← Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Jordin Canada on Developing her Playmaking and Finding the Perfect Fit with the Atlanta Dream
01:05:38
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- [00:01]
Sue Bird
Support for the show comes from Delta Airlines. Reaching the absolute pinnacle of sports doesn't happen overnight. It is a lifelong trek defined by relentless grind, pure resilience, and an unwavering drive to climb higher. Delta recognizes that the path a WNBA athlete takes to achieve greatness is truly one of the world's greatest journeys. That's why Delta is proud to host these elite competitors with a charter flight program designed to protect their time, maximize their recovery, and champion equity. Because a legendary journey deserves an elevated way to fly. Keep climbing with Delta Air Lines, the official airline of the wnba. I know it's your welcome to the league moment, so I'm just going to say it. What is it? On three, we'll say the name on three. Ready? One, two, three. Skylar Diggins. Smith.
- [00:45]
Jordan Canada
Oh, I thought it was D. I thought it was dt. Dt, But I don't remember the Skyler Diggins moment. You tell me. You tell me.
- [01:01]
Sue Bird
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the show. It's been another electric week for the wnba, so this week, I'm excited to welcome a player who always gives her team the burst of energy it needs to secure a win. I'm speaking from firsthand experience because we were teammates for four years and won not one, but two championships together. That is right. I'm talking about Jordan Canada from the Atlanta Dream. Jordan is now in her third season with Atlanta, and she already has the second most assists in a season of any Atlanta Dream player ever. She's second in the league in steals, only behind her own teammate, Ryan Howard. And she is averaging 11.3 points per game. That's double her points per game average from when she first entered the league in 2018. Like a fine wine that I don't even think Jordan drinks, she has only gotten better with age. I can't wait to talk to Jordan about the evolution of her game as a point guard settling into life in Atlanta, and how she plans to secure her third possible championship with the Dream. But before we dive into the interview, you know what time it is. It's time for Sue's View. All right, so this week, for Sue's View, I just got a couple things I want to point out. Um, I think there's some amazing performances. There's also some crazy attendance numbers, so I'm going to start there. The Toronto Tempo hosted the Dallas Wings in Montreal. They played at the Bell center, and they broke the league record for regular season attendance with a crowd of 20,000, 996. Could we just, like, call it 21,000? Sounds right. That topped the mark of 20,711, which was set back in September of 2024 at Capital One arena when the Fever played the Mystics. That was Caitlin Clark's rookie season, I think. You know, obviously what makes this unique is it was set in a city that doesn't even have a team. But really, I think if we're being honest, you know, ever since Toronto got a franchise, we knew this was going to be the whole country's team. Even Sandy Brondello, when she came on the pod, talked about that. She framed it recently as saying, we say we're Canada's team, so we're taking the show on the road. And that's very true. They played in Montreal, they're also going to play in Vancouver. The strategy is working, but honestly, I want to shout out Montreal because not only do they hold the record for attendance in the WNBA, they also hold it in the PWHL. They set that record on April 20, 2024 with 21,105. That's obviously the hockey league. So WNBA, we need to get like, I don't know, a thousand more people to break that record. So really it kind of begs the question, does Canada need two teams? Shrug, maybe. Next up, as I said at the top, some incredible performances occurred this past week and honestly they just keep really rolling in. Whether it's like Marina Mabry dropping 53, all kinds of records are being broken. I'm going to focus on AZ Fudd for a second because this rookie class, it's going to go to Olivia Miles in a second has just been incredible. And I think we haven't talked about AZ's overall game. It's hard being the number one pick. A lot of pressure, a lot of expectations. But just to give some quick little nuggets on az, she now has the most steals and blocks by a guard in her first 20 games since 1997. And she joined Tamika Catchings, which is elite company, as the only rookie ever with a 20 game span of at least 35 threes, 35 steals and 20 blocks. We knew coming out of college that shooting was going to be her thing, that it was going to translate. But her coach, Jose Fernandez agrees. The thing we haven't talked a lot about is her ability to play defense. The fact that she is already becoming like a very, very reliable two way player. Is she three and D already? Yes. Is that going to evolve?
- [04:49]
Jordan Canada
Absolutely.
- [04:49]
Sue Bird
So I just want to give her a quick shout out. But like I said, her and Olivia, both the number one and number two picks Breaking records all year. Today is Tuesday, by the way. But last night, Olivia Miles had a career high with 33 when the Lynx beat the Mercury, 104 to 100. Um, listen, she's just continuing to evolve. I actually said this on the NBC show that, you know, she said on draft night her IQ was going to be the highest. Her feel for the game unmatched. And I think that's what we're seeing in her game. She's the fastest in WNB history to reach 400 points, a hundred rebounds and 100 assists. She did that in 22 games. She was also like super efficient. 10 for 16 from the field last night, 5 for 8 from 3, had 8 assists. I mean, it just continues to keep getting better and better for Olivia. So our rookies are kind of holding it down. But that does take me to another Lynx teammate, Kayla McBride. Last night she had 37. That is shy of her career high. I mean, I talk about AZ being a two way player. Kayla has been an exceptional two way player. Another player that doesn't get enough credit for her defense. But I'm gonna talk about her offense real fast. Like I said, 37 points last night. She is on an absolute tear in this. In the last four games, she's been averaging 28.3points on 55.6, field goal percentage on 53.1 from 3. Um, she's shooting like over 90% from the free throw line. It's just an absolute tear. Um, she's so fun to watch offensively when she's playing like that. But like I said, her defense, her defense doesn't get talked about. So I'm going to give some quick little notes. First on the season, she's averaging a career high in steals at 1.7 per game. So I could sit here and talk about, you know, her ability to guard people one on one, how smart she is defensively, but it's actually showing up in the box score, which is really kind of cool. So like I said, career high at 1.7 steals per game. That's seventh in the WNBA last night. I think there's like an interesting way to frame the game because 104 to 100, when you have a score like that, it's really these small plays. And there was a bunch of times where Kayla was able to pick, you know, pick someone's pocket or get in a passing lane and that turned into easy buckets. Um, so in a game where there was like super high scoring, I think the Mercury shot like 55%. Kayla was still like a plus defender all night. Um, she also had two blocks to add to her four steals. Um, those four steals, like I said, helped fuel 12 points. Um, so just really incredible work by her. So I just wanted to give a quick shout. All right, next up, the All Star reserves have been named. I talked about the All Star starters last week, got my gripe out, but now the reserves have been named. Neko Guma headlines. This is her 11th selection, which is so incredible. She ties Diana with the second most at 11. Obviously I'm at the top with 13. Listen, when the day comes, and it's going to come when a player breaks that record, I feel like all you longtime listeners know exactly where I'm going with this. There's a couple things in my, like, individual accolades that really just get me, and this is at the tippy top of the list. We didn't always have All Star. Some Olympic years, we didn't have All Star. Some World cup years, we didn't have all star. 2020 bubble season, didn't have All Star. So there's going to be some conversation. It's giving, I don't know, it's giving like Babe Ruth, Roger Maris. But we'll get there when we get there. My record is safe for now. The other reserves are Sonia Citron, Alicia Gray, Ryan Howard, Marina Mabry, who got her first nod, and Kelsey Plum, Courtney Williams, Jackie Young, John Cole Jones, Dominique Malunga. Let's go, Seattle. Like I said, Neko Gumake and Angel Reese. Yeah, not much to say. I mean, there's definitely some snubs. We can, we can talk about that as we get closer. You know, names that come, you know, to top of mind are, I don't know, like Chelsea Gray, you know, Brittany