Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 5: Dawn Staley on Knicks Coaching Job, Philly WNBA Expansion & South Carolina Dynasty

Release Date: August 27, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this engaging episode, Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston welcome the legendary coach and trailblazer Dawn Staley. They trace Staley’s basketball journey from Philly to Olympic gold, break down her impact on college basketball’s biggest stage at South Carolina, and explore her ambitions beyond coaching—including WNBA team ownership and her thoughts on NBA opportunities. The episode is peppered with insightful stories, honest locker-room moments, and behind-the-scenes reflections, giving listeners a candid look at leadership, legacy, and Staley’s one-of-a-kind mentoring style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Season Updates & Player Mindsets

Timestamps: 02:00 – 08:20

• Candace Parker’s Jersey Retirement:

  • Candace explains (humorously dodging the limelight) being back in Chicago to celebrate her jersey retirement, sharing how special it is to bring her family back to where her basketball journey began.

• Indiana Fever & Team Resilience:

  • Aliyah’s mindset as Fever fights for playoff position, highlighting the focus on “staying bought in and together,” especially after close losses and ongoing injuries.
  • Candace and Aliyah break down roster difficulties, including the unprecedented use of hardship contracts (17 players on the Fever roster this season).
    • “It goes back to the cry of, like, expand the roster.” – Candace (07:13)
  • Positive locker room energy:
    • “At the end of the day...we just have to hoop. Like it doesn’t matter if it’s pretty...we just have to go out there, play for each other and just simply hoop.” – Aliyah (06:20)

• Aces’ Historic Win Streak:

  • Discussion of Vegas’ resurgence after a 53-point loss, now on a record 10-game win streak.
    • “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face...and Las Vegas got punched in the face.” – Candace (10:07)
  • MVP conversations heat up:
    • “If A’ja scores 30, they win. Good luck.” – Candace (09:18)

• Paige Bueckers’ 44-Point Game:

  • Both hosts marvel at Paige’s old-school, efficient midrange dominance and its impact on the WNBA’s scoring trends.

2. Dawn Staley Joins – Early Influences & South Carolina Dynasty

Timestamps: 14:31 – 22:30

• Early Mentoring of Aliyah Boston:
  • Staley recounts recruiting Aliyah:
    • “The Aaliyah that we recruited...was so talkative...she got to South Carolina, she wouldn’t say a word. She was actually deferring to upperclassmen. I wanted that Aaliyah.” – Dawn (17:00)
  • On Aliyah’s evolution:
    • “She probably came in as the smartest player, like, ever in the history of our program. Just really understands how to play the game.” – Dawn (17:44)
  • Lighthearted roasting on Aliyah’s dance progression, from “only toddlers could appreciate her dancing” to viral TikTok stardom (19:38, 20:09).

3. Dawn Staley: Building, Leading, & Changing the Game

Timestamps: 22:30 – 32:00

• Pioneering Era Reflection:

  • Dawn explains the legacy of the 1996 Olympic team’s year-long preparation and how it launched both the WNBA and ABL:
    • “We felt the pressure of having the state of women’s basketball on our shoulders so we couldn’t fail...It was well worth it now that we see how women’s basketball is received.” – Dawn (23:14)

• Coaching Mindset & South Carolina’s Rise:

  • Candace notes Staley’s parallel as a coach and a player, both defined by “grind” and building South Carolina into a powerhouse.
  • “My mindset is always basically what is best for the game...Even to our...detriment, to South Carolina’s detriment, I really do look out for the game.” – Dawn (25:52)

• March Madness, Edge, & Locker Room Culture:

  • Honest, behind-the-scenes account of South Carolina’s growth after tough losses:
    • “She just kept going. And then we won the Natty that year.” – Aliyah (29:25)
    • “I do credit that loss for us winning. And I would trade SEC tournament championships for national championships any day.” – Dawn (30:42)
  • Candace and Dawn see adversity and tough practices as essential for postseason success.

4. Aliyah Boston’s Resilience – Growth After Failure

Timestamps: 32:00 – 36:30

• Dealing with Devastation & Coming Back Stronger:
  • Dawn describes giving Aliyah space to process a heartbreaking loss (missed tip-in vs UConn), but pushing her toward redemption:
    • “You slowly...give her space. If you stay in this space, you’re not setting yourself up for the come up.” – Dawn (33:25)
    • Aliyah returned “slim...and just put us on her back and willed us to a championship.” – Dawn (34:54)
  • Recognition of Aliyah’s annual growth and MVP-level impact, often overlooked due to team adversity but deserving of broader acclaim.

5. Legacy & New Initiatives: Staley’s Book, Philadelphia, and the Next Chapter

Timestamps: 37:36 – 47:44

• Writing “Uncommon Favor”:

  • Dawn shares the reasons for publishing now, crediting her undefeated season and a push from Charlamagne Tha God.
  • “It was written out of love, and it’s received with that same love.” – Dawn (38:17)

• Motto – “Do what you don’t want to do to get what you want”:

  • Emphasizes the necessity of community outreach as a coach and the organic way South Carolina’s fan base grew.

