← No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Everything You Need to Know about WNBA All-Star Weekend
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- [00:00]
Ben Pickman
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- [00:39]
Sabrina Merchant
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- [01:31]
Ben Pickman
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- [01:32]
Sabrina Merchant
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- [02:10]
Ben Pickman
Hello everyone and welcome to no Off Season. I'm Ben Pickman.
- [02:14]
Sabrina Merchant
And I'm Sabrina Merchant.
- [02:16]
Ben Pickman
And today on the show, the orange carpet may have unrolled last night, Sabrina, but All Star Weekend truly kicks off tonight. And we are here to tell you what to expect out of Indianapolis over the next couple days. A lot is going down, a lot to expect, and we're going to tell you also what the first half of the WNBA season can tell us about who might come out on top this weekend and who might break out of this weekend. But before we get into it, Sabrina, normally this is not just a two for two some episode. We have a very special guest with us here today, a fellow writer at the Athletic he contributes on our fever coverage. She also covers the Indianapolis Colts, knows all things basketball. And for the sake of this episode and I believe one next week, he's basically on a hardship contract for us, a seven day hardship contract. We're so lucky that he's. We've maneuvered the, the cap and salary cap situation. James Boyd. James, how are you doing? Welcome to the show.
- [03:06]
James Boyd
I'm doing good. I feel like I correspond with you and Sabrina a lot more these days than I did in years past. And obviously it's always good to collab but a lot of work to be done over the next few days here at WWE All Star Weekend.
- [03:20]
Ben Pickman
The big test, I guess for us, James, is if you're going to be like Arie McDonald and put on a performance today and in future episodes that eventually gets you a rest of season deal, I think that's the big question for us right now.
- [03:31]
James Boyd
I don't know, man. I might smoke too many layups for you all to want to sign me to a full, you know, rest of season contract.
- [03:37]
Ben Pickman
I guess we'll have to wait and see. James, you're based in Indy and so let's start there for listeners who are traveling All Star weekend who are parachuting into the city. That's also us who are coming in though. I guess I've spent a lot of time there this summer too, if I can say.
- [03:52]
Sabrina Merchant
Sounds like a de facto indie second resident at this point.
- [03:55]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, basically. Basically. But what is like one place or one or two places that they should definitely hit? Restaurants, bars, parks, anything that gives. Give us the tourists some lay of the land for a second.
- [04:07]
James Boyd
Yeah, I feel like the default answer there will be St. Elmo, the shrimp cocktail. Those who know no. And I will warn you now for listeners, because I'm not a mean person, but normally you don't tell people about the horseradish that's in the shrimp cocktail sauce because it will hurt you if you don't know. So if you do visit, if anybody's coming to town, got a little money to spend, don't put a whole lot of the shrimp cocktail on the shrimp because that sauce will certainly kick you in the nose a little bit. But if you have a sinus issue or something like that, it will clean you out for sure. That's one place I would definitely recommend. And then my favorite bar, I would say I'm a non drinker, so I can't really vouch for like the alcohol, but for the vibes I do like, you know, Kilroy's District Tech, both of those two places downtown. Good place to catch some of the vibes of All Star Weekend if you aren't able to get into the actual facilities for events. And so I would highly recommend those two places. It's always a good time.
- [05:03]
Ben Pickman
Kilroy's got that stuffed breadstick that they are famous for. If I can throw. If I can throw one place.
- [05:09]
James Boyd
The garage.
- [05:09]
Ben Pickman
You're a veteran. I am the garage. The food. Food hall for those looking to get away out of. Just like the arena circle. I always like the garage. This is big food hall, ton of options, good time. I feel like you probably would agree with that assessment.
- [05:23]
James Boyd
Yes, I would. Yes, I would.
- [05:24]
Ben Pickman
Yeah. Let's get to the basketball. I guess for a second. We already made the Arie McDonald joke. You've been around this Fever team a lot this season, I guess. What is the big takeaway you have at the halfway point of Indiana fever? You know, 2025 from what we expected to what we have eventually gotten at this point?
- [05:44]
James Boyd
Yeah, I think there's been just a lot of issues with continuity, whether that be with personnel due to injuries due to dejuana Bonner wanting out after nine or ten games and, you know, trying to implement new pieces, new players, as well as trying to implement a new offense, too. I know. I believe me and Sabrina have talked about this at least a little bit. Like, the ability to put Caitlin Clark off the ball is something that Stephanie Wyatt has emphasized a lot when she is in the lineup. I know she's had her injury battles this season, but she's in the lineup. She's not handling the ball as much as she did last year, where every single offensive action went through her. Now there's pros and cons to that. I do think they're trying to keep her fresher or trying to give her, you know, easier looks, easier shot attempts. But to me, the overall theme of the season has just kind of been up and down. And you know, the irony of what that is, you know, they played well. Ish. At times, but they've also looked very bad at times. And so you wonder if we look up a few months from now where this team will be because coming into the season, you know, Caitlin was asked, what is your goal? And she gave one on one, one word answer. I think you were there, Ben, for that. And she said championship.
- [06:49]
Ben Pickman
I actually. I actually asked a question, James. If I did, you might.
- [06:51]
James Boyd
Yeah.
- [06:51]
Ben Pickman
So there you go.
- [06:52]
James Boyd
So. So that is the expectation. That was the burden that they put on each other. But so far and while they've had moments where they look like they can compete with anybody, they've had other moments where they can get beat by anybody too.
- [07:04]
Sabrina Merchant
Hey, come on. Mission accomplished. They won the Commissioners cup championship.
- [07:07]
James Boyd
Hey, we're done. And Sabrina, Lexi hall definitely said for a moment there that, look, we have extra motivation. We're playing for about 30k a piece. And then they came out there and got smoked the game after that by the Golden State Valkyries. And she's like, well, you know what, it wasn't for 30k. So whether it's for money or other reasons, there just hasn't been a lot of continuity.
- [07:29]
Ben Pickman
Sabrina, what like stands out to you? I mean, James just rattled off a bunch of things. I think we've talked a lot about the undisciplined defense that the Indiana Fever have played and just the inconsistencies. But like when you look at it, has anything surprised you even more than some of what was just mapped out about how Indy has looked so far?