Sykes, Veronica Burton. Um, then there's Phoenix, who didn't get any. So Kalia Copper, Alyssa Thomas, that breaks her streak, didn't get any All Stars. Something to keep your eye on is just the question around Kelsey Plum's health. You know, what was it? She was ruled out like a couple weeks ago for four weeks. You know, how does that impact All Star? Of course, if she can't play, then Kathy Angelbert will pick a replacement player. So interesting to keep your eye on that. The other thing about All Star, it's changing a little bit. The last couple years, the highest voted players got to do a draft. This year for the 30th season, they're having Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon. They are serving as like honorary GMs. So they'll get to draft the rosters. One thing I haven't heard about, maybe you guys know, are they keeping what was it like a four pointer, are they keeping that? Like is anything else from a format standpoint? Changing last but not least, Cheryl Reeve with her fifth all star coaching naad, Becky Hammond with her third. They're the top two teams so they get to coach the team. And then also we've got three point contest and skills challenge so we all get to wait and see who's going to participate in that. But congratulations to all the all stars. Everybody's deserving. Even when there's snubs, it doesn't mean everybody who made it isn't deserving. So I just want to give a quick congrats to them. Okay? And that's my view for this week. Now let's get to the interview with Jordan Canada. Support for the show comes from Delta Airlines. Every elite athlete knows that greatness isn't a destination you simply arrive at. It's a grueling, beautiful road, miles in the making, built on early mornings, silent sacrifices and out climbing yesterday's achievements. Delta Air Lines believes the path these athletes walk, run and fly is uniquely among the world's greatest journeys. They're a key player on the path, welcoming every team with a premium seamless travel experience that honors their commitment to excellence. Keep climbing with Delta Air Lines, the official airline of the wnba. I'm pretty confident talking into a mic. Hey, I'm doing it right now. But home projects, I second guess everything. Is that noise normal? Is that water damage? And who should I even call? That's where thumbtack comes in. Upload a photo or voice note and and their AI powered search helps diagnose the issue and match you with the right top rated local pro. Instead of second guessing or searching for hours, you get clarity and can hire the right pro with confidence. For your next home project, try thumbtack. They know homes hire the right Pro today. This Monday.com ad was created by a team of people and AI agents. Reese, our content agent, wrote the copy based on our best practices, like mentioning Monday.com three times. That was the second. Johnny, our coordination agent, built the timeline and kept everyone aligned. Olivia, our human creative director stayed in
- [11:45]
Jordan Canada
the loop because agents are great but
- [11:47]
Sue Bird
they don't always know when a joke lands. She had one note. Tell listeners it only takes minutes to build an agent. So minutes. Create your own AI agent today on Monday dot com. Jordan, what's up man?
- [12:06]
Jordan Canada
Nothing, just, you know, just happy to have you on last night.
- [12:09]
Sue Bird
Yeah. So you're Feeling good right now?
- [12:11]
Jordan Canada
I'm feeling good, yes.
- [12:13]
Sue Bird
I mean, since I wasn't going to start here, but it's kind of a good place. You guys are sitting in six, but I think, you know, given that in the last 10, you guys are four and six, that can have. Tell me what the conversations are in the locker room because I'm sure, you know, you can, you know, you know that you want to do better than that.
- [12:32]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, of course. We know we can get a lot better than where we are right now. Coach talked about our scheme for this year, the process of getting better. And I think winning those games earlier in the season, we still had some like, lulls and lackadaisical plays that weren't playing consistently. And now it's starting to really hit us in the middle of the season. Teams are starting to gain their momentum and figuring themselves out. And I think we're still trying to figure ourselves out as well. And I think the positivity in the locker room has still been high. I think we understand that. We know we can get better. We're not letting this adversity right now trickle down and we just want to be as consistent as possible. And so coach has been very positive. We've been very positive and that's what's going to help us. And luckily yesterday that did help us yesterday. Just, just trying to have a positive attitude in the locker room. And, you know, everybody's been upbeat, so we're just trying to keep this momentum going into the All Star break.
- [13:35]
Sue Bird
Yeah. So for those listening, I already said at the top of the show, but today's Tuesday. You guys played last night. Monday you beat la. It ended up being like a nine point win, but it was much closer. What do you think happened in that game? Because it was a little bit of an important win. And I just want to start by saying what's so interesting now that I'm in broadcasting and I'm talking from the very start of the season, if any team that was like, meant to be at the top of the standings lost a game, lost two in a row, the question always would come up of, ooh, is it time for them to panic? And I'm like, what? Even for you guys before All Star break, like, yeah, four and six in the last 10. Obviously it's, it's, it's bringing up some, some conversations, but you don't have to panic. That's like the worst thing you could do. But you got back on track last night against la. Like, what was different for you guys that you Were able to close that one out.
- [14:26]
Jordan Canada
I think our execution in the fourth quarter, we did start a little lackadaisical, had some lows, and I think that's what I talked about earlier. It's just us being consistent for 40 minutes. Like, I think we came out of the game on it, and then we kind of had a lead, and then we let them come back in the third quarter. And then the start of the fourth quarter, we had some, like, lulls where we weren't communicating on the defensive end. And then offensively, we were turning over the ball. We're executing on offense. And I think, to be honest, angel kind of started that spark for us kind of in the middle of the fourth quarter and just kind of putting us getting us back on track, and then it just trickled down to the whole team. And I think that's the. The mentality that angel brings to our team, that we felt like we were missing just that grit and that determination and wanting to win. And I think when she kind of started that spark, it kind of just went through the whole team. And then just down the stretch, executing, making sure that we needed to take care of business, because that's been our biggest problem down the stretch, is we kind of let teams come back in the game, and then we can't finish. So we kind of focused on fourth quarter, just making sure we're calling the right plays, making sure we're getting atos and we're executing on the defensive end, making sure we're getting stops.
- [15:43]
Sue Bird
Yeah, I was at. Because I was working last night. I was kind of, like, double duty watching the end of your game, but, like, preparing to go on tv. And the one play I saw. Don't quote me on the time. Under a minute, for sure. You guys were up six. You came down, you found. I think it was Ryan in transition for a 3. Put the game from 6 to 9.
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Jordan Canada
I think it was.
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Sue Bird
Was it someone else?
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Jordan Canada
Yeah, it was Ry.
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Sue Bird
It was Ryan. Yeah. Um, so that kind of leads me. You finished the game with 16 and 9. I kind of want to talk about your playmaking on this pod, because obviously we go. You know, I don't want to call it way back, but we do go kind of way back to the start of your career, 2018. And I have definitely outside looking in, seen, like, an evolution of your game. Part of that is scoring. Part of that is because I think in order to be a great playmaker, you have to be a threat. So you've become more of a threat, especially from the outside. But A big part is just the playmaking in general. So first and foremost, I'm gonna take you even, like, further back. Do you remember, like, when. I don't. Because we've talked about this. I know you know the answer, but how we met, like, one of the first things, like, first times we talked.
- [16:54]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I think it was. I was at ucla. It was my junior year, I believe.
- [16:59]
Sue Bird
Yeah, I think you were going into your senior year.
