May 16, 2025 • 47 mins
In this special bonus episode, Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley joins the show to share her vision for building a championship contender in Los Angeles, from blockbuster trades to the challenges of roster construction in the WNBA. She also discusses the importance of team chemistry, leadership, and the pressures of guiding one of the league’s most storied franchises.
Later, Khristina Williams sits down with two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Plum as she embarks on a fresh start with the LA Sparks. Kelsey reflects on her off-season reset, finding peace off the court, and her goals for the 2025 season.
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 edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. Here on Iheartwomen's Sports and
w NBA fans, the time has come. This is the
(00:23):
week that the season tips off, and I know you
guys have been waiting for this week for many, many, many, many,
many many days. So without further ado, I want to
introduce our guests for this week, because you know, we
only do a big on this show, and so this
special edition of In Case You Missed It is going
to be a LA Sparks season previews. So La Sparks fans,
(00:45):
I know that you are going to be super excited
about this jam packed episode. But joining us this week
to help break down the season for the Los Angeles
Sparks is general manager Reagan Peepley. Reagan, Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Oh thanks for having me so excited to be here.
You know I'm a fan of yours. You've been advocating
for our game and different platforms over the years, and
I've enjoyed watching your career and loved your content, they're wing.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
As mutual so mutual respect. All right, So thank you.
The season tips off this week, And obviously you've been
with the Sparks since last season. When you look at
the DNA of the twenty twenty five roster that you've
been able to put together, what kind of identity are
you trying to build on the floor.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, I think well, first of all, I'm not doing
it by myself. There's a lot of partnership that we
have been able to do or create, and definitely through
our ownership. Eric Hollman, he has been a part and
part of all these decisions. It's been really fun to
work with him. But Lynn Roberts is a great person
to collaborate with on all of this. And you know,
(01:54):
Eli Horowitz, our assistant GM is excellent at it. But
it really the play are incredible. They they will spill
the tea, They will tell you what they think, they
will tell you know who they like, who they you know,
are are excited to have in a Sparks Jersey. So
(02:14):
I'm not doing this by myself, nor do I want
to do it by myself. But as we have partners
with all these people in building this roster. What we've
tried to do is not only add great youth pieces
and really solid veteran pieces, but there's more detail around that.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
We wanted people that reflected a style of basketball that
we're working to play. We also wanted people that had
great eq emotional intelligence and were able to be great teammates, communicate,
work through conflict. Conflict is not something that we should
be afraid of. It's necessary. It's a part of, I think,
(02:52):
getting to your best selves. And we, you know, also
look for people that are fun, that are really fun
to be around. We're around each other more than we're
with our families, and you know, we wanted to be
with people that are just bring joy and bring a light,
bring some humor to what we do, as well as
(03:12):
do a great job getting dubs on the floor.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Only in year two of your tenure as the general
manager for the Los Angeles Sparks, and oh my, what
a task when from the outside looking in, I know
fans were thinking, what would this franchise look like post
Darren Fisher era? Right, And you've been able to do
a lot and just this off season alone, obviously everyone
loved that blockbuster portrayed of acquiring Kelsey Plumb and getting
(03:38):
some other surrounding pieces to make the roster stronger. What
was that strategy like And just knowing that there's some
immense pressure to get the Sparks back to, you know,
the franchise that everyone knows and loves to be a
championship contending franchise.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Well, that's an opportunity. I don't think it is pressure.
It is an honor, and it is truly an opportunity.
They say pressure is a privilege, and you work for
this and if you weren't expecting any of it, then
you probably weren't right for the job. You were, you
weren't ready for the job. So incredible opportunity in the
(04:19):
Kelsey Plumb trade. I know, you know, we were getting
hate mail for people like you're holding up everyone's free agency.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Get good as going.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And it took a minute, but again, it was great
partnership with Vegas and with Seattle and with the players
and their representation. None of us could have done it
without one another. And it was just really clear in
this build that with some of the youth pieces we had,
with what as we were evaluating this draft, this past draft,
(04:49):
and what we the depth of the draft and what
we needed. We needed experience in that back court. We
needed a leader in that back court to partner with
the Erica and not just on the court, but in
the locker room. And it's just all Roads kept pointing
(05:09):
to Kelsey Plumb. You know, we know she's a dog.
Everyone's Plumb dog. But that is not just a nickname,
that's not just a logo. That is a real thing,
and she increases everyone's confidence while also increasing everyone's accountability,
accountability to work ethic, accountability to the organization, accountability to winning,
(05:34):
to doing the right thing. And we wanted that inside
of our organization. We needed it, and I think in
general we knew we needed a backcourt the with some experience,
and it takes I think the longest to transition from
college to pros in that position, and that's what makes
some of these players that have done it so special
(05:57):
when they've done it so quick. At Caitlin Clark and
obviously Pagebackers, I think is going to have that opportunity
as well. But for the most people, Kelsey included, it
takes a minute to get your sea legs underneath you,
and we were interested in having immediate impact that in
that role.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
I'm thinking about the sparks and I wish I was
a fly on the wall for your war room durring draft.
But a lot of fans were interested in hearing a
little bit more about the decision to trade that number
two pick, knowing that a player like Alongo is going
to go to Seattle. And also just the priority, like
the priorization when it came to not only the draft,
(06:38):
but the expansion Draft. And I know as hard as
a general manager getting the pieces together, but for fans
who don't understand how the roster work, especially in the
context of heart, salary cap and best player, best fit
versus talent, can you just lay it out in the
simplest terms for fans who may be listening to understand
like that process of constructing a team.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Well, Dominique is a special talent, for sure, and I
think she's going to be an exciting player in our league.
And it really wasn't about what we were giving up.
It was also about what we were getting. And we
knew we were getting a Kelsey Plum and we did
not want to walk away from that opportunity. And a
player like Kelsey Plump comes at a cost, no doubt,
(07:23):
You're not going to get Kelsey Plump for free, so
it comes at a cost. I think also, you know,
we feel great about the partnership we've been able to
develop with Deerica. We have a young player in that
interior and Cameron Brink and you know, it just be
kind of like, how are we going to build this?
(07:43):
What are some of those other crucial missing pieces that
we needed in the back court? Was critical you're hearing.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
It from a general manager how hard it is to
construct a roster. Obviously, when you get a big name player,
you have to give something up. I think that's super
important for you all to understand. But also in this business,
over the last couple of weeks, you guys have been
going through training camp, right, and obviously this is a business,
but it's also about people. So as a general manager,
when it comes to those tough decisions when you're when
(08:12):
you have to cut or wave players in training camp,
how do you handle like the emotional side of that
part of the job of having to release players who
gave a lot to the team. Uh, And so fans
can just understand like the process of the business side
of how it all works.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Well, I mean, you said it's a business, but it's
about it's also about people, and what I try to
do and say this is people, but it's also a business.
So you're always leading first with the humanity of these athletes.
They are humans, they are mothers, they are daughters, they
are career focused, driven people.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
They have made a.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Choice, they have made sacrifices to be in this position,
and they've got hearts, hearts of gold. And you know,
some days as a GM you get to play the
role of Santa Claus and sometimes you're the grim Reaper
and you've got to crush dreams and that's that's really
hard for us in that role. But it's not really
(09:18):
about us. It's about the person you're sitting next to
and having to say you know that they're no longer
with your organization. So we try to do it in
the most human, compassionate, empathetic way possible. But you can't
escape the fact that there is the element of business.
And I appreciate so much again that the humans we're
(09:40):
working with, the professionalism that they have. The players get
all the credit for how they handle this. It's it's
I walk away every single time so impressed with the
maturity and the grace that they extend in those situations.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
You're someone who can see if all sides because you
played in the w NBA it was drafted in ninety
seven and you've coached at the day. I got it.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Why you kind of put the date out there that.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
You so experience as a head coach as well. So
I think that you know you have an advantage to
knowing you know just how much it takes to do
this job. Some excited things are happening with the Sparks.
You all announced a practice facility is in the works.
It's a coming. How important do you think it is
(10:32):
for just different franchises to start to see that as
a sole part of investment, but also to attract more
free agents to the LA Sparks.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Well, I think it's critical, and it's just the cost
of doing business these days. Like it's just it's not
should we do it?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Can we do it?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
It is what you have to do and it's a
non negotiable and I'm so thankful that we have an
organization that no one only sees it as that, but
it's not. We're just going to go ahead and get us,
you know, four walls up and throw a court down
on the floor. It's how we're going to do it.
That's the separator. Again, we have led with partnership and
(11:14):
everything we do, so we're continuing to partner. This isn't
something that just our ownership and myself and Christine Mander
are leading the way. We've had players involved in the process.
