Rhyne Howard on the Dream’s Title Hopes, Using Doubt as Motivation, and Her Kentucky Years

Summary

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Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird

Episode: Rhyne Howard on the Dream’s Title Hopes, Using Doubt as Motivation, and Her Kentucky Years
Date: August 29, 2025

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Overview

In this episode, WNBA legend Sue Bird sits down with Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream star and a rising face of the league. The candid conversation traces Rhyne’s basketball journey—from her high school days in Tennessee and standout Kentucky career, to being drafted No. 1 overall, adjusting to pro life, and transforming into the cornerstone of a title-contending Dream roster. Rhyne opens up about using doubt as motivation, how her versatile game has evolved, the impact of her mother and coaches, and what it’s like helping Atlanta chase its first championship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and High School: Foundations of a Star

• Versatility Began Early: From Cleveland, Tennessee, Rhyne was always a “big guard”—skilled on both ends thanks to her mother “RJ,” who coached her in defense-first basketball ([10:18–12:34]).
• Playing for Her Mom: Challenging but invaluable. “Some people might hate it in the moment, but when you look back, it’s like you’re super grateful for it.” —Rhyne ([11:30])
• Early Rankings and Motivation: Rhyne was ranked just 31st overall in her class, which she felt was an underestimation. Doubt from others consistently fueled her fire:

  “I know that I get motivated by like underrated stuff and, like, disrespect and stuff like that.” —Rhyne ([15:27])

Kentucky Years: Adapting, Dominating, and Overcoming Adversity

• Offensive Growth: Shooting was less central to her high school game. In college, the midrange and 3-pointer became essential as the competition and physicality ramped up ([13:38]).
• Playing Through Doubt: Rhyne’s versatility, unpredictability, and pace became her calling cards, though outsiders sometimes misread her calm as a lack of “motor” ([19:20–20:47]):

  “If you don’t understand, that’s really your problem, because I know what I’m bringing to my team.” —Rhyne ([19:49])

• Coaching Change: The sudden retirement of Kentucky coach Matt Mitchell and her mother’s insistence she “finish what you started” kept her from transferring ([24:13]).
• Senior-Year Pressure: Being projected No. 1 pick led to anxieties about perception, leadership, and her legacy at Kentucky ([26:39–27:57]).

WNBA Journey: Rookie Year, Leadership, and the Atlanta Dream

• Getting Drafted #1: The pre-draft process was intense, with teams like Washington evaluating her closely. Atlanta’s direct approach clicked:

  “I told them in my meeting that I liked it better when I was the one interviewing you.” —Rhyne ([30:36])

• Immediate Impact: Rhyne stepped onto the WNBA court highly prepared, “breaking records week one” and feeling right away that Atlanta gave her the keys ([35:06–36:45]).
• Leadership & Support: Vets like Erica Wheeler and Kia Vaughn guided her; her lack of pressure to immediately lead allowed her natural confidence and drive to shine through ([40:34]).

Motivation, Confidence, and Style of Play

• Doubt as Fuel: Rhyne consistently uses outside skepticism as motivation at every level—from college rankings to all-star snubs:

  “I didn’t get named [All-Star] and I came out and dropped 40… I think that was key.” —Rhyne ([44:47])

• Where Else Confidence Comes From: Rhyne models a mentality that she’s “the best player on the court,” seeking proof in competition and peer respect ([45:45]).
• On Scoring Mindset:

  “I think you have to be a little crazy ... you just kind of—it’s the you-can’t-see-me feeling.” —Rhyne ([53:05–53:29])

The Evolving League and New Atlanta Dream Era

• League Changes: Rhyne credits increased visibility, fandom, and charter flights to the arrival of star-studded rookie classes and the league finally responding to player demands ([57:55]).
• Atlanta’s Transformation:
  • New coach Carl Smesko’s “threes and layups” philosophy (Big Wheeze) meets a retooled roster with all-around threats ([61:36–66:46]).
  • Emphasis on analytics has resulted in top-tier offense, rebounding, and efficient shot selection—key ingredients for the Dream’s title hopes ([65:08–66:54]).
• The BG & Bree Jones Effect:
  • Brittany Griner (BG) and Brionna Jones bring championship pedigree. BG’s presence is “super easy on both our lives because now she has more around her … and I have more open threes.” ([67:16])

Adversity and Playoff Expectations

• Handling Her Injury: Missing 11 games let Rhyne appreciate her teammates’ growth and the true character of this roster ([73:48]).
• Playoff Lessons: After first-round exits, the focus is on playing to strengths and sticking to the system under Big Wheeze, especially given the experience BG and Bree Jones bring ([76:08–78:39]).
• Championship Mindset:

  “I think it’s gonna be a championship, wholeheartedly… We’ve built the house and … that’s the only way to go.” —Rhyne ([79:23])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

1. On Motivation and Doubt

   “When people doubt you is when you step up… I know that I get motivated by underrated stuff and, like, disrespect and stuff like that.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([15:27])

2. On “Effortless” Play vs. Motor Criticism

   “If you don’t understand, then that’s really your problem, because I know what I’m bringing to my team.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([19:49])

   “A lot of people come up … they’re like: ‘I really love how you play. You don’t get sped up. You just make it look so easy.’”
   —Rhyne Howard ([20:47])

3. On All-Star Snub Response

   “I didn’t get named [All-Star] and I came out and dropped 40. And the next day I was named replacement player. … Instead of just talking about it, I think that was key.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([44:47])

4. On Scorers’ Mindsets

   “I think all scorers have to have a little bit of that [delusion]. Because then it’s like, some people are out here shooting over two … but you don’t even feel like there’s two people there because you know you’re going to make it.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([53:31–53:43])

5. On Atlanta’s New System and Roster

   “Your guards are the threes and your bigs are the layups … For the pace, yes, we want to play fast, but we want to make smart decisions.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([65:36–65:43])

   “Now you have basically the two most—I would say most dominant post players at fives in our league on the same roster.”
   —Sue Bird ([72:45])

6. On the Team’s Playoff Standard

   “In the past years, we would often go away from what’s working. … We want to label ourself as the hardest working, toughest team.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([43:28], [76:31])

7. On the Goal for 2025

   “I think it’s gonna be a championship, wholeheartedly.”
   —Rhyne Howard ([79:23])

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Structured Timeline & Timestamps

• [01:20]–[08:24]: Sue’s View—Efficiency legends (Elena Delle Donne, Paige Bueckers), history on midrange vs analytics
• [08:24–09:45]: Rhyne’s YouTube project, ATL Vibes, golf rivalry with Alicia Gray
• [09:45–13:38]: High school years, her mother’s coaching influence, playing both ends
• [13:38–16:17]: Transition to college, developing her jumper, “N1” stories, under-ranking motivation
• [16:50–19:49]: Kentucky decision, not considering Tennessee, college adjustment
• [19:20–20:47]: Narrative of her “motor”; learning to own her pace
• [22:16–24:13]: Coaching changes at Kentucky, considering transferring, finishing what she started
• [24:20–28:42]: Senior year pressures, doubters, focus on the moment
• [29:17–31:51]: Draft process details, reactions to Atlanta, learning about W
• [34:34–36:45]: Adjusting to the WNBA immediately, being handed the keys
• [37:07–41:22]: Friendship with Nas Hillmon, learning from veteran teammates
• [44:47]: All-Star snub response—dropped 40 points next game
• [45:45–48:47]: Sources of confidence and on-court mindset
• [51:22–52:25]: Three-on-three Olympic experience and lessons learned
• [53:05–53:43]: The “little delusion” required of elite scorers
• [57:06–58:33]: Changes in WNBA over four years—visibility, charters, next generation ready
• [59:04–61:30]: Goals for 2025—All-WNBA and All-Defensive
• [61:36–68:33]: Coach Carl Smesko (“Big Wheeze”), analytics, integrating BG and Bree Jones, team dynamics
• [70:23–71:13]: Alicia Gray’s breakout, team’s collective success
• [71:32–73:23]: Preseason disrespect, proving the doubters wrong, public perception
• [73:48–75:07]: Coming back from injury and staying connected
• [75:36–75:40]: First ejection—memorable return game
• [76:31–78:39]: Chasing a championship—playoff ambitions and lessons learned

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Conclusion

This episode provides a revealing and entertaining look into Rhyne Howard’s competitive psyche, her evolution on and off the hardwood, and the Atlanta Dream's analytics-driven transformation into a contender. Rhyne’s humble self-awareness, use of doubt as rocket fuel, and focus on team success set the tone for her aspirations. As the Dream push toward a title, Howard has her sights set on being more than just the face of the franchise—she aims to help deliver Atlanta its first WNBA championship.

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Transcript

[Host]

Support for Bird's Eye View comes from Nike. What was your biggest win? Was it in front of a sold out stadium or the first time you beat your teammate in practice? Nike knows winning isn't always done in front of cheering crowds. Sometimes winning happens in your driveway, on a quiet street, at the end of your longest run or in the blacktop for a pickup game. Nike is here for all the wins, big or small. They provide the gear you bring, the mindset. Visit nike.com for more information and be sure to follow Nike on Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms for more great basketball moments. You're basking on a beach in the Bahamas. Now you're journeying through the jade forests of Japan. Now you're there for your alma mater's epic win.

[Ryan Howard]

And now you're awake. Womp, womp.

[Host]

Which means it was all a dream. But with millions of incredible deals on Priceline, those travel dreams can be a reality. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline.

[Ryan Howard]

Happy price. Priceline.

