Revenge, Question Marks and Dawgs
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My word was...

This is Queens of the Court. What's up, y'all? Welcome to another episode of Queens of the Court, an Odyssey original podcast produced in partnership with the WNBA. I'm your girl, Cheryl Swoops. And I'm Jordan Robinson. And court is in session. Everybody's probably like, wow, that was a good one.

good one because we're in person are together on their throne on their throne and that's why I was so excited to do our gavel job me too it wasn't going to be any internet delays it was going to be great gosh that was the best one yet it really was it's hard to talk when there's no lagging involved so excited I'm so excited I'm excited to do this in person with you to see your beautiful face

This is my favorite thing ever. Okay, listen. So before we get into W news, right? This is, this was just a suggestion. I believe from a fan. Wasn't it at the final four that said, you guys kind of want to hear a little bit about us or right. Yeah. Something, what we're up to, what we're doing shows we're into. Here's what I want to talk about. And those of you who follow her, I know you saw it. The head and our.

You guys, that had to be, if not the biggest, one of the biggest afros I have ever seen in my life. But when you posted, we were like, um, is this too? I was like, never. There's no such thing as a...

that's too big. Absolutely gorgeous. Was loving every bit of it. So we know what she's been up to. Yeah, well, it was just born out of laziness because my hair gets bigger the more I don't wash it. It just keeps growing. Not longer, not like towards... Like bigger and thicker. Just out. And so that's what happened.

And I just picked it out and I swore I was like six feet tall with that afro. No, you still were not six feet tall, Jordan, but it's all good. I'm going to let you live there in your head, but no ma'am. It was gorgeous. And speaking of hair, cause I mentioned this to you. So I'm going to give my girl, I'm going to put shots out there. Serena says she's interested in a team. Beyonce. Beyonce.

You have shown us the mane, your beautiful mane, your beautiful hair, just gorgeous. Girl, come back. Then you can just let all your hair down and flow and just, yeah, since we're talking about hair. That video she posted of her hair? It was.

Come on. She just said she silenced all the haters of saying that she wears wigs. Yeah, because she doesn't have hair. Was touching her booty. Natural. Well, and it was perfect because she released a hair care line. Yeah. And so, honestly, she inspired me to wash my hair. Because if Beyonce could post a wash day. Yeah. No doubt. Beyonce got time for that, then I have time to do my hair. And she was talking her talk.

she was like oh oh y'all didn't know i had all so question for you yeah if you straighten your hair how long is your hair so it's actually not that long because really thick like when i i'll show you a picture it's just gorgeous though here and i i love this straight because i used to only wear my hair straight and it's a lot easier than the natural hair but it comes to like right past my shoulder oh that's

That's good length though. But it like poofs out because it's so, it's just a lot of hair. It's gorge. Thank you. It's gorge. I appreciate it. Well, Beyonce, if you're listening. Yeah. Serena, you too. You too. We're not leaving you out. Yeah. First of all, hi. Come on the podcast. We would love Beyonce to come on the show, but also bring back the comments because that would be incredible. Yeah.

Okay. In other news. Yeah. That was fun. Yeah. Let's go. In other news, the draft viewership. So last, we recorded right after the draft last week. And now the numbers are in. It averaged 2.45 million viewers, which is about four times. That's crazy. The previous record, which was when Diana Taurasi went number one in 2004. Wow.

People are watching and I feel like this is going to be a theme throughout the whole season because this is what we've just been talking about. But people are watching and I'm so happy. No doubt about it. People are watching, but I got to put this out here.

But people have been watching, maybe not necessarily these numbers. And I'm going to give my girl Val Whiting a shout out. I don't know if you saw this. Right. So Val posted on Twitter that I'm not going to put the year because I don't remember if you do tell me. But it was when she played at Stanford and they played Virginia in the final four. She said the viewership was, I think, eight point one million.

But you know why it wasn't? Because to me, those are great numbers. Those are sellout numbers. But the reason why it wasn't that big a deal is because there was no social media, really. Social media can be good and it can be not so good. But social media just kind of blows things and people up. And I'm not bringing that up to take away from what's going on right now. But I just want people to know that

We've been doing that thing. People have been showing up, but these numbers...