We've had Chelsea Ortega, our director of Health and Performance,
leading the way in her space that she works with
(11:35):
athletes on. We've had other experts come in and help
guide some of these discussions and decisions. And I'm just
so excited about what this end result is going to
look like. And you know, what I keep remembering is
like when we get in there, when someone hands us
the keys. At that point we'll have a chance to turn,
(11:55):
you know, a house into a home, and you do
that by putting people in into it and building memories
and creating those you know, just bonds that it will
last a lifetime. So we can't wait, but we'll stay
patient while all the process unfolds.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
That the players are getting involved in, you know, the
planning of it, well, some of the things that you know,
you guys have been talking about followly implementing into the
practice facility if you can give us a livel t Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, I mean, I'm not going to go into too
many details, but just in general, they're insight again and
knowing what it means to truly serve them in a
way that's you know, three hundred and sixty five days
a year in a three hundred and sixty degree kind
of way. And sometimes you get people and my roles
to sit around a table and start making all the
(12:47):
decisions and you don't actually not just seek guidance of
what the building is intended for and who it's intended for.
You don't seek their input. You just go ahead and
make decision. And that's that's a mistake. We getting to
hear from them about the little details that help them
(13:10):
become their best self as a person and as an athlete,
as mothers, as entrepreneurs, and all the different ways that
we can show up in support of them. And that's
been really a fun conversation. It's been ninety nine percent
fund one percent hard, and maybe there the fun is hard,
(13:30):
but we're having so much fun you don't notice how.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Hard it is.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Sparts have already had a preseason game against the Valkyries.
What was some of the things that you saw in
that game that really stood out to you.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Yeah, just I would say, first of all, you's a
historic moment to get to be in that arena. You know,
this is an organization that also got to be a
part of that game in Boston last year at TD Garden.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
That was really cool to.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Be in that moment, and then to get the the
moment with the Valkyries and their special day with special
But I think regarding the sparks, you know, I think
it's just that opportunity to toss the ball up and
put uniforms on and see how people act, Like, are
you different in a game compared to practice? You know,
(14:19):
sometimes as a coach, you see things look really good
in practice and then somebody you know, just performs out
of left fields in a good way or bad way,
and then you get to dig in and see what
that's about. But I love I think the versatility that
our roster is presenting. You know, I think positionless tends
(14:39):
to be a word that gets tossed around a lot,
almost cliche like, And I wouldn't say Lynn really focuses
on position lists. She focuses on strengths and where mismatches
are and accentuating players as a collective group their strengths,
and I can just see with some of these lineup,
(15:00):
you know, a KP and an Odyssey, and you know
we still have Julia Alaman that's coming. She was didn't
play in that game, but she's going to be ready soon.
And you're just getting to see all of those dynamics,
geting to see Rikeia in different types of lineups, whether
she gets opportunities more in post ups or out on
the perimeter. Loved how Rakiya's expanded her game through Unrivaled
(15:23):
in her perimeter skill set, and you saw that in
that game the other night. I think we're still, you know,
looking for different ways that we can accentuate de Erica
and Azure. So there's just a lot of talent on
this roster and it's fun putting and seeing it start
to come together in the different ways we can accentuate it.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Mentioned Unrivaled and in the sparks. They have such a
huge presence in the unlivele league. Jerka Raqia as May
All Play Can Drink, is also signed to Unraveled. What
is your stance on on that league and how it
can benefit the players.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Well, I think it's it's great exposure for the game,
is I think good for the game. Investment in the
game is good for the game. And you know we
are seeing you know, de Erica Raperel, I think is
another player that really grew while being at unrivaled. So
it's opportunity and I know that league was able to
(16:24):
focus a lot on player development, which benefits us a lot.
Sometimes when players go overseas, they have to focus so
much on just doing what that team needs them to
do to be successful. And then the three x three
there is a team dynamic, but skill set you get
a chance to really enhance your skill set and player development.
(16:45):
And the coaches they had in that league were very
focused on player development, So I think, you know, we
have actually an assistant coach on our staff that was
down there that so I think it helped us. It
helped our players row, and you know, I'm sure that
there's things that they saw that the w's doing that
(17:05):
they applied, and there's things that we see that they're
doing and we apply. So it's going to continue to
help raise the bar for everybody.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
One of the most intriguing signings that you guys did
was the signing of Odyssey Simms. She's kind of been
like a journey woman throughout the w NBA, had many stops,
and now she gets a home with the LA Sparks
this season. Can you just talk about Odyssey as a player,
what stands out to you and how can she impact
(17:47):
this Los Angeles Sparks team. Well, Odyssey and I have
been able to develop a relationship over the years. So
I'm from Fort Worth, Texas, Odyssey's from the DFW area.
You know, I my involvement from the sidelines with the
Wings for so long. I got to see her a
bunch of times in and out of the Wings roster
and get to know her and see her under different
(18:10):
coaches and different rosters. And then she joined our team
last year midyear as a hardship and finished the season
out with us. So in spending time with Odyssey her,
it's her story to tell, absolutely, But I would just
say I think Odyssey is a competitor and elite comit competitor.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
She's passionate, she is her best when she knows her
team needs her to have their back, and there's that
trust in that bond, and I think that comes with stability.
And we wanted to start. We wanted to go first
(18:55):
with Odyssey and create that stability for her to be
able to help her access that best version of herself.
And we're seeing it right now in our camp. We
love how she's investing in relationships, investing in her game.
We love having her son around. That's a story in itself, Christina,
all the all the little boys we have on running
(19:16):
around our gym with the moms, the players that we
got a lot of little boys. But uh, I just
I think Honesty also mimics Kelsey's dog mentality, and I
think the two of them can play really well off
of each other. Kelsey was you know, she played a
lot at the point with Vegas, played a lot at
(19:37):
the point with USA basketball. She can also play the two.
But Honesty can do that as well. So I think
that again plays into Lynn's system. We're being able to
really focus on, you know, ball movement and being the
aggressor and where mismatches are and playing downhill basketball. I
think those two can compliment each other exceptionally.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
You are a former.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Cleveland Walker and we know that the league you're trying
to again, no, this is going in a really good direction.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
And you know, as the league continues to expand. Dan
Gilbert is aiming to revive that franchise and hoping to
make it the sixteenth franchise. As a former member of
the Cleveland Walkers, what would it mean to you to
possibly have a new franchise in Cleveland, Well.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Speaking not as a general manager, but as a former
w player and rocker, that would be fun, of course,
you know, like the franchise that drafted me was the
Utah Stars, which are now the Vegas Acist, So it's
fun that that's around. But the org that I ended
my career with is no longer around. I don't have
(20:54):
an organization that is really housing, you know, and taking
care of us as a lums. The closest thing we
have is RuSHA Brown. RuSHA Brown is the one who
is like always keeping us together and making sure we're
staying connected, and we've got our prayer Warriors and all
of that together. So it would be really fun, just
(21:15):
as a sisterhood to be able to have that place
that home to return to. But you know, the state
of Ohio does a great job of supporting sports from
the high school, grassroots level women's basketball, and obviously, you know,
you got all the major sports there, so it would
be fun. But just in general, the investment and how
(21:37):
many people want to have a team. Man, that's just
so exciting to see the direction that the league is heading.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
I have another question about your journey to as a
basketball player. I mean, Cheryl s sooops is on this network,
so I just want to know from those days, what
was it like like going up against teams like the
Houston Comments during the early years.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
It was incredible, like incredible, like playing against the Sparks,
playing against the Comments, playing against the Liberty like yeah,
I mean the X factor in Phoenix. Those were incredible
days for our game and the energy that was happening
in Houston. H Town had a rockin like, no doubt
(22:21):
about it, Cynthia Cooper, all of them.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
But Cheryl.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I'll tell you what one of my most potent memories
of Cheryl is when I was at CU, I played
a Colorado our head coach with Seal Berry. Seal was
an assistant Olympic coach for that incredible dream team Olympic team,
and they went around and played universities getting ready for
the Olympics and exhibition games and they played US. So
(22:47):
our coach, like you know, she had some skin in
this game because she was going to be coaching this
team and she wanted to see us do well. And
granted we were like these little college players going against
the Olympians. Cheryl was on that team, and they our ass,
Like Christina, we might have to bleep that, but like
they kicked our ass. And I just remember being on
the court and we had joked around like I was
(23:09):
going to get a steal against Cheryl swoops at some
point in this game. I was committed, which we fouled her.
She went to the free throw line and the ref
tossed her the ball and I like grabbed the ball
before it got to her to shoot her free throw,
and I counted that as a steal, but I quickly
got subbed out because I was not serious enough in
the moment. But Cheryl just competed in that game with
(23:31):
us while teaching us and had fun with it, and
just her energy was I think my first exposure of
what it meant to be a pro and how pros
were connected to each other, that yes, they want to
kick your ass, but they're also going to help you
and they're going to teach you.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
And I see that.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Happening in our game all the time, you know, like, yeah,
Cameron tells stories all the time about how when she
was playing last year, whether it was Tina anybody, just
whispering little things like, hey, next time, you got to
look at this footwork, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
be able to contain you in that like, and she
(24:09):
just absorbed so much of those lessons, And that's the
beauty I think of this game when.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
I think about your journey in the w starting out
as a player, being a coach, and now a general managers.
