← No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Mock All-Star Draft! + Owning Our Worst Early Takes
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- [00:00]
Ben Pickman
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- [00:39]
Sabrina Merchant
As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use bonus code theathletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus a free to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code theathletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny4673 369 In New York, call 1-800-next step in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts 1-800-bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [01:53]
Zena Keda
You buy a pair of socks, that's two socks.
- [01:55]
Chantelle Jennings
You buy a pair of Bombas socks, that's four socks.
- [01:57]
Zena Keda
Because one purchased is one donated socks.
- [02:00]
Chantelle Jennings
Are the number one most requested clothing.
- [02:01]
Zena Keda
Item in homeless shelters.
- [02:02]
Chantelle Jennings
So when you buy a pair of.
- [02:03]
Zena Keda
Super comfortable Bombas socks, you're also donating a pair. Bombas customers have powered over 150 million donations. So Bombas would like to thank you 150 million times. But we only have like 30 seconds.
- [02:14]
Chantelle Jennings
Go to bombas.com and use code audio for 20% off your first purchase. That's B-O-M B-S.com and use code audio at checkout.
- [02:38]
Zena Keda
Hello everyone and welcome to no off season. I'm Zena Keda.
- [02:42]
Chantelle Jennings
I'm Sabrina Merchant.
- [02:43]
Ben Pickman
And I'm Ben Pickman.
- [02:45]
Zena Keda
And today on the show it's draft time. You yes, WNBA all star draft is upon us and the starters and the reserves are all set. And so we're gonna do our own draft. We'll see how close we get to eventually Caitlyn and Nafisa. But for now this is really just our thoughts. And of course we have, you know, we have talked about the WNBA season. It's halfway through. How did we do on some of our predictions, some of our takes, some of our expectations on this season? Because I'm sure just like you, we were surprised by some of those and how much they aged well or poorly. We'll talk about that in a second. But first, let's go around the association. WNBA news is always happening and I wanna first shout out Neca Grimiche. She has just been killing the record books. I don't know who keeps track of that stuff, but I know they might be a little annoyed, very proud, but a little annoyed about how much Neca keeps just messing things up for them in terms of moving up the ranks. She started the season number 10 on the WNBA all time scoring list. And then in May she surpassed Candace Parker, moved into ninth and then last Thursday against Atlanta, she scored 24 points and moved into the seventh position, moving past Sue Bird and Cappy Pondexter. And then she continued on and now she's eighth in rebounding, sixth in steals between Candice Parker and Neko Gimiche. Now Candice being retired, I don't think she's going to be moving anytime soon. But, but Neca being formidable, available, I think that's huge. Over 400 career games. I mean, she just continues to be a legend, including her performance over New York. And I think we gotta get into that because if you read the Sabrina scales, yeah. You'll see that Seattle moved up considerably in Sabrina's scale this week. And obviously that 79, 70 win that Seattle had over New York probably led to something you know, something to do with that. So, Sabrina, I gotta ask you, girl, I didn't know that beating New York could move you up five spots, but apparently it can.
- [04:54]
Chantelle Jennings
So they didn't just beat New York this week. They also beat Atlanta in Atlanta. So that's true. That's two wins on the road. There were only three game days this week, so getting two wins is pretty impressive. You know, I think the power rankings are generally pretty reactive because they're more fun that way. And, you know, going. Going undefeated in a week, especially two wins on the road, is a good way of moving up, especially when you beat two of the teams that were in front of you. So seeing New York lose, Phoenix lost, Atlanta lost, you know, Indiana lost, all of these teams that were occupying that range. Golden State also lost this weekend. So I think it was more just, you know, someone's got to fill those spots, right? And currently, you know, you look at all these teams that are dealing with injuries, Seattle, Knock on wood, is pretty healthy. They had their injury to Katie Lucy Amos in the start the season, but since they've kept their core pretty much intact all year and, you know, while you see New York deal with these absences to Jonquil Jones, and Minnesota is now without Carly Samuelson, Ryan Howard was out. Like, this is a. A full set, full rotation in Seattle. And it just, I don't know, everything, like, looks according to plan right now. I think the Erica Wheeler starting lineup adjustment has just been massive in terms of helping them get an extra creator. It emboldened Skyler Diggins to, you know, drive more often. Gabby Williams. Why anybody tries to pass around her is still beyond me. She's averaging three ste a season, which is. It's just insane, right? Like, how often she's in passing lanes. Neko Gumuke, like, Skyler said it, right? Perhaps the most disrespected MVP of our lifetimes. A top 10 player in every statistical category. You want to go through. Crazy of all time. And then you have Dominique Malanga, right? Just the next generation in Seattle who, like, took it to Stewie a couple times during this particular matchup. So, yeah, a lot going, right? At least for this week. For the Seattle.
- [06:43]
Zena Keda
Yeah, it was very exciting to see Dominique Malonga catch the ball in traffic, not put the ball down, no dribble and finish through contact at the rim. At the buzzer and a quarter, I was like, dominique, we are proud of the growth. I mean, we knew she could do that from France. But to translate it into the wnba, it's been taking a Little bit of time. More than some Seattle Storm fans has probably been expecting. But yes, it's all coming together in Seattle. Ben, you were there. You got to see it in person. What was it like for you?
- [07:14]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I mean, I think that was one of the things that jumped out to me just about that Seattle Storm win was just she didn't play the first half of that game. And she came in late in the third quarter in Fernandeka Gumaque and she had 11 and seven in five minutes. Her first five minutes of play, including one sequence that I recommend everyone going back and re watching. And you can find this on the Internet because people have clipped it of her hitting a like one legged kind of turnaround post jumper over Stewie. And then on the other end of the floor defensively, the ensuing defensive possession, you see Dominique Malanga's length disrupt Stewie as she goes for a layup attempt on that other end of the floor. And it was like, okay, there are not many players who are longer or maybe more athletic than Brianna Stewart. But you saw multiple occasions at the end of the third and early fourth quarter of Dom was able to just kind of like outreach out, jump Stewie on inbounds passes in the post. And that really jumped out to me. The thing I will say though is you mentioned that, you know, things are really starting to come together for her. Xena, I think actually, like, it's still very much a work in progress here.
- [08:17]
Zena Keda
Sure.
- [08:18]
Ben Pickman
Because like she played two minutes on Friday night against Atlanta and that is I think also notable in context for how she played on Sunday because Gabby Williams said that after the Atlanta game that Noel Quinn actually like voiced to Dominique, that she actually wasn't ready to play and perform against some of the Atlanta bigs. But she kind of came back, put that game behind her, learned from it, was prepared, and then played the way that she did against New York. And that was what was really impressive for Seattle. You know, I asked Neck about this. Gabby talked about it post game too. Is that like Dom doesn't care who's in front of her. And we really saw that on full display. And so for me, as impressive as anything was that she did it after barely playing two nights earlier. We should say Seattle Storm two overall, like they held the New York Liberty to two field goals made in the third quarter. Like that's as good of a defensive quarter as you were going to see. And to do it against New York were super, super impressive.