[Host]

You think people who can score at the level that you can are just like a little crazy? Like you have to be a little crazy, you know, like a little bit.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Hey everybody. Welcome back to Bird's Eye View. From from the moment today's guest stepped into the wnba, she has been a serious problem for defenses. She was rookie of the year. She's a three time all star. She is a walking bucket who makes it look extremely effortless. This season she's averaging 16 points, four and a half rebounds and four and a half assists. But it's not about the numbers. It's how she's already become the face of the Atlanta dream. And I'm talking about Ryan Howard, a player who can shift momentum with a single play. Whether she's pulling up from deep, locking in or creating for her teammates, she's building a foundation not just for her career, but for her franchise. She's young, she's hungry, and she's only scratching the surface. But before we get to her interview, you know what time it is. It's time for Sue's view. All right, since everybody loved last week's trip down memory lane, I've decided to keep it going. Today's history lesson is a lesson in efficiency. Last week we had Nafeesa Collier on who was flirting with her own 50, 40, 90 season. Right now she is super close. Just needs to hit a couple more Threes. And she'll get it. If she does, she would be just the second WNBA player ever. That's it. There's one. Her name, Elena Deladon. In 2019, she shot 51% from the field, 43% from three, and 97% from the free throw line. It's crazy. She won MVP that year. The Mystics went on to win the whole thing. So you absolutely need to check out some of Elena's highlights from that year, especially the final series they play the Connecticut Sun. It went to game five. It got super spicy. After the Mystics lost in game four, Natasha Cloud came out and guaranteed a game five win. So there was a ton of tension. But I actually think another game you could check out of Elena's is when we, the Seattle Storm, played the mystics in the 2022 playoffs. That was my final playoff run, so that was one of the last times I'd ever get to play against Elena. It was game one and she was unstoppable, especially down the stretch. She finished that game with 26 points on 11 for 17 from the field. And while there was like a ton of great shot making on both sides, if you go watch, you'll see, especially in that fourth quarter, what you'll also see is quintessential Elena deladon doing it her way, at her pace, and doing it efficiently. All right, no better way to segue to talking about Paige Beckers than talking about efficiency. It's been a little bit of an up and down season for the Wings, but Paige has delivered a standout rookie year with top tier productivity and historic scoring milestones. There's probably going to be a ton of conversation around her numbers as it gets put into historical context, but that's not at all what has jumped out to me about Paige. Uh, similar to Caitlin last year, it's been so fun just to watch her play. It's been fun to watch her learn and adjust to the WNBA in real time. It's been fun to watch her get loose a little bit, like when she hit that step back three in front of Kyrie. It's also been fun to watch her grow into her pro game. I think the best compliment you can give a player, especially coming from someone like me who gets to go to WNBA games for free, is that I would actually pay to watch them play. And Paige is 100% in that category. Now, if we do look at the numbers, she's fifth in scoring, she's 10th in assists, and she's fifth in steals per game. This makes her the only player in the league who's in the top 10 in all of those categories. And that's league wide, not just rookies. Plus she's top 10 in assist to turnover ratio. So like I said, you talk about Paige, you talk about efficiency. That efficiency from college has definitely translated. So there's a lot of stats to focus on. I know people have been talking about like fastest to points and I can't even keep up with it. I just can't. But what I can talk about is that single game rookie scoring record she broke. Paige dropped 44 points, she did it on 17 for 21 shooting and she pretty much locked up rookie of the year that night. That all happened in one night. She was actually the first WNBA player to ever shoot at least 80% while scoring over 40. So add that to the list of her 17 made field goals. 13 of them were twos and half of those were from the mid range. Now we talked to Arike earlier in the season. She told us about Paige's midi, how killer it was. So it's not really a surprise. But as someone whose favorite shot was the pull up, I'm actually just happy to see that it's alive and well. All right, speaking of the mid range, I'm going to finish Sue's view with this. The ongoing conversation in the world of basketball is analytics and how building teams around the three pointer, around the layup and basically around the free throw is the key to winning. So I actually love analytics and I really believe in them. I think you have to entertain them, you have to bring them in, make it a part of how you run a team. But I don't think it means eliminating the mid range completely. It's like Paige said after her 44 point performance, because teams have moved towards threes and layups, a lot of defenses are giving up the mid range. So it can actually be an advantage if you can play there. And obviously it's an advantage when you have a player like Paige playing there. But all of this really says to me is that in the past it's just we've just had too many inefficient players shooting in the mid range and now teams have to coach, they have to coach based on their roster. So I 100% think there is still a place for it. But given our next guest and how her team plays. Spoiler Analytically, I wanted to see how the numbers were shaking out in the wnba. And the truth is there really isn't much to to prove anything. But I can tell you this three of the top five offensive rated teams are also top five in three point attempts. Four of the top five offensive rated teams have also top five in three point percentage. Conversely, four of the bottom five offensive rated teams are in the bottom five in three point attempts. But then you have the outliers and the main one being Minnesota. So if you go back to 2024, last year they were the outlier because they were sixth in three point attempts and second in mid range attempts. But they got to the finals and in 2025 they continue that with their mid range and our second in attempts. They've jumped a little bit. So now they're fifth in three point attempts. By the way, they shoot the ball really well. I think they're first in three point percentage, but clearly they're the best team in the league right now. So for me, you can't ignore the analytics, but you also can't ignore the skill set of your roster. That's the balance teams have to find and it's the balance Minnesota found last year and that they've taken with them into this year. The Atlanta Dream and coach Carl Smesko are a team doing both. Building a roster to play analytically. And you'll get to hear a little bit about that when I talk to Ryan. So let's get to the interview. Okay. Well, I'm start. Pretty random. Are you starting a YouTube show?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Is this. Can you talk to me about it?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. It's gonna be with leash.

[Host]

I know.

[Ryan Howard]

What is it about golf? So we're gonna have like different challenges and stuff of just us trying to like break par or like playing games and stuff. Like the last time we went golfing, we had this little card game. It's like advantage and disadvantage. So to keep the game even because you know, I am better than her.

[Host]

Is that. Is that a fact? Can I get.

[Ryan Howard]

That is a fact.

[Host]

We have a researcher in here because I know she's good.

[Ryan Howard]

She is good.

[Host]

She came on our Final four show talking about golf.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, I'm better.

[Host]

I know Alicia can get in there.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. But we're gonna have that. I don't know when it's gonna come out, but we are working on that.

[Host]

Do you think you'll have guests? Will you be doing this?

[Ryan Howard]

You wanna be a guest?

[Host]

I mean, I'll be a guest.

[Ryan Howard]

We didn't think about that.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

I think it'd be fun though to have guests. You know, other people on our team like to golf too. BG likes to golf.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

Taylor golfed in high school.

[Host]

Like, for real. Oh, wow.

[Ryan Howard]

She says her claim to fame is she has a hole in one.

[Host]

Oh, wow.

[Ryan Howard]

So we might need to see if she can recreate that.

[Host]

I've only mini golfed and I've gone to topgolf. I've never, like, been on a course and actually played, so I don't know if you want me.

[Ryan Howard]

It's just for the vibes. Okay. But the name. Yeah. Is going to be ATL Vibes, and the T is going to be spelled out T. Okay, got.

[Host]

That's smart. So as we sit here right now, present day, 2025, I would describe you as, like, a big guard. You're six two. So a big guard, elite scorer, can get super hot from 3, is super versatile, and whose versatility and size allows them to play that way on both sides of the ball. So when you think back to your Cleveland, Tennessee days, is that always the type of player that you were?

[Ryan Howard]

Cleveland, Tennessee? Yes. More so. Yes. Versatile both sides of the floor. Like, if you start bringing in, like, the other stops in between then and now, you might lose some of those aspects. Okay, wait, what do you mean, defensive end?

[Host]

You're like, I took a little time off on the defensive end. I brought that back.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. Okay. But Cleveland. Yes. Especially, like, going into it because my mom coached me all the way up until high school, and, you know, she was super big on defense, so if it was anything that she made sure we were doing, it was playing defense.

[Host]

Okay. I mean, you already brought your mom up, rj, so what was it like playing for your parent? I can. I mean, classic. It had to have been terrible, you.

[Ryan Howard]

Know, always the one taking the blame. But as much as I did hate it, it was fun to be able to, you know, also have her as a decompression, you know? Yes. I want her to coach me and, you know, we can talk about basketball. But also, like, that's still my mom and being able to travel and, you know, seeing the world and, you know, experiencing a game I love and the game that she loves and doing it together. I think that it's an opportunity that, you know, some people might hate it in the moment, but when you look back, it's like you're super grateful for it.

[Host]

Yeah. I can't even imagine if either of my parents. I feel like my dad every now and then in the car would try to, like, say some stuff, and I'm like, like, where did you play?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. Then it's like, if you're not coach mom, it's like, I don't Even wanna listen to you. Like, you don't even know what you're talking about. But obviously I still didn't wanna listen to her, but at least she knew what she was talking about. So it's like, okay. When I take time to think about it, it's like, all right, you might know a little bit.

[Host]

Yeah. So what's that relationship like now? Like, obviously, she had a ton of influence on your game. Is she, like, texting you at halftime, or are we more like church and State now? Is it like, mom, no more basketball talk?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, in college we used to, like, go back and watch the games back and, like, discuss it then and, like, you know, she would tell me what she saw and I would see, like, talk to her and tell her what I was seeing. But now it's more so just like, after the game, little brief chats and stuff like that. Nothing, like, too in detail about the game unless I ask her and be like, well, I need help. Or like, even in game, like, I always know where she's sitting. So if I am getting frustrated, I look at her and she knows what to say or what to do to calm me down.

[Host]

Oh, that's like a little bit of a cheat code.

[Ryan Howard]

Especially at home games. She sits, like, along the baseline, our side. So. Have you ever seen me look down there? That's what you're doing, I'm looking at. Yeah.

