December 12, 2024 • 37 mins
On this episode of Levels to This, Sheryl and Tee discuss the WNBA draft. We hear the two chat about expansion teams, player pickups and the newly appointed head coaches. Sheryl and Tee reflect on the growth of Women’s basketball and how they hope to see it push even further this upcoming season.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Levels to This is an iHeart women's sports production in
partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find
us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts. Hey, everybody, it's your girl Treka Foster
Brasby and I'm your girl, Cheryl Swoops.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
And this is levels to this. This is the podcast
and the show where we share that it is levels
to the shit that women go through.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
And I know, I will say this.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
You have seen the WNBA grow and contract, right, You've
seen the get teams, and then you've seen this league
lose teams. So it unfortunately, and so it's gotta feel
good to know that just two days ago we had
an expansion draft because the league is growing in such
(00:55):
a great way. So we had to come on Live
to talk about this expansion draft that just tappened on
Friday for the Golden State Valkyries.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
They got eleven players, not twelve.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
That's that's interesting, right.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
That was some shit on his own.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
I was past the past in Seattle was interesting to.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Me, but same, but I was like, you know what,
we got to just kick it on Live real quick
and like share our thoughts on this expansion Draft. So
just for those watching who may not be familiar or
may have missed it, the expansion Draft was on Friday.
(01:37):
The Valkyries had an opportunity to take one player from
every team. They chose eleven, and I'm curious to know
who may have stood out to you, Schryl as like
a damn they didn't protect her because every team had
the ability to protect at least six players who would
(01:58):
be free from being drafted, and we never got an
opportunity to see that list, so we did not know.
Nobody knew heading into Friday who was actually protected and
who wasn't, So it was a surprise to all of us,
including the players. The players were as surprised to learn
(02:18):
that they might be drafted to another team. So knowing
all this information, it was a lot of on eggshells,
pins and needles heading into Friday. But now we know
at least eleven players on this roster. Now, Golden State
still has the ability to make some trades. They can
still you know, work free agency. So who we see
(02:39):
on this roster now may not necessarily be who starts
the season on May sixteenth, but based off what we see, Cheryl,
what did you think about what did you think about
their selections and who surprised you the.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Most day on this Sunday.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Huh okay, okay, okay, okay, So sorry because someone said
Kate did share she knew the day before in an interview.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, that's what I just saw. I didn't see that interview,
so I'm ade.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
I didn't either.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
But yeah, but anyway, so I probably was surprised that
Indiana didn't protect fac Bentley, Yeah, because.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
She was nice for them this season. I love her game.
I just I was.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I was really surprised that they didn't protect her. But
I would tell you in looking at the draft, right,
part of me was like, Okay, they must be going
after some big time free agents, right, so maybe they're
(03:55):
trying to save money. I don't know, girl, I had
a lot of thoughts, but I'll say this, I'm a
big Veronica Burton fan, so I thought.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
THEE was a really good get for them. Was happy
about that.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
I don't know if I was surprised that they drafted
Kate Martin right, because Natalie, having been an assistant for
the Aces, she knows the type of player Kate is,
the type of worker she is, and if you're building
a franchise, you want players like Kate Martin that's gritty,
(04:32):
that plays hard, that works hard, that knows what it
takes to win.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
You go back to Iowa and just how the players
at Vegas loved her. And so I think her being
with the Aces for a season, I think she learned
a lot in a short period of time. And I
think what she learned there she can bring over to
the Valkyries and help them.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
God, there's so many like Kayla Thornton. I love her game.
I think Kayla was a really good pick up for them.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
In a way, kind of surprised that the Liberty didn't
protect her because Kayla, Kayla's dice. But it's it's it's
good for her to have a great start, a fresh start, right,
And the last one I'll talk about happy for her,
love her.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
She deserves to be in this league.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Monique Billings let Elmo, Yeah great, great, great pick up
for them, yep.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, yeah, so we have some in common.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
I was definitely surprised that, like you, that Timmy wasn't protected.
I just figured, you know, if we call enough spade
a spade, I just figured that there would be some
question marks as to whether Melissa would be returning to
the Fever next year, and that still might.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
Be I think I think that question mark is still
there right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
So because of that question mark, I was like, oh, well,
they definitely might protect to me to make sure that
they still have some solid performance play at that position.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
Yea.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So when I heard her name, I was like.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Well, damn, okay, Steph, I don't know what y'all doing,
but I'm here. I'm just gonna wait. I'm just gonna
watch and see what happens. Right, So I was surprised
about that. I wasn't necessarily surprised by Veronica being non protected.
I just think it was a great pickup for oh
for sure to stay because to me, it felt like
(06:34):
they were probably gonna protect Olivia Nelson, Adota and Marina
and then of course at dB and Djana So and
Bree Jones. So to me, that makes sense like that
she would have been unprotected, but I was hoping that,
you know, maybe somebody else would be the go to
for Connecticut. But one thing Natalie said before the draft
(06:58):
is that she wants to build a competitive that can
shoot the ball.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
So if that's where you're going a lot of.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
These picks to me make sense because VB can shoot
the three as well as defend.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I look at Kate.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Martin, money Martin know how to shoot that thing out there.
And to your point, she worked with Kate for a
whole year, so she knew what she was getting with Kate.
I look at Cecilia Zandalasini and I'm like, girl, you
were shooting that thing in the finals. So if again
you looking for somebody who can provide post presence, and
I think she did a hell of a job with
post players. Like the post player selection to me, was
(07:34):
is a good start for this team. Mobile you already
said that, and I love the fact that she's a
UCLA alump. So you basically going back out the Cali
is a different part of Cali. But you know what
I'm saying, you going back to CALLI Cayla thor into
me is a great pickup. But I'm not gonna say
I'm surprised. I think that she made a great case
(07:56):
for herself in the finals, because they don't win this
final without Kayla in me, no doubt, no doubt the
finals without Kayla and Niarra.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
But I think Niarra probably added.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Just to ta a bit more value in game five,
so I wasn't and I just didn't think that they
would be able to protect Moost. So of the two,
I'm like, I get why you probably protected niably over Kayla,
but man, I think they got a hell of a
of a post player. That perimeter defense about to be
(08:29):
on a lot messling with Kayla.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
No doubt, no doubt, no doubt, And I like it
because Kyla, Kyla can defend. I think, like one through four, y'all,
I love her on the defensive end. Yeah, excuse me here,
here's listen, let's let's just be real because that's what
we did.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Mm hm.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
We all have heard the.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Melissa Smith doesn't want to be here, and fans are like,
we don't want to hear, even though we know it
ain't up to the fans, up to the GM and
the coach. But I don't think Melissa wants to be
in Indiana. So you're taking a risk in not protecting
(09:16):
Timmy and saying, well, Melyssa's gonna be back.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I mean, I guess my counter to that would be
if you don't protect Timmy, what you didn't and you
don't think Melissa will be back. Who are you targeting
in free agency or who are you target Like? To me,
that's the only thing like. And I think you can
make a good case to target some people in free
agency if you keep Kelsey Mitchell, you, If you keep
(09:47):
Kelsey Mitchell you, you know, people are obviously gonna want
to play with Caitlyn Clark. They will obviously think that
they can have a better opportunity to win in Indiana.