- [09:16]
Zena Keda
Absolutely. Yeah. I think that Noel Quinn, from what I've seen and this is just like observation of like what cameras are catching and. And picking up on is she is so patient with Dominique Malanga in communicating to her, you know, what it is that she needs to be doing or if she's frustrated out on the court, like stopping her as she's coming in from a timeout to be like, this is what happened or next play, et cetera. And Dominique has commented on this. Noel Quinn has commented on this. Even Neca has commented on this. It was just like how much I can imagine that Dominique Mwanga is probably frustrated. She's like killing it overseas in Europe and then coming into this situation as a rookie still figuring out how her length plays out here on the court when you've got these driving guards that you gotta make room for or you've got players that are hurt her. I was going to say die her height in French, but are stronger than her, bigger than her. Um, and so this is definitely going to be still a work in progress. I like what you said, but let's talk about these rookies because, you know, as Dominique Malanga is still figuring out her footing, there are other rookies that are just taking off, including obviously the rookies in Dallas and Dallas. Oh, okay. Yes. Paige Beckers first time all star. We know the lights are bright around Paige, but North Carolina State, where y' all at? Put your wolf packs up. Okay. Cause Isaiah James came in 28 points, six rebounds, six assists, five made threes. Um, she actually set a record. Third best rookie performance, actually. Third. Yeah. Third best rookie performance in franchise history to record a game of 25 or more points, five more rebounds, four or five more assists according to the team. So making history alongside Paige Beckers who's consistently made history throughout this season so far. But this is someone at NC State walking bucket. And it's really been about opportunity because Erike Gumbawale's been sidelined as well as Dijonay Carrington and Sabrina. Like, when you think about the ways that not only Paige, but also Aziya James has come in and just been so fearless in the way they've locked in and performed out on the floor, what allows for Isaiah James to make the impact that she's been making in these last four starts as those players have sat.
- [11:34]
Chantelle Jennings
Yeah, I mean, another person who's been out for Dallas is Ty Harris, out for the season with a knee issue too. So that's another opening at the guard spot we should mention. The reason why this was a historic rookie performance for the Dallas Wings was they had three players who all had 15 points and five assists at least, which is the first time this has ever happened in WNBA history. And that third one, J.J. quinnerle, who was a third round pick in this last draft, you know, from West Virginia, usually regarded more of as a defensive stopper, right? Like that affectionately called Press Virginia because how high they pick up the ball. Right. So you think of her more as a steals person getting out in transition. The way she's been able to run half court offense is really a breath of fresh air. You know, you think about just coming into that position as a rookie. She's a little bit undersized, but like the way she performed against Washington in a game without Paige Beckers, you know, before this little Commissioner's cup break and then having this performance against Phoenix when you know Monica Kolmikani on the other end has been really good at stopping guards like Sabrina Unescu in previous contests. Like this is a good Phoenix defensive team. And you would have no idea that that was the case based on how Dallas just lit them up in this last matchup that they played on Thursday. So, so I think, you know, Dallas sort of had this off season where it was like we were going to bring in all these veterans to support Paige and like, you know, help bring out the best in her. And it, it's kind of almost they needed a younger team for Paige to like already be the leader of because everybody else kind of realizes like we gotta play through Paige, right? Like Aziah makes quick decisions off of what Paige is doing, right. Like there's no, there's no ball in my hands thinking about like what the next shot past Reid is going to be. It's like, no, we go, we go, we go. Like I think the play that was just all over my feed on the Internet was this jump ball within the last two minutes where Paige Beckers has taken the tape and she points to JJ and she goes, go like before the tip is even taken. And then like JJ's running to the spot and they just know like, okay, we got to play with pace, we got to move. That's how Isaiah played at NC State, right? Like I. We're going to talk about worst takes later in this podcast. One of the best things I've ever had back in 2022 was NC State should play as I, James Moore, this girl can hoop. And just every year this has been the Isaiah James just gets better and better. But yeah, I think the way that they like to play with tempo, you know, quick decisions, win the ball, you see that too with like their bigs, right? Like, even the young bigs are having more success with the rookies than Maisha Heinz Allen. I mean, my shine sounds still been pretty good, but like Melissa Smith wasn't really fitting into this, right? Like now she's gone from Dallas. Tierra McCowan, like, it's been a more uneven fit just because of the slower tempo that she likes to play at. But I think they've sort of realized like this run and gun tempo and offense with Dallas works. Defense still a work in progress, but that's fine. You've got to fix one side of the court at a time. But if they can score like this, I think there's just, there's a lot of upside. And it's so cool because, you know, I think every decision in Dallas is sort of made with a lens of like, okay, well who fits around Paige long term? And now you can see like maybe there's four or five players that actually fit with her long term and it makes it a lot easier to build going forward if you have these pieces who maybe they're not going to be, you know, full time rotation players or full time starters, but we know they work and maybe it's just for a couple of games, but like there's already an innate chemistry, I think between James and Quinnerleigh and Beckers and it's, it's just really fun to watch because this is not what Dallas looked like even three weeks ago.
- [14:54]
Ben Pickman
But I think like adding on to that, Sabrina, this is why you don't fire the coach after 10 games, right? Like a lot of people out there on the Internet were clamoring for Chris Coclanis to get fired. What is he doing after the first 10 games of his head coaching career? They've won five of their last seven games. As we tape this, they do play Phoenix on Monday night. Like, this is a foundational year for them anyway, as Sabrina was saying, give them some time, let them sort it out. They're still, you know, probably not a playoff team and that is okay. But like, give them opportunity to learn. We've now done this like the last two years. You know, a lot of people clamoring for Kristi Sides to lose her job after 10 games. Last year we saw Indy kind of turn it around. I'm not saying that Dallas is going to replicate that exactly the way that Indiana did, but like, let's give the coaches a little bit of time, especially first year head coaches. The other thing I want to say though, Sabrina, you just talked about a jump Ball. Do you want to get your jump ball takeoff? Because I know you've been sitting on this one for a few weeks. You mentioned an important jump ball play and I think the audience, the listenership should hear your thoughts on jump balls in general.
- [15:57]
Chantelle Jennings
In general, I think the WMAH just adopted possession arrow. Um, there was a sequence in Indiana Los Angeles where it took like two and a half minutes from this scrum between Sophie Cunningham and Juliet Van Lew from the time they were on the floor to actually set up the jump ball. Refs are so bad at throwing the toss. There's so many violations in terms of where people are supposed to stand, who jumps too early? Like are they allowed to touch the ball before it lands? Nobody actually knows how they work. We should just abolish them. I think after the opening tip, I think it would save so much time. I did think this was a fun play, you know, between Paige and JJ as long as we have him. But no, in general, I'm very anti jump ball and I. We'll stand by that.