- [17:01]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, we were going into my senior year, and I had a FaceTime call with you, and I was asking you all kinds of questions, and I obviously. Obviously can't remember the questions that I asked, but I know it was pertaining to your playmaking ability and how you get your teammates involved and when to be aggressive and how to just be a leader. So I know it was along the lines of that. And then obviously, foreshadowing. Foreshadowing being drafted to Seattle, which was, like, something I couldn't have imagined. But it was a blessing for me just to be able to learn from you. And not only you, but everybody that was on the team. Jules, Stewie, ac, Natasha, like, just everybody just being able to soak up all the information that I could. And just watching you guys and how you were just professionals, take care of your. Taking care of your business on and off the court, just seeing how you guys were professionally definitely put me in the mindset of, like, if I want to stay in this league, this is what I have to do. And just watching you day in and day out, how you just. You never. You never forced anything. I think that's what I really enjoyed watching you, like, when you play, like, you just let the game come to you, and if it was time for you to take over, you would take over. It was time for you to distribute, you would distribute. And you always had this calm and poise about you. Like, even when things were, like, chaotic or we were down in the locker room, your voice was always necessary and needed. And anytime you spoke, obviously everybody listened. And that's something that I kind of, like, learned from you over the four years of playing with you and trying to take that into whatever team that I was going into or going, getting ready to play for. Just always having that mindset of, like, trying to be even kill and not get too high and get too low.
- [18:48]
Sue Bird
Yeah, no, thank you. That's. That's, like, quite the compliment. But back to you. What. What was it like? Because coming in, right, like, you had a great career at ucla, you know, you're bringing with you, you're like, An LA kid born and raised, you're bringing with you like an LA vibe. So first of all, let's just like set, like establish that, like, what is LA basketball? How do you represent the city when you play?
- [19:17]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I think LA is very unique. We do have some legends that come out of la. I think every LA Hooper has their own unique style to them. We do have this grit and determination and this swagger about us when we step on the floor that, you know, we're the best on the floor. That's how we feel when we step on. And, you know, there's kind of like, there's no friends when you're playing. You're just hooping out there, you want to win. You have this tenacity and grit about you. And I think that's what LA hoops are. And I've just learned that over the years of watching players either from LA or that have played for the Sparks, just this, this grit about us that we have. So that's like kind of the, the LA vibe of Hoopers. And then going into Seattle, being an LA kid, being there practically my whole, my whole life, and then coming into Seattle and coming into a team that had all star players, all star caliber, and having to fit in a different role that I wasn't used to being at UCLA and trying to navigate that and how can I be aggressive and when to distribute. So that was kind of a learning curve for me. It was really hard, actually, believe it or not. But I think every rookie goes through that. No matter what, no matter where you're playing or what team you get drafted to, I think you always just have that, that learning curve. And so I had to figure that out for the four years that I was there, just trying to get in where I fit in and how I can impact the team as much as I can when I'm out on the floor.
- [20:56]
Sue Bird
Yeah, it really was unique. You know, you were the fifth pick. Not a lot of people come into teams that are so established. Like, in a weird way, even though we obviously, in order to have that high of a pick, we didn't, we didn't finish very high the year before. I think we finished seventh or eighth, but we definitely had, we were like on the rise. So what was that like? Coming in, being surrounded by so many established players. But when you look back on it, you might not have known it in the moment, but when you look back on it, the additions of you and Natasha Howard, like that unlocked, like, we don't win without you guys. We don't Even win, I think, with other versions, like another. A different backup point guard or a different. What ended up being a starting post player. So, like, it's interesting to hear you say that it was difficult because I kind of want to hear what the difficulties were because at the same time, you were so important to the success. And when did you start to realize that part of it?
- [21:57]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I think it was. Well, first of all, thank you for that compliment.
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Sue Bird
I mean, listen, I haven't even talked about. I remember, like, one of the very first practices. You know, we're doing whatever we're doing. I think we were actually doing, like, late game scenarios.
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Jordan Canada
Yeah.
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Sue Bird
We're obviously guarding each other. So I'm on offense, you're guarding me. And I was like, if this motherfucker doesn't get off me.
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Jordan Canada
Actually, I remember. You remember?
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Sue Bird
Yeah, I was like, this is practice.
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Jordan Canada
I remember you saying that.
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Sue Bird
But it made me better. But it made me better.
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Jordan Canada
I think that was just the. I think coming into training camp, I obviously was nervous. Again, it's my rookie year. I don't know what to expect. So I'm just coming in with the mindset of just trying to work as hard as I possibly can and just trying to be aggressive and coming in and playing to my strengths. And the reasons why I got drafted to Seattle was to push the pace, my defense, and give a spark. So those were the three things that
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Sue Bird
I talked to you about that like. Like Dan Hughes, it was his first year, was there, like, as you're getting drafted, is he like, telling you this?
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Jordan Canada
Well, when I had my call before, because, you know, you get calls from different coaches and stuff. So when I did talk to him before I got drafted, I think those were the things that he noticed in my game that I could bring to Seattle was my defense and pushing the pace and, um, just bringing that energy off the bench. And so I knew that coming into training camp that that's what I needed to do. And also just trying to be a pro, like, trying to figure out how to be a pro.
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Sue Bird
Yeah.
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Jordan Canada
Um, obviously I'm a rookie, so I have to earn and work hard for what I get. So I didn't want to come in and feel like anything was just handed to me. I wanted to earn it and earn the respect of you guys. You know, even though I was a fifth pick, it's. It's not a walk in the park, you know, I still have to earn my stripes. So I think that was, you know, something that was on my mind coming into training camp is just Trying to do the things that, you know, Dan required of me and trying to earn the respect of you guys, of anytime that I'm on the floor, I can be productive and know that you're going to get something out of me. So that was just like the mindset going into training camp and throughout the season. Again, it was a learning curve because now I'm playing against grown women who are stronger, quicker, faster.
- [24:07]
Sue Bird
You remember that? Do you remember that first game? I know it's your welcome to the league moment, so I'm just going to say it. What is it? On three, we'll say the name. On three. Ready? One, two, three. Skylar Diggins. Smith.
- [24:18]
Jordan Canada
Oh, I thought it was D. I thought it was dt. Dt. But I don't remember the Skyler Diggins moment.
- [24:23]
Sue Bird
You tell me.
- [24:25]
Jordan Canada
You tell me. Because I. My, my welcome to the W moment was when I had to guard DT for like the very first time early, and she got me in, like, foul trouble. I got like, I picked up like two, three quick fouls from just trying to guard her. Okay.
- [24:40]
Sue Bird
The same thing happened with Skyler. Okay, what I remember. This is funny. Okay, you're right, though, because we played Phoenix. I think we played Phoenix, like, super early in the season. No, I remember. You know, I was 37. So what's also interesting is you came into a team that had at your position, like just an elder statesman. Right? Like, I'm old. But you also, you mentioned you had Stewie Jewel. They're young, so you kind of got to see, like professionals, like on some level, one that was already, like, baked and how she does it. Me, on another level, people still learning, and you got to kind of do it with them. So I was kind of a cool little no. So as a 37 year old in the WNBA does, I woke up with a stiff neck and so I didn't play against Dallas. So I think it might have been like your first start.
- [25:28]
Jordan Canada
I think I know what you're talking about.
- [25:30]
Sue Bird
Okay. That to me, I remember watching and Because Skylar was just like, yeah, yeah. Like now that would never for sure.
- [25:37]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, she was like, yeah, but I. I do remember that game. I know what you're exactly what you're talking about. I do remember getting bullied.
- [25:45]
Sue Bird
Yeah, it was bully ball, for sure.
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Jordan Canada
Yeah, it was bully ball, but I think that was the learning curve, like, trying to figure out how.
- [25:51]
Sue Bird
Oh, it happens to all of us.
