August 21, 2024 • 19 mins
Khristina is joined by NY Liberty and German National Team stars Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally for an exclusive interview. They discuss who they were excited to see in the Olympic Village, the pressure on the Liberty to win a title this season, their welcome to the W moments, and their favorite Kebab place in New York!
Plus Khristina gives the latest on the controversy between Caitlin Clark, Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Fever, and the Storm.
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
Supervising Producer:
Peter Coughter
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 (00:02):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome back to another episode of In Case
You Missed It with Christina Williams. And I'm super excited
because I feel like this week has been sort of
(00:22):
like a New York Liberty week. We had super fin
Renee Stubbs earlier on Monday, and now we're going to
be joined by Leoni Fiebitch and Niaisaboli, who I feel
like has had a huge part in the New York
Liberty success this season, especially when I think about where
the team was last year when they lost in the finals,
(00:42):
and how general manager Jonathan coleb was able to make improvements,
especially on the bench for this team. I'm super excited
to just hear from them today and get a little
bit of insight of how they've been able to, you know,
make strides as players who born in Germany and now
are successful in the w NBA. Plus, I think that
(01:04):
Leoni is honestly one of the most underrated rookies who
have not been talked about a lot this season, but
she's been making a huge impact on the New York Liberty,
and I think that we can make a case for
her to be on All Rookie WNBA. So, speaking of rookies,
let's get into Katelyn Clark, because earlier this week she
surpassed Tisha Panachero for the most assists by a rookie
(01:26):
in WNBA history, and Tisha responded on x by saying,
records are meant to be broken. It shows growth and evolution.
Can't think of a better player to break it. Congrats
Kitlyn Clark. So I love that we get to hear
from a legend in Tisha just passing the torch to
Caitlyn Clark, who's been playing out of this world since
(01:46):
the league returned to the second half of the season.
You just really see the improvements, you know, I'm excited
to see, you know, the ceiling for Caitlyn Clark in
just how far she's going to be able to go
now that she's well rested and she's just ready to
go for the second half of the season. But also
in that Indiana Fever game against the Seattle Storm over
the weekend, there was a little bit of spiciness on
(02:09):
the sideline. I want to say we saw a viral
video of Noel Quinn, the Seattle stormhead coach, and Christy Seeds,
the Indiana Fever head coach, and they were kind of
going at it like a verbal altercation. We saw Skyler
Diggens Smith kind of get involved. But listen to what
Noel Quinn had to say after that game. I respect
(02:34):
Christie been in this league for a long time, played
for in Russia.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
We were just having a spirited conversation about gamesmanship. That's it.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Listen. If this is going to be a rivalry between
these two teams, I'm all here for it. We even
saw like a play in the middle of the game
of Skylar kind of you know, giving Caitlin a little bump.
But I think that it's it's great for the game, right.
I don't think that, you know, they are picking each
other apart, or you know, Bully and Caitlin or anything
(03:07):
like that. I think that this is competition. We know
how these players like to compete, how physical the game
of basketball is, and so you know, I just charged
whatever happened in that game to the game, and I
know that the players will as well, and they move
on to the next one. But we're gonna take a
quick little break, and when we get back, we're gonna
hear from New York Liberty rookie Leoni Feebitch and Niarsabeli.
(03:30):
They both actually just came back from playing the German
national team on a historic run. We're gonna hear more
from them on in case you missed it with Christina
Williams when we return. Thank you so much Leoni and
(03:57):
Niara for joining us. I know that the both of
you have just come off in a historic Olympic run
with the German national team. And also it's the second
half of the WNBA season. But before we get into
those two things, how are you guys doing.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah, I mean we're doing pretty good. It's been a
pretty smooth transition, I would say, coming back, especially because
we had a couple other players also in the Olympics.
