Episode 2: The Jewell Loyd Interview

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Episode 2: The Jewell Loyd Interview
Release Date: May 23, 2025

Bird’s Eye View offers an intimate and comprehensive look into the world of the WNBA, hosted by Hall of Famer Sue Bird. In Episode 2, Sue sits down with Jewel Loyd, a six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion, to discuss her illustrious career, personal growth, and recent transition to the Las Vegas Aces. This detailed summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key points, insightful discussions, and memorable quotes from both hosts and guests.

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Introduction: Reconnecting Before the Season

The episode kicks off with Sue Bird welcoming listeners back and expressing her excitement about the show's positive reception. She introduces the week's guest, Jewel Loyd, whom she has previously played with before Jewel's unfortunate injury in the Aces' season opener.

Sue Bird [00:40]: "I was able to catch up with before she broke her nose in the Aces season opener."

Sue's View on the Current League

Sue shares her perspective on the WNBA's current landscape, particularly focusing on standout rookies from Washington and reflecting on the absence of Georgia Amore. She highlights the impressive performances of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iria, emphasizing their seamless adjustment to the league.

Sue Bird [04:45]: "Sonia is averaging 17 points on 65%, shooting 40 from three. She's really just fitting in."

Minnesota Storm's Chemistry and Success

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Minnesota Storm, lauding their consistent performance and exceptional team chemistry. Sue delves into the team's assist numbers, attributing their success to outstanding ball movement and selfless play.

Sue Bird [06:12]: "Courtney Williams is averaging 9.5 assists per game without Kayla McBride. Minnesota's doing their thing."

Jewel Loyd's Trade and New Beginnings with the Las Vegas Aces

The conversation shifts to Jewel Loyd’s recent trade to the Las Vegas Aces. Jewel recounts the surprise and excitement surrounding the trade, the immediate interactions with Sue, and her feelings about joining a new, established team.

Jewel Loyd [61:17]: "I was like, look at this, this really happened."

Sue reflects on their early interactions, including a memorable night out and Jewel's ceremonial first pitch at a Mariners game.

Sue Bird [37:05]: "You were checking out your Corona. I saw what we were doing."

Navigating the Transition: Adjustments and Relationships

Jewel discusses the challenges of transitioning to a new team, highlighting the support from existing friendships within the league, including Kyrie Irving and Phil Handy. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.

Jewel Loyd [49:54]: "Having someone like Kyrie and Phil as friends and mentors has been invaluable."

Sue explores Jewel’s evolving role from a key figure in Seattle to a vital player in Las Vegas, discussing how Jewel adapts her game and integrates into the Aces’ system.

Sue Bird [66:43]: "Do you think you're bringing something to the Aces that they haven't had before?"

Jewel Loyd [67:43]: "I think my intensity and how I train is another level."

Legacy with the Seattle Storm

Despite the trade, Jewel expresses her deep gratitude towards Seattle, acknowledging the community support and the legacy she leaves behind. She reflects on her time with the Storm, memorable game-winning moments, and the lasting impact of her relationships.

Jewel Loyd [57:56]: "Every single game is representing them and letting them feel prideful."

Sue underscores Jewel’s enduring legacy in Seattle and her transition into a new chapter, ensuring fans that Jewel will carry the spirit of Seattle wherever she goes.

Sue Bird [60:36]: "You'll always be a Seattle legend. You accomplished so much and left a lasting legacy."

Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Jewel opens up about her personal growth, focusing on maintaining joy and curiosity in her game. She discusses her offseason training, emphasizing patience, footwork, and expanding her skill set to stay competitive.

Jewel Loyd [58:42]: "I just want to be happy and maintain that childlike curiosity that keeps me creative on the court."

Sue and Jewel delve into the importance of evolving as a player, balancing past experiences with future goals, and the continuous pursuit of excellence.

Conclusion: Embracing New Chapters

The episode wraps up with Sue Bird highlighting Jewel Loyd’s journey, her relentless pursuit of growth, and her positive influence both on and off the court. Sue commends Jewel for her resilience, dedication, and the seamless transition into her new role with the Las Vegas Aces.

Sue Bird [72:37]: "Jewel, thank you so much for coming in. This is fun."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jewel Loyd [21:35]: "The biggest impact was when Kobe was writing his book. It allowed me to see there's more to me than I realized."
• Sue Bird [37:05]: "You barely touched it. Next time, you gotta make that shot."
• Jewel Loyd [57:56]: "I just want to play because that's one of my best."
• Sue Bird [60:36]: "You'll always be a Seattle legend. You accomplished so much and left a lasting legacy."

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Key Takeaways

1. Career Growth: Jewel Loyd’s trajectory from a standout college player to a WNBA star showcases her dedication and adaptability.
2. Mentorship Matters: Influential relationships with mentors like Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving have significantly shaped Jewel’s approach to the game and personal development.
3. Transitioning Teams: The trade to the Las Vegas Aces represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Jewel to further her career in a new environment.
4. Legacy and Community: Jewel’s appreciation for the Seattle community underscores the importance of support systems in an athlete's career.
5. Future Aspirations: Maintaining joy, creativity, and continuous growth remains at the forefront of Jewel's professional goals.

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This episode provides an in-depth look at Jewel Loyd’s professional journey, her interactions with key figures in the basketball world, and her personal philosophies that drive her success. For fans and listeners who haven't tuned in, this summary encapsulates the essence of Jewel's experiences, offering valuable insights into the life of one of the WNBA's most dynamic players.

Transcript

[Jewel Lloyd]

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[Sue Bird]

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[Jewel Lloyd]

Sauce, Double dipped in buffalo and ranch More ranch and creamy chili.

[Sue Bird]

McCrispy strip dip now at McDonald's.

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[Sue Bird]

