there
already are right now in that draft. So in theory,
if through the Las Vegas Aces and you're saying we're
a gonna be good and B, we'd be pushed back
(15:17):
two slots anyway because of two extra teams. That's we're
you know, we're talking about the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, you
know pick potentially you know, a double digit pick, and
we've seen them have success this year. I mean a
Leah and I was the thirteenth pick overall, they're you know,
the top of the second round. So they've proven to
to find a player in that reign. So I would
(15:40):
imagine that's kind of how the valuation of that selection
went to the question of a lack of GM.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Yeah, I do think you know that has made a difference.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Uh. You know, Nicky Fargas is their team president. You know,
you know, she's obviously involved in decision makings. Beckingham and
two their head coach. You often see a kind of
pushing between front office and head coach. You know, if
the head coach is the kind of the lead decision
maker from a roster standpoint, you know, they have different
priorities of wanting to win now than a GM who's
thinking more long term. So, uh, you know, I think
(16:14):
we've seen a lot of front offices kind of build
out over the years. I mean the Phoenix Mercury, for instance,
they have three assistant general managers. I believe under Nicky
Wren like talk about building up resources in a way
that in the past w NBA teams didn't. We see
it in the case of Phoenix, like, they committed to
their front office and they found a lot of players
(16:34):
who were not on a lot of other teams radars
and a lot of fans radars, and they have had
success as a result.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
You know, I think.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
People around the league would say the Aces should, you.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Know, commit more to their front office too.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
There was some news that came out of Portland that
team president Inky Sun had decided to leave, and I
know you did some reporting on that story. What is
the latest on that, what exactly happened?
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Because I feel like we heard two different stories.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
There was one story that she was fired and then
there's a story with the joint statement that said, you know,
she decided to leave.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So what can you tell us about what with down
in Portland?
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Yeah, always interesting when you see a joint statement from
someone who is no longer with a company. I always,
at least I raise an eye row when I see that.
How joint is it? You know, how mutual a decision
is it? I mean, I think there's a lot we
don't know, is what I would say as to what
happened in Portland. This seemed to be a at least
(17:46):
on the outside, a pretty sudden or quick decision. I mean,
the thing that I think is pretty notable is basically
right after reports and then the team confirmed that Inky
Sun was out.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Know I reported Bill Orrim at The Oregonian also.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
That Claire Hamill, a longtime Nike executive, had been installed
effective immediately as their interim president. And so, you know,
having the successor to the prior person lined up right away.
I understand this is an important time for the franchise,
an important moment, and so you know, every day can
be precious. But I think, you know, certainly I heard
(18:23):
for some people that raise some eyebrows just about like, wow,
they had a plan here.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
I guess.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Hammill spent forty three years with Nike. We should say
she was their VP and GM of Nike Women's before
retiring last year or so, you know, we'll see how
she comes in. It's just interesting when you compare it
with Toronto.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
And Golden State.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Yeah, Golden State, and just like how some of these
other teams are, you know, the benchmarks that they've set
or the timelinds that they set, and you see a
franchise here in Portland that is a little bit going
through some termal. I ask Kathy Angelbert about it on
Monday morning. She basically told me and a group of
other reporters that she's not too worried about Portland. Then
(19:09):
she'll meet with the ownership group at All Star. But uh,
let's say it's wait and see as it relates to Portland.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Yeah, and you know, the expansion draft for the Portland
team is only you know, a few months.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Away, so we'll keep our eyes on that.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Also, talking about expansion, the WNBA announced on Monday that
there will be three new teams joining. Then, what was
your reaction to the news of expansion.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
I know that you were there on Monday. I had
to miss it. I was invited and I had to
miss it because I was on a mini vacation.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
But what's your what's your thoughts about your expansion lock.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Going on on Monday.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
It was, you know, not surprising to me that one
team got announced. I can't say I was expecting three
on Monday morning. I totally I guess, big picture, I'm
not shocked that the WNBA elected to go up to eighteen.
I think Kathy Engelbert had kind of been intentional in
her language saying, you know, we want to get at
least to sixteen by twenty twenty eight. And when I
(20:11):
saw back in January and my colleage Mike Vorkanov and
I reported that there were more than ten cities who
submitted bids. When we both saw the number of bids
that there were, as well as who the bidders were, specifically,
a lot of ownership groups with NBA ties, you know,
who are well financed, have proven to pour into their
respective teams in the NBA. I wasn't shocked that they
(20:34):
ended up making a decision because think about the expansion fees, right,
it's two hundred and fifty million dollars for each of
these teams. It's a lot of money, right, and these
teams want to pour into the league. And Kathy, you know,
she has talked about growing the business and she said
it again on Monday that the best way to do
that in her mind is scale, and what you need
(20:55):
for scale you need more teams so that you can
go into more markets and you can you know, draw
more TV revenue or you know, you big TV markets.
