Post Moves Ep. 8: Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream, 2025 WNBA Awards & Paige Bueckers ROTY

Hosts: Candace Parker (CP) & Aliyah Boston (AB)
Release Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston recap the dramatic close to the 2025 WNBA regular season and the Fever’s playoff run, dive into the surging league attendance and ratings, break down all the major season awards (naming their own picks), and weigh in on Paige Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year campaign. With signature banter and plenty of generational roasting, the duo also answer fan questions ranging from free throw rituals to the infamous “cookie gate.” Expect bold takes, inside stories, and genuine appreciation for the stars (and cookies) of the game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Vibes & Life Updates ([00:00]–[07:04])

• Generational roasting over dinner choices:
  • AB laments missing out on snickerdoodles, prompting laughs about eating cookies for dinner.
  • CP: “Wow, you really are 23 and a half. Talking about having a cookie for dinner. This is wild.” (00:24)
• Candace’s busy week:
  • Attending her daughter’s volleyball game, a Teddi Swims concert, the San Diego zoo (“Started great, ended crying, screaming...”), and College GameDay at Tennessee.
  • “There is nothing like [Tennessee]. 100,000 screaming fans...I must say, when I screamed Vol Nation...I almost passed out—it was so hot!” (05:12)
  • She capped it off with a Chris Brown concert: “He’s up there with Beyoncé and Michael Jackson. I said it.” (06:46)

2. Recap: End of Regular Season & Fever’s Climb ([07:21]–[14:00])

• Fever secure the 6th seed after big swings in the regular season.
• CP gives AB her flowers for franchise records:
  • “Aaliyah has the most points by a center through their first three seasons in WNBA history…650 points, 350 rebounds, 150 assists club—only you and Stewie. That’s quite the company.” (08:11)
  • “You haven’t missed a game in three seasons! Did you miss any games in college?” - CP (09:14)
  • “No.” - AB (09:19)
• AB credits her “good lord and savior” for her Iron Woman streak, recalling moments playing through tough injuries in college.

3. League Headlines: The Aces’ Dominance & WNBA Growth ([10:08]–[14:54])

• Aces finish season with 16-game win streak, setting franchise records for points and threes.
  • CP: “They hit a franchise record of 26 threes...I don’t know what you’d have to do. You’d have to knock every person off the three-point line.” (10:53)
• Asia Wilson’s historic run, Jackie Young’s milestone achievements, and player development highlights.
• 2025 WNBA Regular Season breaks records:
  • Most-watched season ever on ESPN (1.3 million avg viewers, 2.7 million for Sky-Fever).
  • Fever lead league in total attendance (nearly 700,000); Valks have higher average home crowds than 15 NBA teams last year.
  • AB: “Every game’s a home game. That’s real.” (13:49)

4. Award Season: All-WNBA & Rookie Teams, “Snubs” & Standouts ([14:17]–[17:25])

• AP All-WNBA Team discussion:
  • First Team: Asia Wilson, Nafisa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Ali Shagray, Kelsey Mitchell
  • Second Team: Sabrina Ionescu, Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young
  • “It’s not what I thought would happen...I definitely think you [Aaliyah] should’ve been second team.” - CP (15:13)
• Paige Bueckers’ presence on All-WNBA teams despite Wings’ struggles is highlighted as a testament to individual greatness, not just team results.
  • “When you get snubbed...that means you’re great. They’re just like: she could be greater.” - CP (16:11)

5. Playoff Breakdown: Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream & Other Key Series ([17:25]–[25:24])

• Fever drop Game 1 to Atlanta Dream, 80-68. Playing at Gateway Center Arena due to a Dua Lipa concert at State Farm.
  • AB: “We were taking good shots, they just weren’t falling in.” (18:09)
  • CP on playoff adversity: “When that momentum is shifting, you have to demand excellence from your guards...don’t let the refs take you out of your mentality.” (19:31)
• Playoff environment discussion:
  • The physicality, technicals (coach Steph White, Odyssey Sims), and impact of officiating/challenges.
  • “There should be unlimited challenges if you keep getting them right!” - AB (19:06)
• Injuries and depth challenges for the Fever, but “no excuses.”
  • “We’re not making excuses, Aaliyah.” - CP (20:59)
• Superstitions:
  • A viral “Corgi prediction” has Fever winning the decisive Game 3 (21:01).
• Other series recaps:
  • Lynx dominate Valkyrie; Liberty edge Mercury in OT (with a Brianna Stewart injury scare); Aces crush Storm to extend win streak to 17.
  • CP admires playoff coaching adjustments, especially Sandy Brondello with Liberty.

