August 13, 2025 • 37 mins
Ben Pickman of The Athletic joins Khristina to break down the latest from the WNBA as the season winds down. They discuss the bizarre sex toy stunts on courts and the league’s ongoing investigation, celebrate A’ja Wilson’s historic 30/20 performance and its impact on the MVP race, unpack the debut of Rivals Week amid key injuries, and explore how recent trades are shifting team dynamics. Plus, the Golden State Valkyries introduce their new raven mascot, Violet.
Want more women’s basketball scoop? Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina, follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams
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CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Producer:
Buffy Gorrilla
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on the iHeart Women's
Sports Network and w fans. It has been a very,
(00:23):
very long week and we are kind of in heading
towards the end of the w season, but lots to
still talk about. So joining us this week and returning
to the show is at the Athletics staff writer Ben Pikeman. Ben,
welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Thanks a lot for having me back.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Then, you're a friend to the show, so you know
we start every show with sharing on win of the week.
So what was a personal win for you this week?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Oh, a personal win? That is a good question. It
has been a busy week of work. That is really
where my brain has been at, Christina. I've been in
the throws of the WNWA sex toy story, so some
of my reporting on that was, I guess a personal
and professional win. I know we're going to talk more
about it. Other personal wins. I don't really know, Like
(01:11):
nothing nothing too exciting going on in.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
My personal world. Right now.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Oh well, it seems like work is going good. Being
busy is usually a good sign, right, I would say
a win for me this week. I mean just getting
back into the gist of things. I was on vacation
for a long time and now I'm back, So it's
good to be to be back in the mix. And
(01:36):
so you mentioned the sex toy story, and that's actually
the first story that we're going to talk about this
week for our headlines. And so, Ben, you've been at
the forefront of this coverage for this story about the
sex toys being thrown on the WNPA court. The league
spokesperson recently released a statement, But just break down this
(01:58):
story for us. When did it start and how many
times has this thing happened over the course of the
last few weeks.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Yeah, So the first incident that was documented occurred the
night of July twenty ninth in Atlanta in a game
between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream And
basically in the around eight days after, there were a
number of other incidents. A few times sex toys were
actually thrown and made their way onto the court. So
we saw that happen in Chicago. It also happened in
(02:25):
Los Angeles, and then there were other documented instances in
which apparently other fans tried to either bring in and
or throw sex toys onto the court, sometimes unsuccessfully so
so that appeared to be the case at a game
in New York, for instance, or someone was arrested at
a game in Phoenix. There was an incident per my reporting,
(02:46):
that seemed like it was in the works or had
been planned in Seattle that never actually got off the ground.
No one actually threw a sex toy NAC game. But yeah,
this was basically a string of incidents across WNBA arenas,
and certainly it attracted a lot a lot of attention
booth among players and coaches and also fans and not fans.
(03:06):
Detractors of the WNBA very much had some opinions on
this story as well.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, I mean, a couple of fans had tagged me
in a X space of trip throw Bros. They were
discussing the incidents that were current across the w in
somewhat taking responsibility for what was happening. So I know
that you've been covering this story, but would you say
(03:31):
that this is the route that is claiming responsibility for
these stunts happening on the WNBA courts.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, a meme coin cryptocurrency group that goes by Green
dildo Coin is the surprising. Yeah, it did take responsibility
for a number of these incidents. I listened to I
guess more than five hours of their streams last week.
I've also read dozens upon dozens upon dozens, maybe hundreds
at this point, of internal telegram messages shared in their
(04:03):
kind of private community chat where I've seen many of
memes on this topic and some of the planning messages
as it relates to this topic. And yeah, this is
a group that you know, launched in the days before
the first incident on July twenty nine. So both the
crypto coin itself, the meme cooin itself was created on
(04:23):
July twenty eight. The x account for this group was
created on July twenty eighth, the day before the game,
a couple of days before the first incident. They actually
registered the domain for this kind of community's website, and
actually there was a storefront where there's some sex toy
related merchandise that is being sold that was registered in
the first part of July. And so, yeah, messages I
(04:46):
reviewed definitely suggest that.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
You know, the.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Founder of the group pointed people in the direction to
watch the Atlanta Dream Golden State Vakra's game on the
night of July twenty nine. There was all so another
message that said, basically was a meme of someone practicing
throwing one of these sex toys, and that was also
kind of made a joke, but in the context of
(05:12):
this game. And then there are other calls messages in
these chaps would suggest planning. You know, on a stream
that happened I guess last Tuesday night, around eight days ago. Now,
one person on one of those streams says that they
had confirmation that La is out of the building, referring
to one of the people who was in the apparently
(05:33):
in the building in Crypto dot com arena. And this
was a comment that was made seven minutes after the
sex toy landed on the court of the Sparks game.
You know, someone else referenced talking to a potential tosser
in Seattle, communicating with them. There was never actually an
incident in Seattle, but on the stream there was conversation
about one. So you know, this group definitely has claimed
(05:54):
some responsibility, and it does appear that there is some
credence to the coordinated effort between some of these incident.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Well, it also seems like there have been a lot
of copycats now that you know they have sort of
taken claim to some of these stunts.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, I mean that is definitely true.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
I reviewed a message I guess it was I guess
last Friday or Saturday, when a purple sex toy was
thrown onto a quard I believe also in Chicago, and
in the group's telegram chat, there was a message that
basically from someone that was saying, like this person's not
ours right, Like that was basically to paraphrase with the
message sad. And that is basically an acknowledgment that there
(06:32):
are some copycats of people now looking to just make
jokes in this context. And we should say that the
founders of this community they talk about it, that you know,
their intentions are wanting to change cryptoculture, and meme coin
basically works. Maybe we should explain that and that you
have this non fungible digital asset, and by having these
(06:55):
memes go super viral and having the memes be linked
to an actual piece of cryptocurrency, the stock price of
the coin in theory increases, so that is the supposed
business concept here. These people say that they're just trying
to basically change crypto culture and again drive up the
price of their coin. But when you listen to all
(07:17):
these messages, like, there's a lot of crude jokes that
are made, there's a lot of memes that are pretty
misogynistic that are made. There's a lot of memes that
juxtapposed these sex toys into the hands of players, which
obviously are offensive, and we have certainly heard from coaches
and players just about how disrespectful and dehumanizing these memes are.
(07:38):
So no matter what their stated intention is, I think
the talk and the conversations that I've at least reviewed
also do speak for themselves.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Here you mentioned that some coaches across the league have
come out and made statements about these stunts. Cheryl Rea,
Minnesota Link saide coach, was one of the people who
made a statement. Here's what she had to say. This
has been going on for centuries, the sexualization. This is
(08:08):
the latest version of that, and it's not fun and
it should not.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Be the butt of jokes on any radio show or
in the in print or in any comments.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Uh. The sexualization of.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Women's let's used to hold women down and this is
no different. This is just the related spot and we should.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Write about it in that way, and these people that
are doing this be held accountable.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I'm not We're not the butt of the joke.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
They're the problem, and we're gonna take that, all right.
So Cheryl lead made a statement kind of dismissing what
these people are doing, but also in a way where
it's protective of the players in the league. A WNBA
spokesperson released a statement to several media members that said
they were working alongside local and federal law enforcement and
(08:58):
we'll potentially process cut anyone involved to the fullest extent.
Has there been any new developments since this is all well, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
No, not in recent days. We haven't heard updated statements
from the WNBA since the end of last week. Similarly,
we haven't heard any updated statements from the w NBPA,
the Players Association since the end of last week. I mean,
people from this group appear to say that, you know,
they kind of want to move on to, in some
of their words, bigger events. And there is an acknowledgement
(09:30):
on one of the streams that I listen to that
if they're too disruptive for too long, people will get
pissed off. And I see your face right now, Christina
on video, and you're kind of being like, well, they
might have already been too disruptive for too long, I
think is a sentiment that a lot of people have.
