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The Unicorns of the WNBA

2023/6/6
logo of podcast Queens of the Court: A WNBA Podcast

Queens of the Court: A WNBA Podcast

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Courtney Williams
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Jordan Robinson
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Sheryl Swoopes
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Jordan Robinson: WNBA联赛目前展现出很强的均衡性,这出乎意料。赛季初期,比赛结果难以预测,很多比赛都打到了最后时刻。这与人们普遍关注的“超级球队”的预期有所不同。印第安纳狂热队与拉斯维加斯王牌队的比赛非常精彩,尽管王牌队最终获胜,但狂热队表现出色,一度领先,并在比赛后期展现了顽强的竞争力。这表明WNBA联赛的竞争性非常强,即使是排名靠后的球队也能够给强队带来挑战。 Sheryl Swoopes: 赛季初期,WNBA的竞争激烈程度令人惊喜,这与人们普遍关注的“超级球队”的预期有所不同。WNBA联赛的竞争激烈程度很高,这对于那些未能进入球队的球员来说是一个警示。赛季初期的激烈竞争预示着未来比赛的精彩程度将会更高。印第安纳狂热队虽然输掉了比赛,但球员们的整体表现值得肯定,并且未来有望取得胜利。印第安纳狂热队在比赛后期出现紧张情绪,导致他们未能保持领先优势。印第安纳狂热队是一支年轻的球队,需要时间来学习如何赢得关键比赛。裁判对Aaliyah Boston的判罚尺度过严。 Courtney Williams: 芝加哥天空队认为他们与所谓的“超级球队”实力相当,并有能力战胜他们。芝加哥天空队在落后19分的情况下逆转战胜了纽约自由队,展现了强大的实力和韧性。 Jordan Robinson: 纽约自由队在比赛后期出现失误,未能有效地控制比赛。纽约自由队需要学习如何在比赛后期保持领先优势并有效地终结比赛。纽约自由队在比赛后期没有让Jonquel Jones上场是一个值得商榷的决定。纽约自由队的三位核心球员应该能够在比赛中取得胜利,但芝加哥天空队最终逆转了比赛。

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Sheryl Swoopes and Jordan Robinson discuss the surprising number of close games in the WNBA, questioning if this indicates increased parity among teams.

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$45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three-month plan only. Taxes and fees extra. Speeds lower above 40 gigabytes. See details. This is Queens of the Court. Yes! That's pretty dope. That's pretty dope. I feel like a laser show should just pop out every time that that plays. Oh my God.

Oh my God, that was pretty dope. That was pretty good, okay. Well, that was our new intro music. I approve. We approve. That sounds like a bitch. I love it. It's Queen of the Court. All right. What's up, everybody? 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.

is in session. I did it twice. Thank you. My gavel didn't travel. I don't have it. I feel like something's missing from a part of me. I will hold the gavel down for us today. Thank you. You're welcome. There were a lot of games over the weekend and a lot of great ones and a lot of close ones which

It's not that I'm surprised, but I was excited about. I mean, a lot of them going down to the wire. My blood pressure was up. My heart was beating fast because there were so many. Just to run through a couple of them from Friday. The Liberty defeated the Sky by one point, 77-76. Mystics defeated the Wings by one point. Aces defeated the Dream by five points.

Spark defeated the Mercury by six points and ESPN had a really great stat about all of this. The combined scoring margin of all those four games was 13 points. That's the lowest scoring margin in a single day in WNBA history with at least four games played. So my question to you, Cheryl, is we've talked a lot about a few teams that we knew were going to be at the top, but are you surprised that the parody so far, I know it's early, but so far,

Some. I am. You know, because I think in the beginning, like everybody else, we were really talking and focusing on the so-called super teams. Right. And there were other teams that we knew had some talent and were were young and it might take some time for them to to, I guess, to kind of start gelling and be confident in who they are.