- [16:34]
Zena Keda
I always find it so funny that it literally is the two people that got tied up regardless of size. And it's always so funny when you see these little guards going up against the bigs. But just to close out the topic, yeah, The Wings won 98, 89 over Phoenix. And the rookies, these were their stats. Paige Beckers had 23 points, five assists, Isaiah James, as I mentioned, 28 points and Quinnerle had 17 points in six, seven assists. All rookies. Okay, so let's keep it going because rookies also made their splash being in the conversation of all Stars. Okay, not all the Dallas rookies, of course. Paige Beckers was already an all star starter, but we learned that there were some additional rookies in the mix as well as some other names, some first time veterans that are now first time all stars. Let's. Let's talk about it. We got to get out into this conversation. When the list came out of the final reserves, which I'll read off right now. Sonja Citron, Skylar Diggins, Ryan Howard, Kiki Iriafen, Kelsey Mitchell, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, Kayla Thornton, Courtney Williams, Gabby Williams, Jackie Young, Gabby Williams, first timer. Kayla Thornton, first timer. And in terms of veterans and then you also have Citron, Sonja Citron, Kikiuri Fenn also being first timers. I love to see Courtney Williams and Skylar Diggins back being all stars after I think their last season was 20, 22 being all stars. But anyone surprise you in that reserves list?
- [18:13]
Ben Pickman
I mean, I was surprised that Brie Jones of the Atlanta Dream did not make the All Star team.
- [18:18]
Zena Keda
Okay, yeah, that was a.
- [18:19]
Ben Pickman
That was a major recent omission. You know, Dan Padover, the GM of the Atlanta Dream, he told me that it was one of the most ridiculous things he's seen in quite some time, which is an interesting quote from a GM to make. I also thought Brittney Sykes not making the team was a really interesting omission. You know, if we're going to play like a snub. I was pretty surprised that both Washington Mystics rookies made the team. To me, I think Sykes should have been the Washington Mystics representative, not the two rookies, all told, who did make it. I was also a little bit surprised that Courtney Williams made the team as the second Minnesota Lynx player. I thought Kayla McBride or Alanna Smith both had really strong cases, so that was definitely a spot I was not anticipating. But I think, all told, and I'm sure you have some thoughts here, Sabrina. You know, I saw Kevin Pelton of ESPN send this out on Blue sky, like, and I totally agree with it. And, you know, started asking people about it. Like, the coach's overall logic was kind of puzzling because it wasn't clear, like, how much team success was rewarded. Was super inconsistent in these picks. Current performance versus established level of play, super inconsistent. And full season versus recent performance, like, you know, was inconsistent. Like, there just didn't seem to be a lot of principles that we can fall back on as to, like, here's how the voting body made the decisions that they did. Maybe part of that someone was talking to me about was because, like, we have a lot of new head coaches, right? More than half the league is new head coaches. So, like, this is their first time voting. We don't know their voting tendencies. Maybe we're getting a little too in the weeds right now talking about coaching All Star voting tendencies. But, like, you know, and Sheryl Reeve talked about this too, after their game on Sunday night. Like, Minnesota is the best team in the league. They have two All Stars. You know, Washington has two All Stars. Like, make sense of that. You know, some teams, I think Seattle's well deserving to have three. But, like, there were just some interesting choices. How do you not have Bree Jones, who is an elite offensive rebounder? She's at the top of the league. I want to say top five in win shares overall, just eight double doubles, playing the career best. How is she not an All Star? There was just a bunch that was eyebrow raising. I would say those are my kind of initial takes. When I saw the list, I would.
- [20:41]
Chantelle Jennings
Argue that there was actually a lot of consistency. There's just some principles that I would agree with. It was team success. Doesn't matter. It was games played is actually a really big deal here. Like Kayla McBride misses the first part of the season, you know, before she starts. Brittany Sykes has just missed a few games with an injury. Right. Like you look at the players who did make the list, they all have pretty sterling health records. I think counting stats seem to matter a lot more than like advanced stats, you know, like on off numbers or you know, win shares like you mentioned. Like to me there is a pretty consistent look at what, what these all Stars represent. It's just not necessarily how I would have decided to go with it.
- [21:21]
Zena Keda
I think puzzling is the right assessment. I think there was. It felt as if the coaching vote and I'm not saying that it reflected what the fans vote, but the way you would expect for fans votes not to make any sense based off of what actually is happening on the court. I felt like some of the coaching votes were like interesting mainly because like, don't get me wrong, I'm always happy for anybody to be an all Star. That's awesome, et cetera. But like for example like Sonia Citron kicky area fe awesome as rookies to be able to make it. But it's true of a team like Washington that is not performing as well as these other teams to have two representation or two representatives and also it not necessarily being like the best player in that. That conversation. I think Brittney Sykes definitely made more of a case than those two to be in that. In that room. Um, Bree Jones. Absolutely. I mean that I, I feel as if that was a. A popularity context fail. Right. Bree Jones isn't one of the most flashy Marquest names. Marquee names. Excuse me. In that conversation. And maybe that's why. But the coaches shouldn't be worried about that. Right. Like that's a fan situation and so that, that. That was very interesting there. Any other. I thought, you know, if we're going to talk about teams that are under 500 could have been. Could have had another. I definitely thought Derick Hamby could have made a case to be in this conversation as well. It just. Yeah, it was puzzling. I like that word, Ben. And I think you thought it was too into Weeds. I think it's actually a great point. I didn't think about that. A lot of these coaches are brand new at doing this. So we shall see.
- [23:06]
Ben Pickman
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- [24:05]
Sabrina Merchant
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 front 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. As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM. This season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use bonus code THETAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer. On your first wager with BetMGM, here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code THEAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic see betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny467-369 In New York, call 1-800-next step in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 In Massachusetts, 1-800-bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 In Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BETMGM yet, use bonus code theathletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [26:29]
Zena Keda
Okay, well now, subs or not, the list is out there. These are the All Stars. Congratulations. Applause, applause, applause, applause. And now we gotta figure out who they're gonna play with for this All Star. This isn't last year's, guys. If you guys just watch started watching WNBA last year. You got a very unique circumstance when it comes to the All Star draft. Now we're back to our normal, normal kind of iteration of WNBA All Star, not Team USA versus the remaining WNBA All Stars. It is two teams chosen by the top two vote getters. Caitlin Clark, Nafeesa Collier. And today what we're going to be doing is acting as Caitlin Clark and Nafisa Collier and choosing these teams. And we're going to do it the way that they would actually do it in real life, which is basically the top vote getter. Caitlin Clark would go first in choosing the starters and then second in, Nafeesa Collier would go first. We're choosing the reserves, but we don't know who Caitlin Clark or Nafeesa Collier is yet until I flip this coin. So here's a quarter. Normal quarter. Oop, There it is. There he. Oh, I feel like an influencer. Guys, for those listening on the podcast, I'm showing my quarter just to let you guys know it's a head and a tail. So, Sabrina, ladies first. Choose your side.