- [25:53]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, Spectacular guards and like Skyler and even Courtney Vandersloot. Just a lot of the different guards that were in the league at the time and even now, it was just a learning curve, trying to figure out, you know, how I can be productive and how when I step on the floor, like, I'm not being a detriment to the team because I'm trying to figure it out. And then learning when to score and when not to score. Obviously at ucla, I was one of the main primary scorers, so it was just easy for me to always look for my shot. But then coming into a team where you have more so many scorers on the floor, it's not always about you. And so how can I get Stewie involved? How can I get touches to Jewel? How can I get touches to Natasha and AC and when it's the moment for me to score? So I think that was like the biggest learning curve. And then also just knowing where they like the ball, how they like to get the ball, that's something that I never really had to think of at ucla and then coming into the pros, that was like something that was like always on top of mind. It was very difficult. I did have some struggles during the first year, but I also think that I did hold my own when I stepped on the floor. And I think you. Yeah, and I think you guys also helped and encouraged me to keep going and keep attacking. And when I come out on the floor, I can't be afraid. I remember one time, I can't remember what game it was, but I remember I was being very hesitant and I wasn't shooting the ball and I wasn't being aggressive. And I remember Stewie coming at me. He was like, if you're going to be out here, you can't be afraid. You got to play basketball. And I think that was like a wake up call for me. Like, okay, if I'm out here, I gotta do something. I gotta be productive. I gotta make sure I'm doing my job. So that way, you know, giving you breaks and when you come in, the momentum is still there and there's no dip.
- [27:40]
Sue Bird
Yeah, yeah, no, I know. Have you. Have you figured this part out? When I watch you play and I'm talking, no joke, we scrimmage. Like, remember that church league we played against and they fucking kicked our ass. Do you remember this
- [27:56]
Jordan Canada
church league?
- [27:57]
Sue Bird
It was like a actual team. All right, never mind.
- [28:00]
Jordan Canada
I can't remember.
- [28:01]
Sue Bird
My point is, I remember from very early in training camp, whether it was in practice, whether it was against this church league that we played against and then in games, and have you figured this out about yourself? You're actually like, excellent. I don't think people talk about it enough because it's. It's not like a stat sheet thing. You are excellent when the shot clock is running down. You're excellent when the quarter's running down. Like, you always find a way to make things happen. And do you know why I don't?
- [28:29]
Jordan Canada
Tell me.
- [28:30]
Sue Bird
Cause you're not thinking.
- [28:32]
Jordan Canada
That's probably it.
- [28:33]
Sue Bird
You're not thinking about, like, who do I have to. Do you know, where do I have to get the ball? Who do I have to give it to? And I also think in terms of your shooting, because a lot of it. Yeah, some of it was drives to the basket. A lot of it was like late shot clock. You just gotta take whatever. And I swear I bet your shooting percentage from like 15ft and out is like crazy high in those moments. Cause you're not thinking. I feel like that's part of like your form. You're not thinking about it.
- [28:58]
Jordan Canada
Yeah.
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Sue Bird
And I think that's what we all saw in you as a rookie. It was just like the difference between thinking and not thinking. But I feel like in your playmaking, you've gotten so much better at that.
- [29:09]
Jordan Canada
Yeah. I think honestly being here in Atlanta and working with Carl and working with Cam Brown, who's my position coach, watching a lot of film, actually last season at the end, going into off season, we watched a lot of film of my turnovers.
- [29:28]
Sue Bird
Brutal.
- [29:28]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I know.
- [29:29]
Sue Bird
I mean, you got to. But.
- [29:31]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, you have to. But honestly, it has helped me. And I think the biggest thing was my decision making and my post passing and getting too deep into the paint and forcing passes that weren't there. And we really worked on in the off season about saving my space and creating space to find the open pocket or to find the perfect pass and knowing when to not necessarily force a pass, but knowing when the timing of a pass. And I watched a lot of film on that. Did a lot of drills with Cam and just trying to read the defense as much as possible. And so my two biggest things going into the season was leading in assist to turnover ratio and leading the league and leading the league in stills. And so I think just watching a lot of film with them, drill, doing different drills, reading the defense, I think that has helped tremendously. And it's also allowed me to slow down as well. I know, like, I'm very fast, so I know when I get into the paint, like early on in my career, I would get into the paint, didn't know what to do with it. So I either force a tough shot or a bad pass. And I think this year I've really been focused on if the shot is not there, dribble it out, or move the ball with pace. We talk about ball speed a lot with me making sure I get the ball up the floor as much as possible and then just being composed in those moments. And I think I've done a really good job of that this season and just trying to keep it up. But Cam has definitely helped me with watching a lot of film and seeing the areas that I can improve with my passes and not forcing things as much as I used to.
- [31:03]
Sue Bird
Yeah, well, first of all, you're almost achieving your goals. I think you're, like, second in the league in assist to turnover ratio, and you're second in the league in steals only behind your own teammate. Yeah, tough.
- [31:16]
Jordan Canada
We actually joke. We actually joke about that, about who can get the most deals.
- [31:20]
Sue Bird
It's a race.
- [31:21]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, it's a race to finish. Who's going to finish first?
- [31:23]
Sue Bird
Yeah. But wait, listening you talk, you know about Cam, your position coach, Carl Smesco coming in. Tell me if I'm right in this, like, now that the WNBA has just, like, more resources, more money, the coaching staffs are much larger, do you feel like you're actually getting coached more?
- [31:42]
Jordan Canada
Yeah. And with Carl, that. That's for sure a thing. He is such a detailed guy. I've never met a coach that is just so analytical and statistical and knows so much about basketball. Like, down to the T we spend. I remember last year we spent like, we still spend an hour, at least an hour in film, but, like, as a team. As a team, yes. We'll spend like an hour with just watching film. Or he'll bring up, like, some statistic that you never even thought of. But he's just so detailed in everything in terms of how to set screens. And even though that could be trivial, like, yeah, I know how to set screens, but it's the angle of the screen, it's the spacing of the floor when the cut, the type of passes to make. Even something as simple as shooting, your shooting form, being shot ready, and how that changes your statistics and how just making one more three out of every 25 threes will increase your percentage. Like, things like that, that you don't think of that he thinks about every single thing. And so when you're going. When you have a coach like that, it only helps me raise my IQ because then I start to think about stuff like that as well during the game. And so just having him has changed Our dynamic of our team and in terms of like how we can create shots, how we can set things up to be efficient on offense and also on the defensive end as well. Certain strategies that he has, certain defensive techniques that he had that I haven't really learned before. So he just, he's such a detailed guy. Like, if you sit down and you just talk to him about basketball, you'll be mind blown. Just. He's just very intelligent and ingenious when it comes to basketball.
- [33:31]
Sue Bird
Well, it sounds like. I mean, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but it kind of sounds like this time in Atlanta has really changed a lot about your game. Like how you approach it, the things you're thinking about. I love the idea of even working on playmaking. Right. Like doing drills to help you with that. Because to me, like, the more you can do all that and prepare and practice, the less you are thinking in the game. You're just kind of reacting. When you look back on, I feel like mostly your pro career, but if there's something that sticks out from like college, high school, for those that don't know, you actually played for Vanessa Nygaard in high school, obviously played for Corey Close and ucla. Congrats on the championship.
- [34:11]
Jordan Canada
Yes.
- [34:12]
Sue Bird
Did you get to go?
- [34:13]
Jordan Canada
I did not get to go, no. But I definitely was screaming and cheering on TV when they won. Yeah.
- [34:18]
Sue Bird
Okay, good. So, yeah. So when you think about like this feels like a pivotal moment for you right now in Atlanta, when you look back, what were some other moments that like helped change the trajectory of your career?
- [34:31]
Jordan Canada
I want to say my second year in LA changed the trajectory.