But certainly in a message I reviewed, there was acknowledgment that, look,
someone calls for people to say, do you know people
(09:52):
in other WNBA markets and do you know people who
might live close to high profile comedy tours or concerts?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And they list a few of the tours and concerts.
They ask if.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Anybody knows anyone who lives near the US Tennis Major,
the US Tennis Open that is beginning later this month
in New York. So it does appear that this group
might be planning we'll call them pranks for simplicity's sake
now like in other venues, and might have moved on
from the WNBA. But as you mentioned, there were some copycats,
(10:25):
or at least one copycat over the weekend, So it
remains to be seen if we're going to continue to
see more going forward.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What does this say about safety in WNBA arenas that
these people are able to bring in these objects and
you get them onto court and get them near players.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
I mean, I think one of the challenges here is that, frankly,
from what I understand, like these sex storys do not
pick up on metal detectors. Like that is just one
of the I guess the facts of the situation as
I understand it. And there's also kind of a general
I don't know if uncomfortability is the right word, but like,
how do you screen and scan for everybody who walks
(11:08):
into one of these stadiums to check whether they have
one of these on their person or in their bags
or not. So I think that is one of the
big questions here of like how do you actually deter this?
I mean, what does it say? I do think the
league and the players Association and teams are taking this seriously.
Like I think there is an acknowledgment that one, protecting
(11:30):
players is of the utmost importance.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Two that you.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Know, these incidents have opened or you know, make our
players uncomfortable, make a lot of fans uncomfortable, do not
create the kind of culture and climate that that we
want to create. I think the challenge is what do
you do about it? You know, it's one of those
things that I'm continuing to ask about but I think
it remains to be certain, like remains to be seen
(11:55):
what exactly comes from a security and protocol changing perspective
on this front, or if teams and leagues are just
hoping that these people go away, and whether that away
is out of the WNBA or away just in I
guess high life or modern society and venues across society
(12:16):
more broadly.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, I guess when you put it that way, it
is kind of hard to figure out in terms of security,
what would be the next step. I know that I
saw some people suggesting maybe a clear bag policy, but
for an object like that, it's it'll be easy to
hide in how the areas then. It's been a huge,
(12:46):
huge week for Asia Wilson, who was named the Player
of the Week this week. She's been unstoppable for Las Vegas,
and she had a thirty and twenty and five historical
game over the weekend against the Connecticut Sun and made history,
made WNBA history, her fourteenth double double of the season
(13:08):
and her sixth career game with at least thirty points
in fifteen rebounds. So a lot of people are saying
Asia Wilson, if she can get the aces in the
top four of the WNBA standings. She deserves to be
in the MVP conversations. I think that she is one
of the top MVP candidates alongside someone like Alicia gray
(13:31):
Nefista Collier, and Alissa Thomas. She's definitely in that top
four conversation, no doubt. But what does this game mean
for Asia Wilson.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
One, she is in the conversation.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
If you're going to say that, like say she should
be the MVP, put a period on the end of
the sentence. Don't say she should be in the conversation
because like right now, I think in the eyes of many,
she would receive the second most total points here, she's
a lock for all w first team. Like, if you
are potential the runner up in this vote, you are
in the conversation. If you're Asia Wilson, a three time MVP,
(14:04):
you were in the conversation at all moments.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
So that's what I would say.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
First, what it says, I mean One, it speaks to
just her individual greatness right now and just again the
ability that on a night to night basis, she continues
to prove that she is either the best player in
the league or the second best player in the league.
But I think what it also says, frankly, is that
she has this historic thirty and twenty game and let
me tell you, it was needed to beat the Connecticut
(14:30):
son And yeah, a win is a win, but guess
what for the Las Vegas ass this year, wins are
no longer just a guarantee. You can't just scrub through
the schedule and say wwww and then have you know,
thirty four, thirty five, thirty six wins at the end
of it. I do think it's telling that she needed
this performance and for much of that game it was,
(14:53):
you know, a one or two possession game, and so
for me, she deserves the props for this historical performance.
But I also think it is a reflection of the
Aces right now that Asia has to do a ton
for them on a night to night basis, and if
often if she does not perform at kind of her
peak level.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Like they might not win.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
And if they might not win, then that has kind
of been the theme of this year's team, just the
inconsistency more broadly about the Aces.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
When we think about m v P right what are
the keys to being voted MVP or in the in
the conversation. We know that you know, the four names
that we named earlier are all deserving, but what separates
each person? Is it wins and losses? Is it impact
on the team?
Speaker 3 (15:41):
What is it? Then it's a good question, and we
actually dove into the MVP conversation on my podcast No
Off Season this week too. I mean, there are a
couple factors that often we see for m vps.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Number one, you have to be a forward.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
History says in the last decade, we haven't had a
true guard win MVP.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
You know, Mile Moore.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
If you want a classifier as a guard, she won
the MVP in twenty fourteen. But if you want a
classify her as a forward, then you have to go
back to two thousand and nine to find a guard
who has won MVP. Another factor, in five of the
last seven years, either Asia Wilson or Brienna Steort has
won MVP. So that is another rule that most people
have subscribed to, and also in recent memory, the MVP
(16:23):
is the best player on the best team. Now, last
season was an exception to that rule, Asia and the Aces.
They finished fourth and Wilson won MVP. And so I
think the question this year is you know, despite Asia
Wilson's dominance, is fee who very much is neck and
neck with Asia. I think for best player in the league,
(16:43):
is she just going to get more votes because the
Minnesota Links still have single digital losses. They have just
five losses at the time that we tape this, and
they have been you know, she's been dominant all year
and it certainly helps fees case not only the team success,
not only.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Her individual numbers.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
But I think it's hard if you know, you're trying
to find tie breakers or differentiating factors between the two teams.
The two worst losses for the Aces this year came
to Minnesota. Came at the hands of Minnesota. Right, Las
Vegas lost by thirty one points two the Minnesota Links,
and then basically a week later they lost by fifty
(17:20):
three in the second worst margin lost margin in WNBA history.
And Asia Wilson didn't play particularly well in either of
those games, and so it is hard, I think for
a lot of people, myself included, to say Asia should
still be the MVP when Fia is having the season
that she is having, the Links are having the season
that they're having, and the head to head, especially in
(17:42):
those two games, is just pretty pretty drawing.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
You make certainly a great case in terms of the
head to head matchups between two of the best players
in the league right now. And a lot could be
said about Alista Thomas and how she helped and literally
put Phoenix on her back end for what they're doing
this season as well. So Reniki Priz on the MVP conversation.
(18:05):
As the season continues to kind of dwindle down and
we get into playoff mode, but it's Rivals Week, Ben,
and we talked about Las Vegas and Minnesota. We're in
the throes of Rival Week, which is from August ninth
to the seventeenth. It's the first year that WNBA is
kind of promoting this, but I feel like Rivals Week
(18:27):
this year, at least, it's kind of been ruined due
to your injuries. Some of the biggest stars on the
teams that are doing exceptionally well are not playing during
this time because they are injured. And we talk about
the Chicago skuy and the Indiana Fever. Angel Reese is
still sidelined, Caitlin Clark is certainly still sidelined, the New
(18:48):
York Liberty, and the Minnesota Links. I mean they're playing
several games here in August, but bringing a Stewart and
Thefi's and Collier we're both missing from this weekend's matchup.
So what do you think about Rivals Week? Do you
like it? Do you hate it? For the w and
some of these matchups are there true WNB rivals right now?