What's the best part about the journey for you when
you think about it from a third round pick to
now being in the general managers Because I think for
a lot of fans today they're like, oh my god,
this player was to so late. But sometimes it's like, yeah,
(24:36):
it's not about like this is the journey is about
the destination. So what's the most satisfying thing about about
where you are right? Yeah, in the seat that you hold.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Well, It's funny because I've definitely heard that phrase it's
not the journey, it's the destination. But I've never had
like this specific destination in mind, and it's really been
like a mantra for me, there's like three life mantras
that I've been living off of, and one is what's
meant for you won't miss you. And you know, as
(25:08):
long as you're doing what's not meant for you, you're
going to miss your blessings. But you know, trust the process,
and that means I think it leads into my other matra,
and that's be where your feet are and really serve
the people that are around you and serve them in
a way that they need to be served, not just
(25:29):
how you want to serve them, get uncomfortable in how
you serve. So and then my last one is like
your next ten years is going to be better than
your last ten years, And my last ten years have
been incredible. Like so I'm so thankful for the last
ten years, all of the all of it, the struggle
(25:49):
even has been beautiful. So I think with that, like
if I just I try to live off of, if
I stay where my feet are and serve the people
that are around me, I trust that what's meant for
me won't miss me, my next ten years are going
to be what they need to be, and they're they're
going to be better than the last ten so I
(26:12):
don't focus on that destination.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
One of the things I'm looking forward to on the
calendar is the Kandas Parker jersey retirement night. Watching Candas Parkers.
He's one of the reasons why I wanted to cover
women's basketball. But why was it important as a franchise
to make sure, you know, you all honored her with
this jersey retirement.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I mean, that's an obvious answer. Like she is, she
is one of our queens of basketball, Like I'm not Eve,
I don't want to say of women's basketball. I think
she is royalty of basketball. And she also, like it's
so clear to me that her mentor was Pat Summit,
(26:49):
because what Pat Summitt did was not just change how
women stepped into athletic departments and on college campuses. She
opened up opportunities for women to be in boardrooms and
to not just have seats at the table, but have
a legitimate voice and to be decision makers in rooms.
(27:11):
And like it just I watched Candice move from my
seat and I see Pat Summit all over her, and
she conducts herself in that way, and she's you know,
impacting you, She's impacting a whole generation of young women
that are going to continue to be that ripple effect.
(27:31):
But also what she did in a Sparks jersey demands
that her jersey is retired and honored, and it's really special.
I was in Crypto dot com yes the other day
and kind of looking where her jersey most likely will be,
and just as you look up along those those rafters
and you see Kobe's and you know the special relationship
(27:54):
that she had with Kobe as well, and that just
warmed my heart knowing that they're jerseys, they're going to
be hanging in the same arena.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Absolutely. And last question before we let you get out
of here, why should fans be excited for the Sparks
this season. You'll open up this week against the Golden
State Belkyries.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Yeah. Well, I think there's again getting to see players
continue to develop. You know, there's I think an opportunity
to get on this Sparks bandwagon and help us polish
our crown and be a part of the process with us.
Now we've talked a lot about we know that there
are some of the queens of our game that have
worn the Sparks jersey and they have brought championships to
(28:37):
this city and you know, we we've had to kind
of get our crown out of the closet, polish those
jewels off, and remember who we are and don't wait
to act as if like act as if now that
we are those we are that level, and honor our
legacy with how we perform. So I know that we're
(28:59):
going to play an exciting style of basketball. I'm excited
about the depth this team has. I know that we're
going to be better as this season goes on because
we're a new coaching staff, a new team, and they're
gelling and figuring each other out, and the depth is
going to continue to formulate. But I think also this
is a team that loves where they're at and loves
(29:22):
this city, and they want to build an identity that
you know, Crypto dot Com is one of the toughest
places to play, and they can't do it by themselves.
They need it. They need the fans to get on
board with that.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
On the all that note break, and I want to
thank you so much for joining us this week for
the LA Sparks preview. Fans. I know you guys are
really super excited about the Sparks this season. Make sure
you head out to LA and get your tickets to
see them play Breakin. Thank you so much for joining
us this week. And in case you missed.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
It, thank you Christina.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
The w NBA tips off tonight, and so we are
going to do a special LA Sparks preview. I'm super
excited for today's guests joining us is two time WNBA champion,
Olympic gold medalist and honestly one of the most dynamic
guards in the league in my opinion, and she's starting
a brand new chapter in LA this season. And so
(30:29):
I want to welcome in Kelsey Plumb to the show today. Kelsey,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Wow, thank you, appreciate you having me, Thanks for being here.
So lots of excitement surrounding you joining the Sparks this season.
Can you just talk about this new chapter in your career.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Very excited to be in LA. Like you said, it
was kind of just an opportunity for a fresh start,
you know, personally, professionally, super grateful for my time in Vegas.
I've learned just immense amounts of information and experience from
some of the greatest to ever do it. Whether you
(31:07):
go down the line, you know, coaching staff, teammates, organizationally,
So I'm really grateful for my time, and yeah, I
just felt like, you know what, I feel like it's
time to really push myself in a different direction and
challenge myself as a leader and as a player. I
know I have a lot to give, I have a
lot in the tank, and just excited about this opportunity.
(31:28):
I think they're building something pretty profound here, and good
things take time. Rome wasn't built in one day, but
I have a lot of faith in where the organization
is going.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
What's been the most LA moment you've had so far being.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Out there, I would say probably getting stopped on Rodeo
and just you know, people are taking videos of famous people.
I'm pretty sure you know the video I'm talking about
that went viral. Yes, he actually I didn't know he
was filming. He had the meta glasses on, so like
(32:04):
all that was taken and I actually like like, I'm
I was just trying to be nice and you know,
mind my business, because I was like, what's going on,
Like this is so weird, like to just record random
people on the side. But then of course when I
a couple of days later, when it went viral whatever,
people were like why did you.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
You know?
Speaker 3 (32:25):
And I didn't know he was recording, Like I didn't know.
I didn't give him my number, and people were like,
why do you I didn't give them my number. I
literally shared a showed on my Instagram because Yeah, so
that was probably the most la thing.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
You talked about this new fresh start and what it
means to you right now at this stage in your career.
And I know the off season was a major reset
for you professionally and personally, and that time of everything
shifting for you, what was something that kept you grounded?
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Yeah, well, I think people don't realize, like I got
divorced like as the season was starting last year, so
I didn't really have time to fully process everything that happened.
And I you know, the season is kind of a gauntlet.
You're just going into it and pretty much playing almost
every other day, traveling on the road, especially to like
(33:13):
going back to back and then trying to do that
for a third time. There's so many more. Every game
is like people's biggest game is against you, right They're
trying to come at the back to back champs and
everything is sold out, and so it's just like there
was so much and I didn't really get a chance
to like take a deep exhale. So I'm grateful that
(33:35):
I give myself that time and this offseason. And I
would say the bagg team that just kept me grounded
was just my faith, just knowing that God has always
directed my steps throughout my life and my career and
this situation is no different. So it was pretty clear
to me as I stepped away, just needed time to
reset and reevaluate my life and realize, you know, I'm
(33:57):
not the same woman that I was and just ready,
like I said, for a fresh start.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
I love that you are grounded in your faith and
you took bad time to reset. I feel like just
professionally in sports, even on the media side, everything goes
so fast. You never get time to just stop and
reset and take that time. And I know that you're
a huge advocate for just mental health, and you talk
about sometimes how you've developed a dog mentality and how
(34:24):
your mental health and mentality help shape your performance. How
would you describe your mindset right now coming into the
twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
I think it's funny the dog mentality really started, Like
I didn't name myself that that got named to me
in Las Vegas, and it was just, you know, something
that's stuck. And if anything, it was just more of
a like a mindset. I've been who I am since
I entered the league, you know, and I've just tried
to continue to get better and adapt and compete and
(34:56):
you know, I might not get it perfect, but I'll
always come out in and play my butt off like
that's just who I am, and so that that has
never changed, that will never change. I think for me,
I'm excited to come in and bring that element of
just competitiveness but also joy and just really you know,
(35:17):
help empower on my teammates to be the best version
of themselves and try to affect winning.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
I know that you guys listening won't be able to
see this, but the yercahamis just came behind Kelsey on
the screen UH, and we're gonna get into that relationship.
She's walking back and forth. I absolutely love it. But
what has it been like to reconnect with the UH
and be a part of the Sparks team with her?
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Oh, it's been great. You know, d someone that I've
had a very close relationship with for years. You know,
we met back when I first was drafted to San Antonio.
So you're talking about shoot almost like nine years ago,
and so you know that relationship goes way far back,
you know, like I was with Amaya like in her
infancy stage, and so so I think for me, I
(36:02):
was just proud of how Dee has handled herself throughout
her career and how she continues to get better. And
she's someone that you love to compete with. Right Dereka
plays as hard as anyone on both ends of the
court and really is always that engine. And you know,
playing in Vegas we had a great connection. So it's
been it's been wonderful to reconnect. We're going to continue
(36:23):
to get better and get our chemistry back on the court,
but it's gonna be awesome. Going back to something you
said earlier about being in La, in that La moment,
what's something you wish more fans understood about the human
side of being an athlete? Because you said that person
just walked up on you, you didn't.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Know, like they were recording and all that thing, but
also just everything that you've been through. What's something you
wish fans understood about the human side of being in
a pro athlete.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
I think the biggest thing is like I have no
problem talking to people, but I don't love being like
interrupted when I'm eating with like my friends or my family.
