No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show – Episode Summary Episode Title: Who's Leading the Rookie of the Year Race? Release Date: July 9, 2024

Introduction and Overview

In this episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman delve into the latest developments in women's basketball. They cover a range of topics, including All-Star selections, notable game upsets from the past weekend, and an in-depth analysis of the highly contested Rookie of the Year race. The discussion offers insightful perspectives for both dedicated fans and those new to the sport.

All-Star Selections

The episode kicks off with an examination of the recent WNBA All-Star selections. Zena Keita expresses excitement over standout players making the roster, particularly highlighting Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's inclusion.

Zena Keita [07:37]: "Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, both making the All-Star team... that's probably the number one thing that popped out of my mind."

The hosts clarify the selection process, explaining the distinction between Team USA, which competes for Olympic gold, and Team WNBA, which is voted on by fans, media, players, and coaches. Sabrina Merchant elaborates on how coaches select additional players from a pool after the initial voting.

Sabrina Merchant [07:37]: "Team USA is the team that will be competing for the gold medal in Paris... Team WNBA was voted on by fans, media players and then ultimately filled out by the coaches."

Ben Pickman notes the surprise inclusion of NBA veterans like Kelsey Mitchell and Alicia Gray, reflecting on their performance and impact despite their teams' middling records.

Weekend Game Upsets

The discussion shifts to the unexpected outcomes from the weekend's games, focusing on losses by Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm, and New York Liberty.

1. Chicago Sky vs. Seattle Storm [49:58]:

   • Sabrina Merchant praises Kennedy Carter's exceptional performance, which led Chicago to a victory despite Seattle's strong defensive lineup.

     Sabrina Merchant [49:58]: "Kennedy Carter... eclipsing Jackie Young's 32 with 33 of her own in this game."

   • Ben Pickman highlights Seattle's defensive struggles and the team's inability to contain Carter's aggressive offense.

     Ben Pickman [51:49]: "Seattle's worst three-point shooting night since their opening game... outscored Seattle 30 to 22 in that quarter."

2. Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks [55:15]:

   • Sabrina Merchant discusses the Aces' defensive lapses and the Sparks' strategic ball-handling that led to their upset victory.

     Sabrina Merchant [56:17]: "They decided not to play defense for about four quarters... Arie McDonald just being able to get into the paint pretty regularly."

   • Ben Pickman emphasizes the importance of bench players like Sammy Whitcomb and Steph Talbot in turning the game around for Los Angeles.

     Ben Pickman [58:10]: "Talbot being able to provide just another capable ball handler... keep them in control and then deliver the ball to your best player over and over again."

3. New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever [62:10]:

   • D'Angelo commends Indiana's resilience and Caitlin Clark's historic triple-double, marking a significant milestone in WNBA history.

     D'Angelo [65:08]: "Caitlin Clark did record the first triple-double, first ever rookie triple double in WNBA history in this game."

   • Ben Pickman highlights New York's defensive lapses and Indiana's strategic adjustments that secured the unexpected win.

Rookie of the Year Race

A central focus of the episode is the intensely competitive Rookie of the Year (ROTY) race between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The hosts dissect various factors influencing the decision, including statistical performance, usage rates, and overall impact on their respective teams.

1. Historical Context:

   • Sabrina Merchant provides background on past ROTY winners, noting the typically clear-cut nature of the award in previous seasons.

     Sabrina Merchant [20:29]: "In the last four years, there's been one player that's gotten at least 90% of the votes... it's typically the number one pick."

2. Statistical Analysis:

   • Ben Pickman and D'Angelo delve into advanced metrics such as usage rate and assist-to-turnover ratios to compare Clark and Reese's performances.

     Ben Pickman [28:52]: "Usage rate... Caitlin Clark has a 24.4 out of 100 possessions... Reese was at 20.9."

     D'Angelo [26:02]: "Caitlin Clark has to shoulder more than Angel Reese... she's on the top of every single opponent scouting report."

   • Sabrina Merchant emphasizes the importance of team improvements and individual contributions, referencing Caitlin Clark's triple-double as a historic achievement.

     Sabrina Merchant [33:03]: "Caitlin Clark did record the first triple-double, first ever rookie triple double in WNBA history in this game."

3. Hosts' Opinions:

   • Zena Keita leans towards Caitlin Clark for her significant role and the challenges she faces as a guard.

     Zena Keita [35:16]: "The role itself is really important... the level of difficulty is harder for guards."

   • D'Angelo gives a slight edge to Angel Reese, citing her consistent performance and impact on team dynamics.

     D'Angelo [36:54]: "I think Angel Reese is really impressive... she has been having an unbelievable start to her career."

   • Ben Pickman concludes with a detailed breakdown of his own analysis, highlighting Caitlin Clark's dominance in multiple statistical categories and higher usage rate as factors tipping the scales in her favor.

     Ben Pickman [36:54]: "Caitlin Clark had the number one spot in one third of all those categories... usage rate... slightly higher, I thought that was more impactful than net rating."

4. Conclusion on ROTY Race:

   • D'Angelo urges for grace and understanding in discussions about the ROTY race, acknowledging the fluid nature of the competition as the season progresses.

     D'Angelo [46:12]: "People can disagree now and they can disagree in September... have some grace in this conversation."

   • Ben Pickman reiterates the evolving nature of the race, encouraging listeners to stay engaged as both rookies continue to develop.

     Ben Pickman [47:20]: "The season's not over. There's a lot more basketball to be played... we're nowhere near done, folks."

Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

As the season progresses, the hosts emphasize the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the WNBA. They encourage fans to stay connected, keep watching the games, and participate in the ongoing conversations surrounding player performances and accolades.

Zena Keita [68:55]: "Encouraging you to keep listening, keep watching, keep learning and keep loving the game because that's the only way we're going to keep growing it until next time."

The episode concludes with a reminder of the upcoming games and the anticipation of how the ROTY race and team performances will evolve.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Zena Keita [07:37]: "Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, both making the All-Star team... that's probably the number one thing that popped out of my mind."
• Sabrina Merchant [08:23]: "Kelsey Mitchell being a third selection from the Indiana Fever who are still below .500 was a little surprising..."
• Ben Pickman [28:52]: "Usage rate... Caitlin Clark has a 24.4 out of 100 possessions... Reese was at 20.9."
• D'Angelo [35:16]: "I think Angel Reese is really impressive... she has been having an unbelievable start to her career."
• Ben Pickman [36:54]: "...Caitlin Clark had the number one spot in one third of all those categories... usage rate... slightly higher, I thought that was more impactful than net rating."

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the current state of women's basketball, highlighting key player performances, strategic game outcomes, and the intricacies of award races like Rookie of the Year. The hosts provide nuanced analysis, backed by statistical insights, fostering a deeper understanding of the game for all listeners.