She's Really Good At Basketball
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- I hope just after the game, she just looks at herself in the mirror, like as she's holding her two kids and she's like, "You are that girl." Like I hope she says those affirmations because it is. - I'm a bad mama jamma. - Shut yo mouth. - No doubt. - Yes. - 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. I'm excited about this one. We got a lot to talk about in the court today.

And I just want to start because Miss Cheryl Swoops, you are a busy bee. You are everywhere. Everywhere. The queen. The queen bee of busyness and traveling. You have your shirt that says queen on today, as you should always. But when we talked last week, you were going to go, you were in the Bahamas.

So you're doing a basketball camp in the Bahamas. And then in our text chain, you're like, oh, nope, I'm in New York now. And I thought you were there. And then I was watching the Sky and Fever game and you popped up on my TV screen and you're in Chicago. I was there. I was in all of those places. In one week?

from my room to the living room to maybe like down the street to the gym. But that's as far as I've gone in this week since our last recording. Okay, this week. But don't act like you just be sitting at home either. True, true. What is it that they say today? You be outside. Sometimes. Sometimes I do. If the money out there, I do go. Girl, go get your bag.

I loved seeing you on my screen at the Chicago game against the Indiana fever, but I loved more the videos of people who are in the arena when they showed you on the Jumbotron and you, it was a standing ovation, which I'm watching this on my phone, clapping myself because you deserve a standing ovation, but how you,

How did that feel? Because I saw even when the camera was on you, you were shocked at it because it stayed on you for so long. But that was the roaring applause. So how did that feel? All right. So I know people can't see, but I'm like fanning my eyes because I don't want the tears to come.

um it was so unexpected you know usually when you go to a game um as a like retired former player um nine times out of ten they're gonna show you right so people can yay thank you appreciate um so no one from the sky said they were gonna do that um but then i was like

I was like in my feelings because they put Jason Sudeikis up there. They put Chance the Rapper. I was like, oh, okay. That's what we're doing? No, but seriously, then when they came over, the couple that I was sitting next to, they were like, uh-oh, here they come. It's your turn, right? So I was prepared just to be on camera. I was going to wave and show my appreciation and

Jordan, when I tell you, like, I got goosebumps. I was really, like, trying to hold in the tears because it was so unexpected. It was so special. It was so loud. And I will say this, and maybe I'm wrong. I don't remember the other ones getting that touched.

Type of standing ovation. You ain't wrong. No, they stayed on you for a lot longer than everybody else. It was special. Oh, my God. It was so special. And so I'm going to take this time to say to the sky, to the city of Chicago, to all the fans that showed up for the game and was in the building, like, y'all made me feel so good. I said my heart was full. It was...

i don't know it was so i i really got emotional i was like oh my god all of this is for me it was it was really really special it was oh yeah i'm glad you felt that way because just watching the video up and down my timeline or just having it flash on tv i'm so happy you felt that way and i know we're going to talk about the game because the game itself was incredible

It was amazing. But also just the moment with Angel Reese after the game. And, you know, it's an ESPN broadcast. And I love that they got that hug on television with you and Angel Reese after the game. And I swear somebody tweeted this too, but it's,

we were all in that hug. Like that was a hug. That was a hug. It wasn't a, Oh, good game hug. This was a, I love you hug. And I know what were you feeling in that moment? Because that was special. She beeline for you in that moment. Again, so not expected. Um, and yeah,

The crazy thing is that there was a point in the game, probably the fourth quarter when they were coming back and Angel, I know we'll get to the game, played her mind off. But she made eye contact with me at one point and like she was talking to me about the game. And so I just pointed right back at her like, I see you. Right. So when she came over, I said,

totally didn't expect it. But in that moment, like when she hugged me and I hugged her, the favorite, the best part for me was when like we were looking at each other in the eyes and I really felt like a proud mom in that moment. And so for you to say it was, you know, like, like I'm, I'm proud of you. Honestly, I,

it was that, but it was also a, like, I got you, you know what I mean? Like, like I got your back. I'm here for you, whatever you need, whatever I can do. But, um, I don't know. It was, it was, it was that moment also was very touching for me. It was very special for me because Holly Rose, they're trying to get her to do this interview. And she was like, hi,

- I know, and I've been in Holly Rose position before working, trying to bring someone to an interview 'cause you have a producer in your ear saying, okay, we gotta get it, we gotta get it, we gotta get out. But I was more worried about the hug in your guys' moment. And I love that she was like, I am taking this moment because I am in the presence of a legend and I am able to say thank you. And she actually was asked about it after the game

about your guys' conversation. So here's what she said in the press conference. - But she said she's proud of me.

Being able to have a legend, I mean, I already being coached by a legend, but being able to have Cheryl Swoops in your corner, she talked to me before I even entered my name into the draft, and she told me she believed in me. And knowing coming into the league, having somebody that's played in the league, has done great things, has won championships, and being able to have that person in my corner is something that I've always needed. She understands me. She knows what I've been through, what I'm going through. And just being able to have that is just something that has been super inspiring for me and somebody that's been a great mentor.

Wow. I just saw that this morning. I had no idea. I, first of all, what? That is so special. I just love you guys' relationship. I, you know, I tweeted when you guys had your hug moment. I was like, I can't wait to talk to you about it because I know throughout how much we have these bigger conversations of what's happening in the WNBA. And when we talked about Angel, you know, when we covered her,

her in the in the final four, there's bigger conversations to be had. And there's mentors that will, you know, I'm sure she's going to ask you about her game and the X's and O's of that and what you need to work on in the offseason and, and what's working, what are the the matchups and all those things. But there's another game, there's a game within the game of

being a black woman and navigating this sport as a professional and i just love that she has teaspoon there every day but also has someone like you there to help guide her and for her to be

be able to listen and want that mentorship. Not everybody wants that. So I think that speaks volumes of Angel and both of you guys. I think you are the perfect mentor for her. So I just love this. I'm fangirling over this friendship right now.

