What's Next for the Las Vegas Aces? w/ Callie Fin

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome into another episode of Day I've Got Now. I
am really excited to be joined today by one of
the best beat reporters in the country, does really great
stuff covering the loss Vegas s Aces as well as
UNLV sports, and that is Calie fan Cali first and foremost,
how you doing.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
I'm good. I'm so excited to do this with you.
Like you're somebody who really knows ball. Whenever I gets
talking to you and or Macaius, I'm like, I'm in
the presence of real ball knowers.

Speaker 1 (00:33):
Well, I appreciate that. I try my best to know ball.
I would say, you know ball as well. You do
a great job in all fastins. I was really stoked
when you got the full time gig covering the Aces,
So I think I want to first ask you, like
just in general, what was this last year like for you,
getting to like really be on the beat full time
kind of getting gray shitted and and hit the ground running.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
It was so cool. It was I mean, it was
unreal because I mean, I don't know if you know,
but before coming to the view journal, I was a
breaking in news writer at Yeahoo's Born, So I would
really like write longer stuff about the w and like
women's college basketball in my free time, but it was
my job to like write about a whole bunch of
other stuff. And so like the Aces were always coming

(01:14):
up on the breaking news side, you know, because they
were the best. I mean, they were the best team
in the league, like back to back champions at that point,
and so the opportunity to cover them up close, I
was just like, there's no way I can turn that down.
Like I'm someone who's like I'm from Sacramento, California. Basketball
is king there, Like it's all we have. We had
the we had the King. Yeah, yeah, like we had

(01:38):
we had the Monarchs when I was growing up, and
like they were so involved in the community and then
like you know, the King's obviously whatever the struggles may be,
the city always supports them. Like I don't think that
anybody could refute that. So to be able to kind
of like I don't know, be closer to my passion
in that way and like something that's been so import

(02:00):
to me for so long, I was just like absolutely, yes,
I had no idea what it's going to be like though,
So like when like being a B reporter is so
different than just like being a writer, and I feel
like I learned so so much, like just in a
few months. Like there would be like I was like
four months into the job halfway through the season, people
are like, dang, how long have you beene a job?
Like a year and a half, And I'd be like, no,
it's been like four months. But everything just started so fast.

(02:23):
And I always try to tell people who like don't
understand my job, like distant family and stuff. I'll be like,
I get to like cover Asia Wilson, like this is
like this is like if I got to cover Serena
Williams or Tom Brady, Like it's that big of a
deal in her sport. And I try to treat it
like that, and I'm very proud of it, you know,
so I take it very seriously. And just the Aces
in general, like they've they've been very impactful in the league,

(02:46):
and I think the w BA is so important and
so I want to like just cover it the best
way that I can, like like just within the most
journalistic standards and everything, Like I just want to represent
journalism and the WBA the best way that.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
I Yeah, we definitely we need people doing that in
the w So thank you for that that's a whole
other story. But yeah, going off that, I think, just
looking at this again this past year, I think part
of like you mentioned, I think so much of the
last couple of years has been spurred by the Aces
and what they've done, and a lot of this year

(03:19):
is about how saying the w caught up to them
is the wrong way to put it. But like just
I mean, you see how every team has restructured and
rebuilt for modern basketball and continuing to push in some
of the innovations that are coming. And I think that,
I mean that that para is right into this because
obviously free agency technically hasn't started yet, but we started

(03:40):
getting our qualifying offers coming in yesterday as the first day,
or it might have been the tenth, I can't remember
the top of my head, but I just think it
has kind of gone under the radar how much shit
is changing for the Las Vegas Caces and is going
to keep changing, Which is why I reached out to you,
because like, I just think there's a lot to talk
about with it. Like I mean, there's already so much

(04:05):
you can list off, like Natalie Williams out as GM.

Speaker 3 (04:08):
After being there for quite a quite quite some time.

Speaker 1 (04:11):
Natalie Casse now with Golden State Algeriz's head coach, Tyler
marsh now in Chicago is a head coach. I'm very
excited for both of them. Phenomenal people and two completely
new assistant coaches, Like Hate Martin's gone. We have a
bunch of players who are understricted free agents. Like, there's
a lot going on here, So I think, I mean,
the first thing I would say, I would ask, like,

(04:33):
just looking at how the season ended and how the
you know, the month or so after that kind of unfolded.

Speaker 3 (04:40):
What was that?

Speaker 1 (04:41):
What what have kind of been your overall feelings with
where the org is at, what they're trying to pivot
into this coming year, and how some of these changes
affect them.

Speaker 2 (04:50):
Yeah, I mean, I think, my gosh, it's such a
good segue because what you're saying is so true about
how the Aces kind of were the standard for those
two seasons of you know, domination, back to back champions
but the league has caught up and that's not something
that they weren't privy to, like you had Asia Wilson,
Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray like saying stuff like that in
postgame press conferences after tough losses like this is this

(05:14):
a last season or the one before? Like the league
is getting better. And I think also like with you know,
Becky Hammond after that last game, when she was emotional
about the team looking different, like that was one thing
she said, like I just you know, I'm torn up
because I know it's not gonna be the same team
and I love this team. So that was one thing
that she said. But right before that, she was talking

(05:35):
about how the Liberty were like architected to take the
Aces out, and so it's like you that's like her
the way that she viewed it, like the former GM
of the Year at the Liberty did some work to
build the roster that would be able to to defeat
the Aces. But now it's like time for the Aces
to respond, and so it's like, how do you kind

(05:56):
of do that? I think a lot of Aces fans
haven't really been subject to a lot of the change
like you're talking about. Obviously this has been a crazy
off season, but like, how often have a sustentially had
to deal with that. I think back to maybe like
that trade that got them Kandas Parker and Elisia Clark
and obviously they they they dealt Derek Hambion that and

(06:16):
that was like controversial, and she was a big part
of the team, former six Player of the Year. But
I think that's maybe the last time the Aces fans
and had to like deal with like a big shake up.
And now it's like, I don't think, I don't know,
like I don't know if people are prepared for how
different this roster might look. As you mentioned the unrestricted
free agents like Kelsey Plumb being coreed yesterday is just

(06:40):
one step in what should be a pretty busy off
season for this team. So that's it's gonna be interesting.
I think all of it is about responding and adapting
to what the league looks like now.

