← Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Veronica Burton on Her Most Improved Player Award Season & Building the Valkyries Incredible Culture
01:44:25
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- [00:00]
Veronica Burton
Everything happened so fast. I'm still in college, I'm still like doing homework. And also at this draft and everyone's talking about it. When I heard my name get called, it was relief and gratitude.
- [00:12]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I was just like, by the way, lol. You were doing homework?
- [00:14]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, literally. I had just, I had like a huge exam coming up. I was like, I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing. Like.
- [00:28]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Hey everybody, welcome back to Bird's Eye View. We're so excited to show that Bird's Eye View has been nominated for the Signal Awards in the sports category. There's also a Listener's Choice Award and you can help us win by voting before October 9th. Just check the link in the episode's description to cast your vote. Today's guest is one of the WNBA's fastest rising stars. She was a three time Big Ten defensive player of the Year at Northwestern. She was drafted seventh overall in 2022 after stints with the Dallas Wings and the Connecticut Sun. She has found herself with the Golden State Valkyries, where she quickly made her mark as a competitor on both ends of the floor. This past season, she started every game, set franchising league records and earned most improved player honors that included a historic 24.14 assist, zero turnover performance, and of course helped her team to a playoff berth in year one, which is a first an expansion team. I'm talking about none other than Veronica Burton. But before we get to the interview, you know what time it is. It's time for Sue's View.
- [01:34]
Veronica Burton
Support for this show comes from Pure Leaf Iced Tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon slump, you need the right thing to make you bounce back. You need Pure Leaf iced tea. It's real brewed tea made in a variety of bold flavors with just the.
- [01:48]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Right amount of naturally occurring caffeine.
- [01:50]
Veronica Burton
You're left feeling refreshing, refreshed and revitalized so you can be ready to take on what's next.
- [01:55]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
The next time you need to hit.
- [01:56]
Veronica Burton
The reset button, grab a Pure Leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a Pure leaf.
- [02:05]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Support for this show comes from Strawberry Me. Be honest. Are you happy with your job? Or are you stuck in one you've.
- [02:13]
Veronica Burton
Outgrown or never wanted in the first place?
- [02:17]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Sure, you can probably list the reasons for staying, but are they actually just excuses for not leaving? Let a career coach from Strawberry Me help you get unstuck. Discover the benefits of having a dedicated career coach in your corner.
- [02:33]
Veronica Burton
Go to Strawberry Me Unstuck to claim.
- [02:36]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
A special offer okay. This week for Sue's View, I'm back with Tommy. We've got a lot of playoff games going. We're now in the semis. It's getting heated. Tommy.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Yep. Before we get into Friday's action, I have a question for you.
- [02:53]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Okay.
- [02:54]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
The Jonas Brothers, they just announced yesterday the Jonas Brothers are moving. They're. They were supposed to play in Phoenix this weekend, and they have to move their show for the Mercury game. We've talked about this topic a bunch before. Somebody made a parallel on Twitter in 2021 when the Mercury were on their playoff run. Disney on ice first and forced the Mercury to leave. Valkyries obviously just had to do this a couple weeks ago for their game. Do you feel like this is a broader representation of a shift in where the W is going, that the Jonas Brothers are now. Godspeed to them. Are going God knows where because of the playoffs?
- [03:38]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yes and no. So of course it is. Right? Because I don't know exactly how this went down. I'd imagine there's a couple different ways, like, did the Phoenix Mercury have dibs on that date? Right. Was the conversation, did it happen after they advanced to the semis? So there's a variety of ways this could happen, but obviously the end result is that the Jonas Brothers are moving. But interestingly, this has happened before. And so what it really says to me is these are just decisions, and they've always just been decisions in our league. I know at times it's hard to understand that for people, especially the naysayers, people that don't like the wnba, they're like, no, it's because nobody cares. It's because nobody watches. But the truth is, these have always just been decisions from the people at the top. And the example I have, I actually experienced in 2010, we made it to the finals. We played against Atlanta. We had home court advantage. So Both our first two games were in Seattle. KeyArena, no problems. I think it might have been like either Disney on ice again or like the ice capacity. It was like something on ice that was scheduled to be. I don't even remember what Atlanta is probably like State Farm Arena. Is that what it's called now? Even they were scheduled to be using that arena. And the Atlanta Dream figured it out and we got to play there. They, like, bottom out. They figured something out where we got to play Game 3 of the Finals in the arena. So on one hand, I totally agree with you. It's a sign. It's like, oh, we're starting to become a priority on the other hand, for 20 years, it's always just been decisions. Do we put them on tv? It's a decision. Do we invest? It's a decision. And I think people need to understand that sometimes it's literally someone in a room making a choice.
- [05:23]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
We talked about this in real time. I had a little more sympathy in. In the Bay just because it was an expansion team, you know, and I think that you could. There's an argument. Great ownership, great fan base. You just talked about this in, in the interview. There's an argument to be made that you probably. The expectations of a. Of a playoff run were probably not, you know, super high start of season versus, I think, Phoenix. There was a sense, you know, when, especially when SATU got there, that this was going to be a team that has the. The capability to make a playoff run.
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Veronica Burton
So I have a question.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
It's not, you know. Yes.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Do you think if an NBA team got an expansion team, they wouldn't have, like, planned ahead in some way?
- [06:08]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
No.
- [06:09]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Do you think they would. I think they would have been moved out of the arena had they made the playoff.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
I think an NBA team will, Will never be moved out of their arena for anything like this. It would have to be like a. It have to be a crazy extenuating circumstance. It would have to be like, you know, Taylor Swift decides she wants to take over this arena on these dates or something like that.
- [06:29]
Veronica Burton
I want to say, yeah, it should.
- [06:31]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Be a thing that just generally is almost like a force majeure.
- [06:34]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah.
- [06:35]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Like, this was not expected. And. And I actually, I don't even know how it works, but my guess would be that, like, it might not even be possible for that to happen. So to your point, which I completely agree with, like, the idea that it's even a question mark is unique to the W. Yeah. That you would have to have this happen. But I also do think that, I mean, I was probably just like following this a little too much online. But it's just funny because it was like some Jonas Brothers fans were complaining about it and they were like, the W fans were just like, sorry, you know, like, this is a. This is. You're. It's a. It's a new world order, you know, And I. So I. I kind of see this being hopefully an issue that is going to just, you know, solve itself over the next couple years.
- [07:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I mean, fun fact, I played against Kevin Jonas in ping pong, and he's exceptional at it.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
I'm not surprised.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Exceptional. It was a ping pong tournament. Exceptional. Ping pong.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Speaking of Mercury, we'll get to, we'll get to. Both games are tomorrow night or we're taping this Thursday. So both games are Friday night. Mercury mini the other night. Third largest comeback in W playoff history. Lynx took a punch to the face. How do you think they respond?
- [07:49]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Man, I mean they respond. I don't think this was a X's and O's situation. To me when I watched that game I just saw, I saw it was just the tale of two halves and really just like a little spurt in that fourth quarter. When I went back and watched the fourth quarter, just to confirm what I thought or what I saw, something really interesting popped out which was Phoenix had been making their comeback in the third, right? Shout out to Monique Oconomikani. She kept him in the game. Sammy had big buckets. Obviously Satu played a great game. You can go down the list. Everybody had their moments. There was a point from the start of the fourth. Minnesota didn't have their starters out there. They had some, I think Kayla McBride was on the court but Nafisa, Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith were not on the floor. They go to check in the game at around like the 7ish minute mark and because of the flow of the game, like no timeouts, no fouls, no, you know, out of bounds, they don't get in until like the 5:30 mark. And in that minute and a half it wasn't that the score was like such a difference. I think Minnesota was still up. I think it was like seven. No, no, no, it was eight. They were up eight. And then in the very first possession Phoenix hits a three. Now it's a four point game. So now your starters have been your three like arguably most important players. Three of have been sitting, they come back in the game and oh my God, all of a sudden when they left it was like a 15 point game. Now they're back in, it's a four point game. And that, that's playoff basketball though, right? Like you, what are they going to do differently? You have to find ways to not let those little spurts, those three four minute spurts against teams happen. But you know, you knew that Phoenix wasn't going to go anywhere.
- [09:35]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Do you think that that was a, do you think they should have called timeout?
- [09:38]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
It's hard to know. It's hard to know because we're talking about a minute and a half if it was like three, four minutes. Yeah, definitely. But it's hard to know. I mean, maybe. Is there an argument that the starter should have been in sooner in the fourth, maybe start the fourth. I don't know. I don't know. But I'm sure that's something that the coaching staff in Minnesota is looking at. And then, you know, they gave a team that's full of vets that know how to win, particularly Sammy Wickham, shout out to her for hitting a bunch of big buckets. But particularly the one that sent it to overtime. You can't give them a chance. You can't let them even taste it.
- [10:13]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Do you feel like with. With Phoenix Satu24.9 in game two, sort of similarly in the Liberty Series, she played really well in New York. And then at a big game three, they got a lot of good players. But do you feel like she is sort of their X factor a bit?
- [10:30]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. Because she rightfully so is nicknamed the Unicorn for a reason. She can do so many different things on the floor. So what makes her the X factor? Even though you could argue they have a bunch of X factors, what makes her the different type of X factor is when she's on, she can be virtually unguardable. She's just a matchup nightmare. You know, she started out shooting the ball really well. She actually got interviewed, I think in one of the timeouts and she's like, yeah, last game I still played well. I didn't score as much, but I knew she was. You could tell she was a little bit more focused on scoring this game. And that's that, that, that's the issue. Right. Like when she's on, how do you stop a player who's 64 and can do it all?
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Do you feel like if you're the glass half full for Minnesota, besides the fact that, you know, they're Minnesota and best in the league and blah blah, blah, all that stuff, they were 7 of 28 from three. If they had even shot 26% from three, they win the game after everything else. So do you feel like, is it a little bit sometimes in the stuff it's just make or miss and it's like you just make a couple more shots and just go home.
- [11:36]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, yeah. It's hard to say cuz obviously that's the truth. That's like the reality of it. I think we talk about numbers in this way sometimes where it's like, oh, if they just made a couple more. And obviously it's not that simple. But in the first half I did. I mean, anybody who watched noticed like the big difference was Minnesota was just hitting in the first half. They were able to make Shots that Phoenix wasn't able to make in the first half. And that's, I think, what helped them get that lead. So, you know, is it something that. Are you talking about making and missing shots or you're talking about like your execution and getting better shots? Courtney Williams was hitting. I mean, she. Her mid range. I just love her mid range. I love that she's keeping the mid range alive. You know, I actually have a really fascinating story. I was chatting with Daryl Morey, who's obviously like Mr. Analytics. Mr. You know, points per possession and all the things and value around shots and three pointers and lamps and the whole thing. And he actually made the point because we've talked about this a lot how in the wnba, because the rim percentage. Right. Like in the restricted area isn't as high in the WNBA than it is in the NBA. You can argue that the mid range becomes like just a little bit more valuable.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Yeah.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
And so you have a player like Courtney where defenses are now seemingly giving that, but you have a player like Courtney that's going to take it. And in the wnba, it's actually not a bad shot.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
That is really interesting. That's a, that's a good thesis for somebody not to sidetrack too much, but like from the games tomorrow. But like, who else do you kind of view is in that bucket the.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Mid range like now?
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Yeah. Because you could see there's. There's an obvious tier in the NBA and they get criticized for it. Guys like Demar get criticized for it.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. That's ridiculous. If you're good at something, this is.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Honestly this goal at something.
