WNBA Finals Preview (feat. Syd Colson and Theresa Plaisance)
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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. Oh, y'all, we're witnessing Cheryl lose it in real time. Oh, I'm excited. This is Queens of the Court. 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. And Court is in session. We're ready. We're ready. We're ready for the final. It feels like Court has been out of session for too long. Just a week. So much has happened in a week in the WNBA.

My goodness. We have a lot to get to. I'm also going to tease a very two special guests later in the show. Sydney Colson, Teresa Plaisance are here to talk about their show, the Sid and TP show. So make sure to stick around for that. They are hilarious. It's always a good time when we talk to them. My goodness. They're so funny. So funny. But the WNBA finals is here. I mean...

Gosh, it just feels like yesterday we were at the draft waiting for this moment. The script has been written. The super teams made it to the finals. This is what Kathy wanted. This is what everybody wanted for the super teams to be here. The Aces swept Dallas 3-0. Cheryl, your take about Dallas. It didn't really age well. Listen, I know I was the one that was like Dallas could surprise some people here.

Well, they didn't surprise people this year. A little time print. Here's what I think happened. I think people were surprised that they didn't win a game in that series. And because they had beaten the Aces before. But I will go back and say, I thought Dallas had a phenomenal season. Dallas just like...

The fever. And I think we forget that sometimes they're still young. They're still a very young team. Just had never really been in that position before. And, you know, yeah, it helps when you have talent, but it also helps when you have that experience. And that's definitely something that the Aces had over Dallas. But shout out to Coach T, Dallas Wings. Phenomenal season. And without a doubt, they will be back.

They will be building blocks. This was a great experience that they can take into the off season and just work on. Um, also yeah. Coach T first year with Dallas, like this is a best year that you could have imagined. And just having that win over the aces in the regular season. Um,

That last game, game three, went down to the wire. And that's where that experience for the Aces side just really, they just turned it up to a whole nother level like the last two minutes of that game. So Dallas will be back, but the Aces are back to the finals. And who will they play? The New York Liberty. But Connecticut made things hard for New York. And

flower segment early to the entire Connecticut Sun team. I mean, I'm going to miss watching them play basketball. I think that's one of the things. I'm sad that they're not in the finals because I wanted to see Alyssa Thomas continue this record-breaking season, Dewana Bonner going off. But they just fell a little bit short.

But man, was that a good series. It was an amazing series. You know, and I don't know if things would be different if Rebecca Allen plays. Maybe they win that one. I don't know. But Rebecca Allen to me was huge in this series games one and two, even though they lost two, but game one, just being able to.

Shoot the basketball from three, being a bigger guard, guarding Sabrina, just everything that Rebecca Allen brought this series was like, I don't know if we really talked about her enough. Tiffany Hayes, another one that I thought the entire series played her butt off game one.

Game three, game four, game five, game one, game two, game three. Tiffany Hayes was amazing as well. You said it, DeWanna Bonner, another fantastic, not just a series, a fantastic season. And I'm saving the best for last because I can't say enough about A.T. Not only what Alyssa Thomas meant to the Connecticut Sun organization. I want to be very clear

when I say this. Alyssa Thomas did things this season that no other WNBA player, current or former, has ever done. And I say it like that because I...

was very fortunate to play alongside some of the best to ever play the game. I played against some of the best to ever play the game and none of us were able to do the things that Alyssa Thomas did. And it just blows my mind how people couldn't see how special that was. And I say that because for her, to me, for her not to win MVP, um,

it was a shame. That's just my personal opinion because of everything she was able to do for her squad. And I won't talk about it anymore, but AT, first of all, thank you for coming on this show and just thank you for, um,

Damn. I mean, just getting it done. Just representing, just playing the game the way it's supposed to be played on both sides of the ball and leaving it all out on the floor. That is what I will miss about this Connecticut Sun team is not being able to watch her anymore. Even going out in game three and coming back. Or game four, excuse me. Was it game four? Game four, yeah. Yeah, game four with an injury and coming back. Just...

Just just amazing. Amazing. Yeah. And Alyssa Thomas, I think another part of it, too, that I was kind of reflecting on because, you know, I did tweet when she went down. Alyssa Thomas one doesn't go down like she fights through so much. She's as tough as it gets.

and what i was kind of reflecting on is is young girls or young women young boys even who were watching this series and maybe they are not as tall as a brianna stewart or maybe they're not um maybe they're a betweener you know in in position wise

Seeing someone like Alyssa Thomas and saying, well, I have the heart. I have the energy. I'm strong. I don't really shoot threes. Like, could I make it at this level? And having Alyssa Thomas kind of be that poster child for those type of players is something that we can't really look past because it's not, you know,

on paper, she might not be the tallest or the biggest or the fastest or anything like that. But she was throwing dimes. She's guarding one through five. She didn't sit down for like five games like that. Can you talk about conditioning? When you talk about somebody having to be in shape, Alyssa Thomas had to be in the best shape.

And I mean, we're talking about her and I don't think anybody can say it any better than Alyssa Thomas said in her own voice after the game in the press conference. I think we have a clip. A.T., you mentioned the team as a whole throughout the season, but just looking back at yourself personally, in what ways did you kind of feel that you most grew throughout the year? I mean, I had a season you've never seen in this league and probably won't see again unless I do it.

So let's be reasonable. I mean, triple doubles, most double doubles in league history, we're talking about league records. So for me, I have a lot to be proud of that no one could take away the fact that I will always be in the record books. I love how much she's grown from being shy, humble, to being like, no, I did that.

I'm that, you know what? That's what she said. I'm that girl. Yes. You guys better start paying attention. And I love that she has that perspective because we're not going to be able to take away this record. It is cemented in the record books. And we will always be able to point back to this incredible season that she had. I love that she said that. It was incredible. Sorry. You know, she said that.