But I think so early on in the season, especially after this weekend's games, not just Friday, but Friday in particular, like for those who didn't know, the WNBA is competitive. The WNBA is good.

So, you know what? It kind of takes me back to Jordan is again, the draft and the rookies and players who didn't make teams. And you and I have had conversations about this, about how good the league is. So for rookies who didn't make the team, I hope they're watching the games. Right. And can, and can truly see and understand like, damn, I got to work. Right. I got to, I got to get ready. So I can go and take one of those spots, but I have to say that,

Like I am so excited about the season being so early and how competitive and good the games are to me. That just means it's going to get that much better.

Yes, that's what I was thinking too, because this is just like a hint of when it goes to the playoff hunt and it's going to be, you know, it goes down to the final last season game because it's so competitive. Like that is really exciting to me. But one game in particular, I know we have to talk about, and that was the Aces who are at the top.

top of the standings defeating Indiana, who's at the bottom of the standings only by four points. And honestly, it was really two. Like those were two free throws at the end, but it was Kelsey Mitchell had a chance to tie it with a layup. I know she wants that back, but the fever were in that game, the entire game. They had a great start like from the tip off.

Asia Wilson versus Leah Boston. That was the battle. But what, what stood out to you in the sense that even myself, I was like, okay, let's see what this fever got. I know it's going to be a blowout, but let's see what this fever got. And they shut me up so quick. Everybody was probably feeling that way. I don't like, I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. I don't, I don't know if I necessarily thought it'd be a blowout, but I did, but I thought it would be an easy game for the aces. Right. Yeah.

I think for me, what really stood out, first of all, I love me some, some Kelsey Mitchell. So Kelsey, if, and when you listen, cause I know you will, I'm sending you much love energy, big hug. It'll be all right. You'll make up for it. But like Kelsey's a bucket, you know? So that layup, when she missed it, I could just see the look on her face. Like,

Rewind. Can I please have that back? Yes. Here's what, and I even tweeted this. I was like, this fever team is fun to watch because for me, that was really the first time I actually sat down and watched the game from the beginning to the end. And I love the pieces that they have. I love Christy Wallace coming in. Like Christy Wallace is a great piece for them. And, and,

I mean, we talk about Aaliyah Boston and Alyssa Smith, rightfully so, Kelsey Mitchell. I just thought every single player that came into the game the other day for the fever, they contributed in some kind of way, whether that was rebounding or playing defense or scoring. I think it's just, again, as you said, it's early in the season. To me, it's a matter of time.

before they get that win. And the thing is, last thing I'll say, they're young. And we talked about this. They're a young team who right now, like they had a 10 point lead, I think, right? 10 point lead with, I don't know, four minutes to go, three or four minutes to go. They played

not to lose instead of just, instead of just doing what they were doing. Right. Just keep playing the way you were playing. They got you the lead. They started playing tight. Like, oh my gosh, this is the aces, the number one team, the super team. We're not supposed to win this game. Right. Yeah. And so you could see that.

I do think they got a couple of bad calls down the stretch, but that's neither here nor there. I think it's a matter of time, especially for a young team. It's a matter of time before they put it together and they learn how to win close games like that. Mm-hmm.

Well, and the Aces, the championship pedigree just jumped out. Like they went, they outscored them 23 to nine in the last seven minutes or so in the game. And it was kind of like, they realized like, okay, we're, we're losing to Indiana. Let's kick it into high gear and make sure we win this game. But I think, you know, coach sides is,

has the right mindset. She's like, don't dwell on this. We have to be able to move forward. Let's yeah, it shows growth. And I think at the end of the day, we're talking about how there are so many close games and especially for Indiana, but me and you both know at the end of the day, it's still going to be an L on

you know, on their record. So what can you do to learn from this is more of the conversation because we're not, it's no moral victories. Oh, you fought hard. It's still going to be an L. So even if it's a bunch of those games this year, even by next year, even towards the end of the year, that's going to start to turn around just like what you were saying. So yeah.