- [07:45]
Sabrina Merchant
I mean, I think James said the big things as to why Indy has struggled a lot to start the season, but I kind of just wanted to highlight like Aaliyah Boston has been awesome. There was a big adjustment period for her last year when Caitlin came in and the offense shifted to a accommodate what Clark is really good at. And it took Aaliyah some time to you know, figure out the high screen and roll and like passing out of the short roll and stuff. Her decision making this season has been so freaking good and like all star starter again. But like in my opinion, much more deserved this year than it was last year. I just think she's been like excellent. Exactly what you hope a number one pick would make progression wise. And the reason why you still have so much hope in what Indy can accomplish over the second half of the season is because even if you know Caitlin goes through these ups and downs and like the road shooting, my goodness, one of 34 on threes on the road this year for Caitlin Clark is just obscene. Aaliyah Boston at least gives you this other tent pole to really focus on.
- [08:38]
Ben Pickman
It's why when we did our future power rankings that we had Clark in Boston as the best 25 and under duo in the league. And no matter as you mentioned Caitlin Clark's health or how she plays, I think that is still going to be true by September, October when we look back at it. But I mentioned it just now, Caitlin Clark's health and we should provide everyone with a little bit of an update here because we are taping this on Wednesday afternoon, Caitlin Clark went down or exited, I should say Tuesday night's game against the Connecticut sun with just around 30 seconds to go in Indiana's eventual victory with a right groin injury. That is what the team called it on Wednesday ahead of their game with the New York Liberty, their final game before the All Star break. We don't yet know, you know, what that means for the weekend in general, but we should say this is the fourth muscle injury that Caitlin Clark has had this year. If you remember, she dealt with tightness in the preseason, missed a game. Then she dealt with both a left quad and a left groin injury that caused her to miss time earlier this season, you know, in the first, after the first couple games, and then a few games after that. And now she's dealing with a right groin injury. And so, you know, big picture here, James. Like, I think a lot of people have the same reaction, like, Caitlin Clark is the de facto host, you know, yes, Aaliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, too. But Clark is on the JW Marriott on however high that billboard is. Right. Like, she is literally staring, staring down at the city all weekend long. And now her status is very much in question. As we tape this, just how are you feeling? What's the pulse of the city as they process yet another Caitlin Clark leg injury?
- [10:17]
James Boyd
Yeah, I think a lot of basketball fans here feel like they've been cheated by the basketball gods because you're coming off of the NBA Finals in which they went on this incredible run, and then Tyrese Haliburton unfortunately tears his right Achilles and he's going to be out for all of next season. And so you're trying to find that next high, the next bit of joy after being let down so hard. And then when Caitlin, you know, has a bit of success because even yesterday she didn't shoot the ball all that well against the Connecticut son. She had moments, at least late, where she scored about nine straight, I believe, and looked to kind of be looking like the, you know, all WNBA killing that we know she can be. But it comes crashing down because of the, you know, the groin pool, apparently. And just the reaction that she had, I think probably made everyone in the city react the way they did because I've never seen Caitlyn like that. Not to say I'm some expert on her mental health or how she is, but I would argue that I've been around her, you know, more than the average person. And I've seen her, you know, after good games, bad games, you know, whatever the case. May be even injuries. But this one felt a little bit different. Just her reaction to it, you know, tears welled up in her eyes. And she's banging her head off the stanchion on the other end of the cord, and she's putting the towel over her face. And, you know, I think of it twofold. Like, one, there's probably, probably that physical pain of, like, man, I know I might not be myself and I might have to sit down for a while, but two, I was this close to having, you know, this moment in my city. And I think that's the burden that she faces that true stars in any sport kind of deal with, where if you are legitimately injured and you want to play every night, you want to give those people who, you know, paid a bunch of money and might only see you one time in their entire life, you want to be out there for them, but you can't do it because you physically just can't do it. And that's a different type of mental stress. Because, I mean, to be honest, there's several All Stars or several players in the league. If they missed a game or two, it wouldn't be like, news or huge, huge, huge news where it affects every sector or every conversation on every sports talk show. Whereas with everything that Caitlin Clark does, good or bad, it's a topic. And I'm a product of that. You know, a lot of my headlines do involve Caitlin Clark, and so I do feel for her in that sense.
- [12:25]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, I mean, you think about just. I haven't been around her much in her fever career, but, like, was at her final four runs in both her junior and senior year and, like, losing to lsu, losing to South Carolina. I don't remember Caitlin showing the kind of emotion she did in those defeats that she did, like, experiencing that injury against Connecticut on Tuesday night. And so it was just. It's just really sad, right? Like, you know, this is a player who's like, brat. Literally, like, so much Joy to the WNBA in 2024 and this, like, raucous amount of enthusiasm and like, what that could have looked like in her hometown. Like, I mean, when Caitlin turned down the NBA three point Shootout and was like, I want to have my first one in Indy. It was, like, so exciting that she was prioritizing this and, like, wanted to have this big moment for the people of Indianapolis and, you know, for that to be put in jeopardy. And then, like, you know, as you mentioned, like, Caitlin goes everywhere. Everybody wants to see her on the road. Like, that was the Boston game that they suited her up for. Right. Like you'd think coming back from an injury, like stolen minutes restriction, maybe you prioritize one game of the back to back, but like, this is a market where like, maybe she won't get a chance to play again. Right. So for her to have that moment on, you know, the floor at the TD Garden is just a real bummer. Um, yeah, just kind of like cast like a Paul over the whole weekend to me, because I realized there's so much talent that is going to be on the court this weekend and I. We're going to get into all of that. It's just for someone to like be hosting. Right. And like coming off the Halliburton thing, like when you mentioned that again, I just, I got sad all of a sudden thinking about like the game seven of it all. So it was poor indie fans, honestly, like that's, that's kind of a bummer.
