Fudd Around with a Legend: Sue Bird

Summary

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Fudd Around and Find Out

Episode: Fudd Around with a Legend: Sue Bird
Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Azzi Fudd with co-host Ashanti Plummer
Special Guest: Sue Bird

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Episode Overview

This week, Azzi Fudd is joined by her co-host and close friend Ashanti Plummer for a candid, engaging episode with basketball legend and UConn/Seattle Storm icon Sue Bird. The conversation moves fluidly from Azzi’s current UConn experiences to Bird’s storied career, leadership advice, Sue’s transition from college to pro, and the fun and fashion of the women’s game. The episode is a generational bridge—mixing warm mentorship, vulnerability, and laughter—with moments both heartfelt and highly entertaining.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. UConn Game Recap & Family/Fan Experience

• Azzi and Ashanti start by recapping Azzi’s opening game, sharing humorous and heartwarming anecdotes about family, fans, and the excitement of starting a new season.
  • Azzi reflects on the “weirdness” and thrill of a non-scrimmage opener:

    “It was a little different. But definitely fun, definitely a good learning experience for all of us.” (02:45)

  • Ashanti gives Azzi’s family and UConn fans a glowing review:

    “Your fan base is amazing…your parents, super dope. I was blown away by their hospitality.” (03:29)

  • A running joke emerges about what constitutes “normal” attire among UConn supporters and Ashanti’s custom outfits.

Notable Quote:

“They are. And then just wait til you go to a real game, a gamble game. And when my grandparents are here, when papa's there, everything gets raised a couple notches.” – Azzi Fudd (04:41)

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2. Media Day, Ring Ceremony, and Team Milestones

• Azzi describes her upcoming busy week, including Big East Media Day (with freshman star Sarah Strong), healthy eating goals, and the much-anticipated championship ring ceremony and dinner, with donors and panels featuring Azzi, Sarah, Paige, and Coach Geno Auriemma.
• The conversation takes a light-hearted turn about fashion, makeup, and the excitement of seeing (and designing) the championship rings.
• Ashanti promises to support from afar and FaceTime to “be blinded” by the rings.

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3. Welcoming Sue Bird—Full Circle Moment

• When Sue Bird joins (12:56), Azzi reflects on connecting at an earlier women’s sports summit, and Sue turns the tables by asking Azzi how podcasting is going.
• Azzi admits she is “getting more comfortable with each episode” and learning with each step.
• Sue shares the similarities and differences between preparing for basketball and media:

  “…the thing I like about media, especially when it’s live… you get the nervous energy again. So I like that part of it.” (13:38)

Memorable Moment:

“You never know what’s going to come out of Dee’s mouth. Neither do I. That’s the fun of it.” – Sue Bird on broadcasting with Diana Taurasi (14:40)

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4. Coach Auriemma vs. Sue’s Pod: The Inside Scoop

• Azzi asks Sue about Coach Geno joining her (Azzi’s) pod before Sue's.
  • Sue explains Coach hasn’t been invited—her Bird’s Eye View pod sticks to WNBA players for now.
  • On her pod with Megan Rapinoe, their “dream guest” is UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey (“CD”), who keeps turning them down:

    “Once CD comes on, then maybe we’ll throw the invite out to [Coach].” (16:32)

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5. NIL, Loyalty & “Would She Have Stayed?”

• Discussion about whether NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) would have changed Sue’s college path and whether she or Diana Taurasi would have left UConn early:

  “I’m a big believer: when your team is good, all the money’s coming. All the accolades are coming. Everything’s coming when your team is good.” – Sue Bird (17:16)

  • Adds that she “basically kept DP Dough afloat” in college (17:58)

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6. Why UConn? The Recruitment Story

• Sue recounts her recruiting visits—Stanford, Vanderbilt (to be a two-guard!), and UConn, which “played hard to get” and whose culture has remained unchanged for decades:

  “They've literally been the same. It's really incredible that they haven't gotten... bored or complacent in doing, you know, and in being great and doing what works.” (19:52)

• Azzi and Sue marvel at UConn's consistency and no-nonsense, “take us or leave us” honesty.

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7. Favorite “CD” (Chris Dailey) Memories

• Sue shares her “least favorite” CD memory is the infamous pantyhose era (a rule forcing players to wear pantyhose when dressing up).

  “We all had, like, clear nail polish on deck because there was no way these things weren't running… That's like the hack if they run.” – Sue Bird (22:51)

• Her favorite CD-approved memory is CD’s legendary scavenger hunts—like a disposable camera challenge throughout Pittsburgh during the NCAA tournament (23:40)

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8. Transitioning from UConn to WNBA—Hardest Lessons Learned

• Sue opens up about losing more as a pro, and the jarring adjustment that brings—

  “The one that was really hard was the losing. The losing was tough.” (25:29)

  • She advises Azzi to fully enjoy her last college season and take in every moment, echoing how important her UConn days were:

  “I would say, when I look back on college, it’s some of the best years of my life. So much fun. …There’s really nothing like it.” (27:50)

  • “Once you become a pro, you don’t really crave the college years because you’re a kid—you’re now, like, an adult and there’s something really exciting about that.” (27:50)

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9. Women’s Basketball Before & After the WNBA

• Sue details how her class was among the first to choose a college knowing the WNBA existed (debuted junior year of her high school). Prior to that, “the Olympics was the dream.”
• She describes how UConn alums like Nykesha Sales would return to campus and challenge them in practices, cementing the legendary UConn sisterhood.

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10. Leadership, Finding Your Voice, and Being Yourself

• Azzi asks Sue for advice on stepping into a more vocal leadership role as a senior—something that doesn’t come naturally for her.
  • Sue empathizes:

    “I think I was—I’m kind of like an introvert-extrovert… It takes me a second. I like to dip my toe in the water.” (32:49)

  • Geno Auriemma helped her develop her “leadership persona” over time.
  • Sue’s advice:

    “You have to do it your way…There is nothing worse than when a player like calls a huddle and you know, this isn't right. …It doesn't feel right, and you can sense it.” (34:14) “You just gotta get over that first hump. ...and it's gonna become who you are the more you do it.” (34:49)

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11. Navigating Public vs. Private Self

• Sue describes navigating the spotlight—even without social media in college and early WNBA days, there was always attention.
  • She came out “to everyone in her life” at 23, but not publicly until she was 37, highlighting the significance of authenticity and controlling your narrative:

    “Once you put something out into the world, you can't get it back. …But also, living again authentically…is super important to being your full self.” (37:05)

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12. Personal Favorites – The Fun Questions

• How many times did you break your nose and which hurt most? — Five times, but “the first one,” because she knew immediately. (40:16)
• Favorite pass? — The iconic “over my head” pass, loved especially for her teammates’ reactions.