think they're in good hands. They're going the right direction. Me too. Again, like I tweeted, this team is so much fun to watch. I want to add one thing. Another thing. Yes, please. We talked about this early on when Elena Deladon made her comment about refs not giving her calls. Like, I'm not a rookie. So I'm going to use that and say the refs need to stop reffing Aaliyah Boston like she's a rookie. Meaning...

she is a rookie but I think because of that I believe Aaliyah Boston gets calls against her that if she wasn't a rookie wouldn't happen just you know I watched the game yesterday and there were a couple of fouls and I thought they were at crucial moments so here's the deal it's Aaliyah Boston defending Asia Wilson

Tough matchup. Yeah, but nine times out of ten, Asia's going to get the calls, right? Yes. It's a rookie and it's, Asia's a vet, I guess. You can say she's a vet now. But there were a couple times when they called and I was like, not sure about

But it's going to happen. So I just wanted to put that out there and say, I do think they got some really tough calls down the stretch. But again, to your point, Jordan, it's they're young. The season's early. You give Kelsey Mitchell that shot again. Oh, she's going to knock it down. And you know what? And I'll

that I am gonna put the ball in Kelsey Mitchell's hands all day long and allow her to go make something happen yeah Kelsey Mitchell had 22 points we all know you're a bucket Kelsey and I think even if it comes down to next game you're just like you said we're giving it to her we're gonna keep it going what are another close game that we also have to talk about is the Chicago Sky it it's

It's time to talk about the sky. It is time to talk about the sky. They are four and three this season on Friday. They lost to the Liberty. Like I mentioned earlier by one point in Chicago, Brianna Stewart, Brianna Stewart secured the wind seven seconds left, but on Sunday they traveled to New York and

and defeated the Liberty by four points. And they were down by 19 points, Cheryl. 19 points. People were packing it up. The popcorn was getting packed up in the concession stands. People thought this one was over. And then they have someone named Kalia Copper who finished with 27 points. She had, let me look at my notes.

She had like 17 in the third quarter. She had 17 points in the third quarter. She basically ignited this comeback by herself. Courtney Williams had 12 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. And this is what she had to say about playing a so-called super team and beating them. I mean, now we can be anybody.

I think, you know, it's so much hype around the super team. I mean, no shade, but shade. And it's like at the end of the day, we're here, too. You know what I mean? And we're going to come out every night and we're going to play Chicago Sky basketball. So we already woke. Y'all got to wake up.

That is the most Courtney Williams. Love me some Courtney Williams. That I think I could have ever heard in my life. But is she wrong, Cheryl? Like she's not. No. She said we already woke. We just need y'all to wake up.

Like that is so Courtney Williams and that besides her talent, like that's what I love about Courtney. Courtney just keeps it real and is going to tell you what she thinks, how she thinks, how she feels all the time. But no, she's not wrong. I loved her quote unquote super teams shade, but no shade or no shade, but shade. However she put it, I was like, okay, it's true. So I was one of those people watching the game yesterday and,

Was that yesterday? Yeah. Yeah. We're recording this on the same day. I'm watching the game and I'm like, okay, I know the Liberty, they're this so-called super team, but Chicago, I need y'all to show up. Cause there was a point in the game. I was like, really? 19 points? Is New York that good or Chicago that bad? But you know what I loved? Cause I didn't leave. I continued to watch the game from my couch. Same. Yeah.

the fact that not one single player on the sky looked worried looked concerned like oh okay we'll show up but I want to mention this one player who shame on me that I was not like had not really watched her play did not know her game Robin Parks I love that kid's game

You got a new fan. I watched, like, I sat and watched the game yesterday, right? Because I knew what Kai would do. And even Courtney at one point was quiet. Courtney turned it on in the fourth quarter, I think. Yes. Yeah. Courtney was huge in the fourth quarter. But Robert Parks coming out, defending. She had some crucial threes for them. I was like on my phone, Google, I was like, this kid, where did she come from?