- [34:36]
Sue Bird
Yeah. You had a big jump. It was like career highs across.
- [34:38]
Jordan Canada
I had a big jump. And I think also that is due to the coaching staff there. I think. Kurt, Chris Nola, Steve Smith. I think those, those coaches there helped me take my game to another level as well and instilling the confidence in me. I think my first year in la, it was a lot. It was very chaotic. And then me coming in my first year, being back at home, it was just a lot to deal with.
- [35:09]
Sue Bird
Ticket requests.
- [35:10]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, ticket request. And just we. We just had a lot going on in the first year. Coaching changes and different personalities on the team. It was just a lot. And I think coming into my second year, I actually didn't go overseas. Going into my second year, I actually went to AU before going into my second year. And I think also that helped as well. I think that kind of brought back the joy of playing basketball and not seeing it as a job, obviously, it is my job and it is a profession, but when you're. When you're in it for so long, you kind of, like, see it as, you know, this is just something that
- [35:48]
Sue Bird
I. I kind of like Groundhog's Day.
- [35:50]
Jordan Canada
Yeah.
- [35:51]
Sue Bird
And. Yeah.
- [35:52]
Jordan Canada
Yeah.
- [35:53]
Sue Bird
A lot can get lost in the life.
- [35:55]
Jordan Canada
A lot can get lost. And you can. You. I kind of lost the joy in, like, playing basketball. It kind of just became a. A thing that I had to do because it was my job.
- [36:04]
Sue Bird
Yeah. For me, it's like there were. There were days, months, mostly overseas, where, like, even putting my sneakers on, I was like, yeah, I got to do this again.
- [36:11]
Jordan Canada
Yes, exactly.
- [36:12]
Sue Bird
And that's when, you know, you need a minute.
- [36:14]
Jordan Canada
Right. And that. And that's how I felt when I was playing overseas. I was just like, oh, my God, I need a break. And so going. Before going into my second year at la, I played at au, and that kind of just brought me back to being a kid of just out there just playing freely and. And not worrying about the wins and losses, per se, but and doing your job. You're just out there hooping with your friends. And I think that kind of brought back the joy and the confidence in me. And then going into my second year with Kurt, I think he put me in positions to be very successful as well. And just playing with somebody like Neca and Derica, and even having a vet in Jasmine, even though she wasn't playing, but just having another vet who's been in the league for so long and who knew Kurt and knew how to help me communicate and navigate with Kurt as well, I think it just brought a lot of confidence in me. And then also playing at home, of course, being in front of my family and friends and feeling like I'm back at home and felt like I was back at UCLA again. So I think that is kind of what helped me take a jump into a different level of my career, is just having that confidence and kind of just taking a second to just get back and find the joy of the game again.
- [37:34]
Sue Bird
Yeah. I'm actually really curious, like, now that, you know, overseas people still go, but it's. It's. I think it's declining. We have au, you have unrivaled. How do you see, like, the landscape of women's basketball? Like, where do you see it going in terms of just, like, the opportunities in the off season?
- [37:52]
Jordan Canada
I think the opportunities are endless now for us. I think now people have opportunities to stay at home and play in unrivaled or play in AU, or not play at all and just train and take the rest and do things outside of basketball. And then I think there's also opportunities for the younger players. If they want to get that overseas experience, they can do that as well. I think the opportunities are endless for us now is something that we didn't really have a few years ago, to be honest. It kind of just felt like you had to go overseas. It's something that you had to do to stay on top of it and to earn and to earn more money. But I think now there's so many opportunities for us, whether it's with partnerships, brand deals, you can just kind of just do whatever you want, whatever is best for your, for you. And so I think that's what's great of the trajectory of women's basketball, that we just have so many opportunities now that, I mean, you can kind of. It's really just up to you what you would want to do in your off season. Yeah, absolutely.
- [39:01]
Sue Bird
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- [39:34]
Jordan Canada
Available in select areas.
- [39:36]
Sue Bird
Terms apply. I'm Neil Apitel, editor in chief of
- [39:40]
Jordan Canada
the Verge and Decoder is my show
- [39:41]
Sue Bird
about big ideas and other problems. Today we've got the first of a
- [39:44]
Jordan Canada
two part series on the systems that run the world. I'm talking with Bart Butler, the CTO of Proton, a company that makes private and secure productivity software.
- [39:54]
Sue Bird
It's impossible to create a backdoor that can only be used by the good guys. No company is going to go to jail for you.
- [40:03]
Jordan Canada
Often the response is, well, if you change the legal foundation here, we will leave. Yeah, how real is that? It's dead serious. With all due respect to Swiss authorities and everybody else, I think it would be suicidal to continue down this path. Subscribe wherever you get your podcast.
- [40:20]
Sue Bird
This series is presented by Comcast Business.
- [40:23]
Jordan Canada
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- [40:59]
Sue Bird
Okay, so back to 2023, which is your second year in LA. You talked about it being home. You're having career numbers. Well, first of all, you end up in Atlanta because of a sign in trade. So can you just, like, talk us through how that came to be? And then ultimately, why Atlanta? And then how difficult it was to
- [41:21]
Jordan Canada
leave LA during the off season. I knew that I would have a couple of opportunities to talk to other teams and being a free agent, and so I just felt like, you know, it was. It was time for me to make a change. And I also wanted to at this point in time, I wanted to win. I wanted to be on a championship contending team. Not saying that LA wasn't one of those teams, but I just felt it was time for me to leave. And so even in the off season, Ryan Howard texted me and was like, hey, so, like, have you ever, like, liked and lived in Atlanta and liked it? And I'm like, no, I've never lived in Atlanta. She was just like, no, I just wanted to keep in touch and let you know that I really like your game. And I feel that, you know, like, if, you know, you ever think about, like, wanting to go elsewhere, like, we. I would really love to, like, play with you and all these other things. And I was like, okay, cool. Like, you know, that would be. I never thought about Atlanta, but I was like, okay, you know, keeping in the back of my mind. But at the time, I was la. La. I want to say home. I want to stay home. So then when free agency came and I asked for a sign and trade, Atlanta was one of the teams that immediately jumped on. And then Alicia Gray, she text me and be like, hey, like, you know, we really love for you to come here.
- [42:43]
Sue Bird
We think she already there.
- [42:45]
Jordan Canada
She was already there.
- [42:46]
Sue Bird
That was her first year. First year?
- [42:48]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, her first year.
- [42:49]
Sue Bird
Okay.
- [42:49]
Jordan Canada
And then I winded up being in Australia and playing with Nas, and so Nas was kind of. Out of the three of them, Nas was kind of like the one that was kind of just letting me figure out, like, where I wanted to go. But I know that Ryan and Leash were kind of like, telling Nas, like, you need to get this done. You need to get this done. So it was kind of like, you know, I want to go where I'm welcome. I want to go where, you know, I feel valued. And I think Atlanta did a really good job of that of showing me How I could be a key piece of the team and my teammates just wanting me to be there and knowing that I can bring something to the team. And so from there I was just like, it was a no brainer for me to just be with Atlanta and sign with Atlanta. So I was really happy that I did that because I also think it did help me take another career jump for myself. And so it was kind of just meant to happen, you know, I think everything happens for a reason. So I'm very thankful that Atlanta did want me to come because I do feel that it has changed my career and it has changed the way that I have played over the course of these last three years.
- [44:00]
Sue Bird
Yeah, I can. We're gonna kind of tie back or bring back the playmaking aspect of it, which is now you've got like, you know, whether it's Ryan on one side, Alicia on the other, even Nas. So you were actually. So if you were in Australia, that means you were there for like the start of NAS's like three points evolution.