- [27:45]
Chantelle Jennings
I'll go ahead. Heads.
- [27:47]
Zena Keda
Heads. Okay. All right, let me make sure I practiced this before we went on camera. So let me make sure I do this right flip. Okay. Ooh, this is a heads. I don't know if you guys can see that. Oh, okay. Heads. Sabrina, who do you want to be?
- [28:04]
Chantelle Jennings
I'll be Nafisa.
- [28:05]
Zena Keda
Nafisa. Ben, that means you are Caitlin Clark, and that means amidst the starters, you get to choose. And we're going to go back and forth. Caitlin, Nafisa, Caitlyn, and Fisa. And then, you know, we'll pause after the starters, and then we'll start on half of the reserves, so you're up first, Ben.
- [28:24]
Ben Pickman
I'm just going to take the other best player available before I get in the positional weeds. So I will go with Asia Wilson to start off this draft. We know Caitlin Clark is going to take Aaliyah, Boston first, but I personally, Ben Pickman, playing the role of Caitlin Clark, will be taking Asia Wilson.
- [28:40]
Zena Keda
Okay. Yeah. It's important to note that we are absolutely doing this from our own accord. Okay. We are not getting into the minds of Caitlin and Afisa because, yeah, it'll definitely be a split, at least of the Indiana Fever to start with the Minnesota. The Minnesota. Minnesota link. So. All right, let's. Let me make sure I got my notes here and I can remember Asia Wilson with Caitlin Clark. Sabrina, or I'm gonna call you Fee. Up next.
- [29:07]
Chantelle Jennings
I'm gonna take Stewie.
- [29:09]
Zena Keda
Oh, and rival teammates. I like it. I like it.
- [29:13]
Chantelle Jennings
I mean, not teammates, but co founders. Sure.
- [29:15]
Zena Keda
Co co founders.
- [29:16]
Chantelle Jennings
They seem to get along pretty well.
- [29:17]
Zena Keda
Teammates in business. Teammates in business. I like it. All right, Ben, Caitlin. Actually, I'm gonna call you Caitlyn. It's more fun.
- [29:25]
Ben Pickman
Give me Sabrina Unescu. Guards, and specifically big guards, have won the WNBA All Star MVP every year since 2013. I mean, are you calling Kelsey Plum a. I'm just counting Maya Moore, Enrique.
- [29:40]
Chantelle Jennings
A big guard.
- [29:43]
Ben Pickman
I guess. Guards. I'm not including Maya Moore. I'm giving Maya Moore in the guard category, the wing category. So it's been more than a decade. So give me Sabrina for some war shooting.
- [29:54]
Zena Keda
Okay, I like it.
- [29:55]
Chantelle Jennings
We'll keep the Yukon train rolling here. I'll take Paige.
- [29:59]
Zena Keda
Staying within the lineage. Geno would be proud, Fee. All right, Caitlin, you're up.
- [30:05]
Ben Pickman
Paige was going to be my next choice, so I have to reevaluate this draft. I am going to take. I am going to take Alicia Gray.
- [30:18]
Zena Keda
Oh, my gosh. Just guard heavy over here.
- [30:20]
Ben Pickman
All Star Game performer.
- [30:22]
Zena Keda
I love it, though. I love it. Whether she shows up in the game or in the skills or anything, you know, she's got a good record, track record coming in from last year. So so far, Caitlyn's only got one big. And then Fee, you've got two quote bigs. And Paige, where you want to go next.
- [30:40]
Chantelle Jennings
There's no more guards left in this pool, so we'll just keep choosing bigs. That's fine. I'll go with. I'll go with Neca.
- [30:52]
Zena Keda
Neca. Nice. Okay, going across the country, Stanford, leading into that Yukon lineage. I like it, though.
- [30:59]
Chantelle Jennings
I mean, there's no more Yukons left, so what are we gonna do?
- [31:01]
Zena Keda
I know there are no more Yukons left, but they're gonna. They're. They'll. They'll take the cardinal in nicely. All right, Caitlin, what you want next again?
- [31:09]
Ben Pickman
Because I am playing the role of myself being Caitlin Clark, I'm taking Satu Savoli, and that means Aaliyah Boston will get assigned to Sabrina's Mickey Sicall your team.
- [31:19]
Zena Keda
There you go. Okay, let's evaluate so far, what we got. Caitlin's team so far. Asia Wilson, sabrinascu, Alicia Gray, Satu Sablee. This is a solid starting lineup. Like, I really do actually like this balance here. And then Nafisa Collier. I'll tell you what, you got some size. You guys are a big body. See, this is the issue with the way that the.
- [31:46]
Chantelle Jennings
The pool is assigned, where, like, the guards also include threes. So, like, I'm basically just picking from fours and fives, right?
- [31:53]
Zena Keda
Yeah, pretty much. Nafiza Collier, Brianna Stewart, Paige Beckers, Neko Guimike, and Aaliyah Boston. Okay, well, Fee, now we're gonna go into the reserves, and you've got first pick, so you get a chance to maybe bolster up your perimeter. But you let me first.
- [32:12]
Chantelle Jennings
Yeah, I'm gonna have to take some guards here. All right, good. Very good guard group in the reserve selection, so we can have some fun here. I do think let's. I kind of want some shooting, so let's go. Kelsey Mitchell.
- [32:32]
Zena Keda
Ooh, I like it. A little bit of penetration in the.
- [32:35]
Chantelle Jennings
Paint, and, you know, I got two Indiana people in Indiana at least, so.
- [32:41]
Zena Keda
Yeah, there you go.
- [32:42]
Chantelle Jennings
Try to make up for the fact that Caitlyn's on the other two.
- [32:45]
Zena Keda
That's okay. Caitlyn will have to be on the sideline watching her pick and roll be executed right in front of her. All right, Caitlin, what you want?
- [32:53]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, before I make a total strategy shift, I'm going to take Kelsey Plum and just continue to load up on guards. Kelsey Plum, a former all star game mvp. You know, reunite her with Asia Wilson in this game.
- [33:08]
Zena Keda
I like it. I like it for that reason only. I'm just genuinely concerned about your team's ability, capacity for vision over Fee's current team.
- [33:18]
Ben Pickman
This is all this is an All Star Game. We'll be up.
- [33:20]
Chantelle Jennings
That's a lot of size.
- [33:22]
Zena Keda
There's a lot of size over here on the.
- [33:24]
Chantelle Jennings
I feel good about it. It's all very versatile size. You know, Stewie played the five for New York over the weekend. I feel like she could easily play the one or the two for this particular.
