No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: Mock All-Star Draft! + Owning Our Worst Early Takes Release Date: July 8, 2025

Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason, hosted by The Athletic, the team dives deep into the current state of the WNBA as they approach the All-Star break. The primary focus revolves around a Mock All-Star Draft and a candid discussion on their early-season predictions that may have missed the mark. The hosts engage in insightful analyses, share their perspectives on standout players, and evaluate the recent All-Star selections, all while maintaining an engaging and conversational tone.

Mock All-Star Draft

[02:38] Zena Keda:
"Hello everyone and welcome to No Offseason. I'm Zena Keda."

The show kicks off with Zena introducing the Mock All-Star Draft, where the hosts simulate the actual All-Star team selection process by embodying the top vote-getters, Caitlin Clark and Nafisa Collier. The objective is to see how closely their mock draft aligns with the real one.

Selection Process:

• Zena & Chantelle decide roles by flipping a quarter, resulting in Chantelle becoming Nafisa Collier and Ben taking on Caitlin Clark.
• The draft proceeds with each host selecting players based on perceived strengths and team needs.

Notable Picks & Strategies:

• Ben Pickman ([28:24]): Chooses Asia Wilson as the first pick for Team Caitlin Clark, emphasizing her offensive prowess.

  "I will take Asia Wilson because she's a formidable offensive threat."
  [28:24]

• Chantelle Jennings ([29:06]): Selects Stewie for Team Nafisa Collier, focusing on her defensive capabilities.

  "I'll take Stewie for some solid defense."
  [29:06]

As the draft progresses, the hosts balance between guards and bigs, aiming for versatility and complementarity within their teams. They discuss the importance of defensive strength, playmaking abilities, and shooting accuracy in their selections.

Anticipated MVP Candidates:

• Ben Pickman ([44:16]): Predicts Caitlin Clark as the MVP.

  "The easy answer is Caitlin Clark. Her shooting and leadership make her a top MVP contender."
  [44:16]

• Chantelle Jennings ([44:43]): Suggests Paige Beckers as a strong MVP candidate.

  "Paige Beckers has the skills and opportunity to take the MVP title."
  [44:43]

Mid-Season Reality Check

Moving beyond the draft, the hosts reflect on their season-long predictions, evaluating which ones have held true and which have fallen flat.

Key Discussions:

• Neca Grimiche's Stellar Performance ([03:00-04:54]):
  Zena highlights Neca's ascendancy in the WNBA ranks, noting her climb from the 10th to 7th position in all-time scoring.

  "Neca started the season number 10 on the WNBA all-time scoring list and has quickly moved up to seventh."
  [03:00-04:54]

• Seattle Storm's Rise ([04:54-09:16]):
  Chantelle and Zena discuss Seattle Storm's impressive performance, especially Dominique Malanga's breakout game.

  "Dominique Malanga not only scored 24 points but also moved into the top rankings for rebounds and steals."
  [07:14]

• Dallas Wings' Rookie Surge ([11:33-16:33]):
  The conversation shifts to the Dallas Wings, focusing on rookies like Paige Beckers and Isaiah James making significant impacts.

  "Isaiah James set a franchise record with 28 points, six rebounds, and six assists in her debut."
  [10:00-11:33]

All-Star Team Selections & Surprises

The hosts delve into the All-Star team selections, expressing both satisfaction and surprise over certain choices.

Surprising Omissions:

• Brittney Sykes and Breanna Stewart:
  Ben expresses astonishment over their absence from the All-Star roster.

  "I'm surprised Brittney Sykes and Breanna Stewart didn't make the All-Star team. They’ve been exceptional this season."
  [18:13-20:41]

• Sonya Citron:
  Zena and Chantelle discuss Sonya Citron's deserving performance and her exclusion from the All-Star team.

  "Sonya Citron should have been a key All-Star pick given her offensive rebounding prowess."
  [31:46-41:21]

Coaching Perspectives:

• Ben Pickman ([14:53]):
  Advocates for patience with first-year coaches, referencing Chris Coclanis of the Dallas Wings.