You can attendance, merchandise, all those kinds of things helping
growing the WNBA business. From a basketball standpoint, that's where
I think it's really interesting. Yeah, this is going to
(21:16):
be a gradual flaw of expansion, right, one team coming
in in eight, twenty eight, twenty nine, and then thirty.
But and my colleague Sabrina Merchant at the Athletic right
about this on Tuesday, like, maybe it's a little fast
from a basketball standpoint, right, Like can the league that
has for so long been known as very exclusive and
(21:37):
the best league, you know, the hardest league in the
world to crack and get into, you know, will the
talent be a little bit diluted by twenty thirty? Like
will we ever see a team that has four Olympians again,
you know, once all this comes into effect. I think
those are really fair questions also to ask.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Yeah, I absolutely think that those are definitely fair questions.
And also to your point with the FEBA play and
you know, players going overseas, where we see the league,
also the scheduling like for the league because we see
now more international players are coming over, more international players
are committing to the w NBA. So from that standpoint,
(22:17):
what will that look like?
Speaker 5 (22:18):
As well?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Another thing with the expansion, there are no new teams
in the South. A lot of fans were very disappointed
to see that the w NBA doesn't plan on expanding,
at least not yet to having teams in the South.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
They feel like a huge demographic is being left out
of the expansion talks. What are your thoughts about that?
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Yeah, I mean on the geography, I mean yeah, I
think Nashville they put out a statement and they were
not thrilled clearly by the result. Miami is another city,
as you know Christina, that players like to play in.
I guess if you're a Miami fan you would say, hey,
we have unrivaled all winter. Maybe take some solace in that.
And you live in Miami, the worst places you can live.
(23:00):
But in terms of Southern cities, and I guess you
know Southwestern cities, Houston, you know that appears to be
next on the WNBA's expansion list. Again, we don't know
if and when that will even happen. But Kathy Engelbert,
when she was discussing other cities that did put in
bids twice singled out Houston, and she gave them individual
(23:25):
shout out, saying that they had a great ownership group,
that Houston was a group that they have their eye on.
Houston owned by Tilman Fertida, who owns the NBA's rockets,
so you know, there's obviously still a connection there between
the NBA and the w n b A. And then
in kind of a scrum that she did with reporters afterwards,
she said, quote, Houston would be next, would be up next,
(23:45):
for sure, there might be opportunities there. She then stopped
short of saying that that was an announcement regarding Houston expansion.
But like two very public yeah, two very public nods
to Houston, I think are telling about, you know, the
league wanting to maintain a positive relationship with that city
(24:06):
despite picking three others, I guess on Monday.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
Yeah, and we know that, you know, Houston comments back
in the day for four championships, so we'll keep our
eyes on that as well.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Ben before you get out of here.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Don Staley was reportedly contacted to potentially interview for the
New York Knicks head coaching job. And we know that
coach Staley has repeatedly said she doesn't want to coach
in the NBA. She's good where she's at. But uh,
what do you what do you think about you know,
just Nick's reaching out to coach Staley allegedly.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
To the interviewer for the coaching position.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
I mean, I'm waiting on my call. I'm waiting or
have you got a call yet?
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Christina? Have they brung you up?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
I'm trying to figure out, like where in the pecking
order are they going?
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Who who is next on the list that is getting
to reach out?
Speaker 3 (24:59):
I mean, yeah, Don Stalely, you know, has proven to
be an elite coach, obviously a proven track record as
a basketball mine. Uh, it wouldn't be surprising to see
in a few years time, Uh, that Philadelphia makes a
similar call. It feels like that would be malpractice if
they didn't at least inquire with, you know, Don Staley,
(25:20):
her agent in South Carolina about prospects of coaching that team.