- [33:32]
Zena Keda
Absolutely. You pretty much have a team that can take the ball off the rim and go outside of Aaliyah, Boston, maybe. So. Yeah. Let's. Let's. Let's keep going. Fee, what's up? What do you want?
- [33:42]
Chantelle Jennings
All right, now, speaking of players who can take the ball off the room and go. I'm tempted to go Alyssa, but she has not shown a lot of interest in All Star Games before, so I'm not sure this is the place that I want to take her. Let's just get a little bit more. A little bit more ball handling. I'm going to go with Skyler Diggins.
- [34:00]
Zena Keda
Skyler Diggins. Nice. Love that choice. Okay, Skylar Diggins and Neck are getting to play again together. I like it. Caitlin, what's the rebuttal?
- [34:11]
Ben Pickman
I'm going to take Angel.
- [34:13]
Zena Keda
Angel, Reese.
- [34:14]
Ben Pickman
A little size and front court presence, some rebounding.
- [34:16]
Zena Keda
Yes. And also somebody that can take the ball off the rim. Oh, there you go. I like it. All right, Fee, keep going.
- [34:25]
Chantelle Jennings
All right, in terms of, you know, getting some more. Some more players on the same team who are teammates. We'll go. Courtney Williams here.
- [34:35]
Zena Keda
Courtney Williams. You're getting a lot of buckets. Kelsey Mitchell, Courtney Williams. I like this. I like the quick foot speed on this side.
- [34:47]
Ben Pickman
What'd you say?
- [34:49]
Chantelle Jennings
The foot speed. That's exactly what I was going for.
- [34:51]
Ben Pickman
We know. Sabrina called it out. Alyssa Thomas, not really a fan of All Star Games, but. Or a fan of putting up big numbers in them, I should say. Obviously, she's a fan of making them, but I will take at.
- [35:05]
Zena Keda
I like it. Solid choice. Let's pause real quick. Quick. Let's see how we're looking. All right, Caitlin's team, Asia's. Let's go, guards. Okay, we got Caitlyn, but Caitlyn, you know, still dealing with that groin injury, so. Dealing. Let's look at the guard play here. Kelsey Plum, Alicia Gray, Sabrina Unescu. I mean, that's. That's some solid. Pretty good there. Alyssa Thomas and Angel Reese, both two players that can give you that front court size, but also the ability to take the ball and go and distribute. Right. I mean, I don't even know how many Alyssa Thomas is averaging at least six assists.
- [35:47]
Chantelle Jennings
Almost 10.
- [35:47]
Zena Keda
Yeah. Averaging 10. Yeah. At least. And then I know Ainson reasons that is close to four, so that's. You got some versatility showing up. And then satu. Sable, of course, that can play you three to three, four to whatever you want. She's pretty versatile there, too. Okay. Kaylin Steam look a solid. And of course, Asia Wilson, you can never. You can just never doubt her. And then Fee. Fee's got. Fee's got some monstars. Okay. You got Nafisa Collier, Brianna Stewart, Paige Beckers, Neca Guimike, Aaliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Skyler Diggins, Courtney Williams. So I like this veteran presence in the guards, by the way. This is cool. I like this. Kelsey Mitchell. Last year was her first time being an all star. No.
- [36:38]
Chantelle Jennings
Oh, she's been two years now.
- [36:41]
Zena Keda
Okay, so is this her second year?
- [36:43]
Ben Pickman
This was her third straight. Third straight.
- [36:44]
Zena Keda
Her third straight year. Okay. That's what it was. Not the year before. Perfect. So I like this. This is good. You've got some veterans that know how to be all stars, know how to play the game, know how to entertain us in the all star game and are also very competitive in this way. I feel like this game might get spicy the way you guys have this broken out. I'm excited. I mean, anybody. Kelsey Plum on one side of the ball, Skylar Diggins on the other, you know, you're gonna have a good time. Okay, let's keep it going. Let's round out. Each of you have two more picks. Three more, so Fee. Three more. Oh, three more.
- [37:20]
Ben Pickman
Yes.
- [37:20]
Zena Keda
I counted that wrong. Okay, three more picks, so, Fee, you go up first.
- [37:26]
Chantelle Jennings
I am going to take Jackie Young.
- [37:28]
Zena Keda
Jackie Young. Okay. Separating her from the aces.
- [37:34]
Chantelle Jennings
Okay, there's only one ace, so.
- [37:36]
Zena Keda
Well, ace and former.
- [37:36]
Chantelle Jennings
Separating her from the Ace.
- [37:38]
Zena Keda
I'm just going with the fact that, you know, Caitlyn slash. Ben said Kelsey Plum reunited with Asia so it won't be a full re, you know, reunion. Cool. Jackie Young on one side. More guard play. I like it. Caitlin, Ben.
- [37:53]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I will keep a reunion together. I will take Ryan Howard of the Atlanta Dream pairs with Alicia Gray.
- [38:00]
Zena Keda
Very nice. Very nice. Nice big guard energy. Fee, who you want next?
- [38:06]
Chantelle Jennings
We can just keep all the Seattle Storm together. I'll take Gabby Williams.
- [38:11]
Zena Keda
Oh, I'm even more scared for your passing capacity, Ben Pickman. I don't know. Gabby Williams is everywhere on the floor. Who you got coming in next?
- [38:22]
Ben Pickman
Now we have three players left. We should say Sonya Citron, Kayla Thornton and Kiki Yuria. Fenn I think the question is all three first timers, who is going to have the best game in an All Star game context. Right. You know, these are all good teammates can be unselfish players at times. So it's interesting, it will be interesting to see if any of them have like big games when the actual exhibition kicks off. I'm gonna take Kayla Thornton, I think like repping the Valkyries. Yeah, repping the Valkyries. Maybe getting, you know, wanting to show out for the expansion fans in this game.
- [39:03]
Zena Keda
I got a question for y'. All. Do y' all think would you characterize this as a breakout season for Kayla Thornton?
- [39:09]
Chantelle Jennings
I think so.
- [39:10]
Zena Keda
Mm. Okay. I'm just curious like you know, obviously playing her role the right way in New York and then previously in Dallas, like now it feels like she's in a completely different role. And I didn't know if you could apply breakout to a completely different role versus being in the same role but doing it so much better than you did a year ago. Does that make sense?
- [39:36]
Chantelle Jennings
I feel like a breakout has to imply something new. Right. And so, you know, you see a lot of role players, you're not sure if they're able to step into a bigger burden. And seeing not only KT, but Veronica Burton, a lot of other Valkyries elevate what they have been able to do in previous spots. I think I think classifies as a breakout.
- [39:54]
Zena Keda
Yeah.
- [39:55]
Ben Pickman
I do think what is interesting though, and this is a longer term question is will a Valkyrie player win most improved? Right. Because like someone like Kayla Thornton, all of her numbers are way up this year. She's having a breakout year. But how much of as you're saying that breakout, her statistical jump, a reflection of just her role changing and her having way more opportunity versus actually being.