Just blowing people's minds and so deserving. All of the young ladies that are doing their thing, so deserving. Well, you said we've been doing this. The draft also is the biggest WNBA telecast since 2000. When 2.74 million people tune into NBC to watch Cheryl Swoops and the Houston Comets defeat the

the New York Liberty. Let's go. 84 to 68. May 29, 2000. Charlotte, you had 27 points, six rebounds, three offensive, three defensive, two assists. How many steals did I have? Oh, okay. Alex, help. We'll dig into that. Just curious. But I mean, I mean,

so just to your point people have been wanting to watch yeah interested in watching and the product has always been great that is what i feel like val was saying that's what we've been kind of shouting from the rooftops but i also

I also feel like for the draft, it was a total package. Oh, for sure. Pre-game. It was a full panel during. We were talking about it after on social media. It was the whole thing that came together.

that it was the investment from ESPN and from top dogs to be like, yes, we are pouring money into this and the whole thing is going to be a program. Yeah. And it was like all of that. Right. And it was kind of like a show, you know, but I think the other thing that helps with the ratings, like the NIL deals, because all of these young women now are,

whether it's State Farm, Gatorade, help me, tell me. I mean, there's so many, right? You got Angel Reese, who's everywhere. Flage Johnson. I know Flage wasn't in the draft, but, you know, obviously you got Caitlyn, you got Pitt. You have all...

all of these players who have these NIL deals and their commercials, right? Like their faces are everywhere. They're on billboards. So the thing for me is people see them, even people who've never watched basketball, but they see these commercials or they see these ads and they're like, huh,

Who is this? Let me check her out. And then they find out, oh, she's a basketball player. Like, I just think the connection there with NIL and what they're doing, what they did in college and now they're in the pros. Like, I think all of that plays a part in those viewership numbers.

I always wonder too, just the order of things. Like I know that the WNBA season comes so quick after the final four for the athletes. But I feel like for the fans, I just want to like hold their hand and be like, something great is coming. Like don't go away. I guess you can watch the NBA finals if you want. If you choose to. Or the NBA playoffs. But like...

Stay with us. Something great is coming. Really, really soon. Like by the time we record next time, they're going to already start training camp. The season is so close. I don't want to lose any of that momentum. Yeah. Social media. I feel like teams, W teams are doing a really good job blasting their rookies all over the media to be like, stick with us. Remember, we're coming. We're coming. We're coming. We're coming. So I, I,

I don't want it to be like the next day, the WNBA season to start, but I want people to keep the momentum, keep it going. Well, yeah, like, cause I'm, I'm, I'm a fan, right? So even for myself, having gone through it, right.

Right now, I'm like, when is the first game? Yes. Right? Like, I'm ready. Let's go. So to your point, for all of... And this is... I'm going to say, not so much for the fans who've been here forever, because they know how it works, but for the new fans, right? Like, all of that talking and supporting and all that that you did...

Stay here. Stay with us. It's coming. We're still here. Still exciting. I can't wait. I cannot wait for the season to start. I'm so excited. And by the time you order your jerseys now, they take some processing. By the time they get to you, the season will be starting. You can wear them. Go to your local WNBA team and keep supporting. Yeah.

It's just going to be great. Yeah. Speaking of just the investment more and things that are great, the Seattle Storms new training facility. Have you... Ooh. Wow.

I mean, beautiful is one word. My favorite is just, I mean, that guy just lying at half court being like, and it's cozy too. Because 15 seasons, they were at a rented gym on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. I played at Seattle Pacific University. Did you?

not, not, I mean, I played against them in it, but you played at the university. Okay. And it's not suitable for a WNBA franchise. I'll say that. No, this to Seattle Pacific, but yeah,

Seattle is now the second WNBA team with a dedicated practice facility. The Mercury, theirs is on their way, but the Aces, we've talked about that, how it was millions of dollars poured into it. It's beautiful. And Seattle's is the exact same way. And I, you know, I tweeted this because this is kind of what we talked about. The investment is,

into a facility like that, it's not surprising the names they got in free agency come to a place that they can say, look, we are investing in you, Nneka Gumbuke, Skylar Diggins-Smith, like Jewel Lloyd, we have this for you.

So come to our team. When we think back to free agency, it was like, yeah, I'm thinking of Chicago. Look what their facilities are versus Seattle. That had to play a big part. What makes a big difference? It makes a huge difference. First of all, it's the pros, right? And to your point, no disrespect to any facility that has been kind enough, gracious enough, whatever you want to call it, to let teams practice there and play there.

But at this level, when you are a pro and you're trying to put the best product out on the floor and you want people to come and support, it's important that these athletes feel cared for, protected, that they have their own space. And that facility that and no surprise that Seattle, like they put their money where their mouth is. Right. They're all about the players and a great experience. And.