- [44:19]
Jordan Canada
Yeah.
- [44:19]
Sue Bird
Into becoming a three point shooter. Yeah. So now you're surrounded by a lot of like, backcourt talent, particularly when it comes to Ryan. Like, how. How do you approach it? You talked earlier about like knowing players, what they like, where they want it. So not to give anything away, but how did that evolution kind of start with you guys? Like, was it just a matter of playing together and figuring it out, or did you have conversations, watch film, that kind of thing?
- [44:45]
Jordan Canada
I think for us it was kind of just playing and figuring it out and talking to each other and building that friendship off the court. I mean, everybody knows I'm coming into my first two years with Atlanta. I didn't come in healthy, so I was injured going into my first year and I missed pretty much more than half the season. So I didn't really get to build that chemistry with Ryan and Leash as much as I wanted to. You kind of saw it towards the end of the season, going into playoffs, but it wasn't really enough time for us to build that chemistry. And then second year, last year during training camp, I was healthy. We were kind of building that chemistry. And then I get hurt in preseason game. Had to sit out another two or three weeks before I can come back. And then I was kind of like in and out of the season. Yeah. To do that chemistry. But luckily I had unrivaled by. I think after my first year I had unrivaled and I got to play with Ryan. So that was really helpful. And just learning how you know, she likes the ball and where to find her and just continuing to communicate with her and spending time with her off the court. Ryan is a quality time person, so I know that in order to talk
- [46:04]
Sue Bird
in love languages over there.
- [46:05]
Jordan Canada
Yes.
- [46:06]
Sue Bird
Yeah.
- [46:07]
Jordan Canada
I mean, but that. Honestly, that does help when you're. When you're. Yeah, it does matter when you have. You have teammates like that that love quality time. And so I think that was one of the biggest things that we did in the off season was quality time, spending time with each other, and even during the season, just trying to spend as much time with her, at least and Nas as possible. And I think that grew that trust and that bond. And then coming into this season, we joked about. She was like, are you maybe healthy going into the season? And I was like, well, yeah, I mean, I feel good. So hopefully, God willing, I'll remain trying. I'll remain healthy. And so I think during this training camp, we really got the chance to grow our chemistry. And I know Ry likes to have the ball in her hands a lot, too. So there'll be some times where I'm like, ry, you take the ball and you handle it. And so we are continuing to communicate in that aspect. And then now you're starting to see I'm always looking for her because I know where she likes the ball, I know where she wants it and when it's her time to take over, but also not giving her all that pressure because I know it can be a lot having to have all that on you. And so just trying to take the weight off of her shoulders as much as I can. And so we definitely built that chemistry. This is probably like the first real year that we've actually gotten to. Yeah, the full year.
- [47:25]
Sue Bird
Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, given that it's your third year there, given that you've building this chemistry, given that you added Angel Reese in the off season, you're still waiting for Bree Jones. Like, there's a lot kind of brewing. What do you think? We're almost at All Star break. We're at the halfway point. We're almost at all Star break. What do you think you guys need to continue to do to, like, not just make a push in the playoffs, but honestly, I think for you guys, like, trying to get into those top four spots so you can get home court advantage, like, what's going to be, like, the tipping point?
- [48:00]
Jordan Canada
I think our consistency for 40 minutes has to be there. I think we have to have great starts in the past or even this season, we've gotten off to slow starts and we have to work our way back and fight our way back into games. That kind of started off in the beginning of the season. Now we're starting to see that we are getting off to some good starts. But the problem is when it comes to the second half, we start to have a little bit of lulls and we start to slow things down or we're being careless with the ball. And I think that's when teams start to creep back in and then we're having to fight to finish games instead of just coming out with the mentality in the third quarter. Coach talked about having these third quarter strikes of how many times can you just continue to put it on teams? And I think when we're coming into the second half of the second half of games, we're just coming out not ready. I mean, I think that is something that has not helped us and caused us to lose games. It's either slow starts or we're not playing consistent for 40 minutes. So I think that is the biggest thing going into these last two games that we have is being consistent for 40 minutes offensively and defensively, continuing to push the pace, not slowing things down, making sure we're running things at pace and then defensively, like being aggressive. And I think our ball screen defense has to improve. Coach talked about that. A lot of our ball screen defense, if we just take care of that within itself, I think that saves 20, 30 points. And, and if we often, if we execute on the offensive end, I think it's the, the lead starts to grow bigger and bigger and bigger. So I think it's our ball screen defense and I think it's being consistent in 40 minutes on the offensive end and defensive end. And I think if we can be consistent in those two things, I think we'll start to stack wins and then we'll start to build momentum going into
- [49:57]
Sue Bird
the end of the season as the point guard. Like how, how do you have impact on those things?
- [50:04]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, it's a hard job because I know that it's something that, something that I have to do be and be consistent. Whether I'm having a great game or not. That's something that I always have to be consistent in. And I will admit there are times where it, I start the lackadaisicalness. Like last, like last night with the Sparks the fourth quarter. I had two big turnovers to start the beginning of the fourth quarter. So I, I have, I have a big responsibility of making sure that our team is, is being consistent. And so it can be hard. It's definitely, definitely a hard task. But I mean, that's the job and responsibility that I have. So I think just trying to be composed and be poised in those moments, what shots can we get? And just continuing to talk to our team on the offensive end and making sure we're finding the right shots, not forcing shots, and then defensively being that spark. But luckily we have players like Rye, we have players like angel and even Leash in certain moments that anybody can create that defensive spark. But I know for me, that's one of my strengths as well. Being able to apply pressure, being able to be a knack for the ball. And I think that's something that I have to be consistent into. I'm not perfect, but I think it does start with me. So I have to be able to. Whether the game is going perfect or not, I always have to be consistent in that. So I know that's something that I personally need to be better at. And so I know it starts with me, so. Okay.
- [51:37]
Sue Bird
All right. I'm going to do like, just like kind of like state of the league type questions. Just like, get your thoughts on some stuff. It's been crazy.
- [51:44]
Jordan Canada
Scoring, yes.
- [51:45]
Sue Bird
Like, team scoring, crazy. Players scoring, crazy. What do you think is the reason?
- [51:52]
Jordan Canada
Um, honestly, I think it's just the flow of the game now. It's so fast, and I think a lot of teams are in the mentality of. Of threes and layups now. You see that a lot. Um, and I think a lot of scorers now are very three mind. Have a three mindset. Um, when you see people like Marina, obviously, Kaitlyn Carr, Kelsey Mitchell, even Ryan, like, you see a lot of these three level scorers, but I think now it's just threes and layups. Threes and layups. And I think that is the trajectory of where the league is going and you start to see that a lot. And so you have. Everyone can shoot now at this point. So there is not a lot of guards or post players that don't know how that can't shoot three. So I think that's just where the league is at now. It's like threes and layups. That's. That's where. That's where the game is headed.
- [52:49]
Sue Bird
How about like the rookies that have come in? Are there any. It doesn't have to just be rookies, but like, what young players in the league right now. Are you enjoying watching Olivia Miles?
- [52:58]
Jordan Canada
I can already tell you, the first game of the season.
- [53:02]
Sue Bird
Yeah, it was against you guys.
- [53:03]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, it was against us. And she torched us. I know. She torched me. And so it's just special to watch her. I actually watched the game last night. She was going off. I think she had like 30.
- [53:14]
Sue Bird
Yeah, 33.