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Veronica Burton
Yeah, yeah.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I mean, right now you've got players like Jewel Lloyd, Chelsea Gray, um, Erica Wheeler plays in the mid range. There's a lot of players. I mean, if you gave me time to think, I could pull a lot of names.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Well, it is also. And it just is a thing which is. Which is just, you know, the sport in general, which is if you can get to your spots, it's going to help everything else.
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah.
- [13:48]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
So like, if you can, if you can get to the mid range early, you know, even if you do want to put up a certain number of threes a night, like it's. You can't just go down there and start jacking threes. You know, you have to like play within the offense. And so if they're going to scheme to allow Courtney that shot, she should just stay there until they get her out of it. Basically.
- [14:08]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. I mean, a lot of hers are in transition and there's no scout for that anyways.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Yeah. Second game, Indie Vegas, broadly speaking, I guess. What did you see in the first two that stood out the most?
- [14:24]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I think what makes this series so fascinating, and I'm going to use the coach's words to kind of paint the picture. You have Stephanie White after game two, talk about the fouls and the amount of fouls called on her team, impacting their flow. I think what she was saying, because the way the clip was, it kind of got cut off for me. I think what she was saying was because we're getting call for fouls defensively that are sending them to the free throw line, we're unable to run and that's impacting like all of our flow. And then in the same, like, literally, probably 10 minutes later, Becky Hammond takes the stand. The stand. Becky Hammond gets up there for the press conference and she's like, this physicality is crazy. I have NBA assistants who, when they come to this league, they can't believe how physical it is. And if it was like this in the NBA, we'd be seeing fights left and right. And I just find that to be so funny, like so. But it really tells the story of the series. Cause I think in game one, you had an Indiana Fever team and they did this against Atlanta too. Being very physical defensively, really dictating things defensively. If you go back to game one and watch the first quarter, watch Lexi hall guard Jackie Young, she's like glue on her, all over her, forcing. Forcing the refs to call it or not. And when you're playing that way defensively and they don't call it, yeah, it goes to your favor. And when you're playing that way defensively and they do call it, it's going to mess your flow up. But that to me is really what's dictating how both these teams are able to play. And in game one, Indiana was able to get going. And in game two, I thought Vegas handled Indiana's pressure better. Chelsea Gray was able to drop a couple dimes, like in that first half to get them settled in. And then the rest, I think, took care of itself for them.
- [16:07]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
So if you look, if we look ahead to Friday indies at home, it feels like that may be a thing. They had success in the Atlanta series with this as well. In terms of dictating that a little bit more.
- [16:20]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. I mean, listen, anytime a team like Indiana who is riding a little bit of a high, right. Nobody expected this. They have, you know, arguably one of the best fan bases I think they Finished second in home attendance. Overall attendance. They were first, but I think they finished second in home attendance. So they're going to have, whatever that building holds, they will have, they will have that amount of people. So it's going to be crazy. And when you know you played against a team, you split with a team. We all know if you win on the road, it changes the entire dynamics of a sea of a series. But game three for Indiana is a must win. And not because they couldn't pull it off, but I really feel like if they want to have a chance, they have to win game three.
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Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
They just have to. They have to sort of plant the flag at home early and don't let Vegas almost like don't let Vegas remember what's happening from a player personnel standpoint in the series.
- [17:17]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I think it's more like mentally speaking as someone who split with Vegas in 2022, came home for game three and we should have won it and we lost. That emotional, like toll really impacted us going into game four. And I just think again, it doesn't mean that Vegas can't respond. It doesn't mean Indiana automatically wins. You gotta play the games. But this one, I think this one Indiana gets. And now they have, obviously they have a chance to close out at home. But I think mentally is where it all lives.
- [17:53]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
If you're Becky and that staff and you look at what Kelsey Mitchell has done all year, but even just in game one, for example, we talked about this before the playoffs a bit, but it's like, you know, try to cut off the head of the snake. She's clearly the head of the snake. She's on like an all time heater. Did you see something differently in terms of how they approached her games one and two? And do you have a. Is there a thing that they can carry over to three in terms of that effectiveness?
- [18:22]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I mean, so I didn't see much change from like a scout standpoint in terms of how they were guarding the pick and roll. They still switched from what I saw. But what I did pick up on, and I would have to ask Becky to make sure of this, but what I did pick up on was she was throwing different defenders at her. So it was like Chelsea Gray was on her, Jewel was on her, Jackie was on her. Definitely not leaving her as much for sure, which is, I think a book out of Atlanta Dream and how Jordan Canada guarded her in that game three. But she also was throwing like different looks, as I said, with defenders. But also there was a lot more zone this Game. I'm sure they talked about how to guard her in transition, just making things difficult for her. But what I liked about. And this is what I would love to get confirmation, what I liked about the different looks is Kelsey Mitchell. Kelsey Mitchell's like off vibes. When she's going, she's going. She's off, like instinct. And with players like that, you have to give them different looks. You can't let them get comfortable because the minute they get comfortable playing one way, it's really hard to get them out of that, even if you do throw a different look. But if every time down the floor you're throwing something different and you're making her become more of a thinker as opposed to more of an instinct player, now you might be able to make things just a little bit harder. And it seemed like that's what they did. And I think it worked.
- [19:42]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
That's what we were. I mean, that's what we were talking about with the MIDI stuff is that helps you get comfortable.
- [19:47]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah.
- [19:48]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Is just seeing a couple shots go in. The fever bench has been really good all playoffs, and it feels like that's a little bit of their X factor as well. Outside of Kelsey, is there anyone. Is there anything in particular you look at, outside of the obvious with them, that you feel like for them to. They need to play defense, like you mentioned before, but for them to sort of continue this run, they kind of need over the next four or five days.
- [20:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I think we talked about this maybe like two podcasts ago. So who they bring off the bench, what. What makes that them effective is that they're all vets. And they're not just vets. They're vets who have either been to the WNBA finals or have won in the WNBA Finals. And I'll name them. You've got Shea Petty, you've got Ariel Powers, you've got Breezy Turner. And even though Odyssey is a starter, you've got Odyssey Sims. And they have so much experience in these moments, they just don't get rattled, honestly. They don't give a fuck. They're like, yeah, we don't care who you are. We don't care what the score is. We're not really on these teams.
- [21:00]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Three months ago. Yeah, we're just here.
- [21:02]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
They've been to the finals, particularly. I mean, like Shay Petty, I feel like at times might surprise people. The ball always. I feel like it always ends up in her hands. Late shot clock. And somehow she finds a way. And that's not by accident. Like, we should stop Being surprised by that. And you know, if Charles Barkley is right about anything, I think he is right about this. Bench players generally play better at home. So the impact they can have in game three, I mean, it might be felt.
- [21:27]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Did you ever see the movie the Replacements with Keanu Reeves?
- [21:30]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
You know, I actually haven't, but I do know the gist.
- [21:34]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
It reminds me.
- [21:34]
Veronica Burton
It's a little.
- [21:35]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
It's not. It's not exactly the same thing because they were playing because the players were. The whole team was locked out because they wanted more money. But it is kind of like they pull all these people from different places. They don't have enough time to like gel together, anything like that. And so they just go off instinct.
- [21:51]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah.
- [21:51]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
And vibes. And it feels like they have a little bit of that going right now.
- [21:54]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So before we go, there is one thing I want to like, you know, give some acknowledgement to Phoenix, Minnesota. It's a three point game with like, I don't even know, 15, 20 seconds. Phoenix has the ball. They're trying to go to overtime. And in this possession, Sammy Whitcomb got a shot off a little bit of an airball. So misses the first one. And when you go back and watch that possession and you look at the composure and the awareness of the Phoenix Mercury, I was blown away by this. I was so impressed by this. At gets the rebound, kicks it out first. It goes to Kah, who kind of like steps back behind the three point line, isn't open. By the way, how many times have you seen that player just throw it back up because it's like, we need a three. Nope. And at this point there's like, I don't know. Let's call it 10 seconds. She kicks it to Satu. Same thing. Satu easily could have shot any kind of shot in that moment because players get anti pants around it. Nope. Throws it over to Sammy, who does what shot. Fakes, gets Alanna Smith off her feet, does a little sidestep and then hits a three. I just. I've seen so many teams have KA shoot it, SATU shoot it, and then it never even gets to the actual open player. So shout out to the Phoenix Mercury for being. For being composed in that moment. And on that note, it is time to check in with our guest. Without further ado, Veronica Burton. Hey, Veronica, welcome to the show.
- [23:22]
Veronica Burton
Thank you.
- [23:23]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I'm really excited to have this conversation. It was really interesting for me to like do this research, learn more about you. You just finished your season. So I'll start with where Are you like, what have you been doing since it ended?
- [23:40]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, right now I'm actually in Cabo with a few of my teammates.
- [23:43]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
What?
- [23:44]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, so we just got here like two days ago and it's like five of us in total, so just relaxing a little bit, spending some more time together before we all kind of go our separate ways right now.
- [23:54]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. So that tight knit group extends to the beach, huh? I feel like everybody always says. Everybody always says Cancun on three.
- [24:03]
Veronica Burton
I don't know, modern day.
- [24:04]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I think we gotta change it to Cabo on 3.
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Veronica Burton
I agree. We were just joking about that. LA on our team was just saying like how everyone talks about Cancun. So we might have to put Cabo in the mix more now.
- [24:15]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I love Cabo. I had never been. Yeah, I'd never been. I'm like an east coast kid till I came out here. And so I like never done like that part of Mexico and it's.
- [24:26]
Veronica Burton
I hadn't either. This is my first time. And it's beautiful, the weather. We just checked the next three days it might be raining, so, like, we'll see how that goes. But it has been beautiful so far. No complaints.
- [24:38]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So. Yeah, chips and guac, man, there's nothing better. Yeah, literally nothing. All right, back to the real stuff. So now that the season has ended, you know, you're taking some time. Have. Have you been able to soak in just like what you did personally, but also what the franchise did, what you guys accomplished this year?
- [24:54]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, I definitely think it's a balance of like I tried to while in season, you know, just like reflect over the course of it and soak it all in and enjoy it. I think parts of it don't hit you maybe until after the season and when you're back home and can just really like take the time to think back on it. I definitely tried to do a good job of just like being grateful for the joy that I was playing with and how much fun we had as a team and the fan base, like in those moments, you know, in Valhalla, like, I think I tried to look around as much as I could just to really soak it in.
- [25:27]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. Did you know what Valhalla. Did you know what Valhalla was prior?
- [25:31]
Veronica Burton
I did not. I had no idea.
- [25:33]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Me neither. I love the play on words, but I had no idea either. Second, I feel like this is just proof that like when you have something special, it doesn't matter what you call it. Like it's gonna literally we're gonna pick up on it.
- [25:45]
Veronica Burton
I completely agree. At first, we were all like, what does that even mean? And now we're throwing it around in every possible way that we can. So it is awesome.
- [25:53]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, it's pretty cool. A big part of what you guys did and what made this so unique was the fact that you were an expansion team, right? So you have all these players who were maybe like, sixth, seventh, eighth on their previous team who were essentially, like, not chosen by their current team in order to be available for this. But then you turn around, and then in a really wonderful way, you are chosen by another team. Have you been able to think about just how special that is?