Can you imagine, you know how much interest that would
bring to that franchise that city. Obviously Don Staley being
a Philly native. You know, as it relates to the
Knicks podcast, the next part of the search, I feels
like that's a it's a whole nother podcast. We could
do another hour on the Knicks head coaching search. But
(25:42):
I mean, clearly, I guess credit the Knicks for for
turning over all boxes and all levels of basketball. But
uh yeah, I mean it, we'll see. I mean, it
doesn't seem like, uh, it's it's going anywhere. I guess
in terms of Staley and the Knicks.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
Well, we definitely will keep our ads on who will
become the next nixt head coach. And you know we're
in New York, so it's fun to like just watch
this whole process go down. As you said, everyone's getting
to call and call us yet, so we'll so close
to the phones.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
Then.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
Also, before you get out of here, we know that
the Commission's Cup is going down on Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
What's your prediction for the outcome?
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Oh wow, I'm going to heal. Yeah, putting me on
the spot. Now, I'm gonna take the Minnesota links here.
We kind of mentioned there's obviously some uncertainty about Caitlin's status,
and I just think even if she does play, uh,
Minnesota has proven to be, you know, the best or
second best team in the league all year long. Fee
will be the best player on the court, and you know,
(26:43):
we'll see what the hell status of Kaitlyn Clark is
and what she looks like if she does uh come
back and play so Minnesota at home. They know that
there's also a lot of money at stake in the
Commissioner's Cup. You get more money for winning the Commissioner's
Cup as a player.
Speaker 4 (27:00):
You do for winning the WNV finals.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
I'm sure if you were if you were to ask
the Minnesota Lynks players right now, they would rather win
the WNBA Finals than you Commissioner's Cup. But uh, you know,
getting that, you know, five hundred thousand dollars prize pool
split up twelve ways, and getting that paycheck for winning
a basketball game today, that's pretty nice, and especially you
can do it at home, so I like the links
(27:23):
to it.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
And if they make a record of doing it back
to back, the first team in w history, well it
would be so sweet.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
You get back to back commercials club checks, that would
be sope.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
All right then.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Thank you so much for joining us this week for
the headlines on In Case You Miss It with Christina Williams.
Here on Higheart'll Sports Network Pleasure Chat with you. You
can check Finn's work out at the athletic at him.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
At Ben Pickman on social media. Thank you for joining
us this week.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Thanks SOT for having Christina.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
All right, guys, that's gonna do it for today's episode
of In Case You Miss It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Shout out to.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Ben Pickman for joining us this week to go over
the latest headbines in the WNBA. On Friday, Connecticut Suns
Bria Hartley joins us, so make sure you subscribe to
the podcast and rate and review in the comment section.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
And see you guys next time.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
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 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. Hey, in case you missed it, Gang, we
are back and it's July. I can't believe that it's
already July, but we're here and I'm stuck in Miami
(00:24):
because of weather issues, and so I'm excited to bring
you the show from Miami, Happy July. I'm super excited
for today's show because obviously there's so much happening around
the WNBA, and that would happen while I'm on a
mini vacation, like the news just goo's super crazy while
(00:44):
I'm trying to have an all day on the beach.
But I'm excited about this week's guest joining us to
break down the latest in and around the w NBA.
He is and he is a staff writer for The
Athletic and one of my favorite I have to give
him his props. He is super great at his job,
and I'm super excited that we could finally make this happen.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
So please help me and welcoming and Ben Pickman to
the show.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Welcome Vin, thanks a lot for having me. Christina stuck
in Miami. That doesn't sound too bad at all, it
does it?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It doesn't I get an extra day on the beach.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
I'm so excited to have you here this week, and
there's lots to talk about, so let's dive right into it.
So before we get into the topics of the week,
I like to start every show with asking each guest
to name a win of the week that they had.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
So what was your win of the week? Ben?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
For me right now to start this week, it's a
little win that I am taping this in Minneapolis and
that I have made it to Minneapolis for the Commissioner
scut because there was a long while on Monday afternoon
it did not look like I was gonna get to
Minneapolis because my flight from New York to Minneapolis just
kept getting delayed and delay and delayed, and then we
(02:01):
sat on a plane for another, you know, more than
an hour, and then the pilot came back on and said,
they're twenty nine to thirty planes in front of you
waiting to taxi. So look, I'll provide some WNB analysis
on this show, but my mind is fully on airlines
and air travel right now. I guess I finished the
rehearsal too. Speaking of other wins of the week.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Yeah, no, that's super well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
I have the same issue on Monday and going. I
was trying to leave Miami and go back to New
York via look Audiat Airport and we were on the
tarmac for an hour and then there were a bunch
of planes ahead of us and they were like, oh,
actually we had to go back to the gate and
dye plane and then got delayed and then eventually canceled.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And as you said earlier, it's not bad getting stuck
in Miami. So all right, that's a great win for
the week.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
You made it to Minneapolis, and obviously there's a lot
of excitement surrounding the Commissioners Cup this week, and it
all came down to two teams, the Indiana Fever and
Minnesota Lynx, who actually played in the championship game last
year versus the New York Liberty and won the Commissioners Cup.