Do not sleep on the sky. I'm going to tell Courtney Williams right now, Courtney, I was asleep, but I am awake now. Please forgive me because the sky, the sky, and they're doing this without Izzy. Let's not forget Izzy Harrison is still out. And they didn't have Dana Evans.

on Sunday either. She was with an illness. Rebecca Gardner has a foot injury. Izzy is out. So they're not even fully loaded. But it seems like even, you know, we don't talk a lot about Marina Mabry either. But just like...

lineup of Ka, Courtney Williams and Marina Mabry they're gonna win in a fight like 9 out of 10 times like I'm picking that lineup to go to battle with you know what I mean like they some dogs D-A-W-G-S yeah

Yes, ma'am. WGS. Yes, ma'am. Yes. And they mesh well together. And the start of the game, you know, when New York was building their lead, it was Courtney VanderSloot's time to shine because, you know, you're playing against your former team. You're definitely going to play extra better. Yeah. But it was the unit of Chicago that came back.

But I will say that final like minute, the Liberty fell apart. Like they did not finish that game well. And I have a little breakdown. So Courtney Vandersloot makes the layup 59 seconds left. Liberty is only down by two. Then Stewie fouled Courtney Williams like crazy.

on the other end of the court, like way far from the basket. So that was two free throws. Then they give up an offensive rebound on the free throw for the Chicago sky. If you remember that, then Sabrina and Eskew gets an offensive foul. Like they just fell apart at the end of that game. And so when we talk about the Liberty being this championship team, this is something they're going to have to learn from as well of how to close out a game, close,

out, especially keep your foot on the gas pedal if you're winning by 19 points, first of all, and don't let it even come down to that. So I think both teams could...

the Chicago can build off of this in the momentum in the right way, but the Liberty are going to have some things to look at too for, I don't think Brianna Stewart got enough touches. Like there was so many things that went wrong. Well, here's my thing. I'm watching because I know we're talking about the sky, but I want to turn to the Liberty for one second because I'm watching the game right down the stretch and I'm looking, seeing who's on the floor and I'm like, where's John Coyle Jones? Yes. I have that in my notes.

So here's my question. Is, is, is John Quayle still injured where, you know, she's still struggling going through that. So she's not ready. My other question is, is, was this the right move for John Quayle? I don't know. I'm just putting it out there. Don't know. I don't know.

But there was a player who was on the floor that I think should have been on the floor, who I think will probably end up starting for the Liberty. And if she doesn't, she should. And that is MJ. Johannes. Johannes. Oh, that girl is so nice. She's so nice. She's like, oh goodness. Sorry. I know we're talking about the sky, but I love her. Love her game. But it's,

I mean, I know it's still early in the season, but that's a game. That's a game where JJ could have made a difference. And that's why I looked up. She's only averaging 18 minutes a game right now. I don't know if that's her injury, but when the Sky got that offensive rebound off the free throw at a critical time at the end of the game, I'm looking at Jacquel Jones on the bench like, why? Why?

like she could have helped you get that rebound like so that was just a head scratcher and she has her towel over her mouth she doesn't look injured she looks very much frustrated like we are she looks pissed yes sorry yes that's what she looked like like because here's my thing with with the lineup of junkwell jones brianna stewart and courtney vandersloot

You had a 19 point lead in that game. That's a game that you have to win with just, and I'm not mentioning any other player, just with those three players alone, that's enough experience, talent should be hard to terminate all that stuff that just with the three of them leading that squad, you have to find a way to win that game. But the sky said, Oh no, we are going to find a way to win this game.

Yeah, that was a good one. That was a good one for TV. Yes, ma'am. That was a good one. Okay, Sky's upcoming schedule. They have Tuesday against the Fever, Friday against the Sparks for this week. So we'll see if they can build off of this. I think if you go game, you can only go game by game in this league. Yeah.

but they're standing sitting at four and three I think are shocking a lot of people they've come to play I know James Wade don't play so they come to play every single time and all right go Sky if you what did Courtney say we were already woke we just need everybody else to wake up yeah okay well hopefully you guys are awake because we're about to take a break we heard you

We're going to take a break and we're going to talk about some other breakout players of the season, which I'm so excited about. We'll be right back. And now a word from our sponsors at Betterment.