Given the new change in leadership on all fronts from
the head office down, I think folks will will will
gravitate to to Indiana the same way I think folks
(10:07):
will gravitate to Chicago.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Say what you want, but.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Changing leadership, playing with Tyler, I think folks actually want
to go and play there.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
That's just me.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I agree with that, but agree.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
So I'm thinking it has to be somebody in free
agency that Sephanie is eyeing or talking to, or something
that she feels comfortable or that they feel comfortable like
letting this this player go. And free agency this year
is pretty sex so it should be some available pieces
out there.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
But speaking of which, we actually got a question.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
For you from someone named Lex Maddie. I believe and
they're saying, who would you? They're asking who would y'all?
So it's for both of us, who would y'all like
to see them pick up? In free agency? So Golden State,
is there a free agent out there? Or is there
somebody out there who you think would be dope to
play to play on their team that's currently available?
Speaker 4 (11:11):
So of the list, right, Mecca is a free agent.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Mecca's a free agent? Right, Jordan?
Speaker 4 (11:17):
The question is does yeah, girl, let's not even go there? Interesting?
But does nechA? Does Necka want to leave Seattle? I
don't know? Here here's.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
There there are some really really good free agents. And
does does Kelsey Mitchell stay in Indiana?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I think she does?
Speaker 4 (11:41):
It's a question mark, right, I think she does. I
think there was.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
There was a time when I think a lot of
players were just like, it's too much, honestly.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Like dealing with the fan the fan base.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
But but I also think I think kill she really
loves playing with Caitlin. I think, And did they bring
in Stephanie White to change some ship up and convince
Kelsey to stay?
Speaker 5 (12:13):
Right?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
If you look at what Indiana did, I think they
pretty much.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Kind of sort of cleaned house in the front office.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Like, they made a lot of changes, right, they brought
in Ambercot, they got to be coached, They.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Made some changes.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Kelsey Plumb what happens with Kelsey? Does she stay? I
know she's a free agent or she's Kelsey Plums an
unrestricted free agent? Yep, you know Natalie coached her. Does
she is Kelsey a player that's on her radar? I
(12:51):
definitely think when I look at what they did in
this expansion draft, they have a lot of guards. I
love the international flag. I love the international flavor that
the Valkyis are, like, this is what we're gonna do ya.
And based off of what Natalie said, the way she
wants to play, she definitely has those players. I still
think even looking at that roster like they're they're I
(13:15):
know they're an expansion team, but they're also a young team.
The players that they got an expansion draft, they're a
young team. They need some vet leadership. I think a
Neka Gooba k would be a good piece sah too,
go ahead.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, throw us.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Can I throw a name out there, y'all ain't gonna
like it, but I'm gonna throw it. Elena Deladine, Elena
Deladin is tetically a free agent. I'm restricted, and I
don't know if she gonna be. I don't know if
she's coming back to play or not. But I'm also thinking,
if she does come back to play this year, does
she want to be in Washington where they also going
to a new head coach, new GM new all of this.
(13:51):
I know she wants to stay close to Delaware. I
know she's got her family and the relationship she has
with them.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
But I'm just throwing it out there. What happened? What
if a I start with a fresh team?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Listen, I'm here for that. That, I am here for that.
The question is that I have What does edd want
to do? Does she want to play anymore or not?
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Because she's just kind of been like, I ain't playing
this season, y'all, don't mess with me, don't bother me,
and no one has. I mean, maybe you need a break.
Sometimes people need a break, and sometimes you need a break.
Sometimes you need a fresh start. That could be a
fresh start. Since you're going there, I'm gonna put a
name out here that people probably ain't gonna like at all,
Liz cam Baite. I'm just saying, I just listen, I
(14:38):
d don't affect me one way or another. But since we're
putting names out there, is Liz done with the WNBA?
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Is the WNBA done with Liz? Does Liz want to
come back and play? Is she a player that the
Valkyries would be like? Hmm? Interesting. I don't even know
who owns Liz's rights right now.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
I don't either, And to be honest, it ain't kept
saying no, no.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
No, no, he said, Now, Cheryl just had to put
it out there. Listen, y'all. I just had to put
it out there.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
It ain't to be coming for me, and we're having
a conversation.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
It ain't give me.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
There are other people out there.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
There are other people out there that might be thinking it,
but they're not gonna say.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It ain't never been about Liz's ability to play, because
she clearly can still play.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
It's just Liz got Liz got a lot.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Of Liz got a lot of going on. But I
don't know where business for real, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
So I don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
I don't know what business for real, So maybe maybe
the WSB I put her name out there.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
I don't know what I don't know business like that.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
All I know is when it comes to giving people
second chances, the w n b A is a league
that has done that and and and traditionally those people
have done what it exactly it is that they needed
to do to be great, right, I look at it.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Kennedy Carter.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Folks was talking about Kennedy, and Kennedy was like, y'all
could keep shitting on my name. I'm about to come
out here and show y'all was good.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
And she did that. You know what I'm saying, she
oversees right now.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
But he Kennedy's always been a baller. But here's the
thing with Kennedy.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Maybe not every coach or GM wants to deal with
the Kennedy Carter. Teresa Weatherspoon was the perfect coach.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
For Trinity Carter. True, but I feel Liz. I feel
that way about Liz. Not every coach is one to
the right.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
I agree with that one hundred percent. One hundred percent
I do. But since we're talking about coaches, can we
bring this up. I know this is about the expansion Draft.
We'll give back to it. Because you you.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Work for Connecticut, I knew you was gonna go here.
I knew it. I knew it, Jesus.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I just want your thoughts because I got some.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Okay, So I will say this.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I was one of the people who, at the beginning
of this coaching carousel, was like, I would love to
see some new faces in head coaching positions, right, And
I said, I didn't know if they were going to
go to the college ranks, if they were gonna move
up some assistant coaches, but I said I would love
to see some new faces in the in the coaching ranks.
So I can't be fake now and be like, oh,
(17:17):
I'm confused by this hire, because it's what I asked for.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
I asked for some new faces. Now. Was I surprised
we got a lot of.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
New faces here? We got femil female.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right, So I was surprised by the choice.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Right.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I was surprised by the choice. I thought that.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
And to be completely transparent, I haven't had conversations like
when the season ended, my job as reporter ended that
in that respect, So I haven't had a lot of
com because everybody needs a break, right, So I haven't
had a lot of conversations with the team or with
the team front office or anything like that regarding where
(17:57):
their coaching journey was going to take them, who they
are interviewed. I didn't have any of those conversations, so
I'm not speaking as someone as an insider.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
This is just Tarika being Tarika.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
I was under the impression that maybe there was gonna
be some conversations with breon January. Maybe there was, maybe
there wasn't. I also thought that they would go and
mad I thought that they would also be looking at
another female for the head coaching position.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
However, one of the things that stood out to me
is that Jennifer Rozzotti said specifically, I'm looking for someone
that's going to be committed to Connecticut, that's going to
live in Connecticut, that's going to like be dedicated to
be in here. And that, to me is what stood
out the most when I looked at who they chose,
Because this is an international coach who's going to be
(18:45):
coming to the United States and gonna be.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
So going to be living in Connecticut.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
That was one of her That was the first thing
I thought.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
I was like, well, what you said he not fled
back for if he gonna be right, you're a ct
or the rest of us freezing looking at pitch black
at four fifteen in the afternoon, and what the rest
of us so I So if that is one of
the criterias, I get that it might not be all
say with somebody else, right, somebody else may not want
to be fully dedicated to being here. Number two, I
(19:17):
think the international game put on a display for the Olympics, right,
And the physicality is different though, everything about the international
game is different. And I think Belgium, which is the
team that he coached, did a really great job of showing.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
That they have some talent.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
The thing that stood out to me about Belgium as
Emma Meisa Men and Mamissa Men didn't play in a
WNBA last year. Emma Missimon is a WNBA champion and
Mamissa Men might be able to make some make some
noise in Connecticut if she came. What way to bring
a player like em Messa Men to your team and that.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
You have.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Got a strong you got a strong way of being
able to consider bringing a player like but to your
team when you bring her international coach to the squad, right,
So maybe there is a strategy behind it.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I'm trying to throw out all of the scenarios and
keeping open mind, specifically because I'm gonna have to work
with this man next year. So I'm about to be
out here talking sad and be like, I remember that
ship you said about me?