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I like that you call it rivals Week because I
actually had to get corrected on this. I'd just been
calling a rivalry week for a very long time. Heading
into the season, I hated it, and in the present
I also hate it.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I don't believe that you can.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Just like throw on a tag that like these two
teams are rivals and say that this is Rivals Week
or Rivalry Week or whatever it is called. I think
it's also Rivals Week presented by Ally, which is kind
of a little bit of an oxymoron, a funny sponsorship
to have for rivals a week. But we should say,
like historically, like this is something that the NBA has done.
I want to say at least the last last year
(19:45):
or maybe the year before Dad and the NBA does it.
I think at the end of January is the kind
of pocket that they have selected in this kind of
window after New Year's digging, you know, after Christmas games,
after MLK when they have a big showcase, and before
the trade deadline, and it's kind of like a marketing
ploy maybe that's the wrong word, marketing, approach, marketing, whatever
(20:08):
word you want to say, to generate some more interest
in what might otherwise be just like a normal, mundane
period in the calendar. And the WNBI also appears to
have chosen a similarly like otherwise slow period. Right we've
had All Star in theory, we've had the trade deadline,
the playoff push is coming, but we're not quite there
(20:28):
just yet, and so they've kind of, from my understanding,
or from what I think rather I should say, picked
the little pocket in the schedule in which, you know,
otherwise nothing really was going on. And look, the league
could not have anticipated that so many players would be
out with injury. They couldn't have anticipated Caitlin Clark or
Angel Rees or an a Fisa Collier or Brienna Stuart.
(20:50):
But certainly, like I don't think this week has any
juice to it because those players are not participating. I mean,
the week started with like sky fever, and sure it
was a Saturday that game, but I don't think like
not a lot of people came out of that game
talking about that game. Minnesota convincing win over New York
are really impressive win, but like, what do you make
(21:10):
of it when two of the best, you know, three
or four players in the game are not participating. It's unfortunate,
but certainly has not helped the cause of the debut
of WNBA Rivals Week or whatever it's called.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
What two teams do you think are true rivals? We
talked about how the league kind of put together these
matchups since that here these are the teams that are
rivals and it's not organic. What teams this season do
you think are true rivals?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
I think Minnesota. Sorry, I think New York and Las Vegas.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Despite New York often having a lot of recent success
over the Las Vegas East, I do think there is
a little bit of a rivalry there, just because there
is history between those teams in big games, in finals,
in playoff series, in the Commissioner's Cup, and just kind
of the for time that kind of rosters that very
(22:01):
much seemed like they were looking at each other in
the mirror. I think Minnesota and New York is you know,
becoming a rivalry. I think if we get another matchup
as well this postseason, that is also, you know, going
to be I think the wnb's preeminent rivalry if we
get say another back to back finals between the two.
I mean, and I do think Indiana and Chicago is
(22:24):
also a rivalry. I don't think it has the same
juice to it for the players. I certainly think fans
perceive it that way, and historically, like there is a
lot of historical context to kind of the Chicago Indiana rivalry.
I don't think there is like the same level of
you know, I don't think there's hatred in any of
these matchups, but I don't think there's like the same stakes.
(22:46):
But you know, I do think like these teams certainly
want to beat each other and have success against each other.
They play in a similar part of the country, and historically,
like I think that matters too, Like, you know, they
oftentimes that was the most important game on each other's
respective schedule, and this goes back five or ten years.
So yeah, I don't think it's like as significant or
(23:08):
I don't think it's the biggest rivalry in the sport,
but I certainly think it's bigger than Las Vegas Aces
Connecticut Son. That was one of the rivalry weekend games
we saw on Sunday. You know, if we're ranking, if
we're ranking Christina, like, I think those first two I
mentioned might be in a tier of their own, and
then some of these other follow suits.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Oh absolutely. I think the Connecticut Son have taken on
some of the old school Detroit Pistons kind of attitude
where they're kind of one of the most hated teams
in the league because of their physicality and scrappiness. Brio
Hartley has become a villain certainly and a lot of
fans to a lot of fans and players on the court,
but you know, she means well and she plays a
(23:49):
really physical game. But no, this is truly exciting. I mean,
it sucks that, you know, some of the biggest stars
in the league are not available right now or dealing
with injury late in this but also teams want to
get rest too, I assume before we're going into you know,
the postseason, so this is a lot of time where
you may see players get a rest designation on andjury report.
(24:13):
But one of the things that I was excited to
see in terms of pickups this week was Odyssey Simms
to the Indiana Fever. Sidney Colson and Erry McDonald unfortunately
will be out for the remainder of the season. But
I think that Odyssey is a good pickup and what
she can deliver in terms of the guard position. She's
someone who's kind of been a journey woman across the
(24:35):
league on a certainly a few different teams. But I
like what she can bring to the Indiana Fever as
they look to, you know, make a strong postseason case.
What do you think about that signing.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
I mean, my colleague, Sabrina Merchant at the Athletic she
calls Odyssey Simms the hardship Queen, and I think, honestly,
like that is pretty aft because I'm pretty sure that
over the last thing, it's three or four years that
no player in the w has signed more Archie contracts
then honesty Sims. I mean, this has kind of been
what she has done the last couple of years, signing
hardships and then hoping to catch on. And that was
(25:08):
the case in Dallas and also Los Angeles, and so
it makes a lot of sense for Indiana to go
sign a veteran guard who has been kind of thrown
into the fire midway through a season or at a
different point throughout the season and has proven to have
some success. I think that is, like, you know, a
pretty smart signing to know that she's at least shown
(25:29):
that she can be in these adverts or difficult situations
and make the adjustment. That being said, I think this
is a pretty significant loss. Like I think Aary McDonald
has again Indiana sign mid season two or at the
start of the season, like she's been integral to their
success this year, and not only what she does on
the offensive end in terms of pushing pace, but what
she means for their point of attack defense, and Indiana
(25:49):
talks a lot about trying to be more consistent on
a defensive end, Like it's a huge loss to have
her go out in Sydney Coolson too.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
I mean, they're down three of their.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
Four or five best guards to the start of the
year if you include Caitlyn Clark right now. We'll see
if and when she returns. Like that's you know, this
is tough. It's definitely tough for the Indiana fever.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
And speaking of who's in and who's out, there was
reports coming out of New York that Brianna Stewart anticipates
to be back by her birthday? Is that what she
said to the media. She addressed the media and said
she wants to come back at least by her birthday.
The New York Liberty, I mean, it's been really tough
for them in the second half of the season, certainly
(26:30):
missing key players like Brianna Stewart and ar Soble, Kennedy Burke.
They start their West Coast road trip on Tuesday, and
I think it's gonna be tough for them in terms
of having eight players available right now. And I don't
think as of this recording, we've heard of any hardship
(26:53):
signings as yet. I haven't heard anything.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
No, And for New York, I mean, if you want
to go glass past full, Glas half full, and you
want to look to the bright spots, it said. Emma
Miseman is getting thrown in right now, and she's getting
an opportunity to acclimate to everybody in a way that
if brienniswre was in the lineup, she probably wouldn't be
playing the same immediate significant role that she is. Right
She's been thrown into the fire, she's been thrown into
(27:19):
the pool and basically said, go swim like, and she's
good enough where we have seen her be successful right
off the jump, and Franklin, New York has needed her
to do that. And so if you're in New York,
you're hoping that the kind of added reps that she's
getting right now pay off when, if, and when everyone
returns to full health. I think the question is, like
(27:39):
New York started the season off nine to zero. At
that time, they had a plus twenty three point four
net rating, first in the league by a significant margin.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
Since that point, we haven't seen a full New York
Liberty team.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
And that's whether because Leoni Feverish goes to your basket,
whether because of John Could Jones being injured, whether that's
because of you know, all the injuries that you mentioned, Christina,
And so how long is it going to take for
New York to gel together if and when everyone gets
you know, comes together at the right time.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Is a week enough? Is two weeks enough? Will it
even happen?