And I wish more people would just you know, you
could say hi, but like let people be. I would
appreciate that, or like be a little bit more mindful
of excuse me, sorry to bother you. Okay, well like
(37:10):
you just said it.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
You know.
Speaker 3 (37:12):
And I think maybe just be more mindful of catching
people in their transitions, maybe walking to their car or
coming into the restaurant versus just like they're eating dinner
mid bite and someone like tabs you on the shoulder.
I wish it would be a little bit more just
mindful of.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
That stuff, mindful of the boundaries. I agree with that.
So this season, you're back at the point guard. See
you had a little bit of that with Team USA.
But what's something you love about kind of running the show,
being a playmaker, facilitating in that sense.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
Yeah, I mean, I think you're gonna see me still
off the ball. So I think necessarily just because you
don't necessarily initiate the offense all the time doesn't mean
you're not the point guard or you are the point guard.
I think it's more just being like the lead guard
on terms of making reads, making options. I think the
thing that people will be surprised about the most is
(38:05):
that maybe the last three or four years, I've had
average like four or five assists at the two, only
like strictly the two, which is pretty hard to do
if you kind of look around the league. Most two
guards are really just asked to score. So I've been
able to create, but I think now you're going to
see me do it just with more reps. So I
(38:25):
expect those assist numbers to be extremely high, and you know,
I I'm excited to pass the ball.
Speaker 1 (38:34):
What's so you're on a new team with a new
coach and land Roberts. What's been some of the things
that she's been preaching the philosophies throughout training camp leading
up to the season.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Starting Well, if you've watched coach and her time at Utah,
they play a very specific style. It's spaced, it's paced,
it's a lot of three balls, it's a lot of
ball movement, and then defensively, it's trying to be physical
and are just aggressive.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
So I'll say a.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Coach, she's pretty particular on those aspects, and you know,
hopefully as we start on Friday that is reflected in
our play.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
So I had a.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Conversation with about this particular thing a little bit early
in a week on another show. But a lot of
the new coaches coming into the w are living in
nine by three, not necessarily saying when is doing the
same thing. But she said that's gonna be an important
part of the new system with the sparks. Do you
think that's a good thing for the WNBA overall in
terms of the evolution of the game to a lot
(39:33):
of more threes like the NBA, or do you think
it's going to hurt the game. That's a good question. Well,
if you look.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
I think if you look at the top teams last year,
I could be totally off, but I'm just kind of
remembering me. I feel like New York shot first or
second the most and had a great percentage. And same
with Minnesota. Minnesota really, you know, took a massive leap
in terms of their offensive spacing, and you have a
(40:02):
lot of Smiths out there shooting threes, and then of
course the fisas shooting threes and they shoot it really well. Right,
So I think that that's spacing. And same with New York.
You know JJ can pop, Stewie can pop, and then
that kind of changes, you know, defensively what you have
to do right, because it's a lot harder to guard.
(40:23):
I don't think you should necessarily always live and die
by the three. I think touching the paint is very important,
but I do think there's been there's been an evolution
in popping with bigs and fives, and when you're more versatile,
it is harder to guard.
Speaker 1 (40:37):
Looking at the opening slate of games, UH, the Sparks
are opening up against the Valkyrie, is a team that
you all saw in the preseason. What can fans look
forward to? Uh for opening weekend?
Speaker 3 (40:47):
And it was awesome. That was the most lit preseason
game I've ever played in.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
UH.
Speaker 3 (40:51):
It was it was like felt sold out.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Fans were booing.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
I mean, it was very much like they were in it.
So I think I'm really just proud to be in
a league that you know, technically this is an expansion team,
but didn't feel like it felt like the fans have
been there for twenty years and they were super proud
of their team. So I think it's gonna be a
very tough place to play, and UH, you know, they've
done a phenomenal job of marketing and you know, getting
(41:17):
this boom going in terms of how excited people are
to have a team.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
In the Bay.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
And then I really do think that they're They're going
to continue to do a great job there.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
Another huge game on the calendar is May thirtieth against
the Aces. Any thoughts on what that game will mean
to you personally?
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Yeah, man, I think I get this question every day
to talk about an l a thing. I get it
going to the sandwich shop. I get it going to
the grocery store. I said it before and I'll reiterate it.
I have nothing but love for the Aces, and I
became a woman there, like you know, I've grown up there,
(41:54):
played there my entire career pretty much, if you don't
count San Antonio so ever. Give me to say anything
that about them, and I I'm sure that you know,
when I do show up, it'll be a great atmosphere
like it always is, you know, And I do know
that obviously, Like as a competitor, you come and compete
(42:17):
like every game, and I really I haven't really dug
too much into it. I've really just been focusing on
what's next and what's next for us is Friday.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
I have to ask you this question. You had a
viral video on social media of your pre season pregame ritual.
The Sparks posted it on their social media channel, and
you were using your shoulder to kind of like.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
Will that go viral?
Speaker 1 (42:41):
So it went viral. It went pretty viral. There was
articles written about it. Can you set the record straight
on what exactly was going on there? I've done this
in Vegas for years.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
I tried to do it to make sure if you've
ever played like really high level basketball, you can hit
a lot, especially as a guard, like either setting screens
or getting hit by them, or or just trying to
get get open, get positioned, And so I've I felt like,
as a player, I don't want the first time I
get hit to be in the game, So I really
(43:13):
just I'm really just kind of like not shocking my body,
but I'm kind of like feeling physicality so that when
I get into the game, I'm like, oh, like, you know,
you've ever been seen like a player get hit for
the first time, You're like, oh, like get shocked. I
just try to make sure that I'm like ready to
play so that if anything it was that more like
football style, nothing else to it.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
No, I love that. I love that. So Also, this
week there's been so much buzz around the NBA in
terms of Dallas getting that number one pick in this
week's NBA Draft lottery. And you're a former number one
pick yourself, So how do you reflect on the pressure
and excitement that comes with being that number one pick?
Speaker 3 (43:53):
You know, it's so funny. It's like now that you asked,
but like this is why you should never tank. You
should never tank, Like you should just try to win
every game you can play in. Like I firmly believe
that I just should never thank Yeah, number one pick
is not easy. It's not easy, and there's definitely you know,
people are coming for you, trying to cook you and
eat you and just you know, see what you got,
(44:16):
see what you're made of. And it's funny because a
lot a lot of this yere you know, a lot
of fans I think in particular that maybe weren't familiar
with the w were pretty upset feeling like Caitlyn was
getting extra physicality and people do play her physical physical
but if you really look around the league, I mean,
people were coming from my neck as a rookie, like
(44:40):
they just that's just what the league does. You know,
it's just kind of like your initiation process that doesn't
really change. So I would say, I would say, yeah,
I mean it's it's tough. You definitely have a.
Speaker 1 (44:52):
Target on your back. You've accomplished so much in your career,
but this is still a freshening chapter for you. What's
a new challenge this season that we're actually excited to
take on?
Speaker 3 (45:02):
Just being a leader, being a leader and uh, you know,
really just leading a team affecting winning in the highest level.
And uh, I know it's not gonna be easy, but
I know I have the skills to do it.
Speaker 1 (45:14):
He talked about being a leader, and you know, I
was scrolling through your Instagram and seeing, you know, your
dedication to Diane's Rossy when she retired this season, and
he talked about wanting to inspire the next What does
that look like for you, especially with this young core? Uh,
with the Los Angeles sparks that you guys have.
Speaker 3 (45:30):
Yeah, we have so much talent and you know, I
think I remember, you know the best thing about d
in my mind is like take away the basketball like aspect,
it's the way that she makes you feel. She makes
everyone feel like they are just the best version of themselves.
And so really taking that and saying wow, like just
(45:52):
if you can do that in life right with your friends,
with your family, with your partner, I'm like, you know what,
that's that's that's what I'm gonna do. And so I think,
ever since I've been here, really just my goal, it's
just to empower. You know, a lot of these young
women have all the confidence or excuse me, all the
skill and talent. It's really just that confidence that kind
(46:13):
of takes you over the edge. So I'm always just
in their ear like, hey, like you're stud I believe
in you, like you got it, Like let's you know.
So I think that's what I've taken from d.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
And on a lighter note, to round this out, I
always like to close the interviews by asking our guests
what is something that's brought them joy this week? So,
what's something has brought you joy this week?
Speaker 3 (46:34):
I mean, I got a puppy. Puppy, I got a puppy.
Is a burna doodle? Oh my gosh, very thank you,
very very excited about him? And he is he is
a bundle of Joy.
Speaker 1 (46:47):
What's his name? Abe? What? That's so exciting? Actually, I
want to burn a doodle stew that. Oh my goodness.