I did something this season that has never been done and will probably never be done again unless I do it. Like, listen, some people may take that and be like, well, she's a little cocky. I hear that. I hear that. And I'm like, damn straight. Like, you're 100 percent correct. Yeah. What Alyssa Thomas did this season will probably never be done again.

Six, and I'll put the playoffs in there. Seven triple doubles in a season. One season. Some people play their entire careers and never have a triple double. Some never have a double double. I don't know. I don't know what else to say.

Yeah. Well, Connecticut, they fought hard. It was a really good series to watch with New York, but the Liberty ended up closing out the series on Sunday. 87-84. I wasn't breathing. My heart was...

was beating a million miles a minute. It was so good and such high level basketball. I think that's just what gets me excited. And talking about the Liberty, you know, they made those adjustments. They lost that game one, they won three straight, which is really hard to do. And especially to go to Connecticut and do that. I think Brianna Stewart shot better

In the next few games. But Jonquil Jones was solid and consistent and had double doubles and all of those wins that they've had. But we have to talk about Benijah Laney. And I heard something on the broadcast that was so interesting.

because this was what we were talking about earlier in the season where Benaja just didn't, it didn't seem like she fit and it seemed like she didn't know where she's, where she fit in this team. And I guess there was a conversation that she's had with Sandy Brandello before she signed her extension. Like I,

I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm getting pushed out. And Sandy Brandello ensured her that they need her on this team and that she is needed and necessary and spoke life into her. And then it was really from that moment on, and especially after she signed her extension, she has been guns a blazing. And every single game that she scored more than 14 points, the Liberty team,

one and she had three 20 point games in a row. I believe Alex can fact check that on me, but it was both ends of the ball. It was the energy. It was knocking down open shots. It was defending. I mean,

But Nyjah Laney, I don't think if you really know who, you know that she was a baller. But to be able to do it on this stage and to be able to help the Liberty get to the finals for the first time since 2002 is...

I love what she brings to this team. And I think if she continues to do that in the finals, they're going to be tough to beat. Just being honest. You know, we talked about this early on, right? When the Liberty was playing, JJ was hurt. Stewie was trying to figure out where she fit. Sloop being new. Sabrina's still there. But, you know,

But, you know, Benaja, we talked about she just looks lost. Like we even talked about this. And I know because I'm a huge Benaja Laney fan. I love her game, both ends of the floor. We talked about they can be a really good team if and when Benaja figures out what her role is, where she fits. I will say this, not to take anything away from any other player on this Liberty team, because they all have played really well this season. Benaja Laney.

in just in this series alone was the difference maker. She was knocking down big shots when nobody else could seem to score. She was defending. She was diving on the floor. She was getting loose ball. She's blocking shots, all of that. The part that annoys me is where is she? Meaning when the Liberty or whoever you're putting the graphic out, there's no Benajilani to be seen anywhere. And to me, that's disrespectful.

And again, it's not to take anything away from anybody, but you have to at least acknowledge the fact that Benajia Laney, I don't know if they win game two, three or four. If Benajia doesn't have the type of game she's had.

I don't think so. I don't think they get past the Mystics. Like, she had a great round one. Yeah. Benaja has been that one consistent player. JJ, too. But Benaja's been that one consistent player for the Liberty that has showed up and showed out every single game in the playoffs. And then I'm here. I'm, like, on Twitter, like everybody else. And I'm looking at graphics. And I'm like...

Is she invisible? Or is she just not there? Like, you gotta be better. Yeah, I know. I totally hear you on that. And just looking at this box score from the last win on Sunday, Jonquil Jones, 25 and 15.

25 and 15. And we talked about JJ as well, but after that all-star break, just having the light bulb come on,

She her consistency with being a virtually unstoppable presence inside the paint. She was also knocking down some three yesterday as well. But I mean, she's going to the finals back to back. She's like, oh, this is this is normal for me. Like, oh, you Liberty fans, you don't you don't know. Oh, yeah, this is what I do.

I feel comfortable here and going up against and especially down the stretch against her former team where she was at Connecticut for six, the first six years of her career and to be able to change teams and still have the same result of going back to the finals. Not a lot of people can do that. And, you know, Brianna Stewart had 27 and nine as well, the MVP. And I think it's,

the free agency and the super team and all of that, I for one was the number one person being like, it's going to take a couple years. They're not going to do it in their first year. It's a big change. But I think it's a discredit to just how great these players are. And Jonquil Jones, Brianna Stewart, former MVP's current MVP, to be like, no, this is regular. This is what we do. Now we got to get the job done in the finals. I'm not saying it's going to be easy.

But to get them there on a new team and to really put a franchise on your back is, it's incredible. It's not really heard of. Just to give them some flowers. And for Sandy to be able to, first of all, have that conversation with Benijah, right? Like, no, you're right where you need to be. We need you. But to take all of those pieces and

Right. And bring them together in a year and say, here's here's what what you're going to do. You're going to do you're going to do. And we're going to be this year. Like, yeah, the talent is there. But even so, sometimes it does. And I think you and I both are having this conversation. Sometimes it takes time.

two or three years for players to figure out each other and to find themselves in the position that the New York Liberty is in today. So kudos to Sandy, to the Liberty for getting it done. And there we go. The final one.

Let's give some context, some of the history. I kind of hinted at it, but Las Vegas could be the first franchise to go back to back since the LA Sparks did in 2001 and 2002. Like this, it has...

It's been a while. We're just not going back to back. It's been a long time. And New York's first finals appearance since 2002, and the Liberty are looking for their first ever franchise championship. New York. This is it. New York is the only original WNBA franchise without a title.

That doesn't even seem real. When you think about the people who have worn a Liberty Jersey, I think all of them are like in this finals with this team, right? Like you think of Spoon and even Becky Hammond, she's literally in the finals with them, but coaching against them. Like it's so much history with the New York Liberty, but for them to be getting their first finals win,

I mean, it's a lot at stake. It's a lot at stake. Yes. Phone text me yesterday. It was like, who are you pulling for?