- [26:21]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, that was something. Especially, like, in the moment of the draft and when we first got to training camp, like, you could really look at it two ways, you know, Especially when I got chosen, it was like, okay, I had known that I wasn't protected, so I do think that helped me in a sense of just, like, a level of preparation and knowing that it was a possibility. But when I did get chosen, like, just understanding that we were handpicked, and we always put a big emphasis on that. Like, we were chosen to be here, we were wanted here. We belong here. And, like, let's see what we can do with that. And so I think there was a level of embracing being selected in that expansion draft rather than, like, being down about not being protected. So I think that was a really dope twist on it. Yeah.
- [27:05]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. What about, like, just, like, I don't know, like, the chip. I imagine you guys had a little bit of a chip on your shoulder.
- [27:11]
Veronica Burton
For sure. For sure. That goes a long way. I think anytime, you know, you could maybe be underestimated or checked out, counted out, even, you know, with all the. Again, you don't look too much into the rankings and stuff, but everyone thought we were gonna suck, so I think, like, that was even, you know, more motivation. Like, look, just because we weren't maybe playing or as many minutes, didn't get as much of an opportunity, like, that doesn't mean that we're any less capable. And so I think that was just a big chip on our shoulder. And just proving, like, an opportunity is the biggest thing in this league and then just running with it, for me.
- [27:44]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Like, outsider looking in, it felt like all of you guys just had, like, your own individual stories that you were taking with you into Golden State. You all played a part in what the team accomplished, and we're definitely. I want to deep dive, like, all of that, but I do think a big part of it was you, obviously. I do think a big part of it is just, like, who you are, everything you've gone through to get to this point. So I wanted to start there both with, like, you've talked about your family, you've talked about your faith. All right, I'm gonna start with your family, and I'm just gonna do the quick rundown. I'm sure you get asked this all the time, so I'm gonna make it simple. You come from a crazy athletic family. Mom, All American in swimming at Northwestern, dad, quarterback at Northwestern, your grandpa, hall of Famer from Northwestern, at a Northwestern, played professionally. And then you've got three siblings who all play college sports. You're the baby of the family. So how did growing up in that household shape you as, like, a competitor?
- [28:39]
Veronica Burton
Definitely. I mean, from the jump, it was sports. Like, it wasn't necessary. It was what I knew. It's what I saw, and I just followed suit. And I loved everything about it. My two older sisters played basketball, and so that was like, I wanted to be just like them. And everything they did, I think I was following them around. And my brother played a bunch of sports, but it ended up being football. And again, I'm only two years younger than my brother. And so when my sisters went to college, like, I was attached at his hip. What he did, I wanted to do. Whether that was football, whether that was running, just playing games. I followed him blindly. But everything was just. I wanted to get better. And I think it definitely helped me seeing what my sisters did in the college process and the recruiting process. I knew they were done after college. That's what they knew. And again, for me, it was like, okay, go to college and then I'm done, and then I'll figure something else out. Because that's what they did. And then I just loved getting better. Like, we would wake up as a family before school, in high school, and that was the time we kind of spent most of our time together. And in the gym, my dad would wake us up at, like, 5:30 in the morning, and we would. He would. Him and my mom would both rebound for us. And so it was crazy. But, yeah, it was so early. It was crazy. But it ultimately shaped, like, everything about my work ethic. And so that was just kind of what we did as a family. It was what was normal. And then I think it became my own as I got older.
- [30:04]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, you were already in, like, a college preseason. College must have been easy.
- [30:07]
Veronica Burton
You're like, oh, it was crazy.
- [30:09]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
5:30.
- [30:11]
Veronica Burton
Literally, though, I Think some of the stuff we did, it just became so normal and routine that it wasn't much of a shock when I did go on to college or I still knew how to like, work out on my own. So that was helpful.
- [30:21]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I imagine, like, with that comes a lot of support too. Right. So again, I only have one sibling, but I know I was super competitive. Well, I was competitive with her. She's five years older. They give a shit about me. She's like, get away from me.
- [30:34]
Veronica Burton
That's usually how it goes.
- [30:35]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. For the younger sibling, but I imagine so. Yeah, with the competitive competitiveness, I imagine even now there's a ton of support too. And that kind of gives you like.
- [30:44]
Veronica Burton
A grounding so much. And it's just so helpful when you know, you have like, they get it. They understand all the hardships of sports and they get not playing. They get also playing a lot and just the pressures and expectations and stuff like that. So I think there's a really healthy balance. And like, look, guys, I don't even want to talk about basketball. Like, you guys are my siblings. We don't have to talk about it. But also, you know, in other moments, like, they know just how to lift me up and how to boost me up and how to instill confidence in me. So I'm really grateful for each one. I think we have a different relationship with and they bring something just to help me and support me.
- [31:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, it's interesting that you bring up that balance. That's where I was going to go next between being a basketball player and then wanting to shut it off. And that's really where I feel like your faith has impacted you the most. Right. You've talked about it publicly before. Just knowing that I think you actually said how I play is not who I am. So how does that actually play out on the court when you're in a high pressure moment?
- [31:46]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, it's funny. I think this year more than ever, like, definitely my faith has gotten me through all of it, even the high moments. I think that's. It's kept me just super grounded in understanding. This is awesome. I love this so much. But again, this isn't everything. And so even in big games and big moments, in front of all the fans, just continuously praying throughout the game, just little things to keep me grounded. Before the starting five announcements, just a quick prayer, just understanding, reminding myself why I play, who I play for, and that this is a blessing. Like, I've been. I've been blessed with tremendous opportunity and specific gifts that have Allowed me to play. And so it's a joy to be able to do it. And when I play for someone bigger than me, I think it just releases the expectation of, okay, I have to do this to win this game. Like, there's so much of that, which is great. That's the competitiveness aspect, but just also a freedom of understanding that it's not everything.
- [32:46]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
No, totally. No. I was curious about it. Cause I'm not necessarily like a religious person, but I have, like, later in my career, I found some similar ways in a game to just quiet it down more. So through I did some meditation, kind of finding those moments to breathe, focus.
- [33:05]
Veronica Burton
It's huge. I feel like you really need that.
- [33:08]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, yeah. So when it comes to, like, the mental side of things, you've also talked about publicly seeing, like talking to a sports psychologist, how has that helped you?
- [33:20]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, and it's helped me so much. I don't think I understood, like, the mental challenge that I would face as soon as. Honestly, I've always struggled, you know, at times, even at Northwestern, like playing or not, like, it's hard, but I think when I got to the league, it was just such a shell shock, like a rude awakening. It was just so much less. It was just so much pressure on the job itself. You just knew, this is everything now. You don't have class, you don't have just hanging out with your roommates and stuff like that. It is all basketball. And so I struggled with confidence a lot. I struggled with just knowing that I am capable, that I belong. And this past year, I just knew I wanted to fully dive into. I'm doing everything physically to. To prepare myself, but I really knew I needed to make a jump mentally. And so I had talked to a few different people. I had talked to Ben Newman, had talked to us last year as a team in Connecticut. And I know that he works for the Fever now, but just him connecting me with a new mental performance coach named Sean, and just getting on the phone with him, talking through not necessarily just my goals, but the strategies in which I'm going to get there and how I can work on my mental. And no matter. Training camp was my biggest. Like, how can I tackle training camp? Cause the last training camp didn't go well for me. So that was just a big mental focus going into the season. And he helped me navigate all of it, and it was really beneficial for me.
- [34:45]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. So when you entered the Golden State training camp, did you have. Did you feel confident you were going to make the team, or was that Previous experience of getting waived by Dallas, like, was that kind of, like, playing out in the back of your head a little bit?
- [34:59]
Veronica Burton
Definitely both. You know, I tried to, like, go in. I was just coming off a really good overseas season. I was trying to come in really confidently, and I had put so much work into it. So I do think, like, I had a good mindset going in, but there was definitely no, like, oh, this is your spot. Oh, like, I know I'm going to be the point guard. Like, there was none of that. It was definitely, like, I know I need to prove myself. I know I need to make this team. Like, I saw it as I need to make the roster. That was my. That was my mindset. I knew, again, the last training camp was in my mind for sure. It was just like, maybe training camps aren't for me. I don't perform that well. Coach isn't gonna see all that. Just a few practices. So that was kind of in my mind for sure.
- [35:43]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. Well, listen, I imagine that there was a moment that it finally did hit that it was not only that you were gonna make the team, but that you were gonna be the starting point guard. You were gonna be a leader. I have a lot of questions about that, too. But you brought up college. You went to Northwestern. I imagine just a lot of pressure, but also maybe just, like, it's in your blood to go there. You choose Northwestern. I'm more so curious, like, what was it about the school? What was about the coaching staff where you thought that was the right fit for you?
- [36:12]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, it's funny, like, I never even had considered Northwestern growing up. I think people always. Yeah, never. It was not even. Like, I knew as where my family went. And I was like, good for you guys. Like, that's dope. You know, Go Cats. I guess. But I just didn't know much. I didn't care too much about it. I didn't care to, like, follow suit. And my parents. But as I got older, the recruiting process was difficult. Like, I wasn't seeing myself. I think they were maybe one of two Power 5 offers or Power 4 now. And so I didn't really know. And then I think my parents, more than what I knew, were reaching out to the school, being like, look, we both went here, like, just. Just come to a game. And eventually Joe McEwen came to a game. I think it was in Boobo and saw me play and was just like, I would love to just get you on campus. I was like, all right. Like, let me do this for my parents. Like, I know they'll love it. And I got there, and I just was obsessed. Like, I loved how Coach McEwen talked. I loved the culture that he seemed to have there. And I went out to eat with some of the team, and it was just my kind of people, like, from the jump, we had so much fun. The campus was beautiful. Education had always been important to me, and so knowing that it also kind of had a good balance of the education. But Big Ten basketball, like, as soon as I had gotten home, I knew that's where I wanted to be, but I didn't have an offer yet. And then a couple weeks later, he offered me. I hadn't even taken my official visit, but just. I had even kept in contact with some of the players. And just what he saw in me I thought was different than what a lot of other coaches saw in me. So I think it was just a nail on the coffin that a lot of my family had been there.
- [37:49]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, you already had, like, 30 purple sweatshirts.
- [37:52]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, literally, I already had all the gear I needed. Everything with that was already set, so. And then it just. Just secured me as, you know, like, the favorite child. I think it helped me a little bit more.
- [38:02]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. You moved up in the rankings, did you? So what other schools were you looking at?
- [38:08]
Veronica Burton
I looked at DePaul a little bit. I would say that was another one that was kind of up there for me. Providence, because it was closer to home. And then Iowa State had come in, like, kind of late, but other than that, I wouldn't say I. BC never offered me. And they're, like, five minutes away from home, so it was somewhere that, like, you know, I think it was for the best, was by the grace of God. Because if they had offered me, I think it would have been more of, like, a difficult decision. But, yeah, it was. I would say DePaul was probably my next one up there. Providence a little bit.
- [38:41]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. Shout out, Coach Bruno. Love, Dougie.
- [38:45]
Veronica Burton
Love Coach Bruno.
- [38:46]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, he's great. Well, obviously, you go there and. So what did it mean for you to, like. I mean, God, given your recruitment and just. I mean, you kind of outlined not like, you know, this was probably one of the better schools in terms of the conference that it's in. Like, what did it mean that you got to help, like, elevate them during your time there?