So we haven't had back to back Commissioners Cup champions
(03:08):
as of yet, but many Minnesota, they're playing so so
so well this season.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
What are you looking forward to seeing in this matchup?
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Well, I mean the first question when we take this
and this we should say Tuesday morning is whether Caitlyn
Clark is going to play or not. You know, she's
been dealing with injury, missed the last two games, and
that comes after she missed five games earlier in this season,
so a lot is still kind of up in the
air as it relates to her status. But independent of Clark,
I mean, for me, I'm really interested to see how
(03:38):
Eliah Boston tries to attack the Minnesota Link's front court,
because that is really one of the strengths of their team. Really,
everything is a strength, but you know, you can argue
that the front court is where their bread is buttered,
so to speak. I mean, they have Alana Smith, who
made the All w Defensive Team second team last year.
To me, one of the most underrated players still in
the WNBA. Year after year I banged the drum that
(03:59):
she should there be an All Star most improved. She
continues to progress. She can handle I think Boston and
potentially slow down Boston in short role situations. And then
you throw someone like Nafisa Collier, the Defensive Player of
the Year, as another body who can guarded the of Boston.
Jess Shephard, another high quality big off the bench. So
Minnesota just has a lot of depth. So I'm just
(04:20):
interested to see what is Boston able to do and
how is Indiana. I'm going to try and attack this,
you know staunch links defense.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Hey, and you brought up an a piece of Collier
And no doubt she is the front runner this year
for MVP. What have you been seeing from her this
season that stands out to you?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
She continues to just elevate. I think her game in
all levels. You know, for me, it starts with she
might have the most unguardable shot in the w NBA
right when you think about some of her post moves
and her post turnarounds like find a player who is
consistently able to guard them, And I will say you
are lying, because there is not a player who is
(04:58):
consistently able to slow her down. She's just really effective
in how she scores everywhere on the four, She's one
of the best players when she rolls to the basket
in finishing, she's elite. As I mentioned, her POSTEP game
is elite. There just isn't a lot she can't do
right now. She is definitely in that group who you know,
continue to ascend after unrivaled.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
There just is not a lot not to like about
how he is playing right now to start the year.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
One of the things that I realized about the Commissioner's
Cup is for the past two years or so, is
kind of foreshadow of the two teams that would make
it to the w NBA Finals. Do you think that
we'll see that kind of thing mirroring again this year?
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yeah, it's a good question. It's a little bit of
an acceptable We'll see if it's an exception to the rule. Right,
you mentioned Minnesota and New York last year. I want
to say the year before was right, new York and
Las Vegas. So I want to say in I guess
each of the last three, at least one of the
two participants then has made it to the commiss Cup Championship.
If we're betting a team to make it, I mean
(06:04):
the safe bet here is Minnesota obviously, of these two,
I mean Indiana Anders. I want to say eight and
eight on the year kind of an up and down
season two start, whereas Minnesota is the league's best team
record wise and looks very much like a team Ani mission.
So I wouldn't bet this exact matchup, but I think
I would bet the Minnesota Links to get back there
(06:26):
come October.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And sticking with Many and Indiana.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
No surprise that Caitlin Clark Mpisa Collier have been named
the captains for the twenty twenty five w NBA All
Star Game. And I know a lot of people gave
me flat a little flak for my ballot, but I
stand by who I've voted for, y'all.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
So if you're listening to this, I stand by it.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
But how excited are you for these two to be
named captain? I know in previous yeares we had Brianna
Stewart and Asia Wilson as captain, So it's kind of
a changing of the guard right now with all new
fresh captains and the starters were also revealed.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Yeah, I mean, look, it's certainly a changing of the guard,
but really it is the start of probably a dynastic
run if we're being fully honest about Kaitlin Clark being
a team captain in the All Star Game format, because
it is hard to imagine that as long as she
plays and plays well and is like healthy, that she's
not going to be number one in fan vote for
(07:22):
a very long time. So in theory that will mean
she will be the captain for a very long time. Yeah,
I mean it's definitely exciting to see it. Should you
know it should it should just be a great All
Star game for me. The thing that stuck out though,
is that Paige Becker's was the number one guard in
terms of weighted score, so we should say, you know,
fan vote was fifty percent, media was twenty five, player
(07:44):
was twenty five, and Page of the four starting guards Clark,
Enescu and Gray being the others, actually had the highest
cumulative score. And I think that's really interesting when we
start to break down the ballots and the reveals.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, and I think that there was no surprise in
terms of the guards who have been producing this season.