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Like? Those are some of the kind of outstanding questions
that I have as I watched the New York Liberty
right now. Yeah, I mean, it's been an up and
down season, but also they've just had a lot of
revolving doors, and you know, the WNBA standings are really
really tight, so they can't afford to drop many games
if they want to and if they care about being
(28:32):
a top two seed when the playoffs do begin.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Yeah, and I think even from this stretch of you know,
bad games or unfortunate games that they've been able to have,
the defense is very questionable. And you know, I was
scrolling through social media and someone posted a picture of
Benija Laney Hamilton and I'm like, ohop, this team is
definitely missing her presence right now and what she was
(28:56):
able to bring a year ago to the Liberty as
she rehabs from injury and getting ready for the next season.
It's very unfortunate. But the name of the game for
the postseason is going to be like which team will
have the most healthy players available? I think that the Liberty,
you know, to me, I think at least there's still
(29:19):
a championship containing team. They just need everyone healthy and
to be available. That is going to be the name
of the game. I think, at least for me when
I'm looking at this team.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Yeah, I mean, Matt, I think is the sentiment that
a lot of them feel a lot of New York
Liberty fans feel. I think some people have differing opinions
because of just how good Minnesota has been. And it's
a really interesting test case with New York right now
about how much do you need continuity in a single season,
how much is the regular season important to a team's
(29:50):
success in the postseason, because the reality is, like Minnesota
is very much learning to win.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Together, to gel together.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
Dj A Carrington, who they recently acquired in a trade
from Dallas, come in and make an instant impact by
a critical role for them off the bench. She looks
like she has fitting just fine, you know, fitting in
seamlessly as you know, she gets underway and her her
link's tenure, like Minnesota has stayed relatively healthy. Yes, they're
dealing with this about on this absence in a Fisa
(30:21):
Collie right now. We'll see how long she is out
for with an ankle injury. But like other than that,
they've been able to stay pretty healthy and they look
really really connected, and you know, I think one of
the things that struck me on Sunday was listening to
Minnesota post game and they talked about what this win
meant without having Fee and One of the words that
(30:42):
some players use was gritty, right, the kind of grit
that Minnesota showed going on the road, beating New York
by double digits, silencing Barclay Center. I mean a place
that has great energy is you and I both know
Christina like they in the third quarter took the life
out of that gym. I thought that was really impressive.
And you juxtaposed that with New York, who seemingly pretty
(31:04):
regularly goes through these lulls and has struggled. You know,
I think New York has done some soul searching of late,
some reflection, but I'm still waiting to see kind of
New York show the same kind of consistent grit that
I think we're seeing right now too out of Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Those third quarters have been super brutal for the New
York Liberty. Hopefully they can figure it out before the playoffs.
We're almost a week removed from the w NBA trade
(31:41):
deadline that went down last week, and there was some
big moves made. Britney Sykes went to the Seattle Storm,
you had J. C. Sheldon go to the Washington Mistakes,
a Leah Edwards go to the Connecticut sun Lots of
different moves happening around the w What surprised you, what
didn't surprise as you and what do you think about
(32:02):
some of the trades.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
I mean, Carrington I mentioned, I think that's a you know,
a worthwhile calculated swing for the Links. If she's the
missing piece in them getting a championship, then like, yeah,
she's a free agent, but like that's the move and
the chance you take. I actually really like Dallas's return
in that deal as well. I think getting Diamond Miller,
who a former number two pick in the draft. She's
(32:25):
under contract for at least through next season and then
they have their restrict to free agency rights. Like, I
think that is a worthwhile, high potential player plus a
second round pick, And I think Dallas is well positioned,
you know, maybe not to get the highest profile free
agents this upcoming off season, but like you know, maybe
when a player isn't so happy, Dallas is a potential
(32:46):
landing spot via trade there. I think they're positioning themselves
well to kind of be one of those taker inners
for people wanting a new home potentially. So I do
like that piece of business for them. I think the
swap between kind of j C. Sheldon and a Lee Edwards,
two players who were picked, you know, one after the
other in the draft. I think it makes sense for
(33:09):
both teams. Right there was positional need. You know, Connecticut
had a long jam of guards, Washington had a log
jam of forwards. So let's swap kind of the player
we want to move with the player you want to move.
I think that's how that gets done. And you know,
Britney Sykes in Seattle again, that is another big swing
trade to part with the first round pick. That is
(33:30):
one where Washington makes their intentions fear in my mind
of looking towards the future. We'll see if it works
out for Seattle, because yeah, Britney Sykes has coming and
immediately played a big role.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
But the Storm find themselves.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Very much still fighting for a playoff spot and certainly
fighting for top four seeding. If they can't get either
of those, that's a lot that they've given up for
Brittany Sykes. So I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
And they've been on a bit of a losing streak
as of late, and so we'll keep our eyes on
how some of these trades are going to pan out
towards the end. Of the season. But before you get
out of here, beIN great news. Out of Golden State,
they announced their new mascot, Violet the Raven. For me,
(34:14):
I think Big Ellie out of New York Ellieve Elephant
is the standard in terms of what a mascot should feel,
look like, and be. But Violin has something to say.
What was your reaction to Golden the State Valkyrie's newest mascot.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Well, as someone who wears round glasses myself, usually I
am partial to people or I guess in this case,
mascots who wear also have round glasses, so that's a
check in that box for me. I did think, you know,
Violet brought some great energy. I thought the unveiling of
like the kind of production in the lead up was
really cool. The Birdwatching night concept, the egg the Birdwatcher
(34:52):
videos on social there was a clip related to that
Monique Billings start in that kind of tease it even more.
I thought that was all great, and frankly I thought
the ceremony dragged a little bit long for my taste.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
I didn't love the basketball moment.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
I thought there was you know, there was a moment
for those who didn't watch during the half court unveiling
in which they tried to get Violet to make a
layup and she missed it three.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Times in a row. With Warriors forward.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
Quentin to post kind of an unusual choice, I guess,
to unveil a mascot. I wonder in five years how
he'll look back when presumably he's on another team. It's like, yeah,
I was on the court to help unveil this Golden
State mascot. Like that was a little unusual to me,
and she missed all three attempts. I don't think that
fully landed as well, or that's how they scripted it.
But if you take that little segment out, I think overall,
(35:43):
Golden State again sets the standard in how to promote
unveil design. I think Violet will endear herself very quickly
to fans of the day and the WNBA. What did
you think, Christina, what do you think or what do
you think about analysis of bowld situation?
Speaker 1 (35:59):
No, your analysis of the entire situation. I think they
were very intentional when it came to the look, the feel,
the background story about how the mascot connected to the
Golden State Valkyrie name, and the team energy. I like
the dance moves as well. In the outfit. I think
that you know she's gonna get well, the mascot is
(36:20):
going to give I don't have to misgender, give the
elie a little bit of run for money. But I'm
excited for Golden State and what they've been able to
establish in the Bay Area. When it comes to attendance,
they sold out every single home home game, over eighteen
thousand fans showing up the showing out. So this is
just like something that's adding on to what they're trying
(36:41):
to create in terms of the culture. So I'm excited.
Welcome to the W Violet aka buy. We are excited
to have you, and I'm super excited.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Just one team left now without a mascot. That is
the Atlanta Dream. So back to twelve of thirteen in
the WNBA with a mascot.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Definitely definitely well. Thank you so much Ben Pickman for
joining us this week on in case you missed it,
make sure you guys check out all of his amazing
work at the Athletic and listen to his podcast No
Off Season. Appreciate you joining us, Happy to be here,
and for all of you w fans out there, don't
forget that This week, the WNBA is headed to Vancouver
(37:23):
for the WBA Canada game, so make sure you check
that out. And that's going to do it for this
week's episode of In Case You Missed It, don't forget
to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. We'll see
you back here next week. In Case You Missed It
with Christina Williams is an iHeart women's sports production in
partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find
(37:44):
us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you
get your podcasts.