And I just responded, LOL. You know, I am never wanting the New York Liberty to win, going back to when we played them. So there you go. But that's really crazy when you think, like, I think I knew that. But when you read it and you really put it in context, I'm like, dang. 2002, since their last finals appearance, was that the year Spoon hit the half court shot against us?

Was that 2002? I don't know. I don't remember. Well, 2002, that's when the Sparks went back-to-back. So the Sparks beat the Liberty in 2002 to go back-to-back. Got you. Yeah, but the fact that they've never won a championship.

It's insane. That's crazy. That is crazy. And here's my question to you, because this series, this regular season series between New York and Vegas has been so up and down and just like a head scratcher. When you think about the blowouts and then the close games and regular season, if you take commissioner cup out of it, they're tied.

We were hyping up the games before they were happening in the regular season, but does this feel different? It's a more- - Oh, it for sure feels different. - It's the finals. I'm not expecting a blowout. This is different, right? - We can't have a blowout. - We can't. - And I'm just gonna call a legacy. You now have

The former MVP versus the current MVP. Yeah. That in itself is, that's a game within itself. That's just me saying that as a former player, like if, if I felt like I should have won it and you want it and you came and took what I had. Oh, it's personal. So I'm excited to see the Stewie Asia matchup. I am. And to your point, I,

I don't think either of them have played against each other the way they played against everybody else. So I can't wait to see this matchup and I'm hoping we're going to see the 30 point Asia versus the 30 points Dewey. That's what we deserve. We deserve that. No,

We deserve that. Please. Well, the only thing, you know, Asia doesn't have a finals MVP. That's a lot of the talk as well. You know, Chelsea Gray turns into another human being during the finals. And I'm expecting that again. But I think Asia's like, okay, you can have the regular season MVP. I'm going for the finals MVP and the rate. No.

No, she ain't saying that because she wanted the regular season MVP too. She wanted all. Yeah. Oh yeah. Don't get it twisted. But because she didn't get it, she's like, okay, now I got to go get this one. But to your point about Chelsea Gray, Chelsea Gray to me is the X factor.

Right. I think Benaja Laney is X factor for New York and Chelsea for Vegas. If I'm Sandy Brandello, you have to put you have to put Benaja on Chelsea like Chelsea is the head of the snake. You got to find a way to slow her down, not let her get out in transition, make all those crazy Chelsea passes.

And Benaja on the perimeter is the only player that can at least try to do that. You can't put Sloot or Sabrina on Chelsea Gray. You just can't. No. But so in saying that, that means Sabrina or Sloot is going to have to guard Jackie Young, who is also who is also another problem.

You know what I mean? On the perimeter. Because Jackie is so strong that it doesn't matter whichever one of those guards is on her. She's just going to take them in the paint and post them up. I would say New York's probably going to play a little bit more zone than maybe they've played before because of that. But I don't know. The zone worked against Connecticut. The switching of the defense, it really did work. And I will say my X factor is kind of a cheating answer, but...

The bench, the bench you have for the New York Liberty, you have Kayla Thornton coming off the bench. You have Marine Johannes. They could get hot. They can make huge plays and they are huge weapons to say to like break it in case of emergency. You have two big guns to come off the bench that can score in a hurry or defend.

in a hurry. And you know, we've we've talked about that's probably the one Achilles heel that the aces have is just not that deep of a bench. Is that going to hurt them, especially when the stars of the aces have been playing so many minutes in a 40 season game to get to this point. So that's what I'm going to be looking out looking at it's the finals. Yeah, it's all different bench players

matter at all oh no no no they they matter my point okay not so much in your because Kayla Thornton I mean she's another play I don't think we talked enough about I love her game she plays hard all of that love her game and you know we've talked about uh Johannes a lot yeah so those two absolutely they're gonna come in they're gonna play they're gonna make a difference when I look at the aces we know what Alicia Clark's gonna do she's gonna come in we know what she's gonna do

I don't really think Becky is that concerned about her bench. You know what I mean? It's like, listen, it's the finals. We're rolling with who we've been rolling with. And y'all are professionals. Y'all got to figure out how to play. Yep. Even when you're tired, suck it up and let's just keep it moving. It's fair. I don't know. I just, I wish they were playing tomorrow.

- I know, we gotta wait a week. Oh man, well, that's good. The next time we record the Queens of the Court, we'll be able to dissect game one. So at least nothing, the weeks in between, they have been long and fruitful.

One thing before we switch over to our interview with TP and Sid was the MVP voting. That's what kind of had the internet on fire over this past week. Brianna Stewart was named MVP for the second time in her career, but it was only the second time in WNBA history where the MVP did not get the most first place votes. The first time that that happened was 2005.

when Sheryl Swoopes won the honor with 16 first place votes versus Lauren Jackson's 20. So...

It has happened before, but it was a lot of people were questioning the voting. I think that's where people were saying we need names. We want names, affiliations, who is voting for whom. But Breanna Stewart won it. She had an incredible season. I think I'm just happy that

There were three great MVP options that had people discussing it and had people talking about the MVP race. That discourse is really, really good for the WNBA. But all three, Asia Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, and Brianna Stewart had incredible seasons. But like you hinted at earlier, Cheryl, A.T.'s was incredible.

Out of this world. And for her to have the most first place votes. It just kind of was a heartbreaker. That she didn't get that award. It was a heartbreaker. I just. And you know it's crazy. Jordan.