[Host]

Is it more like, play some defense sometimes? Okay, so you already brought up college. So right before you get to Kentucky, I'm taking you back now to 2018. You finish your senior year, and ESPN is doing, you know, like, they're evaluating people and they're ranking them. And so they described you as being athletic, versatile combo guard that brings sides to the backcourt, attacks the rim off the dribble, elevates in the mid range, active on the glass, a mismatched producer. It's actually pretty similar to how I would describe you now. But they're missing the three pointers. Is that. Was that, like, not a part of your game in high school?

[Ryan Howard]

It was, but I think because I was so big and versatile that I was more so just going to the basketball.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

And my shot wasn't as pure.

[Host]

So talk to me. When did it get pure? What was that?

[Ryan Howard]

College? Because it's like, I think the realization of how physical it was in college and, you know, how much you actually have to work.

[Host]

You're like, I'm not going down there anymore.

[Ryan Howard]

It's like, yeah, you know what? I'm just going to shoot. But Then like, like, yeah, I've always liked to shoot, but I think I was more so of the mid range because it's tougher to guard there. Like, there's so much space and so much you can do in the mid range. And, like, even hesitating there and getting to the basket, I think I'm starting to bring that back a little more. Obviously not this year because of the program that we have in set in stone, but getting to the basket, I think that was always what I like to do. Also, in high school, we had this $5N1S. So I like to get, like, I like money. So I was going to the basket to get n ones. You have to make the Frito. It was really like $5. Like, you can get a sandwich from Subway. But then when they bumped it up from $5, it became $6.

[Host]

And what were you getting then?

[Ryan Howard]

$6?

[Host]

No, I mean, like the sandwich and what, like a cookie?

[Ryan Howard]

No, I just take the money. He didn't buy the sandwiches. He just gave us the money. Okay. It was that and it was charges.

[Host]

So what'd you get for charges?

[Ryan Howard]

$6. Oh, sometimes I still text them and I'm like, I had this many N ones or I had a charge this game. Yeah.

[Host]

Okay. So the other thing was, in this, like, ESPN thing was that they had rankings and like I said, and you were ranked the 10th best guard in your class and the 31st player overall. So I'm actually. Were you aware of this? Were you, like, aware of these rankings?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

And do you think at that time that was accurate? Do you think you were.

[Ryan Howard]

Absolutely not. Okay, so you think you're under. I think I should have been higher.

[Host]

And did it motivate you?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes, because especially going into freshman year. Well, to take it back, like, I think I started paying more attention to the rankings when I was in McDonald's All American. And when I was in name McDonald's All American, I had like three straight 40 point games. So I know that I get motivated by, like, underrated stuff and, like, disrespect and stuff like that. So I think going into my freshman year and, you know, having, you know, I set a record for most freshmen of the week honors at Kentucky and, you know, unanimous freshman of the year amongst that. But just showing that. Okay, if you want to look at me as not one of the best, then I'm just going to show you why I am.

[Host]

So when people doubt you is when you.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Step up.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Okay. Do you find that happening even in your pro career?

[Ryan Howard]

Sometimes or sometimes I just like, okay, I am a little rude on the court, but not because I should talk, but because of, like, what I do. Like, if I feel like you're not guarding me, right, And I start laughing, it means I'm probably about to try to do something crazy. Okay.

[Host]

So if someone sees you laugh, they know. Yeah, we just told everyone, so.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, well, some people knew. Some people were like, you know, and then, like, I'll be Gardner. And then she just starts laughing. I'm like, oh, man.

[Host]

So you brought up Kentucky and, you know, your choice to go there. I am curious just because Tennessee is this legendary program. You're from Tennessee. I know. At the time, it wasn't necessarily the Tennessee of the past, which they're back on the map now. Was there ever a pull to go there? Was there ever pressure to go there?

[Ryan Howard]

No, never. So my mom played at Florida, so grew up. I never liked Tennessee. Yeah.

[Host]

Oh, wait, sorry, say that again. You never liked Tennessee.

[Ryan Howard]

I never liked Tennessee.

[Host]

Fair.

[Ryan Howard]

Okay.

[Host]

I'm not a fan either.

[Ryan Howard]

As people, probably, they were, like, one of the last to start recruiting me. So then it was like, okay, well.

[Host]

In your backyard, I'm one of the last to recruit you.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Oh, there they go, doubting you again, huh?

[Ryan Howard]

Again. Okay.

[Host]

All right. So why did you end up choosing Kentucky? You chose them over South Carolina and Purdue?

[Ryan Howard]

It was a tough decision, but when I was at Kentucky, like, on my visit, like, I immediately felt like home. Like, everybody was bonding. Like, I had been there. We went to coach's house and just, you know, hung out, and, you know, everybody just opened their arms and it made it feel, like, super welcoming and, you know, super comfortable. And, you know, when I got on there, I was like, yeah, I think this is where I want to be.

[Host]

Okay. I mean, well, you hit the ground running. You already mentioned it. You had all the, you know, Freshman of the week honors in the sec. You finished, I'm about to say, Rookie of the Year, but you finished Freshman of the Year unanimously. So what translated, but also, what was an adjustment for you? Because obviously, you're doing well if you're winning these awards. So something's translating. But I'm also curious what the adjustment was.

[Ryan Howard]

Like, I think the hardest adjustment was the pace and the physicality because, like, and our gym was hot, so we were doing all this running, but making sure that you're having the breath to do so and making sure that you're in shape to do so while also getting beat up. You know, you can surprise a little people, like, for a short amount of time before they start picking up on what you can do. But I think my ability to play at my own pace is what translated because, you know, I know I wanted to get downhill. And so being able to have the tools to do so or have the tools to get to the mid range and, you know, knock down that shot consistently, I think that made it tougher to, you know, guard because I am unpredictable and I am versatile. And so if I know where I want to go and I know that you're going to try to stop me this way, then I have a lot of, you know, moves to try to still get there.

[Host]

Okay, so you bring up playing at your own pace, which is definitely something I wanted to talk about, because I find in the conversation around you, probably more so in college a little bit, but more so as you're heading into the draft because that's when people, again, right when you head into college, they evaluate you. When you head into the draft, they evaluate you and people are starting to question how. How it always gets put, which is your quote unquote, motor.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

How do you feel when you hear people question your motor and. And what is your take on your pace of play?

[Ryan Howard]

It used to be really, really annoying and it would, like, make me super anxious because it's like, I know I'm working super hard and it's like people are just downplaying the effort that I'm putting in and making it seem like I don't care about basketball. I don't care about, you know, how my team performs or how we win or lose. And I didn't like that. But now more so, it's just like, if you don't understand, then that's really your problem. Because I know what I'm bringing to my team and I know what I'm bringing to the program that I'm playing for. But even in some of my meetings, they would be like, well, how do we know that your motor is what you say it is? And I was like, either you're going to have to take me and I can show you, or I'm just going to keep telling you and you're just going to have to believe me. But until then, I don't really know much else to say because words are just words.

[Host]

Yeah. Are you finding that people are now realizing it's actually just that you make things look easy?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. A lot of people come up and like, you know, some people still do think it's motor and think that I am lazy, but other people are like, I really love how you play. Like, you don't get sped up. You just make it look so easy. Like, you know, it looks like you're not even sweating out there. And it's like, wow, okay, I'm finally being seen a little bit. And, you know, it feels good because I am working hard and I am like, of course it's gonna look easy because I'm unpredictable. It is tough for people to guard me. So making it look easy, I wouldn't say it is easy, but to make it look easy is something that not everybody can do.

[Host]

What I find interesting is if you were coming out of college now, I just think games, the game of basketball always evolves. If you were coming out of college now, I don't think it would be the motor. It would be, oh, look how effortless that. Because nowadays I think people get the idea of playing at your own pace is this huge bonus. For some reason, I'm thinking of SGA this year in the NBA Finals. Like, he plays at his own pace. He's able to draw fouls that way, and now it's this huge advantage to his game. And not that you guys, you have some similarities in that way, but, yeah, it would be viewed as like this big positive. And I feel like you always had to fight a narrative throughout, so that had to have been really frustrating. Back to Kentucky for a second. You played for Matt Mitchell going into what? Did I get that right?

[Ryan Howard]

Ok. I was reminiscing.

[Host]

Okay. What are you reminiscing about?

[Ryan Howard]

Just the good old times.

[Host]

Ah, the good old days. You're too young to be saying good old days. No, but you played for Matt Mitchell, obviously. I'm assuming part of the reason you felt at home at Kentucky, but going into your junior year, he had to essentially retire a couple weeks before that season started.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

What was it like going through that? It was for health reasons, but what was it like going through that?

[Ryan Howard]

It was tough because, like, you know, he was the reason that most of us came and stayed and making sure that we felt like his kids, not just his players. You know, he always wanted the best for us off the court. I think it made it a little better because who was taking over? We had also been with and had been with him for a long time, so we knew what we were getting. But yeah, it was a sad day just for him to come in and tell us. But, you know, we're all super grateful for, you know, the lessons that he did teach us and everything and all the positions that he put us in.

[Host]

Well, I don't know if you saw, but Coach Mitchell is going to be at Houston, so he's back in the game, which is great. What's like one of your favorite stories of playing for him?

[Ryan Howard]

Well, I wouldn't say it's a favorite, but I think it was like sophomore year, you know, I really didn't talk like people think I don't talk now. I really didn't talk in college.

[Host]

Not gonna lie. It's hard to imagine.

[Ryan Howard]

So like, he just always thought like our relationship just was rocky because, like, I just didn't have a lot to say. So he made me write a paper for him, like just telling him about my life and stuff. So he would better know how to, you know, connect with me. Did I enjoy it? No.