- [39:06]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, it meant so much just honestly, to do it alongside the people that I did it with. Like, those are my best friends for life. I still see them, talk to them almost every day. So I think just that made it even better. And honestly, I view it similarly. Like, it was kind of an underdog mindset. Like, a lot of the people there with me also struggled to get recruited, especially not to the schools that we were playing against regularly. So I think every game it was just, again, a chip on our shoulder. Like, how can we prove that not only we belong, but we can beat you? I saw people getting offers over me, like, okay, again, just taking that personally to an extent, and just channeling that into our work ethic, channeling it into repetitions and stuff like that, and then getting the job done. And so I think just the way that we were able to elevate it and flip it and get to the tournament and win a Big Ten title, like, all of that was just. It was a magical experience. And I'm just super grateful for the people I got to do it alongside.
- [40:08]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. So this chip isn't new for you, huh?
- [40:10]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, no, I think I like it better, though. Yeah, I love it, actually.
- [40:16]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Good. Yeah, I think. Well, I was having this conversation recently about, like, what do you think is like more of a motivator? Right? Like, is it revenge factors? Is it chips on the shoulder? And I think the chip, I think for a team, it's revenge. When you're a team like Minnesota, that's gonna carry you through. But I think for a player, it's that chip. So, honestly, even when you do quote, unquote, make it, it's like, never lose that chip.
- [40:42]
Veronica Burton
Yes.
- [40:43]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So part of your success, I mean, really now, which we're gonna get to in a second also. But throughout your career is on the defensive end. As a freshman at Northwestern, you started basically all the games, led the Big Ten in steals, and then sophomore, junior, senior year, your three time defensive player of the year in the conference. Quick shout out to Tanisha Wright. She's a former teammate of mine. She's the other player to be a three time.
- [41:08]
Veronica Burton
No way.
- [41:08]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
And yeah, it's just you two that is dope. Yeah. So what do you think makes you such an impactful defensive player?
- [41:17]
Veronica Burton
I feel like for a while I knew. I've always. When it comes to winning, like, I just knew how valuable defense was. And I think early on I found that it was something. Obviously there's a skill to it and there's levels to it, but I do think it was something that was more in my control than whether the ball was gonna go in for me on a given night. So when it came to the energy and effort factor, like, that was always gonna be there. But if you looked at me in high school, I talk with Joe Rogers was my high school coach and he used to like lay into me because I would melt on every ball screen. Like he was like, this isn't going to work in college. Like, oh, I would just. It was always my defense. Like it was. You got to figure out a way to get through ball screens. You got to be able to defend if you want to make it to the next level. And then I got to Northwestern and I could always get steals. I will say there was one thing like my hand eye coordination. I don't know what it was, whether it was playing football with my brother or whatever.
- [42:10]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Even though you were melting on the pick and rolls, you were like, exactly.
- [42:14]
Veronica Burton
So like the stats are showing, I'm seals, like I'm getting hit on every ball screen but. And so I could always get deflections, I could always get steals. Like the hand eye coordination was, was there for me and the timing. But again it was, yeah, like, okay, you can get all the seals you want but if you're getting beat one on one, like it doesn't matter. And so I think I kind of had to shift my mindset into just like, yes, continue to be disruptive on the defensive end but also learn how to like lock up and get through ball screens. And we played kind of a matchup zone in college. So it wasn't necessarily just getting through screens one on one or stuff like that. And it put me in honestly the perfect position to get deflections and get steals because that was kind of like a safety in our zone. And so. But I just knew that look again at Northwestern, like our offense isn't going to win us anything. Like it has to be on the defensive end and whatever I can do to help. That was something that I was going to do and I just took an extra level of pride in that. And then I think just growing it year by year and I knew in the W that was the only way I was going to get on the floor was playing defense.
- [43:15]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So do you think now that you've just had the season you've had which was like like really efficient, like high end offensive season. Do you think people have forgotten about your defense? I have. I have some numbers I'm going to throw at you real quick.
- [43:30]
Veronica Burton
Do you.
- [43:31]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
This year you were, you finished top five in effective field goal percentage as the closest defender and then you finished top five in defending isos and then you took like the second most charges. So do you think people are like. Cause I Remember you getting drafted. Your rookie year was my fine. My last year. And I remember the draft. I remember them talking about you and defensive player of the year and all the things. And I feel like this year, a lot of the focus was on your offense. Like, did they forget about you? Like, what happened?
- [44:01]
Veronica Burton
I honestly think, you know, I don't know, too. I know our team was really, like. Our coaching staff was really good about even just giving me that confidence. Based on the defensive end, it's definitely not talked about as much, for sure. I didn't know those numbers at all. So it's cool to see, like, because I feel like I wanted to make it a big thing not to let that drop off at all and myself. So it's cool that you have that.
- [44:22]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. You haven't. You haven't. All right, I'm actually gonna ask you a quick question about this, like, co Defensive player of the year thing. Not to get, like, super spicy about it. They both deserved it. Not about that, but how do you think a defensive player of the year should be judged? Like, you actually brought up in yourself even how, like, you had at one point, you know, early, like, high school days, it's like, you had the steals, but could you play? Like, how do you think a defensive player of the year should be evaluated?
- [44:47]
Veronica Burton
Right. It's hard because I do think, like, statistically it can be deceiving at times, whether that is for, like, steals or blocks or. I think it is really hard because I also do think, you know, you lose sight at times about really good guard defenders. Like, I hear even about, like, Gabby Williams, you know, like, what does a guard have to do to be getting in that conversation as defensive player of the year? So it can be difficult to measure. I do think the eye test, I mean, is the biggest thing. And obviously, as players, we feel it more maybe a little bit. Just, you know, you feel when you want to take someone, you want to go away from a certain defender or get them out of an action. So I don't know necessarily the best way to measure it, but I do think, like, obviously team defense is important and how you guys identify with that and just I think the level of impact that you have on that side of the floor where teams almost, like, go away from you or try to not involve you. So I do think I would love to see more guards getting into that conversation, for sure, because I don't know, statistically wise if that'll ever measure up in the same way.
- [45:55]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I think there is a little bit of laziness from those that vote around just checking the stats. I never understood, I still don't why rebounds is even like in that conversation. I'm like completely get it.
- [46:09]
Veronica Burton
Completely agree.
- [46:10]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, it leans towards post players but honestly it's not just gabby, it's like yourself even Chelsea Gray, this whole like when I was looking up your stats on the defensive side, that whole like you know opposing effective field goal percentage when you're the closest, the top five people, Chelsea Gray, Tiffany Hayes, Jordan Canada, Jackie Yeong Yoo, like all guards. And then when you go to the defending the ISO thing which is a little different because post players, they get ISO like a lot just given like the proximity to the rim. So that leans a little more. It's like Jonquil Jones saw to at then you're fourth and then Stewie. But like these are the numbers I feel like people have to look at. Not just like a straight up. And then especially if it's just rebounds.
- [46:55]
Veronica Burton
Blocks and stuff like that. Yeah, you're not going to get a true. You have to also be watching. I just think like legitimately it's going to be a disservice to just do box score or total stats. I completely agree.
- [47:10]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
No, you bring up a good point though. And listen, the reality is nobody who actually has a vote would be able to do this. But you bring up a great point which is when you're in a shoot around and you're talking about another player on the defensive end and having to go away from them, you're automatically in the defensive play.
- [47:26]
Veronica Burton
Exactly. Because there are some of those for sure. And honestly, like I do credit to the two that did win it because for sure they're in that conversation as well.
- [47:33]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yes, definitely.
- [47:35]
Veronica Burton
But yeah, I think that's a big thing. Or as even point guards, you know, like who do you want to attack, go away from and all of that. I do think it's just interesting.
- [47:42]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. Support for this show comes from DraftKings. The WNBA playoffs are here and the heat is on. Every game, every play, and every moment counts. Bet on your favorite teams and stars with DraftKings Sportsbooks, an official sports betting partner of the WNBA. And for a limited time, all new DraftKings customers bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use Code Bird. That's Code Bird for new customers to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks in partnership with DraftKings, the crown is yours.
- [48:19]
Veronica Burton
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- [48:50]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
When did making plans get this complicated?
- [48:54]
Veronica Burton
It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the.
- [48:56]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption.
- [49:10]
Veronica Burton
It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.
- [49:14]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Learn more at WhatsApp.com adjective used to describe an individual whose spirit is unyielding, unconstrained, one who navigates life on their own terms, effortlessly. They do not always show up on time, but when they arrive, you notice an individual confident in their contradictions. They know the rules, but behave as if they do not exist. New Teen the new fragrance by Miu Miu defined by you we're gonna get to now like you're finishing your college career. You did leave a Covid year on the table. I did, yeah. Was that like you knew you were WNBA ready? Was it just like, honestly, sometimes it's just time to leave college?
- [49:59]
Veronica Burton
Yeah. Yeah. A lot of I even look back on that now. We were just talking about it the other day, just doing the fifth year. I go back and forth even today, like I loved college so much. So I think there's an element of like, dang, like who am I to get rid of an extra year of college? You know, it's like one of the best times of your lives. I do think in terms of basketball wise, like I think Northwestern had given me everything that I could have asked for. I think I was super satisfied with my career there. And my senior year I thought I finished on a really high note from a performance wise, I thought that was some of the best basketball that I was playing there. And I didn't see myself doing a fifth year at Northwestern. And then I didn't like, I thought where I was even in the conversations of the draft. I thought I was in a good spot with that. And so it was like, okay, like if I come back, we're Losing some people, I don't know what it's gonna look like. Like, we're already struggling. We didn't make the tournament that year, so it was just like. I know sometimes that can hurt it a little bit, your. Your draft options and so. But I also don't. Didn't think I had it in me to transfer away from Northwestern. I just. I don't know. I felt such a loyalty to it. I loved everything about it. And so I was just like, okay. I do feel I'm WNBA ready. I feel like college has given me everything that I could ask for, so I'm gonna go for it. I do kind of every now and then. It's like, I could have gotten a free master's. I could have again. Like, the relationships were still so good. Like, who knows what would have been if I had done a fifth year or if I had transferred. So I do think there's always, you know, an element to that. But I am content with my decision and not.
- [51:37]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, I mean, the getting the Masters. I actually think I agree with you. It's like, if you're not gonna transfer and you kind of feel like you've gotten the most out of those four years, it might be time to move on.
- [51:48]
Veronica Burton
Right.
- [51:49]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. I remember. I think I've told this story on this pod before. So sorry to the listeners. But I remember after I graduated, I came back, like, the next fall, and it's like, all the players I played with, I was there for their version of A Midnight Madness. And it was so funny. Cause I went out that night with them, and immediately I was like, oh, my God, I'm already too old for this.
- [52:10]
Veronica Burton
As soon as, literally, even though you. I could have been there. Like, I could have been here in this moment. And I would go back, and I, like, still loved being there, but I was like, okay. Like, yeah, I can tell that I am not in college anymore. It's just a different everything. Like, you just shift your mind a little bit getting out of it. So funny.
- [52:29]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. In a sense, it's like you just. It was time to grow up. And then once you do, like, once you kind of, like, cross over, you know, it's a wrap.
- [52:37]
Veronica Burton
Right. Completely agree.
- [52:39]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
You mentioned just, like, conversations around the draft, around the wnba. You understood, like, your value and where you might go. What were those, like. Were, like. Were you talking directly to teams? Was it just, like, agent telling you stuff?