- [13:47]
Ben Pickman
And, and to have it happen so close to the break. Like, I understand she was still going to have to play against the New York Liberty on Wednesday night, but it felt like, you know, after this trying first half for her, this uneven first half where she had dealt with an injury, a significant injury or two for the first time in her career, missing absences, college and pro, that it was like, we're all so close. You know, maybe she had almost gotten. She had gotten past that almost. And as you said, James very well at the top, like the basketball gods, you know, clearly, you know, not giving her any good fortune ahead of what should be a really exciting weekend. So let's get into it the rest of the more exciting weekend and tons and tons of big events here, tons of stars, as Sabrina mentioned. And again, as of now, as we record this, Caitlin Clark is still participating in the three point Shootout. We shall see. And she's still participating in the All Star Game. So let's operate under those. That assumption. But let's start with a three point shootout because that is one of the two events on Friday night of All Star Weekend. Like I said, Clark along with fellow All Stars Sabrina Inescu, Alicia Gray, Kelsey Plum and Sonia Citron. That is your core. Those are your participants. Sabrina, can you just walk us through how the event unfolds and what's at stake for the winner? Because that is pretty notable, I think, in getting this collection of players to finally participate in this event.
- [15:08]
Sabrina Merchant
Kind of strange that Lexi hall is not in this event, isn't it, James?
- [15:11]
James Boyd
But yeah, I must say.
- [15:14]
Sabrina Merchant
All right, so the three point Shootout, the way it works is there are five racks spread around the three point line, each of them with five balls. At the end of each rack is what's called the Money ball. That's worth two points. The other ones are just worth one point. One rack is entirely Moneyball. So those are two points for each ball on the rack. And then we have two of these so called starry balls which are from logo range. And each of Those is worth three, three points. So you have a total of 27 shots that a player can take and they can get up to 40 points. Um, we literally one of the most electric moments I've ever been in the building for was when Sabrina Nescu set the record with 37 points in the 2023 three point shootout. Like this is a Friday afternoon in Vegas. It's like 2pm for some reason that this event is happening. The gym is like barely full and Sabrina just misses her first shot, hits the next 20 in a row. And it's just like that's what I love about All Star. The games are silly and like nobody really is trying all too hard because injury risk and like they're trying to get a break. But when you have that many incredible athletes, incredible competitors, like in the room together, sometimes just really cool things happen. And you have Sabrina back, you know, record holder Alicia Gray, defending champ Kelsey Plums, Sony Citron, obviously great shooters too. The $60,000 purse, in addition to the $2,500 that the WNBA, you know, provides to the winner. Like there's just, there's a good amount on the line and I think it'll be an interesting showcase.
- [16:39]
Ben Pickman
Well, we, we should say first Sabrina. I just remember we were sitting next to each other, I believe during that All Star game or that All Star skills night when Sabrina Unescu goes off and she hits 25 of 27, I think three pointers. And I just remember looking to you at one point and we're just starting to like do the math here. Right, right. Because we're just starting to count like, okay, she's made four, five, six. We're just counting because I want to say she missed the very first shot.
- [17:02]
Sabrina Merchant
The very first one. Makes the next 20 and then hits like including both of the logo shots and then hits the entire last rack.
- [17:08]
Ben Pickman
You're totally right. It was one of the craziest things that I think we have ever seen in person. And we should say you mentioned the $60,000 purse. That is a purse that is coming from AFLAC and the wnbpa, the players association. They had this partnership last Year to basically supplement what the WNBA and PA CBA otherwise awards players, because that is in, I believe, just the like 2,500 to $3,000 range otherwise. And so Aflac and the PA kind of came in with this, you know, huge purse, I guess. James, for you, I imagine. You know, you mentioned you might smoke some layups on this podcast, but in the gym, you, I imagine, are pretty good three point shooter yourself. I don't know. What are you most looking forward to about three point? How are you kind of handicap it? Do you have a prediction, anything you're just most excited about about this event?
- [17:53]
James Boyd
Yeah, part of me, if we're operating off of the sense that Caitlin Clark was going to participate, it's like, would this help you get out of the shooting slump if you are able to see some go through the rim and have that crowd kind of behind you? Because obviously everyone shoots well when they're in practice or. But there's no environment, there's no competitive fire to that, really. And so that was one thing I thought about. But kind of going back to you all telling the story about Sabrina and the All Star weekend that she had in the wnba. Remember when she joined the NBA All Star Weekend? That was a couple of years ago here in Indianapolis. And that was my first time seeing a three point contest at the pro level and in person. And to see her and Steph duel, like, that was amazing theater. And I thought Sabrina, there was probably about a five minute stretch there where everyone was like, oh my gosh, is she going to beat, you know, the goat? And then Steph, you know, I think he barely won the event. It was only about a few points. But like, it wasn't one of those things where like, he just blew her away or she had no chance. It was no, Steph's got to be Steph to win this. And that was very exciting to me. So I'm looking forward to that event. I think it's one of the better ones. Just because when it comes to the male, you know, dunk contest and all that, it's like, how many dunks can you do as a human? Like, you know, it gets kind of old to me sometimes, but shooting I will never get tired of. Just because I'm like, I wish I could shoot that well. And my dark horse candidate would be Sonya. Just because I feel like she's having a great rookie season. And just seeing the way she's able to, you know, move off the ball, knock down shots, you know, really, and keep the floor space is highly Impressive to me. So I'm going to go with the rookie to pull off the upset.
- [19:22]
Ben Pickman
I will say it's certainly a fair and, you know, I love that prediction, but we're talking about it. Alicia Gray. I mean, is she the most underrated player? Continue to be in this conversation? Like, she did win. I was going to pick her last year. Okay, she's your. She's your pick. She's your selection here, Sabrina. Okay, so we'll. We'll get that on the record. Sabrina taking Alicia Gray, I guess. Do I pick Alicia Gray or do I now go? Kelsey Plum, who participated in this event in 2022, if you remember, that was won by Ali Quigley, one of her many wins in this competition. So to me, I still like Sabrina Unescu. I mean, she told people on practice on Tuesday. I don't think she's expecting herself to have the Same kind of 25 of 27 run the way she did in Vegas. But she basically also made a joke, like, when you get hot like that, like, who knows, like, what can happen?
- [20:11]
James Boyd
She's so, like, crazy, though competitive, that I feel like part of her will be like, you know what? I probably could do it again. Like, that's just how she's wired.
- [20:18]
Sabrina Merchant
I just wonder how many of these people are actually practicing off of the rack this week. Because, like, I talked to the GM of the Wizards, sorry, the gym of the Mystics the other day, Jamila Weidman, and she said she hasn't seen Sony shoot off the rack yet. So, you know, it's different. You know, it's different than, like, catch and shoot. So I think experience matters a little bit in this event.