I like either one of those out in my ballot.
I had Skyler Diggins as one of the guards for
my starters, and I think she used him play at
a high level. Also, was just how Seattle's been clicking.
I really enjoy sky but I know that the fan
(08:21):
vote part wasn't necessarily there for her. When you look
at the front court, Leah Austin, you mentioned this is
she's starting. Any other things that stand out to you
about the front court starters.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Well, I get a lot wrong in terms of predictions
and analysis. I was six for six on my front
court ballot and Front Court reveal.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Make of that what you will.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I mean, I think Alyssa Thomas had a really strong case,
and you know, had voting been open past her, I
want to say, fifteen to fifteen game on Friday Night,
then maybe she would have actually.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Been on my ballot.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
I mean the player that I'm glad, you know, it's
good to see she's getting some recognition and she'll be
a first time All Star by the coaches is Gabby
Williams the on off splits for Seattle. When when she's
on the court versus off, she's I want to say,
it's like better than plus thirty. Overall, she's having career
highs across the board, points and assists, like she gets
downhill in a way she's in before, not just on
the right side of the basket, but on the left too.
(09:15):
She's super balanced. She's just been great for Seattle, and
I think she will be a first time All Star
this year and kind of highlight a group of you know,
potentially one or two or three first timers. I guess
at least two because page is the first time or
so we'll go from there.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Last to look forward to for w NBA All Star
No Pisa and both Caitlyn Clark will choose their teams
on July.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Eighth, so you guys don't want to miss.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
That, all right, Moving right along.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Also on Monday, lots of transactions around the WNBA, most notably,
the Dallas Wings acquired our first round twenty twenty seventh
pick from the Las Vegas ass in exchange for Melissa Smith. Now,
there was a lot of uproar on social media about this.
A lot of people felt like Melissa wasn't necessarily worth
(10:17):
a first round pick. I think that I like this
for Vegas because they needed someone at the fore position
because as Wilson plays better as a five, I think,
especially when you think about the small ball lineup. But
with Melissa Smith's size and her ability, I think that
she could help them. Do I think that she moves
the needle and they'll win a championship from.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
That one move.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I don't think so.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But also they released Tiffany Mitchell and Liz Kitley. I
don't think the Las Vegas acies are done when it
comes to moves right now, I think that they listened
to their star players. She needs help and they want
to get back to, you know, the Las Vegas Aces
team that we all know them to be. How do
you feel about this trait that happened and went down
(10:59):
on Monday.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Yeah, I mean, I think top line, I have the
same reaction that you did, Christina that I don't think
this makes the Aces suddenly a title contender. I mean,
and I had them making it back to the finals
at the start of the year, and I don't think
that prediction has aged very well through the first month
plus of the season. I don't think Melyssa Smith is
moving the needle as you're saying. I think more than anything,
(11:21):
she's you know, Las Vegas is hoping that she provides
some more front core depth. As you said, I mean,
this is a team that relies heavily on its starters,
both its five player lineup and also its four player lineup.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
We see the Aces.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Trot out it's four four of its five starters, the
second most of any team in the league. And we
also see that it's starting lineup when you have Kia
Stokes in there, not as effective as some other starting
lineups in the league. There are minus two point one
net rating. Las Vegas is starters. You know, when you
have Stokes and the four kind of Olympian All Star
level players.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
If you just.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Swap kias Stokes for a Lee and I, suddenly Vegas
is plus twenty eight in terms of net rating. So
Leah and I, she has been super impressive coming off
the Asis bench. I think very much part of should
be part of closing lineups and key lineups going forward.
And clearly they're hoping that Melissa Smith continues to take
some pressure off the starters and the front court especially.
(12:18):
And you know, this is a team that is reworking
its bench, it's reworking its depth. You know, she's in
theory a high potential player, you know, obviously with some
high draft pedigree. So I guess we'll kind of see how,
uh see how it fits when the ball gets tipped.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Yeah, and we obviously know I betrayed. Deadline is next, mom,
But there's.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Still moves to be made, and we know that there
are people that are still kind of in the free
agent pool right now to Wanta. Honor is the biggest name,
but we, according to multiple reports, have heard that she
wants Phoenix to be her ultimate destination. And but I
think that a player like to Wanta could definitely help
the Las Vegas Aces. But with the move with Melissa Smith,
(13:00):
if it doesn't seem likely that she will sign there,
what do you think that this team needs to be better? Like,
do you have any pre agents in mind that could
possibly help the Las Vegas.