Speaker 3 (06:53):
Yeah, exactly. And I mean we can start with Kelsey.

Speaker 1 (06:57):
I think obviously Kelsey's been a part of the core
for were one of the most important players in this team.
And I think you know, her taking the steps she did,
you know, as as soon as Becky came over and
becoming the level of player she was a huge reason
for this team being able to continue to take those
steps to becoming you know, the level of team they've become.
And I don't know, I think It's gonna be fascinating

(07:19):
to see how this plays out, because to me, I
understand like seeing a lot of fans thinking like, oh,
this is the Aces bringing Kelsey back, I think this
is more so.

Speaker 3 (07:28):
To trade Kelsey.

Speaker 1 (07:29):
To be honest, I think that we're probably more likely
to see that than Kelsey being back with the Aces
this next year.

Speaker 3 (07:35):
That's just my inclination.

Speaker 1 (07:36):
I'm not saying that's exactly what will happen, but I
think when you're looking at potential pivots for what this
team can do, like you just think pure basketball wise,
watching them against New York last year. Last year, he's
like three months ago. I think the the the biggest
struggle was like I mean they were small, Like they
were very small against New York. That stood out across

(07:57):
the boards. And I think them upgrading, particularly on the wing,
getting somebody else at the four, like just having more
options and answers in the front court is gonna be big.
And I do think, like not saying again that that's
what necessarily will happen with you know, them trading Kelsey potentially,
but I do just want to remind people like you
core people so that you can trade them like rarely.

(08:19):
I don't want to say that, like, you can obviously
keep players on your team if their cored, but you
don't really have a say in getting cord. It's kind
of like the franchise tag and football, and I think
that's much more of where I.

Speaker 3 (08:30):
Feel the Aces are gonna end up going with this.

Speaker 1 (08:33):
So that would be interesting to watch play out because
obviously we have a lot of stuff going on around
the league with some other players who are potentially on
the move, and I think that those could all kind
of go hand in hand.

Speaker 3 (08:42):
Obviously that's you know, all that people.

Speaker 1 (08:44):
Who are more sourced to play into that, But that's
gonna be fascinating, and I think we can go right
from that to talking about, you know, Natalie Williams and
her being out early on in the cycle, because I
think this kind of speaks to and I don't want
to just say it's just in the GM. I mean,
it's an organizational thing when looking top down, But to me,
the biggest issue with this team last year obviously I

(09:07):
think Chelsea missing as much time as she did and
taking a while to get right, which understandable for her perspective,
but also like I.

Speaker 3 (09:14):
Just think it was very clear.

Speaker 1 (09:15):
This team didn't have the depth to play with that.
And then you talk about getting to the finals, I
mean get not getting in the finals, getting to where
they did in the playoffs, and then eventually wanting to
make her unto the finals. You know, you watch a
team like New York and a team like Minnesota, like
the two teams that made it, they had the depth
to really toy with different lineups, try different things, and
have answers, and this team didn't have that.

Speaker 3 (09:35):
Last year. It was we have one lineup. If that isn't.

Speaker 1 (09:38):
Working, it's really tough to pivot and you look up
and down. I think one of the biggest things that
has kind of gone under the radar with the Stations
team is that they really have not had anyone stick
from the draft the last couple of years. And I
don't want it like to be fair too, Like this
is a veteran heavy team. They won two titles, So
is there really room for a rookie to fit in

(09:59):
and play. That's a very fair point to bring up.
But then when you look again back through the track record,
Kate Martin is really the only rookie that has gotten
significant minutes, and even then her minutes waned significantly after
the All Star break, So I look at that and
I'm just like, you know, how do they kind of
make tweaks from there? Because I think they're a team
where if they had made one or two picks that
really could become like a seventh or eighth player, that

(10:22):
would have been pretty monumental for them this past season.
So I think, you know, when you look up and now, yes,
they were winning, but I think those things definitely amount
to I'm.

Speaker 3 (10:30):
Sure there's a lot of other stuff that went into it, but.

Speaker 1 (10:32):
I'm sure that played a part as well, and kind
of making some restructure in the front office.

Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, I mean I referenced this conversation a lot because
it was kind of such a surreal one. But I
spoke to Natalie Williams and Tyler Marsh like at the
Ace's headquarters just a few weeks after the season had ended.
Because the Aces don't do exit interviews, like Becky Cammon
was like, we don't do exit interviews. We do championship
celebrations and other than that, you're not gonna hear from
us type thing. And they didn't win the championship, so

(10:57):
they didn't talk when the season ended other than final game.
So I wanted to, you know, get a sense of
just try to you know, close some loops as much
as I could. And in that conversation with Natalie Williams,
she was so cognizant of like the things that went
wrong and the things that need to change, Like she
talks a lot about Candas Parker's retirement right before training
camp being something that really negatively impacted just the the

(11:21):
opportunity to like, you know, bring in new talent, because
it's if you're expecting somebody like Candae Parker to potentially
play for your team, that you're probably like there wasn't
a real backup plan. So I think that that was
a big problem. And she was also aware that there was,
like she mentioned, like, you know, we want to next seat,
Like she had plants for the for the for this

(11:42):
this off season, and she had mentioned like one of
the most important things was going to be getting Asia
some help, you know what I mean. And she had
mentioned like the people some of the people that were
brought in in the off season, and then even like
mid season, there wasn't like enough trust built with Becky,
Like she Natalie was aware of that. She's like we

(12:03):
need to get players for next season that Becky will trust,
and I feel like you kind of saw that. I
think with like Megan Gustafson in that series against the Liberty,
like there would be times where I'm like, dang, like
we can't just give her a shot, Like she got
really limited minutes and at a time when, like you said,
the Aces looked outsized, and I just was like, maybe,

(12:24):
like you know, she would she would have helped. And
then you know, postgame and pre game even you know,
Becky would say stuff when I would ask about Megan's playtime,
like it's just a really fast pace, like this is
a fast paced team and we need we need people
who can play at that level. And that's not anything
against Megan Gussen because like she was aware. She was
like that's something I'm gonna work on at the end
of the season. Like Meg is like somebody who fit

(12:47):
in really well with the Aces in a few ways.
But I think like in that series, there was a
problem there. So I think that that's something that like
you want to see them address without Natalie Willie because
I was kind of the way to you seguade, but
it's like, you know, and who knows like who's going
to be in charge of that. I would imagine Becky
is going to be like the main like running point.

(13:09):
She has mentioned when I've asked her, you know, like
I'm like, would you be like just kind of like
de facto GM kind of like you know, we've seen
Cheryl Reid have so so much success with that with
the links, and like would you do that? And She's like, no,
Like I want to be all about basketball, and I
don't feel like I'm qualified, Like I just want to
focus on basketball. But I also don't think that that's
like like you can say things, but I think in practice,

(13:32):
like it is probably going to look like Becky at
least maybe having like the loudest voice in the room.
And like when when I was spoken to the coaches
that she hired, Larry Lewis and ty Ellis, they both
made it clear like they've been meeting with Becky for
like they had been meeting for Becky for weeks before
being announced as coaches with the whole front office staff.

(13:53):
So like they're they're focused, and like they have a
lot of people who are trying to like figure out
how to move forward and like build the championship team.
That's like what both of the coaches were saying, Like
it might not look you know, you can't like see
what we're doing, but like we're working hard to try
to like put ourselves in the best position. So I
don't know what it's gonna look like. When you first started,
I was like so curious to hear what you think

(14:13):
their frenzy targets should be. Like, not even just from
a source perspective, but I'm like just curious, like when
you look at the like who's available, who stands out
to you?

Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yeah, it's interesting because I do want to rewind for
a second before we even talk about that, because like
you mentioned mentioning Meg Guftison, and I think it's so
interesting because like when that signing happened. Of signing Meg,
who I believe is she's an unrestricted No, she's a
she's an unprotected veteran this coming year. So that means

(14:45):
for fans who maybe Aren'ta's aware with the CVA, that
means she technically is under contract, but the ACES can
wait for before the season or during the season and
it won't count of guess the cap. It has to
wait until if you hit the guaranteed date, then that
contract is guaranteed for the rest year.

Speaker 3 (15:00):
If you waiver, you have to pay the rest of contract.

Speaker 1 (15:02):
Anyways, it was so fascinating because when they made that signing,
originals like, okay, like I kind of see it, like
are they gonna pivot and say, you know, Meg can
really be an impactful player on our bench, and maybe
we go into more playing through her in some opportunities,
like let her post up because she was one of
the best posted players in the league with Phoenix, and

(15:23):
obviously like you know, more limited run.

Speaker 3 (15:24):
But that made sense.

Speaker 1 (15:26):
To me, and then we go into the season, it's
more like Meg Gustison is kind of playing as a
stretch four sometimes stretch five defense, but most of the time.

Speaker 3 (15:33):
She's gonna guard by fours.

Speaker 1 (15:36):
And I was just like, you know, I just don't
think this is like how I envisioned it. And I think,
and again, this is it's tough because like I don't
want to make it sound awful, but like.

Speaker 3 (15:45):
I just think it felt very clear that there.

Speaker 1 (15:47):
Was some kind of disconnect with how that signing happened,
and like you said, I think Meg can be very
impactful and a good player in the right system role
that wasn't her last year, Like that was not the
role for Meg Gustuson.

Speaker 3 (15:58):
In my opinion, I think that.

Speaker 1 (16:00):
Was made really difficult too by like Kiyo Stokes really
struggled coming back from injury, Like she was not the
same player defense, but she was still good. But she
went from being like, okay, when you're one of the
four or five most impactful defenders on the court end,
you give the time to being like pretty solid but
not as uh as as impactful as you typically are.
With where her offense is at, like I think her

(16:20):
I don't want to say confidence, but just like her
assertiveness on offense really waxed and wayne this last year.
Like they had moments where like in the two years
prior where I thought Kia was really good at like
finding her offense when she needed it, being you know,
finding those opportunities to really make herself felt like so
often the Aces would do a ton of stuff where
like even if you know Kia was you know, stationed

(16:43):
beyond the arc, they would do a lot of stuff
with like off ball actions so you had to defend it,
and they just didn't get to that this last year.

Speaker 3 (16:49):
And I think what was tough.