This in itself will absolutely lure free agents. Right. So to your point, if NECA was like Chicago and I can and I can see her entertaining Chicago for a lot of different reasons. Right. And I don't know if that was before they announced spoon or not, because NECA has gone on record.

in saying, I want to be able to play for a Black woman, a Black female head coach. So she would have had that in Chicago. She absolutely has it with Noelle Quinn. But in addition to that, having this new facility, that's why she said, and now I'm just going to kick my feet up. I love the picture they posted of her locker next to Skyler's and was like, yes, guy, this is really happening. And even what you left behind,

left behind in LA. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. A dedicated locker. Candace Parker said that when she came to the Aces. This is a new standard and I couldn't be more excited that it's turning into this

you know, for owners kind of put up or shut up. Yeah. Okay. If you don't, you got to bring the money because this is where players deserve and this is where they're choosing to go. And that's how I think it should, should be. Well, you know, it's, I don't want to say it's,

becoming like a competition amongst owners because this is what you should do, right? This is the right thing to do. But, and I always have to go here, like shout out Mark Davis, owner of the Aces, because from the jump, Mark Davis was like, Las Vegas is going to be where players want to come because we're going to do it right. We're going to take care of our players. We're going to take care of our coaches. And he absolutely has. And now,

Seattle doing the exact same thing. And it's been fun too to see Aces players just working out nonstop, like all throughout the offseason. A lot of them haven't even needed to go play overseas. Yeah. And they have a dedicated place to get stronger, to get better. And this is a two-time title.

you know, championship. Well, it's your facility. It's yours. You can do whatever you want. And I have been to that facility and it is really nice. Seattle, if the invitation's out. Yes, we're coming. Would love to. Absolutely. And last thing I want to say on this, because you know what's sad is there are actually some franchises where players go to the workout facility. That's not,

necessarily dedicated to them and they get turned away where it's, you can't work out right now for whatever reason. And some of them have actually said, well, you're not on the list. Like, you know, like what does that mean? Yeah. I'm not on the list. So,

We need to have every single team build a dedicated facility to their teams. So we don't have to worry about that anymore. This is the new normal. And I'm excited to see the Mercury's because I think it's and the Mercury. Yeah, absolutely. Mercury combo, but they've invested a lot of money there. So I want this to be the new thing. One team after the next getting these type of facilities because they deserve it. All right.

If you haven't seen the pictures, make sure to research them. But we're going to take a quick break. We're going to talk rapid fire tea. Let's go. And now a word from our sponsors at Betterment.

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Welcome back to Queens of the Court.

By the way, our producer Alex looked up, "Charlotte, you had two steals." I don't know if that's right, Alex. No. She is right. You just are remembering more. Always. I always remember more.

They took a few away from me, but it's okay. We got the dub. That's all that matters. That's all that matters. We got the dub. We got the dub. That's what we're talking about. All right. Okay, so now we're going to play a little game. I like games. We're going to go through all the 12 WNBA teams, and we're going to do rapid fire. The first word that describes the team to you, that's what we're going to go with.

That describes the team. Okay. That describes the team. I don't know if it has to be their word for the season, but in your hand. Yeah. And then do we explain a little bit while we... Okay. Well, you go first. We'll switch. Okay. All right. I'm just going with the first word that comes to my head. So I'll ask because you're going first. Okay.

Atlanta Dream. Atlanta Dream. Fast. That's the first word that I got. Oh, I like that. Because adding Jordan Canada, she likes to push the ball. And they have always, you know, in years past, have been young, speedy, fast. So that's the first word that comes to mind. That's a good one. Okay, thank you. My word was surprising. Oh, okay.

That's surprising. And it kind of goes back to what we talked about last week with the addition of Ariel Powers and Tina Charles. How are they going to come in? Are they going to accept whatever role that is that Coach T has for them? Yeah, I think this team could...

surprise a lot of people but also they could surprise themselves that Tina Charles so surprise yeah that was the word that I I thought about with that one yeah yeah okay okay next Chicago um I had a few words but the one I went with young

That's good. Um, and so I see what you did there. I see what you did there, but no, no,

I mean, young because they are, but also a player that I don't think we, we really talked much about last week was Kennedy Carter. Ooh. You know, Kennedy Carter, in addition to the young guns that they do have the two draft picks, right. And then is he kind of being the vet on that team? Dana Evans, like there's still a very young team. So, and when you're young, you're,

There's a lot of things that can come from that good and bad. The upside is, is so high, but the down, like it could just be, we got a couple of years to, to grow because you're young. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So fascinating to me. I don't,

I hope she has her head right. I hope so too. And I feel like, again, we talk about fit. That would be a great fit for her to grow in this league. Yes. I think she belongs in this league. Yes. No doubt about it. She absolutely does. It takes some things. Okay. All right. What's your word? My word. The first word is...