You know, the thing is, Jordan, and you said it, as a Black woman in any profession, right, and a Black woman in this world, like we have to deal with so much and we have to fight so many different battles. And Angel being a young lady who hasn't even...

she hasn't even lived her life, right? It's just beginning. And all the ugly ugliness and the, the evilness and the hatefulness that she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is

It has nothing to do with basketball. It has everything to do with life and with the color of her skin, like if we're being honest, you know? And so as a Black woman who's been there and has been through a lot of the stuff that Angel is going through right now and will continue to go through, it's

It's important to me that I am there. And this isn't just for her, but it's for anybody that wants to listen, that needs that, that wants that. And I don't know if you remember, I'm sure you do, back, like, I don't know, a while back when we were talking about the draft and how their games would translate and

And I said then that I wish Angel would have stayed one more year. Right. Just to be able to work on her offensive game and her post game. Yeah, we agree. And I also had that conversation with Angel. So when she says I talked to her before the draft, like that was a conversation we had. And she was very receptive. And she said, you know, like, I know I'm going to start at the bottom and I want to. I got a lot to learn. Right.

So it was nothing like me saying she's not good enough, right? It was more about, yes, she could use some more work. But I will tell you this, Angel Reese right now, and I know we're going to get into the game. Let's get to it because she was doing exactly what she did in college.

Yes. If not, if not more or better. Do you know what I mean? Yes. And it's one thing to watch her on, on TV, but to be there in person is a completely different animal because you can't see all the trash talking and all the dogs she got in her. Cause she has all of that to be there in person and witness that. Like I was impressed. I was very impressed.

Well, she said she got that dog in her. You can't teach that. And she has eight straight double doubles. She's on her own WNBA record now as a rookie. And I think it's...

One thing we did agree on, even though we said we were not sure, maybe one more year on the offensive end, in the same breath, we knew the rebounding was going to translate because that is effort and energy and all of that. And you can see that that has a direct correlation to the Sky's success. The Chicago Sky were down. Fever? No.

are playing great we talked about it last week they are playing so well alia boston is playing well uh caitlyn clark set a new franchise record with 13 assists almost all of alia boston's points came from caitlyn's passes they were slicing and dicing but angel reese it just seemed like there was a moment where she said we're not going to lose this game

And she put the team on her back and it was rebounding. It was effort. It was on the defensive end. And then she was finishing around the rim. Like she was efficient this game. And I think this Angel Reese from even the beginning of the season is completely different. So how exciting that Chicago got their first win of this series between the fever, uh, 88, 87. I don't know.

I don't know if it's a rivalry. We've been throwing that word around, around a lot, but I wouldn't mind seeing it every week. I'll say that. I'm going to say it is right. Like this is a game I can watch once a week. It is so much fun. So much fun. So they, I mean, they did that. And, uh,

Yeah, the basketball was good. And these are eight and nine seated teams. We're going to talk about the whole standings later. This isn't number one versus two. It felt like a playoff game. The crowd was into it. What? Chicago showed up and showed out. The atmosphere was so electric. So my brother went with me and he was like...

Like, the energy was so good. He was just like, does this game have to end? I'm not going to lie to you. I wouldn't have been mad if they would have gone overtime. I wouldn't have.

either. My heart was more, my, my blood pressure was high. I know it, but it was, it was exciting. And, and when you think about it, like this is the future of the league. Like these teams are going to be battling for years and years to come. Um,

But yeah, we talked about how great Indiana looked. They were in full control of that game. Kelsey Mitchell balled out per usual, just making tough shots and was also just really efficient. But yeah, Chicago rallied late. Kennedy Carter,

is must watch basketball. She, I don't know who can guard her first step. Like, honestly, like she is really, really good at basketball. Um, and I just,

I'm all about this Chicago sky team because they're just fun. And I can't wait. I think August 30th, clear your schedules. That's when they're playing again. Just to tell everybody to watch the game, because if you like basketball, if you like trash talk between angel and Melissa Smith, which goes back to bear a Baylor and Maryland, by the way, history,

but it's fun history. Like they don't, they don't hate each other. It's fun. It is fun. I loved when they were lined up on the free throw line and they, this was at one point when Melissa was, you know, like too small, like Angel was too small. Angel had no idea. Angel didn't see it. Right. Her teammates told her in a timeout what Melissa did.

But then, but immediately Angel went down and got her in one. Yeah. And she turned and looked and said, get the expletive out of here. Right. Went to the free throw line, shot it, made it. But I liked when they were lined up next to each other. They're going back and forth. Right. I love it. It's basketball.

And so the ref went over and started saying something and they, Melissa waved her off. We're good swinging on nobody. We're good. But you know, I know a lot of people when they, when they see this game, they immediately say angel versus Caitlin. Right. And, and it's not, it's the sky versus the fever versus the fever. But, but the matchups,

Right. Which you said it, Melissa and Angel, Aaliyah and Camilla. Yes. Like just to look at just those four players. I'll just say those four players alone. They're young, got so much more left in the tank, a whole long career ahead of them. I am here for all of it because it is so exciting to watch these two teams play.