But yeah, it's just taking it day by day and
kind of just building on to what we did the
first half of the season.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I think that's great. So let's talk about the German
national team. I mean, this women's basketball team has made
history for the country as being the first women's basketball
team in Germany's history to qualify for the Olympics. What
was that experience, like lay all start with you.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Honestly, we're like super proud of what we've accomplished the
last years. It's just a you know, step by step process.
I'm so glad that we got to get all the
really good players in Germany together for this Olympic break
and for us to make it to the quarterfinals was
a huge accomplige.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Lere. What was that experience like with your sister, Just
to be able to go on this historic run, I
mean it.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Was obviously really cool, meant a lot to me and
my family and just in general to be able to
share that with her means a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
What was that experience like in the opening ceremonies, just
being able to interact with other Olympians.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It was amazing just to you know, step on this
boat with all the other athletes from Team Germany. That
was pretty cool because you don't get to see them,
right and we're like in the world basically like everywhere
all the time, so you don't really get to see
the other athletes that are Olympians in Germany. But it
was also cool to see other nations like in the
(05:44):
village or in the opening ceremony, Like it was just
a really cool experience overall.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Ler, what was something cool for you to experience in
terms of like being there with the other athletes.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
I mean, yeah, of course, I like Leo said, like,
you don't get to see all the athletes at once
all the time, like just even if it's just walking
past it and like, oh wow, they're shorter than I thought,
Like they're taller than I thought. And then obviously we
were in Leo, so you would just walk in the
village and Yokuchus pass you and you're like, oh, I
like Yoming, which was really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I was like, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Like it's just small things like that, Like it's just
such a surreal experience. And being able to do that
with people you grew up with, people you've been in
the trenches with. It's just means the world.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
When you think about where your career is now, how
do you feel that it has put really German basketball
on the map for the rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I think we're just getting started now, right like all
the teams at the Olympics. We're one of the best
twelve teams in the world, and I feel like people
are just getting to know us and getting to know
the players on our roster. We're not just us like
Satu NR and me WNBA players. We have a lot
of quality European top players. I'm just so happy that
we get this platform to kind of show who we are.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Leara. You entered the WNBA in twenty two need to
and obviously you face some adversity with injuries, but both
of you in your own right are having like breakout
seasons for the New York Liberty have been key pieces
to the success of this team. What would you say
has been the journey for you?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Obviously? I mean there's been a lot of up and
ups and downs. We're just kind of staying the course.
We're fortunate enough to have a really solid better leadership
on this team. Uh so kind of just letting them
guide us, and just yeah, staying the course and doing
your work every day.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Leoni, as a rookie in the w n B A,
I know that's a little bit weird because you've been
playing professional basketball for almost nearly a decade, but what
is your first year in the w You've been like.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
For you as a European and as a rookie, it's
tough to come into this league and yeah, just kind
of get used to the playing style and the way
how things go over here. So in the first like
kind of weeks or months, it was just for me
to adjust to to all of that and now to
(08:04):
just kind of, you know, fulfill my role that I
have on this team, and that's just a goal for
the rest of the season for.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
The both of you. I feel like you've both had
to assume responsibilities with the different changes throughout the seasons,
whether it's due to injuries or you know, players being
out of certain rotations. How have you both learned to
deal with just assuming that big responsibility for this team,
knowing what the goal is at the end of the
year in terms of getting back to the finals and
potentially winning a championship.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
I don't think there's so much like responsibility on us
as individual players because we handle it so well as
a team, because you know, we have so many great
players and so much quality on this team that we
don't really necessarily feel the pressure that much.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, no, I would say too. I mean it's really
just the team job. Like everybody just kind of comes together,
whether it's due to injuries or whatever it may be,
and just kind of plays as a unit. And also
in practic, like we make sure you know that position,
and like we make sure everybody feels comfortable, and like
I said, that really goes back to the veteran leadership
we have on the sceam, Like they make it really
(09:09):
easy for us to fulfill our roles because they just
help us in every way possible.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I'm super curious. So I know that you both have
different basketball journeys in the w NBA, but what were
some of your like welcome to the w NBA moments.