Just because we have our opinions and I want to say, and they're just that my opinions are mine and your opinions are yours. Right. So don't be mad about my opinion. It's mine. Yeah. My thoughts, my opinion. So just because I'm saying what I'm saying about Alyssa Thomas does not mean I don't think Stewie and Asia had great seasons because I do. I think they had incredible seasons and,

The one thing I want to talk about that you're talking about had Twitter all up in arms. And I agree. Whoever the genius was who thought it was cute to give Asia Wilson a fourth place vote. Here's my thing. If you thought it was cute, it wasn't. If you thought it was funny, it wasn't. But if you were bold enough to do that, like I did it. That was me. Like stand in and own it.

everybody else. I want to know who it was because you're a joke. Like that is such a joke. And it's, you talk about disrespectful. That's disrespectful. There is no way on earth Asia Wilson should have received a fourth place vote.

Like, really? That's what we're doing now? It's just weird. Here's my thing. What are we doing? And here's my thing. If you're the league, whoever makes these decisions, whoever that person was needs to be banned from all WNBA games and should never be allowed to vote on anything. Ever. Ever. Yeah, because at this point, we just can't trust you. Right. It's a joke. Yeah. Yeah. Because that doesn't make any sense. I love Andrea Carter on WNBA Countdown. Like, what?

looking into the camera, like show yourself. No, it's just ridiculous. Come on, come on. There's no way. Asia Wilson had an incredible MVP level season. So did Alyssa Thomas. So did Brianna Stewart. None of the other two didn't get any fourth place votes. No, because when I see stuff like that,

Like that to me is personal. Yeah, it did seem like a personal thing. Like either you don't like Asia, you don't like Dawn, you don't like South Carolina, you don't like her mama, her dad, something. Something. That's personal to me because it makes zero sense. Zero. Yeah, zero. Like take his or her voting card away.

We still trying to find who it is. Come on the show. Show yourself. Don't come on the show. Sorry. This is crazy. No, it is. You're disrespecting not only the players, you're disrespecting our game at this point when you do something like that.

And these women, day in and day out, they work way too hard at their craft, at their job, for someone to take something as serious as voting for MVP and turn it into a joke. Because giving Asia Wilson a fourth place vote is a joke. Yeah, I agree. Brianna Stewart.

Brianna Stewart, again, won her second MVP award. And I think it's also a good little tidbit that she was the second player to win it with two different franchises. The first was Elena Della Dawn. Again, not easy to do. So shout out to Brianna Stewart.

I'm looking forward. Again, we deserve it. Turn up for the finals. Let's do it. Asia Wilson. Asia, turn up against Brianna. Let's do it. The popcorn is already getting popping. I'm ready. I'm ready. I can't wait. Well, we're going to talk more hoops and other things with the Sydney Coulson and Teresa Pleasant after the break.

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I'm sure you guys have all seen the trailer when the Sid and TP show promo dropped a few weeks ago. It lit up social media. The show features WNBA veterans, Sydney Colson, Teresa Plaisance. They were teammates last season when the Aces won the 2022 WNBA title. And Cheryl, you were in that trailer. First of all, that's why it blew up so much. It was a

It was hilarious. And the show so far, we're two episodes in. By the time this episode airs, it'll be three episodes in. It's so funny. And they are so funny together. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know if I've ever seen anything like this from just basketball players, athletes, period. It's so funny.

like it's just so real you know the way they they interact with each other the way they play off of each other the way they make you laugh like if you haven't seen the first two episodes you have to go check it out because you are going to be laughing from start to finish

And we've been laughing at them on social media, you know, behind the scenes. So now to have them have their own show for us to laugh at them just in a more legitimate sense, it's so fitting. I'm so proud of them.

with this accomplishment and just the fact that, you know, for WNBA players to be on this type of platform, it's really, really cool to see WNBA best friends. Like it's just unheard of. So I'm so, so happy for them. We were able to catch up with them and talk to them a little bit earlier. Here's how that combo went.

We are joined by the stars, the superstars of the Sid and TP show. That is WNBA champions Sydney Coulson and Teresa Plaisance. Wow. Welcome to Queens of the Court. Thank you for having us. Thank you for blessing us with your presence.

My goodness. Thank you for being here. First question for me is what's been the response from the Sin TP show? Because I've been cracking up. I love that this is a thing. I'm so happy it's out there. What's kind of been the response from your fans been like?

I personally found that a lot of people are laughing at us. I don't know if it's like a good thing or a bad thing yet, but we're definitely getting a lot of laughs directed towards us. And we're just like loving it. It's been super positive. It's been like...

honestly like one of the craziest experiences of my life personally being able to like film a tv show sorry that's true he has no home training it's it's good to add in so he's uh he he's putting his two cents in yeah hey honey honey i'm recording none of that thank you sid what about you like

I mean, it's been, yeah, it's been overwhelming, you know, just seeing like, I think while we were shooting it, um, like me and TP, as well as our crew, we felt like, and you were there Cheryl for one of the days, but we felt like it was going to be something special that people would receive well and be happy to see. Um,

And especially the writer on our show, Sheeds. I don't remember if Sheeds was there on your day. No, I don't think so. Okay, but just the things that she was saying to us when the show was over and how excited she was because there wasn't something like this that...

Like there isn't something like this that exists, especially like two W players doing it, like really two female athletes having like the platform to do this and hopefully keep it going to where we could have more female athletes who are,

Multi-hyphenates like us and who maybe want to pursue comedy or acting and can be on the show, like hoping for season two. But like for us, it's just been cool to see that what we felt would be the reception has been the reception and even more, I think.

Yeah, I know for me just getting a chance to be a part of it and I'm not going to give anything away, but it was like I had a blast just working with the two of them. But when I tell you how hard it was for me to get through it without just dying laughing at these two, it was really hard.

And you know, it's hard to find the type of chemistry that the two of you have on the court when you were playing together off the court. But not only are the two of you the stars of the CNN TV show, can we talk about these Deloitte commercials? What about the check? Right? You're talking about wanting to be the face of the league. You are the face of these. You're the face of Deloitte now or something. I don't know. Like...

Like how did that happen? - I mean, with our show being on Maximum Effort, I believe it was someone from Maximum Effort who like thought it would just be a good idea to like promote the show.