Speaker 4 (13:12):
I mean next offseason.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I could throw some names out there for you, but yeah,
you know, do I do I think that any in
season move right now is drastically changing the Las Vegas
acest ceiling.
Speaker 4 (13:21):
I have a hard time seeing that.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
I think that's just the kind of the reality of
the hard cap system that the w NBA operates in.
It's really hard to make these like big swing mid
season trades. They're very very rare, and I think Las
Vegas is basically locked in, you know, there they can
add some players, as you mentioned, it would take some
cap gymnastics to make some moves, But you know, I
(13:45):
don't see the wind like anything drastically shifting my outlook
on the ace's mid season.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah, well, who are some of those names for next
season that you're thinking about?
Speaker 3 (13:55):
I mean, the whole league is a free agent so like,
we'll have to see what happens with this ACES roster.
I mean, you know, we'll see you do any of
you of the core four decide to break up right
and go somewhere else? Break ups the wrong word, but
just go to another team? I think that's an open question.
And then you certainly have just like the rest of
(14:16):
the league. You know, pretty much every veteran player is
a free agent, which I'm sure you've talked about before,
and so then you can say, can they get players
on cheaper contracts? You know, with a new CBA, does
the salary cap change, does a salary structure change? You know,
I think this team certainly could look a lot different
heading into heading into next year.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Do you think it hurts Las Vegas Aces to not
have a named GM and then to that point, giving
up a twenty twenty seven first round pick, I mean,
that's the Juju class that everyone's talking about. How do
you think this impacts them not having someone in that
GM position?
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Yeah, I mean I think with the pick selection first,
they're banking on one staying competitive in the next two years.
And if you also think about the twenty twenty seven
WNBA Draft, there's gonna be two more teams than there
already are right now in that draft. So in theory,
if through the Las Vegas Aces and you're saying we're
a gonna be good and B, we'd be pushed back
(15:17):
two slots anyway because of two extra teams. That's we're
you know, we're talking about the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, you
know pick potentially you know, a double digit pick, and
we've seen them have success this year. I mean a
Leah and I was the thirteenth pick overall, they're you know,
the top of the second round. So they've proven to
to find a player in that reign. So I would
(15:40):
imagine that's kind of how the valuation of that selection
went to the question of a lack of GM.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Yeah, I do think you know that has made a difference.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Uh. You know, Nicky Fargas is their team president. You know,
you know, she's obviously involved in decision makings. Beckingham and
two their head coach. You often see a kind of
pushing between front office and head coach. You know, if
the head coach is the kind of the lead decision
maker from a roster standpoint, you know, they have different
priorities of wanting to win now than a GM who's
thinking more long term. So, uh, you know, I think
(16:14):
we've seen a lot of front offices kind of build
out over the years. I mean the Phoenix Mercury, for instance,
they have three assistant general managers. I believe under Nicky
Wren like talk about building up resources in a way
that in the past w NBA teams didn't. We see
it in the case of Phoenix, like, they committed to
their front office and they found a lot of players
(16:34):
who were not on a lot of other teams radars
and a lot of fans radars, and they have had
success as a result.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
You know, I think.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
People around the league would say the Aces should, you.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Know, commit more to their front office too.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
There was some news that came out of Portland that
team president Inky Sun had decided to leave, and I
know you did some reporting on that story. What is
the latest on that, what exactly happened?
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Because I feel like we heard two different stories.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
There was one story that she was fired and then
there's a story with the joint statement that said, you know,
she decided to leave.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
So what can you tell us about what with down
in Portland?
Speaker 3 (17:26):
Yeah, always interesting when you see a joint statement from
someone who is no longer with a company. I always,
at least I raise an eye row when I see that.
How joint is it? You know, how mutual a decision
is it? I mean, I think there's a lot we
don't know, is what I would say as to what
happened in Portland. This seemed to be a at least
(17:46):
on the outside, a pretty sudden or quick decision. I mean,
the thing that I think is pretty notable is basically
right after reports and then the team confirmed that Inky
Sun was out.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
Know I reported Bill Orrim at The Oregonian also.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
That Claire Hamill, a longtime Nike executive, had been installed
effective immediately as their interim president. And so, you know,
having the successor to the prior person lined up right away.