Speaker 1 (16:50):
Was like hearing the coaching staff, particularly Becky, talked so
much about how like you know, we we know how
to do it, it's just like not happening, and which is
what made it's so weird with this last season because again,
like I think the injuries definitely were impactful, but there
was also just an element of like the same kind
of like verve they had in the first two seasons.

Speaker 3 (17:10):
Was not there.

Speaker 1 (17:11):
So that also speaks to like the just kind of
shaking things up and getting new personnel in around this group.
I think looking overall, like speaking on free agents, to me,
let me pull up the free agent list right now,
who's somebody who comes to you to mind for you
right away?

Speaker 3 (17:28):
Because I'm pulling up well, okay, I have.

Speaker 2 (17:30):
Two that seem like really unrealistic, like you know, and
this is not source. This is just like if I'm
like if I were like a pretend GM, like somebody
like Alysta Thomas. Obviously she's like a top free agent
that's available right now, but it's like, like we heard
her say at Unrivaled Media recently when asked about her
free agency, like she just focus on Unrivaled, which has
a lot of resources, that Connecticut doesn't, And in my head,

(17:53):
I'm like, well the is dude, like you know. But
then it's like you have to wonder, you know, wherever
Alyssa Thomas goes to, Wanna Bonner probably also maybe needs
to fall. I don't really know, like what the what
the what the reality is like behind like their plan,
but I just am so I just think that would
be a really interesting addition. I also think somebody like
Mecca Agoomackay, she's been core twice in her career, so

(18:18):
they can't they can't core her again, but like they
could just convince her to stay up, I would guess,
you know, as a as a free agent. But she's
someone I'm like, man, she'd be a really good attention
to the aces. But I don't I don't know like
how where her openness is to leaving Seattle. So those
are my two where I'm like, that'd be pretty interesting.

Speaker 1 (18:36):
Yeah, I mean, especially when you look overall, like they
have six hundred and fifty thousand dollars to work with,
which is a decent amount like that think like three
uh three like Maximble contracts. Obviously you're not going to
give you up all that like that because then your
roster's pretty small. But then I think of it like this,
not saying that they're going to but if they were
to renounce Kean and Meg who both are in unprotected slots,

(18:58):
so they could get an extra two hundred thousand dollars,
So like could potentially have quite a bit of cap
him to work with. I think one name I would
look at right away because she's unrestricted now, Like I
think Gabby Williams could be like a fascinating player for
them to pick up, especially you think like she played
her high school ball in Las Vegas. I don't know
how tight she is with with players on this team
in general. That's a really interesting fit because again, like

(19:21):
I think part of what was really interesting this last
year and just throughout the aces their run, Like as
incredible as Jackie Young is, I think she's kind of
overtaxed in a role sometimes like very very good offensively,
but I think defensively she's a good player, but like
she gets asked to do so much because there are

(19:42):
there just aren't other wings.

Speaker 3 (19:43):
On the team who can.

Speaker 1 (19:44):
Like the whole point of having wings is to like
you can take on multiple different assignments to do different things.

Speaker 3 (19:49):
Because of you know what your skill set on locks,
and when you have so few of those.

Speaker 1 (19:53):
Players, it's just really hard to to play with versatility.
Like again, when we talk about that that New York series,
I think not being able to find other ways to
match up and kind of mix and match made it
really difficult. So I think that's a player I would
think about, of course, Like I mean, no shit, she's
very good. So it's it's not easy to I mean

(20:14):
not difficult to come up with that one.

Speaker 3 (20:17):
I love you mentioning Alyssa and and dB.

Speaker 1 (20:19):
I'll be fascinating to see what happens with them because
I also just like theyre I don't think that there's
a chance they're going back to Connecticut based on all
things that they've said, Like, I think that's again I
think that's kind of no dub. But just to make
that clear, I don't think that there's a chance that
is happening.

Speaker 2 (20:37):
Like, let's just get that straight.

Speaker 1 (20:38):
Yeah, let's just put that out there. I guess two
things to go off that where are you at with
ac and and Tiffany Hayes, Because I think those are
still two very good players who can make an impact
on the team. I think there was some understandable fan
frustration might be the wrong way to put it, but
like ACE had a very up and down year. But

(20:59):
I also think that it kind of plays into Okay,
she went from being a sixth player to like they
needed her to to really step it up at times
when they were dealing with injuries and just being by
the nature of being thirty seven years old, I'd imagine
at age twenty seven, I have trouble stepping it up
sometimes during my day to day. Uh so at an
extra decade, I'm sure that gets even harder. But yeah,

(21:22):
I like, looking at those two, how were are you
feeling about with their ability to potentially resign with this team?

Speaker 2 (21:29):
Yeah, I mean I think what I mean the first
things first, I guess is to say, like, at least
we know that both Tiffany Hayes and Olygi Clock are
interested in resigning with the Aces. I think that that's important,
Like because I was kind of curious and this is
maybe me like putting too too much of the external
expectations on them, but like I was like, maybe they'll,
like would they consider retiring? I don't know, like when

(21:50):
you're at a certain age, like maybe that's something that
you think about. But they were both like, no, absolutely not.
When I spoke to them at the end of the season,
Tiffany Hayes said, like, she's if she's coming back and
and continue to play, it's gonna be with the Aces.
She made that clear. So I think, I mean, she's
the reigning six sixth Player of the Year. That's somebody
that you should absolutely keep, like I cannot. I would

(22:10):
be shocked if she's not on the Aces roster next season.
With AC, she's someone who also said, like, you know,
I'm gonna trust God, like I want to be back
with the Aces. But obviously, like you said, she's kind
of playing playing math with the salary cap and all
that stuff, that's gonna happen. But I think that something
that kind of goes under the radar with AC is