So I can go whenever? Yeah. Yeah. All right. Hey everybody. Welcome back to Bird's Eye View. It's been really cool to see the response to the show, all the support. Make sure you subscribe, tell a friend you know the deal, and if you're new here. Every week I talk to players from around the WNBA about their game. Some of them I've played with, some against. And this week I'm chatting with someone I played with, Jewel Lloyd before. We get to Jewel, who I was actually able to catch up with before she broke her nose in the Aces season opener. And now that the season has started, I want to begin with my view of the league or what my producers want me to call Sue's View. I'm going to start this week with some players, some rookies, specifically out of Washington. These mystic rookies have been. They've been doing their thing. It makes me even more sad to not have Georgia Amore out there. But you have to talk about Sonia Citron. You have to talk about Kiki Iria, Finn right now, Sonya, she's somebody that was highly regarded coming out of college for sure, but played on a Notre Dame team where she was essentially the third option. So that meant the third hype, right? She was only getting the third amount of hype. And right now she's averaging 17 points on 65%, shooting 40 from three. But what I've seen is really just how she's been playing. She kind of just fits in. She's that kind of player. You can already see it offensively and then especially defensively, she's got something to her game, whether it's her size. Um, you know, Brittany Sykes has talked about her ability to or a knack for her to knock down passes and that type of thing. So it's been fun to see her adjust to the WNBA and the same thing for. For Kiki, she's averaging 15 and a half points, nine rebounds, shooting 55%, already got a double double. And I bring these two up because I've always wondered and thought about the college game and if it was a reliable evaluator for translation into the wnba. And I think it's still a bit of a question mark because like I said, Sonia was somebody that and rightfully so. You had Olivia Miles, Hannah Hidalgo, she wasn't getting the same look, she wasn't getting the same conversation. Kiki, Iri, Finn, this is someone who transferred. So obviously on a new USC team, playing with juju Watkins, you know, you're not necessarily talked about the same. And I think when it comes to draft day, sometimes the conversation around a player can impact where they're drafted. I actually feel bad for WNBA gm Sometimes it can be tough. But seeing them start the way they're starting, especially those shooting percentages, has been really impressive. Okay, now I'm going to get into a team that has stuck out. There is zero surprise here. That team is Minnesota, that they look good. They look like they have picked up exactly where they left off from last season. You can sit here and talk about Nafeesa Collier 28 and a half points, Courtney Williams averaging 19. But I think what sets them apart and what has always set them apart is the chemistry that they play with, the ball movement they show and their willingness to make the right play. So something that I went and checked out was just their assist numbers, right? Comparing them for from 2024, where they obviously reached the finals, had a great season to now and already you're starting to see trends in that same direction. So in 2024 they were first in assists, they were top three in assist to turnover ratio, they were second in passes per game and they were first in. By the way, I love this stat. I wish this existed when I played. They're first in potential assists per game. I love that Courtney Williams last year created the most assist opportunities in pick and rolls per game per 100 possessions. Bridget Carlton was even up there, super efficient, just a little bit of a smaller sample size, so don't have an exact number. And like I said, what you're seeing in 2025 is the same. Through two games, they're tied for first with the New York Liberty and assists, Courtney Williams is averaging 9.5 of those things. And by the way, this is all without Kayla McBride. So Minnesota's doing their thing. And that brings me to the aces. I was in the building for opening night where The Aces played the Liberty, and it's the Las Vegas Aces. They had a huge trade in getting Jewel Lloyd. They've got the mvp and Asia Wilson. I mean, Olympians and Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young. Obviously the list goes on with this roster. It's a team that is always going to have high expectations, and I think that's what everybody is seeing now. But I feel like people fall into this trap where you think, oh, this, this team is super talented. So that's just going to speed up the chemistry process, and that's just not how it works. They're adding a totally different type of player in Jewel. By the way, this is a team that had a core four essentially for since 2021. So with Asia, Jackie, Chelsea and Kelsey Plum, I can't even emphasize how much that means and how much of a role that plays. So bringing in somebody new to that mix changes things up. So that's first and foremost. So I think what the Aces are doing right now are just. They're still in the process of building that chemistry, you know. But the difference from game one to game two has to be encouraging because in game one, they shot just 34%. I don't even know what that number is. If you take Asia out of it, you know, and how much of that is the Liberty defense, which was excellent, but how much of that is simply just having a new team that's trying to build. Um, sometimes when you're in that building phase, it can lead to overthinking. Sometimes when you're on the court and you're overthinking, it could actually lead to like a little bit of an over aggression. You start to get a little more aggressive, which ultimately leads to missing shots. It leads to then forcing. It's a little bit of a trickle down, and that's a little bit of what I saw when, when I watched that first game. Um, but, you know, you can't overreact. You can't overreact. And like I said, you already saw a huge improvement from game one to game two. They obviously lost the Liberty. Game one bounced back against Connecticut, and no, Connecticut is not New York. So I'm definitely taking that into consideration. But you already saw things were a little bit more comfortable. I'm sure they watched film. I'm sure they had, you know, a practice, a walkthrough, a shoot around, and you're really starting to see something different, especially from Jewel. She shot the ball much better this game, which always helps. She was 7 for 14, 6 for 9 from 3, but it was the kinds of shots that she was getting. I felt like she was a player that was letting the game come to her. She wasn't forcing anything. And in our interview, you'll hear her talk about just wanting to win and being willing to do whatever it takes in order to accomplish that. So what's already sticking out is actually her movement off the ball as well as her screening. So, as I said, she hit six threes against Connecticut, and none of them were shots that she had to create on her own. And that's a big difference from what we've seen from Jewel in the past couple years with the Storm. Four of these were off drive and kicks, the type where Jewel had to relocate. She found the corner a couple times. Two of them were off actions where she was the screener. Right. I think one was actually a ball screen for Asia where she popped. Another one was a back screen where she was able to. To loosen herself up from the defense. And that's a. That's good news for Jewel to be able to find those moments, because when you're surrounded by talent, sometimes you just gotta find the open spot and let the ball find you. And by the way, this was all in a mask after breaking her nose, which, if anyone could tell you, it's me, it's the worst. The thing about wearing a mask is, first of all, if you're not a sweater, which I actually know Jewel is not, I am not. That thing just gets so sweaty, so slippery. It's like a version of a steam. And even though the eyes are cut out of the mask, it still just feels steamy in there. So that's just uncomfortable. But then the biggest thing and the biggest issue with the mask is it does prevent you from, like, a peripheral vision standpoint. It does prevent you from seeing down. Like, you can't just glance your eyes down. Something's blocking you. It actually reminds me of the goggles that a lot of us grew up having to use to, like, work on our ball handling, where it basically just prevented you from looking down. If you don't know what I'm talking about, search it up. Basketball ball handling goggles, you'll see it in a second. But that's really what the mask does. It provides this, like, block to your peripheral vision. It didn't really impact me. Like, shooting as much clearly didn't impact Jule either. But I would say ball handling it impacted me. And then maybe some other, like, side to side peripheral vision. I feel like my neck would always bug me because I found that I was Turning my head a lot more in order to get like, just views, just different angles and views. But you do get used to it. And like I said, Jewel seems to be doing just fine. And that takes us to our interview. She is a six time All Star, two time WNBA champion, two time Olympic gold medalist, the 2023 scoring champ, and 2023 All Star MVP and the 2015 Rookie of the Year. She's the 25th player in league history to hit 5,000 career points. She set the franchise record and WNBA rookie record for most free throws made without a single mission with 14. She was also drafted number one overall to Seattle Storm. And from that day, along with myself, she was part of a core of the franchise. A year later, we add Brianna Stewart, which gives us a big three. And I think the biggest question that most people had going into this season, at the start of the season, as Jewel starts her new chapter with the Las Vegas Aces, myself included, is what is it going to be like getting acclimated to a new franchise that has its own established core? Joel, I literally died when I opened up my Instagram. I actually didn't even die that you were wearing a Las Vegas AS jersey. That wasn't even. That was like, okay, cool. I swiped through year 11. I know year 11. How I was like, when did this happen?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Me and you both. I remember you telling me, like, it goes by quick. It goes by quick.

[Sue Bird]

I got a little in my feels. I was remembering kind of like all these different moments. I think it was your very first media day, and I took a picture with you and Kalina Mosquito Lewis and I put like, little emojis and it was like, you two as babies and then me as the grandma in the middle.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

That was 2015.

[Jewel Lloyd]

That's wild.

[Sue Bird]

God, it goes so fast. I can't even. I can't even. We're going to get into all that. But I just need to start with that. Just an understanding of how fast it does go. And you've matured so much. It's really cool to see this. Like, I don't know, you're coming across very, like, calm. You have like a calmness. Right. Which. Which I feel like adds to what already is a great career. What already is a lot of confidence. But now there's like a settled. Like, you're settled, you're grounded, you're calm.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I had a good mentor.

[Sue Bird]

Okay.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's true.

[Sue Bird]

We'll get into that, too. Has LH been out to Vegas yet?

[Jewel Lloyd]

No. Yeah, they're planning.

[Sue Bird]

They're planning.

[Jewel Lloyd]

You already Know the group.

[Sue Bird]

You got to tell the world. Who's L.H.

[Jewel Lloyd]

L.H. Those are my guys. We've been friends since literally six months old. There's, like, a picture of all of us. I mean, I can't remember any memory without them growing up. And obviously you met them. Frank the Tank. You know, he's a father now. Crazy.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

So, yeah, I mean, those are my guys. They've been with me every college, high school, overseas, Seattle, everything. So they're ready for Vegas.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. So there's something I don't think people know or maybe fans have caught this. And maybe, like, through your time, people have notice. But tell everybody how you're announced. How. How are you? Intro for games. So, like, for me, it's like 5, 9, sometimes 5 10. I'm looking like sometimes by 10. So Jewel and I were always, like, the last two, usually to get announced for games, and especially on away games. Mostly on away all. Yeah, basically always on away games. And we're kind of sitting there waiting, and we'd be like, waiting for the height. 5, 9. What do you claim? I mean, what do you claim in these days?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I'll do 5:10.

[Sue Bird]

Okay.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Everyone's about 511. I'm like, yeah, I know.

[Sue Bird]

That's what I'm saying. And every now and then, it would be like, 5, 10. I look at Joel, I'd be like, here she goes at a Yukon number 10. Like, oh, she's 510 today. She's 510 today. Everyone's joke. So, yeah. So Jewel Lloyd, 510 out of Lincolnwood, Illinois. Yeah. So talk about Lincolnwood. And first of all, why do you want to be intro representing them and then talk about the impact your childhood and growing up there has had?

[Jewel Lloyd]

For sure. Lincolnwood is so special to me. It's a small, small town. Like 12,000 people outside of Chicago. And it's just that town means so much. That's where everything started. My dream, my friends. Just being a kid and that community really helped raise me for real. I know everyone says it takes a village. And I can remember, you know, people. My neighbors helped me fix my bike, and people giving money to go get ice cream. Like, it really was this a big family. And so for me, it's really important to just kind of say thank you to them. And that's how I can say thank you. Every single game is representing them and let them kind of feel prideful from being from Lincolnwood.

[Sue Bird]

Could we give a shout out to. What is it, Lum?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Lou Malinatis.

[Sue Bird]

Lou Malanatis. Jill's favorite pizza spot?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Always.

[Sue Bird]

We went there.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, you took us. That was your rookie year, I think.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Rookie year.

[Sue Bird]

Wow. I think it was your rookie year. You know, another flashback. I'm telling you, the memories start to. They start to come. So. Yeah. So Lincolnwood has shaped you. LH. Their support has shaped you. But, of course, your family has been there the whole time. You know, we'll get into how your dad wanted you to play tennis, but I really want you to talk about Jared. I don't know if people, like, really understand the role that your brother has played.

[Jewel Lloyd]

If my brother didn't play basketball, I probably wouldn't have played basketball. He had such an impact on everything. I mean, he took me to the park every single day. He. He used to hate it.