  “I think my favorite pass ever is probably the one over my head. …I remember seeing like my teammates reactions and that was probably the best part.” (40:52)

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13. Fudd and Games: Drafting the Ultimate UConn Team (44:19)

• Dream UConn Five (by Sue—“Ride or Die” version):
  • Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tamika Williams, Asia Jones, Diana Taurasi
• All-time Greats:
  • Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles
• Draft Outfits, FUD or Dud:
  • The trio ranks and jokes about Sue’s draft and photo shoot outfits through the years—mixing genuine nostalgia with playful roasts and trend hot-takes.

Memorable Quotes:

“All draft pictures by default are FUDs. … Even when they're bad, they're good.” – Sue Bird (46:12)
“The things—this is what I had to do to get a gold medal. Okay?” – Sue Bird (51:26)

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14. Closing & Birthday Surprise

• Ashanti and Azzi wish Sue a happy (belated) birthday with a heartfelt story about their mutual friend Alex Taylor and a custom Hoopyork City shirt featuring Sue herself.

“The advice you gave was, you know, give a real athlete on there, and what better athlete than you?” – Ashanti Plummer (54:32)

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Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• Azzi Fudd:

  • “It was a little different. But definitely fun, definitely a good learning experience for all of us.” (02:45)
  • “That’s definitely my main goal, is to enjoy everything about this year...you can't take that for granted.” (27:50)

• Sue Bird:

  • “You have to do it your way…You can learn or maybe steal, but it has to be authentic to you.” (34:14)
  • “I’m a big believer: when your team is good, all the money’s coming, all the accolades are coming. Everything’s coming when your team is good.” (17:16)
  • “All draft pictures by default are FUDs. Even when they're bad, they're good.” (46:12)
  • “You just gotta get over that first hump...it's gonna become who you are the more you do it.” (34:49)

• Ashanti Plummer:

  • “Your fan base is amazing…your parents, super dope. I was blown away by their hospitality.” (03:29)
  • “Oof. Deciding what you keep for yourself and what you give to the world.” (39:31)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening UConn Game Recap: 02:13–05:45
• Media Day, Ring Ceremony: 04:56–08:19
• Sue Bird Joins: 12:56
• Media Preparation Insights: 13:32–15:18
• NIL & UConn Loyalty: 15:44–17:55
• Recruitment Stories: 18:30–20:13
• “CD” Memories: 21:53–24:48
• WNBA Transition: 25:29–27:50
• Leadership Advice: 32:49–35:06
• Public vs Private Self: 37:05–39:31
• Personal Faves (Nose, Passes): 40:16–41:04
• Games: “Fudd or Dud” Draft Outfits: 44:19–53:17
• Closing/Birthday Story: 53:20–54:48

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Final Thoughts

This episode is both inspirational and practical, serving as a masterclass in basketball wisdom and personal authenticity. It offers rare, candid advice from a living legend to a rising star, all wrapped in the warmth, candor, and humor that define the women’s basketball community.

“Enjoy this last season…you know it’s your last. …You get to have fun. There’s really nothing like it.” – Sue Bird (27:50)

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Transcript

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[Az Fudd]

Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Fut around and find out. I'm here with my girl Ashanti. Ashanti, what's up? Hey girl.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Nothing, just enjoying life as usual. I actually got to see your first game so I was super excited about that. We went up to the Mohican Sun. I got to hang out with your family and I got to watch you play hit five threes in seven minutes. But and yeah, ultimately UConn won and I was just. I had a great time so thank you for that. And how did it feel?

[Az Fudd]

Thanks for coming. It was a lot of fun. I mean, it wasn't the prettiest. It was our first, our first game against, you know, a real team, but it was a lot of fun. I thought it was a great. I don't know, I mean, it was also kind of weird starting so early. Usually don't have like our scrimmage until this week and it's closed, there's no fans. So to be out there the first time playing against someone in front of a big crowd, it was a little different. But it was definitely fun. Definitely a good learning experience for all of us. I enjoyed it and it was so nice to see you, to see my family, got to see my brother and some other family friends. But I'm curious for you, what was the experience like for you sitting with my family? Yeah, they seem like a little, a little more tame that game. Plus my grandparents weren't there.

[Ashanti Plummer]

You know what, I will say it definitely did give a little bit more tame based on the things that we've talked about, but it was so much fun. So first of all, I want to say your fan base is amazing. I was waiting online, waiting on the door to open, and a couple people came up and they were telling me how they love you and they love the podcast. And I was just like, you have like the best fans and they're so, so sweet. And then, so now I'm waiting in the front of the line with your family and we're like laughing and joking and people love them too. So that was like, it was crazy. And then we get there and we're like, of course cheering for you and talking and interacting with the other UConn parents. And then I ended up actually staying at the cottage. So that was like, the whole experience was amazing. Your parents, super dope. They're friends. I was like, I was blown away by their hospitality and like, I don't know, I can't, I couldn't ask for a better like first game experience. That was the first time I've got to like watch you as I know you and in person. And so overall, 10 out of 10. I loved every second of it and I was laughing the whole time. So your family is crazy and a lot of fun.

[Az Fudd]

They are. And then just wait til you go to a real game, a gamble game. And when my grandparents are here, when papa's there, everything gets raised a couple notches.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Well, I definitely will be at a couple games this season, so I'm looking forward to the Experience.

[Az Fudd]

I'm excited.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So you have a media day coming up in New York City. I saw on, I think, like, UConn or someone released it where it said, you and Sarah Strong are gonna represent UConn down at Madison Square Garden.

[Az Fudd]

Yes. I actually have a pretty busy week coming up, but first on the list is Big east media day in New York. This will be. Which is actually crazy to think. I think I've been to all of them, so this will be my fifth one. Sarah and I are going down with coach. We're going to have a nice, fun car ride together. Hopefully get some. Some sort of good food before you leave.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yeah, definitely. Or, girl, you know me, you get you some. Oh, we're eating healthy. Because, you know, my first name, I was going to say, is Pizza.

[Az Fudd]

I know my tummy's going to hurt.

[Ashanti Plummer]

No, no, no, don't switch off.

[Az Fudd]

I end up wearing a dress in a few days, so I'm like, you know, I can't be bloated if I'm about to put a tight dress on. So.

[Ashanti Plummer]

That's fair. That's fair. I'm excited for you to be down in New York. I think if you're gonna eat food, stick to healthy. There's still some good, healthy stuff out there.

[Az Fudd]

There's a lot of good, healthy options. There's a lot of good options, period, in New York.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Thank you. I like to say so myself.

[Az Fudd]

I'll let you know what I eat.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yes, yes. Let me know how the whole thing goes. I wish I could go support, but I'm supporting from afar, always. You're like, don't. Don't go talk. No, I got you. And then you have. What is it called on the 23rd? A ring ceremony.