(22:32):
the way that she prepares and then also her impact
in the locker room, Like that's something that maybe you
just like can't lose. I mean I think about like
there were so many times where Asia would be going
through stuff and like she would cite AC as somebody
that was helping her. AC is like a big mentor
to younger players. I mean, she was huge in like
kind of fostering Kate Martin into the ACES culture and

(22:55):
stuff like that, and I think that all matters. I mean,
anybody who you talk to in the ACES will talk
about her preparation. Also, like ac is somebody who studies
shot charts and like just tries to make sure that
she's super prepared to make an impact defensively. And I
think there were times where, like you, you maybe didn't
always like see that, but like she was going through
some personal stuff this past season, like I mean, like

(23:16):
everybody does in life, but like she I think it
was the last season or the season before that she
dedicated to her father that had passed. But she mentioned
kind of at the midway point of the season she
actually was really towards the end, like near the postseason,
she was just like I wasn't able to process the
loss at that point, Like I'm struggling this season, Like

(23:37):
I'm like it's hitting me and like the grief is
there now and like I've got to try to manage
that with Also, like like she knew that she wasn't
having the season that she wanted to have too, so
I think that that would also weighed on her like
a lot had changed, like you mentioned, in her role,
and so I think that she's someone who, like I hope,
will stay on the roster because of like everything that

(23:57):
she brings, even like the intangible stuff. That's a thing
that Becky Hammond talks a lot about when she talks
about ac is like it's like intangible things that maybe
don't show in the box score, but like you need
on a team. So those are my thoughts on both
of those players.

Speaker 1 (24:12):
Yeah, I hope to see them both back with Las
Vegas because they both just fit very well with this group.
Now that I've had a chance to think about it
and going through the list, here are three players that
I think could be like really interesting value adds for
this team, like really make an impact with depth.

Speaker 3 (24:28):
Cause again, like I think it's so much less to.

Speaker 1 (24:29):
Me about like this group needing another star player, it's
how do we supplement the players we have already. Kennedy Burke,
who just had a very good season with New York,
was key in that final game in the playoffs. She's
an restricted free agent. I imagine New York will try
to bring her back. I would try and get her
for sure. I think if she got to play a
slightly bigger role. She might even be able to get

(24:50):
more comfortable offensively. I and again, just having a player
who can kind of play as account before three four, Like,
that's exactly what you need. Somebody who can really defend
on the perimeter, move the ball, catch and shoot. That's
that's all you need on this team. I'd also ask
to Tory Walker kimbro like to me one of the
most underrated free agents in this market, Like, she had

(25:12):
a slow start to the.

Speaker 3 (25:13):
Year last year, but Washington, Like, I think it went
under the radar.

Speaker 1 (25:16):
How good Washington was the last month and a half
two months of the season, and she was a big
part of that. Like, was absolutely awesome off the bench.
Can pretty much do whatever you ask me to. She's
definitely a little bit smaller as a wing, but she
can play the two, play the three, run a little
bit at the one, really good defensively, knockstown shots when
she's open, Like again, does all the things you need

(25:36):
to do to fit inside what the Aces want to do.
You can play fast, and I think again, just continue
to add defensive players. Players you can play offense and
defense without you know, leaving anything on the court.

Speaker 3 (25:46):
Is big, Like no more one way players. You gotta
have players you can impact both both ends of the floor.

Speaker 1 (25:52):
And then lastly, like thinking on front court options, is
he Harrison's really interesting to me today.

Speaker 2 (25:57):
I was hoping that you were gonna mention he I'm
gonna try to like fit that in the end. If
you didn't, Okay, go ahead, go ahead.

Speaker 1 (26:03):
I think like having players and that this will partly
into the next sum we're talking about too.

Speaker 3 (26:07):
But like I think having some other front.

Speaker 1 (26:10):
Court options who give Asia flexibilities really big, because, like
I think it was really tough where they got like
sandwiched into a place where it was like Asia has
to play the five for us this last year. And
I think part of what made the ACE is so
good the last couple of years is like when you
have other players who can take take some of those
center assignments and let Asia just like kind of create
havoc on defense, Like so often they would let her

(26:32):
play on like you know, the worst shooter on the
court and kind of just muck things up. And obviously
they do that with with Keya too, it just depended
on matchup. But like having another real option that can
like play some minutes at the five without leaving anything
on offense will be key, And like I really like
the idea of is he doing that because she's the
player who can can do some of the things that

(26:53):
the aces really like, make plays with the ball in
her hands if they run like anything with dhls or
or playing five out like she can.

Speaker 3 (27:00):
She's a good player and pick and roll.

Speaker 1 (27:03):
She moves her feet well defensively, She's definitely a little
bit more of a tweetter at the four or five.
But I think that's the point with where we're at
right now, Like you need players like that. You can't
really have like a true back to the basket big
and think that that's gonna work in the playoffs. I
mean we saw that, like not to say that all
of you know, one playoff series or two playoff series
she defined Bree Jones, But I think like that stands
out to me like watching I mean how how I

(27:26):
mean Bree Jones essentially got played off the court in
two series for the Sun. She still has some really
impactful moments, But I think it's more like, you know,
if you have that kind of player, you have to
have a really particular build to make that work. Connecticut
was not in that mold with where they were at.
I think Izzy is just like again, more of like
a four, but kind of fitting into more at the
five in this stage of her career. And again she

(27:49):
showed too she can start knocking down some stuff from
the perimeter. Like I'm I'm in on Izzy as an
ace if that's where she would end up wanting to go.