But thank you, Kelsey, thank you for joining us this
week on In Case MISTERID. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
In Case you missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
(47:07):
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. Welcome to another edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. Here on Iheartwomen's Sports and
w NBA fans, the time has come. This is the
(00:23):
week that the season tips off, and I know you
guys have been waiting for this week for many, many, many, many,
many many days. So without further ado, I want to
introduce our guests for this week, because you know, we
only do a big on this show, and so this
special edition of In Case You Missed It is going
to be a LA Sparks season previews. So La Sparks fans,
(00:45):
I know that you are going to be super excited
about this jam packed episode. But joining us this week
to help break down the season for the Los Angeles
Sparks is general manager Reagan Peepley. Reagan, Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Oh thanks for having me so excited to be here.
You know I'm a fan of yours. You've been advocating
for our game and different platforms over the years, and
I've enjoyed watching your career and loved your content, they're wing.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
As mutual so mutual respect. All right, So thank you.
The season tips off this week, And obviously you've been
with the Sparks since last season. When you look at
the DNA of the twenty twenty five roster that you've
been able to put together, what kind of identity are
you trying to build on the floor.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, I think well, first of all, I'm not doing
it by myself. There's a lot of partnership that we
have been able to do or create, and definitely through
our ownership. Eric Hollman, he has been a part and
part of all these decisions. It's been really fun to
work with him. But Lynn Roberts is a great person
to collaborate with on all of this. And you know,
(01:54):
Eli Horowitz, our assistant GM is excellent at it. But
it really the play are incredible. They they will spill
the tea, They will tell you what they think, they
will tell you know who they like, who they you know,
are are excited to have in a Sparks Jersey. So
(02:14):
I'm not doing this by myself, nor do I want
to do it by myself. But as we have partners
with all these people in building this roster. What we've
tried to do is not only add great youth pieces
and really solid veteran pieces, but there's more detail around that.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
We wanted people that reflected a style of basketball that
we're working to play. We also wanted people that had
great eq emotional intelligence and were able to be great teammates, communicate,
work through conflict. Conflict is not something that we should
be afraid of. It's necessary. It's a part of, I think,
(02:52):
getting to your best selves. And we, you know, also
look for people that are fun, that are really fun
to be around. We're around each other more than we're
with our families, and you know, we wanted to be
with people that are just bring joy and bring a light,
bring some humor to what we do, as well as
(03:12):
do a great job getting dubs on the floor.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Only in year two of your tenure as the general
manager for the Los Angeles Sparks, and oh my, what
a task when from the outside looking in, I know
fans were thinking, what would this franchise look like post
Darren Fisher era? Right, And you've been able to do
a lot and just this off season alone, obviously everyone
loved that blockbuster portrayed of acquiring Kelsey Plumb and getting
(03:38):
some other surrounding pieces to make the roster stronger. What
was that strategy like And just knowing that there's some
immense pressure to get the Sparks back to, you know,
the franchise that everyone knows and loves to be a
championship contending franchise.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Well, that's an opportunity. I don't think it is pressure.
It is an honor, and it is truly an opportunity.
They say pressure is a privilege, and you work for
this and if you weren't expecting any of it, then
you probably weren't right for the job. You were, you
weren't ready for the job. So incredible opportunity in the
(04:19):
Kelsey Plumb trade. I know, you know, we were getting
hate mail for people like you're holding up everyone's free agency.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Get good as going.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
And it took a minute, but again, it was great
partnership with Vegas and with Seattle and with the players
and their representation. None of us could have done it
without one another. And it was just really clear in
this build that with some of the youth pieces we had,
with what as we were evaluating this draft, this past draft,
(04:49):
and what we the depth of the draft and what
we needed. We needed experience in that back court. We
needed a leader in that back court to partner with
the Erica and not just on the court, but in
the locker room. And it's just all Roads kept pointing
(05:09):
to Kelsey Plumb. You know, we know she's a dog.
Everyone's Plumb dog. But that is not just a nickname,
that's not just a logo. That is a real thing,
and she increases everyone's confidence while also increasing everyone's accountability,
accountability to work ethic, accountability to the organization, accountability to winning,
(05:34):
to doing the right thing. And we wanted that inside
of our organization. We needed it, and I think in
general we knew we needed a backcourt the with some experience,
and it takes I think the longest to transition from
college to pros in that position, and that's what makes
some of these players that have done it so special
(05:57):
when they've done it so quick. At Caitlin Clark and
obviously Pagebackers, I think is going to have that opportunity
as well. But for the most people, Kelsey included, it
takes a minute to get your sea legs underneath you,
and we were interested in having immediate impact that in
that role.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
I'm thinking about the sparks and I wish I was
a fly on the wall for your war room durring draft.
But a lot of fans were interested in hearing a
little bit more about the decision to trade that number
two pick, knowing that a player like Alongo is going
to go to Seattle. And also just the priority, like
the priorization when it came to not only the draft,
(06:38):
but the expansion Draft. And I know as hard as
a general manager getting the pieces together, but for fans
who don't understand how the roster work, especially in the
context of heart, salary cap and best player, best fit
versus talent, can you just lay it out in the
simplest terms for fans who may be listening to understand
like that process of constructing a team.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Well, Dominique is a special talent, for sure, and I
think she's going to be an exciting player in our league.
And it really wasn't about what we were giving up.
It was also about what we were getting. And we
knew we were getting a Kelsey Plum and we did
not want to walk away from that opportunity. And a
player like Kelsey Plump comes at a cost, no doubt,
(07:23):
You're not going to get Kelsey Plump for free, so
it comes at a cost. I think also, you know,
we feel great about the partnership we've been able to
develop with Deerica. We have a young player in that
interior and Cameron Brink and you know, it just be
kind of like, how are we going to build this?
(07:43):
What are some of those other crucial missing pieces that
we needed in the back court? Was critical you're hearing.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
It from a general manager how hard it is to
construct a roster. Obviously, when you get a big name player,
you have to give something up. I think that's super
important for you all to understand. But also in this business,
over the last couple of weeks, you guys have been
going through training camp, right, and obviously this is a business,
but it's also about people. So as a general manager,
when it comes to those tough decisions when you're when
(08:12):
you have to cut or wave players in training camp,
how do you handle like the emotional side of that
part of the job of having to release players who
gave a lot to the team. Uh, And so fans
can just understand like the process of the business side
of how it all works.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Well, I mean, you said it's a business, but it's
about it's also about people, and what I try to
do and say this is people, but it's also a business.
So you're always leading first with the humanity of these athletes.
They are humans, they are mothers, they are daughters, they
are career focused, driven people.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
They have made a.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Choice, they have made sacrifices to be in this position,
and they've got hearts, hearts of gold. And you know,
some days as a GM you get to play the
role of Santa Claus and sometimes you're the grim Reaper
and you've got to crush dreams and that's that's really
hard for us in that role. But it's not really
(09:18):
about us. It's about the person you're sitting next to
and having to say you know that they're no longer
with your organization. So we try to do it in
the most human, compassionate, empathetic way possible. But you can't
escape the fact that there is the element of business.
And I appreciate so much again that the humans we're
(09:40):
working with, the professionalism that they have. The players get
all the credit for how they handle this. It's it's
I walk away every single time so impressed with the
maturity and the grace that they extend in those situations.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
You're someone who can see if all sides because you
played in the w NBA it was drafted in ninety
seven and you've coached at the day. I got it.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Why you kind of put the date out there that.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
You so experience as a head coach as well. So
I think that you know you have an advantage to
knowing you know just how much it takes to do
this job. Some excited things are happening with the Sparks.
You all announced a practice facility is in the works.
It's a coming. How important do you think it is
(10:32):
for just different franchises to start to see that as
a sole part of investment, but also to attract more
free agents to the LA Sparks.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Well, I think it's critical, and it's just the cost
of doing business these days. Like it's just it's not
should we do it?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Can we do it?
Speaker 2 (10:50):
It is what you have to do and it's a
non negotiable and I'm so thankful that we have an
organization that no one only sees it as that, but
it's not. We're just going to go ahead and get us,
you know, four walls up and throw a court down
on the floor. It's how we're going to do it.
That's the separator. Again, we have led with partnership and
(11:14):
everything we do, so we're continuing to partner. This isn't
something that just our ownership and myself and Christine Mander
are leading the way. We've had players involved in the process.
We've had Chelsea Ortega, our director of Health and Performance,
leading the way in her space that she works with
(11:35):
athletes on. We've had other experts come in and help
guide some of these discussions and decisions. And I'm just
so excited about what this end result is going to
look like. And you know, what I keep remembering is
like when we get in there, when someone hands us
the keys. At that point we'll have a chance to turn,
(11:55):
you know, a house into a home, and you do
that by putting people in into it and building memories
and creating those you know, just bonds that it will
last a lifetime. So we can't wait, but we'll stay
patient while all the process unfolds.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
That the players are getting involved in, you know, the
planning of it, well, some of the things that you know,
you guys have been talking about followly implementing into the
practice facility if you can give us a livel t Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, I mean, I'm not going to go into too
many details, but just in general, they're insight again and
knowing what it means to truly serve them in a
way that's you know, three hundred and sixty five days
a year in a three hundred and sixty degree kind
of way. And sometimes you get people and my roles
to sit around a table and start making all the
(12:47):
decisions and you don't actually not just seek guidance of
what the building is intended for and who it's intended for.