And also to have like some more players be a part of this commercial for the league obviously because Deloitte's a partner of the W or sponsor so we ended up just being the beneficiaries I believe because of the placement of our show and like who was casting for the commercial. But they were so fun to do like

Y'all make the commercial. See it. Yeah. Like, there's no way the commercial is as funny as it is without the two of you. Seriously. Thank y'all. I guess one of y'all lost my number when they were casting for the commercial. Wait, time out, time out. So the day of, we show up, and they're like, oh, by the way, there's two guest stars. I found out the day of. Cyn, what did you find out? About the guest stars? Yes.

When you texted me, she texted me and said, "Hey, Sylvia and DT are on our set." She called it our set. Yeah, I was like, "We gotta boss them around today. Show them who the real face of the league are. We're gonna give them a hard time today." Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. So we bossed them around. We treated them like little old rookies. You know, superstar stuff. You get it, Cheryl. You get it.

You're like, this is how it's done. I don't know if you guys are new here to the limelight. No, that's incredible. Because that's what it was in the first episode, Sid. You said not only...

is your friendship with TP, but it was an opportunity for you to make money off of her. And I truly feel like that's the synergy that's going on right now. - I said, "Hey, I'm a straight shooter, no bullshit here." I told her exactly what it was like, "Yeah, I like you kid, but I see something bigger for us."

- She did just say it. - Sid's been pitching the show for a while to me. How it like came about is Sid dropping little Easter eggs throughout last season. Hey, we should do a TV show. Hey, you'd be good on TV, right? You would like that. I don't know, Sid. I don't know if it's for me. I don't know if I can do it. So Sid was the main culprit of how this whole thing got put together.

I'm saying you gotta you have to manifest it. I don't know if you remember I'm sure you do because it's your life during AU. You'd be surprised honestly. But during AU, during Athletes Unlimited, you talked about having you talked about having your own like comedy show. Do you remember that? Yeah.

But you didn't mention having TP as part of that show, but here we are. I'm just saying, it happens. You put it out there and it happens. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

I love a good manifestation. Me too. Wait, I'm about to say, wait, I was talking about it this past one in Dallas or the one in? Yeah. You were probably talking about it the first season too, but in Dallas. Yeah. Because I was like, well, how can a sister get tickets? Right. So I probably either felt like I couldn't speak too much about it and we hadn't started recording yet. So it was like still. But you knew about it.

Yeah, yeah. I knew that it was being talked about. And we were potentially... That's why I even wanted TP to be at AU. I was really getting on her. I'm like, look, just come play in AU. You can make...

you can make good money. Like I know you'll do well in the league, like especially being like a big stretch the floor, like you'll do great and get some good money for that six weeks. But we can also be possibly start filming stuff for the show because the team that together, um,

was talking about us potentially starting during that time it turns out we just started like some weeks later after that but that was like the whole reason that tp fully committed to it in the first place but yeah it still ended up working out like we got to hang out more um

And I think it just helped us have more chemistry. We also, Jordan and Lexi were there and they're gonna be in the episode that's coming out tonight. So it was just a good opportunity for us to hang out with some more players, get a feel for, oh, we might be good on the show. - We were scouting, we were just scouting it out. - Okay.

I love it. Well, that's what I was going to, I saw the preview with Jordan Canada and Lexi Brown, but I feel like you guys have this, this platform and you guys are lifting up the W and also your fellow WNBA players and legends like Cheryl. So talk a little bit about that, why that was important to say like, yes, we're the faces of the league, but also there's some really cool women that are a part of the W.

I think that a big reason that we got our show was because they wanted to tap into a storyline that hasn't been tapped into before. So off rip, we were just extremely grateful for like having someone see something in us and being able to make a full show out of it. And what we wanted to do with our platform is kind of like put on a platform players in the past, what they're doing now, how...

we cohesively work together, how they paved the way for us. Because, you know, we're reaping all the benefits today. Not like that. We're in the place that we're supposed to be as a league. But from the league that Cheryl, you played in to the league that Becky played in to the league that we started in to now 10 years later where the league is, it's grown and grown and grown. And...

i think there's there's a line in the show i know that there's a line in the show that says like it's really hard to keep a job for 10 years with no statistics and it is it really is and we just want to do our part in uplifting other people that like also haven't had their stories told like not you you'd be surprised how many people don't know like some of the legends of the game and some of the

Just like any WNBA team ever in the history. Like no one remembers the Monarchs. No one remembers the comments. No one remembers the stars, things like this. So we kind of wanted to tap into now. We kind of wanted to tap into then and just put on a platform, everyone that, you know, kind of like paved the way for us or also is in the same situation as us and also needs to be amplified and hear their voice heard as well. You know, like,

I agree with everything you said, TP. And going back to what I said before, like I was honestly, I was honored that you guys were like, hey, can you will you come and be in this show? Then when I found out what my role was for the two of you, I was like, oh, yeah, yeah, I can do this. But we laughed when you said it's hard to keep a job.

for 10 years and leave without statistics, right? Like we laugh about that because it's funny. But Sid, I want to ask you this question because I know people are always coming for your job on Twitter, right? There have been several times where I've gone in and I'm like, listen,

What we're not gonna do is come for Sid. But I think you handle it so well. Like, you laugh at it, you joke around with people.

What would you say to people about your role? You guys, can y'all hear that? No, you're good. No, you're good. I don't even hear nothing. I'm hearing a lot of something in my ear, but it's not me. Oh, y'all, we're witnessing Cheryl lose it in real time. Oh, how exciting. Do you have to work with? Oh, my God. That was funny. Teresa said how exciting.