Speaker 2 (27:57):
Yeah, I mean, I know she's playing overseas right now,
and I'm like, you know, hopefully, hopefully something in the
aces proNT office is watching keeping an eye.

Speaker 1 (28:05):
Well, that's another aspect to like, this team has not
done a lot with looking looking to something I don't
want to Okay, let me put let me phrase this differently.

Speaker 3 (28:14):
This team has not signed a lot of players from overseas.

Speaker 1 (28:17):
I will be fascinated to see if that changes, because
I think it has been very clear, like it's been like, okay,
you know, signing some players to draft day contracts in
ten days like that. And there have been some players obviously,
but not that they haven't played overseas. But like, I
do think that is an area where this team has
kind of lagged compared to where New York and Minnesota
and other teams have been with respect to, you know,

(28:37):
signing players who have been really effective over in Europe
and just kind of finding again those angles to have
like an extra one or two players who really can make.

Speaker 3 (28:46):
An impact from the bench.

Speaker 1 (28:48):
Yeah, going off that though, Uh, it's because I think
you talked about this a little bit early on in
the year and sometimes throughout just going back through reading
where are you at with Liz Kitley? Because I think
based on everything that I had heard, you know, earlier
last year when they made the draft decision to bring

(29:10):
in Liz, obviously we knew she was going to be
out for the season with injury, but was in Las
Vegas and really got to work out and figure out
some stuff player development wise. Have you heard anything or
are you getting any inclinations on what's going to go
on with Liz Kitley this year, because I think I
was really interested in what that could mean, and like
we're talking about having having bigs that can do some stuff,

(29:31):
Like you know, I think there's always been the potential
of Liz becoming somebody who spreads the four more just
again can play the five next to Asia, Like, Yeah,
where are your thoughts at kind of on that Right now?

Speaker 2 (29:42):
I'm almost embarrassed that I didn't like mention her when
we were talking about like people that could be added
to the team. At least she's not a free agent,
you know, like she's whatever you say, she's going to
be there unsigned draft d and so that's like a
unique situation. But I will say Becky Hammond is like
really high on her. Like there was one point where
I had asked about Liz Kittley and like a pregame
press conference, and she was like you could tell she

(30:05):
was about to just like start rolling off things that
she decided to say, and then she's like, wait, I
don't want to get in trouble, Like am I feel
like it's like saying this because obviously there are like
certain rules and Lez Kitley wasn't like practicing with the
team or anything, but she was able to use the
ace's facilities to as part of her rehab from the
ACL injury that she sustained at Virginia Tech. But Natalie
Williams was like really candid about how she viewed the

(30:28):
potential of someone like Liz Kitley because she was and
Becky Hammon said the same like I had. Of the
expansion draft, she was one of the main people I
asked about because like it was top of mind to me,
like if they don't protect her, like she maybe that's
somebody that the Valkyries could could take. And so Becky
was like talking about how like she's someone that the

(30:48):
Aces believe could be incredibly impactful and also someone that
they understand they would have had no chance to get
had that injury not happened, because like you look at
the Aces draft picks, not not a lot going on there,
and they wouldn't have had the opportunity to select her.
You know, if she was healthy, she probably would have
been a lot higher in the draft. And I think
that's something that's kind of slept on, Like people need

(31:10):
to go back and look at her Virginia Tech highlights
because that is somebody. I mean, she could be super impactful.
And you can tell like Asia is excited about her.
I saw when Liz Kittley posted like a just like
a photo set of herself working out at these is
privacily this off season. Asia was like screaming, I'm screaming,
like she's like really excited to potentially play with her,

(31:33):
it seems like, and so to me, that's like that
is a really interesting situation and also cool because you
know she's on her rookie scale. It'll just be I
think probably the second year her rookie scale contracts. I
think her clock already started when they drafted her, and
even though she was like suspended this season, but like
that's not a lot of money that they would have
to spend. And like Becky did mention, she said that

(31:56):
like she would imagine that Kittley will be playing like
good basketball by July. Then that's not to say like
she's not to come back by July. I think she
was trying to like estimate, like this is by the
time we think that she'll be like in peak condition
to make an impact for us. So I think that
like she if Becky's thinking about that, that says a
lot about you know, where she might land and in

(32:16):
all this off season craziness.

Speaker 1 (32:19):
Yeah, no, exactly, because I think what was fascinating in
the way that played out, Like it's just not very
typical that teams will necessarily draft somebody and keep them around.
I think, like thinking of like Kristen Williams, who I
believe got injured pretty early on in her time, not
that Phoenix like quote unquote didn't care something. I just think,
like again, it's different in every situation, so I think
it does show like a pretty real intrigue in her

(32:43):
by by having her stick around like that. So I'll
be I'll be fascinated with that mainly too, because, like
I'll be honestly, I was not.

Speaker 3 (32:49):
Like crazy Hiens in the draft.

Speaker 1 (32:51):
Obviously, she's she's six six, can do a lot of
things at that size. But like with the with happening
with the Aces, I kind of got it more because like,
she really played well in two player game, was very
effective and pick and roll a Virginia Tech, and I
think there's a lot that she could do working with
this roster that it makes me more excited about, you know,
what she can do as a pro. So yeah, that's

(33:12):
gonna be a very fascinating story to kind of follow
along with. To close out, I do want to hit
on a couple of league news things. Obviously, Satu Sabai
announced that that she's officially not going back to Das,
which she's been announcing that for months.

Speaker 3 (33:26):
Man, Like, I don't know, I was so compated. She
literally had a.