[Sue Bird]

Wait, he's seven, eight years old?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, seven and a half years older. Okay. So, I mean, it's a really big gap. And so I was really that annoying little sister, like, through and through and probably still am. But, yeah, Jared played basketball, and he was, like, a big icon around the town, the city and Valpo. Valparaiso, like, going down to his games and watching and just studying him and seeing all the joy that came to playing basketball and just the crowds and everything that came with it. I didn't know anything. I was playing tennis at the time. So, like, it's like, I just know the tennis world. I don't know the basketball world. And having that insight was huge. But I think the biggest thing now, I mean, now we work together. He's my business partner. So it's like, everyone tells you, like, it's hard to work your family, all these things, but we have a really good balance. And as you. I mean, you know, my brother, he's very, like, technical, like, math guy, numbers guy, like, you know, poker face all the time. And I'm like, the opposite of just, like, the creativity and comes in with all these other things, and we just have a really good partnership. And I think there's an understanding of what he does really well and great. And I appreciate that and respect that, and then vice versa. And so it allows us to really be a team through and through.

[Sue Bird]

How's. How's little Jared? How's Josiah?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Josiah's good.

[Sue Bird]

I got to see, like, an adult now.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, my. Adult. He's. He's like a CEO. I mean, him and Sarah, he just had baseball and basketball tournament.

[Sue Bird]

How old are you then?

[Jewel Lloyd]

11 and nine.

[Sue Bird]

11 and nine.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's crazy. I mean, they are athletes. Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

I always loved, like, when they would pop up in like the Minnesota game.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Your brother and his family would always come to Minnesota. Just as my little guy.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, no, I got to see the highlights. He has a nice little husi.

[Sue Bird]

Remember when Jared came to practice?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yes. Yeah. Jared, it's, it's, it's either always, always 100% or nothing. And if like, Jerry, you got to calm down just a little bit.

[Sue Bird]

And so the people know, like, I don't fuck around with practice players. I'm like, you're here for one reason, one reason only. And it's to, like, help us. You're not trying to make the team. How many times? Like, bro, so many times. No matter what you do, you can't make this team. So, like, why, like, what are you doing? So, Jared, like, you know, it's a point guard rule though. Yeah, you check the ball, you get it back. You gotta let me just make that first play. Like it's a point guard rule. Yeah. This move, Jared came, stole it from me right away. I was like, okay.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. I'm just like, oh, okay.

[Sue Bird]

What is this? And you know, I was on my little practice plan. I was only in there for like 45 minutes. Yeah, Jared, you're ruining my 45 minutes on the offense.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And offense. Let's go.

[Sue Bird]

You like how I did that? Now that you can see?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, Maltu, it's in my book.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. When you get, when you get. Listen, when you get later in your career, it's the whole tread on the tire thing. So shout out to Jenny. She's the one that. And Susan, they kind of made this program where in a two hour, I mean, we didn't really go that long, but hour and a half, two hour practice. I had to pick my spots. I was getting my good 45 in and they let me pick my spots. And it was like 43 minutes of offense. I did like a tiny bit of a defensive drill.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Habits.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, habits. This foot, that foot. That foot.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Good job, guys.

[Sue Bird]

That foot. Amazing. But yeah, when Jerry came to practice that day, I was like. But I could see, to be honest, when I look back on it, I could see how him being your older brother, I'm sure playing you just like that hard, no matter if you're 2 years old, 22 years old, he's doing that. And so I'm sure that that really set a tone for you.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I only beat him once.

[Sue Bird]

You only beat him once?

[Jewel Lloyd]

A mistake. I threw it behind my back and went in.

[Sue Bird]

I was like, ah, that's amazing. So, yeah, so like, I Said your dad wanted you to play tennis. You recently told that story. So go check out Jules Pod the warehouse. You recently told the story about literally throwing a game because he threatened that if you won, you would be taken to IMG. I mean, that's some foreshadowing. You ended up at IMG anyway in 2020.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Shout out to the bubble.

[Sue Bird]

You would have been a menace, by the way, in tennis.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Megan and I were talking about it last night as I was, like, getting ready for this. We were like, oh, my God, Joel would have been an absolute menace in tennis. I know. Was it. Did you ever love it? Obviously, you loved basketball more. You chose it. But did you ever, like, have a passion for tennis in that way?

[Jewel Lloyd]

For sure. I think I got a. I think before me throwing that game, it definitely was there. Cause I could see. And I really enjoyed being outside with my dad. That was like, our bonding time. And I knew the path, and I just found it so fascinating. But at the same time, I was such a hothead in tennis, too. Cause it was just me out there, you know, and it was a lot of pressure and trying to figure those things out and not having anything to kind of, like, bounce off of and having that basketball, like, team mindset. I was like, this is just way better. Like, I just love it. All my friends played it, too.

[Sue Bird]

So I'm, like.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I'm there and social. Yeah. I think now, though, like, I love it way more. I mean, I'm watching tennis. Like, Tennis Network is always on.

[Sue Bird]

No, I knew. Yeah. You've always been a watcher. Well, you play pickleball, too.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, exactly.

[Sue Bird]

So you're getting, like, a little bit scratching that itch a little bit.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Exactly. So it's feeding that. Feeding that for sure. But I definitely still love and talk about it. And I knew, like, the whys. I think I talked about it, too. Like, I didn't. I still. I'm still figuring out the whys of basketball. I don't. I didn't know all that. Like, I knew all the whys of why. To go cross score, why to do, you know, drop shots, all those things. I didn't know that in basketball. So now that I'm still in the league, I'm still learning otherwise.

[Sue Bird]

That's cool, though. So you, obviously, you chose basketball. You choose Notre Dame. You get to Notre Dame. At what point in your growth do you realize, like, in those college years, do you realize, like, you're just. You're a bucket? Like, you can score, basically? I remember watching your junior year, which was Your last year in that final four, it's like, you can really get your shot whenever you want. You can really create whatever you want whenever you want. Like, yes, you get older, you hone that even more. But in those years, like, when did that start to set in for you? Was it the Julio? You knew I was bringing it up.

[Jewel Lloyd]

You had to. It's your favorite thing ever.

[Sue Bird]

It is. Until it's not until you're doing it. On my team, you get one.

[Jewel Lloyd]

One every four games. Honestly, I think, like, I was talking to Kobe, like, the whole time, so I'm learning from him a lot. And so having that insight, I would go work out after practices and, like, do everything. Basically, he said, work on this, work on that. So I'm kind of training like a pro, like, the day one since going into college. And then I. We played DePaul, and I had, like, 40 something, and I realized, like, okay, like, if you have 40 points in college and you don't, I think. I think I'm ready. I think I'm good, you know? So having that combination of, like, certain games, and honestly, a lot of it came from playing UConn. I felt like if I could play my best against UConn and the best players, best coaches, then I. I can hold my own. If I couldn't play well against them, I'm like, I'm probably not ready to play at the next level. So, like, that was like, my two things. Like, I'm working out, like, basically doing Kobe's workout plan. I'm playing against UConn, playing pretty well. Like, I'm having 40 point games or 30 point games. I'm like, all right, I think I'm. I'm ready.

[Sue Bird]

So you bring up Kobe. This is obviously a relationship you've talked about a ton. Meeting him at a Chicago Bulls game for the first time, staying in touch, the text messages, all those things. What is his lasting impact on your game?

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's probably. I mean, everyone talks about the mindset, but I think it's the vulnerability because a lot of times when we talked, it was really trying to get me outside of my comfort zone to really see there's more to me than I probably realized. And the biggest probably impact was when he was writing his book. He sent it to me through an email, which was like, 700 pages. So I'm like, what is this? Like, I'm overseas. I'm like, I get it, but, like, I don't have that much time. Kobe, like, you know, and so I'm texting him back I'm like, what is this? He's like, you know, like, I know reading stuff for you. Like, let's read this book together. Like, give me your insight, like, tell me the character building, all these things. I'm like, what? And he knew that, like, I, you know, I'm dyslexic. So like, reading and all those things is really hard. And you know, he struggled with those things too. So like, having that moment was like bigger than anything. And it allowed me to see like one, I'm human. Right. But there's other people that along the way that are going to help you. One you have to ask.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And that was a big moment in our relationship and that was like the year before he passed too. So, like, we're doing all these things. I think that probably lasted a bigger impact than all the basketball stuff because then I was like, well, like, he took the time to help me with something I struggle with, then I can do that for other people as well.

[Sue Bird]

That's amazing. When I, when I, when I think about the text that you've posted before, which is basically like you're asking him like, you know, like, how do you get out of a shooting slump or funk?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

And he's like, there is no such thing as a funk. It's obviously reminds me of the Nike commercial. It's like so perfect.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Right?

[Sue Bird]

But like, that really was him. Yeah, that really was him. Like, there's such a thing as a slump. There's just the next shot.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

Kanye west being like, what the fuck does that mean?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Right? There's more.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, there's more.

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[Sue Bird]

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[Sue Bird]

So in college you your freshman year, your backcourt was you, skyler and Kayla McBride.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Like looking back that's like a pretty epic backcourt.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like how did we not win? Damn you.