I know that you had that big play against the
want of Bonner at home with Viral where you crossed
her up a little bit and everyone just kind of
like fell in love with you. But from your own perspectives,
what has been some fun moments for you so far the.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
W Honestly, just going up against the great players, like
against you know, DT, We just played against the Aces
against Chelsea Gray, Like those are players I looked up
to when I, you know, grew up playing and also
having amazing players on my team.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
For sure.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I've never played with that much quality next to me,
and I'm just enjoying it, le r.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
What were some of your favorite moments the.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
W Yeah, I mean I would say the same thing. Obviously,
last year was amazing too. We made it really farn't
and how we wanted, but it was still such an
amazing experience. I mean, to be able to go to
the finals in my bookie year really means a lot.
And then even building onto this year, like it's been
a blast. It's been so much fun having the team
around us and like being successful and everybody's enjoying themselves
(10:22):
and enjoying each other.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
The New York Liberty is the first team to clench
a spot in the playoffs. How do you both identify
like this group and the Obviously you were here last year,
so what would you say the identity of this team
is now?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
I mean I would just say like selflessness, like everybody
like we're really focusing on that, like just playing as
a team, because that's what makes us hard to guard,
I would say, and really just kind of staying the course,
knowing that we have a goal and not getting complacent.
I feel like that's the biggest thing. Like, yeah, we
might have clinched your players, but it's still we still
have so many games and it's like we just got
(10:56):
to stay on top of it. And because I mean,
the league is so good you never know anything can happen,
So really just focusing on our style of play and
getting better every day so we know what we need
to do this year.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Would you guys consider anything less than a championship to
be a failure from this year?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
I wouldn't say anything as a failure, especially because we
all grow every day. We get to spend time with
each other every day, and it really is just a
blessing to be honest, to be able to do this job. Obviously,
the goal is a championship that there's no doubt in that,
and that's the goal. We want to win a championship.
But I would say, no, a failure. I don't like
(11:34):
that word.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Obviously, you two have played together for so many years.
What has been the best part about just being teammates?
You know, not only in the United States but globally
on an international stage.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
It's just cool to I mean, we joke about it
because we have seen each other every day for the
past I don't know how any ones, but it's quite cool
to just have that somebody next to you who you
can like, joke with, who you can be moody with,
Like you know, this kind of stuff We're just there
for each other and we support each other on the court,
off the court wherever.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Absolutely love that. How do you both kind of stays
true to your German roots while here in the United
States there is there any fun things that you do
in the city to like, you know, kind of sap
into their culture.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
I mean, we obviously speak German with each other a lot,
and the I mean all off our coach, we speak
German to him, Sandy, I mean speak German as well.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Really well.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
She she said she doesn't speak German as well, but
she really does and she understands most of it. So
we have a lot of German ties. But yeah, just
kind of you know, talking our mess in German. And yeah,
it's just I mean it's pretty easy.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
In terms of like German food, what is like some
of your go to favorite foods from your culture.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I feel like we've got those questions. People ask this
question all the time, and we don't really have any
like German food that we like love. Maybe a kibop
is like, yeah, it's more like Turkish food.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I don't really eat German food except for my Grandma's
German food that's always good. But there's a kobab spot
right here, and it's actually called it's like the place
where I grew up basically, So I mean that's a
pretty good spot.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
So now all of the world will know where your
favorite go to kabba spot is. I love that. I
love that. When I think about how women's basketball is
growing so much, a lot of it is due to
some of the international play and just the parody now
that we see in women's sports. Can you speak to
the growth of women's sports and how international play has
(13:40):
grown as well?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Of course it's now it's really the time for women's sports.
I mean we even see it, like you said, international,
we even see it in Germany. I mean it's like
crazy to see. When I went back this off season,
I went back to a team I used to play
against in Berlin and the gym was full and that
was never when we used to play that. I was
never a thing. So even seeing that means so much.