Speaker 1 (33:30):
TikTok like a month and a half ago saying that
she wasn't going back, and like, I do just want
to lay out for everybody because I saw a lot
of conflicting stuff about this.

Speaker 3 (33:38):
I think a lot of people are confused about poring.

Speaker 1 (33:40):
Again, coring is just like much more like a franchise
tag than quote unquote signing somebody that's just like a placeholder.

Speaker 3 (33:48):
Well, it will be like a placeholder.

Speaker 1 (33:49):
It's just a one year max salary that is going
to allow her to get traded. Like she's not going
to necessarily quote unquote have control over where she gets traded.
I think I social you know, that's for them and
and agencies to work out. But that's obviously a big
time move. I think Satu was somebody finished well in
MVP voting two years ago when she was fully healthy.

(34:12):
Obviously missed most of this past season with a shoulder injury,
but I mean that's that's huge. Where are you kind
of did you have any thoughts on this or where
are you at with this?

Speaker 2 (34:22):
Well, what you said is like I said exactly that
to one of my good friends, who was like, wow,
I can't believe that time she said that. I'm like
she's been saying that. Do you not like look at
her social media and they're like, they're like, no that
she never I didn't see any I'm like, okay, I
guess you're you're not looking like like that was pretty clear.
I do think, I mean, as it pertains to the
aces that it's not even I don't even think that's

(34:42):
like a factor.

Speaker 3 (34:43):
She's oh yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (34:44):
I mean I think I think it's like pretty likely
she's gonna go play with Niara and in New York
like that. I mean, I don't know, though, I don't
they just I don't think that Las Vegas is somewhere
like maybe that she of her options. It just feels
like that's not where she's gonna land. But like, I
mean absolutely like really interesting prospect. Having one of my

(35:05):
good friends actually played at Oregon at the same time
as I saw Too Aniara and uh.

Speaker 3 (35:12):
Sabrina yeah, oh wow, Okay, Mignon.

Speaker 2 (35:15):
Moore she was yeah yeah, so like.

Speaker 3 (35:17):
She's she's on TCUs coaching staff now right, yeah.

Speaker 2 (35:21):
She she So I think that like having to like
be being able to see her in college, Like when
I would go to Mignon's games, I would be like,
Sawtoo is insane, you know what I'm saying, And like
obviously her her WNBA career has like been impacted by
indurgue and and things like that, but like I I would, like,
I'm so excited to see like where she might land

(35:43):
and and what type of impact that she might have.
I just I'm curious where it's gonna be. But it
feels like New York.

Speaker 3 (35:50):
So yeah, it feels like New York.

Speaker 1 (35:52):
Uh, definitely has I mean somewhere that's that's in the
running for sure. I'll be fascin to see like what
they kind of put together I think what helps New
York and like kind of why I mentioned earlier just
about like teams being built on you know, having a
more establishment and like in Europe too, and like not
even just Europe, just.

Speaker 3 (36:10):
Across the world in terms of having like international.

Speaker 1 (36:12):
Rights, like it seems small, but having the rights to
players who are nineteen twenty or I guess not nineteen technically,
because you can't get drafted nineteen players. Well you can
get draft nineteen has to be the same year, but sorry,
our draft rules are so stupid. But like, uh yeah,
having the rights to international players who I think are

(36:34):
going to be a lot not I think who are
going to be a lot more likely to come over
in the next couple of years as the CBA changes.
That's big, Like, that's really big for moments like this
where you can quick look around and say, hey, we
have the stuff to flip around for USA too, because
the key part of having the international draft rights it's

(36:54):
not going to count on your books until that player
comes over, so it gives you some kind of value
to work with. And I think that is so important,
and there are just not enough teams that are that
have focused on that. Again, there are a couple of
teams that have, but I think New York has really
been front in the center with that over the last
couple of years, prior to them getting to this level
of being the team they are, but having that kind

(37:15):
of talent base and ability to play off that has
been huge and open that up. I mean, you look
at a player like think of it like this. Not
every player is going to be laony Phoebich, of course,
but like, the only huge was just a player who
a lot of people want in draft rights too because
maybe she will come over and oh, hey she comes
over in a roky year and is you know, closing
games in the WNBA finals and is incredibly good. That

(37:36):
stuff matters, so, like again, gonna be really key to
see how that plays out. I think Indiana will definitely
be in the mix as well. Indiana is very clearly
trying to upgrade in a lot of ways this offseason. Understandably,
I'm again just so much to kind of figure out
what's gonna happen. I feel like, and again this is
not anything reported, but I just think, like, I just

(37:57):
feel like Golden State has some kind of like wild
move to make, and like good wild like I think
that I don't know, I just feel like with everything
they've done, they really want to hit the ground running,
and I think that something is going to happen with that.
But we'll see.

Speaker 3 (38:11):
Trying to think if there was anything else to mention.

Speaker 1 (38:12):
Oh yeah, Rinika Hodges, who was on New York's staff,
is now with Connecticut, had been there for Sandy Brondello's
entire tenure, played for Sandy Broundello in W two during
her lengthy w career, and will now be on the
bench in Connecticut.

Speaker 3 (38:25):
So that's I think that's their first.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
And only assistant coach hire that has been announced yet
in Connecticut. Yeah, I think that's the only assistant coach
that's been mentioned so far.

Speaker 2 (38:35):
Oh, I guess you're right. I didn't even think of that.