We're going to press pause on this conversation. And when we come back, we're going to talk all-star voting and other news around the league. And now a word from our sponsors at Betterment.

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Let's talk all-star fan voting. We got some early return votes for the all-star game. Just a reminder, fan voting goes through June 29th. So these are not the final votes.

And, you know, we're sitting here talking about how much we love it. The fans clearly love it too. Angel Reese is at seven already. Kaitlyn Clark is at two with over 200,000 votes. Asia Wilson came in, you know, first place with fan votes and they're still going to be media involved, players, coaches, all that is still going to be in the mix. But yeah,

The fans, they want to see more of Angel Reese and they want to see Kate Martin too, which I love. Let's go, Kate. Let's go, Kate. Kate Martin All-Star campaign. Let's go. But yeah, how are you feeling about some of the names that have popped up for the early voting in All-Star? Okay. First of all, Asia Shaniqua Wilson, number one.

Are you surprised? I am not. To me, she's right where she needs to be because Asia Wilson is having one of the best seasons ever. So instead of me talking about because we can go down the list and look at where players are. Instead of me talking about who is on this list, I want to talk about who's not.

And this kind of goes back to a conversation you and I had when we first started talking about all-star voting, right? When it was like, do you vote for the Olympians? Right? I get it. I know to have that title of Asia played in, just example, Asia played in 10 all-star games, right? Yes, that means something. But the part I was concerned about when I look at the first round of votes, I think is happening.

Like, first of all, Kayla McBride should not be 30th. Kayla McBride is having an incredible season. Kayla should be much higher. I think Skylar should be much higher. So we can go down this list. And I'm going to say this. Dejanay Carrington should be an all-star. Dejanay Carrington is having a hell of a season. So I think because people are voting for the Olympians...

It's taking votes away from the players who aren't Olympians. How is Kennedy Carter? I'm not even going to give her a middle name. How is Kennedy Carter not on this list? I know. There's so many people having all-star caliber votes.

like the first start to this season. And so it makes it really, really tough. But I get what you're saying, especially when there's a number next to it. You know, I think when there is just a list, we can say, oh, we don't really know how many people, how many votes

the Olympians are taking away. But when you see the number next to it, you're like, okay, if all of those people were able to vote for someone else to make or to be on team WNBA. So I see how you got there. But I think this first early look just proves that it's gonna be really exciting for the matchup team WNBA versus team WNBA.

Olympian. It's gonna be great. I like it. I like it. Oh, our producer Alex said thoughts on Diana Taurasi not being on this list. So this is the top 30 that she pasted in here. She and Chelsea Gray are the only non Olympians not on it. Huh? Well, no, no surprise for Chelsea. Yeah, yeah. Chelsea hasn't played so that will make sense. Um,

I didn't even realize Diana not being on it. I didn't even realize that. I think I just kind of assumed she would be. But that's interesting. That's really interesting when I think about it. Yeah, I don't even, I didn't even realize that. I didn't either. But all the other Olympians are. Huh, okay. Yeah. And, you know, since we're talking about Diana, I want to go the opposite way and talk about the rookies.

Right. Because you got Caitlin at number two, Angel at seven, Brink at 11, Kate Martin at 12. Camilla 16. Camilla 16. Yeah. Rekia, did I? Rekia 25. Like...

Has that ever happened? Like that many rookies? I don't think so. I don't think so. Because it was a big deal for Leo Boston to make the all-star team last year. Yeah, it sure was. It sure was. Yes.

But I mean, they, this is the fans, the fans, they're bringing in new fans, they're bringing in their own followers, their own audiences, and this push of voting that, you know, there's all of these campaigns that are going around from different teams. But yeah, this is that's an interesting point with all the rookies. They can have an all rookie team, which at the NBA, they do have rookies versus sophomores.

That could be fun. Could be interesting. Y'all need to vote. Vote. Vote. It's still going on. Yeah. I want to know

you guys are voting for, who's off this list that, you know, someone we didn't mention, let us know. Cause that's, that's going to be a whole nother conversation of snubs and starters and all of that. But I think it's valid because there's so many people playing all star caliber seasons. Yeah. Yeah. Interesting. All right. So moving on to the,

Another newsy topic. We're recording this on Monday and the commissioners cup championship presented by Coinbase is Tuesday night on Amazon prime video, 8:00 PM Eastern Minnesota links versus the New York Liberty. I can't wait. I think, first of all, can I tell you my theory? Do tell. So unrivaled was really making their marketing push.

They for, you know, the league that is founded by Brianna Stewart and Nafisa Collier. I feel like this is a part of their marketing. This is really best case scenario. Have both of these go up against each other. Am I right? I feel like this really worked out. Yeah. I mean, it can't hurt.

Like you couldn't write it and plan it any better. No, the script is scripting. This is great. Great for them. But two former UConn greats

I mean, they're just going to battle each other. It's going to be amazing. The last time these two teams have played each other, they played each other once at the end of May. The Lynx kind of took care of business against the Liberty. They won 84-67. Nafisa had 15 and 12. Stewie had 20 points, but JJ only had four points in that game. She had in some foul trouble early.

And the Vander Sloot Courtney Williams matchup actually turned out to be in spotlight. Sloot winning that 12.6 assists. But since that matchup in the end of May,

The Lynx have only lost twice to Vegas and Phoenix, and the Liberty have only lost once to Phoenix. It's going to be the number one defense right now, Minnesota versus the number one offense in the Liberty. So both of these teams just playing really good basketball right now, Cheryl. Whew, boy, that was a lot. Sorry.