(14:02):
And now people are realizing, yeah, like women's basketball is
the real deal, and it's a lot of fun to watch,
and there's so many personalities on teams that people like
to follow and they like to watch. And then obviously
now people are realizing, like it's not just the US, Like,
there's so many good nations and so many good players
(14:23):
in different countries, and it's just really fun to see
it being able to grow, not just in the United
States but workwid.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Your sister Satoo, she's like an advocate for you know, media,
telling stories beyond just players who are here domestically also internationally.
So how do you both feel about the coverage of
the international players in the w NBA, And how do
you feel if it's not where it should be, how
it can get better.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
It can always get better. Everything can always get better.
Obviously there's always been for growth, but I feel like
it's just kind of shining a light on that as well.
And I feel like people are doing a better job,
especially now with the Olympics. That kind of helped, like
being able to like have players that were in the Olympics.
And then obviously it also has to come from like
(15:10):
the countries there and stuff like that. But I feel
like it's trending in the right direction and kind of
like focusing more on the storytelling. And because a lot
of players that come from overseas have been pro for
so long, I mean, like Leo, because they might have
not taken the college route like I did, and they're
coming over here. And Julie Vandou she's an amazing plan
(15:30):
she has, yeah, and she has such a big personality
and people like love to see her play, so kind
of like just shedding a spotlight on that, and like
she's done such an amazing job with Belgium and they
were able to accomplish this summer too. It's just fun
to see that.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I'm curious about your perspective on this, Leo, since you,
you know, you've played in Germany for most of your
career and then obviously your first season here in the
States is this season. So what was your perspective on
like how women's sports were covered and when did you
realize that basketball was something that you wanted to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Honestly, I'm not used to this media coverage because in Europe,
like we don't have as much media, you know, before games,
after games, practices, like all this kind of stuff. It's
in the beginning was a lot, honestly, but now I'm
getting used to it, and I think it's good that
there's so much media attention. But also, like when you
(16:24):
ask before, weys room to grow, like people always ask
the same questions like multiple times, you know what I mean, Like,
sometimes sometimes it's good to just I don't know, like
already find like do a little of research, but already
got answered. And then I asked the same question again.
I don't know, I got to ask many times, like
what's my skill set? What you know? All that kind
(16:45):
of stuff from like you know, it's not your like
to kind of find out, but like, I'm happy that
there's so much media attention all around as women in sports,
and in America there's definitely like a bigger spotlight or
not then in Europe.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Listen, I absolutely love your unfiltered reals because it just
creates the dialogue between the media and the players. And
as you get better as athletes, we can get better
as well on this end, So I actruly appreciate you
just you know, speaking your truth. I love that because
when people listen to this, they know they have to
do better or we have to do better. So I
(17:24):
absolutely love that. Before you both get out of here,
what can we expect from the New York Liberty for
the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I mean, I would say just playing our game and
being energetic and bringing it every single day. Because we
all know we have a clear goal in mind. We're
working towards that and being focused and mark them and
bringing a championship to New York.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All Right, ladies, thank you so much for joining me
this week on in case you missed it with Christina
Williams best of luck for the rest of the season.
That's just a funny thing. Pibitch and DRSABII of the
New York Liberty for joining us this week. So if
you're like me, there's lots of great games to tune
(18:09):
into this week. I'm gonna keep my eyes on the
ACES links. On Friday, you have Asia Wilson and the
FISA Collier, two of the leading players that's in the
w NBA MVP conversations right now. And then on Saturday,
the Sun will take on the New York Liberty at
Barclay Center. I'm going to tune into this one because
it is a semi finals rematch and we saw, you know,
(18:31):
the Sun Liberty face up in the playoffs last year.