- [40:19]
Chantelle Jennings
A big role in Dallas before, you know, so.
- [40:22]
Ben Pickman
Right.
- [40:23]
Zena Keda
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right. So I'm just curious, just curious as to how it plays out or how it's viewed because some people say, well, of course, duh, you're gonna have a breakout when you are a starter now and you play in significant minutes and all the above. But I would still say like it's a breakout because as you mentioned Sabrina, there was an opportunity for Kayla to be or get into this type of position in Dallas and have this type of production before she went to New York and you know, we just didn't see it in this way. So awesome for Kayla Thornton and now Fee, you got choice between the two rookies.
- [41:02]
Chantelle Jennings
The Mystics.
- [41:03]
Zena Keda
Yeah, the Mystics. You gotta break em up. Regardless so which one you want?
- [41:08]
Chantelle Jennings
I think I'm take Citron. You know, I'm a little worried about leaving all of the really good offensive rebounders on team Caitlin. But I also, every time I see Citron guard Paige Beckers, I don't think Paige likes it. So we're going to keep Citron.
- [41:21]
Zena Keda
Okay. Thinking for the future. I like it. I like it. Okay, now they're teammates, so that'll be great. And then of course, that means Caitlin, Ben, you're rounding out with Kiki Iria Fenn. So you got some solid size presence after. I ain't gonna lie. When we started, you know, you had me in the first half. I was a little concerned about your ability to get some size, get some vision, get some rebounding. And now you've rounded out really nicely with your reserves in Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, Ryan Howard, Kayla Thornton and Keke Iria Fenn and then Phi. I was a little concerned that you couldn't get the ball up the four, but now you've got really good guard presence. Skyler Diggins, Courtney Williams, Jackson.
- [42:06]
Chantelle Jennings
I drafted a single big in the reserves.
- [42:10]
Zena Keda
Yeah, right, exactly. Gabby Williams and Sonya Citron. So you flipped it around that way, but it actually worked out really nicely. And to me, I think that's a testament to the All Stars are pretty well balanced. They actually are pretty well represented in terms of their size, their skill and their capability. What do y' all think about Yalls teams? Phi, I'll let you go first.
- [42:29]
Chantelle Jennings
Yeah, I mean, I'm realizing now that, like, other than Asia and Aaliyah, I don't know that I would classify anyone as a center, really. On these All Stars, a lot of power forwards, which goes in line with what we've talked about, the depth of that position. I mentioned this on Bluesky, actually, but I thought it was interesting that even though conferences are not required for voting here, there are an actual even split between Eastern and Western Conference All Stars, both among the starters and among the reserves, which is strange, but we'll see if that continues.
- [42:59]
Zena Keda
Yeah, that is random. And it's not like you could have even pictured it geographically. No, like the Eastern Conference and Western Conference actually don't make a lot of sense when you look at where they are. So, yeah, that is really random and interesting. Caitlin, Ben, what do you think?
- [43:18]
Ben Pickman
Love my team. Think it has a great mix of shooting, playmaking, bigs, all Star game performers, or create a lot of highlights. Love Cheryl Reeve being the coach. We should say Cheryl is coaching team Clark in this game because the links have the league's best record and Caitlin received the most fan votes whereas Sandy Brondello coaching team Collier. Love Cheryl. You know, scheming up all kinds of defensive traps against Fee. I'm excited to see that in action. Feel pretty good coming out of this. Feel pretty good. Feel like. I feel like if I be the Washington Mystics coming out of the 2025 WNB Draft, knowing I just picked two All Stars like me, I'm feeling as good as them.
- [43:58]
Zena Keda
Okay, I got one more question before we move off these teams. If you had to guess one person to be the game All Star mvp, who would it be? Ben, I'll go with you first.
- [44:17]
Ben Pickman
I mean, the easy answer is Caitlin Clark. Right? A guard who can shoot from wherever, who's going to have the ultimate green light playing in front of her home crowd like that screams mvp. But Serena Unescu very much could be the All Star game MVP for many of the same reasons, minus the home crowd advantage here.
- [44:39]
Zena Keda
Okay. All right. What about you v Sabrina?
- [44:43]
Chantelle Jennings
Yeah, the only reason I'd be concerned about Caitlin is just, you know, she's missed a lot of games. I don't know how much they're actually going to let her play in this particular exhibition contest. You know, she's still, as of this recording, has not returned from a five game absence. So I would be personally concerned if I'm Kelly Crosscoff or Steph White. Just letting Caitlyn go loose in an exhibition setting, that's. That's just personal. Yeah. As Ben was saying, the bigs don't tend to win this award. So, you know, I think Paige Becker's as good a choice as any. Right. Putting the ball in her hands, especially with team Collier. She's the only guard among the starters for like five minutes there. She's gonna be the one running the show with all of these things. So get an early start to that MVP momentum. Paige Beckers.
- [45:25]
Zena Keda
Okay, I have like, I don't know, I feel like Ben, on your Caitlyn team. I'm looking at Alicia Gray. Um, I feel like she might continue her, her reign here. And this is very random, but I just feel like the all Star setting is such a who can get hot and who can like ride the wave of the vibes of the game and that's why I kind of low key think Courtney Williams might show out. I don't know, I just feel like that could be an MVP option. Guys, well done with your drafts. We'll see how everything actually shakes out. When do Caitlin and Fee make that.
- [46:05]
Ben Pickman
Decision it will air on Tuesday night is when the actual broadcast will be. So be sure to tune in for that. And let us know, please, whose team you liked better, mine or not? Sabrina's. I'll take all the praise here.
- [46:20]
Zena Keda
There we go. All right, let's keep it going with all star break right around the corner. We are almost at the halfway point of the WNBA season, which means that we have to do a little reality check on ourselves. You know, not too much on this, though, guys. I mean, we don't have to judge too harshly. But, yeah, there were some things we said early in the year that we were like, it might not have came true. Maybe it held up well, but some of them really did poorly, and I think that's the ones that we gotta check. Check in on. So, Sabrina, I'm gonna start with you. When you came into this season, were there any thoughts that you were so strongly feeling real strong about? You know, the only thing that can come to me is just something about Windy, Windy City. Any thoughts that came to mind early this season that might have been a little off?
- [47:10]
Chantelle Jennings
Yeah, you know, when it comes to bad takes, I had quite a few at the start of the year. And that would be the Chicago sky as a breakout team. And Tyler Marsh is my potential coach of the year. I don't feel good about either of those. Feel really, really not good about either of those. I probably should have been a little more hesitant with a rookie head coach. Although some rookie head coaches are obviously doing a very good job with their particular spots. We picked the wrong Aces assistant there, but, yeah, Chicago, the veteran acquisitions have not performed as I thought they would. It was a real mess for the first 10 games or so. I do think things have quietly trended towards more competent, even if the wins aren't showing up. I like Point Angel Reese a lot, but no, the sky as a breakout team was heavily misguided. Courtney Vandersloot, unfortunately, on the other side of her prime. And that injury, you know, has changed things. Yeah, a lot of shooters who can't shoot really in that vein, but yeah, yeah, Whoops. Yeah, that's how I feel about it.