- [20:36]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I would agree. All right, next up is the skills Challenge. That is the other big event on Friday night. Also participating, Alicia Gray, who defending her crown from last year, too, plus Courtney Williams, Skyler Diggins, Natasha Cloud, and Erica Wheeler. Always nice to have participants in these events who are not all stars. Usually the WNBA just kind of picks up all stars and they kind of make up all these events. And that's why the fields traditionally are the way they are. So it's kind of fun to see some other names in, you know, Wheeler and Cloud, who will both be in town at least for Friday night. So a lot of people might not know what the skills challenge is, what the format is. It's changed over the years a lot in the NBA. It's changed a little bit also in the wnba. Sabrina, do you want to also break down how the skills challenge works?
- [21:23]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah. So the skills Challenge is relatively new in the WNBA. The first year they had it was 2019, and they've only had it like three more times since then. So not like a huge history of this event, but in previous years they've had, like, players go against each other on an obstacle course. I'm assuming because there are only five players this year, an odd number, they're not going to have a brack. So the way it's going to work is each player dribbles, completes a series of passes, like a chess pass, an outlet pass, a bounce pass. They have to hit a couple of threes and then also a free throw jumper. And whoever does that the fastest, like the circuit moves on to the next round and then there's a final round winner.
- [21:58]
Ben Pickman
And we shall say, like we all consume NBA All Star weekend too. I'm very interested in last year's NBA All Star weekend. Victor Wembanyama basically just like dropped the balls and kind of tried to get the best time.
- [22:10]
Sabrina Merchant
Tried to gamify the skills challenge.
- [22:12]
Ben Pickman
Gamify the skills challenge. Skills challenge. I'm keeping a close eye out on that this weekend. James, do you have any kind of skills challenge prediction that you want to make as you think about this event?
- [22:23]
James Boyd
So correct me if I'm wrong, you guys, but I believe was it Erica Wheeler that couldn't make it last year.
- [22:27]
Ben Pickman
Or something like that?
- [22:29]
James Boyd
So I might go with her just on the strength of she's been holding this back for two years now and she's always bringing good energy. And I think one of the cool things about Erica is she has no, like, I'm too cool in her system. She's just fun. She's very outgoing and I think she would give the fans that sort of effort in theater that they paid for, quite frankly. So I look forward to seeing her in that. And that will be my prediction on who's going to win it. Because part of me is always like, is somebody going to play a little bit too cool? And like I said, she does not give me that vibe at all.
- [22:57]
Ben Pickman
That is a great call, James. And that is why I actually, this field is awesome in that regard because you have someone like Skylar Diggins who she doesn't compete at anything at half speed. You have Natasha Cloud, who also doesn't compete in anything at half speed. You have Courtney Williams who, you know, if she sees Skyler and Cloud and Erica bringing it, Courtney Williams I doubt is going to go at half speed. And then Alicia Gray competitive herself and I assume will bring it. So I like what you're saying in the that logic, the money, I must.
- [23:25]
James Boyd
Say the money makes a difference, man.
- [23:27]
Ben Pickman
Money makes a difference.
- [23:27]
James Boyd
It makes, it makes everybody get up and have a little more pep in the step when you're paying, playing for those amount of bags.
- [23:32]
Ben Pickman
Totally. I'm going to go with Skyler. Here's my pick, I guess. Sabrina, do you have a quick prediction or assessment on how you think this is going to turn out?
- [23:39]
Sabrina Merchant
I mean we should mention again like $55,000 from Aflac and the WNBA PA it's the winner of this event. So just a little bit shy of the three point shootout money. And I get it, like this is not as cool of an event as a three point shootout. But yeah, like you said, I think the competitiveness of all of these players is just off the charts. I would think Natasha Cloud, just because she gets the All Star snub, this is sort of her way to be like, hey, I'm supposed to be here. At least I'm going to win this event.
- [24:05]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I guess we, we shall see again first half of the season, especially the first couple games. Great for Cloud. Then she kind of tailed off a little bit and just played pretty well of late. But before we look to the All Star Game itself, let's just do one more fun little exercise. And I know this is something Sabrina and I talk about all the time, so maybe James, if you want to jump in first on this, if you could create a new event for WNBA All Star Weekend, I guess what would it be? Why make the pitch for your dream w All Star event? Add on.
- [24:33]
James Boyd
So my dream scenario or dream event in WNBA All Star Weekend would be like queen of the hill or you know, person on top of the hill. Whatever you want to do. If you're, you know, you know, non binary whatever the case may be. But I think that would be really cool and, but my caveat would be three dribbles. Like we're not doing the. If you shoot it and miss, you can chase down your rebound. Do it. But I think three dribbles, you know, who can stand atop the hill will be really, really fun. And then, you know, being around the Pacers the last few years, Buddy Hill, before he got traded away from the Pacers, he had this saying that he picked up from Rico Hines, one of the private trainers out in LA or had been one of the private trainers out in the LA area or in the California area for a while. He used to say, he used to say what your ones look like and I need to see what your ones look like in this type of setting. And I think that it's fun. I mean, you grew up playing one on one. We don't see it often at the professional level and you get to talk that talk. So that would be something that I would love to see in the wnba.
- [25:30]
Ben Pickman
And that's basically, you know, Queen of the Hill is basically like a one on one style tournament is kind of the easy way to explain it. And that is something we did see it unrivaled back in Queen of the Court February. Queen of the Court, basically when they had that multi day tournament and it was definitely a hit. And we saw Leah Edwards go on this kind of magical run to the finals and I thought that was a really, really exciting event to see a player emerge. Sabrina, are you a fan of this one on one tournament add on or is there something else you want to see?
- [26:01]
Sabrina Merchant
I mean, I feel like it should come as no surprise to longtime listeners of this podcast that I love the Shooting Stars Challenge. And I see the reason why we can't have that at the WNBA level. I mean, so the way it worked on NBA All Star was you would have a current NBA player, former NBA player and a WNBA player. So I feel like we can sort of redux it for WNBA All Star. You can have current W, former W and then an NBA player from that city. And so basically the way it works is there's like six locations and everybody gets to take one shot from the spot. So there's like a little elbow like baseline jumper, you know, free throw corner three, and then it ends with a half court shot. And because wnba, like the half court shot is so ingrained into like the fabric of how these teams warm up and the players are always taking half court shots. Like you saw it at Shooting Stars in the NBA All Star. Like the WNBA player was oftentimes the one who used to hit it. So I just, I like that event a lot and I was bummed they took it out of the NBA. So why not, you know, add it to the WNBA All Star?