I don't know how you couldn't think of that word. As I wrote for WNBA.com that there is a famous tower in Chicago, the Sears Tower. Now they just added two more towers. I like that. Camila, Cronoso, and Angel Reese. And then, yes, you have Izzy there already. And...

you know, we can just keep going on and on. Like, I think they are going to be really hard to rebound against. No doubt. Just like the wingspan, if they all, you know, if they play at the same time or what that lineup is going to look like, even if you feel like one person, okay, we, we got Camilla, she's going to take a break. Another big is going to come in and it's going to be great. Yeah. Because we talked about that last week with Angel and Camilla, but yeah,

Don't get it twisted. Izzy is a rebounding machine as well. So that's one thing this Chicago Sky team should be able to do. If nothing else, that is rebound the basketball. So even if you don't have a good shot, shot clock running down, just throw that thing up there.

and let them go rebound it. And you also have Elizabeth Williams. Yes, yes. Brianna Turner. Yes. Like, this is... Yes. I like this roster in the bigs department. And it's more...

I don't know, kind of like traditional bigs. So when I think of tall, I'm also thinking a little more Camilla back to the basket. I feel like Elizabeth Williams also has that type of just post game, which I just feel like is a lost art. Oh, it is. It is. All right. Okay. Your first Connecticut Sun.

Connecticut. Yeah. The word that comes to mind. Again, I'm just going with the first one. Revenge came to mind. I like it. Revenge. It's so funny that you said that. Alyssa Thomas, we talked so much about her last season and it still wasn't enough. Like we talked about her problems every week and it still wasn't enough.

My favorite thing from the offseason was, you know, Dejanay Carrington tweeting, Caitlin might lead the WNBA in assists this season. Alyssa Thomas, who is never on social media. Right? She came out of the woodworks and said, don't play with me like that. What she said was, what you ain't gonna do. You're right, because she's never on social media. She saw that and was like, oh, oh, hold on. Hold up.

Let me pull my phone out. And, you know, I got a chance to talk to Dawana Bonner this offseason, too. And this was the first time in, I mean, almost 12 offseasons that she was able to stay home, be with her girls, and, like, refocus and put things in perspective.

And I just think, you know, she has been training. She is ready to get back out there in this season. And she has an opportunity to make top five all time in WNBA scoring in the first game back and pass her ex-wife, Candice Supri, to get it as well. But like,

They are just so focused where Connecticut's in. So I think it's going to be revenge. Y'all weren't talking about this enough. I like that. I like that. That was a long explanation. No, but I like that. And so because of that, the revenge, and also Alyssa Thomas responding to Dejanay Carrington's tweet, my word was... My word was...

oh wait wait wait wait wait let me do it now not even that one because that was too soft my word was my word for it connected so i know it was dogs d-a-w-g-s and alissa thomas is the head d-a-w-g yes right and everyone else just kind of

follows her. She's the leader, but not just her. We talk about 18. We talk about DB, um, Brie Jones who got hurt. She's a, she's a quiet dog, but she don't get the job done. Right. Ty Harris, I think is going to have a bigger role this year. And Tiffany Mitchell don't sleep on Tiffany Mitchell. Cause they come in. I like the revenge. They are coming.

All right. Okay. Okay. This is just. Yeah. For the season. Next up is India. Oh, I had a lot of words for Indiana. But I think the one, honestly, the first one that came to mind was fun. I like that.

And the reason why I said fun is one, it's, it's fun watching Caitlin Clark play, right. Doing what she does. But,

Big fan of the reigning rookie of the year, Aaliyah Boston. So you put her on the floor with Kaitlyn. Then you got Kelsey Mitchell, who's also a bucket. Nelissa Smith. I think this is going to be a fun team to watch. I was going to say...

phrase so not one word Jordan no you don't no ma'am no you don't okay go ahead I was just gonna say nothing to lose so it's it's in that same realm like they can play I just don't disagree you just but it's your phrase not not mine I like this I feel like

I feel like they can play more free, I guess, because they are trying to figure each other out and they're young and no one's expecting them to come and win a championship tomorrow. So they don't have those. Don't say no one because there are some people who think that can happen. That's fair. That's fair. So I guess that's my opinion where I hope that it's fun to watch them because they play free and it's nothing...

to lose because you are two seasons ago you were in last place. Last season you were, what, second to last place. So you don't... I totally get your reason for saying that. Why do you disagree? I think there's a lot of unfair, but I think there's a lot of pressure on Caitlyn going to Indiana. I think...

Those who don't necessarily understand the game, understand what it's like at the next level. I think they've put so much pressure on Caitlyn by herself to immediately make the Indiana Fever a contender for a championship.