[Host]

It's like extra schoolwork.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. But I do think that it did help and did show that he actually cared about our relationship.

[Host]

So when he was essentially forced to retire, did you ever think of transferring?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes.

[Host]

What was that process?

[Ryan Howard]

My mom wouldn't let me.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

Because she was like, you're just gonna finish what you started. But I did want to transfer just because.

[Host]

Why?

[Ryan Howard]

I don't think it was like solely because he left. I think I went through a time where I stopped enjoying basketball. And I think like I felt like it was because of, you know, the outcomes that we kept seeing, which was. Ls all over the. All over the book. And I didn't feel like I was getting the right help.

[Host]

So you end up finishing at Kentucky thanks to your mom, which I love. Sometimes it is good to finish what you start. Cause you end up learning lessons that you take with you forever. But you did end up finishing there with one of the best careers ever. You left second in scoring, first in career threes, fourth in steals per game. Technically left a year of eligibility. I'm assuming.

[Ryan Howard]

I know that technically because the COVID year.

[Host]

But were you like four years is good enough?

[Ryan Howard]

I'm out. Okay.

[Host]

I kind of figured that. Sometimes people think because you have an extra year, you have, you should take it. And don't get me wrong, college is amazing. But also being a 23 year old senior or super senior, fifth year senior isn't always what's cracked up to me. From what I understand, when you were younger, you told your mom that you wanted to be a professional basketball player. You were basically like, it's WNBA or bust. I've got a plan. It's plan A. There's no other plan. There's no plan B. This is it.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

She side eyed You a little bit from. From what I've read, but in a very healthy, protective mom way.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. She was like, no, you need to find a real job. Like, even if you do make it, that's only the summer. So what are you going to do for the rest of the time?

[Host]

You're like, oh, I'll go to Italy.

[Ryan Howard]

And I was like, okay, fine, I'll just be an artist. And she was like, also, no, because you're not making any money. And I was like, what? People are going to love what I make. But, yeah, she definitely was like, I think you should also, like, start looking for something else as well.

[Host]

But this is like a sitcom. I feel like I've seen this sitcom. I want to be an artist.

[Ryan Howard]

It's like, no, but it did help because, you know, not that she would ever doubt me, but it was like, why I can't just play.

[Host]

Yeah. Professionally, it's like a fire. Yeah. So when you're hearing that you might go number one, like, that has to be incredible.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, it was great. But I was hearing it, like, not just senior year. So all of senior year, you do have all of that added pressure because of how long that people are projecting me to be number one and, you know, trying to be, you know, 22. Taking in all the outside noise, it made me super anxious. And it did, like, play a part in, like, my performance because I was like, oh, my gosh. Especially all the motor stuff. I was like, people think I'm not playing hard. People think I don't care. They think I'm already out the door. When really, like, I had already talked to my team at the beginning that year, and I was like, yes, I'm still going to lead, but I don't see a point in me being, like, the captain because, like, yes, I know that I need to be where my feet are, but also, like, I have all of this extra pressure and I don't know how to maintain it. And, you know, I can't basically, like, worry about babying y' all and, like, telling y' all everything that y' all need to do, because I know that after this year, I won't be here.

[Host]

Yeah. So what do you think that senior year, the experience of it, what do you think you took with you? Like, what did you learn from it?

[Ryan Howard]

Just, you know, staying focused on the main thing, which is. Which was, at the time, playing, you know, finishing out my senior year. I think it did help because Coach lz and the rest of the staff, they were like, if it's not Anything about Kentucky, don't talk to Ryan. And basically just forcing me to be there. I think that helped because it was like, you know, now I'm just enjoying the moment. You know, it's going to come quick and it's going to be behind me, but I don't want to leave and, you know, feel like I missed out on what was happening.

[Host]

Right. Obviously, going to the WNBA was a dream. As we talked about, did you care if you were number one, was getting drafted enough, or. Once people started talking about the number one pick and it maybe being you, did you now want that?

[Ryan Howard]

I, like, when it was a dream, it was like, I just want to get drafted. But when people start saying, oh, she can be number one, she can be number one. Now it's like, okay, now I have to keep being better and keep showing why I should be number one. Not that, like, any other pick isn't as good, because the pick only gets you the place. And that's what I would say all the time. Like, I still had to show up to training camp, and I still had to perform to show that I belong here. But it is, like, a little bit of pride thing to. People say, oh, she's gonna be number one. And then going number one. I think it was super exciting, though.

[Host]

Cause I don't know if you remember, but DC actually had the first pick.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

And then there was some talk that when they had the pick, there was talk that they really liked Shakira Austin, There was all kinds of talk. But eventually they trade it to Atlanta. Atlanta then moves up. But what do you remember about that? Like, when D.C. had it and you're hearing they might go another direction, but then when Atlanta gets it, they were, like, really solid on picking you. So what was just that whole. Cause it only happened a week, like, maybe two weeks before the draft.

[Ryan Howard]

It was when D.C. still had the big. I had so many meetings with them. Really? Yeah. So I didn't.

[Host]

Was this, like, in person? On. On. Was Zoom a thing? Yeah, Zoom was a thing.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, Zoom. They were coming to Kentucky, like, even at the Final Four. We had another meeting.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

But I didn't hear that they want to go another direction until after. And so then when they traded me, I was kind of like, well, why did you keep meeting? Like, did you not like what I was talking about? Like, did you, like. It was like, a little. A bit of, like, okay, you didn't want me, and a little bit of, oh, maybe you didn't like me mixed in. And then, you know, my talk with Atlanta. I told them in my meeting that I liked it better when I was the one asking questions, like, in college.

[Host]

Yeah. So you switched it up on them.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, because they were like, oh, well, how have the rest of your meetings been? Blah, blah, blah. And I was like, I liked it better when I was the one interviewing you. But then.

[Host]

Oh, you mean getting recruited in college.

[Ryan Howard]

Yes.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

And then for them to be like, oh, we loved our meeting. Like, it was great. I was like, ooh, okay.

[Host]

Yeah. No, it's a lot of pressure. I'm actually really. I didn't have meetings.

[Ryan Howard]

Really?

[Host]

That's not how the WNBA was set up yet. I don't think any team was having meetings with any player. It also happens so fast. So what are those meetings like? Like, what are they asking you? I have no idea.

[Ryan Howard]

Washington, they would ask. So some of the questions they asked were like, what did you see from our team in the past years? Well, first they start by, like, asking, do you watch the W? Because, you know, some kids nowadays don't watch.

[Host]

Yeah, it's a good question.

[Ryan Howard]

And what did I see and what did I think that they could be better at what I could bring to the team? Obviously, they asked me the motor question. Like, do I have a motor or is what everybody's saying is true?

[Host]

Man, that's a lot.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. Like, you really have to think.

[Host]

Yeah, you really have to think. Oh, man. Yeah, it's a lot.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

I just. I never. I've always wondered, like, what they ask, but good.

[Ryan Howard]

I watched basketball. I watched.

[Host]

So you were watching the wnba?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Yeah. Well, you told your mom you were watching.

[Ryan Howard]

I watched every game. Unless it was blackout. Because, you know, sometimes they do that. Sometimes they do that.

[Host]

Support for Bird's Eye View comes from Nike. No matter the team, no matter the ranking, every season starts with the same goal. Win it all. And Nike knows that reaching that goal starts long before the final whistle. It starts with the battles at practice, the losses that keep you up at night, and everything in between. Nike has the best gear to get you on the court, field or track, and pushing through your hardest moments. So whether you're the champ or you're looking to knock them off the pedestal, Nike is there to help you with winning no matter where you play. Visit nike.com for more information and be sure to follow Nike on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms for more great basketball moments. Support for this show comes from DraftKings. The WNBA is on fire right now, and our partners at DraftKings Sportsbook can put you right in the middle of the action. Right now, new customers can bet just five bucks and get 300 in bonus bets instantly. There are so many ways to bet, too. Throw down on which team will win, how much they'll win by how your favorite players will perform, and much more. They've got you covered with WNBA action all season long. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app now and use Code Bird. That's Code Bird for new customers to get 300 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet five bucks in partnership with DraftKings, the crown is yours.

[Ryan Howard]

Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York, call 877-8-HOPE and Y or text Hopeny 467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and.

[Host]

Resort in Kansas, 21 and over.

[Ryan Howard]

Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Boyd In Ontario, bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms on responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co. Audio support for this show comes from Pure Leaf Iced tea.

[Host]

You know that point in the afternoon when you just hit a wall. You don't have time for self care.

[Ryan Howard]

Rituals or getting some fresh air.

[Host]

So maybe you grab a beverage to.

[Ryan Howard]

Bring you back, but somehow it doesn't do the trick or it leaves you feeling even worse.

[Host]

What you need is a quality break, a tea break.

[Ryan Howard]

And you can do that with pure leaf iced tea.

[Host]

Real brewed tea made in a variety.

[Ryan Howard]

Of bold and refreshing flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. With a pure leaf iced tea in hand, you'll be left feeling refreshed and.

[Host]

Revitalized with a new motivation to take on what's next. The next time you need to hit.

[Ryan Howard]

The reset button, grab a Pure Leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break.

[Host]

Time for a pure leaf. Well, spoiler you get drafted. Number one to Atlanta. Looking back on your rookie year, well, first of all, almost every player, myself included, when they talk about their rookie year, there's always, you know, the speed, the physicality. Those are always the biggest adjustments. So for you, from a perspective of those two categories, like how, how long did it take for you to get comfortable out there?

