Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 10: "Napheesa Collier Blasts WNBA Leadership, Indiana Fever Season Recap & Aces-Mercury Finals"
Release Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Main Theme

This episode of Post Moves dives deep into a dramatic week in women’s basketball, centering on three major storylines:

• Nafesisa Collier’s viral criticism of WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert and league leadership during her exit interview.
• An emotional season recap for the injury-battered Indiana Fever, including their playoff battle and Aaliyah Boston’s personal growth.
• Analysis of the Aces-Mercury WNBA Finals and expectations for the NBA/NCAA seasons.

The show blends candid locker room storytelling, player perspectives on off-court controversies, and a healthy dose of laughs and generational ribbing.

Episode Breakdown

1. Offseason Catch-Up & Off-Court Banter

[00:00 – 05:07]

• Candace and Aaliyah open with playful banter about their dogs, dancing toddlers, and vacation plans.

  • Memorable Moment: Candace’s son “Air” shows off his dance moves at a game, sparking a running joke about generational differences in entertainment.
  • Candace: “He knew not to go back at Usher. But honestly, what’s so cool is full circle…I brought Air to the game…so he saw Usher perform. Now, when the lights were shining, my man was ready.” [02:15]

• Aliyah admits she’s never really taken a vacation – aims for Cabo thanks to Candace’s recommendations, teasing her mom about it.

• Candace congratulates Aaliyah on her broadcasting work at NBC Sports and they share takes about scouting incoming college talent.

2. NBA & Indiana Fever Chatter

[05:23 – 10:05]

• The hosts riff on the excitement of NBA and WNBA overlap and favorite teams to watch, with jokes about no-look passes and OKC/Indiana allegiances.
  • Aaliyah: “I still am riding with my Pacers, though. We're going to shock.” [07:17]
• Candace points out the Fever’s challenging season roster-wise and leads into the playoff discussion.

3. Indiana Fever Playoff Run & Season Reflection

[10:05 – 19:58]

Injury, Adversity & Resilience (Playoff Semis vs. Aces):

• Fever took Aces to overtime in Game 5—despite severe injuries and a patchwork roster.

  • Notable Quote: "You guys had an incredible, incredible season…Kelsey Mitchell going down with severe muscle cramps…I thought it was her quad muscle…she suffered a rare muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis." – Candace [10:06]
  • Aaliyah fouled out with 26 seconds left on what she calls a “controversial loose ball foul.”
    • “Are you kidding me? Two people going up for a rebound. Are you kidding me? Are we joking?” – Aaliyah [11:11]
  • Candace challenges officiating in the playoffs: “In the playoffs, there’s got to be a different tone to the whistle…” [11:37]

• Despite their depleted roster, Fever forced overtime—Aaliyah finished with 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.

• Emotional locker room after elimination emphasized gratitude and pride:

  • "This season could have went … downhill so fast, but it didn’t. We had a lot to be thankful for." – Aaliyah Boston [15:54]

Personal Growth & Future Outlook:

• Aaliyah reflects on her mental growth and developing as a playmaker:

  • “I learned that I can really take on a lot more than I’ve been letting myself do...there’s so much more that you can honestly withstand.” [17:38]

• Candace touts Boston’s stats (15 pts, 8.2 reb, 3.7 ast) and rising importance as a passing center, mentioning her high assisted-offense percentage

• The hosts preview Fever’s dramatic offseason, noting only three players under contract and the coming CBA/expansion draft:

  • “This is expected to be one of the most pivotal offseasons in WNBA history.” – Candace [20:09]

4. WNBA Finals: Aces vs. Mercury Breakdown

[21:28 – 29:38]

• Candace analyzes the Aces’ dominance, Becky Hammon's playoff record, and Mercury’s missed opportunities in Game 1.
  • “I think the Mercury should’ve won…Kalaya Copper could not miss from three in the first half, and I don’t understand why she ain’t touch the ball in the second.” [22:24]
• Detailed strategic talk: The Aces “play with their food” sometimes—cruise and then step up when necessary.
• Aaliyah disagrees with Candace on “playing with their food” in the Indiana series, sparking a funny mini-debate.
• Candace on handling late-game pressure and missed free throws:
  • Story about Alyssa Thomas’ missed game-winning free throws:
  • “It’s something we’ve done nine million times in our lives…and for Alyssa Thomas…that’s got to be tough.” [24:27]
• Jackie Young’s third quarter explosion, and the importance of Mercury making adjustments for game 3.
• Becky Hammon’s defensive “chess master” approach and the impact of junk zones.