I just added all those notes. No, but I mean like a lot of good stuff. It's a lot of good stuff, right? And all of that's good to know for people who may not necessarily follow basketball, but you have the number one defensive team in the Lynx going up against the number one offensive team in the Liberty. So what's it going to come down to? Who plays the best defense or who can score the most points? Well, always you got to score the most points. But I really...

I know we talked about earlier, you picked the Liberty. I really think Minnesota, I think they're going to upset the Liberty. I do. But it's also tough because both of these teams are playing really, really, really good right now. I think Stewie and Nafisa will pretty much kind of cancel each other out. But if Jonquell...

shows up and can play because when Joan Coral Jones decides that she's going to dominate and she plays ball, she is absolutely unguardable when she decides to do that. Yeah, I think the bench too for the Liberty are playing extremely well. They're shooting really well. I think Sabrina Ionescu is playing super well. We talked about her last week. Yes. Um,

around the rim besides shooting threes. So I don't think Sabrina had an incredible game the first time they met. And it's about, you know, both of these teams at the end of May to the end of June are so different. Like they have really figured each other out and with rotations and everything like that. So I love this new format of the commissioners cup, just having it all back to back and then having this kind of

I don't know, first quarter of the season check in to see where teams are at. And I think both of these, I think they got it right. Like these are the two best teams that are playing the best basketball right now to square off. And also there's a little money on the line. So that makes it interesting. And I don't, I think you play different if it's a regular season game versus playing for some money, you're gonna play a little different. So I also like that aspect to it as well.

Without question, somebody is going to be talking to JJ like, first of all, stay out of foul trouble. We want the dub, but we want the bag a little bit more. We want the bag more. That's a nice bag they're playing for, Jordan. It's a nice bag. 500,000 buckaroonies. A lot of moolah. The Liberty won it last year.

that's a nice chanel right now nice purse nice um a little context also for this game because

What you're playing for is, yes, to clinch from the East and from the West, but you're also playing for home court advantage. You're trying to score more points and beat everybody. The New York Liberty were undefeated, but they're not going to get home court advantage. They're going to be playing at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. And I did a little Google Maps. Yeah, I'm not sure...

And I should have known better. Like, I live in L.A. I looked at the map. I'm like, that's not that far. That doesn't look that far from Brooklyn. Yeah, it was all red from the traffic. It was an hour and 15 minutes, like an hour on the train. And I was like, my L.A. brain should have known better. Nothing seems close, right?

On a map or what it actually is. So it's not home court advantage, really, I feel like at all. But especially to all those season ticket holders that were going to be excited to be at Barclays. They got to make the trip. It was a scheduling conflict. The NBA draft is going to be happening at Barclays on Wednesday. So they need two days to load everything in. And the game would have interrupted that.

So the Liberty alerted the WNBA. This is according to ESPN's Alexa Philippou. There was going to be a conflict, but it just they tried to move the game. They tried to move it a week later, tried to move it up a day. That's just what we're that's where we're at. It's where we're at. So I don't I wonder. It's basically I don't like it. It's basically. Yeah, I don't like it. I don't like it at all.

But what do you do? You can't do anything. You got to ball out. Money's on the line. The money's still green. It is a neutral site. Yeah, essentially. Unfortunately for the Liberty. Not to say that they can't win, but it makes a difference if you're playing on the road or at home. It just does. It does.

It does. But we'll see. That's on Tuesday night, Amazon Prime. Can't wait to see those. Cheryl says the links. I got the liberty. I don't think JJ is going to score four points again. And Stewie is going to Stewie. So I got the liberty. But we'll see. Stewie is going to Stewie. Stewie is going to Stewie.

Speaking of people who going to do what they going to do, Chelsea Gray is back on the basketball court. She suited up this week for the Aces for the first time this season. And I think it was like 17 seconds of her being on the court. She got an assist, like probably record time of her just making an incredible pass. That's what she did. After missing the first. The behind the back. Yeah.

It's all good. Everything that Chelsea Gray does is pretty, pretty. She's really good at basketball. The Aces are 2-0 since her return. Cheryl, do you think that is a coincidence? Because I don't. No, not at all. And you know, we talked about this. I know I was like, they're missing a piece. And of course, Chelsea Gray is a piece.

And to me, I was like, they're still missing another score or something. Right. But Chelsea Gray coming back, doing what Chelsea Gray does is,

You know, and she just gives them the confidence. She calms everything, even Asia. She even calms Asia like, sis, we good. I'm back. I got it. No, it's not a coincidence. That's who Chelsea Gray is. Everyone's game elevated. I think I saw the most immediate reaction, I guess, from Kelsey Plum. Just looking more...

like, okay, I can score. I don't have to, I know the ball's going to come to me eventually. Like I don't have to bring it up or set the offense. It just seemed like a boulder off of her shoulders, which is what we already knew. But Chelsea gray coming back after suffering a left foot injury in game three of last year's WM gay finals. So this is the first time we're seeing Chelsea play basketball in a really long time, but yeah, everybody better watch out. They had their time to go up against the ACEs. I think now it's,

they're looking like they're back to back ways, unfortunately for everyone else. Well, and I know it's going to take, still take her some time, right. To get her legs under her and, you know, just to get back into basketball game playing shape.