- [48:15]
Zena Keda
Fair. Fair. And I'll say this, I do think that the Courtney Vander Sloot injury, which is something that no one could have predicted, made a significant impact. But maybe not as much as we might have thought in the way that we've seen this season play out. But, yeah, it's just been an interesting season in Chicago. I would even say, though, the most interesting team of all the teams in terms of question marks, I think, you know, Las Vegas, where Tyler Marsh came from, also has had some questions arise around them. I remember Ben, at some point I think we were saying that the Aces would be a runner up. Um, and let's be real, it's still early in the season, but we have seen that there's a lot to be desired still to be desired in, in Las Vegas. It's a very up and down season for them. It doesn't seem like they've clicked just yet. I don't know if this is my worst take, but it was a pretty, pretty bad one. Yeah. What do you think about that, Ben?
- [49:21]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I mean, look, I like you. I had the Aces making the finals. I certainly did not have Becky Hammond giving a press conference after a 54 point showing where she says that her team showed a complete lack of professionalism. Yeah, basically take the floor in front of 20,000 fans and just play like that. We should say their loss to Indiana. You know, Asia I think had 29 points in that game. The Aces had four other made two point baskets in the entire game that were not made by Asia Wilson. Becky Hammond point blank said they played better in practice. So the Aces, who are ninth in offensive rating. Ninth and defensive rating. I had Chelsea Gray also being first team all W heading into the year. That has not aged very well through, you know, near the halfway point of the season. So you're right, Zena, in theory. Still some time to turn it around here. But you know, you're asking me to pick a team to make the finals again. At this point I'm not picking the Aces. And you know, I'm pretty surprised that the Aces are not even in position to host. Like I would be more surprised if they were hosting a first round matchup. Forget about even making the second round. I mean, this was a elite team on both ends and currently they are mediocre at both.
- [50:39]
Zena Keda
Yeah, yeah, I think it's a pretty bad take. I don't know if it's the worst. I know one of the things that I think as a group we may have missed out on. I don't know how y' all feel about this, but I feel like this. We did not have Angel Reese on the first or second all WNBA team. And the way these double doubles have been coming about, the way she's gone from averaging about one assist per game to almost four assists per game, the way her field goal percentage is up, the way she's completely changed her role on her team, has it translated to wins? No. However, her game has continued to improve. Um, we've seen an outside shot develop a little mid range, a little outside shot. Um, we've seen her again, be a, a point Angel. As Sabrina mentioned, I personally feel like she should have found a way. Now on our, at least our second WNBA all star team. This is one, I think a. A bad take from me. What do you guys think about that one?
- [51:35]
Chantelle Jennings
I mean, I feel like we talked about this at the start of the season where the front court pool is just crazy deep. Right. Like, you think about all the forwards who are having great seasons. Fee, Stewie, Asia Wilson, Satu. Alyssa Thomas, Brie Jones, even though she wasn't named an all star. Leah Boston, neca. Right. Like all of these players, I mean, that's already eight that I've named before. Angel Reese, who I'd be perfectly fine voting all W before her. And that's before we get to the fact that, like, personally, I like to vote three forwards and two guards on each of those. So you'd have to be in the top six for me to get you on an old WNBA team. So, I mean, I think angel deserving all star, I don't have a problem with that. That's top 22, top 10. It's just a more elite club. And I, I feel good about, you know, like you said, some of the gains that she's made this season, but it's. It's just a really high bar to clear.
- [52:21]
Zena Keda
Agreed. Okay. That's fair. That's fair. I think that one's still baking then. Well, I'll tell you one thing, you know, when you talk about takes that we've had and ones that look good in the oven, one has been still looking good in the oven, but someone has been putting a little bit too much heat, turned up to the point that it might burn. And that was my take on the rookies. The rookie of the year being somewhere maybe in the nation's capital, in Washington, rather than maybe anywhere else in the country. Well, there's a rookie in Dallas, obviously, that is looking at that oven and being like, oh, really? Oh, really? Let me ruin your recipe real quick. So I don't know, we'll see on how that feels later on in the season, but I feel like halfway through, it's still looking good. I just have to keep making it, just checking it to make sure that it doesn't get a little bit too burned in the oven on that one. Okay. All right. All right. Now we gotta think about some new takes. Okay, let's take a second to gather our thoughts and we'll get right back. Foreign.
- [53:27]
Sabrina Merchant
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- [55:44]
Zena Keda
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- [56:48]
Chantelle Jennings
Well, very nerdy take is. I think the hardest award to vote on this year is going to be the all rookie team. Limiting that to five players this year is going to be a world challenge. Yeah, I've never really had that difficulty before in deciding an all rookie team. Five just sort of, just sort of come to you. But I think if I were to make a new take, I just thought of another bad take that I had earlier and that was that Phoenix would miss the playoffs. Apologies to all of the Phoenix rookies, by the way. They have definitely outperformed their station. I would say if I had to make a new take, let's have some fun here. I think the Dallas Wings will make the playoffs at the expense of the Las Vegas Aces.
- [57:28]
Ben Pickman
Ralph.
- [57:28]
Zena Keda
Ooh, ooh. I think Chris needs to clip that and put that into his next, you know, coach's review. Any he's checking in with, you know.
- [57:42]
Chantelle Jennings
They only clip the bad things. There's only negative motivation.
- [57:45]
Ben Pickman
I was gonna say I think the Aces should clip that and hang that in the locker room. Nelissa Smith's locker room.
- [57:50]
Zena Keda
Well, I'm just saying that if Kurt Miller's having conversations with Chris Goklahan, it's like, come on, man, come on. He's like, wait, wait, wait. But look what Sabrina said. Just wait. Okay. Sabrina said we can make it. Yeah, I like it. It's a good one. That's a really hot take. That's like not only I should have.
- [58:08]
Chantelle Jennings
Just said that the Aces were going to miss the playoffs and given some other teams the opportunity to make the spot. Now we had to make it spicier, I guess.
- [58:17]
Zena Keda
Okay, this is very direct. These are shots fired. I like it. I like it. Okay, I got a stew on that one. Ben, what's your hot take?
- [58:29]
Ben Pickman
I mean my hot take is way more boring. One I will say. One I will say. And this is a take I think Sabrina and I both can agree on. Maybe a call to action more than a take. WNBA, can we have more than one all rookie team in the year 2025 and beyond. I think we should now be voting on two five player rookie teams and not one that is a take I think everyone can get behind. That is not my take for this exercise though. I will call it out. My way less spicy than Sabrina take is that there will be two first time members of the all WNBA first team. Again, that's a little bit in the weeds for some folks. Maybe if I was a little spicier I would have said three. But I'm not willing to go there in the spice level yet. But it allows for some flexibility here. Someone like Paige Beckers, someone like Alicia Gray, someone like Sabrina Unescu never made all W first team. Aaliyah Boston never made all w first team. There's just a lot of options that I'm giving myself with. I'm not boxing myself in like Sabrina just did.