[Sue Bird]

Yes.

[Az Fudd]

We have our championship dinner. So we'll have dinner. I think there'll be some donors, some other people. I know my parents are going nice, and I believe there'll be, like, a couple panels. I know I'm doing a panel. I think Sarah will be on a panel, maybe with me, actually. I know Paige will be on one, Coach will be on one, and then we get to see our rings or we get to have our rings, but this will be our first time seeing them in person. We got to help the upper class or the seniors help design them, but that was months ago, so I honestly kind of forget what we picked out. So I. I'm so excited to see them. I can't wait.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I'm excited for you. That's amazing. And you guys earned it. So good stuff. I'm like, good luck.

[Az Fudd]

It's going to be. I'm so excited. I'll have to call you after to show you.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Absolutely. Please FaceTime me. I want to be blinded.

[Az Fudd]

Actually, I have to cut you first to show you my fit. It's not like.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yes, it's not.

[Az Fudd]

It's nothing like crazy or special, but it is a dress.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Ooh, yes. Is it pink?

[Az Fudd]

It's like the only colored dress I have in my closet. So, yeah, as you should.

[Ashanti Plummer]

But yes. I want to see the whole fit. I want to see the shoes. I want to know the look you're going with. I'm tapped in. I'm invested.

[Az Fudd]

Okay, perfect. I might even do my makeup myself that night. If we decide to get crazy, please just FaceTime me.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Just put me on the side.

[Az Fudd]

It's going to look nothing like your makeup. I need a lesson from you on how to do makeup, girl.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I learned on YouTube. YouTube.

[Az Fudd]

That's how I'm learning. YouTube and teammates.

[Ashanti Plummer]

YouTube and teammates. You know, you always have the girls who are always putting their makeup on before the game. I used to just watch. I used to just be like, hmm, can you do that to me, please?

[Az Fudd]

So I'm like, right next to Jana, and I'm like, jana, help. Like, does the blush go here? A little higher, A little lower. Like, how should I blend it? She's like, okay, do this facts.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Shout out to the teammates. Shout out to YouTube University. I'm excited for you. This is everything that you deserve. You're gonna look amazing.

[Az Fudd]

So thank you. Oh, and then we have another exhibition game on Sunday.

[Ashanti Plummer]

You do? On the 26th. And you know what? I could go.

[Az Fudd]

You could?

[Ashanti Plummer]

I could. I am available Sunday. Me thinking through my schedule before I commit.

[Sue Bird]

I think I can.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I will get back to you later this week, but I would love to go if there's a ticket available.

[Az Fudd]

Well, I would love to see you there anytime.

[Ashanti Plummer]

And guess what's ready. My custom fit.

[Az Fudd]

No, I'm scared. No, I need to say that for a real game. Okay. A real game.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay. So you're the first game I'm able to go to. That's like a on schedule game. I'll wear it. Fair.

[Az Fudd]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

Perfect.

[Az Fudd]

Perfect.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay.

[Az Fudd]

Normal.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Normal clothes. Or maybe like merch. Like, you know, there's.

[Az Fudd]

I was going to say normal doesn't exist in your closet. You always. It's a fit regardless.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I appreciate you saying that, girl, but.

[Sue Bird]

Okay.

[Ashanti Plummer]

The first official game that I go to, I'll wear the custom fit. I'm so excited.

[Az Fudd]

Okay. I'm kind of scared. I'm excited, but a little nervous.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Don't worry, it's not going to be too crazy. I would not embarrass you, but yeah, I mean, I think that's it. I'm excited for our guests. We have a special guest coming on highly anticipated.

[Az Fudd]

We do. I'm also excited Sue Bird will be joining us and I can't wait to talk to her. I know that you guys are gonna love this and so are we. It's gonna be great.

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[Az Fudd]

We have such an incredible guest today. Sue Bird. Welcome to the pod.

[Sue Bird]

Thank you. Thanks for having me.

[Az Fudd]

So this is kind of a full circle moment because what was that April, when we were at the Deep Blue Summit and we're on a panel together and we kind of teased the pod a little bit. You asked if I was going to planning on having a podcast and I was like, you just got to fud around and find out and here we are.

[Sue Bird]

I know, Congrats. I don't want to start by asking you questions, but how's it going? You liking podcast life?

[Az Fudd]

I am. I feel like I've gotten a little bit more comfortable with each episode. So it's been, it's been a learning process.

[Sue Bird]

Awesome. Love that for you.

[Az Fudd]

What are some similarities that you found between preparing for basketball and we're preparing for media?

[Sue Bird]

Not that many. I mean, I guess like the definition of preparation is the same, right? You're just like getting ready for something, you know, it's tough to say. I would say the thing I like about media, especially when it's live, is once you're done playing, you know you're not going to find out for a long time. But it's hard to get your juices going right the way like a game or like a championship game, like it's hard to get going in that way. But live TV has like a little bit of that. So like when Dee and I do our show during the final four, it's like you get the nervous energy again. So I like, I like that part of it.

[Az Fudd]

I'll never forget watching you guys. What, what championship? I forget what game it was South Carolina was playing. But watching you Guys do that at the Final Four. Just the chemistry you guys have, but just how much fun you guys have doing it. It's. I feel like that's how it should be. Every time people are talking and, like, you're watching a game, it's just so fun to listen to. Yeah, yeah, we have a good time.

[Sue Bird]

We have a good time. You know, you never know what's going to come out of Dee's mouth. Neither do I. That's the fun of it. You know what I think I like is every year, it's kind of taken on, like, a different iteration of itself. Like, the first year, we were making it up as we went. We had those red solo cups. Everyone was trying to guess what was in it. We were having a good time. And then last year, we definitely went more into, like, basketball conversations. Like, we were paying attention way more to the game than we ever had previously. Not just because UConn was in it. I promise. It was something we. We wanted to do. So it's been fun to kind of each year recreate something that you're already doing.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah. That's so cool. Okay, so recently we had Coach Oriemma on our podcast, and there were a lot of comments on social media after about how he joined our pod before yours. And I was curious to know what your response was to that. But also, like, why is that? Why hasn't he joined your pod?

[Sue Bird]

Well, he hasn't been invited.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, okay.

[Sue Bird]

That makes sense. So for the podcast, I do by myself, Bird's eye view that right now is, like, only players. I think eventually, actually only, like, WNBA players. And I think eventually I'll start to, like, branch out, go the coaching route, college players, maybe, like, that kind of a thing. But right now it's just WNBA players. So he doesn't, you know, the man never played, so he doesn't fit as far as a touch more goes. You know, Megan and I talked about it. We want to get CD on before we get anybody on.

[Ashanti Plummer]

That'd be a good.

[Az Fudd]

And I support that.

