Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Episode Summary:
Chelsea Gray on the Las Vegas Aces Dynasty and Winning Her Fourth WNBA Championship
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

On this episode, Sue Bird welcomes Chelsea Gray—fresh off winning her fourth WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces—to discuss dynasties, her transformative 2025 season, team culture, and the Aces’ route to becoming one of the league’s most formidable franchises. The episode is packed with candid reflections about adversity, finding joy, team chemistry, and what it takes to sustain greatness under pressure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining a Dynasty in the WNBA

[02:11–11:18]

• Sue and guest co-host Tommy Alter dig into what constitutes a dynasty in sports, especially the WNBA.
  • Key criteria identified: Multiple championships within a short time frame, a consistent core group, sustained greatness, and a defining coach.
  • Sue points out that dynasties don’t necessarily have to include back-to-back titles, referencing the Minnesota Lynx’s four titles in seven years with the same coach and core as a model example.
  • Discussion on franchises like the Houston Comets, Detroit Shock, and the evolving nature of sustained excellence vs. dynasty status.
• Quote:
  • "Sustained greatness with, in large part, the same group of people in a short period of time with championships." — Sue Bird [02:37]

2. The Uniqueness of the Las Vegas Aces’ Championship Run

[18:00–47:20]

• Chelsea Gray discusses the emotional rollercoaster of the Aces’ 2025 season: from early adversity and internal doubts to peaking at the perfect time.
  • Emphasizes how challenging May and June were: “I keep on saying it was getting scary. It was looking spooky out there.” [00:07/18:34]
  • Distinguishes her fourth championship as the most emotional, noting relief and pride for regaining peak form after an injury-riddled previous season.
  • The turning point: A vulnerable, tearful conversation with Coach Becky Hammon which reset her mindset.
    • “Who you are and what you're capable of is enough. Like, don't think outside that.” — Chelsea quoting Becky [27:49]
• Importance of vulnerability and open communication within the team, largely fostered by Coach Becky Hammon.
  • Becky’s unique blend of accountability and support contributed to a trusting environment where players felt safe expressing themselves.

3. Overcoming Adversity and the Role of Team Culture

[68:00–73:31]

• Turning point after a humiliating 53-point loss to Minnesota and the transformative text from Asia Wilson:
  • “Don’t come to the gym if you’re not embarrassed and ready to work.” [68:10]
  • The team responded with a dominant victory, leading to improved communication, accountability, and effort—especially on defense.
  • Chelsea highlights the importance of defensive chemistry, trust, and collective vulnerability:
    • “As much as people talk about offense and having chemistry, you have to have it defensively too, and understand people’s tendencies.” [73:10]
• Individual preparation, film study, and defensive IQ are crucial to Chelsea’s game, not just for herself but the team at large.

4. Inside the Aces Locker Room: Chemistry, Roles, and Star Power

[52:04–57:39]

• Sue and Chelsea break down team dynamics, the evolution of trust in play-calling, and chemistry, especially after integrating new additions like Jewel Loyd.
  • A pivotal moment: Jewel requesting to come off the bench, showing maturity and team-first mentality.
  • Emphasizes that team pressure to instantly gel is unrealistic in today’s sports climate—chemistry takes time and patience.
• Chelsea shares how much she values teammates who are versatile, resilient, and capable of having “their night.” She describes managing the offense with this in mind:
  • “I just love sitting back and being like, okay, we’re going to do this, that, and that…my IQ and my thoughts are just flowing and I’m loving it.” [53:22]
• On Jackie Young and Asia Wilson:
  • Jackie: “She’s strong as hell...there’s not a way she can’t score. That puts her in a different category.” [61:59]
  • Asia: “Her hands, she grabs everything…Her ability off the dribble and bringing it from a rebound, like her getting off the glass and bringing it into making a good decision…she gets better every year.” [65:29, 67:08]

5. Clutch Moments and Finals Execution

[39:26–45:25]

• Chelsea’s perspective on being ‘clutch’:
  • “Clutch is somebody that does it consistently, regular season, playoffs, no matter the stage.” [39:26]
  • Highlights the “tunnel focus” and the importance of routine shots, not hero-ball, in decisive moments.
• Breaks down critical shots from Finals Game Four:
  • The pivotal three-pointer as New York was making a comeback:
    • “They were trying to climb back...that was the shot that we needed. …That was the biggest three that I hit.” [43:48–44:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Team Identity:
  • “Dynasties are feared and looked up to and set the goals. People try to strive to be like this organization or strive to be the dynasty.” — Chelsea Gray [30:02]
• On Vulnerability and Coaching:
  • “Becky has this great knack…you can come to her like a best friend…but she’s also like, this person that’s gonna yell at you and hold you accountable…It’s a gift that she has with people.” — Chelsea [27:49]
• On Adversity and Growth:
  • “There were moments where I was just like, I'm not really having fun. …Find the joy, and I would tell myself, like, good job, kid.” — Chelsea [24:42]
• On the Turning Point:
  • After being blown out by 53:
    • “We had to get super raw and vulnerable with each other and like, yo, this doesn't feel good…This ain’t the normal.” [70:36]
• On Defensive Excellence:
  • “My mind was super active on both ends, and I took a step defensively just by being more aggressive…I bait them into bringing it down so I can strip it or it gives me more time or somebody else time to get there.” — Chelsea [74:16–75:52]

Important Timestamps

• [00:03–00:07] — Chelsea’s immediate post-championship mood ("Lots of tequila. It's been great").
• [02:11–11:18] — What makes a dynasty? WNBA examples, core players, and changing eras.
• [18:00–25:28] — Chelsea reflects on the tumultuous early months, her struggle, vulnerability, and key conversations with Becky Hammon.
• [30:02–32:03] — Chelsea’s checklist for a dynasty: championships, a core, and being feared. Facing dynastic teams as an opponent.
• [39:26–41:26] — Discussion of clutch gene and routine under pressure.
• [43:48–45:25] — Breaking down a pivotal moment in the Finals, how Chelsea decided to take and make a crucial three.
• [52:04–53:22] — Balancing a team loaded with offensive options; strategic play-calling.
• [61:59–67:13] — On the strengths of Jackie Young and the continual growth of Asia Wilson.
• [68:00–73:31] — Post-53-point loss, Asia’s team-wide text, and culture reboot leading to the championship run.
• [74:16–76:55] — Chelsea's defensive approach, film study, and leveraging ballhandling experience as a defender.

Closing Notes

• Chelsea Gray’s journey this season is a masterclass in resilience, vulnerability, and finding joy amidst pressure.
• The Las Vegas Aces’ dynasty is defined not just by talent but by culture, self-examination, and honest communication—traits modeled by both players and Coach Becky Hammon.
• Off the court, anticipation is high for another lively offseason and a game-changing upcoming WNBA free agency, spurred by the new CBA.

This episode delivers deep insight into what it takes to build and sustain a WNBA dynasty—on and off the court—through powerful storytelling, player perspective, and authentic conversation.