But she's also going to be rested for like the second half of the season. Yeah. Yep. She's going to go to the Olympics. She's, you know, going to play in the Olympics. And depending on, you know, how the games go, she probably will be able to rest there also because, you know, I mean, the first few games, you know,

Yeah, we typically win by 30 or 40. We got this. So she's going to get that rest. Then she'll come back to the W and she is going to be ready to go. And I'm the same breath that we talk about how excited we are for someone coming back from an injury. The big, big news. And I got so emotional reading this news, but Cameron Brink said,

suffered an ACL tear and my heart just broke for her. Like everyone, first of all, ACLs, they suck. What do they do? What's their purpose? Why are they here? Just the rookie season that she was having. Yes. But it being the Olympics and, um,

She was set to be on the three X three team. We just talked about how excited we are. We just talked about perfect. She was for this team and how she has been working for this in the FIBA three X three circuit all the way up until now. And it just sucks. Like that is the only way to describe it. There's no other word. Yeah. And you know,

And I'm sure she will not only get another opportunity for 3x3, but Cam Brink will eventually be on a U.S. Olympic team. I do believe that. But I was going to say, a lot of people don't even get that one shot. So, you know, she and you could see in the video, right, when they presented her with the jersey, how she balled. And I was like, wow.

Oh my God, I feel you. And so it hurt. Like it so hurt me.

when we found out that it was an ACL. Cam, keep your head up. Yeah, we love you, Cam. Yeah, we love you. You are the sweetest human. She already posted on Instagram just trying to have the best attitude that you can, but I just hope her village is surrounding her and reminding her, you know, she said delayed, not denied. Yeah. You're going to come back. You're going to be stronger, but it still...

just sucks and it's okay for it to suck. Like it's just bad. Um, it was announced earlier today that De'Erica Hamby, her Sparks teammate is going to be her replacement for the Olympic roster. Um, Hamby has, has done great in three X three, uh, all season long. She just played recently in the America cup and hit the buzzer beater for USA to win gold. Um,

So I'm really, really happy for her. It's just a double edge, especially for Sparks. Like, oh, we're so sorry for you, Cam. But yay, D'Erica, because you're playing out of your mind. So yes, sad, sad news for Camerbrink, but really happy for Hamby. Also, the Sparks signed Queen Egbo for a hardship contract.

And in the game against the Liberty, they flew her there from Texas that morning at midnight. She knew that she was going to play the game the next day. They overnighted a jersey that was Carly Samuelson's old jersey. And they had to sew duct tape or like tape on the back, her name on the jersey net.

I was like, Sparks, let's just close it up. Let's end it. Let's end it now. What? I missed all of that. I missed all of it. Holly did a great sideline report because I was like, girl, how are you playing in this game? And it's not like she was on the bench. She was playing. She was playing minutes. I missed all of that. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that. Okay.

Lastly, before we kick it to break, we just want to send our love to Courtney Vandersloot. We gave her a shout out.

few episodes ago because we didn't know what what she was dealing with but just wanted to send our love she was out for personal reasons but we learned that her mother Jan has just passed away following a two-year battle with cancer the Liberty had a moment of silence ahead of the team's game against those sparks but

uh our our hearts just break for you slew but and she is back in New York we don't know when she's gonna play we don't care I'm just happy she was home with her family um and yeah salute we're sending you some love much love I'm uh

Yeah, this one hits way too close to home for me. Yeah. You know, lost my mom to her battle with cancer as well. So I know the pain that she's dealing with right now. And Sloot just sending you the biggest, biggest of hugs right now and lifting you up in prayer and

Stay strong. And when you're ready, we will be here ready to watch you hoop some more. But much love to you. Much love to you, Sloop. Okay, we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we're going to look at the standings. See what's cooking from first place to 12th place.

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That's BlueNile.com. All right, we're back. The standings. Here are the standings. Quick run through. Number one, the Liberty. Number two, the Sun. And number three, the Lynx.

Number four, the Seattle Storm. The Las Vegas Aces are at number five. Number six, the Phoenix Mercury. Number seven, the Atlanta Dream. At eight, Chicago Sky. Nine, Indiana Fever. Ten, the Los Angeles Sparks. Eleven, the Mystics. And twelve, the Dallas Wings. Where do you want to start? Which tier do you want to start with? Because I have some thoughts.

Yeah. Let's start with the bottom. Let's start with the bottom. It's in your state. Texas. What's up with Texas? This ain't Texas. Ain't no hold up. Listen, don't put that on my state. Don't put that on my state. Girl.

11 straight losses. They haven't won a game since May. Do you remember what happened in May? I barely do, but that's when they won a game. Really? Yes. It's been that long? Yes. I just wrote about it. WNBA Power Rankings, WNBA.com. Shameless plug. But they didn't win a game in Commissioner's Cup play. Of course, you have to look at the...

injury report is as long as a CVS receipt, it's getting out of hand. Even Arike was off a day for Achilles soreness. And I was like, oh my God, what is going on? Maddie Seeger's just broke her finger. So that is a part of it. But what else is going on? You think? I don't even, I don't know. I'm going to sound like a broken record. Yeah.

They need a point guard. They need a point guard. I'm not saying that solves all of the problems, but it's a great place to start. It's a really good place to start. And to your point, yes, they have been dealing with injuries, right? You lose Natasha Howard at the beginning of the season, who's a big part of your team, right?

Satu hasn't played at all. No. Yeah. Natasha Howard is back, but getting her legs under, she had 26 points the other night, but it's

They would be very much out of the playoffs and in the lottery if the season ended right now. And I don't think I would have guessed that at the top of May. No, no, no, no, no, no. Even no, no. I mean, we talked about like, I thought Dallas had,

They had some really good pieces. But let's also look at what they did last year. They made the playoffs last year. Somehow. And you pretty much have the same team with the exception of a point guard in Odyssey Sims. The campaign is so strong. You need buttons. No, I just, I am more shocked now.