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It's time to talk about the one and only, the unicorns of the league so far. But we got to start with Alyssa Thomas. Because, Cheryl, even when we were talking about this segment, you're like, Alyssa Thomas could have her own segment because of what she's doing right now.

Her 10th season in the WNBA, but she's making it look easy, honestly. Like, you can see the effort, but what she's doing night in and night out is incredible. And this Connecticut Sun, she's been with the Connecticut Sun her entire career. But on Thursday versus the Lynx, she became the only WNBA player to record at least 16 points, nine rebounds, and 16 assists.

16 assists! That's crazy. It's actually crazy. It's crazy for anybody, but especially, I don't know if she's a 3, a 4, a 5. She's a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 16 assists for any player is crazy, let alone...

a player of at, at Alyssa Thomas's position. Yes. And just to add on that, let me just provide even more context to that. Like Alyssa Thomas is a forward. She set the franchise record with 16 assists and previously it was 14 by Lindsay Whalen. That goes all the way back to 2004. Lindsay Whalen, one of the best of point guards in WNBA history is,

The 16 assists that Alyssa Thomas hit, it tied Sabrina Inescu, Courtney Bandersloot, Tisha Pinochero for the second highest total in WNBA history. She is a forward. These are all point guards. Yeah, listen, when I said A.T. can have her own segment, I said that because I think she's very deserving of her own segment. And not only do we, and I mean we as a

the public or social media or whatever. I don't think we're giving Connecticut enough credit right now for what they're doing.

But in a whole different category, I'm going to put A.T. because there are times I feel like A.T. gets a bad rap because people call her dirty. But what they don't talk about is how good she is. Listen, A.T. gets it done on both ends of the floor. For people who are listening who may remember, A.T. reminds me of a Tasha Byers song.

Do you remember Toto? That's a deep cut. That's for the big fans. It is. This is for the real WNBA fans. Toto was like, came in, did whatever she had to do. Offense, defense, she could score the basketball, but she was going to defend. She was going to rebound. She was going to run the floor. And Toto was...

Like she was just tough, right? She was, she was mean, but not in a bad way. She was mean on the court when she was playing and you knew she was all about her business. And that's, that's, that's what AT reminds me of. But I want to say to her, you know, people always talk about giving people their flowers. Listen, there are not enough flowers in the world.

for me to give to A.T. because I think everything she not only what she's doing this year, she's been doing this, right? It's been consistent. Yeah. But when JJ left and when when Jazz left, I think a lot of people were like, oh, my goodness, like they lost two key pieces. They lost the coach, which is true because we had a conversation about this.

But to be able to have consistency is important and not just with the coach. So you, Dewana Bonner, right? And AT, I think that is a hell of a duo that not a lot of people are talking about. And I just want to say what AT is doing this year

And I know the season's early, but she's been very consistent. And I don't expect any of that to change anytime soon. So kudos to A.T. A.T. is getting it done. A.T. is leading this Connecticut Sun team. And I'm excited.

Excited to see what she does in the next game. Whenever they play. When do they play, Jordan? They play it soon. It's going to be great. It's going to be a show every single time. You mentioned Dewana Bonner. I saw this tweet.

And it just was picture perfect of how we don't give Connecticut enough credit and specifically Dewana Bonner. She scored 13 points in the last game and she moved to 11th all time scoring in WNBA history. Yeah. Why aren't we talking about that? Leslie, are you kidding me?