I understand this is an important time for the franchise,
an important moment, and so you know, every day can
be precious. But I think, you know, certainly I heard
(18:23):
for some people that raise some eyebrows just about like, wow,
they had a plan here.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
I guess.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Hammill spent forty three years with Nike. We should say
she was their VP and GM of Nike Women's before
retiring last year or so, you know, we'll see how
she comes in. It's just interesting when you compare it
with Toronto.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
And Golden State.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Yeah, Golden State, and just like how some of these
other teams are, you know, the benchmarks that they've set
or the timelinds that they set, and you see a
franchise here in Portland that is a little bit going
through some termal. I ask Kathy Angelbert about it on
Monday morning. She basically told me and a group of
other reporters that she's not too worried about Portland. Then
(19:09):
she'll meet with the ownership group at All Star. But uh,
let's say it's wait and see as it relates to Portland.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Yeah, and you know, the expansion draft for the Portland
team is only you know, a few months.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Away, so we'll keep our eyes on that.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
Also, talking about expansion, the WNBA announced on Monday that
there will be three new teams joining. Then, what was
your reaction to the news of expansion.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
I know that you were there on Monday. I had
to miss it. I was invited and I had to
miss it because I was on a mini vacation.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
But what's your what's your thoughts about your expansion lock.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Going on on Monday.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
It was, you know, not surprising to me that one
team got announced. I can't say I was expecting three
on Monday morning. I totally I guess, big picture, I'm
not shocked that the WNBA elected to go up to eighteen.
I think Kathy Engelbert had kind of been intentional in
her language saying, you know, we want to get at
least to sixteen by twenty twenty eight. And when I
(20:11):
saw back in January and my colleage Mike Vorkanov and
I reported that there were more than ten cities who
submitted bids. When we both saw the number of bids
that there were, as well as who the bidders were, specifically,
a lot of ownership groups with NBA ties, you know,
who are well financed, have proven to pour into their
respective teams in the NBA. I wasn't shocked that they
(20:34):
ended up making a decision because think about the expansion fees, right,
it's two hundred and fifty million dollars for each of
these teams. It's a lot of money, right, and these
teams want to pour into the league. And Kathy, you know,
she has talked about growing the business and she said
it again on Monday that the best way to do
that in her mind is scale, and what you need
(20:55):
for scale you need more teams so that you can
go into more markets and you can you know, draw
more TV revenue or you know, you big TV markets.
You can attendance, merchandise, all those kinds of things helping
growing the WNBA business. From a basketball standpoint, that's where
I think it's really interesting. Yeah, this is going to
(21:16):
be a gradual flaw of expansion, right, one team coming
in in eight, twenty eight, twenty nine, and then thirty.
But and my colleague Sabrina Merchant at the Athletic right
about this on Tuesday, like, maybe it's a little fast
from a basketball standpoint, right, Like can the league that
has for so long been known as very exclusive and
(21:37):
the best league, you know, the hardest league in the
world to crack and get into, you know, will the
talent be a little bit diluted by twenty thirty? Like
will we ever see a team that has four Olympians again,
you know, once all this comes into effect. I think
those are really fair questions also to ask.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Yeah, I absolutely think that those are definitely fair questions.
And also to your point with the FEBA play and
you know, players going overseas, where we see the league,
also the scheduling like for the league because we see
now more international players are coming over, more international players
are committing to the w NBA. So from that standpoint,
(22:17):
what will that look like?
Speaker 5 (22:18):
As well?
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Another thing with the expansion, there are no new teams
in the South. A lot of fans were very disappointed
to see that the w NBA doesn't plan on expanding,
at least not yet to having teams in the South.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
They feel like a huge demographic is being left out
of the expansion talks. What are your thoughts about that?
Speaker 3 (22:37):
Yeah, I mean on the geography, I mean yeah, I
think Nashville they put out a statement and they were
not thrilled clearly by the result. Miami is another city,
as you know Christina, that players like to play in.
I guess if you're a Miami fan you would say, hey,
we have unrivaled all winter. Maybe take some solace in that.
And you live in Miami, the worst places you can live.
(23:00):
But in terms of Southern cities, and I guess you
know Southwestern cities, Houston, you know that appears to be
next on the WNBA's expansion list. Again, we don't know
if and when that will even happen. But Kathy Engelbert,
when she was discussing other cities that did put in
bids twice singled out Houston, and she gave them individual
(23:25):
shout out, saying that they had a great ownership group,
that Houston was a group that they have their eye on.