[Sue Bird]

How is it? How did like what do you remember about playing with them playing in that backcourt?

[Jewel Lloyd]

It was, I mean practice was awesome. Yeah, we just competed on a whole nother level. There was this we just can score any way we like anywhere. Obviously we played Princeton offense so off ball movement was huge and we had the perfect, I mean Natalie Chan was a perfect point guard slash center for us. Aerial Breaker was like utility player and we just had a really good mix. And so that backcourt was just fun. I mean, we were up and down running around defensively too. I mean, we had a lot of Julie oops, a lot of fast break layups. Yeah, it was really. It was really fun.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, it sounds fun. You know, I'm actually going to go back. You know, you brought up being dyslexic, which is a big part of your story. I remember the huge In Times Square, the big billboard. What a moment that was. So you've always, like, talked about that experience, something people might not know. I would love for you to share. This is even in timeouts.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

So when you drop a play, the coach brings the board. And, you know, obviously, you know, you were vocal about this and everybody understood. So Jewel would have us, which honestly I got really accustomed to. Which even for me, if the board was the other way, I'd be like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. But Jewel has the board faced the way in which we're going, so she can. I don't want to put words in your mouth so you can visualize, like, what's happening. If it's the other way, it gets a little. Are there any other ways? So that's one. Are there any other ways where your dyslexia has impacted your game?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I mean, a lot of times too, like, obviously the board shifts. I try to, like, respectfully not watch the coach draw.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Because it gets too much. And so I'll usually either close my eyes or just like, look off or like, wait for you, like, use. I'm like, sue, just translate. Yeah. What am I doing? You know, like, can you translate what I'm doing? So that helps a lot too. But I also think in certain times too, either, like patterns or cadence, I pick up a little faster. It just depends on what it is. But I feel like that's also helped me too, because I necessarily don't always think inside the box. I'm more so outside the box. And I'm like, for me, it makes sense to do this. I don't know why or the simple things of us working now. Like a step back to me is easier than just a regular pull up jump shot. I don't know why, but that's just.

[Sue Bird]

Like, it's called talent.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, yeah, Maybe that too. Like, in my head, like, I will work on that.

[Sue Bird]

It's not like that for the rest.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Of us, but to me, like, it's like, why not? You know, I don't know. It's like opposite, but, like, that's kind of like how my brain just, like, works. And so it's helped me because a lot of the harder things that I guess people don't always rep really quickly for me is like, it makes sense.

[Sue Bird]

It's like a superpower.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. But the easier you, like, jump, stop, layup, I can't fathom, like, my body just does not get.

[Sue Bird]

You're like, I need this to be an up and under reverse to the other side.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Exactly.

[Sue Bird]

Which I've seen many times. So. Yeah. So still in your Notre Dame career, I mean, things are going well. You're Big east freshman of the year, by the way. I love that you played in the Big East. It was RIP the old biggies.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I know.

[Sue Bird]

It was so good.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It really was.

[Sue Bird]

So I'm glad you got a taste of that. But you were freshman of the year. You. Your junior year, you were college player of the year for ESPN ACC Player of the Year. This is interesting. You scored 1909 points. That's still fifth on the all time list. So imagine you played one more year. It was smashed, that thing. You had just gotten to the national championship game. So why consider leaving? I mean, you know, we know what happened, but why consider leaving in that moment? What went into that decision?

[Jewel Lloyd]

You know, it was definitely more than just basketball, obviously. I mean, if you read that and.

[Sue Bird]

You'Re like, oh, well, my next question is, did the Storm having the number one pick play a role?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Possibly. I knew some things, but no. I just felt like if I wanted to learn from professionals and that's what I wanted to do, I need to go play with professionals. There's no one in college that is professional that could teach me what I need to know. I also knew that, you know, potentially, like, you and Maya, like, you guys could be retiring soon. I don't know. Like, I wanted to play with you guys before you guys left. You know, I didn't know this stuff, you know, like, I mean, a little bit, you know, you never know the situation. So I was like, you know, all these greats and all the people I watched, like, I want to play with them. I want to. I want to learn from them.

[Sue Bird]

Hey, listen, I hurt my knee, if you remember, in the 2016 Olympics. It ended up being not a big deal. Three days later, I was fine. I missed a game, though. I thought I tore my acl and that would have been it. Yeah. So we would have gotten a year and a half if that had happened. Yeah, I hear your point.

[Jewel Lloyd]

So I was seeing all those things, and honestly, I was just like, ready. I was like, over, over college. Like, I, you know, I was like, listen, my time could be used other ways. Like, class is cool. I've learned everything I need to learn in college atmosphere, but I'm ready.

[Sue Bird]

You know what I remember about that? I remember a lot about that. I remember it was so you declaring is happens in 24 hours. So, like, the minute, you know, the game ends, the national championship game, you know you're gonna make this announcement. So at the funnel 4, which is in Tampa.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

I get a call from my agent at the time and it's like, hey, would you be down to, like, have a chat with Jared Lloyd, Joel's brother? And I'm like, okay. And I kind of went into it like, okay, he's probably gonna just ask me about Seattle, ask me about the team, ask me, ask me, ask me. And he did. He had a ton of questions. But then I left the experience. I was like, did I just get vetted? Like, I thought I was helping him and I was like, wait a minute, was I just getting interviewed, like, for a job? Like, was he just like sussing me out?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

So from a storm standpoint, in that moment, it was interesting because Kalina Mosquito Lewis was coming out and we had the number one pick for months. And it was kind of like, okay, she's likely the number one pick. So for a while it was like, this is who we're getting. But three point shooter Jenny Busek is just about to take the reins. We end up playing a very free flowing three point shot, heavy style. So Kalina's perfect. Then Zowie B. Amanda, Zowie B declares and it's like, oh, are we getting a post player? Like, what is this? She can shoot. This is great. She's versatile. And then shortly after the Final Four, it's like, oh, no, now we're getting Jewel. So it's a little bit of a ride, right? I mean, those are three different scenarios, three different players, and it really changed the trajectory of the storm. But before we get to the actual draft night, when you declare, there's a certain someone who had a lot of opinions about it. Your coach at the time, Muffin McGraw. Yeah. She expressed shock, disappointment. She said, quote, it's just mind blowing that anyone would choose to leave early. It's really a bad decision for women especially to try and leave early. They're not going to make the money the men make. She went on to talk about your WNBA salary, which is obviously missing the boat of like all the other opportunities. Even then, right? Even then. So I didn't love that. But what I find interesting. Not Muffet's comments. What I find interesting is at that point, only two other people had come out early. One being the done.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, The Dun Dun.

[Sue Bird]

The Dun Dun came out early. Epiphany Prince, for those that don't know. And so basically you at that point, you know, actually, a few years later, Jackie Young comes out. Right? So Jackie Young, Notre Dame player, after three years, declares to much less scrutiny. Yeah, much less scrutiny. So I'm curious, how does it feel knowing that you, like, helped normalize that experience or that choice?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I guess I didn't really realize all that till, like, now, to be honest.

[Sue Bird]

Well, how's it feel?

[Jewel Lloyd]

And it's kind of cool. Like, I guess I didn't really. I just thought, like, why not? Like, the guys do it all the time. Like, if something goes wrong, I told my brother, like, if something goes wrong, I'll just go overseas. I'll do what Piv did.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like, she did it. She. I mean, I've seen her career. I've known her. Like, she's in Chicago. Like, yeah. You know, I'm like, all right, cool. Like, there's other options. And I feel like right now, even if I leave, I still have one year, like, before everyone else does it. Like, I said, one year to try it out, and the next year, like, all right, cool. Like, I don't feel like I'm losing anything. I'm just gaining everything because I'm learning the whole year. So to having that, I'm just like, well, if I inspired someone else to do it, cool.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

You know, like, that's awesome. Like, I think anything that we do, if someone gets, you know, amped about it and wants to do it, whatever that is, like, I think it's really cool. So that's, like, kind of mind blowing.

[Sue Bird]

So I just realized something. When you were practicing with the Chicago sky in your summers, which is something you did, you were a practice player. Was Piff on the team?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

Wait a minute. How is this just clicking right now? Piff and did you guys, like, battle?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I mean, she would destroy me. It was awful. I had to guard her every single day in practice.

[Sue Bird]

Dang.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I got, you know, hit by seal her screens.

[Sue Bird]

I mean, you were going against all the heavy hitter. Elena Deladon was there. Sloot.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep. Everybody.

[Sue Bird]

That's tough.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. I was even there when, like, Ruth. Ruth Riley, when she came back.

[Sue Bird]

Really?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. And then I was there. I mean, I was there from, like, the very Start. I started high school, so I was.

[Sue Bird]

I'm like, you knew you were ready for the wba. I mean, if I'm not ready, I can take a year.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I mean, you never know.

[Sue Bird]

Okay. Okay. Yeah. Anyway, so you obviously get drafted to the Storm. I already told you what my experience was. Like, what was draft night like for you?