What would you say to people who do come for you like that and they question, like, what is Sid's role on the team? How have you, I think I know the answer, but how have you been able to, like, prolong your career and continue to find a team and the perfect fit for Sid? Oh, that's funny. I was just talking about this, but, like,

The people who get online and are like so negative, just about like everything and whatever. I just happen to be caught in the crossfire sometimes. I see, cause I'll go on some people's page and I'm like, you just tweet, you're a miserable person. You're just constantly tweeting negative stuff. Like to have that energy every day. I'm like, you're just an unhappy person. So like, I can't take anything personally from an unhappy person. Cause you're simply projecting. But like for me personally,

What the people don't realize is that, like, I'm a competitor. Like, I can play basketball. I'm in a situation where I'm not asked to do that on this team. And that's strictly what it is. And that's been my case on several teams in the league. And I could have either decided that I didn't want to do that anymore and I could have stopped playing in the W, just been overseas, did my thing. But, like, I enjoy being home, for one, and I enjoy being on a team. So for me, when...

People come for me or talking about you don't play or just like you're there to get water, hand on towels. Like what I realize is that those people, if they were in my position, they would be unhappy because they would find their worth in how many minutes they play and the stats that they produce. But me, I know that God has me on this earth for something far beyond basketball. Like I never for a day in my life,

view myself as only a basketball player. I always knew that this was simply a pathway and an avenue for me to get to like, not get to because I think God has me on teams for certain reasons and I provide something or I meet somebody or I need to hear something from someone like I'm there for a reason. But I know that basketball has also been a platform

for me to get somewhere else and i know what i want to do like i want to act i want to be in front of the camera it's just helped that i've been in situations especially with the aces and with chris who runs the social media like he's put me in incredible positions just by like highlighting my personality and just my last season showing me and tp and what our personalities were like without me being a bench warmer on this team i wouldn't have been as close to tp i would

I wouldn't, we wouldn't have gotten a show. So it's really that simple. Like y'all are laughing at me not playing, but I'm laughing because I got a show. Another thing just to like, you're laughing because you're taking that check to the bank. I don't care. I need my salary. Like my check's clear during the league and I have health insurance. And that's what I need. That part, yes. Also to piggyback off of what Sid said,

You know, a team is a team, right? It's not like just the people that play. It's everybody that's in that locker room doing something to create a common goal, which is to win a championship. I think we could all say that we've been on teams that had talent out the wazoo and never accomplished what they need to accomplish because the it factor wasn't there. There was something that was off.

Sid, myself, a lot of people that pride themselves on being a good business person, being professional, working hard, sacrificing what their individual career might look like for the greater good of the team. These people do everything.

so much behind the scenes that it isn't just like one thing. It's a lot of selflessness that goes into it. It's a lot of hard work that goes into it. Like as a player that comes off the bench or doesn't play, like,

What your practice looks like the next day is way harder than the people that you see on the court. What you're bringing to the table every single day, you're doing so much. And to be on a championship team with Sid, the way that we went up against the starters every single day at practice, the way that we –

you know, ran scout, organized this. Sid was our leader. Sid, like, got all of us together. When we had to push the starters to a whole nother level, they weren't going to prepare by going against people that didn't care or weren't invested. You needed to have a group of people of 12 women that are invested in the same goal. And if everybody, even...

the best player, the highest scoring player, somebody sacrificing something at some point. Yep. A team is a collective group of people that will sacrifice whatever it takes to win. And that's what we did. And there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. That's more than just like the glue and like being a good person and making everybody laugh and keeping it light. There's a lot of sweat and,

equity that goes into it, a lot of hard work that goes into it, and a lot of selflessness that goes into it. And I think that like, - That's a great point. - It just takes a group. I don't think that like any one person is in the position that they absolutely wanna be in, not the best player in the world. Not one person's like, "Oh, I get everything that I want." It's just how much of you willing to accept. - Like Cheryl, I feel like Cheryl,

I'm sure for the comments, like Cheryl probably had like teammates who were younger or whatever. People who didn't play a lot of minutes, but it doesn't mean that when they got in practice, they didn't show you that they could play. No doubt. It's just that you all did better. You all were better. You did better. And it's just like,

It just was what it was. But the funny thing is that like teammates will respect the people who are doing these jobs or playing these roles. But it's people who've never played basketball in their lives. Yeah. Who are coming, you know, and talking all this trash is just like. Yes. And don't have a clue. But I just want to add one last thing, because Sid, I hear you and what you're saying. But to me, your role is it's it's bigger than what.

people who don't understand the game, your role is bigger than that. Because I look at you and you're absolutely right. Yes, you can play the game. You play the game very well. But when I look at this Aces team and what your role is on this team, it's to me, it's more about being that veteran leader that the Aces need, right? Like, yeah, there's Asia, there's Chelsea, there's

you've been in the league long enough that you understand the behind the scenes type stuff, the stuff in the locker room that we don't see, right? And maybe sometimes Sid has to get in the middle and it's like, no, we're not going to do that. So I look at a team like an Indiana Fever who's very young.

who could use a Sidney Colson on their team, just simply from being that veteran, that leader that's been through the fire, that understands it takes more than just the players on the floor playing in that moment for that team and that organization to be successful. So like hats off to you for continuing to, to be that leader and be there and same for you TP, right? Like you leave Vegas, you go to Seattle, doesn't work out. And,

you know, but you continue to push and you continue to do what it is that you love and what you're good at. Absolutely. So I got nothing but mad love and respect for both of you, for sure. No, yeah, we be seeing you chirping back at people. Cheryl don't play on Twitter. No, because somebody came for me the other day. I was like, oh my God. Which was crazy. That was crazy. We don't even have to. We ain't talking

You literally have to just laugh at that. But I will say, I said something, then I had to go back and delete it. I was like, no, don't do that. Oh, not a tweet and delete. How long did it take you to delete it?

Yeah, that's a good question. Well, I sat there. No, no, no. Because I sat, first of all, whoever this idiot was, I was like, I don't even know you. Like, I don't even know you. So I read what they said and then I responded and I was about to send it. And then I was like, wait a minute, let me go back and make sure my grammar is correct. I'll do that too.