[Sue Bird]

Keeps turning us down. CD keeps turning us down.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, no, she did say that the other day. She was like, who wants to hear what I have to say? I was like, cd, Everyone who doesn't want to hear what you have to say?

[Sue Bird]

Everybody. You know, everything. You've been there for everything.

[Ashanti Plummer]

She's also never hits the box.

[Sue Bird]

So once CD comes on, then maybe we'll throw the invite out to me.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Coach, I'm crying.

[Az Fudd]

Okay, you gotta keep pushing. I'll keep, like, yeah, work on her for me, work on her. Not that I hold any power over, let's be honest.

[Sue Bird]

Nobody does.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So on the pod, we asked Gino a question about Nil and it came up whether, you know, you guys would leave. What do you think if you, if Nil existed when you played, do you think you would have still stayed at UConn?

[Sue Bird]

Oh my God, like left early.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I mean, not even early, like each year. Yeah, you can transfer to a different school. And I also want to know your thoughts about if DT would have been leaving too.

[Sue Bird]

Nah, I don't think we would have left. I don't think we would have left. I'm a big believer, like when your team is good, all the money's coming, all the accolades are coming. Everything's coming when your team is good. So like whatever you might get if you left to go on your own, I feel like if you stay and you win, which obviously we know that my era, like we went out champions, like you're just gonna get just as much. So I don't think we would have left, but yeah, I mean, you know, stores would have had to figure it out. They would have to come. We would have been sponsored by like Deepido and Ted's. They would have had to figure that out.

[Az Fudd]

Really funny.

[Ashanti Plummer]

They don't have to fundraise.

[Sue Bird]

I basically, I basically kept DB Doe afloat. Let's be honest.

[Az Fudd]

Single hand magic.

[Sue Bird]

Literally.

[Az Fudd]

I've actually never had deep B.

[Sue Bird]

Do you've never had deepie dough?

[Ashanti Plummer]

What's deep dough?

[Sue Bird]

It's like a calzone spot. But they have like, I can't even like a ton of different calzones. And you know, they deliver after midnight.

[Az Fudd]

So.

[Sue Bird]

That'S what it is. That's what it is.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So when you were looking for colleges that you wanted to go to, what other schools were you considering?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, so the only two other schools that I visited were Stanford and Vanderbilt.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, nice.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I know Vanderbilt feels like so random for people now, but we'll give Shay a shout out. They're on the come up. They're coming back.

[Az Fudd]

Absolutely.

[Sue Bird]

So those were my three final schools at the time. You gotta go way back. Like I was a big fan of Jen Az. So Stanford to me was like, oh, this is where you go to be like the best point guard. So that really stuck out. And I remember Tara Vanderbilt kind of recruited me to be a point guard. Vanderbilt, interestingly enough, Jim Foster was there who's actually Coach Ayama's like one of his close friends, possibly even like a mentor at one point. They Were kind of recruiting me to be a two, which, thinking about that now is, like, crazy. But, yeah, they were recruiting me to be a 2. And then UConn was kind of like. You know how they are. They're like, hey, this is who we are. If you like it, cool, come on over. If not, all good. So they were playing hard to get a little bit, and clearly I was.

[Az Fudd]

Attracted to that just the exact same way. I think that's so incredible. Like, the exact same way. You come here, great.

[Sue Bird]

If you don't, I know.

[Az Fudd]

We look forward to meeting you.

[Sue Bird]

People always ask about, like, what keeps them, what makes them great. And I'm like, the fact that they have literally been the same for. I don't even know how many years they've been there. Like, 30, 40 years. Yeah.

[Az Fudd]

This is 41.

[Sue Bird]

41. Oh, yeah. 40th was last year. 41 years. They've literally been the same. It's. It's really incredible that they haven't gotten. And I don't say this in a negative way, but that they haven't gotten bored or, like, complacent in doing, you know, and in being great and doing what works. Yeah, it's impressive.

[Az Fudd]

Coach reminds us all the time that he's like, well, now he. It's a little. It's a little bit different. Before, it was. Have you guys ever won? No, I've won 11. So, like, I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing this for you.

[Sue Bird]

I don't believe him when he says that. I'm like, it's a little bit for you. Come on. Like, you like it, too.

[Az Fudd]

He does.

[Sue Bird]

He was having fun. Yeah, he was having fun after last year also. He wasn't just like, oh, you guys enjoy. Nah, he's enjoying it, too.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Do you remember your visit at UConn?

[Sue Bird]

Of course.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, tell us about it.

[Sue Bird]

Of course. You know, there's not really much to tell. You know, you. You know you have a host. Shay Ralph was my host. Is that correct? I think that's correct. But you spend time with everybody. You're never. You know, because we kind of. I'm sure you guys are the same. You roll pretty tight, and so you're with the whole team. They're taking you to some classes. Like, oh, this is what your day would be like. You go to practice, you watch them practice. I was there with. I went on my visit with this other player, Lindsay Yamasaki, and then Asia Jones. So it was like the three of us on our visit. And I remember at the End of it, you know, you go to coach's house. That's the last stop. So your visit's over. And then you go to his house for, like, whatever breakfast, lunch before you take off. And that's when he, like, takes you into, like, a private room and he has his. Like, this is his final play. You know, he's like, all right, this is it. Like we were saying, what do you think? And I didn't commit on the spot. Some. Some players fall into that. I didn't fall into that. I didn't commit. But when Asia and I were saying goodbye, she was. She kind of looked at me. She's like, I think I'm coming here. Are you coming here? And I was like, yeah, I'm probably coming here.

[Az Fudd]

That's funny. What is your favorite CD memory?

[Sue Bird]

Oh, God. CD memory. I don't know if I. My favorite. I can't tell you on camera. How sad is that?

[Az Fudd]

Oh, wait, I actually want to change it. What's your favorite CD memory? From being a player and then to being an alum.

[Sue Bird]

To being an alum, man. My favorite ones aren't. She'll kill me if I tell them. Okay.

[Az Fudd]

CD approved. Favorite CD approved.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. Well, we definitely. We played. This is like, my least favorite. We played in the pantyhose era. Everybody knows about the pantyhose era. When, you know, a lot of times we have to dress up when we go out to dinner or when we travel or whatever the case. And if you wore a skirt or a dress or any kind of, you know, leg revealing outfit. She forced us to wear pantyhose. It was like a rule. So that's my least favorite memory. I know that rule no longer exists, so you're welcome because we must have complained so much.

[Az Fudd]

Thank you, pioneer.

[Sue Bird]

Anytime.

[Az Fudd]

You went through it so I didn't have to.

[Sue Bird]

Yep, exactly. Yeah. So that's my least favorite. So, I mean, we all had, like, clear nail polish on deck because there was no way these things weren't running, you know, like, that's like the hack if they run.