Speaker 3 (20:23):
You know what I'm saying. No, I'm not. I got
to work with no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
But that being said, though I agree that I was
a bit shocked, but I'm keep an open mind. But
what I will say is that there's still there is
still a Dallas position that is open unless because you know,
I was on ESPN. It's been a lot of technology
leaks lately, and I was on ESPN dot com and
(20:46):
for Dallas underhead coach. It had a name, and I
was like Gary Klopenberg. Yeah, and I was I was
like what I said, when did this get announced?
Speaker 3 (20:57):
That I missed this message?
Speaker 4 (20:58):
So you miss it? You didn't miss it. But I
saw that too.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I saw it too.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
So anyway, to my knowledge, there is still a position
in doubtless available and will Washington Washington all the mystics.
I thought that they were considering Lindsey Harding, Yes, who
was she?
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Didn't they add her as head coach? Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:21):
I didn't see that. If they did, nice, I know.
So she was the head coach of what G League team?
Wasn't stock she was with the Lakers, Wasn't she she
was what the Lakers?
Speaker 4 (21:31):
I thought.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
I thought she was assistant coach or something.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Right, So, so she was a head coach of a
G League team and then the Lakers hired her as
an assistant right. So, Yeah, Linday Harding would be good.
But there are names that I'm like, I think it
would be good. You mentioned on January.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
I think Stockton King's yeah, thank you, yes, yes, I.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Uh, Lindy would be good. I thought Bree January would
be great for Connecticut. You know, I'd like to see
Christy tall Ever get a shot.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
Christy would be the bomb.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Listen, I'm not opposed to whoever the best candidate is.
Whoever is the best fit, then you know what, then
let them let them, let them have it. But my
only beef right now is can we give some women
some looks? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, we do need to get more.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Let's all I'm just asking, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
We do.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
And if and if we're saying women, I'm gonna put
it out there and say black women, we have we
have one black female head coach right now, and they
tried to.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
Get rid of her with this investigation right right right
and find anything.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
I'm just I won't even get into all the Seattle
stuff because I don't know the deeds, but I do
think it's very interesting how Joel Lloyd is requesting a
trade right now.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Yeah, something suspect is suspects still got a lot on No.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Yeah, it's a lot, it's a lot. But TI, you
have a league that's.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Predominantly I won't put numbers because you know, people come
for me when I get my numbers wrong. I could
help it, but it's predominantly a black league, and we
have one black female head coach, Like, are you telling
me there aren't any qualified black coaches.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Out there, day out there, day out there, whether or not.
I know, I know, you know, you know, you know
we had this conversation previously about I know we didn't.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
It's just frustrating to it's.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Frustrating to sell that door will open and when it closes,
they just try to close it forever.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
And I don't understand why.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
But other folks can get chance after chance after chance
or new chance or whatever.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
It's been. Yeah, it's really been, it's really been, really ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
A really good recent example Spoon like the way the
Sky did her was so dirty, so dirty, crazy, and
yeah she's coaching an unrival.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
But that's how long is that season? Four weeks, five weeks, six.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Weeks, six weeks, something like that.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So Spoon didn't deserve another shot in the in the w.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
It's wild. It is wild, It is really wild. I
it's not that I don't I got off.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
It's not that I don't have thoughts, Cheryl, It's just
I don't. I don't want to sound like a broken record.
And I feel like I'm saying and I'm preaching to
the choir because I know that you know this already,
and I know that most of the people that are
listening to us and that follow us and keep up
with what we're doing, they say the same thing. So
it's like, we're preaching to the choir here.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
But what the fuck?
Speaker 4 (24:50):
Respectful? It's disrespectful. Sorry, it is. It's disrespectful.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
We were here to talk about expansion draft, and we
were and I'm the one right back there. That's what
we're gonna do.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
That's I kind on question for you, because you probably
know this better than I. My question was can we
get out of ce Sims on a team like a
contract on a team, not a seven day, not a
ten day. I need a guaranteed outysty Sims contract for
the season.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
Yes, one hundred percent agree, And I think that this
could be a great way to do that because when
you look at the guards that were selected, you.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Got Julie van lu who was who did really.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Well as a rookie, especially on a Washington team that
didn't have that literally didn't have nobody because of injuries, right,
and she was a she was a reserve free agent,
so you got her at guard. You got Kate Martin
again somebody else that's the second year. But you are
going to need an experience, and you got an experienced
guard in some way with Veronica Burton. She's been in
the league long enough to to not be to be
(26:00):
designated as having some experience, but not like an Odyssey Sims.
You saw how LA completely shifted towards the end of
the season when they added Odyssey. You know how Dallas
looked when they when they had Odyssey. And yes, like
when we've both seen Odyssey in au we both advocated
(26:22):
for Odyssey out to see a beast out.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Here, so on both the ends of the floor, they
keep playing an Odyssey face. I don't like it one bit.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
They keep playing in her face. She deserves a full
season contract. If I'm Natalie, I'm definitely looking to see
how I add an experienced guard like Odyssey Sims to
my roster.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
For sure, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
I will also say that I liked the pickup of
Ileana Rupaer.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Now here's the thing.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
I feel like she's one of the And the reason
why I'm not about to like go In go In
is because there is a lot of people who always
talk about and this is the.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Thing that we talk about, you know, for men and women.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
Right, when you look at men, you look at them
based off the potential that they can have. And when
you look at women, women are often judged off of
what they've done, What have you done, what have we seen?
Blah blah blahlah blah, like the experience, the qualifications. It
always feels different for men and women.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
And I look at Ileana Rupair and I say, I
think she is someone who hasn't really had a lot
of a lot of this in the w right, but
has played enough internationally and has the potential to be
really good. And if there's somebody who I think we
can judge based off potential, I think she is a
(27:46):
great person to think about in that way.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
So I like this pick up for her.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Again, she's been way productive playing in your league than
she has been in the W But I think the
potential is there, So I understand. I understand trying to
see what this is like. And keep in mind, Golden
State got money, y'all.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Like Golden State got money.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
To play, they got that paper, they got money.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
To play with.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Money ain't about to be a issue. If something don't work,
they can fit like they have the money to fix it.
Like if something ain't working out, they can get it together.
So I want to read what is what did Kevin say?
Kevin said, Golden State I feel has tons of versatility
at the forward spot.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
Timmy is rim running rebounder and tough.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Defender and at times and Repair is a stretch forward
with shooting ability.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
See you feel what I'm saying. You feel what I'm saying, y'all.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
So yeah, I like, Listen, I don't think that this
is a championship roster if we're being completely honest. Of course,
not right but I can get it on goods. It
is a good start. You have some great pieces to
work with. And listen, as a Detroit Pistons fan, I
can tell you two thousand and four, we did not
have a roster that folks thought was a championship roster.