That Dallas is sitting at the very bottom of the league than I am anything else. Because I think when you look at the Mystics, I think the Mystics are right where we kind of thought they were going to be.

Right? Yeah. But also so much better than their record reflects because they have been in a lot of those games. Like they have given almost every team above them a run for their money. And I'm not saying Dallas has it, but I think the mystics it's like, dang, you guys are good. Just a lot of teams. They're just better. You know, they just have one more piece or, um, you know, uh,

Brittany Sykes being back for one game showed just how great the Mystics can be. And they're on a little bit of a streak right now. They're playing great basketball. But it is where we thought they were going to be. We thought they were going to be outside looking in to the playoffs. I think the Sparks too. Indiana sitting at that ninth spot.

They're climbing. They had just the hardest schedule ever to kick off the season. So now that they're getting their groove and they've had practice, like I've said before, they're trending in the right direction, I think. Yeah, Jordan. And it helps when you're able to get some rest and practice. I know. It really does. And yeah.

Unfortunately, Indiana, they just kind of put them out there and said, all right, got the number one draft pick. Here you go. Well, everybody's here. So you're going to play every other day. Good luck. But you can, you can see it, right? They, they look rested. They don't look as tired, but, but I also think one of the biggest differences for this Indiana fever team, they're finally playing through Aaliyah Boston. Inside out. It looks great. And it's, it's, it's,

They're playing through Aaliyah. Aaliyah is doing what Aaliyah does. She's also making the right reads, kicking the ball out when she needs to. Melissa and Aaliyah together are playing well. And they're doing this right now without Fag Binley. I know. I love her game. I love Fag Binley's game. That's going to only add to it when she comes back. Yeah. Yeah. Kelsey Mitchell has found her stroke and you know,

We talked about Angel in that game yesterday, Sunday, and just how dominant she was and how great it was to watch her double-double again. But I also want to say, Kaitlyn...

To me right now, one of the best things she's doing is distributing the basketball, like getting it to who it needs to get to, when it needs to get there. But also early on, she would pass and she would just kind of stand and wait for it to come back to her.

Now she's passing the ball. She's getting rid of it. And she's actually like, she's moving without the basketball. They're finding her. They're setting screen. She's able to come off the screen. And that to me is when she's deadly is when she's able to come off a screen and just catch and shoot and not have to worry about, I got to go create for everybody. Like she's finally finding her groove and getting into the pros, right? Like,

Just getting out of the mindset of I had to do all of these things when I was at Iowa, if we wanted to win, you don't have to do that now because you have some really good pieces around you. So to your point, this Indiana fever team, they absolutely are trending in the right direction and yeah,

I don't know. Anything can happen. Anything can happen. And I think they should be ecstatic to be on that bubble of the playoffs because, you know, if it comes down to it, which I hope, come on script writers, give it to us. Chicago Sky, Indiana playing for the bubble, the last playoff spot. Are you kidding me? Like,

I didn't think we'd get this so soon, but I would be here for it. That would be a lot of fun. But as we keep moving from the bottom up, the Atlanta dream. Ryan Howard, it looks like an ankle injury. She's sidelined right now. But in that same exchange, they get Jordan Canada back.

who's only played one game back this week, I think that's going to help them a lot. And I have just been waiting for her to get back so Atlanta's pace can pick up. Because I just think that's, I know they were leading the league in pace last year, but you add a Tina Charles who kind of slows you down, but in a good way. Like she wants the ball where she wants it and she's going to distribute it and they were going to try to go through her

But when you add Jordan Canada, who can also add that defense of presence for you guys, I think they're going to start trending up. But right now, I am constantly scratching my head. I don't know what team is going to show up each night. Yeah, I had to stop watching them the other day because it –

They have way too much talent to not be any better. And the other day when I watched them play, it was so hard to watch. So I just had to stop watching. But here's my thing. Yes, without question, getting Jordan Canada back changes this team. It definitely makes them a better team. But my question is... Not even a question. This is more of a statement. If you...

have your players, right? Like your players are playing and they're not getting it done for whatever reason. And so you keep trying different pieces. And as a coach, that's what you do. You try to find the, put the five on the floor that can give you something right. That can change the game, bring some energy, defiscal, whatever, when, especially when it's just a bad game and you're not getting anything from anybody else.

So I had the opportunity to watch L.A. play, Ami here, play in A.U. And I thought she played really well. Like she had some really good showings. I'm just confused as to why she's not getting any minutes.

Yeah. Because I just, I think what she, what she can bring, I think she can help. It seems like it's what they're missing. Like I, I, to, to your point. And it's also, sometimes it's like, why not? Like, why not shake it up? That, that part. Well, what are you going to lose? Like, especially, you know, just going quickly back to Chicago and,

I love how teaspoon swap switched up the lineup like the starting lineup needed to change it needed to tweak and I think Atlanta's right now they're at a tweaking moment let's let's see who is that first second person off the bench what is the lineup um collectively that works

So we'll see. But right now they're sitting, they're sitting at seven. So if the season ended today, they're in the playoffs, but I don't think they've played their best basketball yet. I don't either. No, no, they absolutely have not. Not even close. Hmm. We were really, really high on them.

into this season. So I think it's like personal. Yeah, it's like personal. We're like, this isn't what we thought it was going to be. We couldn't have been this off. Again. Last year, our predictions were atrocious. Yours were atrocious. Mine were not atrocious last year. I had a few that were bad. Mine were. And were really bad. Okay. Atlanta. Atlanta.