Houston owned by Tilman Fertida, who owns the NBA's rockets,
so you know, there's obviously still a connection there between
the NBA and the w n b A. And then
in kind of a scrum that she did with reporters afterwards,
she said, quote, Houston would be next, would be up next,
(23:45):
for sure, there might be opportunities there. She then stopped
short of saying that that was an announcement regarding Houston expansion.
But like two very public yeah, two very public nods
to Houston, I think are telling about, you know, the
league wanting to maintain a positive relationship with that city
(24:06):
despite picking three others, I guess on Monday.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
Yeah, and we know that, you know, Houston comments back
in the day for four championships, so we'll keep our
eyes on that as well.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Ben before you get out of here.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Don Staley was reportedly contacted to potentially interview for the
New York Knicks head coaching job. And we know that
coach Staley has repeatedly said she doesn't want to coach
in the NBA. She's good where she's at. But uh,
what do you what do you think about you know,
just Nick's reaching out to coach Staley allegedly.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
To the interviewer for the coaching position.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
I mean, I'm waiting on my call. I'm waiting or
have you got a call yet?
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Christina? Have they brung you up?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
I'm trying to figure out, like where in the pecking
order are they going?
Speaker 4 (24:57):
Who who is next on the list that is getting
to reach out?
Speaker 3 (24:59):
I mean, yeah, Don Stalely, you know, has proven to
be an elite coach, obviously a proven track record as
a basketball mine. Uh, it wouldn't be surprising to see
in a few years time, Uh, that Philadelphia makes a
similar call. It feels like that would be malpractice if
they didn't at least inquire with, you know, Don Staley,
(25:20):
her agent in South Carolina about prospects of coaching that team.
Can you imagine, you know how much interest that would
bring to that franchise that city. Obviously Don Staley being
a Philly native. You know, as it relates to the
Knicks podcast, the next part of the search, I feels
like that's a it's a whole nother podcast. We could
do another hour on the Knicks head coaching search. But
(25:42):
I mean, clearly, I guess credit the Knicks for for
turning over all boxes and all levels of basketball. But
uh yeah, I mean it, we'll see. I mean, it
doesn't seem like, uh, it's it's going anywhere. I guess
in terms of Staley and the Knicks.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
Well, we definitely will keep our ads on who will
become the next nixt head coach. And you know we're
in New York, so it's fun to like just watch
this whole process go down. As you said, everyone's getting
to call and call us yet, so we'll so close
to the phones.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
Then.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
Also, before you get out of here, we know that
the Commission's Cup is going down on Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
What's your prediction for the outcome?
Speaker 3 (26:20):
Oh wow, I'm going to heal. Yeah, putting me on
the spot. Now, I'm gonna take the Minnesota links here.
We kind of mentioned there's obviously some uncertainty about Caitlin's status,
and I just think even if she does play, uh,
Minnesota has proven to be, you know, the best or
second best team in the league all year long. Fee
will be the best player on the court, and you know,
(26:43):
we'll see what the hell status of Kaitlyn Clark is
and what she looks like if she does uh come
back and play so Minnesota at home. They know that
there's also a lot of money at stake in the
Commissioner's Cup. You get more money for winning the Commissioner's
Cup as a player.
Speaker 4 (27:00):
You do for winning the WNV finals.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
I'm sure if you were if you were to ask
the Minnesota Lynks players right now, they would rather win
the WNBA Finals than you Commissioner's Cup. But uh, you know,
getting that, you know, five hundred thousand dollars prize pool
split up twelve ways, and getting that paycheck for winning
a basketball game today, that's pretty nice, and especially you
can do it at home, so I like the links
(27:23):
to it.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
And if they make a record of doing it back
to back, the first team in w history, well it
would be so sweet.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
You get back to back commercials club checks, that would
be sope.
Speaker 5 (27:32):
All right then.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Thank you so much for joining us this week for
the headlines on In Case You Miss It with Christina Williams.
Here on Higheart'll Sports Network Pleasure Chat with you. You
can check Finn's work out at the athletic at him.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
At Ben Pickman on social media. Thank you for joining
us this week.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Thanks SOT for having Christina.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
All right, guys, that's gonna do it for today's episode
of In Case You Miss It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Shout out to.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Ben Pickman for joining us this week to go over
the latest headbines in the WNBA. On Friday, Connecticut Suns
Bria Hartley joins us, so make sure you subscribe to
the podcast and rate and review in the comment section.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
And see you guys next time.
Speaker 1 (28:18):
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 you get your podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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