[Az Fudd]

Okay. Actually, I have heard that. I was going to say, I don't even know what you're talking about, but I have heard that before.

[Sue Bird]

Man, I'm really dating myself here.

[Ashanti Plummer]

God.

[Sue Bird]

My favorite. I think just like, oh, there was one where. Let me think about a favorite. Guys, this is tough. They're all embarrassing for her. Let me think, let me think, let me think. I don't know if I have any that aren't embarrassing. She'll kill me. So I'm just gonna leave it at pantyhose.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, no, that's perfect, because we gotta keep her in your good graces so she can come on your. Exactly.

[Sue Bird]

Exactly.

[Az Fudd]

Did you guys have CD games?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah. So this has been going on for, like, all 41 years?

[Sue Bird]

Oh, for sure. Actually, you know, one of my favorite CD memories is we were in the NCAA tournament. I wanna say we were in Pittsburgh. It was like a regional. And so this is actually one of my favorites. She did a scavenger hunt game that was honestly, like, so elite. She gave us disposable cameras, and we had to, like, go around the city and get different pictures with different. It was like, go find two people with a mullet. It was like, all this. We had to go. One of them was. I'll never forget this, because we were walking distance to the arena. It was like, go take a picture with someone from another team that, like, we're about to play in the regional. Yeah, it was. It was like, one of the, like, most legit elite scavenger hunt games I've ever played. And then basically, we got it all developed, and we had to, like, put it on this, like, map, and then obviously, you know, whoever got the most points. But, yeah. Oh, she's been doing games and, like, morning walks and all that stuff.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, yeah. For forever.

[Az Fudd]

I'm gonna have to request a fun scavenger hunt game. That sounds like a good one.

[Sue Bird]

It really was. Yeah. You had, like, teams of, you know, two or three people each, so it was a couple teams. And you just, like, took over the city trying to find, like, all this different stuff. It was really fun.

[Az Fudd]

Wow. I'm so impressed. I'm gonna have to talk about her. Talk to her about this later.

[Ashanti Plummer]

CDs games are legendary. Like, everyone talks about it.

[Az Fudd]

They truly are. Like, I wish everyone could experience at least one CD game. Just knowing that's what I'm saying.

[Ashanti Plummer]

CD needs to take this on the road, you know, after UConn, whenever she's done. Because I want to play. Okay, so, sue, let's talk about your transition from UConn into the pros. What was some of the hardest lessons you learned in transitioning from college to the wnba?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I mean, honestly, just the losing right away. You're losing way more than you ever lost in your whole life, probably. And that's a learning lesson. I remember I've told this story before. It's like, we lost our very first game, and I'm, like, coming in the locker room, like, mad. I'm like, what the fuck? You know all this stuff. So I'm coming to locker room, like pissed off, not throwing shit, but like, I'm mad and I look around and everybody else on my team is just like, yo, where you want to go to dinner tonight? Like, life just moves on. And very quickly you realize you can't get like crazy with the losses because there's just going to be so many of them and if you let them get to you, you'll never be able to play the next game. So that was probably the biggest adjustment I felt like UConn does get you ready. Like you're going to be ready physically, you're going to be ready mentally. Of course there's different adjustments. Like, you know, everybody's older. You're playing against like legit grown ass women now who are older, smarter. They know how to like manipulate you out there. So there's like adjustments there, but those ones you just like figure out as you go. The one that was really hard was the losing. The losing was tough.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yeah. I was gonna say, what advice do you have for AZ as she's gonna start beginning her transition to the pros?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I mean, first and foremost, enjoy this last season. You know, I feel like there are a couple moments where it's cliche to say, like, make sure you're soaking it all in, but this is one of those moments where, you know it's your last. Right. Sometimes we don't know what's gonna happen. You know, it's your last year, so I think you can definitely take a couple moments here and there and just kind of look around and enjoy it all. Cause it's interesting. Like I would say when I look back on college, it's some of the best years of my life. So much fun. You don't have to worry about anything. I mean, you have to worry about school a little bit, but you don't have to worry about anything else. But like your teammates, basketball, your friends, you get to have fun. It's really nothing like it. And at the same time, once you become a pro, you don't really crave college years because you're a kid, you're now like an adult and there's something really exciting about that. So I think for you and your adjustment, just, you don't have to, don't think about it yet. It's, it's going to come. It's going to come. You don't have to worry about it. You're already prepared for it. You're going to be preparing for it. This whole year. So really just enjoy now.

[Az Fudd]

That's definitely my main goal, is to enjoy everything about this year. My teammates, the coaches. Like you said, like, there is stuff you need to worry about, but we really, truly are in a little bubble here and you can't take that for granted.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, it's nice. It's a nice life.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So sue back to your, you know, you're getting ready to go play professionally. I think you were. Not if you weren't the first, you were one of the first classes who were preparing to play in the W because it was brand new. So what was that like? And I want to know more about like the mindset before knowing that the W was an option versus when the league opened up.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Sue Bird]

So the WNBA started in my junior year of high school and so I think my class. You make a good point. My class was one of the first classes to choose a college knowing that there was a wnba. So it's like, oh, what's going to help me get there? So that definitely went into my thought process. But yeah, prior to that it was the Olympics. Like it was the national team. Like that's what you were dreaming about. I think I was. I already mentioned Jen Az. She was on that 96 Atlanta team. So if you rewind, they did like a full year long tour where they like, I mean they were all over the globe, literally. But they did a college tour, they played a bunch of college teams and I went to one of the games, my AAU coach took me and a couple of my teammates and I remember seeing Jen Azy. So let's call it like 1995. I'm like 14 years old and I remember seeing Jen Az being like, oh, we look alike. Like this could be me, you know, and yeah, that was my C. It be it. And there was no WNBA though. So I was just kind of like, okay, I want to get a college scholarship. UConn had just won the national championship in 95, so they're all over TV. They're kind of on my map. I'm starting to get recruited. Obviously I'm being recruited in this moment. I'm like early days of high school. So I'm just like, I want to get a college scholarship and wow, the Olympics would be the ultimate dream. Because even though I heard of players going overseas, like no 14 year old is like, I can't wait to get to Europe. It's like none of that. So you're just kind of like, yeah, so you're just. This is what you're thinking about this is what you're doing. And then like I said, sophomore, junior year rolls around, WNBA starts. The ABL had started too, but I don't, I don't really remember watching it that much. I definitely remember watching the wnba and then that became like the new thing, right? Like the new dream, the new goal. And there was definitely conversations when we were in college, like Nikisha Sales, Rita Williams, they would come back to school a lot and like terrorize us in practice. Terrorize us. It was like a terror. Two man press. We couldn't even get the ball over half court. But they would talk to us a lot about like, becoming a professional, being in the wnba, like, what to expect. And it was really helpful to have older players like alum to talk to.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Listen, you and dt, go on, come back and show Az and her team what's up.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, gosh, that's so amazing though. I feel like that just shows the UConn sisterhood, like having, at least for us, having all of you guys. We might not talk to all of you, but we know that we have you as a resource to talk to and go to. You guys all have or like have live, are currently living our dream. So.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, you'll see when you get older too. It's like you're gonna be so available for any player that ever want to hit you up, and then they'll never hit you up. And that's okay.