- [53:15]
Jordan Canada
Yeah. Just to see her poise coming into the league and how she's just able to just get to her spots, find her teammates and just have that swagger about her. I enjoy watching her play a lot. She's been really exciting to see.
- [53:32]
Sue Bird
What's the hardest part about guarding her?
- [53:35]
Jordan Canada
Her change of pace. You just never know, like, she's. Her ball handling skills are really, really good. And so when she's coming off screen, you never know if she's going to stop on a dime and shoot or she's just going to hesitate, gets in the basket, find her teammate. I think her change of pace is really excellent. It's something that you don't really see in a lot of rookies coming in, but I think she's just able to just get to her spots and it's really hard because you really don't know what she's going to do. So you kind of have to be on your toes at all times. But I think her change of pace is really good.
- [54:06]
Sue Bird
Yeah. Yeah, I agree. The ball handling for me is part of it. Yeah, I totally agree. All right. I usually do a rapid fire before I get to that. I want to talk a little bit about your singing ability. You are like, I don't know if people really know. If they follow you. They know, but you're like, genuinely a really talented singer songwriter.
- [54:25]
Jordan Canada
Thank you.
- [54:26]
Sue Bird
Where did. I mean, I know the answer, but I'm going to ask so other people know the answer. Where did it come from? How did it start? When are we dropping a single or. Actually, you dropped a single. When's the next one?
- [54:39]
Jordan Canada
So. So my singing ability came from my dad. He used to be in a music group back in like the 70s, 80s. And so I kind of get my musical that from him. Like, growing up, I listened to a lot of Sade. I listened to all kinds of genres of music. And I know, like, Sade is just on top of mine because I remember, like, that's always. That always used to be the artist. He used to play in the car when I would be with. Be with him. And so it's just. I just got it from him. And then I kind of didn't really start seeing until maybe like middle school. High school is when I kind of started to like, grow into, you know, growing into my voice. I'm still very reserved. I'm still.
- [55:24]
Sue Bird
I was just going to ask about the shyness has.
- [55:27]
Jordan Canada
The shyness has not left me.
- [55:29]
Sue Bird
Okay. Do you remember when we all found out? We. My experience was we were. Oh, my God, my memory. We were somewhere. I think we were at Courtney Paris's
- [55:40]
Jordan Canada
house in Dallas and. Dallas.
- [55:43]
Sue Bird
And all of a sudden he was playing the piano.
- [55:45]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [55:47]
Sue Bird
All of a sudden I was like, what is this? What's going on? You didn't tell us. I remember that. I remember that.
- [55:52]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I know I'm a very shy person. I don't know what it is when it comes to music. Like, I. I know I can sing, but it's just not something that I do a lot. But I have tried to do a better job of just putting myself out there, whether that's like, singing on Instagram or posting on my feed of me singing. And then recently, like, I've kind of tried to take it very seriously of, like, wanting to get into the studio. So the past couple of years, in the off season, I've gone to the studio. When I was in Arrival, I was in Miami. I was in the studio a little bit. I actually created a few songs. I've only.
- [56:27]
Sue Bird
I've only dropped the one.
- [56:28]
Jordan Canada
One song, but I do have a couple of others in the archive that I might drop soon. But I think for me is this.
- [56:37]
Sue Bird
I want to be probably super vulnerable.
- [56:39]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, super vulnerable. And, you know, nowadays, the way the world is, it's just very crazy. People are mean. But I don't want that to be, like, the reason why I don't drop it, I think for me is this. I. I'm such a perfectionist that I wanted. I want to be so good at it. But understanding that the only way I'm going to get better at it is if I put myself out there and expose myself and be vulnerable. So the. Like, earlier this year, I just decided to just drop my. Drop a single called Come See, which is something that I written a year ago, that I just now decided to drop this earlier this year. And I got great feedback from it. I was like, okay, this is the start of me actually wanting to do something. So in my mind, I wanted to drop an EP in May and June. But then I realized, like, with basketball, it's just so difficult to try and, like, get in the studio and, yeah, be consistent. And we've been, like, all over the place with our road trips and on the road. So I'm like, you know what? I think this is like a off season. Thing that I kind of want to step into and take more time to, like, be in the studio and have artist development. I think that's really important for me. Like, what are some areas that I can grow in? Whether that's how to make songs, how to write songs. I know I can get better at that, being in the studio, listening to different producers, or even just watching different artists and how they. How their creativity sparks a song. So I think for me is artist development is, like, really huge for me. And so I think in the off season, that's something I really want to take seriously, is how can I get into the studio as much as possible, how can I learn the ins and outs of making a song, being in the music industry? Because I know it's really hard and not really just doing it for fun. I think I do really want to take it serious as an artist. So that's something that I'm really going to be doing in the off season, is just focused on being in the studio and creating some songs and then hopefully coming out with an EP in the off season. So hopefully that'll be soon.
- [58:42]
Sue Bird
Yeah. Yeah. Are you.
- [58:42]
Jordan Canada
I promise. People may June, but I'm gonna have to push it back.
- [58:46]
Sue Bird
She's like, I gotta do my other job first.
- [58:47]
Jordan Canada
Yeah. I gotta do my other job first.
- [58:49]
Sue Bird
Yeah. Have you decided what you're doing in the off season, like unrivaled or whatever?
- [58:53]
Jordan Canada
So I still have one more Stephen with unrivale, more year with them. So I will be.
- [58:58]
Sue Bird
Studio in Miami.
- [58:58]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, Studio in Miami for sure. Yeah. Yeah.
- [59:02]
Sue Bird
The other thing people might not know is you're a mom. You're a dog mom.
- [59:05]
Jordan Canada
I'm a dog.
- [59:06]
Sue Bird
Domino. How's Domino doing?
- [59:08]
Jordan Canada
Domino's doing well. He's actually in LA with my parents, so they. They wanted him for the summer, so I let them have him for the summer. So now it's just. It's just me. So. I do miss him a lot, but he's doing good. He's spoiled. I do work with this organization called PAWS in Atlanta. It's a shelter for animals. And so I try to go there as much as I can. In between when we're traveling or when we're at home, I try to go there as much as possible. And I get to walk the dogs, I get to feed the dogs and just play with them.
- [59:43]
Sue Bird
So you get to volunteer and get a little dog fix?
- [59:46]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, get a little dog this.
- [59:48]
Sue Bird
Don't let Domino smell that.
- [59:49]
Jordan Canada
I know, right?
- [59:51]
Sue Bird
He's like, uh, He. He's been.
- [59:53]
Jordan Canada
He's a very jealous dog for sure. So. Yeah. But I. I try to do that as much as possible and just try to help out. Um, I also help with them with. With food and toys and just bringing them whatever they need, blankets, all kinds of stuff. So I tried to do that as much as possible, um, just to. Just to give back. Because I love animals, I love dogs. So that's something that I also do on the side.
- [60:18]
Sue Bird
I mean, it's like a perfect segue into this rapid fire. Are you ready for it?
- [60:22]
Jordan Canada
I am.
- [60:22]
Sue Bird
First up, who is harder to defend, a WNBA player or your dog?
- [60:26]
Jordan Canada
Domino? Probably a WNBA player. Domino is not hard.
- [60:32]
Sue Bird
No, Domino's a lover.
- [60:34]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, he's a lover.
- [60:35]
Sue Bird
Okay.
- [60:35]
Jordan Canada
Okay.
- [60:36]
Sue Bird
Okay. Now a more serious question. Who is the toughest defender to get past? Because, like, you get past, like, pretty much everybody. So who gives you, like, even a little bit of resistance?
- [60:47]
Jordan Canada
I think the hardest defender to get past is probably, I would say Jackie Young.