- [52:53]
Veronica Burton
Combination of the two. I was definitely doing some interviews. I had done some interviews with, I want to say, Connecticut, which was Kurt Miller at the time, Dallas, Minnesota. So I had done some interviews, and with them, it was just kind of like, I didn't necessarily know where I was gonna fall with that. I figured that it was gonna be. A lot of the projections were, like, late first, early second. So I didn't know how that was gonna kind of round out. I did know I had a really good conversation with Dallas. Like, I think Becky Johnson was the coach there at the time, and we just hit it off. I think we connected and just had similar, like, visions and kind of, like, thoughts on what I could bring to Dallas, how they played and stuff like that. And so. And then it was more so through my agent in terms of understanding the number possibilities, because I didn't really know too much about, like, all right, I know even when you get drafted, it's not guaranteed anything. So just kind of like, it was big emphasis on fit over number as it shifted. So I. Yeah, right. But I had an idea that Dallas. I knew it was either Dallas or, like, I didn't know the neck, maybe Connecticut. And so I had an idea, but I didn't want to put my mind in one place and then just be like, oh, completely broken if it didn't happen there. So I was so stressed, though. I was so nervous. That's all I remember. I was so nervous.
- [54:15]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So you get picked seventh by the Wings. Was there when you hear your name called, you said you were such stressed and nervous. Did you feel excited? Did you feel relieved?
- [54:25]
Veronica Burton
For sure. I felt just a relief. There was so much buildup and anticipation. I think everything happened so fast. I'm still in college. I'm still, like, doing homework. And also at this draft and everyone's talking about it, when I heard my name get called, it was relief and gratitude.
- [54:42]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I was just like, by the way, lol. You were doing homework?
- [54:44]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, literally. I had just. I had, like, a huge exam coming up. I was like, I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing. Like, my professors are cool about that, though. So when I was in New York, I wasn't doing anything, but just when I heard the name, it was a big relief just being able to be alongside my parents. My oldest sister, Kendall, was there, and to embrace them, it was just like, okay, like, all of this was worth it. At least for right now. Like, this was worth it. This is awesome. And just soaking that in.
- [55:12]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So when you first get to Dallas, you're now going to be playing with Arike, with Satu. Like, what are your first impressions of them?
- [55:20]
Veronica Burton
I Was like, it was so crazy. I was just like, no way. I was just, like, in awe of these players and still am, but now I'm just, like, on a court with them and I'm supposed to tell them where to go on the court. Like, I don't know. They were so nice, so welcoming. Like, honestly, every person was just super genuine and helped me out a lot from the moment I stepped in. So I was really grateful for that because I didn't know what to expect. I think just there was such a difference between being around, you know, I was the oldest 1 and 18 year olds, and now I'm like, against or playing alongside full grown women. So I think that was just an eye opener for me. But they were awesome. They were great from the start.
- [56:01]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, you had. I mean, your training camp was kind of unique in that you get drafted to a team that has, I don't know, like, I guess, two and a half point guards. We'll give Marina Mabry, like, a half. You've got Ty Harris. Mariah Jefferson was there. Now Mariah, you know, ended up getting hurt, gets waived, moves on to, I think, Minnesota. She ends up finishing the season there. But at the start, like, when your name is called and you look at that roster, you're seeing three other point guards. So what was that training camp like going in that you're gonna have to compete, like, really compete for a spot?
- [56:33]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, it was. I definitely, again, was nervous. And this was a time where, like, training camp was like, three days after the draft, I want to say. So we started, like, really quickly after, so I didn't have too much time to be, like, reading through the roster. I knew that I would have to compete. I knew the point guards there. And something that was really, I'll remember forever is how nice Mariah Jefferson was to me and how, like, she was so helpful. And not to say Ty and Marina were incredible, too. But, you know, this is someone where, again, not all vets, you know, when you get drafted in the first round at the same position, like, you look at, she was just a starting point guard, so you can always, like, look at it a little sideways and just be like, all right, now I'm coming at you, I'm competing with you and everything. And there was, of course, competition, and we were competing and putting our best foot forward, but she just, like, anything I needed help with, she was the first one there to help me. Any drill was like, all right, you can get me on this drill. Like, come in, sub in for me on this one. And it was just so, like, refreshing. And I will still always have just a special place in my heart for Mo Jeff, because she didn't have to do any of that. And. And she went on to have a triple double against us when she was in Minnesota. So, honestly, it very much so worked out for her. But I was really grateful for someone like her, especially such an accomplished point guard. I had already looked up to her going in, and then to be able to learn from her firsthand and the selflessness that she treated me with was really special.
- [58:05]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, that is really special. I love that. What were you finding really, in your first full season? Right. Like, what are you finding that is translating for you and what are you already noticing that you're gonna have to work on?
- [58:18]
Veronica Burton
Yeah. Again, the defense, like, I knew the defense was gonna get me on the floor, so I was like, okay, like, I can pick up full court, I can make life miserable for whoever I'm guarding. I. I knew I was smaller. Like, I knew I needed to put on some muscle. I could see that. And then I knew I needed to just get at least either confidence or get better shooting. Both were needed. But, like, my three point shot, I was a solid shooter in college. It was never anything crazy, but I was never hesitant to let it go. And then the second people are going really far under on me on ball screens, or they're not even guarding me at the three, and I'm like, can I shoot this? Yeah. Why is this happening?
- [58:58]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
It'll get in there.
- [59:00]
Veronica Burton
And so then it was. And it was like a balance also of, I have Arike on my team, I have SATU on my team. Like, they need to be getting shots. And so it was almost like too much in my brain. I've always been somewhat of a pass first point guard. You know, I like to get my teammates involved. But then it was like, I'm catering to every single person on this team and I need to make an impact as well offensively. So that was an area that I really needed to one, figure out and also grow in so that I am confident in shooting this even if I'm missing the first three when they go under on me, like, knowing I can hit that the next two. So that was an area that I really needed to grow in as well.
- [59:37]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Okay, so, like, statistically, your first two years are actually not that difficult. So then we enter year three. You're waived, like, a few days before the season starts. Can you describe just the days between getting waived and then getting picked up that year by the Connecticut Sun.
- [59:54]
Veronica Burton
Yeah. Oh, man. First day. First day I get home, I was like journaling a lot at this moment and just writing down one, like how I'm feeling, like, because now I look back at it and I just laugh. It's funny. But like journaling how I'm feeling, talking about it, talking about how much it sucked, how hard it is, and everything with that. And then it was like, all right, now my goals, like, what am I about to do until I get picked up, If I get picked up, whatever that looks like. And I'm a big routine person. And so it was just figuring out my routine. And again, this is where Joe Rogers, my high school coach, comes into play a lot. He is always willing. Whenever I'm home, we have a little community center and he's always willing to help me. So it was probably. We could only get into the gym at like 6 in the morning. So 6am Every morning, it was an hour and a half workout with him. And he's a very, very statistical guy. Very. Just like looks at everything. So he watched so much film, watched everything about my shot, watched the shots that I was getting, and then broke it down. And so we're just doing very like drill specific things to help me. And. And so I would do that. Then I would go home, eat breakfast, get a big lift in. My biggest thing is also just staying in shape so that when I did get picked up, like, I wasn't gonna be a factor.
- [61:09]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yo, I think that's the hardest part for players that wave. I'm like staying in shape for. You don't even know what.
- [61:15]
Veronica Burton
So, yeah, what am I training for? I don't know. And staying motivated for that, I think was a big. Is a difficult thing as well. So just getting running in, whether it be a longer run or intervals and stuff like that, and then I would get another basketball workout in later and just. Just watching. I watched every single WNBA game and that. It was like hard at first. I was like, I don't want to watch this. And then of course, I watched every single game. So, yeah, just trying to be prepared. Yeah, Literally just like, all right, if it comes, I'm going be ready.
- [61:49]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Well, you do get the call. Connecticut sun calls you. I'm actually more than anything, what was it like joining a team? It was like nine or 10 games in, so it wasn't necessarily mid season, but they are. I mean, they had a whole training camp goes by, they're like nine, 10 games in. What's it like joining a team at that point?
- [62:06]
Veronica Burton
They were also like, 10 and 0. So I was like, all right, y' all don't need me. Like, what could you possibly need me for? It was, like, the most surprising team, honestly, but it was so close to home, so that was great. But I was. I was nervous, but also just, like, look like I'm on this team now in terms of getting along with people. That's never been an issue for me. Like, I'm very easygoing. I knew Dijonay a little bit. I had known Rachel Banham a little bit, so I had a couple people that I knew I could talk to. And Mo Jeff again, was there at the time, and so I was familiar with them and Ty Harris, even. We played in Dallas, so I was just a level of, like, let me, you know, get on board with what they're doing. And. And clearly it's been working. So just learning and navigating their system and how they played, but also, you know, being me and trying to bring. Clearly, I'm here for a reason. They wanted me here for a reason. So be me and bring what I can to the table and hopefully elevate this already really successful team.
- [63:06]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, it also must have been, like, giving you good perspective as you, like, head into your off season, head, like, into your career to be on a. I'd call that, like, a veteran team that had expectations to win the whole thing. And so I imagine that helped you as well. But now. So now let's head to Australia, because I know Australia played a big role and was really impactful in terms of, like, your growth, expanding your game. What was that. What was that off season like for you?
- [63:35]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, it was amazing. Coach Kennedy is the one that got me there. He was our coach in Bendigo. And at first I said no. I was like, no. Like, I don't know. I don't even know what Bendigo is. Every person I've mentioned Bendigo, they're like, oh, God. But, yeah, exactly. And then he gets me back on a zoom. And again, someone that just genuinely saw what I could do and not really just looking at my stats from the W, because there was not much there, but watched the film, watched Northwestern, and just poured so much belief into me and was like, look, we can be really good. This is where I see you. This is what I. And I wanted to get so much better. And Australia was kind of like the balance of, you know, you play one game a week, so you're still getting the 5 on 5 reps. Cause I needed that. But you can also, like, spend a lot of time in the gym. And I told him I wanted to make my shot better, I needed to make it faster, and I needed to shoot when people went under me and respect me. And he was like, okay, like, we'll do that. And then I know Sammy went there. Sammy had signed and she had DMed me. She was like, hey, I know you're thinking about it, like, and I love Sammy.
- [64:42]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Not gaming, not Sammy.
- [64:45]
Veronica Burton
She made it a big thing too. Just, like, knowing that she was playing there. I knew Jewel, and through Jewel, she just told me how great Sammy was. So I knew that was a really good opportunity. And I got there and just the level, first of all, incredible shooters out there in general. And then I got to a training and like, I was one of the worst shooters in the gym. And I was like, dang, this is where I thought, I feel like I've gotten so much better. And we would just do so many shooting drills. We would do so many individuals. Everyone was jacked. So lifting was like, it was a legitimate.
- [65:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Aussies don't play.
- [65:20]
Veronica Burton
Yeah. At all.
- [65:21]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
No, not at all.
- [65:21]
Veronica Burton
And so it got me in a really good routine and it helped me so much. And to go on and win a chip was incredible for my experience too. Yeah.
- [65:29]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Did you see. Wait, are you watching the playoffs right now?
- [65:32]
Veronica Burton
Yes. Yes.
- [65:33]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Did you see the commentators talking about Sammy getting up, like 15,000 shots or something crazy? I was like, zero. Surprise.