You don't seek their input. You just go ahead and
make decision. And that's that's a mistake. We getting to
hear from them about the little details that help them
(13:10):
become their best self as a person and as an athlete,
as mothers, as entrepreneurs, and all the different ways that
we can show up in support of them. And that's
been really a fun conversation. It's been ninety nine percent
fund one percent hard, and maybe there the fun is hard,
(13:30):
but we're having so much fun you don't notice how.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Hard it is.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Sparts have already had a preseason game against the Valkyries.
What was some of the things that you saw in
that game that really stood out to you.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Yeah, just I would say, first of all, you's a
historic moment to get to be in that arena. You know,
this is an organization that also got to be a
part of that game in Boston last year at TD Garden.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
That was really cool to.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Be in that moment, and then to get the the
moment with the Valkyries and their special day with special
But I think regarding the sparks, you know, I think
it's just that opportunity to toss the ball up and
put uniforms on and see how people act, Like, are
you different in a game compared to practice? You know,
(14:19):
sometimes as a coach, you see things look really good
in practice and then somebody you know, just performs out
of left fields in a good way or bad way,
and then you get to dig in and see what
that's about. But I love I think the versatility that
our roster is presenting. You know, I think positionless tends
(14:39):
to be a word that gets tossed around a lot,
almost cliche like, And I wouldn't say Lynn really focuses
on position lists. She focuses on strengths and where mismatches
are and accentuating players as a collective group their strengths,
and I can just see with some of these lineup,
(15:00):
you know, a KP and an Odyssey, and you know
we still have Julia Alaman that's coming. She was didn't
play in that game, but she's going to be ready soon.
And you're just getting to see all of those dynamics,
geting to see Rikeia in different types of lineups, whether
she gets opportunities more in post ups or out on
the perimeter. Loved how Rakiya's expanded her game through Unrivaled
(15:23):
in her perimeter skill set, and you saw that in
that game the other night. I think we're still, you know,
looking for different ways that we can accentuate de Erica
and Azure. So there's just a lot of talent on
this roster and it's fun putting and seeing it start
to come together in the different ways we can accentuate it.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Mentioned Unrivaled and in the sparks. They have such a
huge presence in the unlivele league. Jerka Raqia as May
All Play Can Drink, is also signed to Unraveled. What
is your stance on on that league and how it
can benefit the players.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Well, I think it's it's great exposure for the game,
is I think good for the game. Investment in the
game is good for the game. And you know we
are seeing you know, de Erica Raperel, I think is
another player that really grew while being at unrivaled. So
it's opportunity and I know that league was able to
(16:24):
focus a lot on player development, which benefits us a lot.
Sometimes when players go overseas, they have to focus so
much on just doing what that team needs them to
do to be successful. And then the three x three
there is a team dynamic, but skill set you get
a chance to really enhance your skill set and player development.
(16:45):
And the coaches they had in that league were very
focused on player development, So I think, you know, we
have actually an assistant coach on our staff that was
down there that so I think it helped us. It
helped our players row, and you know, I'm sure that
there's things that they saw that the w's doing that
(17:05):
they applied, and there's things that we see that they're
doing and we apply. So it's going to continue to
help raise the bar for everybody.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
One of the most intriguing signings that you guys did
was the signing of Odyssey Simms. She's kind of been
like a journey woman throughout the w NBA, had many stops,
and now she gets a home with the LA Sparks
this season. Can you just talk about Odyssey as a player,
what stands out to you and how can she impact
(17:47):
this Los Angeles Sparks team. Well, Odyssey and I have
been able to develop a relationship over the years. So
I'm from Fort Worth, Texas, Odyssey's from the DFW area.
You know, I my involvement from the sidelines with the
Wings for so long. I got to see her a
bunch of times in and out of the Wings roster
and get to know her and see her under different
(18:10):
coaches and different rosters. And then she joined our team
last year midyear as a hardship and finished the season
out with us. So in spending time with Odyssey her,
it's her story to tell, absolutely, But I would just
say I think Odyssey is a competitor and elite comit competitor.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
She's passionate, she is her best when she knows her
team needs her to have their back, and there's that
trust in that bond, and I think that comes with stability.
And we wanted to start. We wanted to go first
(18:55):
with Odyssey and create that stability for her to be
able to help her access that best version of herself.
And we're seeing it right now in our camp. We
love how she's investing in relationships, investing in her game.
We love having her son around. That's a story in itself, Christina,
all the all the little boys we have on running
(19:16):
around our gym with the moms, the players that we
got a lot of little boys. But uh, I just
I think Honesty also mimics Kelsey's dog mentality, and I
think the two of them can play really well off
of each other. Kelsey was you know, she played a
lot at the point with Vegas, played a lot at
(19:37):
the point with USA basketball. She can also play the two.
But Honesty can do that as well. So I think
that again plays into Lynn's system. We're being able to
really focus on, you know, ball movement and being the
aggressor and where mismatches are and playing downhill basketball. I
think those two can compliment each other exceptionally.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
You are a former.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Cleveland Walker and we know that the league you're trying
to again, no, this is going in a really good direction.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
And you know, as the league continues to expand. Dan
Gilbert is aiming to revive that franchise and hoping to
make it the sixteenth franchise. As a former member of
the Cleveland Walkers, what would it mean to you to
possibly have a new franchise in Cleveland, Well.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Speaking not as a general manager, but as a former
w player and rocker, that would be fun, of course,
you know, like the franchise that drafted me was the
Utah Stars, which are now the Vegas Acist, So it's
fun that that's around. But the org that I ended
my career with is no longer around. I don't have
(20:54):
an organization that is really housing, you know, and taking
care of us as a lums. The closest thing we
have is RuSHA Brown. RuSHA Brown is the one who
is like always keeping us together and making sure we're
staying connected, and we've got our prayer Warriors and all
of that together. So it would be really fun, just
(21:15):
as a sisterhood to be able to have that place
that home to return to. But you know, the state
of Ohio does a great job of supporting sports from
the high school, grassroots level women's basketball, and obviously, you know,
you got all the major sports there, so it would
be fun. But just in general, the investment and how
(21:37):
many people want to have a team. Man, that's just
so exciting to see the direction that the league is heading.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
I have another question about your journey to as a
basketball player. I mean, Cheryl s sooops is on this network,
so I just want to know from those days, what
was it like like going up against teams like the
Houston Comments during the early years.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
It was incredible, like incredible, like playing against the Sparks,
playing against the Comments, playing against the Liberty like yeah,
I mean the X factor in Phoenix. Those were incredible
days for our game and the energy that was happening
in Houston. H Town had a rockin like, no doubt
(22:21):
about it, Cynthia Cooper, all of them.
Speaker 1 (22:24):
But Cheryl.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
I'll tell you what one of my most potent memories
of Cheryl is when I was at CU, I played
a Colorado our head coach with Seal Berry. Seal was
an assistant Olympic coach for that incredible dream team Olympic team,
and they went around and played universities getting ready for
the Olympics and exhibition games and they played US. So
(22:47):
our coach, like you know, she had some skin in
this game because she was going to be coaching this
team and she wanted to see us do well. And
granted we were like these little college players going against
the Olympians. Cheryl was on that team, and they our ass,
Like Christina, we might have to bleep that, but like
they kicked our ass. And I just remember being on
the court and we had joked around like I was
(23:09):
going to get a steal against Cheryl swoops at some
point in this game. I was committed, which we fouled her.
She went to the free throw line and the ref
tossed her the ball and I like grabbed the ball
before it got to her to shoot her free throw,
and I counted that as a steal, but I quickly
got subbed out because I was not serious enough in
the moment. But Cheryl just competed in that game with
(23:31):
us while teaching us and had fun with it, and
just her energy was I think my first exposure of
what it meant to be a pro and how pros
were connected to each other, that yes, they want to
kick your ass, but they're also going to help you
and they're going to teach you.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
And I see that.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
Happening in our game all the time, you know, like, yeah,
Cameron tells stories all the time about how when she
was playing last year, whether it was Tina anybody, just
whispering little things like, hey, next time, you got to
look at this footwork, I'm not gonna I'm not gonna
be able to contain you in that like, and she
(24:09):
just absorbed so much of those lessons, And that's the
beauty I think of this game when.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
I think about your journey in the w starting out
as a player, being a coach, and now a general managers.
