No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: WNBA Awards And Series Matchups
Release Date: September 1, 2023
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman

Introduction to the Show and Hosts

Presented by Michelob Ultra

The inaugural episode of "No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show" kickstarts with host Zena Keita introducing the new platform dedicated to all things women’s basketball. Keita emphasizes the transition from written coverage to an engaging audio format, allowing for deeper conversations with top writers and industry figures.

“The Athletic has always had amazing women's basketball coverage... this is where we get the table.” – Zena Keita [05:05]

Overview of the Episode

The episode primarily focuses on the upcoming WNBA awards and key series matchups, particularly spotlighting the rivalry between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty. The discussion delves into MVP contenders, Coach of the Year candidates, Most Improved Players, and Team of the Year considerations.

WNBA Awards Discussion

MVP Race

The hosts engage in a spirited debate about the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race, highlighting top contenders like Asia Wilson, Brianna Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas.

• Sabrina Merchant discusses the complexity of defining "value" in MVP considerations.

• Kelsey Plum shares her perspective, favoring players who demonstrate exceptional individual performance and leadership, regardless of team standings.

  “If I think someone is playing better than anybody else in the league... that's what I'm looking for in terms of an MVP.” – Kelsey Plum [10:54]

• Asia Wilson introduces the idea of considering a player's impact on their team's performance, weighing individual excellence against team success.

  “There's something about Alyssa Thomas, her versatility, her ability to impact the game in so many ways.” – Asia Wilson [13:01]

• Sabrina Merchant explores the intricacies of the MVP selection, considering both statistical performance and leadership qualities.

Most Improved Player (MIP)

The conversation shifts to the Most Improved Player award, with Asia Wilson advocating for players who have significantly elevated their game, particularly those who have thrived overseas and returned stronger to the WNBA.

“Alana Smith... has played super, super well in Poland... she's playing just shy of 30 minutes per game.” – Asia Wilson [16:49]

• Ben Pickman adds to the discussion by highlighting Jordan Canada's remarkable improvement in shooting and leadership.

  “No one improved one skill more than Jordan Canada improved her shooting this past offseason.” – Ben Pickman [17:40]

Coach of the Year

The hosts evaluate candidates for Coach of the Year, considering team performance, overcoming challenges, and tactical innovations.

• Kelsey Plum praises Becky Hammond of the Las Vegas Aces for leading a dominant team both offensively and defensively.

  “As long as they're atop the league in those two spots, Becky Hammond's going to get my vote.” – Kelsey Plum [24:48]

• Asia Wilson counters with support for Stephanie White of the Connecticut Sun, acknowledging her team's reinvention and resilience.

  “Steph White has an excellent case at this point in the season.” – Asia Wilson [26:48]

Team of the Year

The discussion on Team of the Year revolves around which team best encapsulates the 2023 WNBA season’s narrative.

• Kelsey Plum nominates the New York Liberty, citing their strategic offseason moves and star-studded roster as key factors.

  “They created this new standard for player experience and like what a franchise in the WNBA should look like.” – Kelsey Plum [30:10]

• Asia Wilson agrees, emphasizing the Liberty's depth and firepower, while Ben Pickman adds that both teams have significantly contributed to the league's competitive landscape.

WNBA Team Matchups: Las Vegas Aces vs New York Liberty

Aces' Evolution

The hosts analyze the Las Vegas Aces' transformation into a super team post-championship, thanks to strategic acquisitions like Candace Parker and Alicia Clark.

“From being a championship team to being what we would consider a super team.” – Kelsey Plum [36:02]

Liberty's Ascendancy

Conversely, the New York Liberty's dramatic improvement is attributed to their offseason moves, integrating star players like Brianna Stewart and enhancing their offensive and defensive ratings.

“They really clicked. As you mentioned, they took a little bit of time to gel.” – Asia Wilson [38:22]

Rivalry Dynamics

The episode highlights the burgeoning rivalry between the Aces and Liberty, noting pivotal games that have intensified their competition and fan engagement.

• Kelsey Plum remarks on the shift in the Aces' performance when Candace Barker wasn’t playing, pointing to the Liberty's increasing dominance.

  “If you take Candace Barker out, suddenly one of the teams doesn't look so super.” – Kelsey Plum [36:48]

• Sabrina Merchant and Asia Wilson discuss the impact of specific matches, including a significant game where the Liberty showcased their superiority.

  “That was a moment that just sticks with me... Sabrina nailed a three.” – Asia Wilson [38:22]

Insights on Rivalries and League Impact

League Growth and Viewership

The hosts underscore how high-profile matchups and star players have elevated the WNBA's visibility, leading to record viewership numbers.

“Wednesday afternoon was the most watched WNBA regular season game on ESPN in five years.” – Asia Wilson [46:35]

Balanced Competition and Future Playoffs

While acknowledging current standings, the hosts express optimism about the playoffs, anticipating memorable moments and potential championship showdowns between top teams.

“We're due for some memorable moments in the playoffs.” – Asia Wilson [32:55]

Off-Script Discussion: Travel Issues in the WNBA

In an unscripted segment inspired by an ESPN survey, host Zena Keita raises concerns about the WNBA players' top issues, revealing that travel is the most pressing concern according to players.

“18 players said that travel was the number one issue.” – Zena Keita [53:47]

Keita criticizes the league’s focus on team and roster expansion over player welfare, stressing the importance of addressing travel-related challenges to support the athletes effectively.

Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

Keita wraps up the episode by emphasizing the significance of listening to players' concerns and hints at future discussions surrounding travel policies and player experiences in the WNBA. She invites listeners to stay tuned for the next episode, which will delve deeper into these issues.

“We're gonna dedicate some time but for now thank you so much for listening in.” – Zena Keita [55:06]

Key Takeaways

• MVP Race: A close competition between Asia Wilson, Brianna Stewart, and Alyssa Thomas, with debates on individual excellence vs. team impact.
• Coach of the Year: Becky Hammond and Stephanie White emerge as top candidates for their respective teams’ performances and strategic leadership.
• Team of the Year: New York Liberty highlighted for their strategic offseason moves and star power, positioning them as a formidable force in the league.
• Aces vs. Liberty Rivalry: An evolving rivalry marked by strategic gameplay, player acquisitions, and pivotal matches that have heightened fan engagement and league visibility.
• Player Welfare: Travel emerges as a critical issue for WNBA players, overshadowing other league expansion plans, highlighting the need for the league to prioritize player concerns.

Notable Quotes

• “If I think someone is playing better than anybody else in the league... that's what I'm looking for in terms of an MVP.” – Kelsey Plum [10:54]
• “Alana Smith... has played super, super well in Poland... she's playing just shy of 30 minutes per game.” – Asia Wilson [16:49]
• “As long as they're atop the league in those two spots, Becky Hammond's going to get my vote.” – Kelsey Plum [24:48]
• “They created this new standard for player experience and like what a franchise in the WNBA should look like.” – Kelsey Plum [30:10]
• “18 players said that travel was the number one issue.” – Zena Keita [53:47]

This episode of "No Offseason" provides an in-depth analysis of the current WNBA landscape, highlighting key awards contenders, intensifying team rivalries, and pressing player welfare issues. The hosts offer nuanced perspectives, enriched by their expertise and interactions with top players and writers, making it a must-listen for fans eager to deepen their understanding of women's basketball.