(29:02):
We had a bunch of misfits that people put together
with Chauncey and Rip and Tayshaun Prince who no one
heard his name, and then we brought over quote unquote
a problem child, Rashie Wallace from Portland.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
And then the next thing, you know, we win a
championship the same year.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
I'm not saying they'll win a championship this year, but
I am saying people play differently under different circumstances, and
this can absolutely be a situation where a bunch of
misfits can come together and make it work with each other.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
So I'm not sleeping And then.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Tea and here's my thing. Are there a championship team
right now?
Speaker 5 (29:36):
No? But I like the.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Pieces that they have to start with, and you throw
in a few really good free agents at the fifth pick,
they're gonna get.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
A good draft pick. Yeah, Listen, They're probably not gonna
win a championship the first year or so. But they're
gonna make some noise.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
I think they'll be competitive.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
These pieces they have.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
And to your point, there are players on here, on
this roster who just weren't really given an opportunity on
their current team. And like you said, Rupeer playing what
she does playing internationally, like she can be one of
those players that can make a difference for this team.
(30:21):
And I just think some players a need a fresh start,
or some players just going somewhere where you're like, you
know what, this is my opportunity to build something. And
a Kate Martin, a Kayla Thornton, a Moote Billings. You
know they got Stephanie Talbot from the Sparks who plays
(30:42):
art shoot it Rodicka Burton. I will say this, and
maybe you know more than I do, because I'm not
very familiar with is it Maria Kandy.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
With Condy and Carla Lake. Well, I know Carla is
of French. I believe she's a.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
French player her late yet don't know how to pronounce
her last name.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
I think she was a I think she was a
French player. I'm trying to remember who had her. Dallas
Dallallas Dallas those Dallas at her.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Yeah, those two players I'm not very familiar with, but
the ones I am familiar and Xander Lassini like, let's
forget about her.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Well, I talked about her when we started this conversation
because she was a very prominent player for Minnesota just
this past finals.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
And when I think about, Oh, I forgot I could
do that.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
It's cute anyway, No, I definitely mentioned her at the
beginning of this live because she was so she had
a very prominent presence, especially in those moments where Bridget
Carlton was kind of going in and out due to
the injuries that she was staying with her back and
all this stuff. She was really important to this Minnesota
(31:56):
team and getting to where they were. And she can
shoot the three, and that's I think that is going.
It's funny because what do we know the Golden State
Warriors for being a team that can shoot? Yeah, being
a team that has decent defense, decent decent keep you said.
One question that we have though, is why didn't they
(32:17):
grab out of Seattle. I didn't get it, so to
my understanding, First of all, the Storm has a bevy
of like unrestricted free agents, but some of them were
ineligible based on like max contracts and being core like
Mecca a goog Maka for example, She's on a core contract.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
So she was in eligible for the draft. But I
think it made sense.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
And if I'm not mistaken, I believe they ended up
taking the rights to Mackenzie Holmes their third round pick
or something like that. I think that makes a lot
of sense for them. Number One, there's a lot going
on in Seattle right now. We don't know who or
what or nothing right there was an investigation that was done,
although they said that there was nothing to be found.
At the end of the day, it don't make no
(33:01):
sense for we don't know, we don't know what's going on.
So I think it was one smart on that part.
And number two, again, as we just talked about, you
still got drafting, you still have a training camp to
to get through, you still got a lot of other options.
It wasn't necessarily necessary for you to have to feel
(33:21):
forced to take something from a team that that honestly
probably needs to work on what's going on within them,
and then you can, you know, decide, So I think
it was better to take the draft rights and then
you know you may be able again, that's when we
were talking about that. You have the ability to create trades,
you have the ability to do you know, sign and trades,
one on one contract things of that nature. You didn't
(33:43):
necessarily have to pick anybody from any team. So so
I think that was I think that was honestly a
smart decision for Golden State to just kind of fall
back on that one.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Yeah, and can we talk about real quick before we
get off how I loved how they had E forty,
how they had different people calling the names for the draft.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
I know, right, that was really cool. Yeah, you definitely
want to make sure you get the bag. Yeah, forty
and forty did a good job of pronouncing them name right.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
I was like, oh, okay, because I didn't even know
how to pronounce half of them.
Speaker 3 (34:20):
I was like, look at that. Look nah, I don't
know how Cheryl.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
This is why I'd rather say I don't than to
say it and people be like that, ain't I eat
pronounce today?
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I stand corrected, Sorry, they come stand They will come
from me quick. It's all good. I tell people all
the time. I sent my bad I stand corrected. My
name is Tarika. It's not the easiest thing to pronounce
okay to rika.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
So I get it. I get names can be difficult,
So shout out to you E forty for.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Your Technically, my name is Cheryl, not sureyl. But I
don't say anything.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
I'll see you a good one then, because I would,
I would be like, excuse me, my name is Cheryl.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Please get I used to not say nothing, right right, yeah,
I would definitely say something. I used to not say
something like. I used to be hey, my name is Tarika.
People would call me Terika. People would say Tyreka. I've
even had some toka. I will never forget this much, this, this, this.
(35:21):
I had a woman called me Teriyaki at the doctor's office,
and stop that.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
What about my name? Says damn Teryaki? Where the hell
you get that from? It ain't know why, it ain't
it ain't nothing.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
There is nothing only as at the end, how did
we get here? And that was when I had to
put my foot down. I said, oh, hell, no, y'all
will not be out here calling me the wrong name anymore.
My name is Tarika. It looks like it sounds out
here calling me abachia, calling me a type.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It's not a batch. Oh my gosh, that was funny crazy.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
So for all y'all listening, y'all see me in the streets,
don't call me Terika, because I'm gonna tell you what happened.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
They called them bill collectors. Call on my phone and
they be like, hi, man, I speak to Tarika Foster
and I say, oh, I'm sorry, I think you have
the wrong number. Don't know, Terra have this phone number
out here?
Speaker 1 (36:22):
No, no where, Terra cartt you stupid?
Speaker 3 (36:27):
All right, y'all, we got to get out of here.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
I just really appreciate everybody for tuning in to us
week after week, So thank you all for continuing to
listen to Levels to this. We'll be back next week
with more next level conversations about the ship that we
all go through as women.
Speaker 3 (36:42):
But please remember this isn't just our show. It's our show,
so we want to hear from you.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
You can leave us a review in Apple Podcasts, or
you can email our show at levels to this podcast
at gmail. Tell us what you thought of this week's guest.
What do you want to talk about next? You can
also follow us on Instagram at ltt pod. But until then,
keep your mentors ground level and we'll be back next week.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Bye. Cheryl, Bye Karaoke.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Bye Terrika, I.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Almost called you out your name on the Damn Land.
Speaker 4 (37:20):
Bye y'all, have a bless Sunday.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
Listen to Levels to This on America's number one podcast network, iHeart,
Open your free iHeart app and search levels to this
with Cheryl Swoops and Rika Foster Brasbee and start listening.