What's the best part about the journey for you when
you think about it from a third round pick to
now being in the general managers Because I think for
a lot of fans today they're like, oh my god,
this player was to so late. But sometimes it's like, yeah,
(24:36):
it's not about like this is the journey is about
the destination. So what's the most satisfying thing about about
where you are right? Yeah, in the seat that you hold.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Well, It's funny because I've definitely heard that phrase it's
not the journey, it's the destination. But I've never had
like this specific destination in mind, and it's really been
like a mantra for me, there's like three life mantras
that I've been living off of, and one is what's
meant for you won't miss you. And you know, as
(25:08):
long as you're doing what's not meant for you, you're
going to miss your blessings. But you know, trust the process,
and that means I think it leads into my other matra,
and that's be where your feet are and really serve
the people that are around you and serve them in
a way that they need to be served, not just
(25:29):
how you want to serve them, get uncomfortable in how
you serve. So and then my last one is like
your next ten years is going to be better than
your last ten years, And my last ten years have
been incredible. Like so I'm so thankful for the last
ten years, all of the all of it, the struggle
(25:49):
even has been beautiful. So I think with that, like
if I just I try to live off of, if
I stay where my feet are and serve the people
that are around me, I trust that what's meant for
me won't miss me, my next ten years are going
to be what they need to be, and they're they're
going to be better than the last ten so I
(26:12):
don't focus on that destination.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
One of the things I'm looking forward to on the
calendar is the Kandas Parker jersey retirement night. Watching Candas Parkers.
He's one of the reasons why I wanted to cover
women's basketball. But why was it important as a franchise
to make sure, you know, you all honored her with
this jersey retirement.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I mean, that's an obvious answer. Like she is, she
is one of our queens of basketball, Like I'm not Eve,
I don't want to say of women's basketball. I think
she is royalty of basketball. And she also, like it's
so clear to me that her mentor was Pat Summit,
(26:49):
because what Pat Summitt did was not just change how
women stepped into athletic departments and on college campuses. She
opened up opportunities for women to be in boardrooms and
to not just have seats at the table, but have
a legitimate voice and to be decision makers in rooms.
(27:11):
And like it just I watched Candice move from my
seat and I see Pat Summit all over her, and
she conducts herself in that way, and she's you know,
impacting you, She's impacting a whole generation of young women
that are going to continue to be that ripple effect.
(27:31):
But also what she did in a Sparks jersey demands
that her jersey is retired and honored, and it's really special.
I was in Crypto dot com yes the other day
and kind of looking where her jersey most likely will be,
and just as you look up along those those rafters
and you see Kobe's and you know the special relationship
(27:54):
that she had with Kobe as well, and that just
warmed my heart knowing that they're jerseys, they're going to
be hanging in the same arena.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Absolutely. And last question before we let you get out
of here, why should fans be excited for the Sparks
this season. You'll open up this week against the Golden
State Belkyries.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Yeah. Well, I think there's again getting to see players
continue to develop. You know, there's I think an opportunity
to get on this Sparks bandwagon and help us polish
our crown and be a part of the process with us.
Now we've talked a lot about we know that there
are some of the queens of our game that have
worn the Sparks jersey and they have brought championships to
(28:37):
this city and you know, we we've had to kind
of get our crown out of the closet, polish those
jewels off, and remember who we are and don't wait
to act as if like act as if now that
we are those we are that level, and honor our
legacy with how we perform. So I know that we're
(28:59):
going to play an exciting style of basketball. I'm excited
about the depth this team has. I know that we're
going to be better as this season goes on because
we're a new coaching staff, a new team, and they're
gelling and figuring each other out, and the depth is
going to continue to formulate. But I think also this
is a team that loves where they're at and loves
(29:22):
this city, and they want to build an identity that
you know, Crypto dot Com is one of the toughest
places to play, and they can't do it by themselves.
They need it. They need the fans to get on
board with that.
Speaker 1 (29:34):
On the all that note break, and I want to
thank you so much for joining us this week for
the LA Sparks preview. Fans. I know you guys are
really super excited about the Sparks this season. Make sure
you head out to LA and get your tickets to
see them play Breakin. Thank you so much for joining
us this week. And in case you missed.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
It, thank you Christina.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
The w NBA tips off tonight, and so we are
going to do a special LA Sparks preview. I'm super
excited for today's guests joining us is two time WNBA champion,
Olympic gold medalist and honestly one of the most dynamic
guards in the league in my opinion, and she's starting
a brand new chapter in LA this season. And so
(30:29):
I want to welcome in Kelsey Plumb to the show today. Kelsey,
welcome to the show.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Wow, thank you, appreciate you having me, Thanks for being here.
So lots of excitement surrounding you joining the Sparks this season.
Can you just talk about this new chapter in your career.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Very excited to be in LA. Like you said, it
was kind of just an opportunity for a fresh start,
you know, personally, professionally, super grateful for my time in Vegas.
I've learned just immense amounts of information and experience from
some of the greatest to ever do it. Whether you
(31:07):
go down the line, you know, coaching staff, teammates, organizationally,
So I'm really grateful for my time, and yeah, I
just felt like, you know what, I feel like it's
time to really push myself in a different direction and
challenge myself as a leader and as a player. I
know I have a lot to give, I have a
lot in the tank, and just excited about this opportunity.
(31:28):
I think they're building something pretty profound here, and good
things take time. Rome wasn't built in one day, but
I have a lot of faith in where the organization
is going.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
What's been the most LA moment you've had so far being.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Out there, I would say probably getting stopped on Rodeo
and just you know, people are taking videos of famous people.
I'm pretty sure you know the video I'm talking about
that went viral. Yes, he actually I didn't know he
was filming. He had the meta glasses on, so like
(32:04):
all that was taken and I actually like like, I'm
I was just trying to be nice and you know,
mind my business, because I was like, what's going on,
Like this is so weird, like to just record random
people on the side. But then of course when I
a couple of days later, when it went viral whatever,
people were like why did you.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
You know?
Speaker 3 (32:25):
And I didn't know he was recording, Like I didn't know.
I didn't give him my number, and people were like,
why do you I didn't give them my number. I
literally shared a showed on my Instagram because Yeah, so
that was probably the most la thing.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
You talked about this new fresh start and what it
means to you right now at this stage in your career.
And I know the off season was a major reset
for you professionally and personally, and that time of everything
shifting for you, what was something that kept you grounded?
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Yeah, well, I think people don't realize, like I got
divorced like as the season was starting last year, so
I didn't really have time to fully process everything that happened.
And I you know, the season is kind of a gauntlet.
You're just going into it and pretty much playing almost
every other day, traveling on the road, especially to like
(33:13):
going back to back and then trying to do that
for a third time. There's so many more. Every game
is like people's biggest game is against you, right They're
trying to come at the back to back champs and
everything is sold out, and so it's just like there
was so much and I didn't really get a chance
to like take a deep exhale. So I'm grateful that
(33:35):
I give myself that time and this offseason. And I
would say the bagg team that just kept me grounded
was just my faith, just knowing that God has always
directed my steps throughout my life and my career and
this situation is no different. So it was pretty clear
to me as I stepped away, just needed time to
reset and reevaluate my life and realize, you know, I'm
(33:57):
not the same woman that I was and just ready,
like I said, for a fresh start.
Speaker 1 (34:03):
I love that you are grounded in your faith and
you took bad time to reset. I feel like just
professionally in sports, even on the media side, everything goes
so fast. You never get time to just stop and
reset and take that time. And I know that you're
a huge advocate for just mental health, and you talk
about sometimes how you've developed a dog mentality and how
(34:24):
your mental health and mentality help shape your performance. How
would you describe your mindset right now coming into the
twenty twenty five season.
Speaker 3 (34:33):
I think it's funny the dog mentality really started, Like
I didn't name myself that that got named to me
in Las Vegas, and it was just, you know, something
that's stuck. And if anything, it was just more of
a like a mindset. I've been who I am since
I entered the league, you know, and I've just tried
to continue to get better and adapt and compete and
(34:56):
you know, I might not get it perfect, but I'll
always come out in and play my butt off like
that's just who I am, and so that that has
never changed, that will never change. I think for me,
I'm excited to come in and bring that element of
just competitiveness but also joy and just really you know,
(35:17):
help empower on my teammates to be the best version
of themselves and try to affect winning.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
I know that you guys listening won't be able to
see this, but the yercahamis just came behind Kelsey on
the screen UH, and we're gonna get into that relationship.
She's walking back and forth. I absolutely love it. But
what has it been like to reconnect with the UH
and be a part of the Sparks team with her?
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Oh, it's been great. You know, d someone that I've
had a very close relationship with for years. You know,
we met back when I first was drafted to San Antonio.
So you're talking about shoot almost like nine years ago,
and so you know that relationship goes way far back,
you know, like I was with Amaya like in her
infancy stage, and so so I think for me, I
(36:02):
was just proud of how Dee has handled herself throughout
her career and how she continues to get better. And
she's someone that you love to compete with. Right Dereka
plays as hard as anyone on both ends of the
court and really is always that engine. And you know,
playing in Vegas we had a great connection. So it's
been it's been wonderful to reconnect. We're going to continue
(36:23):
to get better and get our chemistry back on the court,
but it's gonna be awesome. Going back to something you
said earlier about being in La, in that La moment,
what's something you wish more fans understood about the human
side of being an athlete? Because you said that person
just walked up on you, you didn't.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Know, like they were recording and all that thing, but
also just everything that you've been through. What's something you
wish fans understood about the human side of being in
a pro athlete.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
I think the biggest thing is like I have no
problem talking to people, but I don't love being like
interrupted when I'm eating with like my friends or my family.