[Ryan Howard]

I think, I really think I came in comfortable okay because I was breaking records week one, she said. Like I think I came in with the mindset knowing that obviously it would be a different game, but also knowing that it would have a similar jump as high school to college. Like super Physical, you know, talent equally, or if not, it's better than you and, you know, wanting to punch first. So I think also having the surprise of a new player, like a rookie coming in and punching first, I think that did shock a lot of teams. But I think, you know, eventually you hit a wall. I don't think I hit like a hard wall, but I do definitely think that I did hit one. But the work that I put in, I think it just came to fruition.

[Host]

So what do you think was the toughest adjustment for you your rookie year?

[Ryan Howard]

Probably just like, decision making. Okay. Because there's a lot more help when you're coming off, especially when you're like, at the top of the scout and there's more iq.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

More disciplines. Yeah.

[Host]

So every experience of the number one pick, like I said, is different. I actually just interviewed Plum recently, Kelsey Plum, and she was talking about her experience as a number one pick and she felt, you know, she was saying she felt like she didn't get the keys, like the keys to the franchise. Do you feel like they just gave you the keys right out the gate?

[Ryan Howard]

I think so.

[Host]

Do you think that helped you be more confident, especially in the early parts of the season?

[Ryan Howard]

I definitely think so because, like, yeah, I just got here, but they all. They also have, you know, that confidence in, you know, pushing me to do more and, you know, absolutely, just letting me just play. But also, you know, coming in with my best friend, I think it made it easier because I wasn't the only one going through rookie year in Atlanta.

[Host]

I mean, how lucky are you? Nas Hillman is your best friend. How lucky are you to be drafted to the same team?

[Ryan Howard]

Super lucky. You know, I wish everybody could, you know, experience that, experience that. But it's like, especially because our training camp was so hard and we rode together every day, so being able to have that connection that we have and, you know, being able to deep breathe together and talk about what we did together. Like, obviously we kept in touch with other rookies, but it just wasn't the same because, yes, they have their own training camp. They don't know exactly what we're going through. Me and Nas know exactly what each other's going through.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

Like, we hear when coach is yelling at us, we see, like, when the practice players are cooking us.

[Host]

So, yeah, it helps having somebody that you can really talk about it with. How has, I mean, you guys are still close friends. How is having her throughout the course of your four years, how has that.

[Ryan Howard]

Been helpful outside of basketball is helpful because she knows what I'm feeling before I'm feeling it. And on the court, if I'm frustrated, she knows why I'm frustrated. And, you know, she'll come ask me, but she already has an idea and so I just tell her. She's also our vocal leader. So this goes for anybody. Like, if anybody's frustrated, she'll go and talk to the team and say, like, we need to do this. And, you know, she keeps it super professional. And, you know, we're all looking for her to have something to say because she just sees the game so much. But basketball wise, as far as her helping me, she's a threat offensively.

[Host]

Yeah. Well, Nas is having a career year. She's averaging almost nine points, almost six rebounds, couple of assists. It's been a huge jump. I actually talked about her recently on my show. Just like her, her game, this huge jump. I've never seen anybody go from like no three point attempts to now she's.

[Ryan Howard]

You know, now she's coming for mean leash.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah, she's right on your tail. But. But shooting in the 30s, like in the 30% range, that's like, what have you seen in her growth? You have to be so proud.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. You know, I've always seen that she could do it because I'd be like, just shoot it. Like, especially when I'm the one passing it to her and she's open. She's like, she always come and be like, what can I do to help you? What can I do to help you? I'm like, well, I'm seeing my man and I'm seeing your man and you're not shooting, so how do you think you can help me? But her being confident and actually taking them and feeling, getting her feet set, she's picking and popping now. She used to pick and roll, but being able to actually play straight up against somebody else without somebody helping off her, like, that's disrespectful. Now we see it as disrespect because you can shoot and we expect you to keep shooting. So what? You miss a couple, but just like you tell us to keep shooting, we're gonna continue to tell you to keep shooting.

[Host]

Yeah, I mean, very rarely do you see a jump in three point percentage that way. It's not. Like I said, it's not even the percentage, it's the attempts. Yeah, she was like, not even looking and now she's already shot like over 100 threes on the season.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Is pretty crazy. But going back to your rookie year for a Second, how much of a role did the vets on your team? Because I imagine as the number one pick, there is some leadership required, or maybe not required, but I feel like people want the number one pick to. To kind of show some leadership qualities. So I guess, did you feel pressure to. To be a leader and. Or how did the vets on the team that year help you?

[Ryan Howard]

I actually didn't feel pressure because I had Erica Wheeler and I had Kiavon. Okay. And so obviously, two different types of leaders. You know, E being more like, action super loud. Like, this is what I want. I'm going to show you. And Kia being more vocal. Like, okay, I'm just going to tell you. But there wasn't any moment where we didn't know what we were supposed to be doing. Like, Kia, she didn't play as much, but we always knew what she was bringing to the table. And she was going to call anybody out if you weren't doing it, if you weren't doing your job. Like, she was going to make sure that you knew you weren't doing your job. And E, she always kept us going on the court because the energy that she brings is something that you can't just not also bring. Like, it's going to look weird if you're not bringing the same energy.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. But when you come in as the first pick, you are kind of automatically the face of a franchise. Did you feel any pressure with that?

[Ryan Howard]

No.

[Host]

No. You're welcoming of it.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

What about, like, specific to the city of Atlanta? Like, yes, you're the dream organization's face, but you're now representing a city.

[Ryan Howard]

I didn't see it as that because especially. Cause our fans love everybody on the team equally. Like, they don't come to me and say, oh, you need to be doing this, you need to be doing that. Y' all need to be doing better. Like, of course fans are gonna have their own critiques. Or like, y' all need to be doing better or y' all are doing so great. Like, it was always a hole from the city and from everybody outside of, like, just us.

[Host]

So do you feel like people came at you on the court as the number one pick as this. This new kid on the block face of the franchise becomes the rookie of the year that year, did you feel like people were coming at you?

[Ryan Howard]

I think by nature that they were gonna come at me. Cause I was a rookie anyways. Um, but it started in practice because T was always telling the practice guys to go at me or, like, if I wasn't doing something right. She would make me do it over and over and over again. So it's not something that I wasn't prepared for.

[Host]

Yeah. Talk about Tanisha Wright, like, how was it in the first couple years playing for her?

[Ryan Howard]

It was great, you know, having a player's coach and somebody that understands the game, somebody understands the game that you're in currently. I think it was super helpful because, like, she was extremely successful, you know, in this league and, you know, you don't want to not listen because you've seen what she's done and, you know, being able to have somebody like that and the support staff that we had, being able to have that as your head coming in and coming in together, you know. Her first year in Atlanta was my mine and Nas's rookie year. We learned so much together while also like beat expectations. Like our first year we came in, we knew nobody was going to expect us to just jump to the top, but we wanted to label ourself as the hardest working, toughest team. And that started with Tanisha.

[Host]

So you go on to win rookie of the year that year. What did that mean to you? I mean, you're kind of amongst some pretty big names.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, it was great to be in those names. As far as the rookies, I think that I definitely came out and made a bigger statement. But to be in the company of the rest of the rookies of the year, it's. It's a great experience.

[Host]

Yeah, you'll probably appreciate it even more. Like 10, 15 years. Well, probably more 20, 25 years. When you look back and see your name, you were also. I mean, you've basically been an all Star every year that you've been in the league, except 2024, because you played three on three. And I just want to tell you, if there's one thing I do before I die in this world, it's getting all of us, our All Star nods.

[Ryan Howard]

Yes.

[Host]

Because anytime I played in the Olympics, most of the times, even some World cup years, they didn't count as all star nods. So you're going to get yours too. I feel confident about that. But in 2023, it was a little different because you were actually a replacement player. So how did you approach the second half of the season after that?

[Ryan Howard]

Well, you remember when I told you, like, I don't like that doubt stuff.

[Host]

I was thinking about this moment when you said it earlier.

[Ryan Howard]

And so I didn't get named and I came out and dropped 40.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

And the next day I was named replacement Player. I think just having that reaction instead of being like, oh man, they didn't pick me when I feel like I deserved it and actually going out and like, you know, laying an egg. But rather than, rather showing that I should have been, you know, instead of just talking about it, I think that was key to, you know, getting the all Star nod and key to how I wanted to approach it and how I wanted to have my team approach the second half of the season.

[Host]

Okay, so clearly you thrive when people doubt you. And what I'm wondering is, where else do you get your confidence from? What I love about this question, by the way, is there's no wrong answer. It's like so specific and so unique to each individual and everybody has a different answer. But you can't always. Doubt is not always going to be there. So where else do you get your confidence from?

[Ryan Howard]

Just, I like to approach it as if I'm the best player on the court. And so if I can say it and I can do it, then I'm going to believe it. But also like, you know, me and Leisha will be in these situations where somebody's asking her, like, oh, who's the toughest person you had to guard? And you know, she says, me. So it's like, okay, I'm doing a little something like leash isn't just some easy defender. Like, she was tough, especially coming in as a rookie, but knowing that some people just can't guard me, then it's like, okay, I don't need doubt. Like, I just know you just can't guard me.

[Host]

Yeah, it's just like a belief. Yeah, must be nice. So thinking back to some of the descriptions I gave earlier, just about you, about your game, how do you think it's different now from high school?

[Ryan Howard]

I still like attack a little bit, but I think now it's more. So instead of inside out work, I think it's more outside in. So like, if the threes aren't falling, then I'll start going in to try to get something easier, try to get to the line.

[Host]

Okay, is there something that you've. Well, is there something that you want to add to your game? Like when you think, you know, next year and so on? Are there, are there parts maybe of other people's games that you see that you want to add?

[Ryan Howard]

I'd probably say a little more passing. Okay, okay, let me change because I am a good passer, but I don't.