[Jewel Lloyd]

It was pretty cool. Like, I feel like I mentioned this on, like, the Warehouse, too. Like, I feel like I never ate. Like, we were just going around. I was hungry the whole time. But, like, you're moving so quick, and they do pull you all this media stuff, and you're getting fitted for this and doing this, and you finally get a chance to sit down and, you know, at the table with my. My family and realizing, like, what's about to happen. I'm about to, you know, basically, you know, join the league that I've, you know, wanted to join for so long, and hearing your name called something that's so, like, remarkable. And so once that happens, it's kind of quick, honestly.

[Sue Bird]

Like, yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Say your name, you take the picture, then they send you back out to do more media and content. So it's really quick. But I think the best part is just being able to be on the stage and see my family and them being, you know, overwhelmed. And, you know, my mom is like, you know, all her feelings, stuff like that. So it's just really cool because it's the start of, like, your actual dream.

[Sue Bird]

Mm. I know. So you actually came out to Seattle, like, pretty quickly right after we hung out for, like, got a beer.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I know. I know.

[Sue Bird]

You were show. Yeah. You were showing your maturity even then.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. Shine.

[Sue Bird]

So funny. We sit. We sit down. It's like, oh, do you want to, like, hang out, grab a drink? I don't know, get coffee? It's like, yeah, well, so we go to this bar, and it's like, what do you want? You're like, corona. I was like, okay, okay, cool. I see what we're doing with. You barely touched it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Barely touched it. Oh, my gosh.

[Sue Bird]

Maybe took a sip.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

No, maybe took a sip. I know what was happening.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I know. It's. I went back, I was like, God.

[Sue Bird]

Damn, it was perfect. And then we actually. When. By the time you came out to Seattle. For real. For real. You threw the first pitch out at a Mariner game.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

And that was really, like, the first time we got to.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. Then it was like, more time. Yeah. Round two. Round two, running back.

[Sue Bird]

Round two. So year one, you obviously finished rookie of the Year. Which is hilarious, considering your teammates with. Who was. Who was. Who was your nemesis? Rookie of. Your nemesis that year.

[Jewel Lloyd]

That year was it.

[Sue Bird]

She's your teammate.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. Kia. Yeah. Yeah. Kia.

[Sue Bird]

They were. New York Liberty were pulling hard for her. We were in the locker room, like, quit it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

I'm like, you guys are just number one. And he had a great rookie year. Yeah, no, for sure.

[Jewel Lloyd]

But it was definitely back and forth.

[Sue Bird]

Come on. So, yeah, you win rookie of the year. What was. Listen, everybody talks now about rookies and then the adjustment from a physical standpoint, like the physicality of the league. So what was the adjustment like for you?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I just wanted to run fast. Honestly.

[Sue Bird]

Avoided.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I was 135. I was so small, so, like, I didn't stand a chance. Like, I mean, Carol Lawson was posting me up. It was, like, really bad. Like, I mean, Minnesota was terrible. I don't know why.

[Sue Bird]

It was just terrible for everybody.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, it was a great experience, but, like, terrible experience, you know? And I think that was the biggest thing. It's like, I knew one thing. I was probably faster and probably in better shape than a lot of people. So I was gonna use that to my advantage. Cause I wasn't strong. So I tried to be quick, but I was on the floor a lot. Like, you guys were constantly yelling at me, like, get over the screen. Stop getting. Don't die on the screens. I'm like, I'm trying my hardest. This is not working.

[Sue Bird]

You did die on a lot of screens.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, it was awful. Film was terrible.

[Sue Bird]

It's a learning curve.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's a learning curve.

[Sue Bird]

The good news is, year two, you take a huge jump. I didn't even realize this until I started looking some stuff up. You went from. I knew you took a jump, but you went from 10 points per game, rookie year to by year two, 16 and a half. So it's like, that's like a. Yeah, that's a legit jump. You make WNBA all second team. What do you think clicked for you? Like, did you add something? Was it a mindset? Just an understanding of the league? Like, what clicked?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Probably just the adjustment. Finally feeling pretty comfortable in our system and understanding all the lingo and terminology, but then actually probably just, like, putting more time into it. And then realistically, he's probably playing overseas. Yeah, like, that helps a lot. Just more. More reps. It's way more physical overseas, too, so you kind of get used to that. And I think you just need more professional reps. Like, as much as college is, you know, you're learning all this stuff, it's just not the same. So you just need. And you don't have a lot of time from training camp to when we start playing. So I think the more reps helped me and I kind of settled in and, you know, we were just a different. Different team and different understanding, too.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I think. Yeah, I think you're right about the system also, because it was. Looking back, it's the easiest type of basketball I've ever played in my life. But there was a learning curve for all of us. What I remember about year two for you was it was either the first or second game we played against Phoenix, and you hit a game winner.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

You had, like, 30. You hit the game winner. And I was like, this is different. It was. It was just different. It was different from your rookie year. Like, right off the bat, you could just see. And that game kind of. I feel like you do something like that right against a team like Phoenix, and it's going to give you, for sure, a lot more confidence. I remember that vividly. How do you think when Stewie came to the team, it changed things?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I mean, we were. We knew we were about to win a championship sooner or later. It was just like, it was just.

[Sue Bird]

A matter of time.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It was a matter of time. Like, it was like, okay, cool. Like, it just. She was a piece that we needed. Like, with how we played and what we're trying to do and just the youth of our team, everything we just needed. We needed Stewie. And it worked out perfectly. And I mean, obviously, me and her were, like, locked in, and us three were just, like, a whole different level of just commitment to each other and what we wanted to do. And having Stewie was just, like, right on time.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. I think what a lot of people don't know is because I get asked this question, like, what I basically, what I just asked you, like, oh, when Stewie came, like, what'd you have to change? Or what'd you have to do? And credit to Jenny Busek again. So in 2015, Jenny gets the job, and we're running this system, like, with the hopes of adding Stewie to it. Like, it was kind of built for me, built for you, and then built for this third person that you wanted to be. Stewie. Shout out to Abby Bishop. Yeah, Abby filled that role.

[Jewel Lloyd]

She did.

[Sue Bird]

She's like, you know, being a Stewart, but she's Abby Bishop. Like, she can shoot, she can play make. So it really was like that style of player. And so when we got Stewie, it Actually just, like, hit the ground in a lot of ways.

[Jewel Lloyd]

This is what it's supposed to look like.

[Sue Bird]

I know. Oh, no. This is what flow is. Got it. You also did your alley. Oops.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. Which.

[Sue Bird]

Whatever. Oh, you guys drove me nuts with that shit.

[Jewel Lloyd]

We were looking at each other running down the court, like, just don't look at Sue.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, God. The tip back and forth. I was like, why are we playing volleyball, y' all?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Who shoot it.

[Sue Bird]

Just fucking make a goddamn shot.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And the third one, I was like, oh, my God, it's gonna be bad.

[Sue Bird]

You already brought up that it was basically a matter of time until we won, and it happened pretty quick.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sue Bird]

2018. I mean, that's your, what, your fourth year? Stewie's third year in the league. What do you remember? Actually, I. I. I have a. I have, like, a little bit of a. Off the beaten path. Do you remember, like, what our group chat name was around that time? There's two, I'm gonna ask you about. There's two. There's two. Not the most. The last one we had. It was right before the last one we had, which I'm setting you up here.

[Jewel Lloyd]

You are. Either way.

[Sue Bird]

All right. So the group chat, I think, going into 2018 was, are you in these streets or in these sheets? So that was the group chat name, which then turned into from 2018 on. Stars on three. Stars on three, because Dan Hughes, bless his heart, he called us. He. He coached for the, you know, San Antonio Stars for many, many, many, many years. Bless that man's heart. He could not get it straight. So he'd be like, all right, guys. Stars on three. He'd be like, dan, we're the storm.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

He did that.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like, at least.

[Sue Bird]

Countless. Yeah, countless. So what do you remember about stars on three, the 2018 run?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Honestly, I feel like in 2017, we were like, okay, like, we're gonna come back stronger, better, all those things. And then I just remember always just being like, yeah, we're gonna win. Like, there was a atmosphere. Our team was so close. I mean, I think people don't realize that. Like, we were really, really close. Like, we were hanging out all the time. Like, everything. The group trap is always lit. Like, it's always going back and forth, and we just played with this. Like, I just feel like no team knew what we were doing half the time, so we were always ahead. And I always remember you telling us, like, fourth quarter, like, we're gonna outrun these teams. Fourth quarter. Every time it has the fourth quarter, we're like, all right, here we go guys.

[Sue Bird]

You can hear them breathing. They're breathing.

[Jewel Lloyd]

We got em all the time. And it really happened, like everything, like we were just so locked in, in so different ways. And I think everyone brought a whole nother level and a look to our team when we came in. And it was just a special run. Like we. And we didn't get caught up in like the rankings. We didn't get caught up in any of those things.

