Podcast Summary: "Should USA Basketball Have Selected Caitlin Clark? Plus Liberty/Mercury Heating Up"

Podcast Information:

• Title: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
• Host/Author: The Athletic
• Episode: Should USA Basketball Have Selected Caitlin Clark? Plus Liberty/Mercury Heating Up
• Release Date: June 11, 2024

1. New York Liberty's Impressive Winning Streak

Overview: The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the New York Liberty's current seven-game winning streak, which includes a significant victory over the Connecticut Sun, snapping the Sun's impressive 9-0 run.

Key Points:

• Team Chemistry and Continuity: Ben Pickman emphasizes the Liberty's focus on chemistry and continuity as pivotal factors distinguishing the 2024 team from the previous year.

  Ben Pickman [08:35]: "All season long the New York Liberty have talked about chemistry and continuity really being the difference in their minds for what separates the 2024 team versus the 2023 team."

• Star Players' Impact: Jonquill Jones and Sabrina Ionescu have been instrumental in the team's success. Jones has showcased dominant performances, averaging nearly 26 points and eight rebounds over the weekend.

  Ben Pickman [10:40]: "Jonquil Jones, I think on a nightly basis, you can make a case that she is the best player or the most dominant player in the whole world."

• Sabrina Ionescu's Evolution: Sabrina Merchant highlights Ionescu's transformation from a three-point specialist to a versatile scorer who attacks the rim, adding a new dimension to the Liberty's offense.

  Sabrina Merchant [10:40]: "She's not just pulling up from threes... she is heading to the rim, attacking the rim. And it opens up a whole nother dimension in the New York Liberty's offense."

Impact of Recent Games: The Liberty's ability to win close games, especially those they might have lost the previous year, showcases their growth and resilience.

Ben Pickman [10:40]: "The play of the two of them and the way they feed off each other, I think credit to them."

2. Understanding the WNBA Commissioner's Cup

Overview: The hosts explain the significance of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup, detailing its structure, benefits, and the current standings.

Key Points:

• What is the Commissioner's Cup? Introduced in 2021, it's a mid-season tournament that offers additional stakes, including monetary bonuses for players.

  Sabrina Merchant [18:26]: "The team gets $500,000. So if your team has 12 players on it, that is $40,000 plus per player."

• Current Standings: The New York Liberty have secured the East's berth in the Commissioner's Cup Final by winning all their qualifying games.

  Sabrina Merchant [18:26]: "New York, as you mentioned, has won their last seven games, five of and four of which are Commissioners cup games."

• Importance and Impact: Winning the Cup not only brings financial rewards but also boosts team morale and provides an opportunity for teams to compete at a higher level during the regular season.

  Ben Pickman [24:45]: "There is a lot of money involved in the Commissioner's Cup. I've talked to a WNBA front office person who said that the celebration that they saw after a Commissioner's cup win was bigger than the one they saw after a WNBA Finals win."

3. Las Vegas Aces: Depth Concerns Amidst Injuries

Overview: The discussion shifts to the Las Vegas Aces, focusing on their depth issues exacerbated by key player injuries.

Key Points:

• Injury Impact: The Aces are grappling without Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, raising concerns about their bench depth and overall performance.

  Zena Keda [23:17]: "The one team all season long that I've been like, oh, that depth is looking suspect, it's looking real concerning. It's the Aces."

• Performance Under Pressure: Despite their struggles, Ben Pickman argues that the Aces still possess significant talent and future potential.

  Ben Pickman [24:48]: "They're not playing their best basketball... They are playing for September and October."

• Strategic Considerations: Sabrina Merchant notes that the Aces' ability to compete remains intact, but the evolving talent landscape may pose challenges.

  Sabrina Merchant [25:22]: "We're bringing in Tiffany Hayes... This is a time when you'd rather be struggling than in August and in September."

4. Phoenix Mercury's Dynamic Shift with Brittney Griner's Return

Overview: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Phoenix Mercury, particularly focusing on Brittney Griner's return to the court and its implications for the team's strategy.

Key Points:

• Emotional and Tactical Return: Sabrina Merchant discusses the emotional boost Griner brings to the team and the necessary tactical adjustments to integrate her effectively.

  Sabrina Merchant [32:48]: "It's no secret, like, how much Brittney Griner means to the Phoenix Mercury franchise."

• Offensive Adjustments: The team is transitioning from a perimeter-oriented offense to incorporating more post plays with Griner, aiming to diversify their offensive strategies.

  Sabrina Merchant [35:15]: "They have to figure out how to weave BG back in... She might have to be more of a passer out of the post than she's ever been before in her career."