- [26:56]
Ben Pickman
James, you should know. I know this is your first time on the show, but Sabrina and I are longtime higher shooting stars challenged with aficionados, watchers and fans. It has been our favorite event in All Star weekends for a long time. And I totally agree, Sabrina. I think it would be very fun to see, you know, the, the three person challenge. And it's the kind of thing like as the NBA All Star weekend, people talk about these creative ideas like bring people to WNB All Star and create this awesome event. Are you telling me that like, you know, Jalen Brunson wouldn't want to participate in this kind of competition with Sabrina Enescu or Brianna Stewart? Or, you know, maybe we get a.
- [27:31]
Sabrina Merchant
You gotta get a Brooklyn Net instead of a Knick.
- [27:33]
Ben Pickman
Okay, that's a good one.
- [27:34]
Sabrina Merchant
Let's keep it in the family. Cam Thomas.
- [27:36]
Ben Pickman
You know, I was about to throw a cross team reference, like could Asia Wilson and Bam Adebayo play together in a higher Shooting Stars kind of competition? And we'll figure out who the third person is. Like, you're right.
- [27:48]
Sabrina Merchant
That's way better.
- [27:48]
Ben Pickman
Exciting event, right? Like, I think a lot of people would tune in there. So, you know, Note to wnba Please add that into All Star next year and we should say we don't yet know where 2027 or I guess 2026. Wow, I'm really getting ahead of myself. All Star will be Are you a business owner looking to grow your business? You did what most dream of doing starting your own business. Now you're faced with the reality of how to make your small business run smoothly. Intuit QuickBooks can help QuickBooks is a powerful AI driven, all in one business solution. That means those day to day tasks, invoicing expenses, taxes can be done effortlessly. But here's where it gets really good. You don't need to hire a team of analysts to find growth opportunities hiding in your business data. QuickBooks can help with cash flow optimization, profit and loss analysis. It helps you see how your business is doing and uncover new ways to be more profitable. QuickBooks can help unlock the growth in your business so you can get back to enjoying your business. Manage and grow your business all in one place. Intuit QuickBooks your way to money get 90% off for 3 months limited time only. Terms and conditions apply. Money Movement services are provided by Intuit Payments, Inc. Licensed as a money transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. This episode is sponsored by the San Diego State University Sports MBA Program, a full time in person graduate program that trains students for sports business roles with team from offices, agencies, venues, brands and more. The program's MBA curriculum has all the numbers heavy content of a typical mba, but adds a sports focus by exploring themes such as growth of women's sports, labor relations, athletes rights and social responsibility. SDSU Sports MBA students study abroad for a week in the Dominican Republic to learn about the many ways in which MLB's presence impacts the country. Throughout their studies, students can gain experience as interns, consultants and part time employees with sports organizations throughout Southern California, including San Diego Wave FC applications are currently being accepted through July 1st for an August 2025 start. Visit SDSU Edu Nooffseason to learn more and apply.
- [30:11]
Sabrina Merchant
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- [31:03]
Ben Pickman
Let'S keep it moving and let's talk about the big game. This is Saturday night, we all know and I'll put on the curmudgeon hat for a little bit here. I'll put on the curmudgeon hat here because in most won the WNB All Star Game has no stakes, does not matter. Players don't get a huge payout for winning it. You know, that's a whole nother topic that we don't have to get into necessarily on this show brings in the cba. We've talked about that plenty and we'll continue to. It's also just like when certain point players just kind of running up and down shooting threes. I know I'm not trying to make the pitcher, maybe someone else wants to make the pitch. But as the league pauses, I guess for this All Star break halfway through the season, it is nevertheless an exciting event. You see the best players on the court, you know, showcasing their abilities and it's a great opportunity to talk about the players who have selected to be in this game. Again, this is a super exclusive group to be a part of. 22 players were named to the All Star team before injury replacements. That is a really, really selective group. It's even more selective than the year before when because of it was Olympics versus WNBA All Stars. There were 24 players selected.
- [32:10]
Sabrina Merchant
So also a bigger.
- [32:12]
Ben Pickman
There's a lot of great players. Right? Bigger league too. The season's been awesome. A ton of standout performances, a number of first timers and there's some questions of who just might show up and show out on this stage. So let's all go around. Maybe Sabrina, you can kick us off knowing you have surveyed these rosters very, very closely over the last week or 10 days. Who do you think is just most likely to break out from the weekend? Who? The impact that they have this weekend will linger, you know, not just a reflection of the first half or the weekend, but they'll get some momentum going into half number two.
- [32:46]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, you know, I think this is always like a good showcase for the rookies. You know, it's their first time like on a national stage. I do think that like, just because like Kiki and Sonya Citron are reserves, it's just harder to like make an impact that way. Then again, like all of the starters have kind of like already had their breakout moments. So I kind of lean Courtney Williams here. Like, you know, she's got the stud buds stream. It's getting increasingly popular. She's on maybe the best team in the wnba. Had a big shot in the finals last year. I still think like average casual fans not super aware of who Courtney Williams is. And if she has, you know, a good showing in the skills challenge, she's on team Collier, right? Sophie Cheryl gonna, you know, give her the ball on her hands, I'm sure quite a bit on that team. To me, she's kind of like the type of player who has personality and like just will get the get her shots up. So, you know, she could sort of have a moment here in this particular all star stage.
- [33:45]
Ben Pickman
James, anyone standing out to you?
- [33:48]
James Boyd
I'll go with the homer pick. I'll say Kelsey Mitchell. I know she's not like a breakout star because she's been a very good player in the WNBA for a long time now, but I think the casual fan may not be aware or just the national audience may not be aware of how good she is. Often say she's one of the best scorers on earth. Probably had the best, you know, first step of anybody on earth, I feel like sometimes. So this could be in my opinion, like her coming out party and then to kind of counter what Sabrina was saying as far as what other reserves might get. As far as minutes go, no one's going to tell Kelsey Mitchell, like you got to come out the game when you, you've put in all this time. I think she's very well respected around the league. I think the players think highly of her and so they might be willing to concede a few minutes to say, hey, this is her in her quote unquote hometown. At least her hometown for her career. So, you know, go out there and kind of prove, you know, who you are to the rest of the World.