And everything is in it that I want it to be. And then I sat there and I read it. I was like, ooh.

And then I deleted a few words and then I ran it again and then I just deleted the whole thing. Okay, so you never put it up. I also said I'm not going to do it because there are enough people on here who will defend you. They're going to handle it. That'll handle it. It wasn't even necessary. Everybody just crowded around. But I will say, Sid, the whole basketball thing

Doesn't work out. They're still singing. And back in May, you know, the A's was announced. Anita Baker was going to sing the national anthem. Sid, you did your parody of it. Cheryl had her little comeback. We have a little clip. Let's roll it. Let's roll it. Admit that I was out of control. But I still love my man. Listen, she was on beat.

I like the bigger, I mean, it wouldn't be Anita Baker if you didn't do that. - I remember seeing that. - Wait, give us a little bit sis. - Oh my God, not again. - Just a little bit, just a little bit. - What song? - The same one. - Yeah. - Anita, it has to be Anita. - TP chime in if you say. ♪ But I still love my ♪ ♪ With my body and soul ♪

♪ It's rough ♪ ♪ You say things you should not say ♪ ♪ But I never meant to treat my baby that way ♪ ♪ I apologize ♪ - Wow. - We gotta go to karaoke soon. - That was the best concert in Vegas. - Oh my gosh, I love it, I love it. - I'll give it a C-.

- What? - Take that bonus off. - I was giving a C minus, I'm just trying to be fair here. - Take the minus off. - Take the minus off. - That's crazy. - Can we just roll with a C? - Yeah, okay. - The C is crazy. - I can do it with that. - We need Anita to come on the Sid and TP show. - Is there a cameo? Is there a cameo for Anita? - Season two. - Oh, come on. - I love it. We're gonna take a quick break. More with Sid and TP after this.

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

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Let's talk hoops real quick before we let you go. I guess. If we have to. Our show, we barely tapped into that. It was...

barely there's barely there's so much other things to talk about but we're also getting ready for the finals and Sid you're going back to the finals you guys have New York TP I want to hear your thoughts too just what are your overall thoughts is there excitement what's going on in the locker room for the aces getting ready for the finals yeah super excited but like

because there's a team that we were even with in the regular season, but really they beat us in the Commissioner's Cup, so they're up 3-2 on us. But I feel like whoever the team was going to be, you've got to be locked in and focused. But I feel like it's revved up a little bit because you know that this is a matchup that everybody wanted. Super teams. Right. You feel like this is –

this is what the league wanted. We have an idea of who people want to win. And so, you know, I just feel like there's a... Right. Yeah, so... I feel like the lock-in factor is about to be, like,

times 10. um but yeah i think you know hopefully people still just like appreciate the moment and i'm specifically talking for myself to just like enjoy this because this isn't something like common that happens if you're not the comments from you know from back when certain teams that are right yeah four beats right who are able to do this like a lot of times but

So for me, I'm like, just make sure that every practice leading up to it and every day, like to the rest of the season, that I'm very much present, you know, and appreciating what it is because, you know, moments like this are fleeting. I don't know if I'll have another year in the league or if I want to play another year. So I'm like, I'm going to treat this like this is the season.

You know, like most important time of my basketball career. But yeah, we're super excited for it. Yeah, I want to hear what TPS has to say. I'm going for New York. Yeah, what you think? I'm just kidding. I think this is a matchup that the league's been...

pushing for, that the fans have been waiting for. And we've gotten quite a bit of New York versus Vegas throughout the season. And now it's the grand finale. And I think that it's going to be an exciting grand finale because of the super team piece and all this stuff. But obviously, I'm a little biased. I want my best friend to get another ring on this one. And I think that it's going to be

I think that's going to be a really good series in terms of like fan watching. I think it's going to be really exciting. You have two really great teams, two really well coached teams. And I think that it's going to come down to the little things and just preparing for the finals last year. I remember the lock-in factor. It had to be there on both sides. Like,

you just really have to be ready and you have to be ready to adapt. You have to be ready for anything. So I'm just really excited for the series to start. And I feel like Sid really got slighted on the MVP this year. I don't get how that voting happened, unfortunately. - But I love him. Damn, man.

That was that one fourth place vote that Asia got. That's what happened. I do have a question about this. And we keep it 100, okay? Because I did play. And I know you can sit here and say, I don't mean you too, but just in general. You don't need any more motivation, right? It's the finals. You should be ready to play. Absolutely, you should. But truth be told,

Asia is pissed that she didn't win MVP. So do you, both of you, TP, because you played with her too, do both of you think or feel like Asia's coming in feeling a little different or a little extra motivated for this particular series because Stewie won and she didn't? I feel like...

we'll be witnessing like Asia's villain origin story. I think that's what we'll be seeing. Like, of course you're going to be tapped in at another level. Like if you feel slighted and like Asia's already a phenomenal player. So I had a feeling before it was happening. I think a lot of us on the team had a feeling when she got defensive player of the year.

that it was gonna be some funny business going on. It was the same thing that happened last year, but she ended up, you know, obviously still getting, still winning MVP. But we all just had a feeling and I was like, I didn't want it to happen to her, but I was like, if it does happen,

it's going to be that gear that she needs to tap into to really like, she already has a lot of dog in her, but it's about to be like great day. It's going to be, yeah. She had like, she had, you know, like a smaller size dog. She about to have like a great day. Yeah. Yeah. It's raw while they're in there. Yeah, man. It's yeah. It'll be, it'll be interesting for sure. And then I think like another element is that you'll have like,

a team that's angry behind you. And I don't think that that anger is not going to disappear for however many games. I think that there comes a point in every game or like some games specifically, if there's like a call that Asia disagree with or something, Asia gets this look on her face and you know that she means like, she always means business, but there's just like this look that you're just like, oh, they done messed up now. They got Asia mad. Oh,

and it's like it's like the part in the movie or the show when the music starts playing like the person falls on the floor but they get up and the music is playing different you're like oh it's about this okay so sid i won't ask you because you're still playing but tp i want to ask you who who's the x factor in this series for both teams okay

Well, I think that my – I'm going to start with New York, and I think this is like an X Factor that shouldn't be an X Factor, but she's probably just like the most not spoken about. But Nigel Laney. Yes, ma'am. But Nigel Laney has been carrying their team through playoffs right now. Without Nigel Laney, these series could have looked a lot different, right? No doubt.