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart Women's Sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another episode of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on the iHeart Women's
Sports Network and w fans. It has been a very,
(00:23):
very long week and we are kind of in heading
towards the end of the w season, but lots to
still talk about. So joining us this week and returning
to the show is at the Athletics staff writer Ben Pikeman. Ben,
welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Thanks a lot for having me back.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Then, you're a friend to the show, so you know
we start every show with sharing on win of the week.
So what was a personal win for you this week?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Oh, a personal win? That is a good question. It
has been a busy week of work. That is really
where my brain has been at, Christina. I've been in
the throws of the WNWA sex toy story, so some
of my reporting on that was, I guess a personal
and professional win. I know we're going to talk more
about it. Other personal wins. I don't really know, Like
(01:11):
nothing nothing too exciting going on in.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
My personal world. Right now.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Oh well, it seems like work is going good. Being
busy is usually a good sign, right, I would say
a win for me this week. I mean just getting
back into the gist of things. I was on vacation
for a long time and now I'm back, So it's
good to be to be back in the mix. And
(01:36):
so you mentioned the sex toy story, and that's actually
the first story that we're going to talk about this
week for our headlines. And so, Ben, you've been at
the forefront of this coverage for this story about the
sex toys being thrown on the WNPA court. The league
spokesperson recently released a statement, But just break down this
(01:58):
story for us. When did it start and how many
times has this thing happened over the course of the
last few weeks.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Yeah, So the first incident that was documented occurred the
night of July twenty ninth in Atlanta in a game
between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream And
basically in the around eight days after, there were a
number of other incidents. A few times sex toys were
actually thrown and made their way onto the court. So
we saw that happen in Chicago. It also happened in
(02:25):
Los Angeles, and then there were other documented instances in
which apparently other fans tried to either bring in and
or throw sex toys onto the court, sometimes unsuccessfully so
so that appeared to be the case at a game
in New York, for instance, or someone was arrested at
a game in Phoenix. There was an incident per my reporting,
(02:46):
that seemed like it was in the works or had
been planned in Seattle that never actually got off the ground.
No one actually threw a sex toy NAC game. But yeah,
this was basically a string of incidents across WNBA arenas,
and certainly it attracted a lot a lot of attention
booth among players and coaches and also fans and not fans.
(03:06):
Detractors of the WNBA very much had some opinions on
this story as well.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, I mean, a couple of fans had tagged me
in a X space of trip throw Bros. They were
discussing the incidents that were current across the w in
somewhat taking responsibility for what was happening. So I know
that you've been covering this story, but would you say
(03:31):
that this is the route that is claiming responsibility for
these stunts happening on the WNBA courts.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Yeah, a meme coin cryptocurrency group that goes by Green
dildo Coin is the surprising. Yeah, it did take responsibility
for a number of these incidents. I listened to I
guess more than five hours of their streams last week.
I've also read dozens upon dozens upon dozens, maybe hundreds
at this point, of internal telegram messages shared in their
(04:03):
kind of private community chat where I've seen many of
memes on this topic and some of the planning messages
as it relates to this topic. And yeah, this is
a group that you know, launched in the days before
the first incident on July twenty nine. So both the
crypto coin itself, the meme cooin itself was created on
(04:23):
July twenty eight. The x account for this group was
created on July twenty eighth, the day before the game,
a couple of days before the first incident. They actually
registered the domain for this kind of community's website, and
actually there was a storefront where there's some sex toy
related merchandise that is being sold that was registered in
the first part of July. And so, yeah, messages I
(04:46):
reviewed definitely suggest that.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
You know, the.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Founder of the group pointed people in the direction to
watch the Atlanta Dream Golden State Vakra's game on the
night of July twenty nine. There was all so another
message that said, basically was a meme of someone practicing
throwing one of these sex toys, and that was also
kind of made a joke, but in the context of
(05:12):
this game. And then there are other calls messages in
these chaps would suggest planning. You know, on a stream
that happened I guess last Tuesday night, around eight days ago. Now,
one person on one of those streams says that they
had confirmation that La is out of the building, referring
to one of the people who was in the apparently
(05:33):
in the building in Crypto dot com arena. And this
was a comment that was made seven minutes after the
sex toy landed on the court of the Sparks game.
You know, someone else referenced talking to a potential tosser
in Seattle, communicating with them. There was never actually an
incident in Seattle, but on the stream there was conversation
about one. So you know, this group definitely has claimed
(05:54):
some responsibility, and it does appear that there is some
credence to the coordinated effort between some of these incident.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Well, it also seems like there have been a lot
of copycats now that you know they have sort of
taken claim to some of these stunts.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Yeah, I mean that is definitely true.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
I reviewed a message I guess it was I guess
last Friday or Saturday, when a purple sex toy was
thrown onto a quard I believe also in Chicago, and
in the group's telegram chat, there was a message that
basically from someone that was saying, like this person's not
ours right, Like that was basically to paraphrase with the
message sad. And that is basically an acknowledgment that there
(06:32):
are some copycats of people now looking to just make
jokes in this context. And we should say that the
founders of this community they talk about it, that you know,
their intentions are wanting to change cryptoculture, and meme coin
basically works. Maybe we should explain that and that you
have this non fungible digital asset, and by having these
(06:55):
memes go super viral and having the memes be linked
to an actual piece of cryptocurrency, the stock price of
the coin in theory increases, so that is the supposed
business concept here. These people say that they're just trying
to basically change crypto culture and again drive up the
price of their coin. But when you listen to all
(07:17):
these messages, like, there's a lot of crude jokes that
are made, there's a lot of memes that are pretty
misogynistic that are made. There's a lot of memes that
juxtapposed these sex toys into the hands of players, which
obviously are offensive, and we have certainly heard from coaches
and players just about how disrespectful and dehumanizing these memes are.
(07:38):
So no matter what their stated intention is, I think
the talk and the conversations that I've at least reviewed
also do speak for themselves.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Here you mentioned that some coaches across the league have
come out and made statements about these stunts. Cheryl Rea,
Minnesota Link saide coach, was one of the people who
made a statement. Here's what she had to say. This
has been going on for centuries, the sexualization. This is
(08:08):
the latest version of that, and it's not fun and
it should not.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Be the butt of jokes on any radio show or
in the in print or in any comments.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Uh. The sexualization of.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Women's let's used to hold women down and this is
no different. This is just the related spot and we should.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Write about it in that way, and these people that
are doing this be held accountable.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I'm not We're not the butt of the joke.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
They're the problem, and we're gonna take that, all right.
So Cheryl lead made a statement kind of dismissing what
these people are doing, but also in a way where
it's protective of the players in the league. A WNBA
spokesperson released a statement to several media members that said
they were working alongside local and federal law enforcement and
(08:58):
we'll potentially process cut anyone involved to the fullest extent.
Has there been any new developments since this is all well, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
No, not in recent days. We haven't heard updated statements
from the WNBA since the end of last week. Similarly,
we haven't heard any updated statements from the w NBPA,
the Players Association since the end of last week. I mean,
people from this group appear to say that, you know,
they kind of want to move on to, in some
of their words, bigger events. And there is an acknowledgement
(09:30):
on one of the streams that I listen to that
if they're too disruptive for too long, people will get
pissed off. And I see your face right now, Christina
on video, and you're kind of being like, well, they
might have already been too disruptive for too long, I
think is a sentiment that a lot of people have.
But certainly in a message I reviewed, there was acknowledgment that, look,
someone calls for people to say, do you know people
(09:52):
in other WNBA markets and do you know people who
might live close to high profile comedy tours or concerts?
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And they list a few of the tours and concerts.