[Sue Bird]

I don't remember talking about it ever.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Never. We never talked about it. And we just kind of showed up and just focused on us and made it about us and our habits and what we wanted to do. And then we won.

[Sue Bird]

There's a couple of things I remember first. So now you guys charter, which is amazing, but when we're flying commercial, it's like you get to the airport. Honestly, Seattle, the storm always did a great job. They would take our bag, check our bags for us. It was really easy. So we would just go straight to security and through my, through my, the course of my career, it's like that moment at security, you get on the other side, you're kind of like you're going to wait for like whoever your friends are, like whoever you roll with. Maybe it's like, maybe there's a Starbucks crew, maybe there's a breakfast crew. But that year, that team, it was like we just traveled in one big pack.

[Jewel Lloyd]

We did around.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Every night you broke off to like get food, but then you always came back to the gate, sat together. Like that was different.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Like not, not a lot of WNBA teams, even the ones I was on previously had that. So that, that was different. And I think a really pivotal moment in 2018 was you already brought up the links. The Lynx was the standard.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

They were the bar four time champs at that point. We played them at Minnesota, like kind of late in the season.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

I don't know how many games left. Let's call it five or six. And it was just, I don't know, there was just something about that game where it's not like it went perfect. I think we had to win it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Late in the fourth quarter, we, we hit the stretch and we're going to talk about the fast paced play that we played with.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

But we hit that stretch in the fourth quarter where we had worn them down and then we could make that push. We do it, we win. And there was something about beating them in that moment in the way that we did, where. I don't know about you, but I feel like it gave me a whole other like, level of confidence in us.

[Jewel Lloyd]

For sure. We could like no one beat them and we had to struggles. We struggled a lot beating them. Like, I was like, it was never, never easy. Or we were close at one point and it's like all of a sudden, like meltdown.

[Sue Bird]

We would get right there. Yes. And then we'd melt down all the time.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like we need to one possession turnover. Like something, you know. And I remember sitting in the locker room, like, we just beat the Minnesota leagues at Minnesota. Yes. I'm like, this never happens, you know, trying to be cool, but at the same time, like, no. Like, I think we all kind of looked like. Yeah, like we're, we're here. Like we're present and we're standing on this.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. That felt really good. So the fast pace offense we played, we called it flow. And it was, it was a lot of like there was plays that were called, there were things we were trying to get. Don't get it wrong, don't get it twisted. But I think we all kind of understood that it's okay if we don't get it because we can go to this.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

And then if it goes there, we can do that. But if it goes there, we can do this. And it really, at that point, it was just playing to all of our strengths.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

And a big part of it was that we ran. I mean, we ran a lot. Practice every drill. That's probably the best shape in basketball I've ever been in. And we wore teams down. So was that, was that. What do you, when you think back on that style, like, what. What comes to mind?

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's just. It's like control, freedom.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And we, A lot of this stuff happened because we were, we pushed. And so if you didn't have the initial action, we knew we could dribble handoff somewhere else or there was always another option. But I just remember I just running, like just layups. I mean, we were just getting. You're like a quarterback.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Just throwing the ball. Like we're just all getting layups. And it wasn't just like facts. It wasn't just like the guards. It was our post players running. It was everybody running. And a lot of that too is like, we knew, like, I knew what you did really well. I knew what AC did really well. I knew Stu. So like we understood. If she's on this side, something's about to happen. That initiated another action. And so that helped a lot too. Like, we were just really in sync. We Knew exactly.

[Sue Bird]

We knew all the strengths, all the weaknesses. Natasha Howard gets added in 2018. That unlocks it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

In a whole different way. Do you ever think, like, 2018 compared to 2020, like, which one's better, by the way? I don't think. Listen, I'm biased. I don't think our teams get put in the conversation enough.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I agree.

[Sue Bird]

I think people don't realize, like, how we wore teams down.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

I don't think they really understand. It's not because it's something you feel. It's not something that shows up in a box score or even maybe as you watch.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

But other teams. I know. Felt it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, for sure. I mean, like, we get like this person. Like, we're like, oh, here it is. Like, you could literally see it. No, I don't know. I mean, it's tough. I don't know.

[Sue Bird]

I don't know. I think 2020 was, like, deeper.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

We went pretty deep. Like, we have Piff.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Ezzy coming off the bench. Ladies, like, no, we were pretty deep. But then it's like we had between Kalina and Sammy in 2018, this, like, punch.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

So they come in and it was just like a three point punch.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It was. No, I mean, they were. Rattled them off too. Yeah. So quick.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. It's hard to choose. It's hard to choose. Okay, so around this time, you start becoming and developing a friendship with Kyrie and with Phil Handy. Talk about their impact.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. I mean, being friends with. With Kai was, you know, how it happened literally was, you know, Kobe's like, you and Kai need to meet up. You guys need to look like, look at each other. And you guys are like the same. I'm like, whatever, you know. And he actually came to Seattle.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And so then after that, we're like, all right, like, hi, Kai. Like, Kobe told me to reach out. And then after that, we kind of have never stopped since. And so it was really cool because he's so creative in the basketball world, obviously outside of basketball too. But having someone like that as your friend, but also your mentor helped me a lot because I was like, wow, there's so many things I really still don't know. And then bringing Phil Hand into it, it's like, well, you've coached everyone, have trained everyone, you know, everything. The ins and outs of just how to get better. And that's something I really wanted to do. And so I always make sure that anyone I kind of bring to my circle is like, has, like the right intentions. Like, that's really Big for me. And so both those guys had that. And so we just all connected and we all kind of have the same ethos. And, you know, we've been locked in ever since.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. So my, like, outside looking in, especially with Phil, because Phil was like, hands on. I feel like Kyrie, you guys would, like, talk about stuff, Right. And I know you worked out, but, like, Phil was like, hands on with you. You're. You're like one on one play. Like, the way you were able to create space, get your jumper off, like, that took a step. And I am curious because I obviously was the play caller. Yeah. So I'm coming down the court. It's like, where can I get Jewel? Where can I get Jewel? And what I saw was like, you started out really good in pins, right? Like in down screens.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Bread and butter.

[Sue Bird]

Bread and butter. Get to that kill spot, and then you start to become good at, like, staggers or floppies. I mean, the amount of times floppy C. Oh, my God. The amount of times we would have people dizzy on floppy and on pin worked every time.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

So pin was a screen where Jewel had. You had options. You can come one way, you can come the other. And it was really just a race at that point.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Once you got them off you, it was just a race. So definitely started calling those, like, early in your career. And that extended the whole time that we played together. But then it starts becoming like, oh, I need to get her, like, in. I need to get, like, matchups that we like. So let's say I'm being guarded by a point guard. You've got whoever you've got on you. Likely the other team's like, best perimeter now. It's like, well, let me go set ball screens for Jewel. Let's get this point guard and I can go to work. And then I just get to spot up. So we started adding that to it. So it was really cool. And then, of course, teams trapped you, and we work through that all the time. But then it's like when you get a post player on you, it just became like, okay, we can all just, like, space out and let Jill go to work. And I think they played a role in getting you to that. Plus, you've had a. You've had a lot of people play roles.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I know there's Steve.

[Sue Bird]

I can't not talk about Steve, but I feel like. I don't know. There was something about your relationship with Kyrie and Phil in that time that feels like it really clicked.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. I mean, a lot of times it's just having more confidence, honestly, with your handle. I hate ball handling. Like, I hate it. Like, it's just like, oh, yeah, your.

[Sue Bird]

Ball handling took a.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And then having the reps with them made me enjoy it. I don't love it, to be honest. You, but it made me enjoy it because I realized all the things I need to create that space, the timing, the rhythm of things. And so with Kai, it was really funny. Like, he's always just like, you know, dribbling and it's all like dancing. So, like, the more I kind of like learn to dance with, you know, like, get loose, the better my handle got. So I kind of correlate those two together. But I was really the main thing was like getting my handles tight and in small spaces and working on the quick separation because I don't think I need much time or space. So I could, if I could, you.

[Sue Bird]

Can feel like fade a little bit too.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, if I can manipulate that a little bit. And that's what really I learned a lot from both of them.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, no, I definitely saw it.

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[Sue Bird]

All right, I'm going to do a quick before we move on to this new chapter, a quick like top three Seattle Storm moments, they're pretty obvious. Two of them are very similar. Your game winner against Dallas in overtime in Everett, right? 0.8 seconds left. I mean, it barely touched your hands.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It wasn't for me. The play wasn't. I saw your eyes like, oh shit.

[Sue Bird]

Like it wasn't. And you were deep too.

[Jewel Lloyd]

No.