- [34:35]
Sabrina Merchant
And if I were, you know, Sandy Rondello and Caitlin Clark were unable to go, I'd probably just have Kelsey Mitchell in the starting lineup anyway.
- [34:41]
Ben Pickman
So, yeah, yeah, we should say Kelsey Mitchell also. Also on team Clark. So poised to have a big. A big performance. I like that we've all. And I'll reveal my pick in a second. Gotten the guard route here because so often we think about All Stars, right? That is what happens. Sabrina, like the last guard to win an All Star Game mvp. It's been.
- [35:01]
Sabrina Merchant
You mean the last big.
- [35:02]
Ben Pickman
I guess. Well, the last big. Excuse me, to win an All Star mvp. I mean, it's been a long time. I think more than a decade since who was the last one?
- [35:10]
Sabrina Merchant
Honestly couldn't tell you. I think that's sort of the. The point here.
- [35:13]
Ben Pickman
I mean, that I think tells you, right? All you need to know. I want to say it might have been Even Candace Parker 2013 could be our last. Like true forward Maya Moore has won some all star game MVPs in there, but Candace Barker 2013 won the MVP. Like that is pretty crazy, I guess to me the player that stands out, I think has kind of broken out. She's on the national consciousness, but I think still kind of underrated and appreciated. Skyler Diggins, who did not play in the All Star Game, did not make the All Star team last year, sat out the 2023 season. And yeah, she's made a bunch of All Star teams before that. But again, I think like here's this player who super competitive, can play with anyone, has a deep bag of moves who she can go to at any time. Like I think, you know, Team Collier, she could be in for a big role here. You know, that is a team that also dealing with a little bit of injury. Kayla McBride replacing Ryan Howard. We'll see how much of a role K. Mac gets. But like Skyler is due for a big All Star weekend and she is definitely the kind of player who like I think to the casual fan who doesn't know about, you know, all her stuff with Puma or her fashion or just how good of a player she is, she has a huge All Star Game. She continues it in the second half where Seattle has been playing really, really well. Been one of the surprises, I think bright spots despite some of their inconsistent moments, I think she's well positioned to break out and take that momentum and.
- [36:39]
James Boyd
Run with it real quick and she's coming home. You know, she's Indiana native, great point. Played in Notre Dame, played at South Bend, Washington High school. I get told often how great she was at the high school level because people love high school basketball around here too. So I kind of can see where, you know, where you're going with that, Ben, because it really would be a homecoming for her.
- [36:56]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, we, I guess, like, we shall see. She's, I think, due for a big weekend. It should be. We'll see what kind of game we get. The big absence here. Arike Gumawale usually tears up all star games. Like, you know, is there. Do we think. I don't know who, who's going to be the player that just shows out like their bag the most, dips in and just shows off their one who's like one on one game. Do we think from the first half of the year is best positioned from what we've seen to just like explode? James, you. I don't know. Do you have a thought on, you know, not. Not they might not win mvp? Maybe they do. But just like, who's going to show us the highlights of the weekend of the game?
- [37:30]
James Boyd
If I had to pick one, it might be Courtney because her personality and she's got the flair in her game, the crossovers, you know, the jumper, the, you know, the, the fancy, you know, layups and things like that. I think she's somebody who would certainly wow the crowd with the way that she plays because it might not be like other players are. Might be better, but they might not be as flashy or as fun. You know, I think of, you know, Sabrina. I don't know if Sabrina does, you know, things that are like super, like, wow in the moment. You look up and you're like, dang. Her impact is crazy. But you know, with Courtney, there's a, there's a flare there, there's a swagger to everything that she does, the way she talks and walks as well. And, you know, assuming they have some in game interviews, she'd be the one to be talking the most trash or giving us the play.
- [38:12]
Sabrina Merchant
That's the one you mic up. You mic up the play.
- [38:14]
James Boyd
Exactly.
- [38:16]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah. I mean, I guess just like sticking in the Notre Dame van if like Skyler could break out or Rike has done this in previous years. Like, why not Like Jackie Young doesn't have the personality, but she certainly can put up some points. And you're talking about Indiana homecoming, all of that. Like, that seems like another possibility of someone who could assume the Ari game mantle of like just getting super hot and, you know, getting a lot of buckets.
- [38:37]
James Boyd
Yeah. I always forget that she's From Indiana too. I think she scored like over 3000 points in her high school career which is just absurd. But you know, I'll let you continue, Ben. But she is a legend around here as well.
- [38:46]
Ben Pickman
I was going to throw, if I throw one big. Who I think is well positioned because we should give them some kind of love here. Satsu Sabley, I think, I mean I know we're kind of cheating. She's an elite ball handler. Like if you told me that she dusted off a couple crossovers and you know, some pull up, step back jumpers, some moves that she doesn't trot out in games. Like she could be kind of this breakout star. Just like showing off her offensive repertoire in a way that she might not normally on a day to day basis in Phoenix.
- [39:14]
Sabrina Merchant
I guess the only issue with SATU is, you know, she's been in a boot recently, hasn't played the last few games for the Mercury. Let's just hope that she's available for, you know, the All Star game. But we'll see.
- [39:23]
Ben Pickman
Yeah. Sabrina Merchant, everybody playing the role of Killjoy. She's assumed that title from me.
- [39:27]
Sabrina Merchant
I'm sorry. Pointing out a player who was unavailable.
- [39:30]
James Boyd
Context, context.
- [39:32]
Ben Pickman
It's a very, it's a very fair point, I guess. You know, is there one other thing either on court or off court? Sabrina? I know like there's so much going on this weekend and James too is the indie native. There's. We're all bombarding and parachuting into your town. But Sabrina, is there like one thing on or off court, niche, big picture fan. I don't know just anything you are looking forward to about touching down in Indy and being there this weekend, I.