They ask if.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Anybody knows anyone who lives near the US Tennis Major,
the US Tennis Open that is beginning later this month
in New York. So it does appear that this group
might be planning we'll call them pranks for simplicity's sake
now like in other venues, and might have moved on
from the WNBA. But as you mentioned, there were some copycats,
(10:25):
or at least one copycat over the weekend, So it
remains to be seen if we're going to continue to
see more going forward.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What does this say about safety in WNBA arenas that
these people are able to bring in these objects and
you get them onto court and get them near players.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
I mean, I think one of the challenges here is that, frankly,
from what I understand, like these sex storys do not
pick up on metal detectors. Like that is just one
of the I guess the facts of the situation as
I understand it. And there's also kind of a general
I don't know if uncomfortability is the right word, but like,
how do you screen and scan for everybody who walks
(11:08):
into one of these stadiums to check whether they have
one of these on their person or in their bags
or not. So I think that is one of the
big questions here of like how do you actually deter this?
I mean, what does it say? I do think the
league and the players Association and teams are taking this seriously.
Like I think there is an acknowledgment that one, protecting
(11:30):
players is of the utmost importance.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Two that you.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Know, these incidents have opened or you know, make our
players uncomfortable, make a lot of fans uncomfortable, do not
create the kind of culture and climate that that we
want to create. I think the challenge is what do
you do about it? You know, it's one of those
things that I'm continuing to ask about but I think
it remains to be certain, like remains to be seen
(11:55):
what exactly comes from a security and protocol changing perspective
on this front, or if teams and leagues are just
hoping that these people go away, and whether that away
is out of the WNBA or away just in I
guess high life or modern society and venues across society
(12:16):
more broadly.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Yeah, I guess when you put it that way, it
is kind of hard to figure out in terms of security,
what would be the next step. I know that I
saw some people suggesting maybe a clear bag policy, but
for an object like that, it's it'll be easy to
hide in how the areas then. It's been a huge,
(12:46):
huge week for Asia Wilson, who was named the Player
of the Week this week. She's been unstoppable for Las Vegas,
and she had a thirty and twenty and five historical
game over the weekend against the Connecticut Sun and made history,
made WNBA history, her fourteenth double double of the season
(13:08):
and her sixth career game with at least thirty points
in fifteen rebounds. So a lot of people are saying
Asia Wilson, if she can get the aces in the
top four of the WNBA standings. She deserves to be
in the MVP conversations. I think that she is one
of the top MVP candidates alongside someone like Alicia gray
(13:31):
Nefista Collier, and Alissa Thomas. She's definitely in that top
four conversation, no doubt. But what does this game mean
for Asia Wilson.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
One, she is in the conversation.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
If you're going to say that, like say she should
be the MVP, put a period on the end of
the sentence. Don't say she should be in the conversation
because like right now, I think in the eyes of many,
she would receive the second most total points here, she's
a lock for all w first team. Like, if you
are potential the runner up in this vote, you are
in the conversation. If you're Asia Wilson, a three time MVP,
(14:04):
you were in the conversation at all moments.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
So that's what I would say.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
First, what it says, I mean One, it speaks to
just her individual greatness right now and just again the
ability that on a night to night basis, she continues
to prove that she is either the best player in
the league or the second best player in the league.
But I think what it also says, frankly, is that
she has this historic thirty and twenty game and let
me tell you, it was needed to beat the Connecticut
(14:30):
son And yeah, a win is a win, but guess
what for the Las Vegas ass this year, wins are
no longer just a guarantee. You can't just scrub through
the schedule and say wwww and then have you know,
thirty four, thirty five, thirty six wins at the end
of it. I do think it's telling that she needed
this performance and for much of that game it was,
(14:53):
you know, a one or two possession game, and so
for me, she deserves the props for this historical performance.
But I also think it is a reflection of the
Aces right now that Asia has to do a ton
for them on a night to night basis, and if
often if she does not perform at kind of her
peak level.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Like they might not win.
Speaker 3 (15:13):
And if they might not win, then that has kind
of been the theme of this year's team, just the
inconsistency more broadly about the Aces.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
When we think about m v P right what are
the keys to being voted MVP or in the in
the conversation. We know that you know, the four names
that we named earlier are all deserving, but what separates
each person? Is it wins and losses? Is it impact
on the team?
Speaker 3 (15:41):
What is it? Then it's a good question, and we
actually dove into the MVP conversation on my podcast No
Off Season this week too. I mean, there are a
couple factors that often we see for m vps.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Number one, you have to be a forward.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
History says in the last decade, we haven't had a
true guard win MVP.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
You know, Mile Moore.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
If you want a classifier as a guard, she won
the MVP in twenty fourteen. But if you want a
classify her as a forward, then you have to go
back to two thousand and nine to find a guard
who has won MVP. Another factor, in five of the
last seven years, either Asia Wilson or Brienna Steort has
won MVP. So that is another rule that most people
have subscribed to, and also in recent memory, the MVP
(16:23):
is the best player on the best team. Now, last
season was an exception to that rule, Asia and the Aces.
They finished fourth and Wilson won MVP. And so I
think the question this year is you know, despite Asia
Wilson's dominance, is fee who very much is neck and
neck with Asia. I think for best player in the league,
(16:43):
is she just going to get more votes because the
Minnesota Links still have single digital losses. They have just
five losses at the time that we tape this, and
they have been you know, she's been dominant all year
and it certainly helps fees case not only the team success,
not only.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Her individual numbers.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
But I think it's hard if you know, you're trying
to find tie breakers or differentiating factors between the two teams.
The two worst losses for the Aces this year came
to Minnesota. Came at the hands of Minnesota. Right, Las
Vegas lost by thirty one points two the Minnesota Links,
and then basically a week later they lost by fifty
(17:20):
three in the second worst margin lost margin in WNBA history.
And Asia Wilson didn't play particularly well in either of
those games, and so it is hard, I think for
a lot of people, myself included, to say Asia should
still be the MVP when Fia is having the season
that she is having, the Links are having the season
that they're having, and the head to head, especially in
(17:42):
those two games, is just pretty pretty drawing.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
You make certainly a great case in terms of the
head to head matchups between two of the best players
in the league right now. And a lot could be
said about Alista Thomas and how she helped and literally
put Phoenix on her back end for what they're doing
this season as well. So Reniki Priz on the MVP conversation.
(18:05):
As the season continues to kind of dwindle down and
we get into playoff mode, but it's Rivals Week, Ben,
and we talked about Las Vegas and Minnesota. We're in
the throes of Rival Week, which is from August ninth
to the seventeenth. It's the first year that WNBA is
kind of promoting this, but I feel like Rivals Week
(18:27):
this year, at least, it's kind of been ruined due
to your injuries. Some of the biggest stars on the
teams that are doing exceptionally well are not playing during
this time because they are injured. And we talk about
the Chicago skuy and the Indiana Fever. Angel Reese is
still sidelined, Caitlin Clark is certainly still sidelined, the New
(18:48):
York Liberty, and the Minnesota Links. I mean they're playing
several games here in August, but bringing a Stewart and
Thefi's and Collier we're both missing from this weekend's matchup.
So what do you think about Rivals Week? Do you
like it? Do you hate it? For the w and
some of these matchups are there true WNB rivals right now?
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I like that you call it rivals Week because I
actually had to get corrected on this. I'd just been
calling a rivalry week for a very long time. Heading
into the season, I hated it, and in the present
I also hate it.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I don't believe that you can.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Just like throw on a tag that like these two
teams are rivals and say that this is Rivals Week
or Rivalry Week or whatever it is called. I think
it's also Rivals Week presented by Ally, which is kind
of a little bit of an oxymoron, a funny sponsorship
to have for rivals a week. But we should say,
like historically, like this is something that the NBA has done.
I want to say at least the last last year
(19:45):
or maybe the year before Dad and the NBA does it.