- [65:41]
Veronica Burton
The least surprising thing I had ever. There was a quick Sammy story. I'm going in. We have Lyft at 7 in the morning. Here I am tooting my own horn, thinking I'm doing something good by, like, going to get an extra workout in. This is like the first time I'm going to get an extra workout in. So I go to the gym at like 6, 6:30 in the morning. I'm like walking in half asleep. Sammy would come, is like full blown. Already has these cones up, like, full sweat. Hey, Vee. And I was like, oh, my God. Everything. Like, it was so. It was really impressive. And again, the least surprising thing.
- [66:16]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So Sammy is a workhorse. It's actually been so. Actually, what's it been like for you playing with her in Australia and then seeing, you know, the other night, she hits the three to go to overtime. Like, how is that, like, what's that like for you, watching Sammy play like that?
- [66:31]
Veronica Burton
It's awesome. Again, not surprising in the slightest. Like, I think playing with her in Australia gave me a newfound. Like, I was in awe of Sammy to see what she's doing. I saw every Single, like every single game, every single practice, I tried guarding Sammy and it was like, oh my God, Sammy, you're one of the hardest people I've ever guarded.
- [66:51]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So like, yeah, stop, stop.
- [66:53]
Veronica Burton
Literally, it's amazing. Honestly, I am so happy for her. Like she is doing Phoenix is the perfect fit for her and we both keep in contact. She's super supportive of me and just vice versa with her. So it's been so dope to see and. And I think we'll continue to see it.
- [67:09]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I love that. I know when she missed that first three as regulation's ending, but then the way they like moved the ball got it back to her, I was like, no way she's missing this. And we've all. If you've ever seen Sammy work out, you've seen the pump fake, little step back like a hundred percent, like a thousand times. I was like, no way she's missing this.
- [67:27]
Veronica Burton
The airball like didn't phase her at all either. Like went right back. Got it. And I was like, no way and wasn't it.
- [67:33]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
And then it's also like typical Sammy that in I caught one of her press conference like comments. Typical Sammy. She was like, yeah, you know, after I air balled it, I'm surprised they gave it back to me. I mean, if you've ever played with her, we're all looking at you. Like anytime she's ever done that, it's like, Sammy, of course we're giving it back to you.
- [67:49]
Veronica Burton
Like you're the only one I want to give it back.
- [67:51]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. What do you mean actually? I mean, speaking of the playoffs, you played against Minnesota. So like what are you. How do you stop a team like Minnesota or how do you make it hard for them? Them?
- [68:04]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, they're. It's very difficult. Obviously. They're just such a well rounded team and they're like a well oiled machine. You know, if you make any mistake, like they will capitalize on it. And their length and size, I think that was difficult for us too. Just their ability to switch too. Like you having Fee switch on to guards or point guards and everything like that. I definitely think, you know, being aggressive, not letting their physicality disturb you on offense was big too. Yeah. And rebounding like that was what killed us a lot was just letting them get second and third opportunities. I thought Heidi and Jess Shepard off the bench, like them coming in and just adding a whole extra layer to Minnie is super difficult. But they just make the extra plays. You have Bridget Carlton getting every extra rebound or tip out for A rebound into like a big three. So I think it's just like you can stop them on the first possession, and then the second they get two or three, it's really difficult to defend.
- [69:02]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
And like I said, they're on that revenge tour, which is. Even though, I mean, this game two, losing game two, it'll be interesting to see how they respond to that. But revenge tours are. They always carry you through. Okay, so back to Australia for a second. One more time. The expansion draft is coming. You aren't protected, which you already know. It's probably like the middle of the night when the happening for you, but you finally get the call that. That Golden State has picked you. You've talked openly about how change can be hard. So who and what are the conversations in this moment for you? Like, when you. When you're preparing to go to Golden State, Just how this is such a big change, like, who and what are you talking about to get through this?
- [69:46]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, I'm definitely talking with my parents for sure. Like, talking with. Just. Okay, my dad was the big. My dad and I definitely talk a lot of basketball. I think he's one that will lay into me for sure and tell me how it is, but also is a big supporter. And so him just being like, this is amazing. V, like, it was all like, too happy. Go lucky. I was like, all right, dad. But it's still hard. But he's like, this is incredible. Like, you get a whole new opportunity, you're gonna be in the bay. They love sports. So he was really optimistic and I was really excited, but there was always just a piece of me, like, okay, everyone's so excited. But, like, I don't even know if I'm going to make the team. Like, let's not get too high, you know? And so I think there was a really good balance of that. But he was just reminding me, like, view this as an opportunity. This is incredible. Like, it's an expansion franchise. You have. The door is wide open in terms of playing time. And so I had a lot of conversations with him. I had conversations with my coach in Australia and just like, okay, like, approaching going into it and how I can. What I can take from Australia and just start off right away when I get there, there and then with God, like, honestly, a lot of prayer, that was my biggest thing. Just a lot of prayer. Because I think he knows the inner battles that I face in terms of that. And so I think that's my faith again, is what I relied on. And so a lot of prayer went into It.
- [71:14]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So I don't know if you know this, but when you got waived at 2024, Diana Taurasi was still playing. She's in Phoenix. And I don't even know what we were talking about, but she was like, yeah, after you got signed with Connecticut, she's like, oh, I'm so fucking pissed. Like, I wanted to. I wanted Veronica to come here. I wanted us to sign Veronica. And the other day, when I knew we were gonna do this interview, I hit her up. I was just like, yo, remember that? Why did you. Like, what did you see in her? And she literally just said two words. She was like, she's unbothered. Why do you think? But think about it. Like, you've only at that point, played a couple years in the league. This is gonna segue into my curiosity around, what have you taken with you from your first couple years into to Golden State? But why do you think she described you like that?
- [71:59]
Veronica Burton
Honestly, that's really cool. I definitely didn't know that. I think that's funny. I think there is an element to me that it's like, if it's for me, it's for me. Like, if this. If this goes, like, that's dope. I'm gonna do my part. Like, I. I think there's a steadiness to that. Like, I'm gonna do my part. I'm gonna do everything in my power, and then it's on. Whoever can give me an opportunity will do it. And if not, like, it's onto the next. And so I do think that there's a level to that. I don't know if that's what she meant by it, but I do think, you know, just that kind of is my mindset and just gotta get things done when I can.
- [72:36]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, yeah. I mean, onto the next. Onto the next is the right way to think about it. So give me a glimpse. You're now onto the next. Give me your glimpse. Or give me a glimpse to, like, the early locker room days. Like, what is the message? You're now with the Valkyries? Like, what is the messaging from the coaching staff? But also, like, what are you telling each other about being on this expansion team? So good, so good, so good. New fall arrivals are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. Get ready to save big with up to 60% off. Vince, Kurt, Geiger, London, and more. How did I not know Rack has Adidas?
- [73:12]
Veronica Burton
Cause there's always something new.
- [73:14]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
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- [73:16]
Veronica Burton
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Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
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- [73:30]
Veronica Burton
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- [73:37]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
After an initial dosing phase, about 4 in 10 people taking EBGLIS achieved Italy to and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks, and most of those.
- [73:44]
Veronica Burton
People maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing. EVGLIS Lebricizumab LBKZ a 250mg per 2ml injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. Ebglis can be used for with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to Epglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection searching for real relief. Ask your doctor about ebglis and visit eglis.lilly.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979.
- [74:30]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
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- [74:58]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, from the jump we were just, you could tell the character of the people that we had there was really refreshing almost and just really like we all genuinely want to be here and we all genuinely like want to be successful in this league. And I do think that's where it comes into being like the sixth, seventh or eighth player on our teams. Like, you do have that chip on your shoulder and so you're going to play basketball the right way in the sense like you are going to be going hard on every possession. You are going, you do Care about the team you do. Like, we've almost had to all fit into a role to benefit the team. That maybe wasn't super comfortable for us, but we knew it was for the betterment of the team. And so I do think we all kind of had that mindset that whatever it takes for us to be successful, we're gonna do. And so that already kind of connected us on a new level and just built some chemistry. A few of us went early so that I think I was able to be there with kt K TIP la. Like, a few of us were already there. And so just even hanging out together, like, our personalities really gelled really quickly. And so that obviously helped. And then with Coach Nat, it was just, I want to say, first or second day of training camp, just, like, embrace mistakes here. Like, I want you guys to F up. I want you guys to make mistakes and, like, we're just going to get better every day. I think that was something that we all probably needed to hear. Like, we're all just like, uptight a little bit and just, okay, what's this going to be like? And I think that also helped just show shape the culture and just a really a freedom to how we play. And she does not care legitimately how many shots you miss. Like, she will. Like, a lot of coaches can say that, but she really doesn't care. And so that was, I think, helpful too.
- [76:43]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. No, I think when you said that she was encouraging mistakes, first thing that came to mind was freedom. That just does automatically give you guys the freedom. But I imagine even though you're a team that, you know, you kind of just said it right. Like, you know, you have to play hard. You guys all have this mindset from your previous experiences. You know, you're have to play hard to win, but it's like, that's hard to sustain. So I'd imagine there were times during the season where maybe you got. You lost that a little bit or had to be reminded of it. Did that ever happen?
- [77:10]
Veronica Burton
I wouldn't. Yeah, it depends who you ask. I would say coach. Definitely there is. Maybe from her perspective, it was like, some nights, you know, we're just showing up. Like, we can just show up and that was not going to work for us. Like, we couldn't just show up to the game and expect things to fall for us because that wasn't our style of play. Like, we do. We are very great basketball players. I think there's also, like, an element that we had to remind people. Like, okay, it's not Just because of this one reason. But we were the type of team that we had to outwork our other team, and we had to outwork our opponents and do the little things that were going to push us over the edge. And so there were definitely moments, especially quarters, you know, where we come out flat and it's just like, who do we think we are? Like, we can't show up like this. And so there were definitely some reminders. I wouldn't say there was ever a big moment where it was just like the energy ever shifted or we didn't show up to practice in a bad mindset. Like, that was never the case. And that was really different for me. Like, people wanted to be there, people wanted to come to practice.
- [78:12]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So, yeah, you guys had good vibes, man. You could just. From the outside. How quickly did, like, playoffs come up? Like, talking about playoffs, playoffs as a goal, I'm sure you saw the owner say that we won a championship in the first five years. So how quickly did that come up?
- [78:31]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, early. Early. It was just like, we knew we wanted to be successful. We didn't talk, like, too much about it, where it was just like, playoffs or nothing, playoffs. But it was just like. Like, we want to be great. Like, we want. We're not just here to be here. We're not falling into this, oh, expansion, like, go easy type of mentality. It was like, that's our goal is to compete for a championship, and the way to do that is to make the playoffs. So that was definitely something that we, like, had our vision set on. And then there was one moment in the season, I forget what game it was, where it was kind of like almost do or die time. Like, we needed to win the next. Like, we're on the brink, but we knew just a couple losses would push us too far under. And so we kind of had a meeting, and it was just like, these next five games, like, who do we play? All right. These are must win games. And I think we won four out of the five. And it just really put us in a really good spot. And for us to kind of vocalize it and then talk about it and then do it was really helpful for us. I think it was maybe after we got either smoked by Connecticut or something like that, it was just like a reset. Like, all right, what are our goals? And if we want to get there, this is what we need to do.
- [79:37]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. No shade to Connecticut, but anytime you get smoked by a team at the bottom, it's gonna wake you up.
- [79:43]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, literally. And it was Our worst loss, like, not just like record wise. Like, that was the first time where we actually got like blown out. And so it was like, dang.