- [39:56]
Sabrina Merchant
Guess just like first thing. I mean I think All Star is kind of like one of the best parts of the WNBA calendar because you can plan out in advance, right? Like we know where it's going to be. Fans can you know, book travel like ahead of time and like actually make this a destination. And there's WNBA Live which is fun and like players are just around the city all the time. But if there's one thing I'm genuinely looking forward to, it's Flage performing this weekend because she is just the coolest.
- [40:19]
Ben Pickman
That is LSU's Flage Johnson. She loves.
- [40:22]
Sabrina Merchant
She doesn't even need like more introduction. Everybody knows who Flage is. Like that's true.
- [40:28]
James Boyd
So I'm looking forward to Cindy Coulson participating in her stand up comedy act at Fever Fest. And this is. They have like Cedric Entertainer is going to be there. I think Kid Laroi's performing as well. So there's like a lot of music and comedians and just a very eclectic group. Like, I don't know how you got them all together, but that should be fun. I think it's kind of really cool to spotlight other players like we talked about throughout this episode besides the All Stars. And I think Sidney Coulson is like, has that all Star sort of like personality. You know, we jokingly call her the face of the league, but I don't know anybody in the league who doesn't like her or doesn't love her. And so I'm excited to see her do the standup comedy. She's done it in the past. She did tell me this isn't her first show, but obviously this will be the first one of this magnitude. And it's different to be funny like in the moment, but to be stand up comedy funny is a different type of animal. But she told me straight up, like, if it scares me, I want to do it. And I was like, you know, more people would probably be like that. And so I respect her for it.
- [41:22]
Ben Pickman
And she's doing that that Saturday afternoon. Right, James? And anyone can be Saturday night at.
- [41:27]
James Boyd
6Pm and this will be over at the Everwise Amp Theater at White River State Park. So she'll, I've been told she'll go right on at 6pm Doors open at 5. So if you want to, you know, have a good time and attend a very unique event, one of one, I would think, you know, come check us out. I'll be there in person myself to scout the scene and I'll report back on what I heard. And if she made me laugh, which I feel like Sydney can make me laugh, just period, because that's how she is. But from her overall perspective of it, it's cool that she's getting this moment.
- [41:57]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, for sure. We should say, like there are a lot of fan events like that this weekend. I think WNBA Live is begins on Friday. I don't know the exact address of it. Just if you Google WNBA Live, I'm sure it's in one of the big event spaces downtown by the arena, where.
- [42:12]
James Boyd
It'S at the convention center. Convention center.
- [42:15]
Ben Pickman
At the convention center, there's going to be activations, talks, panels. I'm sure your favorite player, for anyone listening is bound to show up at least once over the weekend and take some photos and engage in whatever is going on. Like that is a big thing. And it's, you know, frankly, one of these Things that I think is cool for Sabrina and I, who've done a few WNB All Stars. Like WNB All Star never used to be the kind of big event that it is. And I think, you know, while all of our calendars are booked up with all these different kinds of events and it's hard to juggle everything like, like brands are investing in WNBA All Star Weekend. As Sabrina has been saying, like never before. And this is really like a recent trend. Over the last three or four years, people started to, you know, we're talking corporate brands really started to pour into the weekend and make it a full weekend. And I think that is one of the, the cool parts of it. Like, I know, you know, I'm certainly excited to get to indie and just like feel the energy. And I'm sure James, like you can feel it right now just being around the city. I mean, literally in the airport, they brought that court back, right? You have Clark on the Marriott, as we're saying, like there's stuff already out and about.
- [43:26]
James Boyd
You guys. I went and picked up my credential today and you know, even just walking from, I have a radio show that I do in the morning. So I parked downtown and I walked over to the building about a 10 minute walk. And I'm seeing just all the different advertisements on the buildings. And it's like you turn your head and it's Asia Wilson right in your face. You turn your head another way, there's Sabrina, you know, and so I think that it's not just the Caitlin Clark spectacle. They really are trying to make sure that everyone in the league is celebrated. And I've enjoyed kind of getting that buzz, even seeing different jerseys downtown because, you know, I'm in Caitlin Clark country. And so I see, I see a lot of number 20twos often and now I've seen other numbers. You know, even Paige is number five out here as well. So it's going to be good. We'll probably be a little tired. But I always think to myself, like, at least for myself personally and like living in the actual city, it won't be here anytime soon again. So you might as well just, you know, dive into it and have no regrets.
- [44:17]
Ben Pickman
That is, I think, a great attitude to have, James on the weekend as a whole.
- [44:28]
James Boyd
The snack wrap is back.
- [44:31]
Sabrina Merchant
This episode of Giggly Squad is brought.
- [44:33]
James Boyd
To you by McDonald's.
- [44:34]
Sabrina Merchant
And I'm so excited to tell you.
- [44:36]
James Boyd
That the snack wrap featuring juicy white.
- [44:39]
Sabrina Merchant
Meat chicken, shredded lettuce, melty cheese, creamy ranch. Sorry I'm drooling on the mic microphone right now all wrapped in a soft tortilla is back on the menu.
- [44:48]
James Boyd
They have it in ranch or spicy.
- [44:51]
Sabrina Merchant
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- [46:08]
Ben Pickman
As we kind of close out this show, let's dive into one other challenge that I have drafted up for you guys. James, I think this is going to test you for sure, but I hope it will also test Sabrina. It's really just some All Star game All Star weekend rather trivia that will test the deep recesses of Sabrina's brain more than anyone else to see how much she remembers or knows about All Star games of the past. James, feel free to to participate. But again, I don't know how much you.
- [46:36]
James Boyd
Yeah, I didn't study for this.
- [46:37]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, neither did I.
- [46:41]
Ben Pickman
We'll start easy. We'll start easy. Which player has won the most All Star wnba, All Star three point contests?
- [46:49]
James Boyd
Oh, I think Quiggs. Yeah.
- [46:51]
Ben Pickman
Allie Quigley. Ally Quigley is correct. Yeah, she is the goat of that. James, did you know that one?
- [46:57]
James Boyd
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [46:57]
Ben Pickman
I said Quiggs. So okay, very nice. All right, now we're going to get into the more challenging. We're making a fast pivot I guess we're going around the track real fast right now. To use an Indianapolis metaphor, this person, you got to tell me who it was was the first winner of both the WNBA All Stars skills competition and also the three points competitions debut in 2006. There is a little bit of an age. They're two different years those competitions debuted, but they the same person won the debut event in each. Any guesses as to who that person might be?