• Philly Roots:

  • Dawn credits growing up in North Philly for her resilience and dogged mindset:
    • “When you go up in North Philly...it makes you strong. Like, it’s...there isn’t anything that we can’t do if we put our minds to it. It really is a mindset and mentality.” – Dawn (44:39)

6. The Future: WNBA Ownership, NBA Ambitions, and the Knicks Interview

Timestamps: 46:22 – 50:49

• On WNBA Ownership vs Coaching:
  • “I want ownership. I don't want to be a coach. Coach is just a part of the process. I want to be in the room helping to make decisions...That’s the sweat equity that I want, but I want that as an owner.” – Dawn (47:03)
• Candid Thoughts on NBA Coaching – Knicks Interview:
  • Dawn openly discusses interviewing for the Knicks, what it meant, and her reasons for pursuing it:
    • “If the Knicks would have offered me the job, I would have had to do it. Not just for me. It's for women. For...just to break open that.” – Dawn (47:58)
  • Reflection on how tough questions to the organization may have cost her the job, but underscores the league’s need to truly be ready for female head coaches.

7. Unfiltered Fan Q&A with Dawn Staley

Timestamps: 50:49 – 57:10

• True Crime Addict:

  • Dawn reveals her obsession with true crime content (Dateline, Forensic Files) and even attending real murder trials.
    • “I fall asleep to Forensic Files.” – Dawn (51:27)
    • “It was so much stimulation...I can't get enough of this.” – Dawn (52:38)

• Most Memorable Career Moment:

  • Surprised by the “unlikeliest group” going undefeated in 2024, but Candace puts in a word for the joy and significance of the first national title (2017).

• Philly Athlete Mount Rushmore:

  • Dr. J, Jalen Hurts, Allen Iverson, and Mike Schmidt make Dawn’s cut (56:29–57:07).
    • “I'm putting Jalen on there. I don't care. Jalen Hurts. I'm putting him on there. I know he's young.” – Dawn (56:38)

8. Closing Moments & “You Got This” Segment

Timestamps: 58:51 – 61:43

• ‘You Got This’ Moment by Candace Parker:
  • Spotlight on Venus Williams’ return to the US Open, celebrating trailblazers and resiliency at all ages.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dawn Staley on legacy and the grind:

  • “I just, I just, I love basketball. Like, I truly. Like, it's my passion. It's the very thing I never cheat on.” (25:52)

• On coaching vs. NBA opportunity:

  • “If the Knicks would have offered me the job, I would have had to do it. Okay. Not just for me. It's for women.” (47:58)

• On loss and motivation:

  • “I do credit that loss for us winning. And I would trade SEC tournament championships for national championships any day.” (30:42)

• Candace on adversity’s value:

  • “As much as practice sucks, I think we'd run any amount of line drills if it promised us a new mindset going into the NCAA tournament.” (31:34)

• Aliyah to Dawn:

  • “Thanks, girl. That was so sweet. That was so sweet.” (37:36)

Episode Timeline: Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:00 | Candace’s jersey retirement, Chicago memories | | 03:22 | Fever’s season, injuries, and locker room energy | | 08:22 | Aces’ win streak, MVP race updates | | 10:37 | Paige Bueckers’ 44-point game and the value of the midrange | | 14:31 | Dawn Staley joins the show | | 17:00 | Early stories on recruiting and mentoring Aliyah | | 19:38 | Dance evolution laughter, TikTok memories | | 22:34 | Dawn recounts the 1996 Olympic team, building the WNBA | | 25:52 | Coaching wisdom: always grinding and focusing on growing the game | | 26:57 | The pivotal Kentucky loss and transformation into championship mindset | | 30:42 | Wins stemming from adversity; national title priorities | | 33:01 | Aliyah’s resilience after heartbreak and her championship comeback | | 37:36 | Dawn’s book “Uncommon Favor” and the timing | | 44:39 | Philly upbringing’s impact on mentality | | 47:03 | On preferring WNBA ownership over coaching | | 47:58 | The Knicks head coach interview story | | 51:27 | True crime obsession | | 54:29 | Dawn’s most memorable career moment: 2024 undefeated season | | 56:29 | Mount Rushmore of Philly athletes | | 58:51 | Venus Williams’ “You Got This” shout out |

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• This episode shines with Dawn Staley’s blend of candor, loyalty, and ambitious vision for the future of women’s basketball.
• Candid tales of winning and losing reveal the emotional rollercoaster of elite competition and the transformative power of leadership.
• For aspiring athletes, coaches, and fans, the episode drives home the value of resilience, preparation, and never losing sight of bigger dreams—both on and off the court.