I think at the end of January is the kind
of pocket that they have selected in this kind of
window after New Year's digging, you know, after Christmas games,
after MLK when they have a big showcase, and before
the trade deadline, and it's kind of like a marketing
ploy maybe that's the wrong word, marketing, approach, marketing, whatever
(20:08):
word you want to say, to generate some more interest
in what might otherwise be just like a normal, mundane
period in the calendar. And the WNBI also appears to
have chosen a similarly like otherwise slow period. Right we've
had All Star in theory, we've had the trade deadline,
the playoff push is coming, but we're not quite there
(20:28):
just yet, and so they've kind of, from my understanding,
or from what I think rather I should say, picked
the little pocket in the schedule in which, you know,
otherwise nothing really was going on. And look, the league
could not have anticipated that so many players would be
out with injury. They couldn't have anticipated Caitlin Clark or
Angel Rees or an a Fisa Collier or Brienna Stuart.
(20:50):
But certainly, like I don't think this week has any
juice to it because those players are not participating. I mean,
the week started with like sky fever, and sure it
was a Saturday that game, but I don't think like
not a lot of people came out of that game
talking about that game. Minnesota convincing win over New York
are really impressive win, but like, what do you make
(21:10):
of it when two of the best, you know, three
or four players in the game are not participating. It's unfortunate,
but certainly has not helped the cause of the debut
of WNBA Rivals Week or whatever it's called.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
What two teams do you think are true rivals? We
talked about how the league kind of put together these
matchups since that here these are the teams that are
rivals and it's not organic. What teams this season do
you think are true rivals?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
I think Minnesota. Sorry, I think New York and Las Vegas.
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Despite New York often having a lot of recent success
over the Las Vegas East, I do think there is
a little bit of a rivalry there, just because there
is history between those teams in big games, in finals,
in playoff series, in the Commissioner's Cup, and just kind
of the for time that kind of rosters that very
(22:01):
much seemed like they were looking at each other in
the mirror. I think Minnesota and New York is you know,
becoming a rivalry. I think if we get another matchup
as well this postseason, that is also, you know, going
to be I think the wnb's preeminent rivalry if we
get say another back to back finals between the two.
I mean, and I do think Indiana and Chicago is
(22:24):
also a rivalry. I don't think it has the same
juice to it for the players. I certainly think fans
perceive it that way, and historically, like there is a
lot of historical context to kind of the Chicago Indiana rivalry.
I don't think there is like the same level of
you know, I don't think there's hatred in any of
these matchups, but I don't think there's like the same stakes.
(22:46):
But you know, I do think like these teams certainly
want to beat each other and have success against each other.
They play in a similar part of the country, and historically,
like I think that matters too, Like, you know, they
oftentimes that was the most important game on each other's
respective schedule, and this goes back five or ten years.
So yeah, I don't think it's like as significant or
(23:08):
I don't think it's the biggest rivalry in the sport,
but I certainly think it's bigger than Las Vegas Aces
Connecticut Son. That was one of the rivalry weekend games
we saw on Sunday. You know, if we're ranking, if
we're ranking Christina, like, I think those first two I
mentioned might be in a tier of their own, and
then some of these other follow suits.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
Oh absolutely. I think the Connecticut Son have taken on
some of the old school Detroit Pistons kind of attitude
where they're kind of one of the most hated teams
in the league because of their physicality and scrappiness. Brio
Hartley has become a villain certainly and a lot of
fans to a lot of fans and players on the court,
but you know, she means well and she plays a
(23:49):
really physical game. But no, this is truly exciting. I mean,
it sucks that, you know, some of the biggest stars
in the league are not available right now or dealing
with injury late in this but also teams want to
get rest too, I assume before we're going into you know,
the postseason, so this is a lot of time where
you may see players get a rest designation on andjury report.
(24:13):
But one of the things that I was excited to
see in terms of pickups this week was Odyssey Simms
to the Indiana Fever. Sidney Colson and Erry McDonald unfortunately
will be out for the remainder of the season. But
I think that Odyssey is a good pickup and what
she can deliver in terms of the guard position. She's
someone who's kind of been a journey woman across the
(24:35):
league on a certainly a few different teams. But I
like what she can bring to the Indiana Fever as
they look to, you know, make a strong postseason case.
What do you think about that signing.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
I mean, my colleague, Sabrina Merchant at the Athletic she
calls Odyssey Simms the hardship Queen, and I think, honestly,
like that is pretty aft because I'm pretty sure that
over the last thing, it's three or four years that
no player in the w has signed more Archie contracts
then honesty Sims. I mean, this has kind of been
what she has done the last couple of years, signing
hardships and then hoping to catch on. And that was
(25:08):
the case in Dallas and also Los Angeles, and so
it makes a lot of sense for Indiana to go
sign a veteran guard who has been kind of thrown
into the fire midway through a season or at a
different point throughout the season and has proven to have
some success. I think that is, like, you know, a
pretty smart signing to know that she's at least shown
(25:29):
that she can be in these adverts or difficult situations
and make the adjustment. That being said, I think this
is a pretty significant loss. Like I think Aary McDonald
has again Indiana sign mid season two or at the
start of the season, like she's been integral to their
success this year, and not only what she does on
the offensive end in terms of pushing pace, but what
she means for their point of attack defense, and Indiana
(25:49):
talks a lot about trying to be more consistent on
a defensive end, Like it's a huge loss to have
her go out in Sydney Coolson too.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
I mean, they're down three of their.
Speaker 3 (25:58):
Four or five best guards to the start of the
year if you include Caitlyn Clark right now. We'll see
if and when she returns. Like that's you know, this
is tough. It's definitely tough for the Indiana fever.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
And speaking of who's in and who's out, there was
reports coming out of New York that Brianna Stewart anticipates
to be back by her birthday? Is that what she
said to the media. She addressed the media and said
she wants to come back at least by her birthday.
The New York Liberty, I mean, it's been really tough
for them in the second half of the season, certainly
(26:30):
missing key players like Brianna Stewart and ar Soble, Kennedy Burke.
They start their West Coast road trip on Tuesday, and
I think it's gonna be tough for them in terms
of having eight players available right now. And I don't
think as of this recording, we've heard of any hardship
(26:53):
signings as yet. I haven't heard anything.
Speaker 3 (26:57):
No, And for New York, I mean, if you want
to go glass past full, Glas half full, and you
want to look to the bright spots, it said. Emma
Miseman is getting thrown in right now, and she's getting
an opportunity to acclimate to everybody in a way that
if brienniswre was in the lineup, she probably wouldn't be
playing the same immediate significant role that she is. Right
She's been thrown into the fire, she's been thrown into
(27:19):
the pool and basically said, go swim like, and she's
good enough where we have seen her be successful right
off the jump, and Franklin, New York has needed her
to do that. And so if you're in New York,
you're hoping that the kind of added reps that she's
getting right now pay off when, if, and when everyone
returns to full health. I think the question is, like
(27:39):
New York started the season off nine to zero. At
that time, they had a plus twenty three point four
net rating, first in the league by a significant margin.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
Since that point, we haven't seen a full New York
Liberty team.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
And that's whether because Leoni Feverish goes to your basket,
whether because of John Could Jones being injured, whether that's
because of you know, all the injuries that you mentioned, Christina,
And so how long is it going to take for
New York to gel together if and when everyone gets
you know, comes together at the right time.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Is a week enough? Is two weeks enough? Will it
even happen?
Speaker 3 (28:10):
Like? Those are some of the kind of outstanding questions
that I have as I watched the New York Liberty
right now. Yeah, I mean, it's been an up and
down season, but also they've just had a lot of
revolving doors, and you know, the WNBA standings are really
really tight, so they can't afford to drop many games
if they want to and if they care about being
(28:32):
a top two seed when the playoffs do begin.