So when you put it that way, that's why I'm like, I don't think they have anything to lose. But I think there are people out here who are like, oh, no, they're going to win a championship this year. So for those people who think that, then, yeah, they got stuff to lose. Yeah.

But I do. But I love that. I love that. But yeah, how about that? I get that. I get that. But I think that's my initial thought. I do. I like that. That's a good one. New York Liberty. New York Liberty. They could have also had the contention of revenge, but I would say action. Action.

It's going to be less talk. The liberty. Okay. They are going to be focused on trying to match the action. Putting... Yeah, just putting some more...

behind their words, behind the campaigns, the billboards, all the rah-rah that New York City can have. They got to put the action behind it this year. They went to the finals, yes, we know. But Stewie did not show up in the finals. No, she did not. VanderSloot didn't show up. Like, a lot of players did not have their best games in the final. And I think...

that's what is heavy on their minds. So the whole season is going to be, we're not going to say anything. We're going to get back to the finals and show you what we can do. Cause we did not do that last. I like that. I do my, well, my word, it's funny because you use my word for Connecticut. My word for the Liberty was revenge. Cause I feel like in their minds, they were in the perfect situation for,

to at least take it to a game, what five? Yeah. When, I mean, you're playing on your home court and the aces have no Chelsea gray, no Kia Stokes, and you can't find a way to win. Right. So I think in their mind, along with that action is if we can do these things, then,

we have a chance to try and win a championship this year. I like that. I mean, I think they have the pieces. No doubt about that. And they also are adding some fun players to their training camp as well, which is just going to be a tough roster to make. But, you know, I got to shout out Jalen Sherrod from Colorado. Yes, I love her. Let's go, Jalen.

season long. Yeah, I like that kid. And getting an opportunity in that training camp, again, it's going to be a tough roster to make, but I feel like they're wanting to add some defenders. They're needing to add some high-energy players off the bench. So New York's

Even though you go to the finals, you still have some missing pieces that you're trying to figure out. And I think that's a part of the revenge and that's a part of that action just as a whole organization they're wanting to bring. They got to get them. They got to get them.

They do. They do. Seriously. They do. Kayla Thornton could be that one. I like her. I like her. Her playing type is really up and down. Yeah. All right. Next up, Washington. Oh, this one was kind of a tough one for me because I know everybody's like, EDD's not playing. Yeah, that's a big part. Yeah.

They have some good pieces, but since you came up with a phrase, I'm going to use the two words. Okay. I'll allow it. Well, I did. Thank you. I did rebuild slash identity. Question mark. Yeah. Yes. Cause my two words are question mark. Okay. Cause I'm not, I'm not, I'm not sure without EDD, without Tosh, um,

I don't know what their identity is. And I don't mean rebuild as far as they don't have anybody, because they do. Obviously, Ariel Atkins. Well, they got Stephanie Dolson, Aliyah Edwards in the draft, Queen Egbo. I love Emily Inkler, Brittany Sykes. But I just...

A lot of these players are going to be asked to do a lot more than they have before. Yeah. And what does that look like? So I just don't know what this Washington Mystics squad is going to look like. So. Agreed. That's why I had questions. Yeah. Because it is. I think Tosh brought their ideas. Yes. Yes, she did. She did. She brought that intensity. Yeah.

She brought that intensity. And without her, I think they are left to try to figure that out in, like, the next couple weeks of the training camp. You got to figure it out in training camp. Like, you have to figure out what you're going to be so that when you go toe-to-toe with another team, like, why are they fearing you? What is it about your team that makes...

you know, that I think they didn't want to see Washington Mystics in the playoffs last year because, oh, we got to go against Natasha Cloud and then Shakira Austin. Like, that was their identity. So is it all on Shakira Austin, who's a young player, to bring all of that and Ariel Atkins? I don't know. I don't know. And I think I also just have this lingering question of, like, EDV wanted to get out of Washington so bad.

And they couldn't find a place. She said, I'm not going to play. And so she didn't play like that. Yeah. That says a lot. That says a lot. It says a lot about what this team, this franchise, like, you know, there's just a lot of questions. Yeah. A lot of question marks. That's a good one. Yours. Question mark is good. Good. Good. One team we haven't really talked about too much. Dallas.

Again, I tried to stick to one word. I was following the rules, but since you broke them, I'm going to keep on that trail. My three words for Dallas. Oh, gosh. Okay. It's fine. It's fine. It all goes together, Jordan.

exciting noise makers the pieces that Dallas has first of all we talked about there a little bit last year or a lot of it I think this is a very exciting team with the pieces they have the players they have I think Dallas is going to make some noise

They're exciting to watch. I think they're going to make some noise. I could have said surprising as far as maybe surprising people, because I just want to go over a few names. Kalani Brown, when they picked her up, I guess picked her back up last year. Yeah.