But also now they've added Marina Maybray, so will the
Liberty be tested? And then I'm gonna look at the
Aces Sky Angel Reese is a fan favorite. They face
the Aces, so tune into those games and make sure
you like, subscribe in comment on this podcast. We'll be
back here at the same time next week. This is
(18:53):
in case you missed It with Christina Williams. In case
you missed It with Christina Williams is an ie Heart
women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
You can find 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 back to another episode of In Case
You Missed It with Christina Williams. And I'm super excited
because I feel like this week has been sort of
(00:22):
like a New York Liberty week. We had super fin
Renee Stubbs earlier on Monday, and now we're going to
be joined by Leoni Fiebitch and Niaisaboli, who I feel
like has had a huge part in the New York
Liberty success this season, especially when I think about where
the team was last year when they lost in the finals,
(00:42):
and how general manager Jonathan coleb was able to make improvements,
especially on the bench for this team. I'm super excited
to just hear from them today and get a little
bit of insight of how they've been able to, you know,
make strides as players who born in Germany and now
are successful in the w NBA. Plus, I think that
(01:04):
Leoni is honestly one of the most underrated rookies who
have not been talked about a lot this season, but
she's been making a huge impact on the New York Liberty,
and I think that we can make a case for
her to be on All Rookie WNBA. So, speaking of rookies,
let's get into Katelyn Clark, because earlier this week she
surpassed Tisha Panachero for the most assists by a rookie
(01:26):
in WNBA history, and Tisha responded on x by saying,
records are meant to be broken. It shows growth and evolution.
Can't think of a better player to break it. Congrats
Kitlyn Clark. So I love that we get to hear
from a legend in Tisha just passing the torch to
Caitlyn Clark, who's been playing out of this world since
(01:46):
the league returned to the second half of the season.
You just really see the improvements, you know, I'm excited
to see, you know, the ceiling for Caitlyn Clark in
just how far she's going to be able to go
now that she's well rested and she's just ready to
go for the second half of the season. But also
in that Indiana Fever game against the Seattle Storm over
the weekend, there was a little bit of spiciness on
(02:09):
the sideline. I want to say we saw a viral
video of Noel Quinn, the Seattle stormhead coach, and Christy Seeds,
the Indiana Fever head coach, and they were kind of
going at it like a verbal altercation. We saw Skyler
Diggens Smith kind of get involved. But listen to what
Noel Quinn had to say after that game. I respect
(02:34):
Christie been in this league for a long time, played
for in Russia.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
We were just having a spirited conversation about gamesmanship. That's it.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Listen. If this is going to be a rivalry between
these two teams, I'm all here for it. We even
saw like a play in the middle of the game
of Skylar kind of you know, giving Caitlin a little bump.
But I think that it's it's great for the game, right.
I don't think that, you know, they are picking each
other apart, or you know, Bully and Caitlin or anything
(03:07):
like that. I think that this is competition. We know
how these players like to compete, how physical the game
of basketball is, and so you know, I just charged
whatever happened in that game to the game, and I
know that the players will as well, and they move
on to the next one. But we're gonna take a
quick little break, and when we get back, we're gonna
hear from New York Liberty rookie Leoni Feebitch and Niarsabeli.
(03:30):
They both actually just came back from playing the German
national team on a historic run. We're gonna hear more
from them on in case you missed it with Christina
Williams when we return. Thank you so much Leoni and
(03:57):
Niara for joining us. I know that the both of
you have just come off in a historic Olympic run
with the German national team. And also it's the second
half of the WNBA season. But before we get into
those two things, how are you guys doing.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Yeah, I mean we're doing pretty good. It's been a
pretty smooth transition, I would say, coming back, especially because
we had a couple other players also in the Olympics.
But yeah, it's just taking it day by day and
kind of just building on to what we did the
first half of the season.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I think that's great. So let's talk about the German
national team. I mean, this women's basketball team has made
history for the country as being the first women's basketball
team in Germany's history to qualify for the Olympics. What
was that experience, like lay all start with you.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Honestly, we're like super proud of what we've accomplished the
last years. It's just a you know, step by step process.