Levels to This is an iHeart women's sports production in
partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find
us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you
get your podcasts. Hey, everybody, it's your girl Treka Foster
Brasby and I'm your girl, Cheryl Swoops.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
And this is levels to this. This is the podcast
and the show where we share that it is levels
to the shit that women go through.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
And I know, I will say this.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
You have seen the WNBA grow and contract, right, You've
seen the get teams, and then you've seen this league
lose teams. So it unfortunately, and so it's gotta feel
good to know that just two days ago we had
an expansion draft because the league is growing in such
(00:55):
a great way. So we had to come on Live
to talk about this expansion draft that just tappened on
Friday for the Golden State Valkyries.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
They got eleven players, not twelve.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
That's that's interesting, right.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
That was some shit on his own.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
I was past the past in Seattle was interesting to.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Me, but same, but I was like, you know what,
we got to just kick it on Live real quick
and like share our thoughts on this expansion Draft. So
just for those watching who may not be familiar or
may have missed it, the expansion Draft was on Friday.
(01:37):
The Valkyries had an opportunity to take one player from
every team. They chose eleven, and I'm curious to know
who may have stood out to you, Schryl as like
a damn they didn't protect her because every team had
the ability to protect at least six players who would
(01:58):
be free from being drafted, and we never got an
opportunity to see that list, so we did not know.
Nobody knew heading into Friday who was actually protected and
who wasn't, So it was a surprise to all of us,
including the players. The players were as surprised to learn
(02:18):
that they might be drafted to another team. So knowing
all this information, it was a lot of on eggshells,
pins and needles heading into Friday. But now we know
at least eleven players on this roster. Now, Golden State
still has the ability to make some trades. They can
still you know, work free agency. So who we see
(02:39):
on this roster now may not necessarily be who starts
the season on May sixteenth, but based off what we see, Cheryl,
what did you think about what did you think about
their selections and who surprised you the.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Most day on this Sunday.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Huh okay, okay, okay, okay, So sorry because someone said
Kate did share she knew the day before in an interview.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah, that's what I just saw. I didn't see that interview,
so I'm ade.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
I didn't either.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
But yeah, but anyway, so I probably was surprised that
Indiana didn't protect fac Bentley, Yeah, because.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
She was nice for them this season. I love her game.
I just I was.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
I was really surprised that they didn't protect her. But
I would tell you in looking at the draft, right,
part of me was like, Okay, they must be going
after some big time free agents, right, so maybe they're
(03:55):
trying to save money. I don't know, girl, I had
a lot of thoughts, but I'll say this, I'm a
big Veronica Burton fan, so I thought.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
THEE was a really good get for them. Was happy
about that.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
I don't know if I was surprised that they drafted
Kate Martin right, because Natalie, having been an assistant for
the Aces, she knows the type of player Kate is,
the type of worker she is, and if you're building
a franchise, you want players like Kate Martin that's gritty,
(04:32):
that plays hard, that works hard, that knows what it
takes to win.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
You go back to Iowa and just how the players
at Vegas loved her. And so I think her being
with the Aces for a season, I think she learned
a lot in a short period of time. And I
think what she learned there she can bring over to
the Valkyries and help them.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
God, there's so many like Kayla Thornton. I love her game.
I think Kayla was a really good pick up for them.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
In a way, kind of surprised that the Liberty didn't
protect her because Kayla, Kayla's dice. But it's it's it's
good for her to have a great start, a fresh start, right,
And the last one I'll talk about happy for her,
love her.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
She deserves to be in this league.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Monique Billings let Elmo, Yeah great, great, great pick up
for them, yep.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, yeah, so we have some in common.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
I was definitely surprised that, like you, that Timmy wasn't protected.
I just figured, you know, if we call enough spade
a spade, I just figured that there would be some
question marks as to whether Melissa would be returning to
the Fever next year, and that still might.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
Be I think I think that question mark is still
there right.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
So because of that question mark, I was like, oh, well,
they definitely might protect to me to make sure that
they still have some solid performance play at that position.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
Yea.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
So when I heard her name, I was like.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Well, damn, okay, Steph, I don't know what y'all doing,
but I'm here. I'm just gonna wait. I'm just gonna
watch and see what happens. Right, So I was surprised
about that. I wasn't necessarily surprised by Veronica being non protected.
I just think it was a great pickup for oh
for sure to stay because to me, it felt like
(06:34):
they were probably gonna protect Olivia Nelson, Adota and Marina
and then of course at dB and Djana So and
Bree Jones. So to me, that makes sense like that
she would have been unprotected, but I was hoping that,
you know, maybe somebody else would be the go to
for Connecticut. But one thing Natalie said before the draft
(06:58):
is that she wants to build a competitive that can
shoot the ball.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
So if that's where you're going a lot of.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
These picks to me make sense because VB can shoot
the three as well as defend.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I look at Kate.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Martin, money Martin know how to shoot that thing out there.
And to your point, she worked with Kate for a
whole year, so she knew what she was getting with Kate.
I look at Cecilia Zandalasini and I'm like, girl, you
were shooting that thing in the finals. So if again
you looking for somebody who can provide post presence, and
I think she did a hell of a job with
post players. Like the post player selection to me, was
(07:34):
is a good start for this team. Mobile you already
said that, and I love the fact that she's a
UCLA alump. So you basically going back out the Cali
is a different part of Cali. But you know what
I'm saying, you going back to CALLI Cayla thor into
me is a great pickup. But I'm not gonna say
I'm surprised. I think that she made a great case
(07:56):
for herself in the finals, because they don't win this
final without Kayla in me, no doubt, no doubt the
finals without Kayla and Niarra.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
But I think Niarra probably added.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Just to ta a bit more value in game five,
so I wasn't and I just didn't think that they
would be able to protect Moost. So of the two,
I'm like, I get why you probably protected niably over Kayla,
but man, I think they got a hell of a
of a post player. That perimeter defense about to be
(08:29):
on a lot messling with Kayla.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
No doubt, no doubt, no doubt, And I like it
because Kyla, Kyla can defend. I think, like one through four, y'all,
I love her on the defensive end. Yeah, excuse me here,
here's listen, let's let's just be real because that's what
we did.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Mm hm.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
We all have heard the.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Melissa Smith doesn't want to be here, and fans are like,
we don't want to hear, even though we know it
ain't up to the fans, up to the GM and
the coach. But I don't think Melissa wants to be
in Indiana. So you're taking a risk in not protecting
(09:16):
Timmy and saying, well, Melyssa's gonna be back.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I mean, I guess my counter to that would be
if you don't protect Timmy, what you didn't and you
don't think Melissa will be back. Who are you targeting
in free agency or who are you target Like? To me,
that's the only thing like. And I think you can
make a good case to target some people in free
agency if you keep Kelsey Mitchell, you, If you keep
(09:47):
Kelsey Mitchell you, you know, people are obviously gonna want
to play with Caitlyn Clark. They will obviously think that
they can have a better opportunity to win in Indiana.
Given the new change in leadership on all fronts from
the head office down, I think folks will will will
gravitate to to Indiana the same way I think folks
(10:07):
will gravitate to Chicago.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Say what you want, but.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Changing leadership, playing with Tyler, I think folks actually want
to go and play there.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
That's just me.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I agree with that, but agree.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
So I'm thinking it has to be somebody in free
agency that Sephanie is eyeing or talking to, or something
that she feels comfortable or that they feel comfortable like
letting this this player go. And free agency this year
is pretty sex so it should be some available pieces
out there.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
But speaking of which, we actually got a question.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
For you from someone named Lex Maddie. I believe and
they're saying, who would you? They're asking who would y'all?