She is such a great fit for this team. Love Kalani Brown. Veronica Burton, not a lot of people talk about her. I love Veronica on the defensive end. I think she is a pest. She plays hard, understands her role. A great fit for this team. A player who did not play last year, and if she's healthy, Lou Lopez. Send it to y'all. Send it to y'all.

I'm excited to see what she does this year. Coming back. A healthy one. I loved her at Connecticut, so I want to see what she does. Natasha Howard. Satu had the best season last year. What is she going to do? Listen, Maddie Seagrass watched her play at AU. Maddie. I love me some Maddie. Y'all better hop on this train because I'm telling you, Dallas is bringing it. I haven't even brought up Arika yet. I know.

I was saving her. So I'm not bringing her up yet because there's one that's interesting to me. Well, I love Tierra McGowan. So Dallas signed Ashley Awasu. Awasu. I love her. I love her. That was my steal of the draft. I didn't see it coming. I know. Like she, she,

can flat out play. Hooper. And you put her on the floor with Arike. And y'all better pack a lunch. I think

The thing with Ashley's story, you know, she started at Maryland. She was at Maryland with Angel Reese. They both decided to leave. Yes. You know, I feel like they had the perfect example of the transfer portal going really, really great or really, really not so great. And she went to a Virginia Tech team that...

that we don't know what happened there, but she did not play. And said, this ain't it. This ain't it. So let me go to the end. She finished out her college career at Penn State, which a lot of us, I can only speak for myself, didn't really get to watch her play as much. But I saw those highlights. I saw her on Twitter. I saw what she could do. She is a flat-out hooper. I saw her name come up in the draft.

I said, oh my gosh, that is a player who can surprise a lot of people if she makes a roster. Maybe not even this time around. Maybe next time around if she makes a roster. But I love what she can do on the court. Yep.

Also, you mentioned Veronica Burton. I can't wait for the matchup between Dallas and Indiana because the last time Kaitlyn Clark scored single digits in a game was in 2021 at Northwestern. Stop. V didn't put the clamps on, did she? What? V. V didn't put the clamps on, did she?

I know she's just like okay okay Jordan I know I am marking that one down so that's going to be so fun to be able to relive that but my word I think I'm making a bold prediction do tell this is RBK's MVP season

I don't know if that's a bold prediction. I feel like all the pieces around her are great so that she's going to be even greater. I don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but I just think she's going to ascend. Like, that's another one. Throw that out there. I'm at it.

I just, I like it. I like this team. I've always loved Arike, but this year, I don't know. I'm just getting my basketball sense entirely that this is going to be her. Okay. I like it. Listen, I like it. Why not? We already got a lot going within the league, so put that out there too. I like it. I like it. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. Our next one, we can go quick. Yeah, we'll go quick, y'all.

Is it my turn? Yeah. Las Vegas Aces. What's your word, boo? Winning. Just unstoppable, maybe. I like that. You're going to be very shocked at mine. And I think they will use this as motivation. Disrespected champs. Oh, okay.

That's what I thought about. Okay. Disrespecting. I mean, they have been. You have individual players who I feel have been disrespected in just who they are and what they do, right? Several players. And then as a team, I think...

I think a lot of people think what they were able to do last year without Chelsea Gray and Kea Stokes. I think they're like, oh, they just got lucky. Well, listen, but come playoff time, a little bit of luck helps. But Chelsea Gray ran and runs that team. So I wouldn't say they got lucky. I would say they had Asia, Michelle, LaQuisha,

Wilson. Right? Alongside other players. So when I think about them, that's what I think. All right. I kept it short and sweet. Yeah. We're at the Los Angeles. The Sparks. What's your word? Unsure.

it's my word yours was question mark for who for washington i just didn't expect it was like sure yeah please tell i i'm with you i'm with you um i mean what you want me to do i'm sure

I mean, NECA's gone. JC's gone. Talk about identity. It just... And it's not... I'm saying that. It's not to take anything away from the players. Like, I'm unsure of what this Sparks team is going to look like. Yeah.

not saying that they're unsure of themselves it's what like i don't know i don't know no i hear you i hear you i i'm just saying you know what you said about an identity crisis like they are in a hunt for their new idea but i will say the first thing that comes to my mind when i think of the sparks is rakia jackson no kid okay but also lexi brown like she's back

And I am excited about that. I am too. She has worked so hard in this league to work her way back into a guaranteed contract. And now she has worked her way into a leader of this Sparks team. And so I know it was, it was hard for me to just watch her on the sideline all last season as she battled. Yeah, that was hard to watch. So now to see her back on the court feeling better, um,

I'm excited for her and what she's going to be able to do on this team. Me too. But I just, I don't know what the wins and loss column is going to be for this. Well, and right now they have 19 players on their roster. Yeah, just like literally, just count it. They have 19 players on their roster.