And I wish more people would just you know, you
could say hi, but like let people be. I would
appreciate that, or like be a little bit more mindful
of excuse me, sorry to bother you. Okay, well like
(37:10):
you just said it.
Speaker 4 (37:11):
You know.
Speaker 3 (37:12):
And I think maybe just be more mindful of catching
people in their transitions, maybe walking to their car or
coming into the restaurant versus just like they're eating dinner
mid bite and someone like tabs you on the shoulder.
I wish it would be a little bit more just
mindful of.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
That stuff, mindful of the boundaries. I agree with that.
So this season, you're back at the point guard. See
you had a little bit of that with Team USA.
But what's something you love about kind of running the show,
being a playmaker, facilitating in that sense.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
Yeah, I mean, I think you're gonna see me still
off the ball. So I think necessarily just because you
don't necessarily initiate the offense all the time doesn't mean
you're not the point guard or you are the point guard.
I think it's more just being like the lead guard
on terms of making reads, making options. I think the
thing that people will be surprised about the most is
(38:05):
that maybe the last three or four years, I've had
average like four or five assists at the two, only
like strictly the two, which is pretty hard to do
if you kind of look around the league. Most two
guards are really just asked to score. So I've been
able to create, but I think now you're going to
see me do it just with more reps. So I
(38:25):
expect those assist numbers to be extremely high, and you know,
I I'm excited to pass the ball.
Speaker 1 (38:34):
What's so you're on a new team with a new
coach and land Roberts. What's been some of the things
that she's been preaching the philosophies throughout training camp leading
up to the season.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Starting Well, if you've watched coach and her time at Utah,
they play a very specific style. It's spaced, it's paced,
it's a lot of three balls, it's a lot of
ball movement, and then defensively, it's trying to be physical
and are just aggressive.
Speaker 1 (39:01):
So I'll say a.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
Coach, she's pretty particular on those aspects, and you know,
hopefully as we start on Friday that is reflected in
our play.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
So I had a.
Speaker 1 (39:11):
Conversation with about this particular thing a little bit early
in a week on another show. But a lot of
the new coaches coming into the w are living in
nine by three, not necessarily saying when is doing the
same thing. But she said that's gonna be an important
part of the new system with the sparks. Do you
think that's a good thing for the WNBA overall in
terms of the evolution of the game to a lot
(39:33):
of more threes like the NBA, or do you think
it's going to hurt the game. That's a good question. Well,
if you look.
Speaker 3 (39:40):
I think if you look at the top teams last year,
I could be totally off, but I'm just kind of
remembering me. I feel like New York shot first or
second the most and had a great percentage. And same
with Minnesota. Minnesota really, you know, took a massive leap
in terms of their offensive spacing, and you have a
(40:02):
lot of Smiths out there shooting threes, and then of
course the fisas shooting threes and they shoot it really well. Right,
So I think that that's spacing. And same with New York.
You know JJ can pop, Stewie can pop, and then
that kind of changes, you know, defensively what you have
to do right, because it's a lot harder to guard.
(40:23):
I don't think you should necessarily always live and die
by the three. I think touching the paint is very important,
but I do think there's been there's been an evolution
in popping with bigs and fives, and when you're more versatile,
it is harder to guard.
Speaker 1 (40:37):
Looking at the opening slate of games, UH, the Sparks
are opening up against the Valkyrie, is a team that
you all saw in the preseason. What can fans look
forward to? Uh for opening weekend?
Speaker 3 (40:47):
And it was awesome. That was the most lit preseason
game I've ever played in.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
UH.
Speaker 3 (40:51):
It was it was like felt sold out.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Fans were booing.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
I mean, it was very much like they were in it.
So I think I'm really just proud to be in
a league that you know, technically this is an expansion team,
but didn't feel like it felt like the fans have
been there for twenty years and they were super proud
of their team. So I think it's gonna be a
very tough place to play, and UH, you know, they've
done a phenomenal job of marketing and you know, getting
(41:17):
this boom going in terms of how excited people are
to have a team.
Speaker 2 (41:22):
In the Bay.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
And then I really do think that they're They're going
to continue to do a great job there.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
Another huge game on the calendar is May thirtieth against
the Aces. Any thoughts on what that game will mean
to you personally?
Speaker 3 (41:34):
Yeah, man, I think I get this question every day
to talk about an l a thing. I get it
going to the sandwich shop. I get it going to
the grocery store. I said it before and I'll reiterate it.
I have nothing but love for the Aces, and I
became a woman there, like you know, I've grown up there,
(41:54):
played there my entire career pretty much, if you don't
count San Antonio so ever. Give me to say anything
that about them, and I I'm sure that you know,
when I do show up, it'll be a great atmosphere
like it always is, you know, And I do know
that obviously, Like as a competitor, you come and compete
(42:17):
like every game, and I really I haven't really dug
too much into it. I've really just been focusing on
what's next and what's next for us is Friday.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
I have to ask you this question. You had a
viral video on social media of your pre season pregame ritual.
The Sparks posted it on their social media channel, and
you were using your shoulder to kind of like.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
Will that go viral?
Speaker 1 (42:41):
So it went viral. It went pretty viral. There was
articles written about it. Can you set the record straight
on what exactly was going on there? I've done this
in Vegas for years.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
I tried to do it to make sure if you've
ever played like really high level basketball, you can hit
a lot, especially as a guard, like either setting screens
or getting hit by them, or or just trying to
get get open, get positioned, And so I've I felt like,
as a player, I don't want the first time I
get hit to be in the game, So I really
(43:13):
just I'm really just kind of like not shocking my body,
but I'm kind of like feeling physicality so that when
I get into the game, I'm like, oh, like, you know,
you've ever been seen like a player get hit for
the first time, You're like, oh, like get shocked. I
just try to make sure that I'm like ready to
play so that if anything it was that more like
football style, nothing else to it.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
No, I love that. I love that. So Also, this
week there's been so much buzz around the NBA in
terms of Dallas getting that number one pick in this
week's NBA Draft lottery. And you're a former number one
pick yourself, So how do you reflect on the pressure
and excitement that comes with being that number one pick?
Speaker 3 (43:53):
You know, it's so funny. It's like now that you asked,
but like this is why you should never tank. You
should never tank, Like you should just try to win
every game you can play in. Like I firmly believe
that I just should never thank Yeah, number one pick
is not easy. It's not easy, and there's definitely you know,
people are coming for you, trying to cook you and
eat you and just you know, see what you got,
(44:16):
see what you're made of. And it's funny because a
lot a lot of this yere you know, a lot
of fans I think in particular that maybe weren't familiar
with the w were pretty upset feeling like Caitlyn was
getting extra physicality and people do play her physical physical
but if you really look around the league, I mean,
people were coming from my neck as a rookie, like
(44:40):
they just that's just what the league does. You know,
it's just kind of like your initiation process that doesn't
really change. So I would say, I would say, yeah,
I mean it's it's tough. You definitely have a.
Speaker 1 (44:52):
Target on your back. You've accomplished so much in your career,
but this is still a freshening chapter for you. What's
a new challenge this season that we're actually excited to
take on?
Speaker 3 (45:02):
Just being a leader, being a leader and uh, you know,
really just leading a team affecting winning in the highest level.
And uh, I know it's not gonna be easy, but
I know I have the skills to do it.
Speaker 1 (45:14):
He talked about being a leader, and you know, I
was scrolling through your Instagram and seeing, you know, your
dedication to Diane's Rossy when she retired this season, and
he talked about wanting to inspire the next What does
that look like for you, especially with this young core? Uh,
with the Los Angeles sparks that you guys have.
Speaker 3 (45:30):
Yeah, we have so much talent and you know, I
think I remember, you know the best thing about d
in my mind is like take away the basketball like aspect,
it's the way that she makes you feel. She makes
everyone feel like they are just the best version of themselves.
And so really taking that and saying wow, like just
(45:52):
if you can do that in life right with your friends,
with your family, with your partner, I'm like, you know what,
that's that's that's what I'm gonna do. And so I think,
ever since I've been here, really just my goal, it's
just to empower. You know, a lot of these young
women have all the confidence or excuse me, all the
skill and talent. It's really just that confidence that kind
(46:13):
of takes you over the edge. So I'm always just
in their ear like, hey, like you're stud I believe
in you, like you got it, Like let's you know.
So I think that's what I've taken from d.
Speaker 1 (46:24):
And on a lighter note, to round this out, I
always like to close the interviews by asking our guests
what is something that's brought them joy this week? So,
what's something has brought you joy this week?
Speaker 3 (46:34):
I mean, I got a puppy. Puppy, I got a puppy.
Is a burna doodle? Oh my gosh, very thank you,
very very excited about him? And he is he is
a bundle of Joy.
Speaker 1 (46:47):
What's his name? Abe? What? That's so exciting? Actually, I
want to burn a doodle stew that. Oh my goodness.
But thank you, Kelsey, thank you for joining us this
week on In Case MISTERID. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
In Case you missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
(47:07):
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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