[Az Fudd]

That was literally me this summer. I texted you and then I never circled anytime. It's okay.

[Sue Bird]

I totally get it. I was the same way with old, you know, like, only when they, like, shared, like, shared their wisdom. It was like, oh, this is amazing. But I never, you know, it's hard to be like, hey, can you help me with this? So I totally get it.

[Az Fudd]

I definitely will. I will text you at some point soon. But I don't want to bother you. That's what sauce is. I don't want to bother you.

[Sue Bird]

You're not bothering me. You're not bothering me. I mean, you're figuring it out on your own too, but go ahead.

[Az Fudd]

Trying to say, well, since I have you here now, I might as well ask you a couple of questions. Well, first, I feel like the thing that I'm focusing most on right now is, as everyone knows, being a leader, using my voice, it doesn't come supernaturally to me. And there's times where things won't be going well in practice. And I'm like, oh, like, maybe we should huddle. And I'm like, well, what would I say? And I'm like, oh, maybe I won't do it. How do I. Like, I just need to rip the band aid off and do it. Like, I. It's like something is, like, holding me back. So I guess I'm wondering, did leading. I mean, you're a point guard, but did leading and using your voice, being vocal, like, did that come naturally to you, or did you have any, you know, apprehensions at first? And if so, how did you get over that?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, no, it did not come supernaturally to me. I think I was. I'm kind of like an introvert, extrovert. Like, I got a little bit of both going. And I'm definitely the type where it takes me a second. I like to, like, dip my toe in the water. I'm not the type to jump in. Luckily, to be honest, Coach Aoyama really helped me with that. He just kind of. I think he saw that I had these, like, two Personas or. No, I'm sorry. I think he saw that I was struggling to find my Persona as a leader on the court, so he knew who I was off the court, and he was basically helping me, or what he did at the time was, like, develop these two Personas until they became one. So kind of like bringing me out of my shell on the court, encouraging me to do that, sometimes gently, sometimes not so gently as he does. But I think that helped, like, understanding, like, okay, I can kind of create something that is me, because Sidebar. The biggest advice I can give you in terms of being a leader is you have to do it your way. It. It can't be, you know, whatever. Whoever you've played with that you would define as, like, leaders. You cannot copy, you cannot mimic, you can learn, and you can maybe steal, but it has to be authentic to you, because there is nothing worse than when a player, like, you know, calls a huddle and you're like, you know, this isn't right. Like, it doesn't feel right, and you can sense it, right, when somebody's trying too hard. So you don't want to be like, a try hard in terms of leadership. So if your leadership, to be honest, is, you know, kind of like the quiet moments or leading by example, that's okay. But if you're on a team where maybe you might need to do more, like, you're the older player now, you're the vet, you're experienced, then you have to try to see if you can pull. Pull yourself out of your own shell to. To develop this other Persona. And honestly, it's like, Anything. It's like you're intimidated at first, and then you'd finally just, like, make yourself do it. And you're like, well, that wasn't even that bad. And then it becomes, with practice, more natural. So you just gotta get over that first hump. Cause I promise you, it's not even that hard or not even that bad. And it's gonna become who you are the more you do it.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah. And it'll be worth it. That's what I keep trying to tell myself is this temporary discomfort, like, that'll go, but it's gonna be worth it in the long run.

[Sue Bird]

Definitely.

[Az Fudd]

Do you remember anything, like, while you're preparing for your senior year, what you did, what your mindset was like?

[Sue Bird]

So I was really lucky because my junior year, we had an incredibly talented team. Svetlana Brasimova, Shay Ralph, are the seniors. There are all Americans. My class, obviously, is juniors. Dee's class is they just finished their freshman year. But we lose. We lose in the Final Four. So going into my senior year, we had that motivation. I mean, you know what it's like, right? When you lose in the Final Four, it's like, that's all you're thinking about. It's. It's driving everything. So I feel like I was. Like I said, I feel like I was lucky because it was my last year. We fucking lost in the. In the semifinals to Notre Dame, and that is just fueling everything. So we were just like, mission, like, revenge, redemption, eye on the prize. Nothing was going to get in the way of that. And so I think there. It's always a challenge to go back to back. So I feel like that's. That's a little bit of a difference. But I don't see why you can't channel some of that energy, because it is your final year. This is a new group. I think the biggest advice I could give you in terms of trying to go back to back, and this is someone who, if. If you don't count Russia. I never went back to back my whole career. I did in Russia a couple times, but never in. In the US So the hardest part, don't try to. Don't try to replicate what you did the year before. Don't be like, yo, guys, last year we did this. Or last year was like that. Nope, you got to last year is last year, and everybody has to. You have to, like. You have to form this year's identity. So you got to push last year to the side. So that'd be my biggest advice.

[Az Fudd]

Thank you. Wow. Uh.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, I'm excited. Okay. So, Sue, I want to know more about how you balanced your private life and your public life. When did you notice, like, fans or people start to take an interest in what you had going on off the court?

[Sue Bird]

Oh, man. Like, immediately. They're always interested. Always trying to guess, always trying to. I mean, az you know about this. Always trying to figure it out. Always trying to, like, oh, you're wearing a T shirt. What does that mean? What is this? What is this? She has jeans on today. What does that mean?

[Ashanti Plummer]

So this was all through college and into the process.

[Sue Bird]

So I will say, listen, obviously a little different. There was no social media when I was in college. There wasn't really even social media. Like, probably, like, half my career, there was no social media. So it's. It was. The access was different. But. But people, like, came up to you more in. In person and, like, would, like, just straight up ask questions. So, like, that was happening. There's always, like, assumptions also. So people are, like, always reading into stuff. It's definitely a part of it. And I think the management is, you know, just understanding that and really, you know, remembering. Once you, like, put something out into the world, you can't get it back. But also, I think, like, living again, authentically bringing up that word again, like, it is super important to being, like, your full self. Your full self as a person. And then since we're talking about basketball, a little bit, your full self as a player. Like, I found that when I was doing that. And by the way, I didn't come out publicly. I was, like, out to everybody in my life probably by the time I was 23. So everybody in my life knew. I mean, friends, family, teammates, the Storm organization. I had to come out to coach and cd. So, like, that was I. I literally came out to everybody. Not had to. Let me take that back. It wasn't like I had to. It was. I wanted to.