So it's for both of us, who would y'all like
to see them pick up? In free agency? So Golden State,
is there a free agent out there? Or is there
somebody out there who you think would be dope to
play to play on their team that's currently available?
Speaker 4 (11:11):
So of the list, right, Mecca is a free agent.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
Mecca's a free agent? Right, Jordan?
Speaker 4 (11:17):
The question is does yeah, girl, let's not even go there? Interesting?
But does nechA? Does Necka want to leave Seattle? I
don't know? Here here's.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
There there are some really really good free agents. And
does does Kelsey Mitchell stay in Indiana?
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I think she does?
Speaker 4 (11:41):
It's a question mark, right, I think she does. I
think there was.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
There was a time when I think a lot of
players were just like, it's too much, honestly.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Like dealing with the fan the fan base.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
But but I also think I think kill she really
loves playing with Caitlin. I think, And did they bring
in Stephanie White to change some ship up and convince
Kelsey to stay?
Speaker 5 (12:13):
Right?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
If you look at what Indiana did, I think they
pretty much.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Kind of sort of cleaned house in the front office.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Like, they made a lot of changes, right, they brought
in Ambercot, they got to be coached, They.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Made some changes.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Kelsey Plumb what happens with Kelsey? Does she stay? I
know she's a free agent or she's Kelsey Plums an
unrestricted free agent? Yep, you know Natalie coached her. Does
she is Kelsey a player that's on her radar? I
(12:51):
definitely think when I look at what they did in
this expansion draft, they have a lot of guards. I
love the international flag. I love the international flavor that
the Valkyis are, like, this is what we're gonna do ya.
And based off of what Natalie said, the way she
wants to play, she definitely has those players. I still
think even looking at that roster like they're they're I
(13:15):
know they're an expansion team, but they're also a young team.
The players that they got an expansion draft, they're a
young team. They need some vet leadership. I think a
Neka Gooba k would be a good piece sah too,
go ahead.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, throw us.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Can I throw a name out there, y'all ain't gonna
like it, but I'm gonna throw it. Elena Deladine, Elena
Deladin is tetically a free agent. I'm restricted, and I
don't know if she gonna be. I don't know if
she's coming back to play or not. But I'm also thinking,
if she does come back to play this year, does
she want to be in Washington where they also going
to a new head coach, new GM new all of this.
(13:51):
I know she wants to stay close to Delaware. I
know she's got her family and the relationship she has
with them.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
But I'm just throwing it out there. What happened? What
if a I start with a fresh team?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Listen, I'm here for that. That, I am here for that.
The question is that I have What does edd want
to do? Does she want to play anymore or not?
Speaker 3 (14:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Because she's just kind of been like, I ain't playing
this season, y'all, don't mess with me, don't bother me,
and no one has. I mean, maybe you need a break.
Sometimes people need a break, and sometimes you need a break.
Sometimes you need a fresh start. That could be a
fresh start. Since you're going there, I'm gonna put a
name out here that people probably ain't gonna like at all,
Liz cam Baite. I'm just saying, I just listen, I
(14:38):
d don't affect me one way or another. But since we're
putting names out there, is Liz done with the WNBA?
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Is the WNBA done with Liz? Does Liz want to
come back and play? Is she a player that the
Valkyries would be like? Hmm? Interesting. I don't even know
who owns Liz's rights right now.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
I don't either, And to be honest, it ain't kept
saying no, no.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
No, no, he said, Now, Cheryl just had to put
it out there. Listen, y'all. I just had to put
it out there.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
It ain't to be coming for me, and we're having
a conversation.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
It ain't give me.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
There are other people out there.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
There are other people out there that might be thinking it,
but they're not gonna say.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
It ain't never been about Liz's ability to play, because
she clearly can still play.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
It's just Liz got Liz got a lot.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Of Liz got a lot of going on. But I
don't know where business for real, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
So I don't know. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
I don't know what business for real, So maybe maybe
the WSB I put her name out there.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
I don't know what I don't know business like that.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
All I know is when it comes to giving people
second chances, the w n b A is a league
that has done that and and and traditionally those people
have done what it exactly it is that they needed
to do to be great, right, I look at it.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Kennedy Carter.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Folks was talking about Kennedy, and Kennedy was like, y'all
could keep shitting on my name. I'm about to come
out here and show y'all was good.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
And she did that. You know what I'm saying, she
oversees right now.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
But he Kennedy's always been a baller. But here's the
thing with Kennedy.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
Maybe not every coach or GM wants to deal with
the Kennedy Carter. Teresa Weatherspoon was the perfect coach.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
For Trinity Carter. True, but I feel Liz. I feel
that way about Liz. Not every coach is one to
the right.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
I agree with that one hundred percent. One hundred percent
I do. But since we're talking about coaches, can we
bring this up. I know this is about the expansion Draft.
We'll give back to it. Because you you.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Work for Connecticut, I knew you was gonna go here.
I knew it. I knew it, Jesus.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I just want your thoughts because I got some.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Okay, So I will say this.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I was one of the people who, at the beginning
of this coaching carousel, was like, I would love to
see some new faces in head coaching positions, right, And
I said, I didn't know if they were going to
go to the college ranks, if they were gonna move
up some assistant coaches, but I said I would love
to see some new faces in the in the coaching ranks.
So I can't be fake now and be like, oh,
(17:17):
I'm confused by this hire, because it's what I asked for.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
I asked for some new faces. Now. Was I surprised
we got a lot of.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
New faces here? We got femil female.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right, So I was surprised by the choice.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Right.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
I was surprised by the choice. I thought that.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
And to be completely transparent, I haven't had conversations like
when the season ended, my job as reporter ended that
in that respect, So I haven't had a lot of
com because everybody needs a break, right, So I haven't
had a lot of conversations with the team or with
the team front office or anything like that regarding where
(17:57):
their coaching journey was going to take them, who they
are interviewed. I didn't have any of those conversations, so
I'm not speaking as someone as an insider.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
This is just Tarika being Tarika.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
I was under the impression that maybe there was gonna
be some conversations with breon January. Maybe there was, maybe
there wasn't. I also thought that they would go and
mad I thought that they would also be looking at
another female for the head coaching position.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
However, one of the things that stood out to me
is that Jennifer Rozzotti said specifically, I'm looking for someone
that's going to be committed to Connecticut, that's going to
live in Connecticut, that's going to like be dedicated to
be in here. And that, to me is what stood
out the most when I looked at who they chose,
Because this is an international coach who's going to be
(18:45):
coming to the United States and gonna be.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
So going to be living in Connecticut.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
That was one of her That was the first thing
I thought.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
I was like, well, what you said he not fled
back for if he gonna be right, you're a ct
or the rest of us freezing looking at pitch black
at four fifteen in the afternoon, and what the rest
of us so I So if that is one of
the criterias, I get that it might not be all
say with somebody else, right, somebody else may not want
to be fully dedicated to being here. Number two, I
(19:17):
think the international game put on a display for the Olympics, right,
And the physicality is different though, everything about the international
game is different. And I think Belgium, which is the
team that he coached, did a really great job of showing.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
That they have some talent.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
The thing that stood out to me about Belgium as
Emma Meisa Men and Mamissa Men didn't play in a
WNBA last year. Emma Missimon is a WNBA champion and
Mamissa Men might be able to make some make some
noise in Connecticut if she came. What way to bring
a player like em Messa Men to your team and that.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
You have.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Got a strong you got a strong way of being
able to consider bringing a player like but to your
team when you bring her international coach to the squad, right,
So maybe there is a strategy behind it.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
I'm trying to throw out all of the scenarios and
keeping open mind, specifically because I'm gonna have to work
with this man next year. So I'm about to be
out here talking sad and be like, I remember that
ship you said about me?