Notable Quote:

“I’m really excited about the playoffs...it’s a game of chess, and as we get further in, we’ll actually see the series extend—more time for teams to adjust and settle in.”
– Candace Parker (24:38)

6. Award Picks & Debates: MVP, ROTY, DPOY, Sixth Woman, Coach, Most Improved ([27:41]–[35:40])

• Candace & Aaliyah’s Award Picks:
  • MVP: Unanimous for Asia Wilson
    • “She literally leads the league in every category…Points, blocks, rebounds, 30-point games.” – AB (27:54)
    • CP also shouts out Nafisa Collier for joining the exclusive 50-40-90 club.
  • Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers
    • AB: “Sonia Citron had a fantastic rookie season, but I’d probably give it to Paige.” (30:01)
    • CP: “Outstanding rookie year. Finished fifth in league scoring, ninth in assists, tied rookie single-game scoring record.” (30:48)
    • Debates whether Paige will win unanimously, with Sonia getting some votes.
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Both hosts abstain from making a pick, questioning the criteria.
    • “Is it a 1v1 lock-up award, or a stats award? Players know who they don’t want to face.” – CP (31:35)
    • CP says it will likely be given to a post player: Alana Smith, Asia Wilson, Stewie, or Collier.
  • 6th Woman: Both favor Natisha Heideman (Lynx)
    • “She leads all bench players—stud buds.” (33:07)
  • Coach of the Year:
    • AB: Atlanta’s coach for maximizing team potential, especially from deep.
    • CP: Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyrie) for guiding the expansion team to playoff contention and elite defense.
  • Most Improved: Recently awarded to Veronica Burton (Valkyrie)—major stat leap in her fourth season.
    • “Perfect fit.” – CP (35:06)

7. “You Got This” Presented by Adidas – Positivity Spotlight ([35:40]–[37:02])

• Aliyah’s shoutout: World long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, admired for her authenticity and emotional competing style on social media.
  • “As silly as it sounds, I watch her a lot on TikTok. You can see the emotion every single time.” – AB (36:08)
• CP reflects on the physical intensity of world-class track athletes, referencing the viral moment of Tara and her husband at the Paris Olympics.

8. Unfiltered Fan Questions—Powered by Uncrustables ([37:11]–[43:12])

1. Most Memorable Career Moments:
   • AB: “Winning Rookie of the Year, and being an All-Star my rookie year—those seriously mean the world.”
   • CP: “Coming back after I had my daughter, Layla, looking on the sideline and seeing her...and winning the 2016 championship.” (38:15)
2. Getting a WNBA Team in Nashville:
   • CP: “I think it’ll happen. The city is ready, and it’s a unique market without an NBA team.”
3. Free Throw Rituals:
   • AB: Sticks to strict foot placement, spins the ball, “form shot.”
   • CP: Touches her right arm (with tattoos for loved ones) to her heart before each free throw as a quiet dedication. (40:18)
4. NBA’s New “Heave” Rule (missed buzzer shots don’t affect player stats):
   • Both approve—expect more buzzer attempts as a result.
5. Cookie Gate:
   • AB explains her viral disappointment over missing out on snickerdoodle cookies postgame—resolved the next day by a generous Fever media staffer.
   • Extended “cookie dinner” riff from the opening reprises here, bookending the episode with laughs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The W is rising. Everyone is tuned in on the way up.” – Candace Parker (12:49)
• “You haven’t missed a game in three seasons!” – Candace to Aliyah (09:14)
• “Every game’s a home game. That’s real.” – Aliyah Boston (13:49)
• “When you get snubbed, that means you’re great. That’s the best compliment ever.” – Candace Parker (16:11)
• “There should be unlimited challenges if you keep getting them right!” – Aliyah Boston on playoff officiating (19:06)
• “Sweet and sour... I think I should have [a pizookie] for dinner.” – Aliyah Boston (00:23; 42:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Life & Banter: 00:00–07:04
• Fever & Season Recap: 07:21–14:00
• League Record Growth: 12:05–14:54
• All-WNBA Awards & Snubs: 14:17–17:25
• Playoff Analysis: 17:25–25:24
• Award Picks: 27:41–35:40
• “You Got This” (Uplifting Moments): 35:40–37:02
• Fan Q&A: 37:11–43:12
• Cookie Gate Callback: 42:03–43:12
• Wrap/Sign-off: 43:12–End

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode’s tone is energetic, playful, and insightful, pairing basketball IQ with humor, mentorship, and real-life perspective. Parker and Boston strike a balance between honest critique, player props, and behind-the-scenes reflection—bringing the WNBA’s evolving landscape to fans with authenticity and warmth.

For future episodes, follow @postmovesshow on your preferred platform.