[Sue Bird]

So everyone can go look that up. Like it barely touches your hands. Which brings me to the second one, which is really my favorite. In the bubble. It's the same scenario in the bubble, except this time we're down one. So we're down like Dallas, it was tied. Now we're playing LA in the bubble. We're down one. There's 0.8 seconds, our ball on the side. I'm taking it out. The play again. Like, wasn't for you. It was just kind of like. And the last second you catch it. But my favorite part, you catch it and make it barely touches your hand. My favorite part is that the night before was when Kyle Lowry, when he was with the Raptors, he did it in their bubble season, he had some crazy shot where Bailey touched his hand. So we're in the huddle and we're all like, they just did it. The Raptors just did it. This is possible.

[Jewel Lloyd]

This is possible.

[Sue Bird]

And we go out and fucking did it. I could. That was nuts.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, that's like literally a storybook ending.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Like both those moments, like, I remember how it felt. Yeah, those were great. And then honestly, my favorite moments with you were all of our long passes.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Because those are just such killers to other teams. And it felt like every time we connected on it, like, we knew it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

We were like, gotcha.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Which I'm like, here I go.

[Sue Bird]

I know you and AC Both, man.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yes. I'll wait for the three point line. I'm like, here it comes. And just take off like, perfect.

[Sue Bird]

Every single time you and AC Both were out, but, yeah, every time we connected on those, those were killers. Okay, so we're going to transition now to. To where you're at. You wrote a Players Tribune article to the Seattle fans after you were traded saying, this isn't goodbye, but a new chapter. One where I'll continue to carry the spirit of Seattle with me wherever I go. So what, like, what exactly are you going to carry with you?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Honestly, I think the biggest thing I learned is the community aspect. I mean, I grew up in Seattle. That was my first time living by myself, all those things. And the thing I always remember is everyone in the community always made sure I was good. If I needed anything, they're like, oh, we can help you find this and that. And that's a big factor to have that. And just know that the support is always there. It didn't matter if we had a bad game, good game, won a championship, didn't win, made playoffs. Like, they always showed up for us. And I think that's important because regardless of what you do in life, you want support, you want to be seen. And I've always felt that when I was in Seattle.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Before we actually get to the trade part of it all, like, what challenges are you looking for? Like, you've basically won, you know, almost everything you can win as a professional. So, like, what is it that you're looking for now?

[Jewel Lloyd]

That's a great question. I think right now it's really just to play with this joy, I think this kid, like, joy. Sometimes as you get older, you know, now I'm, you know, 11 years in all this stuff, you kind of lose that. That kid, like, curiosity. And I don't want to Lose that. I think that allows me to be creative in my craft. That allows me to take risk and kind of go outside the box and lift a little harder, run a little faster. Is that. Because now I'm curious on what more I could do, and I think that's what's igniting me now in my new or 11th season.

[Sue Bird]

Are there parts of your game that you're, like, focused on, like working on. Worked on in the off season?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, a lot of it's. It's more patient. Kind of like Jalen Brunson a little bit. And I think I could be finally use my strength a little bit.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

And you know, my footwork, I think I'm really focused on that too, because a lot of times, like we said in pin downs, everyone knows I'm coming off the shoot. So using a, you know, jab, step shot, fake, all those things, kind of be more patient. I think that would allow me to, one, get to the free throw line a little bit more and then allow myself to kind of take a breath and get a better balanced shot.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. I love the Jalen Brunson. The Jalen Brunson comparison because I feel like it's counterintuitive. I actually never mastered this.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's tough.

[Sue Bird]

I never mastered. The slower you go, the better it is. It's just there's a tendency to want to get away from defenders, but it's actually something about slowing down, especially as you get older because, like, it's just the reality. Like Father Time is Father Time. So to add, like a slower version of what you're doing, I. I totally see how that could. Yeah, that could really.

[Jewel Lloyd]

The sweat.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I don't like sweat. That's really why I don't like it.

[Sue Bird]

I was always like, I want to get away.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Exactly. That's my fate.

[Sue Bird]

I don't forget it when it gets in the armpit.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Exactly. Because give me a tell right away. Oh, God. Gosh.

[Sue Bird]

Okay. Last but not least. You'll always be. This makes me sad. You'll always be a Seattle legend. You accomplished so much. You really left a legacy. I read some of this in the intro, but two time WNBA champion, Rookie of the Year, six time All Star, All Star Game mvp. First team, wnba. Second team, wnba. Hey, Commissioner cup champ.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Count that.

[Sue Bird]

Commissioner cup champ. Put that in the bank.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

You were the 2023 scoring leader. And that's just on the court. There's going to be Jewel Lloyd jerseys in the storm in the Seattle stands for years to come. But you do get traded and you're now a member of the Las Vegas Aces. Tell me what that process was.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like, honestly, that whole process was obviously new. I had no idea what it was going to be. But I remember telling my agent, like, listen, like, you handle this. I'm gonna focus on unrivaled. I'm gonna go have a good off season. Like, let me know if anything happens. I don't want, like, hey, you could do, like, this. Let me know exactly what it happens. Let me just focus on just kind of getting my life together. So that's pretty much what happened. Like, I was pretty, you know, not hands on and let, you know, my agent do everything and, you know, gave feedback here and there. But I was like, listen, I just want a fresh start. Like, that's what I want. Like, I just want to go on.

[Sue Bird]

Do you have to, like, give a list of teams? I'm always so curious about this.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I gave a list, but I was like, listen, I just want to take me anywhere. Because I also knew, like, the cba, so I'm like, technically, everyone's on a one year, so it doesn't really matter. That's true in my eyes. Like, let me just, you know. So it kind of worked out that way where I was like, just anywhere, because who knows what's going to happen, you know, in other seasons? But. But gave that. I was like, all right. Like, got a call. I was literally about to eat and got a call like, hey, like, you're probably gonna get traded to Las Vegas. I was like, okay, yeah, good joke. You know, I'm like, all right. And so put the phone down. And then next I know, it's like, I'm like, what the hell? I'm, like, looking at. I'm like, no way. Like, this actually really happened. And Asia called me, and she's like, screaming on the phone. I'm calling. I'm like, this is real life. It didn't really, like, settle. Like, I Even now, like, I'm like, dang. Like, this is kind of crazy, you know? And so that's pretty much was the process. It was like, all that, and Jade did everything, and I was just like.

[Sue Bird]

And you and Asia became close, Like, USA Basketball.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, we were really close. We've been close for. For a long time. I know Chelsea really well. I know Jackie well. So it kind of like, you know, they're my friends, which is really nice and comforting. So it's not totally new, but, you know.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Has that helped in training camp, like, having that relationship with.

[Jewel Lloyd]

For sure. Just understanding just the Lingo and just, you know when. A lot of times when you go into a new situation, you're kind of, like, shy, like, a little reserved.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. How have you been approaching it?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I've been. I've been different, Sue.

[Sue Bird]

Really?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I've been wearing crop tops now. Like, I'm different. You know, it's a little different.

[Sue Bird]

What is it? Crop top. Poppy.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Say that one more time.

[Sue Bird]

I can't even get it out of my mouth.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like, it's just different. Like, I feel like I'm just, like, fully truly myself. Maybe that's just with.

[Sue Bird]

I'm telling you, I sense the calm, man. I sense the grounding.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. And that's what it feels like. I'm just, like, at peace with everybody.

[Sue Bird]

Everything have. How. How have the adjustments been, though? Like, it's still an adjustment.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, for sure. Like, I got lost. Like, for the first week, it was awful. Like, locked up, got my key. Like, it's just a whole different thing, just how things are Ran. But I'm really just trying to learn. Like, I really don't. I haven't talked that much yet. Just on the course. I'm still trying to figure out everything. And, you know, having Chelsea helps a lot, and.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, they don't know loud. Juliet.

[Jewel Lloyd]

No, they don't know that side yet. Get in there. They see, like, little girls, but it's.

[Sue Bird]

You're not, like, crazy loud, but you. Yeah, yeah, I get to talk.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, exactly. So it's been really nice, but I'm just taking it day by day, honestly, because I've. I mean, I'm still, like, unpacking and things like that.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I know. So the other thing I find really interesting about this is. And this happened to me once in my career, but it was overseas. I played for one team in Russia for five years, Spartac, and our biggest rival was a Katerinberg. And then I switched over to Katerinburg. And it's so. It's like that whole, like, you know, when your idols become your rivals. In this case, it's like when your rivals become your friends, your teammates. And Vegas wasn't. I wouldn't say it was like the. You know, the storm in Vegas were like, these huge rivals, but, like, we had some. Some good series. They. They ended the season last year for you guys. So what is it like to now? It's like you were just competing against them, but now you're teammates.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, I think it's. For me, I've always just had appreciation for really good basketball players and teams. Regardless, that's kind of the same way I feel about when we played UConn, like, playing Stewie, right? Like, Stewie's my homie. But, like, you guys assures us every time. But I. Appreciation for just good basketball. And so that's kind of my mindset with them. It's like, you know, we competed and had some crazy games. Like, losing that home game three, like, that talk about it, you know, that.

[Sue Bird]

Just, like, still can't talk about it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's just.