Speaker 1 (28:35):
Yeah, and I think even from this stretch of you know,
bad games or unfortunate games that they've been able to have,
the defense is very questionable. And you know, I was
scrolling through social media and someone posted a picture of
Benija Laney Hamilton and I'm like, ohop, this team is
definitely missing her presence right now and what she was
(28:56):
able to bring a year ago to the Liberty as
she rehabs from injury and getting ready for the next season.
It's very unfortunate. But the name of the game for
the postseason is going to be like which team will
have the most healthy players available? I think that the Liberty,
you know, to me, I think at least there's still
(29:19):
a championship containing team. They just need everyone healthy and
to be available. That is going to be the name
of the game. I think, at least for me when
I'm looking at this team.
Speaker 3 (29:28):
Yeah, I mean, Matt, I think is the sentiment that
a lot of them feel a lot of New York
Liberty fans feel. I think some people have differing opinions
because of just how good Minnesota has been. And it's
a really interesting test case with New York right now
about how much do you need continuity in a single season,
how much is the regular season important to a team's
(29:50):
success in the postseason, because the reality is, like Minnesota
is very much learning to win.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Together, to gel together.
Speaker 3 (30:00):
Dj A Carrington, who they recently acquired in a trade
from Dallas, come in and make an instant impact by
a critical role for them off the bench. She looks
like she has fitting just fine, you know, fitting in
seamlessly as you know, she gets underway and her her
link's tenure, like Minnesota has stayed relatively healthy. Yes, they're
dealing with this about on this absence in a Fisa
(30:21):
Collie right now. We'll see how long she is out
for with an ankle injury. But like other than that,
they've been able to stay pretty healthy and they look
really really connected, and you know, I think one of
the things that struck me on Sunday was listening to
Minnesota post game and they talked about what this win
meant without having Fee and One of the words that
(30:42):
some players use was gritty, right, the kind of grit
that Minnesota showed going on the road, beating New York
by double digits, silencing Barclay Center. I mean a place
that has great energy is you and I both know
Christina like they in the third quarter took the life
out of that gym. I thought that was really impressive.
And you juxtaposed that with New York, who seemingly pretty
(31:04):
regularly goes through these lulls and has struggled. You know,
I think New York has done some soul searching of late,
some reflection, but I'm still waiting to see kind of
New York show the same kind of consistent grit that
I think we're seeing right now too out of Minnesota.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Those third quarters have been super brutal for the New
York Liberty. Hopefully they can figure it out before the playoffs.
We're almost a week removed from the w NBA trade
(31:41):
deadline that went down last week, and there was some
big moves made. Britney Sykes went to the Seattle Storm,
you had J. C. Sheldon go to the Washington Mistakes,
a Leah Edwards go to the Connecticut sun Lots of
different moves happening around the w What surprised you, what
didn't surprise as you and what do you think about
(32:02):
some of the trades.
Speaker 3 (32:04):
I mean, Carrington I mentioned, I think that's a you know,
a worthwhile calculated swing for the Links. If she's the
missing piece in them getting a championship, then like, yeah,
she's a free agent, but like that's the move and
the chance you take. I actually really like Dallas's return
in that deal as well. I think getting Diamond Miller,
who a former number two pick in the draft. She's
(32:25):
under contract for at least through next season and then
they have their restrict to free agency rights. Like, I
think that is a worthwhile, high potential player plus a
second round pick, And I think Dallas is well positioned,
you know, maybe not to get the highest profile free
agents this upcoming off season, but like you know, maybe
when a player isn't so happy, Dallas is a potential
(32:46):
landing spot via trade there. I think they're positioning themselves
well to kind of be one of those taker inners
for people wanting a new home potentially. So I do
like that piece of business for them. I think the
swap between kind of j C. Sheldon and a Lee Edwards,
two players who were picked, you know, one after the
other in the draft. I think it makes sense for
(33:09):
both teams. Right there was positional need. You know, Connecticut
had a long jam of guards, Washington had a log
jam of forwards. So let's swap kind of the player
we want to move with the player you want to move.
I think that's how that gets done. And you know,
Britney Sykes in Seattle again, that is another big swing
trade to part with the first round pick. That is
(33:30):
one where Washington makes their intentions fear in my mind
of looking towards the future. We'll see if it works
out for Seattle, because yeah, Britney Sykes has coming and
immediately played a big role.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
But the Storm find themselves.
Speaker 3 (33:42):
Very much still fighting for a playoff spot and certainly
fighting for top four seeding. If they can't get either
of those, that's a lot that they've given up for
Brittany Sykes. So I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Speaker 1 (33:54):
And they've been on a bit of a losing streak
as of late, and so we'll keep our eyes on
how some of these trades are going to pan out
towards the end. Of the season. But before you get
out of here, beIN great news. Out of Golden State,
they announced their new mascot, Violet the Raven. For me,
(34:14):
I think Big Ellie out of New York Ellieve Elephant
is the standard in terms of what a mascot should feel,
look like, and be. But Violin has something to say.
What was your reaction to Golden the State Valkyrie's newest mascot.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Well, as someone who wears round glasses myself, usually I
am partial to people or I guess in this case,
mascots who wear also have round glasses, so that's a
check in that box for me. I did think, you know,
Violet brought some great energy. I thought the unveiling of
like the kind of production in the lead up was
really cool. The Birdwatching night concept, the egg the Birdwatcher
(34:52):
videos on social there was a clip related to that
Monique Billings start in that kind of tease it even more.
I thought that was all great, and frankly I thought
the ceremony dragged a little bit long for my taste.
Speaker 2 (35:04):
I didn't love the basketball moment.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
I thought there was you know, there was a moment
for those who didn't watch during the half court unveiling
in which they tried to get Violet to make a
layup and she missed it three.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Times in a row. With Warriors forward.
Speaker 3 (35:19):
Quentin to post kind of an unusual choice, I guess,
to unveil a mascot. I wonder in five years how
he'll look back when presumably he's on another team. It's like, yeah,
I was on the court to help unveil this Golden
State mascot. Like that was a little unusual to me,
and she missed all three attempts. I don't think that
fully landed as well, or that's how they scripted it.
But if you take that little segment out, I think overall,
(35:43):
Golden State again sets the standard in how to promote
unveil design. I think Violet will endear herself very quickly
to fans of the day and the WNBA. What did
you think, Christina, what do you think or what do
you think about analysis of bowld situation?
Speaker 1 (35:59):
No, your analysis of the entire situation. I think they
were very intentional when it came to the look, the feel,
the background story about how the mascot connected to the
Golden State Valkyrie name, and the team energy. I like
the dance moves as well. In the outfit. I think
that you know she's gonna get well, the mascot is
(36:20):
going to give I don't have to misgender, give the
elie a little bit of run for money. But I'm
excited for Golden State and what they've been able to
establish in the Bay Area. When it comes to attendance,
they sold out every single home home game, over eighteen
thousand fans showing up the showing out. So this is
just like something that's adding on to what they're trying
(36:41):
to create in terms of the culture. So I'm excited.
Welcome to the W Violet aka buy. We are excited
to have you, and I'm super excited.
Speaker 3 (36:51):
Just one team left now without a mascot. That is
the Atlanta Dream. So back to twelve of thirteen in
the WNBA with a mascot.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
Definitely definitely well. Thank you so much Ben Pickman for
joining us this week on in case you missed it,
make sure you guys check out all of his amazing
work at the Athletic and listen to his podcast No
Off Season. Appreciate you joining us, Happy to be here,
and for all of you w fans out there, don't
forget that This week, the WNBA is headed to Vancouver
(37:23):
for the WBA Canada game, so make sure you check
that out. And that's going to do it for this
week's episode of In Case You Missed It, don't forget
to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast. We'll see
you back here next week. In Case You Missed It
with Christina Williams is an iHeart women's sports production in
partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find
(37:44):
us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you
get your podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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