Speaker 1 (38:38):
Yeah, so we'll get more because I'm trying to think
we haven't gotten assistant coaches in a lot of spots. Actually,
oh yeah, Tanisha right is now with Chicago Sky. I'm
very excited for that. I know things didn't go great
to close in Atlanta, but I think, not to be biased,
but I mean Tanisha was was awesome for me when
I was working in Atlanta. Really great individual who I

(38:58):
think got an unfortunate app sometimes it just sometimes it
just doesn't work out on the court. And she's gonna
do great stuff with with with Chicago. I'm excited see
here on that staff there.

Speaker 2 (39:09):
And unspoken quirk. She was on the USA basketball staff
with like the Olympic team, the women's Olympic team this summer,
and like seems really well liked by those players. I
remember we got to during the WBA All Star weekend
in Phoenix when TSA was practicing. We got to see
her kind of interact with the team and she just
like they were clinging on to her every word, and
that that seems important. You know, you need people who can,

(39:31):
you know, have the have the player's ears and and
make an impact. I think that that's going to be
like a really good fit. So that's exciting too.

Speaker 3 (39:40):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I'm trying to think.

Speaker 1 (39:43):
The last thing to mention Cordy Vanderslut was pretty candid
saying that she's looking at all of her options.

Speaker 3 (39:48):
That's not super surprising. I think, you know, there was.

Speaker 1 (39:51):
Some I don't want to understand, Like obviously she had
a really difficult year with just with her family, uh
and and the past that happened throughout the year. Year
that happened during the year, So I totally understand that,
and I think, you know, obviously.

Speaker 3 (40:05):
There was some fluidity with her role as.

Speaker 1 (40:07):
A Sabena kind of took on more as league guard
and really handled it well. And New York obviously ended
up going to the finals and winning. But I think
Slut really wants to still be a starter at.

Speaker 3 (40:16):
This point in your career.

Speaker 1 (40:17):
Not that that's just the implication I'm getting based on
everything she said and kind of how things have been projected, But.

Speaker 3 (40:24):
I don't know.

Speaker 1 (40:24):
I think it could be really fun if maybe she
ends up going to one of these younger teams that's
still kind of up and coming and or figuring itself out.

Speaker 3 (40:31):
And becomes that like floor general who helps piece together
one last team for for a year or two and
sneakily too.

Speaker 1 (40:39):
I like, Quigley's not retired, so like, hey, man, what
if they both come back at the same spot. That
could be that could be interesting.

Speaker 3 (40:48):
That. Yeah, I didn't even think of that.

Speaker 1 (40:50):
I mean, hey, who knows, maybe she maybe she doesn't
ever officially retire. I know we've had like so many
players who like never officially retired.

Speaker 2 (40:58):
But just like, like, what's up with Elena adult? You
know what I'm saying, that's a great question.

Speaker 1 (41:02):
What is up with Elena Dela don She's probably hanging
out somewhere in Delaware doing her thing.

Speaker 3 (41:07):
I don't know. I don't know what people do in Delaware.
Her family has like a giant ranch, don't they.

Speaker 1 (41:13):
Anything I've ever seen in her family is like just
really like beautiful farm.

Speaker 2 (41:19):
Goodbye, we love we love the country vibes.

Speaker 3 (41:21):
Clearly she's enjoyed her It depends on it depends on
the part of the country.

Speaker 1 (41:25):
But yeah, Cali, is there anything else you want to
hit them before we get out here?

Speaker 3 (41:28):
Because I think that about clears up.

Speaker 2 (41:30):
I feel like we did a lot. This was this
didn't even feel like I feel like we're just chatting
it up.

Speaker 3 (41:35):
That's that's the whole point at a blast.

Speaker 1 (41:37):
I will say to everyone listening and watching, if you
haven't already, go subscribe to Las Vegas Review review Journal.
I am a subscriber. I recommend it. That way you
can read off Calli's work. And most importantly, I think,
if anything, this last year has taught me we need
to support people who are actually journalists and.

Speaker 3 (41:57):
Like really support real places that are doing real work.

Speaker 1 (42:02):
So yeah, go do that. Cali does great stuff. She's
gonna do great stuff this year. Excited to see how
it keeps going, Cali, do you want to plug anything
before you out here?

Speaker 2 (42:11):
Can you guys read the stories I wrote about the
aces new assistant coaches, John Lewis and ty Ellis. Those
are interesting. They have both very interesting stories and histories,
and I think there's a lot in there about like
how they might impact the team next season. I saw
somebody tweet the other day They're like, did the Aces
ever fill those assistant coaching vacancies? I'm like, yes, I
wrote about it, so please if you could just read those,

(42:32):
it would mean a lot. And also if you can
watch me and my good friend Namally on on her turf,
we talk about women's sports, like basically every week. I
won't be on the show tomorrow, but almost every week
we talk about women's sports together for NBC Sports.

Speaker 1 (42:47):
Well, I will plug that as well as your article systems.
We're both good on Larry and Tie. Not to keep
elongating it, but yeah, basically, like I think, did I
say Lewis?

Speaker 2 (42:57):
I said John Lewis is Larry Lewis.

Speaker 3 (42:59):
Oh you're good. Oh, John Lewis is getting into basketball coaching.
That's exciting.

Speaker 1 (43:06):
But I don't know how I didn't touch that at first,
but yeah, I think, yeah, just to reiterate Calli's piece
on Tie and a lot about him potentially working on
the defense, making a lot of aspects there.

Speaker 3 (43:18):
Larry, longtime player development coach.

Speaker 1 (43:20):
For both the Lakers and Kings, a lot to look
at with that, very good articles. Recommend them, Callie. I
appreciate your time to everyone watching and listening. If you
haven't already, go like and subscribe down below, keep up
with all things basketball, and enjoy your day.

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