And they're on the same team. And Dewana is such a great, you know, I love that there are a couple in real life too, Alyssa Thomas and Dewana Bonner because the chemistry on the court is incredible. But here's my question to you, Cheryl, about Connecticut, because

We have seen, we've heard this song before where they've had a hot start in the season and they played their butts off in the regular season. But when it comes down to getting over the hump and getting to, you know, getting deep into the playoffs, even the finals, they just can't get it done. They move some pieces away. They've taken away JJ. They've taken away Kurt Miller. Um,

Does recency bias, like, I feel like it's making me pause of how to get too excited for right now because I'm like, are they just going to break my heart again at the end of the season? You know, and I hear you, but I feel a little differently. Okay. And this isn't anything I know. It's just me as a player or former player, right, saying, okay,

maybe they moved the pieces that they needed to move and now they can get over the hump. Okay. Sometimes change isn't always a bad thing. And I don't know if, I don't know if that was Kurt Miller or JJ or Jay, I don't know, but they seem to really like each other, right? The new pieces, Stephanie White has them playing really well, like kind of sort of like a fresh start for everybody. I don't know. I'm,

gonna say this might be the year that they get over that hump. I am, I am, I am. This is how you can tell we're just super fans of the whole league because I think every episode we've said somebody different is winning the title this year. Maybe it's Stasis, maybe it's the Mystics, maybe it's Connecticut. Everybody's so good and we want everyone to succeed. But I think...

According to Courtney Williams, maybe it's the Chicago Sky. Maybe it's the Chicago Sky. We need to wake up. We've been asleep. My bad. My bad. Okay, that's something to definitely keep in our back pocket as we see Connecticut progress over the season. But this is a really great start for them. But somebody else who's been having a really hot start

who is finally healthy and we are seeing for, I feel like the first time of what she can do is Satu Sabli with the Dallas Wings. She is killing it. And I think with the Wings, we talk about Arike,

Agumawale and we focus so much on her and it's really been all on Arike's shoulders for the past couple of seasons, but Satu feels healthy. She got to rest more in the off season. She said that she's playing pain free for the first time in a really long time. And, you know, she's newer in the WNBA. She was drafted in 2020 as the second overall pick out of Oregon, but she's,

She's something different this year. She has something in her eyes. Like it is a, a vengeance, a, I don't know what it is, but she is a straight killer out there. All of that. I love it. I love to see it. There's something, we said the same thing about EDD being, being healthy, right? You can't, you can't play at your best when you're injured, when you're hurt, when you have nagging injuries, when you're constantly worried about everything.

Injuries. You just can't. And so to hear her say for the first time, she's healthy. She feels stronger. She stayed here, worked on her game. And it shows. I love...

saw two at what is she a three she's playing yeah she's like a stretch three she's a perfect height she looks much more muscular i love her body type everything about she looks confident she's just getting it done what is she at 22 points a game which is 13 11 rebounds per game like

I mean, yeah. So when you talk about like breakout players, I don't think we consider A.T. a breakout player because she's been doing this. No, we knew that. Yeah, we knew that. She's been doing this, right? But Satu absolutely has to be at the top of the list when you talk about breakout players this season. Yeah. And to your point, I'm sorry, to your point, Arike has been like, everybody talks about her, what she brings, and we know what she brings. But we might need to start talking about Satu a little bit more.

little bit more and it's like could it be you know at first I was like okay is this most improved player conversations but it's it feels different because she hasn't really played a full season like she she only played 11 games last season so we were we still didn't see everything that she can do but people are saying on the Twitter's world that

MVP conversation. This is her last six games. 25 points, 17 points, 24 points, 23 points, 18 points, 14 rebounds, 26 points, 14 rebounds. Like...