Yeah. Keep going. Get together. We need something. We need something. We need something. Jordan Canada, I know you're going to help this team, but quickly on the Mercury, they're sitting at 500. And here's my observation about the Mercury. Such a fun team. I mentioned it earlier. You know, we're talking about the Liberty and the Lynx, two of the top teams in the league. What do they have in common? They both lost to Phoenix because Phoenix can...

come out and they have all the pieces and the experience to upset a team like that. But then they'll turn around and shoot like 17% from three or something crazy. Like live and die by the three point line is a hard way to live. And sometimes it's been inconsistent for them.

throughout the week. Um, and that's why they're at 500. They're just like, even Steven, you don't know which one it's going to be, but I don't have any worries when it comes later to the season. If there needs to be a playoff push, this is the squad I want to roll with without question. If you're towards the bottom, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Well, they have that, um,

I mean, they got that veteran squad, right? The veteran leadership. You got Tosh Clout running the team, who you remember last week I said Tosh, I would put her on the Olympic team as a point guard. Yeah. But you got Tosh, you got Kai, you got DT, you got BG, you got CC, you got TT. Yeah.

They're going to be like, who is CeCe? No, but they do. And if you're a team that's on the bubble and you're trying to make that push to win some games, to get over the hump and make the playoffs, I'll take my chances with this Phoenix Mercury team. Yeah. I have the same kind of feelings about Seattle. How are you feeling about Seattle right now? Because they're sitting at number four and they had a rough start. And now they just they seem like they are like, OK, we shook that. Let's shake that off.

Where we know who we are a little bit. They're still trying to figure it out, but they're getting close. They are. They're trying to figure it out. You know what I think when... I know Jewel is going to do Jewel, right? But to me, when Nneka Agumake is doing Nneka Agumake type things and she's feeling good and she's playing well, I feel like Seattle is a different team. Yeah.

I think Skylar is still Skylar looks good. I think Skylar still trying to get back in the flow of things, the swing of things. And let me just say this for people who who don't know. It is so hard to have a child, let alone two. She has two. Right. But it is so hard to have a child and come back and do what she's doing.

do what we do. And at such a high level in the best league in the world, the best competition in the world, like it doesn't happen overnight. You had a whole nother human inside your body. That's crazy. You know what I mean? And there's a lot, like I went through it. Like there's a lot of stuff that happens to your body, not just physically, but the mental aspect of knowing that,

the, the, the road ahead, right? Like what it's going to be to come back. And it's not just about coming back where you can just play. It's about coming back where you can dominate. And so I like kudos to Skylar because I think what she's doing right now

is just showing all kinds of superwoman Wonder Woman strength and I love to see it and she's only I I say all of that because she's only going to get better with each and every game they play yeah shout out Sky shout out I hope just after the game she just looks at herself in the mirror like as she's holding her two kids and she's like

you are that girl. Like I hope she says those affirmations because it is. I'm a bad mama jamma. Shut your mouth. No doubt. Yes. Absolutely. And they, I think something you said that really stuck out to me was that

You're not just coming back to a role player role. You're not coming back to be on the bench or maybe sixth player of the year. She is coming back to be an anchor of this squad and was brought in

With these expectations of, hey, we were really bad last season. We're bringing you in so we can be back in contention. Like there's no middle ground. We brought you here. We expect you to get us there. Good point. That's a good point. Woo. Couldn't be me. Good for her. It could be. It could be you. Woo. It could be you. And in saying that.

Shout out to Noel Quinn. Yeah. Cause I know she did an interview and she talked about where Sky is and where she's going and why she's there and how much she respects her. So, you know, in situations like that, Jordan, you, you also have to have to play for the right coach. Cause not every coach gets that and understands that. But Quinny, Noe, Noe Quinny does. Love that. Yep. Seattle's at 10 and six right now. Um,

Yeah, I think they're they're gonna keep working out some kinks, but that's a good spot for them. I can see them just hovering around for the fourth spot for majority of the year. It's gonna I think for Seattle because we're just framing this as you know, if the season ended today,

It's going to be that playoff matchup. Who are they going to get in that first round? That's going to be curious. That's what I'm curious about, depending on how far they can go, if that makes sense. But also that veteran leadership. They've all been there before. They know what it takes. So that's going to be exciting. And we talked about Minnesota, who's sitting at third. The Sun.

At number two, I want to hear your thoughts. They dropped two games in a row for the first time this season. What, I don't know if you caught those games, but what, what, what's the difference between the sun that are on a roll winning was clear cut. Number one to these last couple of games. Jordan, you said it when you were talking about Seattle, like sometimes it's just about matchups. Like you,

like the aces they just have Connecticut's number and I did see that game and I don't know if you remember just seeing 80 every time Asia scored like compilation of that oh my gosh it's like somebody just kept like poking a hole in her tire letting the air out every time Asia scored it was like yeah yeah but

And sometimes, like honestly, like sometimes you just can't do anything about it. It's all about matchups. And Connecticut struggles with the Aces. And this is where, because we have said this before too, I know Dejanay's having an incredible season. Ty Harris having an incredible season. Yes, she is. For me, one of those two right now, most improved. That's for me. Yes. Yes.

But even in saying that, this is where I say Connecticut is still missing something. Like, I think they're still missing something.

Like another big, because even AT, AT is undersized for her position, which she plays one through five, right? But against a team like Vegas, where you have Bree Jones defending Kia Stokes, AT has to defend Asia.