Speaker 3 (20:23):
You know what I'm saying. No, I'm not. I got
to work with no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
But that being said, though I agree that I was
a bit shocked, but I'm keep an open mind. But
what I will say is that there's still there is
still a Dallas position that is open unless because you know,
I was on ESPN. It's been a lot of technology
leaks lately, and I was on ESPN dot com and
(20:46):
for Dallas underhead coach. It had a name, and I
was like Gary Klopenberg. Yeah, and I was I was
like what I said, when did this get announced?
Speaker 3 (20:57):
That I missed this message?
Speaker 4 (20:58):
So you miss it? You didn't miss it. But I
saw that too.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
I saw it too.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
So anyway, to my knowledge, there is still a position
in doubtless available and will Washington Washington all the mystics.
I thought that they were considering Lindsey Harding, Yes, who
was she?
Speaker 3 (21:19):
Didn't they add her as head coach? Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:21):
I didn't see that. If they did, nice, I know.
So she was the head coach of what G League team?
Wasn't stock she was with the Lakers, Wasn't she she
was what the Lakers?
Speaker 4 (21:31):
I thought.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
I thought she was assistant coach or something.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Right, So, so she was a head coach of a
G League team and then the Lakers hired her as
an assistant right. So, Yeah, Linday Harding would be good.
But there are names that I'm like, I think it
would be good. You mentioned on January.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
I think Stockton King's yeah, thank you, yes, yes, I.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Uh, Lindy would be good. I thought Bree January would
be great for Connecticut. You know, I'd like to see
Christy tall Ever get a shot.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
Christy would be the bomb.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Listen, I'm not opposed to whoever the best candidate is.
Whoever is the best fit, then you know what, then
let them let them, let them have it. But my
only beef right now is can we give some women
some looks? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, we do need to get more.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Let's all I'm just asking, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
We do.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
And if and if we're saying women, I'm gonna put
it out there and say black women, we have we
have one black female head coach right now, and they
tried to.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
Get rid of her with this investigation right right right
and find anything.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
I'm just I won't even get into all the Seattle
stuff because I don't know the deeds, but I do
think it's very interesting how Joel Lloyd is requesting a
trade right now.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Yeah, something suspect is suspects still got a lot on No.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
Yeah, it's a lot, it's a lot. But TI, you
have a league that's.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Predominantly I won't put numbers because you know, people come
for me when I get my numbers wrong. I could
help it, but it's predominantly a black league, and we
have one black female head coach, Like, are you telling
me there aren't any qualified black coaches.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Out there, day out there, day out there, whether or not.
I know, I know, you know, you know, you know
we had this conversation previously about I know we didn't.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
It's just frustrating to it's.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Frustrating to sell that door will open and when it closes,
they just try to close it forever.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
And I don't understand why.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
But other folks can get chance after chance after chance
or new chance or whatever.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
It's been. Yeah, it's really been, it's really been, really ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
A really good recent example Spoon like the way the
Sky did her was so dirty, so dirty, crazy, and
yeah she's coaching an unrival.
Speaker 4 (24:08):
But that's how long is that season? Four weeks, five weeks, six.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
Weeks, six weeks, something like that.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
So Spoon didn't deserve another shot in the in the w.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
It's wild. It is wild, It is really wild. I
it's not that I don't I got off.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
It's not that I don't have thoughts, Cheryl, It's just
I don't. I don't want to sound like a broken record.
And I feel like I'm saying and I'm preaching to
the choir because I know that you know this already,
and I know that most of the people that are
listening to us and that follow us and keep up
with what we're doing, they say the same thing. So
it's like, we're preaching to the choir here.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
But what the fuck?
Speaker 4 (24:50):
Respectful? It's disrespectful. Sorry, it is. It's disrespectful.
Speaker 3 (25:03):
We were here to talk about expansion draft, and we
were and I'm the one right back there. That's what
we're gonna do.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
That's I kind on question for you, because you probably
know this better than I. My question was can we
get out of ce Sims on a team like a
contract on a team, not a seven day, not a
ten day. I need a guaranteed outysty Sims contract for
the season.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
Yes, one hundred percent agree, And I think that this
could be a great way to do that because when
you look at the guards that were selected, you.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Got Julie van lu who was who did really.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Well as a rookie, especially on a Washington team that
didn't have that literally didn't have nobody because of injuries, right,
and she was a she was a reserve free agent,
so you got her at guard. You got Kate Martin
again somebody else that's the second year. But you are
going to need an experience, and you got an experienced
guard in some way with Veronica Burton. She's been in
the league long enough to to not be to be
(26:00):
designated as having some experience, but not like an Odyssey Sims.
You saw how LA completely shifted towards the end of
the season when they added Odyssey. You know how Dallas
looked when they when they had Odyssey. And yes, like
when we've both seen Odyssey in au we both advocated
(26:22):
for Odyssey out to see a beast out.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Here, so on both the ends of the floor, they
keep playing an Odyssey face. I don't like it one bit.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
They keep playing in her face. She deserves a full
season contract. If I'm Natalie, I'm definitely looking to see
how I add an experienced guard like Odyssey Sims to
my roster.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
For sure, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
I will also say that I liked the pickup of
Ileana Rupaer.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Now here's the thing.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
I feel like she's one of the And the reason
why I'm not about to like go In go In
is because there is a lot of people who always
talk about and this is the.
Speaker 3 (27:06):
Thing that we talk about, you know, for men and women.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
Right, when you look at men, you look at them
based off the potential that they can have. And when
you look at women, women are often judged off of
what they've done, What have you done, what have we seen?
Blah blah blahlah blah, like the experience, the qualifications. It
always feels different for men and women.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
Right.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
And I look at Ileana Rupair and I say, I
think she is someone who hasn't really had a lot
of a lot of this in the w right, but
has played enough internationally and has the potential to be
really good. And if there's somebody who I think we
can judge based off potential, I think she is a
(27:46):
great person to think about in that way.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
So I like this pick up for her.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
Again, she's been way productive playing in your league than
she has been in the W But I think the
potential is there, So I understand. I understand trying to
see what this is like. And keep in mind, Golden
State got money, y'all.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Like Golden State got money.
Speaker 4 (28:07):
To play, they got that paper, they got money.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
To play with.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Money ain't about to be a issue. If something don't work,
they can fit like they have the money to fix it.
Like if something ain't working out, they can get it together.
So I want to read what is what did Kevin say?
Kevin said, Golden State I feel has tons of versatility
at the forward spot.
Speaker 4 (28:29):
Timmy is rim running rebounder and tough.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Defender and at times and Repair is a stretch forward
with shooting ability.
Speaker 3 (28:36):
See you feel what I'm saying. You feel what I'm saying, y'all.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
So yeah, I like, Listen, I don't think that this
is a championship roster if we're being completely honest. Of course,
not right but I can get it on goods. It
is a good start. You have some great pieces to
work with. And listen, as a Detroit Pistons fan, I
can tell you two thousand and four, we did not
have a roster that folks thought was a championship roster.