- [60:54]
Sue Bird
Okay. Yeah, she's strong. It's the strength. The one thing that can, like, nullify speed a little bit if they get up in you is that strength is the strength.
- [61:02]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, I think she's hard to get around.
- [61:03]
Sue Bird
Okay, so on the other side, who's the toughest player for you to guard?
- [61:08]
Jordan Canada
I'd probably say Kelsey Mitchell, Olivia Miles. Those are my top two for sure.
- [61:13]
Sue Bird
Okay, so you're now between Brittany Sykes last week. I had her on last week. She said Kelsey Mitchell just covered their game this weekend. A lot of the aces were saying that they were about to play them. And Becky Hammond was also like, I think Kelsey Mitchell's like the hardest to game plan for, so no surprise there.
- [61:31]
Jordan Canada
I mean, it's no surprise. Yeah, I think with same thing.
- [61:34]
Sue Bird
Well, like, what would you say with Olivia Miles?
- [61:35]
Jordan Canada
Her change of pace and she's always moving.
- [61:38]
Sue Bird
She never stops moving the motor and
- [61:40]
Jordan Canada
like, her burst of speed is like none other. So you always have to be like. And then she's. She's really good at navigating screens as well. So like me having to navigate screens, coming off of zoom actions or coming down, pin down. She's really good at reading the defense. And so she's just so quick, and then she can stop on a dime and then she can just have that burst of speed as well. So it's really hard when, again, when you don't know when she's such a great shooter, you want to take away the three, but then she can drive right around you and get to the basket. So you kind of have to, like, really Be on your toes. And the same with Olivia Miles, but it's. It's kind of different because Olivia Miles pace is different than Kelsey's, but I think she's very. Kelsey's very shifty and quick, and I think Olivia Miles uses her body really well to create space for herself to. To get to the basket or to create shots for herself. So it's two different types of players with their change of speed, but I think they're both really hard to defend. Yeah.
- [62:41]
Sue Bird
Okay. Jordan, would you ever sing the national anthem at a game?
- [62:45]
Jordan Canada
People ask me this all the time. I'm like, I don't think I would.
- [62:50]
Sue Bird
I think you just. I could just feel your stress.
- [62:52]
Jordan Canada
I would be so stressed. I'd be so nervous to sing. And if I mess up, that would be the only thing I could think about. Like, I wouldn't even be able to
- [63:01]
Sue Bird
think about the game. It would have to be like a UCLA game.
- [63:04]
Jordan Canada
Like a UCLA game where I'm not playing.
- [63:06]
Sue Bird
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
- [63:07]
Jordan Canada
Yeah. Maybe I'm telling Corey right now, definitely not a W game. It could not be a W game, but my team is like, are you not seeing the national anthem before game? I'm like, no, I'm not doing that. Definitely not.
- [63:19]
Sue Bird
All right, what about maybe? Maybe? Definitely not maybe, but maybe. Maybe. Okay. What's your. Your go to karaoke song?
- [63:28]
Jordan Canada
My go to karaoke song is Love by Music, Soul Child.
- [63:32]
Sue Bird
That's a good one. That's a good one. Jordan, this was so amazing. Before I let you go, I am gonna, like, just say your stats for your career. You're 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists. This year, in 24 games, your points are up by 2. 11.5. Hey, your rebound's up by, like, 1.2. We're at 3.8.
- [63:56]
Jordan Canada
Let's go
- [63:59]
Sue Bird
sneaking in there. Your assists are up by 2. Well, 2.2 at 7.4. So you're having, like, one of your best years, but I just want to say I'm, like, so proud of your evolution. To see you as a rookie, to see you now. I know there was a lot in between, but your resilience in that, whether it's through your different roles on different teams or some of the injuries you've had to overcome, it takes a lot to get to where you are now and to be playing in the way that you're playing. So I just want to obviously thank you for coming on the pod, but also let you know how proud I am it's been really fun to watch.
- [64:32]
Jordan Canada
Thanks, Sue. I. I appreciate you having me on the pod. And I. I want to say thank you as well, because I think you definitely have helped my. The earlier my career just watching you. Like I said earlier, just we could
- [64:43]
Sue Bird
have gotten some more stories on that.
- [64:45]
Jordan Canada
We could have, but another time, another
- [64:47]
Sue Bird
time, I was like, I was gonna ask you, do you remember what the group chat was? The name?
- [64:52]
Jordan Canada
Which. The name.
- [64:54]
Sue Bird
I'm like, I'm even trying to remember
- [64:56]
Jordan Canada
what year I'm trying to remember. But one of us. I know the group chat you're talking
- [65:01]
Sue Bird
about stars on three.
- [65:04]
Jordan Canada
Three. And the song that we got that was created for us.
- [65:08]
Sue Bird
Oh, my God.
- [65:09]
Jordan Canada
Yeah.
- [65:11]
Sue Bird
Stewie, Stewie, Stewie.
- [65:15]
Jordan Canada
Storm. Storm. Yeah.
- [65:19]
Sue Bird
The world may never know.
- [65:21]
Jordan Canada
I hope somebody still has that song.
- [65:22]
Sue Bird
Oh, I have it.
- [65:23]
Jordan Canada
I doubt it.
- [65:24]
Sue Bird
I'll send it to you.
- [65:25]
Jordan Canada
Please send it.
- [65:26]
Sue Bird
I gotta. It's gonna take me a second, but I have it.
- [65:28]
Jordan Canada
Yes, please send it to me in the video.
- [65:32]
Sue Bird
That's what I have.
- [65:32]
Jordan Canada
Yeah, we've had some stories and some good times. Great times.
- [65:36]
Sue Bird
Yeah, some good times. Listen, two time champs. Yes, Two times. I don't think people talk about those teams enough, if I'm being honest, but that's just.
- [65:43]
Jordan Canada
They don't. That's just me. But that's okay. Yeah, we know, we know, we know. That's all that matters.
- [65:47]
Sue Bird
All right, Jordan, good luck the rest of the way.
- [65:49]
Jordan Canada
Thank you. Appreciate you.
- [65:55]
Sue Bird
Uh, just love Jordan. I really feel like. I mean, not literally my child, but it is really fun to watch players go from, like I said at the end, like a rookie year, to now an established vet. I think my big takeaways are two things. One, she's talking about love languages with her teammates. I'm like, maybe I needed to do that. Interesting. I never did that. Um, but also, I think there's an interesting parallel happening with Jordan between, like, who she is as a basketball player and who she's trying to be in her musical career. Right? Like an evolution, a learning, like what. What's really happened for her in these last couple years in Atlanta. Sounds like film breaking things down, learning that way. And in her music career, she talked about, you know, trying to get in the studio, learn from others, figure things out for herself. So I thought that was, like, an interesting parallel that I'm excited to see play out for her. But it was a great conversation. I hope you guys enjoyed it. This episode is a co production of Together and the Vox Media Podcast Network and was produced by Art Chung Dominique Roach, Christine Williams, Ashley Bogan, Kelsey Zarl, Tommy Alter and Jessica Dolan. Clarendon. See you guys next week. Support for the show comes from Delta Airlines. When you witness a WNBA athlete at the absolute peak of her powers, you're looking at the culmination of an incredible lifelong expedition from local childhood courts to the biggest stages in the game. The dedication required to compete at this level makes the athlete's path one of the world's greatest journeys. Delta is proud to host these competitors along the way, delivering the care, comfort and elevated hospitality they deserve as they push the game to new heights. Keep climbing with Delta Airlines, the official airline of the WNBA.