[Host]

Think you're a bad. Just because you want to add it doesn't mean you're bad at it.

[Ryan Howard]

Making a, like the right pass at the right time.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

Like I think sometimes, yeah, I can make the easy pass or like I can see. But being able to make the tougher passes, I think like Chelsea Gray, like you might think that's what I was thinking. But she finds a way to get it there and I feel like that could be really helpful.

[Host]

Have you ever talked to her about that? Like, I don't know. Did you spend time with her on unrivaled.

[Ryan Howard]

No. No.

[Host]

You should ask her.

[Ryan Howard]

I should. She was actually the first person that had me starstruck.

[Host]

Really?

[Ryan Howard]

When I got to the league. Yeah.

[Host]

Have you ever told her that?

[Ryan Howard]

I don't know.

[Host]

Okay, well, now she knows.

[Ryan Howard]

Now she does know. But it was just like. Cause I didn't think she knew me. Like obviously you kind of know of me, but I didn't think she knew me. And she came up, gave me a hug and everything and I was just like.

[Host]

Did you? Well, you said you watched the WNBA a lot.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So what about, like, what about her? What about her game?

[Ryan Howard]

I think the iq. Yeah. And she always made the great plays. Like, yes, they're high risk, high reward. But she also knew when it was time to not like, okay, she might see that it's open but being able to make the easy pass rather than, you know, forcing her turnover. But you know, obviously her mid range game is super, super effective, super hard to guard. Not so when you add that trying to pressure her, she's going to get the pass off. Like if you don't pressure her and you know, let her shoot. She's shooting really well this year. So I think just the fact that she's unpredictable and what she's going to do, I think that makes it hard to guard.

[Host]

Yeah. Well, the thing about high risk, high reward is. Well, first of all, with experience, the ratio just kind of changes because you start to like smell out the risk. Is it worth it? You know, and you start to be able to judge a little faster. But I think you can do things that can really lower the risk and make the reward higher.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Because that's really all it is. It's like smelling out and calculating all of that in real time. And if it's something you want to do, I don't see why I can't do it.

[Ryan Howard]

And it's like you have to see everything. You can't miss. Why are you making behind the back passes from half court? Because you've seen everything.

[Host]

Yeah. No.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

But some of it is experience. But I Think you can speed that up? If you really want to watch film play a lot. Honestly, that's where unrivaled might even be helpful. I mean, three on three is obviously different because it's not just not as many people. Do you think you learned anything about yourself, added anything to your game in that unrivaled season?

[Ryan Howard]

I think I was just there shooting threes. Deep, deep threes.

[Host]

Deep, deep threes. All right, so you extended your range.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, but no, just obviously the pace of play is faster because there's less people, but the court was shorter, so it didn't make it super hard. I think I Learned more in 3x3 because it's nonstop.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

I think three on three, like the unrivaled because it's like.

[Host]

Yeah, you're taking it and you're going full court.

[Ryan Howard]

I think that's obviously it's not the same, but I think it's more similar to. Than regular 5 and 5. Like 3x3. You have to like. That's quick.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

And you have to be in shape mentally and physically.

[Host]

Yeah. So. So real quick for. For those listening, unrivaled is like a full court. It's shorter, but it is a full court where you have two baskets and you play similar to how you play a five on five. When the ball goes in, you got to take it out and you're going the other way. Whereas 3x3. And Ryan, you were an Olympian in the last Olympics in Paris with the 3x3 team. So congratulations on that. Thank you. 3x3 is one basket half court, and you basically gotta like take it, like cross the three point line to clear to start offense again. And I have played 3x3. I keep wanting to say 3 on 3. I have played 3x3 in my training and I did it later in my career because, by the way, sometimes it's just hard to get like nine other good players to play 555. So I was like, I'll take five others, you know. And what I learned is the conditioning for 3x3 is another level.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Like you have to be. You are playing offense and defense simultaneously at all times the entire time. And it does go to a score and. Or a time, depending which comes first, but it's no joke.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah. So you can't just call a timeout.

[Host]

No. Yeah. There's no stopping. It's so physical. You guys get beat up playing that. So what else did you learn outside of cardio or what else did you gain from playing 3x3?

[Ryan Howard]

I also was coming off of an ankle injury. So I only had, like, two games before we went. I think just regaining the confidence to play on a big stage and showing that, like, okay, yeah, I was out, but I can still keep up. And I can keep up quick because I didn't have a lot of time to get in shape.

[Host]

And it's outdoors. Paris was hot. I was there. Paris was.

[Ryan Howard]

It was really hot. We had to walk around with ice vests.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

Like, yeah, we were playing in the shade, but I don't think that helped. No, not at all.

[Host]

Those games always look so brutal.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

But bringing up Kelsey Plumb again, just because I interviewed her so recently, she credits 3x3 so much with her development. She felt like a lot of it came with her back to the wnba. So I think overall, it'll be good that you experience that. Like, you'll look back and Sounds like you already are. When you think about, like, you're one of the top scorers in the league, you have been now pretty consistently. Do you think people who can score at the level that you can are just, like, a little crazy? Like, you have to be a little crazy, you know, like a little bit.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

I think you have to be a little crazy just to. I mean, just sometimes you just have to let people know, well, how about this?

[Host]

Your rookie year in your first game, do you know how many threes you shot?

[Ryan Howard]

12.

[Host]

12. This is a little crazy.

[Ryan Howard]

That is crazy. I was like, I've never taken 12 threes ever.

[Host]

So, like, okay, by crazy. I think the polite way is. What would be the polite way to say this? Maybe just, like, a little delusional.

[Ryan Howard]

Other people wouldn't do that.

[Host]

Right. Like, you just kind of. It's the you can't see me feeling.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So do you think all scorers have to have a little bit of that?

[Ryan Howard]

I think so. Because then it's like, some people are out here shooting over two. Like, but it's like, you don't even feel like there's two people there because you know you're gonna make it.

[Host]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Ryan Howard]

There's a little.

[Host]

Delusion there. Yeah. I see it in all the great players and all the great scorers I've played with. There's definitely something.

[Ryan Howard]

The Lulu is the Sullulu.

[Host]

Say that Sulu is the Sululu.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Are you gonna start throwing all the, like, Sigma toilet Ohio shit at me?

[Ryan Howard]

No.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

Thank God.

[Host]

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[Ryan Howard]

To don't know the difference between matte, paint, finish and satin or what that.

[Host]

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[Ryan Howard]

The app Download today.

[Host]

Let's be honest.

[Ryan Howard]

Are you happy with your job? Like really happy? The unfortunate fact is that a huge.

[Host]

Number of people can't say yes to that. Far too many of us are stuck.

[Ryan Howard]

In a job we've outgrown or one we never wanted in the first place. But still, we stick it out and we give reasons like what if the next move is even worse?

[Host]

I've already put years into this place.

[Ryan Howard]

And maybe the most common one Isn't.

[Host]

Everyone kind of miserable at work?

[Ryan Howard]

But there's a difference between reasons for staying and excuses for not leaving.

[Host]

It's time to get unstuck. It's time for Strawberry Me. They match you with a certified career coach who helps you go from where you are to where you actually want to be. Your coach helps you get clear on your goals, create a plan, build your confidence and keeps you accountable along the way.

[Ryan Howard]

So don't leave your career to chance. Take action and own your future with.

[Host]

A Professional coach in your corner, go to Strawberry Me Unstuck to claim a special offer.

[Ryan Howard]

That's Strawberry Me Unstuck.

[Host]

Speaking of young guards, though, I feel like that's a good segue with the slang. When you look at the young guards around the league, you've got Caitlyn, Paige, Sonya. What's different about, like, the WNBA itself that they're walking into versus the one you walked into, even though it was just like three, four years ago?

[Ryan Howard]

I think what I walked into, more vets were like, this is our league. Like, you're coming in our house. Whereas this rookie class came in, like, this is our house. Like, okay, we might be new, but we're going to show y' all who's welcoming who. And, you know, they came in super confident, knowing what they can do, knowing what they're good at, and they've not wavered from that. No matter what teams throw at them. I think each and every one of them have been successful in what they essentially were recruited to come in and do.

[Host]

Right. So that's more like playing. So now I'm going to ask, when you think about the league itself, like, what have you seen? What's been some of the changes? Some of them are obvious. Commercial flights to charter flights. What have been some of the changes that you have experienced in your four years and that have really impacted you the most?

[Ryan Howard]

I think I'm going to go with the viewership. Like, obviously, people are going to think that one, like, yes, one to two people did bring them here, but the fact that they're staying here is the key for us getting everything that we're getting. What I walked into four years ago, like, we were still fighting so hard just to even get charter flights. And now, like, because we fought so hard and because of the eyes that, you know, we gained with, you know, the younger players coming in, it kind of made it hard to not give us that. And so being able to ask for that and have the product to continue to show why we need it and why we deserve it, I think that's definitely been helpful.

[Host]

Yeah. Well, we're doing this interview from the Atlanta Dream snack room. So that's also a big difference. We didn't have snack rooms, so a lot has changed. The WNBA is definitely different now. The Atlanta Dream is also different this year compared to, well, really your first three seasons. So earlier, you know, at the start of the season, the 2025 season, you said you wanted to be all WNBA and all defense. So how did you approach your, like, trying to accomplish that?

[Ryan Howard]

You know, obviously I'm going to say it, so I going to have to do it, but I always think that actions speak louder than words. But also, instead of just me saying it and me going out and performing and do it, having my coaches also come in with those same standards and my teammates having those same standards for me, because, yeah, it's easy to let yourself down, but then to let down 20 other people, it hurts a bit more because we could have been way more successful if I actually followed through with what I was saying. So they came in with those standards for me as well, and they've been pushing me to do that. Every time that I don't do it or anybody doesn't do what they said that they were going to do, it gets known.