[Az Fudd]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

I'd be like, this is who I am. This is who I'm dating, or, this is who I am. And it was important for me, but I didn't actually say it publicly until I was, like, 37 years old. Wow. I know. It's kind of a trip. And even at 37, I noticed a difference by saying it publicly. So there was something really rewarding about it. But once you're out publicly now, you're inviting even more people to try to. To, you know, guess or say shit.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Or have an opinion.

[Sue Bird]

Exactly. So you got to just. You can't listen. You can't listen to those opinions. But yeah, once you put something out there, you can't get it back either. So you gotta. That's to me, like the management. You wanna be yourself, but always with the understanding that once it's out there, you can't get it back. So that's the juggle. That's the balance. That's the management.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oof. Deciding what you keep for yourself and what you give to the world.

[Sue Bird]

It's tough now. I'm like, is there something I wish I could take back? Nah, I don't know. Megan and I are like, well, she was so out. She was like so gay. I was guilty by association.

[Ashanti Plummer]

She like, I was gay adjacent. But she was gay gay.

[Sue Bird]

Oh my God. Yeah, she was gay. Yeah, gay adjacent. What's that made me? Gay.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay, sue, thank you for that. So a couple of not random, but like off of basketball topics, I want to know. So you broke your nose five times. Which one hurt the most?

[Sue Bird]

Honestly, all of them. I think the first one though, because it really. I knew immediately that it was broken and so not only did it hurt, you've been hitting the nose, right? I mean it, it's unavoidable. Not only did it hurt. Yeah, not only did it hurt, I was like, oh my. I was like, oh no. You know what I mean? Like the, the reality of my literally feeling my bone like off to the side. The shock of that, the combination. So first one for sure.

[Az Fudd]

Do you have a favorite pass from your career?

[Sue Bird]

I think my favorite pass ever is probably the one over my head. That one gets a lot of play, gets a lot of love. I don't even know where it came from, but I remember seeing like my teammates reactions and that was probably the best part.

[Az Fudd]

Iconic dance corn. Yeah, definitely iconic.

[Sue Bird]

And now Maureen Johannes is just like doing it all over the place. That's making it look easy. That's a fact.

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[Sue Bird]

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[Az Fudd]

Okay, so now it is time for FUD and games. We have a couple fun games lined up. The first one we're going to have you draft your dream UConn team.

[Sue Bird]

Oh you're trying to get me. Trying to get me to go viral.

[Ashanti Plummer]

You going to be viral.

[Sue Bird]

See how this works? My, my, my. What do you mean by dream? Just, like, what I think is the best.

[Az Fudd]

I guess you can take it, however.

[Sue Bird]

Because I have two answers.

[Az Fudd]

I have two answers like, coach gave his team to win, or like, what is it a team to win or is it a team to have fun?

[Sue Bird]

I would go like, I mean, this could be both. This could be both. These teams are fun, and both these teams could win. I'm just going to give it to you. So I do think if I had to ride or die just, like, one time. You're throwing us out there one time. And I got to pick four others I'm going with my senior year. So me, Swin, Tameka, Asia, Diana. Like, hard to argue that starting five, but I think if I had to go, like, all time, great. And, you know, usually I don't like picking myself, but I'll pick myself. I'll pick Diana, Maya, Stewie, and Tina Charles. And I think that would be probably both fun and really difficult to beat.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, I feel like you can't go.

[Sue Bird]

Wrong with who's yours, just like all the players you played with.

[Az Fudd]

I mean, if I'm gonna pick a team, I'm gonna pick. Yeah, like, I'm gonna ride with my dogs. But like I said, you can't go wrong with any. Any UConn alum ever.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay, sue, so for the next game, we're gonna play FUD or dud. We are going to rank some draft outfits. Some outfits throughout the years.

[Az Fudd]

Okay? Okay.

[Ashanti Plummer]

And for the listeners, we'll do our best to describe, but make sure y' all check us out on YouTube to see the pictures. All right, sue, this is the first one.

[Sue Bird]

Do you want me to describe it?

[Ashanti Plummer]

Well, you get to decide whether this is a FUD or does so meaning, like, fud, as this is draft day.

[Sue Bird]

This is draft day. This is FUD.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay. Fire.

[Az Fudd]

I agree. This is FUD.

[Sue Bird]

All draft pictures. All draft pictures by default are FUDs. Okay. Okay. Because it's like, even when they're bad, they're good.

[Ashanti Plummer]

We love a business casual ready for work.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, this is. I always say this is a. The top and the pants are from Express. I did have a blazer, like a suit. It matched the pants. And, you know, in a last second decision, right before my name was called, I decided to get rid of it. And I feel like it's the best thing that could have happened. I really would have been, like, straight up business. Casual. So this gave it. I leaned a little more cash, which I think helped help this stay a FUD and not become a dud.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I think he's still cute.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, My toes are out. Listen, my toes are out. We got some Steve Maddens on.

[Ashanti Plummer]

She wearing black.

[Sue Bird]

My ring. My black from Tiffany.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yes.

[Sue Bird]

This was a big deal.

[Ashanti Plummer]

And the sleeveless gray and white. Or was that black and white stripes kind of vibe?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, it had like a. It was a stretchy material. It was like a little.

[Az Fudd]

It looks comfy.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yes.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah. And shout out to that. To the chair. Okay. Oh, that chair is given. What?

[Ashanti Plummer]

That's from ikea.

[Az Fudd]

Oh, probably.

[Sue Bird]

This is. This is. This is literally right after I got drafted. Okay, you gotta take all your little portrait pics. Oh, it was a FUD flyer.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Describe this.

[Sue Bird]

I feel like I could wear that now.

[Az Fudd]

This is a jumpsuit.

[Sue Bird]

I could wear this now maybe without the. The. The necklace. And maybe those are actually shorts. Oh, they're not connected. Surprise.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I gotta zoom in.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I could pull this off now. 2014. That's not so bad. Where does this outfit from? God, it might be from, like Max Mara or like BCBG or like something like that, if I had to guess.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So it's shorts and a top. A black and white top and.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, I think it was connected. I think it's like one.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, one piece.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, like a jumper. Yeah, yeah, like a jumper romper situation. But it was shorts. It did look like a skirt or a dress, but it's shorts. Okay. And I think D still has that blazer.

[Az Fudd]

I'm crying.

[Sue Bird]

I think D still rocks that blazer.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I'm crying. Necklace and all.

[Sue Bird]

Yo, the necklace or is that a U? Oh, that's a deep V. Deep V.

[Ashanti Plummer]

That's a deep V. Showing the.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, the necklaces. The necklaces are legit. And credit to Andrew Bernstein, Andy Bernstein. He is a great photographer. I've known him almost my entire playing career. So shout out to Andy. He took a good flick.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay, Andy. All right, this next one.