I'm so glad that we got to get all the
really good players in Germany together for this Olympic break
and for us to make it to the quarterfinals was
a huge accomplige.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Lere. What was that experience like with your sister, Just
to be able to go on this historic run, I
mean it.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Was obviously really cool, meant a lot to me and
my family and just in general to be able to
share that with her means a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
What was that experience like in the opening ceremonies, just
being able to interact with other Olympians.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It was amazing just to you know, step on this
boat with all the other athletes from Team Germany. That
was pretty cool because you don't get to see them,
right and we're like in the world basically like everywhere
all the time, so you don't really get to see
the other athletes that are Olympians in Germany. But it
was also cool to see other nations like in the
(05:44):
village or in the opening ceremony, Like it was just
a really cool experience overall.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Ler, what was something cool for you to experience in
terms of like being there with the other athletes.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
I mean, yeah, of course, I like Leo said, like,
you don't get to see all the athletes at once
all the time, like just even if it's just walking
past it and like, oh wow, they're shorter than I thought,
Like they're taller than I thought. And then obviously we
were in Leo, so you would just walk in the
village and Yokuchus pass you and you're like, oh, I
like Yoming, which was really cool.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
I was like, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Like it's just small things like that, Like it's just
such a surreal experience. And being able to do that
with people you grew up with, people you've been in
the trenches with. It's just means the world.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
When you think about where your career is now, how
do you feel that it has put really German basketball
on the map for the rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I think we're just getting started now, right like all
the teams at the Olympics. We're one of the best
twelve teams in the world, and I feel like people
are just getting to know us and getting to know
the players on our roster. We're not just us like
Satu NR and me WNBA players. We have a lot
of quality European top players. I'm just so happy that
we get this platform to kind of show who we are.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Leara. You entered the WNBA in twenty two need to
and obviously you face some adversity with injuries, but both
of you in your own right are having like breakout
seasons for the New York Liberty have been key pieces
to the success of this team. What would you say
has been the journey for you?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Obviously? I mean there's been a lot of up and
ups and downs. We're just kind of staying the course.
We're fortunate enough to have a really solid better leadership
on this team. Uh so kind of just letting them
guide us, and just yeah, staying the course and doing
your work every day.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Leoni, as a rookie in the w n B A,
I know that's a little bit weird because you've been
playing professional basketball for almost nearly a decade, but what
is your first year in the w You've been like.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
For you as a European and as a rookie, it's
tough to come into this league and yeah, just kind
of get used to the playing style and the way
how things go over here. So in the first like
kind of weeks or months, it was just for me
to adjust to to all of that and now to
(08:04):
just kind of, you know, fulfill my role that I
have on this team, and that's just a goal for
the rest of the season for.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
The both of you. I feel like you've both had
to assume responsibilities with the different changes throughout the seasons,
whether it's due to injuries or you know, players being
out of certain rotations. How have you both learned to
deal with just assuming that big responsibility for this team,
knowing what the goal is at the end of the
year in terms of getting back to the finals and
potentially winning a championship.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
I don't think there's so much like responsibility on us
as individual players because we handle it so well as
a team, because you know, we have so many great
players and so much quality on this team that we
don't really necessarily feel the pressure that much.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Yeah, no, I would say too. I mean it's really
just the team job. Like everybody just kind of comes together,
whether it's due to injuries or whatever it may be,
and just kind of plays as a unit. And also
in practic, like we make sure you know that position,
and like we make sure everybody feels comfortable, and like
I said, that really goes back to the veteran leadership
we have on the sceam, Like they make it really
(09:09):
easy for us to fulfill our roles because they just
help us in every way possible.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I'm super curious. So I know that you both have
different basketball journeys in the w NBA, but what were
some of your like welcome to the w NBA moments.