5. News: NCAA Women’s Final Four Moves to Lucas Oil

[28:29 – 30:13]

• Excitement over the 2028 women’s Final Four moving to NFL-sized Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy.
  • “You’re going from Gainbridge, which seats like 17, 18,000, to 31,000…it’s a huge statement for women’s basketball.” – Candace [28:47]

6. Order in the Court: Nafesisa Collier’s WNBA Leadership Critique

[33:20 – 43:03]

The Bombshell & Player Response

[33:20 – 36:06]

• Nafesisa Collier’s exit interview went viral as she directly criticized WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert for her responses on officiating, rookie salaries, and player appreciation.

  • Insert: Collier’s direct words [34:21]:

    Nafisa Collier: “I sat across from Kathy and asked how she planned to address the officiating…Her response was ‘well, only the losers complain about the refs.’ I also asked how she planned to fix…the fact that players like Caitlin, Angel and Paige…are making so little…Her response was, ‘Caitlin should be grateful she makes 16 million off the court because without the platform…the WNBA gives, she wouldn’t make anything.’…She told me, ‘Players should be on their knees thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them.’”

• Broad player support for Collier—“Tweets rang in, podcast was hot, the block was hot…amount of players that came to Fee’s defense and the crickets that came to the defense of Kathy.” – Candace [34:57]

Candace & Aaliyah’s Analysis

[36:06 – 43:03]

• The importance of player relationships, referencing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a positive example versus Engelbert:
  • “I’ve got a better relationship with Adam Silver than I do Kathy…He texted about my Amazon deal, my retirement…with Kathy? I got a ‘congratulations’ in person, once.” – Candace [38:58]
• Media’s previous lack of scrutiny of WNBA leadership, and rising expectations with new TV deal and CBA.
  • “If you take the leadership role…there are going to be expectations, especially when there’s money involved…And now, with that $2 billion TV deal, expectations have raised.” – Candace [40:40]
• Engelbert’s public response: “If the players in the W don’t feel appreciated and valued…we have to do better and I have to do better.” [41:12]
• Collier canceled further meetings, sat down with US Vice President Kamala Harris, and remains determined to spur change.
• “You can no longer lead with an iron fist…You gotta be a human. Gone are those days where you can just do as I say, not as I do…” – Candace [42:19]

7. Lighter Segments: “You Got This” & Fan Questions

[43:20 – 54:08]

You Got This – Presented by Adidas
[43:20 – 47:19]

• Aaliyah gives a shoutout to the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), celebrating their surprisingly strong record and bantering about Candace’s fantasy football woes.
  • Candace: “I got my ass kicked last…week. It was crazy.” [45:26]

Unfiltered Fan Questions – Powered by Uncrustables
[47:48 – 53:34]

• On mentoring rookies:
  • “KK is my favorite person ever…She’s always happy, always eager to learn…KK is going to be a star.” – Aaliyah [48:15]
• Things that make them laugh during a game – goofy teammates, coaches falling off stools, or random sideline slapstick.
• Favorite subjects and teachers:
  • Aaliyah: “English or history…Math never caught me. I do enjoy writing.” [51:12]
  • Candace: “Math and history…A teacher that inspires you will be with you your entire life.” [52:09]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “He knew not to go back at Usher…my man was ready.” – Candace [02:15]
• “I love matchups…You’re going to score, everyone’s going to score.” – Aaliyah [13:57]
• “I learned that I can really take on a lot more than I’ve been letting myself do.” – Aaliyah [17:50]
• “I still am riding with my Pacers, though. We're going to shock.” – Aaliyah [07:17]
• “That was controversial. Loose ball foul…Are we joking?” – Aaliyah [11:09]
• "I’ve got a better relationship with Adam Silver than I do Kathy Engelbert." – Candace [38:58]
• “Gone are those days where you can just do as I say, not as I do…” – Candace [42:19]

Key Episode Takeaways

• Indiana Fever: Despite injuries and low expectations, nearly upset the defending Aces. Aaliyah Boston had a breakout year, both statistically and as a leader.
• Nafisa Collier's stand: Opened a new era of public player pushback over leadership, CBA rights, and player-league relationships.
• WNBA Finals: The Aces are asserting themselves as a dynasty but the Mercury (and broader league) are gaining momentum and fan engagement.
• Growth of the women’s game: The move of Final Four to Lucas Oil and intense CBA/media rights debates signal a seismic shift in expectations and visibility.
• Behind the scenes: Authentic looks into locker room dynamics—from dog jokes and dance battles to raw conversations about league power and accountability.

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a masterclass in the changing face of women's basketball, athlete empowerment, and the challenges facing the WNBA today.