[Sue Bird]

I still cannot. I've never watched it either. I don't. I don't like looking at highlights neither.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I literally do not. Like, I just can't. Like, so that's, like, always. So it's like, I kind of always see that when I see them, but at the same time, I just see, like, everyone's greatness, and I'm like, that's awesome. Like, this is really cool.

[Sue Bird]

And what's it like playing for Becky?

[Jewel Lloyd]

Becky, like, the first conversation we had, she. She mentioned just like, how can I serve you? Like, what can I do? And I was like, whoa. Like, that's interesting. Like, I've never had a coach say that to me, you know, and having that insight was really cool. And she just really preaches, like, she just wants us to be ourselves all the time. So, like, she never. Only time she probably yelled at me. And Jackie is not shooting. Like, she was like, call time. I was like, what are you guys doing? I'm like, I don't know, Retired. Like, you know, she's like, shoot the ball. Like, okay. But no, she's really, you know, you can see her mind, how it works, you know, her play calls, and she just really wants us to go out there and have fun, and it's a really cool experience.

[Sue Bird]

So do you feel like you've been able to bring, like. Or do you feel like you've had the space to be yourself? Because I think the reality is. And this is the other thing that I find most interesting about all of this, is you were the face of the storm, right? A big part of the core for many, many years, and now you're entering this. This team. You're new, but they've kind of had an established thing going. Obviously, part of that trade was that Kelsey Plum. So there's a little bit of a vacancy there in terms of a guard spot, which, you know, you essentially take because you're going to be a starter, I'm assuming. So. So, like, what has that balance been? Like, how have you navigated that? Like, bringing yourself? Have you had space to do that while also understanding you're not filling a shoes or a role. I actually don't think that at all. But you're entering, like, an established franchise.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. You know, like, I've always kind of. Actually, Steve mentions this a lot. He's like, you know, you've always been a really good soldier. Like, you understand your role and what to do, and you kind of just let it happen. And sometimes that soldier has to eventually, you know, become a commander or a general, and you pick and choose, and that's sometimes throughout the game. And I feel like, you know, through our training camp, I've learned, like, okay, this is my time. This is my time to facilitate. This is my time to be a great screener. And the. How we play allows everyone to be the. The greatest version of themselves, which is really, really cool. And there's no, like, limits. There's not, like, okay, like, the first two minutes, four minutes, it's like, no. Like, throughout the game, throughout a possession, it's like, you feel it and you understand it, and because I just want to win, I really don't care about any of that. I'm like, dude, like, whatever you need me to do. Like, okay, cool. Like, you look at me, I'm like, okay, I'm seeing you looking at me. I'll shoot the ball, you know, or whatever that is. So I understand. Just. Just the. I just want to play really, really good basketball on both sides.

[Sue Bird]

Do you think you're bringing something to the aces that they haven't had before?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I think so. I think the. My intensity and how I train is another level, and I think they're. They're seeing that in how I do everything. I mean, I wake up at five and lift and all those things. Yeah. So I'm, like, a little different. I think. You know, the first time AJ And I work out together after practice, like, I ran my down and backs, this extra cardio, and she was like, like, man, okay. Like, yeah. Like, I'm not doing that. Like, you're doing this. Like, I'm. I'm done. You know, it's like, off season. We're still trying to get built up into shape, but I think those little things are seen, and I think that's elevating a little bit of hobby practice.

[Sue Bird]

Okay, so you opened up with the New York Liberty. Is it weird to inherit. Speaking of rivalries and rivals becoming idols and the whole thing, is it weird to, like, inherit a rivalry?

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's weird. It's so weird. I. I feel it, like, brand, like, the moment I Got, you know, traded. Everyone's like, like, people were like, so you're on the other side? And I'm like, dang. Like, I don't have.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, you were. You were on arrival.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yes.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

So I'm, like, walking down, like, my backpack. Yeah. I'm like, hi, Stewie. Like, you know, what's up, guys? Like, it's. It's pretty instant, so I'm still learning it, too, because I don't know all the ins and outs. Right. So I'm like, what happened? Like, what's really going on? You know? Like, so I'm kind of just going with the flow, I guess, you know, but. But I got to stand strong in where I'm at and learn as I go, but compete at a high level, I guess.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Are there any other teams that, like, this off season with their moves? You see them now that caught your eye, that you're looking forward to playing?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I think it's like, at. To Phoenix is still like, what? You know, And I think how she plays allows. I mean, it's so hard to guard her and the people around her. So I think it's like a train. Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Free train.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah. And so seeing that dynamic is going to be interesting. But, I mean, this whole league this year, I think it might be one of the best competition drama. I mean, it might be one of the best seasons we'll have or the start of, like, the next generation of stuff, because it's just. It's just good basketball right now. Teams are building. Obviously, we're expanding as well, too. So I think this is. This year is going to be really, really exciting.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I mean, it's. I mean, we have 13 teams now, obviously one up from 12, but yeah, it's kind of like the last year of, like, the. The smaller. What's 144 plus 12. I'm terrible at math. 1:56. College dropout.

[Jewel Lloyd]

College dropout.

[Sue Bird]

What's my excuse? What's my excuse? So it's just. It's like a smaller group of people, which just means there's more parity, just, like, naturally how it is. And I totally agree. I think there are, like, teams that. That just on paper, separate themselves. New York, Minnesota, obviously, from the finals, you guys, of course, Indiana did really great. And Seattle. It's like, there's a lot of teams that have, like, these rosters. But then even after that and beyond that, it's like, what's Atlanta going to be like? That's interesting to me.

[Jewel Lloyd]

I know BG and Atlanta, I was like, oh, man.

[Sue Bird]

Her and Brianna Jones. What are they going to be? And that. And Carlos Mesko, like, runs an offense with a lot of threes.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yep.

[Sue Bird]

Then you brought up at Satu Kalia in Phoenix. So it's. It's. It's. It's really exciting. I think Chicago looks really good. They do, anyways. I can go down the list. But it is really. It is really exciting to see and to know that this year is going to be crazy. It's going to be. I think a lot of the standings are going to be shuffling. It's going to be a lot of shuffling. All right, so what does. For this year, what does success look like for you? And then what does it look like for your team?

[Jewel Lloyd]

For me, it's. It's really just like, I want to just. I mean, it sounds really basic, but I just want to be, like, happy.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Like, I just want to be able to support my teammates in a crazy way, you know, like, just have a smile. When I play, I think, you know, you kind of just get in this, like, redundant space, and you kind of, like, miss moments. I don't want to miss any moments, like the good, the bad, the ugly. I just want to play because that's one of my best. You know that when I'm thinking, I'm like. It's just awful. I'm just, like, so bad. So I don't want everybody, by the way. Yeah, yeah. But, yes, you know, I just want to be happy. I just want to go out there and just, like, be at the playground. I think that's really. It's going to allow me to be my best self. I think we'll see a little bit more of, like, the goal. Mamba.

[Sue Bird]

Taking it back to Lincolnwood.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Yeah, taking it back to the Drake park days, for sure. And, you know, I'm excited for that. And I think for our team, I mean, we. We want to win. This team is built that way. That's the standard. The standard is excellence, and that's what you see every time you walk into the practice facility. It's all our habits. And, you know, we want to obviously, stay healthy to do that and get back to, you know, what Vegas wants to do. And we want to. We want to win.

[Sue Bird]

And what about Gwen? Is she performing the national anthem this year or what? Do I need to get my ticket now?

[Jewel Lloyd]

I haven't heard yet, you know, but she's been, you know, testing it out. But people have been asking for her.

[Sue Bird]

Jackie. She's positioning herself.

[Jewel Lloyd]

You know, she is.

[Sue Bird]

Let me know I will 100% pull up.

[Jewel Lloyd]

She I will let you know for sure.

[Sue Bird]

I was there once, well, obviously when we played, but as a, as a spectator, I got to watch one one year in Seattle.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Going with the mic.

[Sue Bird]

I love it.

[Jewel Lloyd]

It's showtime. Always.

[Sue Bird]

I love it. Jewel, thank you so much for coming in. This is fun.

[Jewel Lloyd]

Oh, sue, you're the best. The legend, legend herself.

[Sue Bird]

So what I've always known, and I think what you guys learned today is that Jewel has always been a sponge. She's always wanted to learn from others. She always sought that out, whether it was Kobe Bryant, her relationship with Kyrie Irving, legendary NBA coach Phil Handy, but even originally from her older brother Jared, and that has even extended now off the court in their business ventures at the same time. She's someone who always gives back, always thinking of others, is always open to paying it forward, even something like getting her mom Gwen Lloyd spots singing the national anthem before games. I knew this about Jewel from the moment I met her, even when she was just that 22 year old ordering a Corona. And what I see now is an older, calmer, more confident version. And that probably means it's scary hours for the league. This episode is a co production of Together and Vox Media. Our producers are Tommy Alter, Jason Gallagher, Richie Bozek, Harry Krincel, Jess Clarendon and jasmine Ellis. With HubSpot's suite of AI powered tools.

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[Sue Bird]

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