- [47:35]
Sabrina Merchant
So 2006.
- [47:36]
Ben Pickman
2006 was three and was the three point debut. And 2003 was the debut of the skills competition.
- [47:44]
Sabrina Merchant
Man, the skills really had a long hiatus after that.
- [47:46]
Ben Pickman
Yeah. Long hiatus.
- [47:47]
James Boyd
Yeah.
- [47:47]
Ben Pickman
Any guesses? It's the Same person won both three.
- [47:50]
Sabrina Merchant
It can't be Terazi 2003. I mean like Sue Bird seems like a very legitimate skills challenge winner, but like, could she have won a three point shit out in 06? I don't know.
- [48:05]
James Boyd
Oh, Lord. See, you got me stumped, Ben.
- [48:09]
Sabrina Merchant
I'm just gonna go with Sue Bird.
- [48:10]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, Subird is a good guess, but it is actually someone who is a Hall of Fame coach. That would be Don Staley. Dawn Staley won both of those events. The first has she done Dan Stilley?
- [48:24]
Sabrina Merchant
Winning a three point shootout is fascinating to me.
- [48:26]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I was looking at the results. She shot it pretty well. But let me tell you, she wouldn't have had a chance against Sabrina Ionescu that she sat just a couple years ago. I guess my next question then we have two more and then we will close out this very exciting exercise, exciting for me at least, is who are the other three people? Three other people have won both the skills and three point shootout in the WNBA All Star competitions. Do we know? Dawn is one and then there's three others. Any guesses on who those three are?
- [48:57]
Sabrina Merchant
Alicia Gray is one.
- [48:58]
Ben Pickman
Like that's Alicia Gray is one. Yep.
- [49:00]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah. Okay, so I feel like Quigs is likely just because we know she's one of three point shootout. But has she done a skills challenge? Let's see. Okay. The last winner of the three point shootout. Like I can only think of Quigs winning these. I want to say.
- [49:20]
Ben Pickman
I don't believe Tarasi is a winner of both.
- [49:22]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, okay.
- [49:25]
James Boyd
I just chose that because she played for forever.
- [49:28]
Sabrina Merchant
Right. Unreasonable.
- [49:29]
James Boyd
At some point, you gotta check this, check this off your list.
- [49:39]
Ben Pickman
What one other person did relatively recently.
- [49:46]
Sabrina Merchant
I'm just gonna guess Sabrina.
- [49:48]
Ben Pickman
Sabrina Unescu is correct. She, as you mentioned, we've talked about a 2023 three point competition winner. And 2022, she won the skills Challenge beating Melissa Smith. There's your second place trivia for all those keeping score of that at home. The last one would be Becky Hammond. Becky Hammond.
- [50:05]
Sabrina Merchant
I was gonna say Becky Hammond.
- [50:08]
Ben Pickman
Well, there you go.
- [50:09]
Sabrina Merchant
She was getting my guest for 2000. She was gonna be my guest for the Skillz debut one before we said Don, but yeah.
- [50:17]
Ben Pickman
Okay, last one. Don't think too hard about it. 2023 skills competition winner. I can give you some hints if you want, but does anyone remember I.
- [50:26]
Sabrina Merchant
Was in the building for that, so I'm gonna let James try first. Yeah.
- [50:29]
James Boyd
2023. Oof.
- [50:33]
Ben Pickman
Do you remember it, Sabrina?
- [50:34]
Sabrina Merchant
I remember it vividly.
- [50:36]
James Boyd
Okay, I do not remember this.
- [50:39]
Ben Pickman
Don't throw out a name, James, because you're gonna probably be wrong.
- [50:43]
Sabrina Merchant
See, Ben is tricking you right away because it was a team event that year. It was two players on the Las Vegas Aces who won the skills challenge and that would be Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum.
- [50:54]
Ben Pickman
Well done, Sabrina. That is.
- [50:55]
James Boyd
I definitely wouldn't have guessed that.
- [50:56]
Ben Pickman
That is why you're the best in the business. Because it was a trick question. I wanted one name for all the others and this is in which there were two names. As you so deftly remembered. It was a team event of Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray winning it. So again, I appreciate you guys playing in our fun little All Star Game All Star Weekend trivia. Friday night, the events begin at 8pm Eastern on ESPN. Saturday night, 8:30pm Eastern on ABC. We will all be there. Sabrina, James, we'll be having social content on all of our social channels on the athletic feeds. We'll have a whole team there. We'll be giving you shorts and longer stuff and fan videos and keep an eye out for us and say hi if you see us and say nice things if you want. It's always fun to meet people at these events and hear your feedback or story ideas or podcast ideas or any of which of the above. And then we'll talk more about All Star and everything to come. Next Tuesday, we'll recap the weekend and look ahead to the second half of the WNBA season. And that is all we got for you today. And so before we go, as always, if you haven't already, please follow our show right now, wherever you are listening. Spotify, Apple, podcasts, YouTube, really love to hear from you, as we said. So drop a comment or an email or post or say hello this weekend, whatever works. And of course, head on over to our partner, the Yahoo. Sports Hub, for more content@sports.yahoo.com womens-sports so on behalf of James and Sabrina, on behalf of the Athletic, I am Ben Pickman. Thank you for listening. Enjoy All Star Weekend and we will see you next time.
- [52:37]
James Boyd
No Off Season is hosted by Zena.
- [52:38]
Sabrina Merchant
Kada with Chantelle Jennings, Sabrina Merchant and Ben Pickman.
- [52:41]
James Boyd
It's produced by Tanika Burrell. Our executive producers are Andrea B. Scott and Cassius Flemmi. Our theme music is by Marcus Bagala. Monica Compton is our video editor. Shannon Ryan is managing editor of Women's.
- [52:54]
Sabrina Merchant
Basketball at the Athletic.
- [52:55]
James Boyd
Jesse Burton is our head of audio and Tim McMaster is director of Audio operations.
- [53:06]
Ben Pickman
From building a business to building an.
- [53:08]
James Boyd
Ecosystem to building a legacy, overcome tomorrow's challenges together with our industrial partner ecosystem.
- [53:17]
Ben Pickman
Transform the everyday with Siemens.
- [53:21]
James Boyd
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