  "Don't fire the coach after 10 games. Chris Coclanis is showing promise with a 5-7 record."
  [14:53]

All-Star Reserves:

• Chantelle Jennings ([32:12-34:24]):
  Highlights the depth and versatility within the reserves, emphasizing the balance between guards and bigs.

  "The reserves are well-rounded, bringing both shooting and defensive strength to the teams."
  [32:12]

Owning Their Worst Early Takes

Honest self-reflection leads the hosts to discuss their earlier-season predictions that didn't pan out as expected.

Notable Misses:

• Chicago Sky as a Breakout Team: Chantelle admits her early confidence in Chicago Sky was misplaced due to injuries and underperformance.

  "Predicting Chicago Sky as a breakout team was heavily misguided."
  [47:10]

• Las Vegas Aces' Trajectory: Ben reassesses his optimism for the Aces, citing their poor offensive and defensive ratings.

  "The Aces are not the finals contenders I once believed they would be."
  [49:21-50:39]

Analysis:

• Angel Reese's All-Star Potential ([50:39-52:20]):
  Zena critiques the absence of Angel Reese from the All-Star teams despite her impressive statistics.

  "Angel Reese should have been on the second All-Star team given her consistent double-doubles and improved game."
  [50:39-52:20]

Introducing New Takes

As the season progresses, the hosts present new perspectives and predictions for the remainder of the season.

Chantelle Jennings ([56:48]):

• Proposes that the Dallas Wings will make the playoffs at the expense of the Las Vegas Aces.

  "I think the Dallas Wings will make the playoffs instead of the Las Vegas Aces."
  [57:27]

Ben Pickman ([58:29]):

• Suggests expanding the All-Rookie team and potentially recognizing more first-team All-WNBA players.

  "The WNBA should consider having two five-player All-Rookie teams and possibly expanding first-team All-WNBA selections."
  [58:29-60:51]

Zena Keda ([61:02]):

• Predicts a potential WNBA lockout due to ongoing negotiations and player concerns.

  "I feel like there might be a WNBA lockout due to unresolved issues between players and the league."
  [61:02]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on their draft selections, the evolving dynamics of the WNBA, and the importance of staying adaptable with their predictions. They encourage listeners to engage with them, share feedback on their mock drafts, and stay tuned for ongoing coverage of the WNBA season.

"Let us know if our draft method works and how our team dynamics play out in the actual All-Star game."
[46:19]

The hosts also touch upon the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), hinting at potential labor disputes and their implications for the league's future.

Key Takeaways

• Mock All-Star Draft: An engaging simulation that highlights the strengths and strategic preferences of the hosts.
• Player Performances: Spotlight on rising stars like Neca Grimiche, Dominique Malanga, and impactful rookies in the Dallas Wings.
• All-Star Selections: Mixed feelings about certain omissions, particularly standout players who didn't make the team.
• Reflection & Adaptation: Honest evaluation of early-season predictions fosters a deeper understanding of the league's dynamics.
• Future Predictions: Bold new takes indicate evolving perspectives as the season unfolds, coupled with underlying concerns about league management.

Notable Quotes

• Neca Grimiche's Ascendancy:

  "Neca started the season number 10 on the WNBA all-time scoring list and has quickly moved up to seventh."
  [03:00-04:54]

• Dominique Malanga's Breakout:

  "Dominique didn’t play the first half but came in and scored 24 points, moving up the ranks impressively."
  [07:14]

• All-Star MVP Predictions:

  "The easy answer is Caitlin Clark. Her shooting and leadership make her a top MVP contender."
  *[44:16]

• Owning Worst Takes:

  "Predicting Chicago Sky as a breakout team was heavily misguided."
  [47:10]

• New Takes:

  "I think the Dallas Wings will make the playoffs instead of the Las Vegas Aces."
  [57:27]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing insights into the hosts' analytical processes, their reflections on the season's developments, and their strategic approaches to the All-Star selections. Whether you're a dedicated follower of the WNBA or a casual listener, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the league's dynamics and future trajectory.