(29:02):
We had a bunch of misfits that people put together
with Chauncey and Rip and Tayshaun Prince who no one
heard his name, and then we brought over quote unquote
a problem child, Rashie Wallace from Portland.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
And then the next thing, you know, we win a
championship the same year.
Speaker 2 (29:17):
I'm not saying they'll win a championship this year, but
I am saying people play differently under different circumstances, and
this can absolutely be a situation where a bunch of
misfits can come together and make it work with each other.
Speaker 3 (29:31):
So I'm not sleeping And then.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Tea and here's my thing. Are there a championship team
right now?
Speaker 5 (29:36):
No? But I like the.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Pieces that they have to start with, and you throw
in a few really good free agents at the fifth pick,
they're gonna get.
Speaker 4 (29:48):
A good draft pick. Yeah, Listen, They're probably not gonna
win a championship the first year or so. But they're
gonna make some noise.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
I think they'll be competitive.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
These pieces they have.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
And to your point, there are players on here, on
this roster who just weren't really given an opportunity on
their current team. And like you said, Rupeer playing what
she does playing internationally, like she can be one of
those players that can make a difference for this team.
(30:21):
And I just think some players a need a fresh start,
or some players just going somewhere where you're like, you
know what, this is my opportunity to build something. And
a Kate Martin, a Kayla Thornton, a Moote Billings. You
know they got Stephanie Talbot from the Sparks who plays
(30:42):
art shoot it Rodicka Burton. I will say this, and
maybe you know more than I do, because I'm not
very familiar with is it Maria Kandy.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
With Condy and Carla Lake. Well, I know Carla is
of French. I believe she's a.
Speaker 4 (31:03):
French player her late yet don't know how to pronounce
her last name.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
I think she was a I think she was a
French player. I'm trying to remember who had her. Dallas
Dallallas Dallas those Dallas at her.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Yeah, those two players I'm not very familiar with, but
the ones I am familiar and Xander Lassini like, let's
forget about her.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
Well, I talked about her when we started this conversation
because she was a very prominent player for Minnesota just
this past finals.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
And when I think about, Oh, I forgot I could
do that.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
It's cute anyway, No, I definitely mentioned her at the
beginning of this live because she was so she had
a very prominent presence, especially in those moments where Bridget
Carlton was kind of going in and out due to
the injuries that she was staying with her back and
all this stuff. She was really important to this Minnesota
(31:56):
team and getting to where they were. And she can
shoot the three, and that's I think that is going.
It's funny because what do we know the Golden State
Warriors for being a team that can shoot? Yeah, being
a team that has decent defense, decent decent keep you said.
One question that we have though, is why didn't they
(32:17):
grab out of Seattle. I didn't get it, so to
my understanding, First of all, the Storm has a bevy
of like unrestricted free agents, but some of them were
ineligible based on like max contracts and being core like
Mecca a goog Maka for example, She's on a core contract.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
So she was in eligible for the draft. But I
think it made sense.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
And if I'm not mistaken, I believe they ended up
taking the rights to Mackenzie Holmes their third round pick
or something like that. I think that makes a lot
of sense for them. Number One, there's a lot going
on in Seattle right now. We don't know who or
what or nothing right there was an investigation that was done,
although they said that there was nothing to be found.
At the end of the day, it don't make no
(33:01):
sense for we don't know, we don't know what's going on.
So I think it was one smart on that part.
And number two, again, as we just talked about, you
still got drafting, you still have a training camp to
to get through, you still got a lot of other options.
It wasn't necessarily necessary for you to have to feel
(33:21):
forced to take something from a team that that honestly
probably needs to work on what's going on within them,
and then you can, you know, decide, So I think
it was better to take the draft rights and then
you know you may be able again, that's when we
were talking about that. You have the ability to create trades,
you have the ability to do you know, sign and trades,
one on one contract things of that nature. You didn't
(33:43):
necessarily have to pick anybody from any team. So so
I think that was I think that was honestly a
smart decision for Golden State to just kind of fall
back on that one.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
Yeah, and can we talk about real quick before we
get off how I loved how they had E forty,
how they had different people calling the names for the draft.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
I know, right, that was really cool. Yeah, you definitely
want to make sure you get the bag. Yeah, forty
and forty did a good job of pronouncing them name right.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
I was like, oh, okay, because I didn't even know
how to pronounce half of them.
Speaker 3 (34:20):
I was like, look at that. Look nah, I don't
know how Cheryl.
Speaker 4 (34:23):
This is why I'd rather say I don't than to
say it and people be like that, ain't I eat
pronounce today?
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I stand corrected, Sorry, they come stand They will come
from me quick. It's all good. I tell people all
the time. I sent my bad I stand corrected. My
name is Tarika. It's not the easiest thing to pronounce
okay to rika.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
So I get it. I get names can be difficult,
So shout out to you E forty for.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Your Technically, my name is Cheryl, not sureyl. But I
don't say anything.
Speaker 3 (34:55):
I'll see you a good one then, because I would,
I would be like, excuse me, my name is Cheryl.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Please get I used to not say nothing, right right, yeah,
I would definitely say something. I used to not say
something like. I used to be hey, my name is Tarika.
People would call me Terika. People would say Tyreka. I've
even had some toka. I will never forget this much, this, this, this.
(35:21):
I had a woman called me Teriyaki at the doctor's office,
and stop that.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
What about my name? Says damn Teryaki? Where the hell
you get that from? It ain't know why, it ain't
it ain't nothing.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
There is nothing only as at the end, how did
we get here? And that was when I had to
put my foot down. I said, oh, hell, no, y'all
will not be out here calling me the wrong name anymore.
My name is Tarika. It looks like it sounds out
here calling me abachia, calling me a type.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It's not a batch. Oh my gosh, that was funny crazy.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
So for all y'all listening, y'all see me in the streets,
don't call me Terika, because I'm gonna tell you what happened.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
They called them bill collectors. Call on my phone and
they be like, hi, man, I speak to Tarika Foster
and I say, oh, I'm sorry, I think you have
the wrong number. Don't know, Terra have this phone number
out here?
Speaker 1 (36:22):
No, no where, Terra cartt you stupid?
Speaker 3 (36:27):
All right, y'all, we got to get out of here.
Speaker 2 (36:30):
I just really appreciate everybody for tuning in to us
week after week, So thank you all for continuing to
listen to Levels to this. We'll be back next week
with more next level conversations about the ship that we
all go through as women.
Speaker 3 (36:42):
But please remember this isn't just our show. It's our show,
so we want to hear from you.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
You can leave us a review in Apple Podcasts, or
you can email our show at levels to this podcast
at gmail. Tell us what you thought of this week's guest.
What do you want to talk about next? You can
also follow us on Instagram at ltt pod. But until then,
keep your mentors ground level and we'll be back next week.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Bye. Cheryl, Bye Karaoke.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Bye Terrika, I.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
Almost called you out your name on the Damn Land.
Speaker 4 (37:20):
Bye y'all, have a bless Sunday.
Speaker 1 (37:23):
Listen to Levels to This on America's number one podcast network, iHeart,
Open your free iHeart app and search levels to this
with Cheryl Swoops and Rika Foster Brasbee and start listening.
Hosts And Creators
Terrika Foster-Brasby
Sheryl Swoopes
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