I know that you had that big play against the
want of Bonner at home with Viral where you crossed
her up a little bit and everyone just kind of
like fell in love with you. But from your own perspectives,
what has been some fun moments for you so far the.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
W Honestly, just going up against the great players, like
against you know, DT, We just played against the Aces
against Chelsea Gray, Like those are players I looked up
to when I, you know, grew up playing and also
having amazing players on my team.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
For sure.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I've never played with that much quality next to me,
and I'm just enjoying it, le r.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
What were some of your favorite moments the.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
W Yeah, I mean I would say the same thing. Obviously,
last year was amazing too. We made it really farn't
and how we wanted, but it was still such an
amazing experience. I mean, to be able to go to
the finals in my bookie year really means a lot.
And then even building onto this year, like it's been
a blast. It's been so much fun having the team
around us and like being successful and everybody's enjoying themselves
(10:22):
and enjoying each other.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
The New York Liberty is the first team to clench
a spot in the playoffs. How do you both identify
like this group and the Obviously you were here last year,
so what would you say the identity of this team
is now?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
I mean I would just say like selflessness, like everybody
like we're really focusing on that, like just playing as
a team, because that's what makes us hard to guard,
I would say, and really just kind of staying the course,
knowing that we have a goal and not getting complacent.
I feel like that's the biggest thing. Like, yeah, we
might have clinched your players, but it's still we still
have so many games and it's like we just got
(10:56):
to stay on top of it. And because I mean,
the league is so good you never know anything can happen,
So really just focusing on our style of play and
getting better every day so we know what we need
to do this year.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Would you guys consider anything less than a championship to
be a failure from this year?
Speaker 3 (11:12):
I wouldn't say anything as a failure, especially because we
all grow every day. We get to spend time with
each other every day, and it really is just a
blessing to be honest, to be able to do this job. Obviously,
the goal is a championship that there's no doubt in that,
and that's the goal. We want to win a championship.
But I would say, no, a failure. I don't like
(11:34):
that word.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Obviously, you two have played together for so many years.
What has been the best part about just being teammates?
You know, not only in the United States but globally
on an international stage.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
It's just cool to I mean, we joke about it
because we have seen each other every day for the
past I don't know how any ones, but it's quite cool
to just have that somebody next to you who you
can like, joke with, who you can be moody with,
Like you know, this kind of stuff We're just there
for each other and we support each other on the court,
off the court wherever.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Absolutely love that. How do you both kind of stays
true to your German roots while here in the United
States there is there any fun things that you do
in the city to like, you know, kind of sap
into their culture.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
I mean, we obviously speak German with each other a lot,
and the I mean all off our coach, we speak
German to him, Sandy, I mean speak German as well.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Really well.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
She she said she doesn't speak German as well, but
she really does and she understands most of it. So
we have a lot of German ties. But yeah, just
kind of you know, talking our mess in German. And yeah,
it's just I mean it's pretty easy.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
In terms of like German food, what is like some
of your go to favorite foods from your culture.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I feel like we've got those questions. People ask this
question all the time, and we don't really have any
like German food that we like love. Maybe a kibop
is like, yeah, it's more like Turkish food.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
I don't really eat German food except for my Grandma's
German food that's always good. But there's a kobab spot
right here, and it's actually called it's like the place
where I grew up basically, So I mean that's a
pretty good spot.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
So now all of the world will know where your
favorite go to kabba spot is. I love that. I
love that. When I think about how women's basketball is
growing so much, a lot of it is due to
some of the international play and just the parody now
that we see in women's sports. Can you speak to
the growth of women's sports and how international play has
(13:40):
grown as well?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Of course it's now it's really the time for women's sports.
I mean we even see it, like you said, international,
we even see it in Germany. I mean it's like
crazy to see. When I went back this off season,
I went back to a team I used to play
against in Berlin and the gym was full and that
was never when we used to play that. I was
never a thing. So even seeing that means so much.