So maybe they're unsure too. They are also. They're trying to find people. Seriously. This is a training camp you want to be at. Listen, in some of the names on here, though, there are some good players on here that are not going to make, at least not make this roster. They may go make someone else's, but Monique Billings, Cam Brink, Lexi Brown, Ray Burrell, who I love her game, Leja Clarendon,

Ziya Cook, Blake Dietrich, De'arra Cahambi, Ra'Kia Jackson, Kia Nurse, Azrae Stevens. Yeah. It's a little off the grabs. So. Okay. Unsure. There's my word. Minnesota Lynx. Minnesota Lynx. Mm-hmm.

It's your word for the links. What is my word for the links? There's nothing coming. I'm trying to go off the dome. One thing I am excited about, I'm just completely going off the rules. You sure are, but okay. Alyssa Peely comes to mind. That's who their draft pick was, first round. I am so curious to see how Cheryl reads this.

I didn't have her going to Minnesota.

You know, they had a press conference. Like, they're excited about this pick, and they want to integrate her, I can tell. But how is that going to work with Nafisa Collier? And I just really don't know. But Alyssa Peely is the two words that I think of because, again, I'm totally biased for my Pac-12 coverage, but I think she is a flat-out scorer and a hooper, uses her body well, and can get any shot that she wants.

Is that going to happen at the WBA level? I don't know. I'm excited to see Cheryl Reeve take on that challenge. I will say, I think even though I didn't see this pick coming, I think she's a great fit for the style that Cheryl plays. Yes. I think she's undersized to play the five. No doubt about it. Can she be a stretch four? Yes.

Maybe. But the other side of that is on the defensive end, can she guard a stretch for? Right? I don't know. I'm just putting all these questions out here. So the word I picked for this team, I put, no, why are you smiling? You're like, what is she? No, I picked, I picked, I said competitive. I like it. Like, I really think competitive.

First of all, Cheryl Reeve as a coach, she's always going to demand the most out of her players. But I thought Nafisa coming back after giving birth, I thought she had a good season. Coming back off of that, she's going to lead that team. Diamond Miller...

Listen, this diamond is just going to keep shining and getting brighter and brighter. I love her. I love Courtney Williams. I love Courtney Williams on this team. Courtney is competitive. Natasha Heideman. Yeah, I just, I think this Minnesota Lynx team will be competitive this year. They did some, they did some things in free agency. They, they did some trades, some, you know, people signed on. And then you also have Kayla McBride, who is having an incredible season overseas. She just,

a flat out sport. So, and she's a vet. She's a good vet for this team. Yeah.

I like that. Competitive. Minnesota, they're always going to be in the conversation. Somehow they made it to the playoffs last year. We would not have said competitive. No, not at all. Not at all. And they found a way. Like that is, that's just what they do. We're going to take a break because, woo, that was a lot. That was a lot. That was a lot. That was great. That was good. That was good stuff. Okay, we'll be right back.

Overnight, Dunkin's pumpkin spice coffee has sent folks into a cozy craze. I'm Lauren LaTulip reporting live from home in my hand-knit turtleneck that my Nana made me. Mmm, cinnamony. The home with Dunkin' is where you want to be.

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All right, we're back with our one word, multiple word phrase game for each team. Here we go. The Phoenix Mercury. My word for Phoenix is just interesting. Interesting. Why interesting? I...

It's just interesting. So, first of all, I was totally shocked when Ka said, I'm going to Phoenix. Me too. When you think about the beef between her and Sophie that happened, right? I'm like, how is this going to work out? Whatever. Yeah.