[Sue Bird]

Woo. This is a dud. Okay, this is a dud.

[Ashanti Plummer]

What night was this?

[Sue Bird]

This is a dud. I don't even know, like, what's happening.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Look how little you are, how young you are.

[Az Fudd]

I feel like. Yeah, the word to describe so many of these is just cute.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Like, yes, so cute, y'. All. She has this. I don't even know how to describe this material. What's this, Sue?

[Sue Bird]

It's like, I don't know, like a lacy.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay, you give it a little sexy business. You better Go ahead. Is that buckle?

[Sue Bird]

Buckles are coming back. My favorite thing is when I see. I'm just gonna move this. Sorry, guys.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Blue jeans with a lacy white top.

[Sue Bird]

Okay. And what it, like, does that necklace act as a shield also? Can I just, like, take it off and what is going on? So this is. Yeah, we've. We've entered dud category. This is a dud.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

But I was just gonna say I love how I'm seeing, like, styles from kind of like this, if I had to guess, is, like, early 2000s are starting to come back. I see a lot of belt buckles these days. I'm just saying. Not that necklace. No.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Here we go. Oh, girl. What you feel?

[Sue Bird]

How do you feel about this? This was. You know, I have a really. I have, like, one of those memories. I don't forget anything. This was like a shoot. These aren't my clothes.

[Az Fudd]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

I was put in these clothes.

[Az Fudd]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

Which is fine. Yeah, it's, you know, basic black and white striped. Probably the same jeans as the picture before. They're giving blue jeans.

[Ashanti Plummer]

You know, shoes. What's them shoes?

[Az Fudd]

I don't know.

[Sue Bird]

I can't see the shoes. I can't see. Oh, those are Nikes. I think this was a Nike shoot. So those are some Air Force ones. Oh, listen, the shoes were usually on point.

[Ashanti Plummer]

It is a Nike. Yes. If you zoom into the top.

[Sue Bird]

Wait, yeah, this was.

[Ashanti Plummer]

This was back in the day.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, no, those are Air Force ones. Sure.

[Ashanti Plummer]

And if you zoom up on the top, there's like, a little Nike check on the top, right?

[Az Fudd]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sue Bird]

The shirt's Nike.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, my gosh. Yes.

[Sue Bird]

I was. I was doing. Listen, I was just, like, doing my contract.

[Ashanti Plummer]

But seriously, FUD or duff of that. Like, would you put that on?

[Sue Bird]

Yo, the Air Force ones.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Air Force ones, yes.

[Sue Bird]

This is a fud. This is a fud.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Yes.

[Sue Bird]

I wouldn't put it on now, per se.

[Ashanti Plummer]

I don't know, sis. The shirt giving Beetlejuice.

[Sue Bird]

Beetlejuice is classic. So it's classic. Yo, the things. This is what I had to do to get a gold medal. Okay. This is what I had to do to get a gold medal. I didn't have a say. I said, are you serious? This was for the London Olympics. Do you have the one where I have the hat on? Oh, there's one where I have the whole hat on. I'm like, you know, I forget the names of those soldiers, but okay, so we represent.

[Az Fudd]

Was it heavy?

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, it was heavy.

[Az Fudd]

The coat looks heavy.

[Sue Bird]

I know. And I'm like, did the. The scarf is, you know, listen, the coat. Wait, what are the names of these soldiers? It's just the King's Guard.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Oh, King's Guard.

[Sue Bird]

Yeah, they, like, guard the palaces. Oh, like outside of Buckingham Palace. Yeah, so they're like the King's Guard outside of Buckingham Palace. You do these. These photo shoots when you're headed to the Olympics where they just have you do a bunch of different stuff. And so this was before the London Olympics. They had us all put this coat on, and then, you know, they had to let. Let everybody know I was still American. So they put the scarf on me. I don't even know this is. Listen, it's a fud. Because it's funny for funny in this. It does.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah. Yeah, 100%.

[Sue Bird]

Oh, my God. My pictures through the years are so ridiculous and so funny and so tragic, and yet it would have been worse if there were camera phones, so I can't even complain.

[Ashanti Plummer]

It would have been worse if social media was popping.

[Sue Bird]

It would have been worse.

[Ashanti Plummer]

But it's okay. Cause style now fire and you get to pick what you want to wear. And you don't have to do this again. And some of it's coming back like you said.

[Az Fudd]

So I should have kept trendsetter.

[Sue Bird]

Except apparently that. That striped Nike shirt. You guys are saying that one's out.

[Az Fudd]

Yeah.

[Ashanti Plummer]

That's.

[Az Fudd]

Okay.

[Sue Bird]

Fair. Fair. I'll take that.

[Ashanti Plummer]

So the last little thing is gonna be quick. One, two. Happy belated birthday. Thank you from me, Az and fud around the fut around. Find out podcast, quick story. We share a friend. Her name is Alex Taylor. She does hoopyork City, which is a women's collective, and it was started to give women a safe place to play where it's just all women. It's been around since 2018, and you guys have developed a friendship. I don't know if you remember the conversation you had with Alex at Deep Blue's launch party, but she had this.

[Sue Bird]

Shirt.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Originally, and the woman on it was just, in your words, a bootleg hoopyork City logo. But now it's you. Happy birthday. It's you. And we all have one, and you're gonna have one delivered to your house. So happy birthday, and we love you.

[Sue Bird]

Thank you. Ah, that is so sweet. Yo, I just wore that the other.

[Ashanti Plummer]

Day, and now we gotta give you an updated one, and now it's gonna be me. Yes, Alex is the best. Because the advice you gave was, you know, give a real athlete on there, and what better athlete than you? So I love that.

[Sue Bird]

Thank you guys so much and obviously shout out to Alex.

[Az Fudd]

Thank you so much for listening and tuning in to today's podcast. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Subscribe to FUD around and find out wherever you get your podcasts and we'll see you guys next week. Fud around and Find out is a production of I Heart Women's Sports and Unanimous Media. Executive producers are Jesse Katz, Eric Payton, Sharla Sumter, Brigitte and Stephen Curry. Co executive producer is Kalena Maria Kutney, producers are Mike Coscarelli and co producers are Kurt Redmond, Maya Howard and Jacqueline Schoeninger. This podcast is edited by Mike Coscarelli and hosted by me, Az Fudd and Ashanti Plummer.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Rashawn McDonald]

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[Sue Bird]

At Hill's Pet Nutrition.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Sue Bird]

Leaving too long, playing too little.

[Ashanti Plummer]

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[Sue Bird]

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[Ashanti Plummer]

Treats, running the vacuum. You can only do so much.

[Sue Bird]

That's why there's hills.

[Ashanti Plummer]

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[Julian Edelman]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Julian Edelman]

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