I don't understand why Benaja Laney doesn't have the storyline behind her, why people aren't hearing this. She don't even make the graphics. She's not making graphics. Like, I don't get how we're not mentioning Benaja Laney as one of the top two or three, arguably, that can change the look of what that team looks like. Right? So I think Benaja Laney is the X factor for me coming out of New York. And also...

This is a player that willingly plays on both sides of the ball. All game long. It makes a big difference. And for the Aces, my X factor, my X factor for the Aces is going to be, I don't know, because I feel like the Aces do a really good job of having balanced scoring and this person having a good night and this person having a good night. I guess my X factor for the Aces will be Jackie Young.

I think that if Jackie comes in, especially potentially being matched up against similar sized Benaja,

I could see that being a really good matchup. And if Jackie is playing like Jackie's been playing all year and Jackie's been shooting the ball at her percentages that she's been shooting the ball at and being able to just like get on the offensive boards and being a big presence from the guard spot, I think Jackie Young will be able to do some damage and really be the X factor for the Aces.

A lot of times, though, they put Bonaja on Chose to hound the ball. So she ends up having Sabrina on her sleuth. That's true. Which even more so what you're saying. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. Jackie Young got a – I like that matchup with her and Sabrina all night. I'm excited now.

i can't wait i was always excited yeah we're we're finding our way to get to vegas uh because it's i sold out crowds i think that's also the x factor for both sides the the crowds they are gonna show out and i think both environments are really tough to play and that's

that makes it even more motivation to take care of business on home court because it's so hard to win in each other's arena. But that's just, that makes it fun and exciting and it's the finals. So, you know, there's just a different level where these players are gonna get to. And I can't wait.

- I know, I'm like, I can't wait, I can't wait. It's gonna be so good. - Cheryl gonna try to, she gonna find a jersey and get on the court somehow. - Let's go Cheryl. - Let's not, let's not. - Which team would you wanna play for? Which team would you wanna play for Cheryl? There's no wrong answer. - A Comet. - That one's wrong. - She said there's no wrong answer. - Yeah, that is the wrong answer.

Yeah, right. What coaching style or like way the team plays like is more. So is Becky and Sandy coaching? Yeah, like the teams that exist. I probably would want to play for Becky. Well, I mean, Sandy plays.

And he played too, but Becky had it played for the Liberty, which is also really interesting, right? That's an interesting little wrinkle. The last time the Liberty were in the playoffs, Becky Hammond was on the team. Yeah, but Becky ain't taking it easy on the Liberty this go-round. You should bring that to the locker room, Sid. Tell her a piece of information about herself. Did you know? Did you know this? Sid's going to be doing this now. I'm excited.

The last time the Liberty had been here, Becky was on the team. You should so do that. I'll do it tomorrow. You should put a clip on of Becky and Katie. Coach, do you remember this?

you guys are awesome thank you guys for coming on of course yeah y'all are great we appreciate you I love that y'all eat that y'all have this platform and then y'all talk so much about women's basketball like I just love everything about it like y'all are talking about the viewership for the game and I'm excited about how that's going to be too because you just I like seeing the stats about how many people they're saying are watching compared to whatever last year um but

As much as people can get online and have their opinions, whatever, you might agree with them, y'all might disagree, but I love that there's so much talk about

women's basketball though yeah like about the w is so many people having platforms to keep conversations going whether we agree or not like it's nice that there's that talk because there's so much of it for the nba and for men's leagues like we need different stuff like this and so keep doing what y'all are doing all press is good we enjoy it thank you i also like that we get to talk about stuff other than

like we're talking about WNBA but other than basketball like the CNN TV show y'all need to go check it out okay tell everybody where they can go check the show out plug it haven't watched it yeah go for it all right well um you all can watch the sit-in TP show on maximum effort on fubo TV um but you can also watch on freebie Tubi um Pluto TV LG channels

LG channel. There's a lot of ways to watch. If you go to Together's page, if you go to the Maximum Effort channel, you can see all the ways to watch. We appreciate the love, y'all. We enjoyed this. Always. Yeah. Thanks for stopping by. Can't wait to watch the next episode. Check us out. Thank you all. You guys are the best. Thank you. Thank you.

Thanks so much to Sydney Coulson and Teresa Plaisance for coming on Queens of the Court. They are Queens of comedy. Yes, they are. That's going to be the next podcast, maybe? I don't know. I like that. No, they're so funny. And that was just a blast to have them on the show. So thank you. Thank you, ladies. For stopping by.

A reminder that you can send us questions or feedback to our listener email, queensofthecourtatodyssey.com. We love reading those. Please send us your finals reactions. I'm sure there's going to be a lot to talk about during these games. Make sure to continue to follow, rate, and review the show. It's available on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Yeah, I mean, I don't know what to say. Finals reactions, y'all. Just send us questions, thoughts, everything about the finals. Can't wait. And as always, y'all know you can find us on social media. I'm at airsweeps22. And Jordan is at... You ready? Jordan R.

Talk about conditioning. That was good. You got it. That was good. That was good. That was good. Queen to the Court is an Odyssey original created in partnership with the WNBA. This show is produced by Alex Ozzie. The executive producer is Lena Moss Glazer. Social media assistance from Isabella Apple. Imaging from T-Storm Battle. And court is adjourned.