So that's interesting. And we talked a little bit about this roster before. I think Rebecca Allen's a great get for them. Tosh going to Phoenix is great. BG, obviously. DT. It's interesting. Interesting.

because I look at the roster and I'm just trying to understand. Now, granted, there are some players on here like Amy, sorry, Amy Atwell. I don't know anything about her. There are some players on here that I'm not very familiar with, so maybe that answers some of my interesting questions. But when I look at the five that I think will be starting, I'm

Then I'm just wondering what does their, what does their bitch look like? I was going to say, I mean, again, last season we would not have said interesting for Phoenix. No, I would have said W T. What is going on? That's what I would have said. I feel like this one interesting is, is right. Like,

I said characters. Like, I feel like they have the personalities that are going to bring out really good matchups against everyone. You know, they're already saying the Diana Taurasi, Caitlin Clark matchup. And then we also want to see if Natasha Cloud and Sophie get along, but also just Ka and Sophie get along. Like, there's a lot of... I would just please put a reality TV...

show camera in this training camp because I would just love to see how all this is going to work out. But I think they're competitive because I know that they, regardless of it all, they want to win and they're going to find a way to win individually. And I think they're going to try to come together. But it's also a new coach, new coaching staff.

They just have a lot of newness in that organization. I don't know how it's going to play out. It's interesting. It's interesting. All right. Last one. The Seattle Storm. It's all new. The Seattle Storm. What's the word? Like...

Revived. I like that. Yes, that's the word. I think Nneka is going to have this breath of fresh air being in a new uniform, new city, new coach. She was already putting up MVP-like numbers last season this far into her career. I think we're going to see a better version of her. And then Skylar Diggins-Smith.

not playing last year, having a lot of things to say about Phoenix, but coming and breathing new life into her career. Not good things about Phoenix, by the way. Not just anything. Not good things about Phoenix. So I just think she's going to not even have a lot to prove because we know what SDS can do. But I think she's just going to have this sense of

of newness and be able to have a fresh start? Yeah. Um, gosh, this was the one team that I was kind of all over the place with. Um, but I think what I stuck with was the, the first word honestly was anxious, right?

Really? Yeah. And for a simple fact of one, like NECA's been in LA her entire career. So now you're with a different organization, different team, getting to play alongside one of your best friends with Skylar. And then with Skylar having not played last year, you know,

It's just different when you're coming back after giving birth, right? And even though she sat out last year, I feel like she's anxious. Not that she has something to prove, but to make a point, right? Like, y'all didn't want me? Okay, let me show you what I got. And the other part of that, I sit on a mission, right?

Okay. I think Jewel Lloyd is on a mission. Did not like the way the season ended last year, right? So you got Jewel Lloyd, you got Skylar, you got Nneka. You know, Nneka's getting towards the end of her career, so Nneka's trying to win another championship. Yeah. So when you put those three players, and then I look at some of the players they've added, but Ezzie, I thought, is going to be, I think, is going to be a great fit alongside

with NECA, right? And then you have the young one in Jordan Horston. That kid, I think, is going to be really, really good in this league. This is one team that I am really excited. I don't know if Nika Mule will make the team. I love Nika Mule on this team. Yeah, me too. Right? This is one team that, I mean, there are a lot, but this Seattle Storm team, they're

I'm excited to watch them play. Will it...

Will it click right away? Will they gel right away? I don't know. I don't know. That anxious. Yeah. It's going to take a little bit to iron out. Yes. I really like that word. I do. Yeah. Yeah. And it's not anxious in a bad way, right? No. It's kind of like ready to get out there. And I think, too, kind of going off of what I was saying, I think Jewel is like, yes, some help. Yes. No doubt. No doubt.

didn't want to do that no doubt from last season so it's also her being like okay what's my role now because I feel like y'all take some of this off of me come take some of this off of me now I'm back to another role so what a great I like that I like that a lot okay we went through the whole one just a reminder next week we will be talking training camps because they are starting April 28th training

May 13th, final roster cut. And May 14th, regular season begins. It all starts right here. By the way, I hate that that's just one day. Like, May 13th, the final roster cut down date. And then May 14th is regular season. Like, at least give them a few days to practice with their actual squad. Yeah.

Especially if you're one of those players on the bubble, you're just like, am I playing tomorrow? Do I invite my family? I actually don't know. We're really kind of close. Like I said, there's just not a lot of time. This is fun. Isn't it always fun? It's just very different doing it in person because I get to see your beautiful smile and...

There's just such a, there's a good synergy between the two of us. It is. It's been fun. I loved this. This was so great. Please continue to follow, rate, and review the show available on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. You can also send us questions or feedback at our listener email, queensofthecourtatodyssey.com. And y'all know where to find us.

on social media? Well, just in case you don't, you can find me at airswoops22 and she, her, Jordan is at Hey Jordan! You got a little extra today. We're in person. We're in person.

Okay. Queens of the Court is an oddly original creative and partnership with the WNBA. The show is produced by Alex Ozzie. The executive producer is Lena Moss Glazer. Social media assistance from Isabella Apple. Imaging from T-Storm Battle. And court is adjourned.