- [59:33]
Chantelle Jennings
But it's okay if they've made the second team and then they just move to the first team. That still works for take. Okay, so very unspicy. Got it.
- [59:39]
Ben Pickman
It's very unspicy. Very unspicy. But it take nevertheless well to to.
- [59:44]
Zena Keda
Figure out the level of spice. Like how much variance has there been in recent years of that first team? Is it pretty stagnant in the way that, you know, players move in and out that conversation?
- [59:58]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I mean, generally like people, I think the Stewie Collier Asia Wilson trio is just becomes kind of a write in. It will be really interesting to see, you know, depending on how New York performs, what happens with Stewie. Like, you know, it would be certainly a take if she made the second team. But like who knows, Maybe at maybe Satu Sabali Sabrina, you know, Gray has been on the team.
- [60:21]
Chantelle Jennings
Well at has made the first team before.
- [60:22]
Ben Pickman
Right. I'm saying, I'm saying maybe those players leapfrog Stewie in kind of the voting conversation depending on how New York performs. And I will say this about John Cole Jones too. She's missed around 10 games or will have missed around 10 games heading into the all star break. But she had played like one of the 10 best players in the league before the time of her injury. So if she comes back right after the break and picks up where she left Off. Like she could certainly steal a front court or steal an all W team spot too.
- [60:49]
Chantelle Jennings
But she's also been a first team player before.
- [60:51]
Ben Pickman
It's true. That is true. I'm not including her in the take. I'm just throwing her in the. You know, you rattled off some front court players who should be in the mix here in the last take segment, and I just want to throw her name in as well.
- [61:03]
Zena Keda
I like it. Okay, all right, all right. My last thought here, this is just gonna be throwing some fire into it. Nothing actually to do with basketball, but I think there's gonna be a WNBA lockout. After hearing Satus Abali's comments that the first round was a slap in the face after the campaign that's been going on, it feels as if this was pretty direct in terms of what the players are looking for and the conversations they seemingly have been having behind the scenes for that to be the first go and that to be the response. Like we're not even even in the same atmosphere according to what the WNBA players are saying from what was offered from the wnba and now that these three new teams have been announced and, and I know that the WNBA feels a little bit of strength from that positioning. I personally feel like they might not come to an agreement by October 31st and there will be a WNBA lockout. I hope not. I hope not. And on that note, we're going to wrap this up, folks. Obviously, Sabrina and Ben are going to be keeping us covered on all of the things that are going on around the WNBA cba, but we will see what happens, at least on the court. Dallas, just know what your job is. Asus, you got some motivation and, you know, of course, all of our potential, all wnba, first team, you know, possibilities. You guys also have some motivation. Ben Pickman is rooting for you. Well, at least two of you. All right, folks, that's gonna do it for today. Thank you guys for being a part of this. Let us know how you feel about our drafts. Who did better? Caitlyn, Ben, Fe, Sabrina, let us know, Let us know if that's the route, like the right method to stack up on guard, stack up on bigs. Which one first? Let's see. We appreciate you guys obviously tuning in as always. Write out to us, reach out to us. Let us know what you like. Like, subscribe, share, do everything. Listen to us in the bathroom. Listen to us on your walk with your dog. Just be a part of our world. We appreciate whenever you guys join. I love the folks that say that they feel like they're hanging out with friends because hearts we love that. Spotify, Apple, YouTube, you know where to find us and then obviously head on over to our partner Yahoo Sports Hub for more content. Sports.yahoo.com Womens Sports on behalf of the Athletic Ben Caitlin Phi Sabrina, I'm Zena Keda thanking you for listening and we will see you next time. No Off Season is hosted by Zena Kada with Chantelle Jennings, Sabrina Merchant and Ben Pickman. It's produced by Tanika Burrel. Our executive producers are Andrea B. Scott and Cassius Fleming. Our theme music is by Marcus Bagala. Monica Compton is our video editor. Shannon Ryan is managing editor of Women's basketball at the Athletic. Jessie Burton is our head of audio and Tim McMaster is director of Audio operations.
- [64:17]
Chantelle Jennings
Listen up. You can get the new iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence for just 49.99 when.
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Ben Pickman
You switch to Boost Mobile.
- [64:25]
Chantelle Jennings
We pulled Sal so many all nighters.
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Ben Pickman
To give you this deal.
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Chantelle Jennings
And hey, stop messing with the mic. I'm just helping this catch people's attention.
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Zena Keda
This is a great deal.
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Chantelle Jennings
Exactly, so it doesn't need all that.
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Zena Keda
Fine.
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Chantelle Jennings
Get the new iPhone 16e available at Apple Store locations and the Apple Store online.
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Ben Pickman
Visit your nearest Boost Mobile store for full offer details. Apple Intelligence requires iOS 18.1 or later.
- [64:47]
Sabrina Merchant
Restrictions apply.
- [64:48]
Chantelle Jennings
This is Paige, the co host of Giggly Squad. I use Uber Eats for everything and I feel like people forget that you can truly order anything, especially living in New York City. It's why I love it. You can get Chinese food at any time of night, but it's not just for food. I order from CVS all the time. I'm always ordering from the grocery store. If a friend stops over, I have to order champagne. I also have this thing that whenever I travel, if I'm ever in a hotel room, I never feel like I'm missing something because I'll just just Uber eats it. The amount of times I've had to Uber eats hair items like hairspray, deodorant, you name it, I've ordered it. On UberEats you can get grocery alcohol everyday essentials in addition to restaurants and food you love. So in other words, get Almost anything with UberEats. Order now for alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. You know how we all have that one friend we go to with all our financial questions?
- [65:52]
Sabrina Merchant
Well meet Experian, your bff, as in Big Financial Friend. I'm telling you, Experian is gonna be your go to app when it comes.
- [66:00]
Chantelle Jennings
To taking control of your finances.
- [66:02]
Sabrina Merchant
Experian not only has a bunch of.
- [66:04]
Chantelle Jennings
Ways to help you save, but lets you check your FICO score.
- [66:07]
Sabrina Merchant
Matches you with credit cards and a.
- [66:09]
Chantelle Jennings
Bunch more things you'd expect from a big financial friend.
- [66:12]
Sabrina Merchant
Just download the Experian app and get started for free.
- [66:15]
Chantelle Jennings
Trust me, you'll be up to speed with this BFF in no time.
- [66:18]
Sabrina Merchant
Based on FICO Score 8 model offers an approval not guaranteed Terms apply. Offers not available in all states. See experian.com for details.