Right. And that's where AT gets frustrated because Asia is going to go on the block and Asia is going to do what she's doing. Not to mention the fact that there's nobody I think that can guard Asia right now. Right. Asia is. Yes. She's on a whole nother planet. Right. That's just a caveat. But but this is where I think having another.

big that can score, not just a fin, but another big that can score for Connecticut, it kind of changes that matchup, right? You can leave Bree Jones on Kia Stokes.

If there's another big that can score for them, you can have her defend Asia, move AT on the perimeter, or even you start AT on Asia. But when you need a sub, you can bring another big in. She can guard Asia. AT can move on the perimeter. That's what I think they're kind of missing. I know they have Olivia Nelson-Adota. Mm-hmm.

But I still, I just, I think there's that one thing they're still missing in order to get over that hump. And I think they did it with

you know on the guard in with Veronica Burton you know signing her I thought that was very much you know we talked about that at the beginning of this season when she got waved from Dallas she needs to be on a team because she does something and she does it very well and you go to a defensive-minded squad like Connecticut and they see that she can be that off the bench like okay we need

a bench player to also shut down someone and she is accepting that assignment. Now you're just saying they need that on the post end, but man,

A.T. was so mad the whole time. I didn't mean to laugh, but I was just thinking about going into that locker room, like especially at halftime. And I was like, thank God I am not in that locker room. If I missed a couple of those switch assignments or if I wasn't in the right position, she was yelling at everyone. She was hot. Because I think she knows that the Aces have their number. Like, it's just...

they are trying to get over that hump and the aces are just like, no, sorry. Not today. Not ever. Not in the playoffs. Not now. But yeah, still, I think Connecticut's going to be fine. They're sitting at number two and, and they're, that's where they always are. I know they want that number one spot, but they're, they're where I expected them to be, I guess. Yeah.

Yeah, I mean, they started the season off so strong. And they're still playing well. They will. I agree with you. That's kind of where I had Connecticut. I think we, I don't know if we kind of slid over the Aces. That's kind of a surprise to me. Yeah. I didn't have them in the fifth spot right now. I didn't. I had the Aces number one. Yeah. Yeah.

you know what? I'm going to go out on a limb here. Do it, do it, do it. I think they like being at five. I don't think they mind it because they can make the climb and they can turn it around. I don't know if they want to be at five, but I don't know if they, they mind it for the,

The overall arching story to go to a three-peat, I think especially the first championship, no one was calling them a super team. Then the second championship, oh, you're just a super team. You're supposed to be winning all these games. Now if you say, okay, well...

it's June 24th. They were at the fifth spot. They were losing a lot. And then come October, they're going to be climbing those ranks and getting back in and could potentially go for a three Pete. So I, I don't think they mind it. I don't either. I don't either, but, but I, I don't think they mind it, but I know they don't like losing. No, they don't like losing. No, absolutely not. So yeah. Yeah.

That's a surprise for me. That is a surprise. Look, the basketball has been really good night in and night out. It's been fun to see how teams have started the season. This little temperature check where everyone is right now. Who's falling fast? Yo, Texas team. They are falling fast.

They're falling. They're falling real fast. Real fast. Hopefully, Arike can, I don't know, hop on the wings of the mascot. Arike's been doing her thing. She's going to do great. And I hope she's an all-star. My prediction, if you guys remember at the beginning of the season, was Arike going for MVP. She's putting up MVP numbers, but...

That record. That record ain't helping our case. That record ain't helping our case. But any last thoughts as we wrap up here? This was a jam-packed episode. I know. I mean, there's just so much. There's so much going on. No, I mean, just to kind of reiterate

a couple of things that we said, cause I want to leave it here. Um, Kim, we got you praying for you, lifting you up, keep your head up. You will come back from this slew. We love you. Um, wrapping our arms around you, sending you great big hugs. Um, we got you too. And, um, no, just, it's been a fun, this was, this was great. Um, it's just been fun. I love you too, Jordan. I need to tell you that.

- I need to tell you. - Well, just to kind of-- - You always put a smile on my face. - Oh, thank you. - Even when I'm in a bad mood, you always put a smile on my face. - I try and I wanna just bring it full circle with the top of the show.

I'm so happy you got that standing ovation. You deserve it. I feel like I call you a friend and a mentor and someone to lean on in this business. And I just love your relationship with Angel. And I think it, I don't know, when I just see everything that's going around with her having this great game, I just want to wrap my arms around her.

always we talk about that we talked about that with the Leah Boston just like we want to shield her from everything and so when I saw that hug on TV it was like yes that was all of us just wrapping our arms around it was me that's what I felt right just like I said with all the ugliness that's been out there and that's why I said it and it wasn't just for

For Angel, because the part that you didn't see, right, was at halftime when the game was over, I had a conversation with Kelsey and with Aaliyah and gave both of them big hugs. And, you know, it's just that's just kind of who I am. I want nothing but the best for for everybody, for every player in this league. It's just stuff that's been going on towards Angel has been.

too much. It's been a lot. And in that moment, I felt like a proud mom and I wanted to just say, listen, I hear you. I see you. I feel you. And I got you. Perfect way to end.

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Oh my gosh. The show is produced by Alex Ozzie. The executive producers are Maddie Sprung Kaiser and Leah Reese Dennis. Social media assistance from Isabella Apple. Music from T-Storm Battle. And like always, a very special shout out and thanks to Lena Moss Glazer. And court. And court. Is adjourned. Is adjourned. Long court session today.