- [79:51]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I said, I think your guys outside looking in, like, the vibes were just always high. It seemed like you got along almost from the jump, like right away on the court, off the court. You've talked about how close knit it was. So when I look at it, I mean, yeah, you had a successful season by like all the metrics, like wins, losses, playoffs. But it's really that you built culture there, right? Like, you've established culture as people, as a team, as a franchise. I think part of that was, I already said, like, the group that you had, you got to reunite with kt. Kayla Thornton, somebody that I had on the pod earlier in interviewing her, I was just blown away by like, you know, yeah, I played against her, so I had an idea, but I didn't really know her as a person. Like, what was it like being able to play with her again?
- [80:37]
Veronica Burton
Yeah. Oh, it was incredible. KT is one of the most, like, you know, just like one of the most energy giving, like, light of the room anywhere she goes.
- [80:48]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Prior to doing the pod, she called me ma'. Am. She was like, yes, ma', am, no, ma'. Am. I was like, we need to cut that out.
- [80:53]
Veronica Burton
She just like, does that all the time. She is just one of a kind. And so when I was in Dallas, my rookie year, her and Alicia Gray, like, really took me in from the jump. Like, that's who I hung out with. It was those two. If we were on the road, we were going to dinner together. And so I was super grateful for them. So my rookie year, that's who I was with. And then we all kind of went our. They both went to two different teams, so we hadn't really, like, we would always say hi, connect a little bit, but to be reunited with her, like, oh, it was awesome. It just. She brings me out of my comfort zone. She brings, like my personality out. And so first day we saw each other again, it was just a big hug. KT's screaming, I'm screaming. And it's just like, she is such a leader and such just her energy, you want to match her energy. She brings people up. And so she was the perfect person to have on this roster and just really excited for her. Obviously for her to go down was really sad, but her season this year was incredible too. And for her to be named an all Star, like, just a testament to who she is and her work ethic.
- [82:04]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, definitely an evolution for her. You bring up her injury though, which I know was a big blow, a big bummer for you guys, but it also, you know, when people go down, it is, it does represent opportunity from time to time. And I think for you, when you look at your stats, not just your play, but the stats, I mean it's pretty incredible. Your stats were good and great even before she got hurt. But then you literally went up in almost every statistical category, including turnovers. But that's okay. Just to turnover ratio is still legit, so it doesn't. Not a bad thing. But yeah, you literally went. You bumped up two points in points per game, up assist and a half. Your field goal percentage went up, your free throw percentage went up, your threes were kind of basically the same. So not only did you increase your numbers, you increased your efficiency. And it's that combination that really makes that special. So real quick, how.
- [83:02]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, honestly, like, I don't know, there's not like something I did, obviously. I think as I got more comfortable in being more of a offensive minded, like roll from the jump and just knowing that I was going to have to kind of, you know, be more aggressive, like I could score and there would be some games where I would have 20 plus, whatever. But I also knew like I had to find a way to, to continue to get my teammates involved because that's how we're going to win is when it's on firing on all different cylinders. I do think other people stepped up as well, of course. And to have Ileana Rupert come in, I think also really increased our spacing and, and me and her, I think right off the bat just we played pretty well together. And so I do think that was a big factor, but just also just a mindset shift sometimes too. I think KT was so instrumental to what we did on both sides of the basketball. Honestly, she was always the one guarding the best player on the other team. And so putting my energy into that and also just reminding myself, look, that is one man down, one woman down. And just how can I continue to try and help us win? And so that was a bit of a mental shift as well.
- [84:14]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. So you're just gonna have to sit here and take this next part. So for those that don't know, you started all 44 games, you finished third in the league in assists, third in assisted turnover ratio. Plus you're the first WNBA player to ever increase their average by at least five points, two rebounds, two assists from one season to the Next. This earned you most improved player, so congratulations on that. But I'm not done dropping. Hey, you got the first 30 ball in franchise history, so no one can ever take that. You're also the first player in WNBA history to have at least 24 points, 14 assists with no turnovers. And I mean, these are just like incredible numbers. An incredible jump for you. Looking back, did you think a jump like this was possible?
- [85:06]
Veronica Burton
I knew it was possible. I think I always knew that it was in me. It was just a matter of if and when it was gonna happen. Honestly, like, I definitely didn't anticipate it necessarily happening, especially after a year that I just got cut. Like, it was. It was a quicker turnaround than I probably thought, but I think I was just waiting for the moment to feel comfortable. Like, I not comfortable. Cause there's still elements that I definitely don't, but like feel like myself and feel like I'm playing how I can. And I had seen snippets of it in certain games and certain moments, but then to just like finally feel that a little bit and then to also have the trust and support from my teammates and coaches, that was like super big for me. And so that was the part I'm most appreciative of, is just the people that poured into me. And Coach Nat really just rocking with me.
- [85:58]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Honestly, there's been a lot of conversation around the season, going to 44 games and you played all 44. So this expanded schedule, it's had its impact. Like I said, it's been topic of conversation. How did you manage it?
- [86:12]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, we had a. It was interesting. I had a conversation with Nat early on, just about. She's like, look, you're gonna be playing like 30 minutes game. You need to take care of your body and do it better than whatever you're doing because there's moments where you look dead. And I was like, okay, like, dang. Playing hard? Yeah, exactly. Like, you want me to go hard or what? She's like, no, I want you to go hard, but you need to be able to, to sustain it. And there was a conversation of also, you know, again, I'm so. Get in the gym. Get in the gym. And in the past it was like, I can still be doing, you know, a 45 minute individual before practice because, like, I'm not playing that many minutes and I, I can do that while also still play every now and then a 30 minute game and just like be fine. Whereas now it was like, I can't be just doing all these extra workouts on top of playing this many minutes and sustain that. And so that was kind of a rude awakening for me. Like, it was a little push and shove on. Just like, this is what got me here. Like, I want to be like, I want to get my shots in. And then I was like, okay, I need to also rest and listen to them and listen to our performance coaches, because that's their job and they do want the best for me. And so that was something that I learned for sure. Recovery was. I wasn't always, you know, the most disciplined with that. Wasn't always the best with that. Still am not. But I have spent way more time in the cold tubs, way more time on the treatment table than I ever have before. And fortunately, I've been very. Like, I was able to stay healthy this year by the grace of God, but also just, I used to only think, you know, you only need treatment if you're hurt or if you have a legitimate injury. And now it's, you know, shifting a little bit in my mind. And so that was a big conversations, for sure, and them holding me to that. But. But putting an emphasis on the recovery, too.
- [87:57]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. I think as the WNBA grows by games and you guys play more games, I think one of the biggest challenges for any athlete, any age, but particularly right now, the way the WNBA is for young players, you don't feel that you need the recovery. Like, it's not. It's not really registering. You know, you're 20, what, 5 years old? Like, you're not going to feel it in the same way, but to start the habit of, like, understanding, especially if you're somebody who gets their confidence from working out, like some people who get their confidence from being in the gym, getting their shots up. Yes, sir. Finding that balance between doing enough to get your confidence, but then making sure you're taking care of yourself. I mean, I don't see why players like yourself aren't gonna play, like, well into their 40s, if that can start now. But you gotta start it. That's my lecture of the day.
- [88:49]
Veronica Burton
Thank you. No, I remember reading. I remember reading, like, early in my RO year, it was just like, you sustaining your career and how to do that and what that looked like. And I definitely took. I mean, I wasn't as disciplined, especially not from the jump, but I did take a lot of that in terms of the lifting and the recovery and the diet aspect and following suit on what you did and just trying to model that and whatever it looked like for me. But so I do think that Also helped shape, like, how I viewed all of that as well.
- [89:17]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I love that. I love that. So, yeah, we've brought up Nat a little bit. Coach Natalie Nakase. You guys have, like, a really cool relationship. I think it's like a point guard to point guard type thing. You know, she told the story about kind of, like, bringing you in in terms of leadership and wanting you to, like, basically, as she said, MF people. But you taking that in but still understanding, like, that might not be who you are. So who are you from, like, a leadership standpoint?
- [89:48]
Veronica Burton
I'm definitely a big relationships person. Like, I love hanging out with my teammates. I love getting to know them. Like, getting to know. I want people to know who I am. Like, from a teammate perspective, like, feel super comfortable, super confident, and just trust me. And I want to trust you. And in basketball, it's possible to do that. Like, we have such a small enough roster where we can all. We don't all have to be best friends, but I do think, you know, building relationships is huge. And so from a leadership perspective, I think that's always kind of what I hung my hat on, is I'll hold you accountable, but you have to trust that it's coming from the right place. You have to trust that if I do yell, I don't yell super often, but if I do yell at you, I'm not coming at you. I'm not coming for you or coming at you in any type of way. But it's genuinely just to try to win or try and make you better and vice versa. I want you to yell at me, and if you do cuss me out, cuss me out. But we have that relationship off the court where I know it's not coming from any negativity or any bad place. And so that was big for me. And then also just me being like, let me do my part before I tell anyone else how to do theirs or what I need from them if I'm not upholding it. So I think that was. I hate. I hate hypocrites. I hate hypocritical things. So I think just like, who am I to say anything about someone else if I'm not doing it myself? So I also think that was a kind of a leadership thing for me that I was sticking to. And so with Nat coming to me, it was just like, all right, I'm not gonna cuss anyone out for you, Nat. But, like, I will get on people. Like, I understand my responsibility as a point guard. I will. Yet, like, if we're not locked in. Like, for sure, I have to be able to do that. But. And she challenged me in that. But understanding, like, maybe we have a good balance now. Like, you can do that part and I'll do this part for sure. So.
- [91:30]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, I'm actually. I would say I'm similar in the leadership, and it's like what I call, like, relationship equity. Right. Like, you build that up because then there's going to be times where you need to cash out. And usually that looks like I'm yelling at you or I'm being hard on you or I'm holding you accountable, but because you already built up and you have that trust, you have the space to do that. So I think that is a wonderful way to lead. I brought up the whole, like, point guard to point guard relationship with you and Nat, which I'd imagine can be frustrating, but also helpful. How did you handle. She had high expectations of you, like, from the jump. You talked about, like, you didn't have your best game. First game out against la, and you kind of maybe even thought you might lose your starting just based on previous experience. But she believed. But with that belief comes expectations. So, like, how did you handle her expectations for you? But also just for, like, that position?