[Host]

Yeah. What do you think? What parts of your game do you need to work on the most to achieve both those things?

[Ryan Howard]

Defensively, I think trusting my speed a little more, I think I use my length very well. But when it comes to, like, off ball, sometimes I get stuck to my man or sometimes I get too deep into help. And I don't think that I can recover as fast as offensively. I think just making everybody better, you know, obviously I believe that I can, you know, get what I need to get, but also making sure that, you know, everybody else is getting what they need to get for us to be successful.

[Host]

In what ways? Because it requires so much energy. In what ways do you try to conserve energy? I know sometimes that's like a bad term. You shouldn't be conserving energy, but you have to be smart out there if you're gonna play both sides of the ball at this high of a level. So is that something you think about?

[Ryan Howard]

I think you can serve more on the offensive end because I don't want to say that the mistakes aren't as costly offensively, but you don't want to be late game and make a costly mistake defensively to where you get a watt of Malaya, but then you can't. Like, now you have to work twice as hard to get something offensively, but with what we have, I wouldn't say I'm conserving my energy. It's just utilizing a different option.

[Host]

Okay. Yeah, that's a better way of saying it. Yeah, Yeah. I definitely don't mean conserve energy to be like, oh, you're just taking a play off. It's not that. It's actually being smart and strategic.

[Ryan Howard]

Like, I don't want to have to work super hard guarding the other team's best player. And Then come down and try to work super hard to get me a shot when we have a. We have a mismatch somewhere else.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah. And your team is totally different. I'm actually going to start. You got a new coach in the off season. What do you call him?

[Ryan Howard]

Big Wheeze.

[Host]

Big Wheeze. All right, well, his real name is Carl Smensko, but we're going to go Big Whis. So what. What did you know about him before? Before he got to Atlanta?

[Ryan Howard]

I knew that he had a really successful career at GCU and that he was. Threes and layups.

[Host]

Threes and layups, that's right. I actually did some commentating, gosh, 10 years ago or so, and I covered FGCU, I think, twice in the NCAA tournament. And I was immediately blown away by how he coached, the style that he played. But really, I'm gonna circle back to how he was doing it. Like, his practices felt so purposeful. Every single player on that team knew I'm only shooting a three or a layup. So you knew about his style?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So were you, like, this is for me?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes, threes, of course. But also, like, because you watch a lot of basketball, like, you know which team is going to show up in tournament. I think anytime I would see, like, fgcu, I'd be like, oh, that's going to be a good game. Or like, if they match up with another well known team or a top team, I'd be like, that actually might come out on the other side.

[Host]

Analytics, you always have a chance.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, apparently. Yeah. Sell that to Carl.

[Host]

Big Wheeze.

[Ryan Howard]

Big Wheeze, I call him.

[Host]

Is this gonna, like, get me in trouble?

[Ryan Howard]

Cause why Carl Weiser.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

But he didn't know who that. You don't know who that is from? Jimmy Neutron.

[Host]

Oh, I don't watch Jimmy Neutron.

[Ryan Howard]

But yeah, I knew I was gonna like it because.

[Host]

Is this like a Jimmy Neutron thing or an Italian thing?

[Ryan Howard]

No.

[Host]

Or this is the game that everyone plays?

[Ryan Howard]

No.

[Host]

Come on.

[Ryan Howard]

I go like this. Got me. This is.

[Host]

See, you are doing some Sigma toilet shit.

[Ryan Howard]

This is an inside joke with me and Nas.

[Host]

Okay?

[Ryan Howard]

It means, like, interesting.

[Host]

Okay. Feels tight. I get it.

[Ryan Howard]

Like, it could be Italian, but it's more so, like, interesting. Okay.

[Host]

So he gets to the team.

[Ryan Howard]

He gets to the team. And we had film day one.

[Host]

Okay?

[Ryan Howard]

Like, we had film at the meeting to say, oh, hi, I'm Carl. Like, this is what I'm going. Yeah, we had film that day. But I think it just set the standard of, like, what we were going to have to look forward to. And like, we knew that he was about business. We knew that he was X and O's, and, you know, I think it really was like, okay, this is how it's going to be.

[Host]

Do you think he has kept that style? Like, is that still something that is a part of what you guys do? Obviously. I mean, I watch you play. You guys do more than just threes and layups. Yeah, but do you think that's part of the style?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes. If we take a mid range and it's not like super wide open, nobody there. We will hear about it.

[Host]

We'll hear about it.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Well, then you guys went and signed two fives. Did that feel surprising or that felt like it fit?

[Ryan Howard]

That fit. That was all of our work that we put in to get them to come coming to life. Yes. And it fits because they're the top two. Most efficient around the room.

[Host]

Yeah, no, no, that part makes sense. I guess I was more talking from when you watched. Yeah. The FGCU teams were way more fast paced, all very versatile, and could kind of like interchange positions. But to your point, both BG and Bree Jones are incredibly efficient. Honestly, they're not shooting the three that bad.

[Ryan Howard]

No. Yeah, everybody shoots.

[Host]

Yeah, everybody shoots. Green light is on. Bree's shooting like 30%. BG's close to 30%. I mean, it's pretty legit. So how would you like. I'm just so curious about the fit of it. All right. Like, his style. You brought these two players in in free agency, the players that have already been with Atlanta and just like, how did it all come together? You guys are playing so well, so how did that all come together? Together? How did he build a system that was going to fit this roster?

[Ryan Howard]

Well, your guards are the threes and your bigs are the. The layups.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

But I think. I think for like, the pace, yes, we want to play fast, but we want to make smart decisions. And, you know, we don't want to be dictated. But also we try not to worry about too much conversion. Conversion is transition in his terms, because we take good shots that don't lead to that. So then you don't have to worry about your bigs not running back. Whereas if we just take care of the ball and keep teams out of it, especially teams that are really good in transition, we know that we're going to have to be smart with our choices and give us time to get back and get ready to play D. Okay.

[Host]

I mean, by the numbers, it's working. You guys are top. Well, you're tops in the league. Just like in offense in general, you're doing it by shooting the three well. You guys are also getting to the free throw line, like, very well. But it's also offensive rebounds and second chance points. That's, like, a big part. Is that something that was talked about as Coach Wheeze? Wheezy Wheeze?

[Ryan Howard]

Big wheeze.

[Host]

Big Wheeze, as Big Wheeze was as Carl was putting his system in, or did that just, like, naturally find this group?

[Ryan Howard]

I think it naturally found this group because you have BG who's obviously up there to get them. Bri worked super hard, and Nas, she's relentless.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

So when you have those three and then you bring in Nia, who's crashing the boards either side, I think it's just a matter of relying on them to let their nature take over.

[Host]

Okay, you bring up bg. What's it been like having her on the team?

[Ryan Howard]

It's been great. I've been trying to get BG on my team for years. And so to finally happen, to finally make it happen, it's been super easy on both of our lives because now she has more around her to where people can't just double without leaving something so threatening. And I have more open threes.

[Host]

Yeah, you're getting, like, parent bg.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host]

Not. Not, like. I don't know. I guess I'll just call it non parent bg.

[Ryan Howard]

Non parent. The crazy side.

[Host]

No, no, no, no. But what is BG like now? Now that she's a parent, now that she's just a little bit older in the league? Like, I still wouldn't call BG old, but just a little bit older. So she's got that vet presence. She's been there, done that kind of a vibe. Does that feel calming?

[Ryan Howard]

She still acts like a kid sometimes.

[Host]

I mean, listen, she's still eating bacon and Skittles.

[Ryan Howard]

Yes.

[Host]

Okay.

[Ryan Howard]

And drinking Coke. But to have her. Her mind and, you know, everything that she's experienced, I do think it's helped us especially, like, calm down in the stressful situations because she knows that it can only get more stressful, especially with us trying to contend for a championship. Right.

[Host]

So you guys also have. So five of your starters are in double figures, which feels like a pretty big strength to this roster. Well, first of all, is that by design? And then does that take pressure off? Like, knowing. I mean, you already talked about how, oh, we got other options.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So there. Does it take the pressure off?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes. Like previous years, if I was out, I would feel more pressure because, like, we didn't have a ton of more options. Whereas this year when I was out, it was just like, I can enjoy, like, I can sit here, I can enjoy what's happening on the court. I can. And not, like, obviously I rushed because I wanted to play, but I didn't have to rush because I wanted to win. Like, we were still winning. And so being able to have a team that can win without you, it's. It takes off a lot of pressure.

[Host]

Yeah, we're definitely. We're going to get to the injury, and you missed 11 games, so we'll get to that in a second. But I want to talk more about your teammates because I think what you're saying is really true. You guys have, like, a great. Not just the starting five. I know they're in double figures, but really, as you go down the roster, it feels like that, like, next woman up kind of a vibe. So let's talk about. Let's talk about Alicia Gray. Now. She's having. I mean, honestly, if she wasn't already, like, an All Star, already like a great player, I might put her in the Most Improved category, which is crazy.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

You know, she went from, like, averaging like 15 or 16 points to 19 points. So her and Nas might be fighting for that Most Improved, but she really is. She's have. She started out great and she's really continued. Like I said, 19 points, five and a half rebounds, almost four assists. She's been an All Star the last couple seasons, last three seasons. But this year's like, this year feels different.

[Ryan Howard]

What.

[Host]

What changed? Like, what. It didn't happen overnight, obviously, but from last year to this year, what do you think has been different?