• Future Prospects: Ben Pickman highlights the potential for Phoenix to become a formidable contender with Griner's full integration, provided they can seamlessly blend her playstyle with existing strategies.

  Ben Pickman [37:46]: "The talent infusion is just so important... It's only up from here, frankly."

5. The Controversy: Caitlin Clark Excluded from Team USA Olympic Roster

Overview: The episode addresses the heated topic of Caitlin Clark not being selected for the USA Basketball Olympic team, exploring the reasons, reactions, and future implications.

Key Points:

• Team Selection Rationale: Ben Pickman offers his assessment, aligning with Sabrina Merchant's viewpoints, emphasizing team continuity, chemistry, and existing cooperative dynamics over individual talent or popularity.

  Ben Pickman [44:42]: "I thought it was a reasonable decision to leave her off the team... They leaned on continuity over chatter."

• Arguments For and Against Exclusion:

  • Pro-Selection Arguments: Advocates argue that Clark's inclusion would have boosted team marketability and drawn more attention to USA Basketball.
  • Against-Selection Arguments: The selection committee prioritized players with Olympic experience and established team chemistry.

  Sabrina Merchant [50:32]: "The mission of USA Basketball... promoting, growing and elevating the game at all levels."

• Public and Fan Reactions: The exclusion sparked extensive commentary, with some fans expressing disappointment and others supporting the committee's decision.

• Future Prospects for Caitlin Clark:

  • Ben Pickman [55:28]: "I think it's very likely she makes the next Olympic team... She's motivated by it."
  • Discussion on Emerging Talent: The conversation also touches on future prospects like Paige Beckers and Fajee Johnson, suggesting that Clark's chances remain strong for future selections.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Pickman [49:57]: "It's hard to see their decision as unreasonable. I think it's a perfectly reasonable decision that they made to go with the 12 that they did."

• Sabrina Merchant [54:22]: "It is within the framework of USA Basketball's decision making that they have taken the 12 best players probably that you could represent the United States with."

6. Conclusion and Call to Action

Overview: The episode wraps up with a motivational message urging fans to continue supporting women's basketball beyond individual stars, emphasizing the depth and talent within the league.

Key Points:

• Appreciation for Team Efforts: Ben Pickman encourages listeners to focus on the collective achievements and stories within the team rather than solely on star players.

  Ben Pickman [62:48]: "Even with Caitlin Clark not on the team, there are plenty of other stories and reasons to tune in."

• Encouragement to Engage: Hosts urge fans to subscribe, leave comments, and continue following the team's journey, highlighting the importance of community support in growing the sport.

  Zena Keda [64:45]: "Leave us Comments, subscribe and leave us comments. Read the articles, subscribe, Read the articles and leave comments."

Final Thoughts: The hosts emphasize that the exclusion of a single player does not diminish the quality and excitement surrounding women's basketball, encouraging a broader appreciation for the sport's many talented athletes.

Zena Keda [64:45]: "There is still going to be amazing basketball to be had, to be played, to be consumed and to cheer on."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ben Pickman [08:35]: "All season long the New York Liberty have talked about chemistry and continuity really being the difference in their minds for what separates the 2024 team versus the 2023 team."

• Sabrina Merchant [10:40]: "She's not just pulling up from threes... she is heading to the rim, attacking the rim."

• Ben Pickman [18:35]: "New York, I don't think played their best game as a team. It was certainly a game that was important to them."

• Sabrina Merchant [18:26]: "They go 5 and 0 in their Commissioners cup games. So they are best in the East."

• Ben Pickman [23:17]: "The one team all season long that I've been like, oh, that depth is looking suspect, it's looking real concerning. It's the Aces."

• Sabrina Merchant [32:48]: "It's no secret, like, how much Brittney Griner means to the Phoenix Mercury franchise."

• Ben Pickman [44:42]: "I thought it was a reasonable decision to leave her off the team."

• Sabrina Merchant [50:32]: "The mission of USA Basketball... promoting, growing and elevating the game at all levels."

• Ben Pickman [62:48]: "Even with Caitlin Clark not on the team, there are plenty of other stories and reasons to tune in."

Conclusion: This episode of "No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show" offers an in-depth analysis of current WNBA dynamics, highlighting the New York Liberty's resurgence, the strategic implications of player injuries for the Las Vegas Aces, the Phoenix Mercury's tactical shifts with Brittney Griner's return, and the controversial exclusion of Caitlin Clark from the USA Basketball Olympic roster. Through expert insights and thoughtful discussions, the hosts encourage fans to appreciate the collective talent and ongoing narratives that make women's basketball an exciting and evolving sport.