- [92:25]
Veronica Burton
She was very. There was a beautiful thing about playing for a former point guard because of how she saw the game and how she. She did understand that it can be frustrating, you know, the responsibility that comes with it. But she definitely did not hold back in terms of challenging us. And there were three of us in the. And we had Carla and Caitlin, and there'd be moments where I'm like, dang, these are two rookie point guards, and she is on them just as much. And I thought that was cool. She's on me for sure. And there's certain. Maybe when I'm on court vocal, I need that more from me. But she was really just as hard on all three of us. The load and the responsibility was not light, and she made that very clear. She was honest and open about that, that that's how it was gonna be. And so it was just like, okay. Like, this is what I wanted, though. You know, this is like, I can't pray for moments like this where I have an opportunity and not take all of it. And I think I grew to love it. Like, there would be moments where I'm like, I know she knows that was not me. Like, how am I, like, on the receiving end of this? But it was like, all right, like, let me just take it. Like, I got you Coach, I got you. And being able to just respond in that way rather than, you know, always. Sometimes I think I would always have an answer, like, in my head at least, whether I would always say it, but just learning to be like, all right, like, I got that. And I think even talking with Carla and Caitlin about that, too, because I'd be like, caitlyn, like, let me tell you, it's not always, like, she's the one getting called on in film and stuff like that. And, like, she wasn't always getting in the game. So she's like, I think it could be easy to be like, why am I getting called on? I'm not even on the court. Like, I remember feeling like that. And I'm like, caitlin, I know it can be hard, but this is also, like, really cool, you know, because sometimes you can feel like you're not even on the team when you're not playing, and it can be brutal. And so to have a coach that's still challenging you the same way that she's challenging everyone, but also, like, all the point guards. So I think that was really cool to see, and I learned to embrace it. And for her, yeah, she definitely did have high expectations. And after the first game, I didn't know what that was gonna look like, but she called me in her office and was just like, what's wrong? I was like, nothing's wrong. But, like, that was pretty bad. Like, I don't know. And she was just like, let's watch it. And we watched all my turnovers, and I had, like, four or five. She was like, it's not as bad as you think. It was the worst, right? And I'm over here like, oh, this is brutal. And she's like, you're being dramatic. Like, it's not that bad. Like, it's so, like, on par for her, too. She's like, these aren't even that bad. Like, I understand what you were seeing here. Blah, blah, blah. And so I think it just, like, gave me a level of reassurance that I was really grateful for, and it helped a lot.
- [94:55]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, it sounds like she was just really effective with how she approached you guys individually as a group. Obviously, the proof's in the pudding in terms of how you guys performed. But it all leads to what I was talking about earlier, just about, like, the culture. You guys had a culture, and then another part of that culture was the fan base. I mean, from the start, it feels like you immediately had the best fans in the league. You led the league in attendance at home. What do you think it is about, like the team, the franchise that the city just like clicked on with?
- [95:29]
Veronica Burton
We would talk about this as a team and just be like so in awe of, of every part of it. I do think there's a level of one community in the Bay that I, I had never been there, so I didn't know what that was going to look like. But the way they show up for each other, I have a, like, I known that they're a really big sports city, but the community is incredible to see like and to be a part of. And then I just think the joy that I, that they had in coming to a game, like, it was more than just. It was like a full blown experience. Felt like a party, a celebration, like to just be at our games, which was so unique. And they embraced us and I think we embraced them and just, I think that's the cool thing about the WNBA too is like, you can really, like, the players are in a good way more accessible and like, you can really interact with them and actually have some like, player type of experience. Whereas maybe that's not the case in other leagues or it may be a little bit more difficult. And so I think just like, like it being so welcoming. Obviously the W is really good about that and inclusive. And it was just. You had people from all over, all different walks of life coming together and watching us and supporting us. It was surreal. And we thought maybe it would just be the first, you know, few games and they'll, they'll get tired of us or they'll get like, you know, like, they came, they did their part, but for it to happen every single game, and honestly the energy like leveled up every single game. So it was incredible. And we're forever grateful for just being a part of it, honestly.
- [96:58]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, I mean, I think a big part of it, there's a lot of variables, right, But a big part of it was how hard you guys played. I mean, you said it, you only got blown out. Like the one time I was at a game you played Seattle. You blew them out. Don't appreciate that. But I, it was like you guys played in such a way where every game was close. Even if you didn't win. There was always like a competitiveness to it. And I think that that probably answers the question around like, oh, is this only going to be the first couple games? Like, no, people are always going to come back for that. Which kind of made the fact that you couldn't be in the Chase center for that first, you know, the first playoff Game a bummer. Did that. I thought watching on tv, like, you couldn't really tell the difference as a viewer, it still looked like it was rocking in there. But what was the impact of that for you guys?
- [97:43]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, I think initially, it's actually interesting. Like, initially, I think we were, like, dang. Like, you know, we're not at chase. This is where. Like, this is Valhalla. This is awesome. And then it became. I think Kate said. Or someone said it. And then Kate put in a video. Like, Valhalla's a mentality. Like, they're bringing Valhalla wherever we go all the time. Yeah, literally. And so then when we went to the SAP or SAP center, like, and we walked in and they did a really good job of making it. It comfortable and felt like a home, like, environment. Even in our locker room, like, they had this whole purple or violet, like, carpet and everything, which was dope. And then to go out there, like, it was insane. It was honestly so surreal. It was still. It was Valhalla. Like, you could feel it. It didn't even feel like we were somewhere else. Like, it was just felt even bigger, even louder. You couldn't hear a single thing. And so. And then after the game, them doing, like, GSB chant, you know, even though our season had just ended in almost a heartbreaking way, like, you could just still feel all of it, and it felt like we were just at home. And so it was incredible and a testament to our fans and just the whole organization. I know obviously, it was tough that we weren't there. We were definitely bummed initially, but it ended up being incredible, and I was grateful.
- [99:04]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
V's up.
- [99:05]
Veronica Burton
I know V's up. Honestly.
- [99:07]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
All right, now the dust has settled, like, a little bit. This might be too soon, so apologies if it is. But are you sad knowing that, like, with the new cba, that hopefully, fingers crossed. Gets signed, everybody's a free agent, you know, it's like, are you a little sad that it just might not look the same?
- [99:27]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, for sure. And we've again, talked about, I think in all the moments where we talk about how amazing, like, this group was, the season was, there's definitely, like, an awareness about it, an awareness that we don't know what's to come. And we, obviously, with the whole cba, as you said, we hope it gets figured out and negotiated and everything settles. But even with two more expansion teams, it's hard in general to have a team all come back and be the same team, but it's even harder with kind of the climate and where we're at right now and what things have been looking like. So, yeah, it breaks my heart a little bit to know who knows where any of us will be right now. And it's like, we talk about it and then we don't want to talk too much about it because you don't even want to, like, think about that and put that out there. So we're really. I think even being here in Cabo, we're really just trying to soak in these moments that we do have. And we did a really good job of appreciating it in real time, too, during the season.
- [100:29]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah. I think you're a restricted free agent, right?
- [100:32]
Veronica Burton
Yes. Yeah. Yeah.
- [100:33]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So how are you approaching your off season from, like, a contract standpoint? I mean, it's a little. They kind of. They can match if another team offers. But, you know, your fate, in a sense, does lie in Golden State's hands. Does that feel good? Are you kind of, like, happy to.
- [100:47]
Veronica Burton
Be tied to it? Yeah, I think if it laid in anyone's hands, like, I am grateful for everything about this organization. Like, I've loved my time here and obviously I'll still, like, I don't know, it'll be new for me and I'll figure all of that out, but. But I really do love it here. And so I had a very positive experience. And so we'll go from there. I don't know exactly, but I am happy that my fate does lie in Golden State's hands.
- [101:15]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, it's not a bad. It's not a bad.
- [101:18]
Veronica Burton
Exactly.
- [101:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Before we get to all that, though, we do have another off season, or at least you do. You recently announced you're going to be going to unrivaled, so you're going to be spending your off season there. Australia, I feel like, was such a pivotal experience for you and your growth. So when you look at unrivaled, like, what are you trying to get out of it? Obviously, the money, but outside of that, what are you trying to get out of it?
- [101:39]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, I do think being able to stay home for at least a few months, too, and to have the time to rest and recover, recover, especially after. I do think this season took a toll on my body and going straight from Australia to the W and then just being constant in that. I think for unrivaled, obviously, competing against the best is always competing with and against the best is always something that I want to be a part of. I do think it automatically elevates your game when you're Training with and competing against. And I think a three on three format will definitely be new, but also good for me in terms of continuing to build that scoring mentality and also breaking down, picking rolls and making the right reads in real time. And it's such a faster pace type of thing. And so. So I think quickening my decision making and that will be beneficial. And then obviously defensively I think I can always continue to improve and so having to implement more of that one on one defense and getting three ball screens. Yeah, literally. So I think it'll help me grow and stretch me a little bit. It'll be out of my comfort zone, but I'm excited for that. And then to even just be able to go back and forth from the bay if all of that kind of works out and stuff. Being able to train there and not be across the world in that respect.
- [103:01]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Yeah, no, definitely. Okay. So it's interesting. You're actually my first interview that hasn't taken place during the season. And usually I would end these interviews with a question around, what would. When you look back, what would success look like? What would success look like for you, for your team? So this one's gonna be a little different. When you look back, what are you most proud of and what do you wish you could have done differently?
- [103:32]
Veronica Burton
These are good ones. I would say I'm most proud of the culture that I was a part of building, but the culture that we built at Golden State, I think everything about it was just such a joyful experience. So I'm most proud of that. For sure, the basketball is great, but like, I don't care very much about that. What would I do differently? I think I would. This would probably be game. Game time decisions. I think I would guard Erica Wheeler better when she hit that. That game winner in the Seattle game.
- [104:13]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
So you could be the seven.
- [104:14]
Veronica Burton
See, yeah, I think that would have. That would have. Winning that game would have secured us to succeed. So.
- [104:19]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Oh, six seed. Wow.
- [104:20]
Veronica Burton
Yeah, yeah. So that I would have definitely done differently. Okay. Again, it was a tough shot, but that one I think like stuck with me a little bit. So. Yeah, that's what I would have done differently.
- [104:31]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
That's good. The ones that stick with you, that's what's going to take you through the next one. I agree, man. Thank you so much for coming on. This was amazing. Congratulations on a great season for yourself, for your team. I mean, before I let you go, can I just get a Cabo on three? One, two, three.
- [104:47]
Veronica Burton
Cabo.
- [104:47]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Let's do it.
- [104:49]
Veronica Burton
Let's do it.
- [104:50]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
Enjoy your vacation. And again, thank you so much. This is great.
- [104:53]
Veronica Burton
Thank you. I appreciate it too. Seriously.
- [104:59]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
That's it for our Veronica Burton interview. Man, I'm just so blown away. She's only 25 already, just has such a maturity about her. But you can tell all the different moments in her career got her to this point or actually allowed her to be ready for this moment. The way she credits her family, her faith. And really my takeaway was the coaches. The different coaches in her life. Her college coach, her high school coach, her coach in Australia. Right. Natalie Nakase. Now, these are people that have been so influential and it's kind of a reminder of the impact that coaches can have. And you're really lucky as an athlete when you get ones that believe in you. So again, had a great time talking to Veronica, getting to know her a little bit better, and I hope she enjoys her vacation. Really appreciate her taking time out to chat with us. Hope you guys 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.
- [106:00]
Veronica Burton
Dude, did you order the new iPhone 17 Pro? Got it from Verizon, the best 5G network in America.
- [106:06]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
I never looked so good.
- [106:08]
Veronica Burton
You look the same. But with this camera, everything looks better.
- [106:10]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
Especially me.
- [106:11]
Veronica Burton
You haven't changed your hair in 15 years. Selfies check please.
- [106:16]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
New and existing customers can get the new iPhone 17 Pro. Designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever. With eligible phone trade in and unlimited ultima limit any condition guaranteed. Best 5G scores Route metrics data United States 1H 2025 All Rights Reserve Trade in an additional terms apply for all offers. See verizon.com for details.
- [106:32]
Veronica Burton
And Doug, here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating.
- [106:44]
Tommy (co-host or guest commentator)
It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu.
- [106:48]
Veronica Burton
Is that guy with the binoculars.
- [106:49]
Host (possibly a sports journalist or podcast host)
What? Watching us?
- [106:50]
Veronica Burton
Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need at libertymutual. Com Savings very underwritten by Liberty Mutual insurance company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.