[Ryan Howard]

She came in this year happy and stress free. Like, the way y' all see her on the court, like, she's, you know, super free, super happy. Like, obviously she has her moments where she crashes out, but off court, like, she's just living life. Yeah. And she's just, like, she doesn't have to worry about anybody, like, telling her what she needs to do or anything like that, but just being able to just have fun. And the people that she's doing it with also want her to have fun and also want her to be her best. And when she's not thinking about anything and just out there just playing, that's when she's at her best. And she's been doing that really well this year.

[Host]

All right, so I've already kind of established, like, this roster the success you guys are having, how it's coming all together, how you're really. How you have an inside, outside presence that's going to be really tough as you continue to finish the season then into playoffs. But a lot of people didn't think that coming in.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

What did you think about the preseason talk around your team, the expectations? I think people didn't know what to make of your team. Did that piss you off? Did it motivate you? Were you guys talking about it?

[Ryan Howard]

I think it was dumb because, like.

[Host]

You'Re, like, looking at it, you're like, duh.

[Ryan Howard]

I just think that you are hating. Like, we brought in bg. We brought in Bri, like, and y' all still don't think we can do anything. Like, okay, granted, y' all didn't think we could do anything in past years, but now we bring in two should be soon to be hall of Famers, and you still don't think we can be successful? Like, now you're just hating now you just don't want to see us win. And so even having BGI unrivaled, she would always be like, I don't know why people keep talking to me, like, no, y' all sound dumb. And it was just like, yeah.

[Host]

Were they saying stuff to her like.

[Ryan Howard]

Why'D you pick Atlanta? Why picking, like, obviously the pace. Like. Like, she wasn't gonna be a fit. Or, like, how are we gonna make it fit with two true bigs?

[Host]

I'll be honest. I was definitely looking at it. Like, I was like, huh? And to me, it was like, this is either gonna be amazing or it's gonna. It could be a struggle. Like, that was kind of how I saw it. But the amazing part of it, I was like, I see it.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Yeah. And that's. You can. You can go back to all my other podcasts. I definitely was saying that. I always was looking at it like, oh, man, if they figure this. That's how I worded it. If Atlanta figures this out. Because I think the reality of our league is as much as guards dominate and they score a lot, bigs are still the ones that can win new games, win new championships. Like, they do dominate the league. And now you have basically the two most. I would say most dominant post players at fives in our league on the same roster. And then, of course, combining with you guys. So, yeah, in total, you missed 11 games before coming back. What was the toughest part about that?

[Ryan Howard]

I think just wanting to play. Like I mentioned earlier, like, it wasn't that they Needed me out there, but the fact that I wanted to join in on the fun that they were having and, you know, the love for the game always outweighs everything else. And so, you know, I wasn't mad at the fact that I was out because, yes, it is the rest that, you know, sometimes you need, but just wanting to play and wanting to be a part of everything that's going right for a change.

[Host]

Yeah. Do you feel like you've learned anything from having a watch? Um.

[Ryan Howard]

I think I learned that, like, what kind of team we truly have.

[Host]

Okay, so how. How did you say connected to them? Because sometimes when you're out, you're out of practice, you're kind of out of the loop.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So how did you stay connected to them?

[Ryan Howard]

Just always coming in and making sure that, like, the goals that we have or like the things that we talked about in the scout, like how we're doing with that, like, if is a team that's really good in conversion, like, how many fast break points do they have? How many turnovers do we have? How many points do they have off of those turnovers? Like, things that we can continue to do, things that we can do better and just making them feel like I'm in the game, whereas I'm not just sitting there just wishing I was playing.

[Host]

Okay, so when you first came back, that very first game you came back, was it. Was it hard? Did it feel hard? You only played 60 minutes. We'll get to that in a second. Did it feel hard to find your rhythm? Because that can be the most challenging is to, like, find that rhythm.

[Ryan Howard]

Yes, it definitely was hard. And also, like, I was missing open shots, so that kind of frustrates you. Obviously, like, you know that being out, it is going to take a beat to get back and sing. But I'm that type of player where I don't want that beat. Like, I want to be back.

[Host]

I want it bad.

[Ryan Howard]

But it was tough because with the minutes, like, I felt like I was kind of interrupting the momentum. Like, obviously we do have chemistry already, but then coming in and coming out at certain points, like, it's hard for everybody to adjust to that, especially when it's only a little time.

[Host]

Yeah, well, it's not going to happen in one game.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

So you can't psych yourself out.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Got to give it time. Well, tell everybody why you only played 16 minutes.

[Ryan Howard]

I got ejected.

[Host]

What happened? Is that the first time?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Okay. What happened?

[Ryan Howard]

Well, I got a foul on the screen and, you know, I felt like it shouldn't have been a caught a foul. So I yelled at the ref. She gave me the first tea pretty quick, and I started walking away, but then I came back after she gave it to me, and I kept yelling at her, and she gave me the second one and threw me up. Okay. But I was on a men's restriction, so I only had a minute and a half left.

[Host]

So you got your money's worth.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

So I might as well just come out now.

[Host]

Yeah, that's actually not a bad plan. Okay, so by the time this episode airs, you'll only have two weeks left in the season. You made the playoffs in your first two seasons with the. With the dream, but got swept in the first round. So what when you look back on those experiences, what did you learn from them, and what do you hope to take with you as you guys make a playoff run this year?

[Ryan Howard]

I think in the past years, like, we would often go away from what's working. Like, if we would do one thing and it would continue to work, we would just stop doing it and, like, just try to do our own thing where that's just, you know, piling up possessions. And especially in a playoff time, like, anything can happen and that anything definitely happen every time. And so I think having that experience and having that, you know, happen, it's going to motivate us to not want to do it anymore.

[Host]

Did you notice a big difference from regular season to playoffs just like that jump in intensity?

[Ryan Howard]

Yes, it definitely gets more physical.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Ryan Howard]

And more lenient as far as, like, how it's called, because it is a very stressful time, is very competitive, and everybody knows that. And so I think, like, yeah, you want to, like, try to fight back, but also you want to be smart. Like, you don't want to buy into the fighting so much that you forget what you really should be doing.

[Host]

Okay. Do you think your prep is going to change this time around?

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah, I think. I think personally, as a pride thing, just knowing, like, what's happened in the past two years and not wanting that to happen again. But as a whole, I think because Big Weez is so, like, attention to detail, so film based, that we're not going to have that room to just be doing whatever, like it's going to happen his way.

[Host]

Yeah, I can hear you. You're drinking the Kool Aid. You've said conversion like three or four times. I like it. I like it.

[Ryan Howard]

Your boss sometimes.

[Host]

Yeah. No.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

I think if you're going to play for somebody, you got to buy in.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

It's a big part of it.

[Ryan Howard]

Yeah.

[Host]

You know. Okay, so a big difference from the first time, the first two times you made the playoffs is that this roster has a lot of experience, particularly BG Jordan. They've not only gotten to the finals, they've won the whole thing. And then Bree Jones has gotten to the finals. So you're adding or you've added a lot of experience. I know we're a few weeks away, but what do you anticipate their impact being as you guys get to the playoffs?

[Ryan Howard]

I think sometimes we get on their back, like in certain games, but I think in the playoffs we'll be more leaned into what they have to say because they've done it multiple times and because they've been to where we're trying to get to even sometimes now, like, he'll ask them, like, oh, what was it like being on a team like that? Like, oh, like, did they talk every time? Because sometimes we don't talk in practice and it's like, oh, what was that team like? But just, you know, buying in more to what they have to say from their experience. I think that'll happen.

[Host]

All right. When the season's over. You're. I don't even know, on a beach somewhere, chilling, maybe getting ready for unrivaled. And you look back when you think of yourself, but really when you think of the team, what will success look like?

[Ryan Howard]

I think it's gonna be a championship wholeheartedly. Like, obviously every team says that, but, you know, we've built. We brought the pieces, we've built the house and, you know, there's. That's the only way to go.

[Host]

I love it. And by the way, not everybody has said that. Interesting. Thank you, Ryan. All right, everybody. That was Ryan Howard. I really enjoyed that conversation. I really enjoyed getting to know Ryan. It's the first time I've spent that much time with her. And I think the thing that jumped out is just how much fuel she gets from people doubting her. You know, we did that interview a couple weeks ago. They played the storm right after and Ryan went on to hit. I think it was three threes at the end of the third. It gave them a cushion. She banked one of them in, but she was feeling it. So hopefully I didn't doubt her in this interview and that caused that because she sure did look right over at me. But overall, just a great kid, a great future, and I hope you enjoyed this episode. Is a co production of Together and Vox Media. Our producers are Tommy Alter, Jason Gallagher, Richie Bozek, Harry Krinsky, Jess Clarendon and Melanie Carter. And a special thanks to Ramon d'. Ampois. Thanks to Nike for their partnership. Sometimes winning is hard, sometimes it's painful. But Nike knows when you step on the court, it's what you came here to do. From the champions to the underdogs, from the top of their class prospects to the little brothers finally dunking on their older brother in the driveway, we all have the same win. Nike provides the best gear, products and stories to get you from the first quarter to the the last, even when you feel like you have nothing left to give. Visit nike.com for more information and be sure to follow Nike on Instagram, Tik Tok and other social platforms for more great basketball moments.

[Ryan Howard]

New season, new chaos in college football.

[Host]

Big stage, big opportunity.

[Ryan Howard]

This Labor Day weekend, wildness lives on ABC, ESPN and the AllNew ESPN app. What a way to start. Featuring top 10 teams like Clemson, Notre Dame game, Alabama and LSU. And Bill Belichick's debut at North Carolina. It's so special, these teams collide. Don't miss a lineup filled with electric matchups. Welcome back to College Football Kickoff Week presented by Modelo Labor Day weekend on ESPN and abc. Also available to stream on the all new ESPN app.