Not only is she third and points, third and rebounds, she's tied for fourth and steals. Like she's just doing everything. Listen, those are no doubt MVP-like numbers. Yeah. So to me, what it will come down to is how well does Dallas do, right? How they're winning, yeah. Yeah, because right now if you –

early MVP race or MVP conversation there is no way I'm leaving Sato off on my list there's no way I'm leaving AT off on my list yep yeah I mean no doubt no doubt no doubt the wings are sitting at three and three

So, I mean, I think it's only up from here because I think Arike did not have a great game last game and they still made it a close contest against the Connecticut Sun. And I think that's because they have other weapons this year and it's not all on her shoulders. So the wings are, they're going to be flying high. We know what they're, what they can do. Last player. There's some, there's some pieces there.

some really good pieces there we have to talk about and give some flowers to in this episode lexi brown with the la sparks my girl lexi come on sexy no well you know neca gave us permission to call her that during au she was like oh that's sexy lexi but can yeah to your point

Lexi, not only was she shooting the three, Lexi was scoring from all facets. She was making them look like home. Nice little pull-up jumper. Yeah. Yeah. Look, was laying it up, was leaving the hand up there. Like, oh, yeah. Yeah, I can do that, too. Oh, she looks so good in the game the other night against the Mercury.

had 26 points in the overtime win. And she's averaging 14.4 on the season. But the confidence through the Crypto.com Arena's roof. Like, you can't come in there.

You can't contain it. And I think one of my favorite things about Lexi, not only her just being a really great human being, but she is a wonderful testament of the road to get to where you are meant to be is not linear. You can go.

Go all different ways and curves. And, you know, 2021, she was waved by the Lynx one day into training camp. Then she was picked up by the sky, waved again, then resigned by the sky. She wins a championship with the sky, but she told me she was like, ah, I wanted it to feel a little bit more like I was a part of it. Yep. And, you know, she, she really put the work in.

I remember she told me in an interview, you know, I think that was, this was last year, like a guaranteed contract is like what she's working for. She's like, this is when I would know that I, I made it and I felt secure and I didn't have to keep looking over my shoulder. So yeah,

Your first wave or when the first team doesn't work out, that is not the end of your story. And Lexi is such a great testament to that as she is balling out of control. She fits perfectly in the Sparks offense. It is definitely more offenses revolving around her this season, which I think is nice to see. She's killing it. Yeah, you know...

Jordan, everything that you just said about Lexi and to every player out there who may listen or, you know, got cut, right? To your point, Lexi Brown is the epitome of determination, of resilience, right? Lexi didn't, she didn't feel sorry for herself. She didn't feel bad and say, woe is me. Oh, well, I got cut. Hopefully next year. She continued to put in the work. I remember, um,

I guess two years ago with Athletes Unlimited and this year with Athletes Unlimited, Lexi came out and played and balled and worked on her game. I'm not saying that's the reason why she is, you know, with the Sparks and has found a home. I think she's found a home with the Sparks. But I will say watching her play in Athletes Unlimited, I could just see the confidence. I could see she had this look in her face like,

I can play with these players, right? And it's not just the players and athletes unlimited, but even the players in the W, but let's also say there were at least 20 players and athletes unlimited who are playing in the W. And so I'm talking about talent, right? Lexi Brown said,

Let me figure out what I need to do. Where do I need to get better? Let me continue to work on my game because I know I belong. So shout out to her and kudos to her for putting the work in, for being determined. And she now has found a home and Lexi is getting it done. Yeah, sexy Lexi.

Now the Sparks got to keep winning. And I think, again, all of these conversations, you know, the MVP conversations or most improved, all of those awards, it does a little bit stipulate on the record of the team. So I'm going to be watching the Sparks because I love my Sparks. But keep going on the win column for them. I feel like they've just –

We were just talking about the back-to-back games against the same teams. I feel like they played Phoenix like five times so far. They won in overtime on Friday. So we'll be keeping an eye out on all these players. I love this little segment. We might have to bring back some breakout players or who stood out of the week every week because that was nice. I like that. Give some flowers. I like that. Okay. Well, we'll be right back with the tweet of the week and we will wrap up this episode. We'll be right back.

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Overnight, Duncan'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 Duncan is where you want to be. All right, we're still here. It's us. Hi! We always love to wrap up with the tweet of the week. And this one, Cheryl, I...