(14:02):
And now people are realizing, yeah, like women's basketball is
the real deal, and it's a lot of fun to watch,
and there's so many personalities on teams that people like
to follow and they like to watch. And then obviously
now people are realizing, like it's not just the US, Like,
there's so many good nations and so many good players
(14:23):
in different countries, and it's just really fun to see
it being able to grow, not just in the United
States but workwid.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Your sister Satoo, she's like an advocate for you know, media,
telling stories beyond just players who are here domestically also internationally.
So how do you both feel about the coverage of
the international players in the w NBA, And how do
you feel if it's not where it should be, how
it can get better.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
It can always get better. Everything can always get better.
Obviously there's always been for growth, but I feel like
it's just kind of shining a light on that as well.
And I feel like people are doing a better job,
especially now with the Olympics. That kind of helped, like
being able to like have players that were in the Olympics.
And then obviously it also has to come from like
(15:10):
the countries there and stuff like that. But I feel
like it's trending in the right direction and kind of
like focusing more on the storytelling. And because a lot
of players that come from overseas have been pro for
so long, I mean, like Leo, because they might have
not taken the college route like I did, and they're
coming over here. And Julie Vandou she's an amazing plan
(15:30):
she has, yeah, and she has such a big personality
and people like love to see her play, so kind
of like just shedding a spotlight on that, and like
she's done such an amazing job with Belgium and they
were able to accomplish this summer too. It's just fun
to see that.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
I'm curious about your perspective on this, Leo, since you,
you know, you've played in Germany for most of your
career and then obviously your first season here in the
States is this season. So what was your perspective on
like how women's sports were covered and when did you
realize that basketball was something that you wanted to accomplish.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Honestly, I'm not used to this media coverage because in Europe,
like we don't have as much media, you know, before games,
after games, practices, like all this kind of stuff. It's
in the beginning was a lot, honestly, but now I'm
getting used to it, and I think it's good that
there's so much media attention. But also, like when you
(16:24):
ask before, weys room to grow, like people always ask
the same questions like multiple times, you know what I mean, Like,
sometimes sometimes it's good to just I don't know, like
already find like do a little of research, but already
got answered. And then I asked the same question again.
I don't know, I got to ask many times, like
what's my skill set? What you know? All that kind
(16:45):
of stuff from like you know, it's not your like
to kind of find out, but like, I'm happy that
there's so much media attention all around as women in sports,
and in America there's definitely like a bigger spotlight or
not then in Europe.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Listen, I absolutely love your unfiltered reals because it just
creates the dialogue between the media and the players. And
as you get better as athletes, we can get better
as well on this end, So I actruly appreciate you
just you know, speaking your truth. I love that because
when people listen to this, they know they have to
do better or we have to do better. So I
(17:24):
absolutely love that. Before you both get out of here,
what can we expect from the New York Liberty for
the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
I mean, I would say just playing our game and
being energetic and bringing it every single day. Because we
all know we have a clear goal in mind. We're
working towards that and being focused and mark them and
bringing a championship to New York.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
All Right, ladies, thank you so much for joining me
this week on in case you missed it with Christina
Williams best of luck for the rest of the season.
That's just a funny thing. Pibitch and DRSABII of the
New York Liberty for joining us this week. So if
you're like me, there's lots of great games to tune
(18:09):
into this week. I'm gonna keep my eyes on the
ACES links. On Friday, you have Asia Wilson and the
FISA Collier, two of the leading players that's in the
w NBA MVP conversations right now. And then on Saturday,
the Sun will take on the New York Liberty at
Barclay Center. I'm going to tune into this one because
it is a semi finals rematch and we saw, you know,
(18:31):
the Sun Liberty face up in the playoffs last year.
But also now they've added Marina Maybray, so will the
Liberty be tested? And then I'm gonna look at the
Aces Sky Angel Reese is a fan favorite. They face
the Aces, so tune into those games and make sure
you like, subscribe in comment on this podcast. We'll be
back here at the same time next week. This is
(18:53):
in case you missed It with Christina Williams. In case
you missed It with Christina Williams is an ie Heart
women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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