Actually, LOL. Like, laughed out loud. The Chicago Sky social team, they were on the Courtney Williams track of... They were loving this game over the New York Liberty. And Chicago Sky, just as an account, really won Twitter this weekend. One tweet after the win. Something, something, quote, revenge tour. Anyways, good night.

I love that. If we can flip to the other one they did. Super team, teenage dream, light the beam, Krispy Kreme, it don't matter. With the emoji clap. Read it right. Matter. Sky win. Sky win. The graphic of the final score. I mean, what? All caps. It don't matter. And Kalia Copper, we talked about it at the top of the show. She had 27 points. So they also tweeted Kalia Cop her.

incredible incredible like she's that girl yes player of the game just so good so good great job chicago sky twitter you guys were in your bag this weekend love all of that you deserve all of it um okay some upcoming games for the week i think for both of us we're gonna have it circled

Tuesday night, Las Vegas and Connecticut. And then they play again on Thursday night. So that's a big week because Vegas could go undefeated. They can be eight and oh, by the end of the week or Connecticut can move into that first spot by the end of the week. So I think those are going to be kind of must must watch.

I'll be tuned in. Oh, yeah. So well, and I want to say this, even though Connecticut hasn't said it, but just like Courtney Williams was like, we've been well, everybody else needs to wake up. I'm sure the Connecticut Sun is feeling the same way. Everybody's talking about the aces, the liberty and and and the Connecticut Sun is like an afterthought.

So that one at Connecticut in particular is the one I'm really looking forward to watching. Ooh. Okay. Well, there's a lot, a lot of great games this weekend. I think the fever and Chicago game on Tuesday night will also be a good one. Can the fever bounce back? Can Chicago keep the momentum? There's a lot of storylines heading into, into that one, but yeah,

A lot of great games and we'll be back next week to talk about them. But before we go, I do want to shout out Team USA for winning gold in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

This is a four-member team. Cameron Brink, Haley Van Lith, kind of the young stars. They're still in college. But former WNBA players Linnea Harper and Ciara Burdick, who have been in the 3x3 circuit for years, grinding it out. And this is the first time USA has won a 3x3 World Cup title since 2014. So...

I was encouraged by how well they were playing Haley Van Liff. We know what she's going to do. And now she's going to do it in an LSU uniform, which is scary, scary, but Cameron Brink just from hosting, you know, PAC 12 last season, I think three X three is really going to build her game up. So I'm excited that they, that they won that title and inching closer and closer to Paris Olympics too. Well, and, and,

and the thing that that does is playing three X three, it, it helps you really work on and define your one-on-one skills offensively and defensively. So to your point, that will absolutely help Cameron bring, but I, I want to,

Shout out Linnea Harper and Sierra Burdick. Cause I think a lot of people probably forgot about the two of them, right? Played in the W. I'm not really sure how long Sierra or Linnea played, but the fact that they're still doing their thing and to have an opportunity to play USA basketball, doesn't really matter what format, if that's five on five or three X three, the fact that they get an opportunity to do that and they're still doing it and bringing home goal,

Tons of flowers to you. Kudos to you. Shout out to you. And way to go, USA. Yeah. USA. USA. USA. That's all you're going to get. Well, that's it for us. Please low rate and review this show. It's available on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. I know we say it every single week, but it really does make a difference. So give us those five stars. We deserve it.

If there's something else you want to hear us discuss, let us know on social media. You can find me at airsweeps22 and Jordan, y'all know she's got that brand new handle. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson. She's now at HeyJordanR.

Plus, we have a new listener email address. You can send us questions or feedback or just say hi at queensofthecourtatodyssey.com. Queens of the Court is an Odyssey original created in partnership with the WNBA. The show is produced by Alex Ozzie. The executive producer is Lena Moss-Blazer. Social media assistance from Isabella Apple and imaging from T-Storm Battle. It's a jerk. It's a jerk.