Sue Bird Talks Aces Dynasty, WNBA Growth, USA Basketball & Playing Overseas | Ep.11

Summary

Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 11: Sue Bird Talks Aces Dynasty, WNBA Growth, USA Basketball & Playing Overseas

Date: October 15, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, hosts Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston sit down with basketball legend Sue Bird to unpack everything from the Las Vegas Aces' ongoing dynasty to the evolution of the WNBA, the ins and outs of USA Basketball, the shifting landscape of playing overseas, and the growing pains and leadership lessons that come with sustaining greatness. The trio blend career wisdom, generational perspectives, and candid locker room stories, creating a rich, insightful, and genuinely fun conversation.

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Episode Structure

• Aces Dynasty & Finals Recap (03:00–15:11)
• Generational Roasting & All-WNBA Teams (15:11–15:37)
• Sue Bird Joins: Life After Retirement, Podcasting, and Generational Shifts (18:13–22:15)
• Overseas Stories: Culture, Hardships & Funny Moments (24:42–35:06)
• USA Basketball: International Adjustments & Sue's New Role (35:06–43:19)
• Dynasties, Mindset, and That Elusive ‘Luck Factor’ (43:19–53:51)
• Fan Questions: Point Guard vs. Post, Playmaking, and Big-Guard Stats (55:07–58:01)
• You Got This: Becky Hammon ‘Coach of the Era’ Tribute (58:24–65:30)

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating the Aces Dynasty & WNBA Evolution

• Asia Wilson’s Legacy
  • First in W/NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in a season (03:13)
  • “You look at Asia's entire resume... and she's 29. This season cemented a legacy we already knew, but her continued dominance is wild.” —Candace Parker (03:28)
  • Game-winning shot over married couple Bonner & Thomas: “Asia Wilson was the first player all-time to hit a game-winner over a married couple. I’m done with the internet.” —Candace (04:11)
• Aces’ Reinvention Post-Plum
  • Jewel Lloyd’s transition to sixth-woman role, rise of Jackie Young (“her 21-point third quarter…”), and how leadership and adaptability define a dynasty. (05:19–07:15)
  • “Basketball is about constantly reinventing yourself. The way you won previous championships won’t win this one.” —Candace (05:36)
• The Mercury’s Overhaul
  • Significant roster changes with Diana Taurasi’s retirement; “They only had two returning players from last year.” —Candace (07:46)
  • “Being a runner-up sucks. You’re in the locker room and can hear everyone spraying champagne.” —Candace (08:10)
  • Fans booing WNBA Commissioner at trophy presentation (08:34–09:19)

2. All-WNBA Teams & Growth of the Game (09:19–12:06)

• Aaliyah Boston named to Second Team
  • “Third youngest center in W history to make an All-WNBA team.” —Candace (09:46)
  • Extended conversation on Paige Bueckers, all-timer snubs, and whether team standings should impact individual accolades.
  • “If you put somebody on, you gotta take somebody off. That’s a tough choice.” —Candace (11:40)
• Record WNBA Finals Viewership
  • “Most viewed Finals through three games in 25 years.” —Aliyah (12:06)
• Draft Chats
  • “Olivia Miles is gonna change a franchise to me.” —Candace (12:33)

3. Behind the Scenes: CBA & Offseason Moves

• New CBA proposal: supermax rumors ($850k), salary increases, uncertain negotiations (13:32–15:11)
• Expansion: “Adding two more teams next year—it’s exciting times.” —Candace

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4. Generational Shift & Sue Bird’s New Life (18:13–22:15)

• Multiple podcast gigs (“Bird’s Eye View,” “A Touch More”), Hall of Fame year, and a statue—“memories and moments I can’t even explain… grateful to have experienced it.” —Sue (18:30)
• On podcasting at 23: “Things are just so different for a 23-year-old. We were living the life of a women’s basketball player to the fullest, going overseas every offseason… Now, players have more money and more free time. I’m jealous, but also so proud.” —Sue (20:15)
• Who would you podcast with at 23?
  • “The easy answer is Diana Taurasi. But maybe an NBA guy I went to high school with—for that dual, parallel path.” —Sue (21:43)
• Aliyah, on picking a co-host: “I’d choose Candace… I don’t know if you know her for real.” (22:57)

Notable Quote

“You, Aaliyah, players now—you’re creating your business out the gate. I wasn’t thinking about that.”
— Sue Bird (20:56)

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5. Overseas Life: Stories, Culture Shock, & Camaraderie (24:42–35:06)

• Russian Adventures
  • Parties, private jets, black diamond gifts—“extravagant” times, but with unique isolation and adaptation challenges.
  • “Overseas had a college feel—you were on this team, it was your club, ride or die. EUROLEAGUE Final Fours, some of the greatest games you never saw.” —Sue (26:17)
• Personal Growth
  • “Culturally, living in another country impacted who I am as a person… would I prefer today’s game where you don’t have to go? Probably, but I wouldn’t trade it.” —Sue (26:18)
• First-Time Experiences
  • Navigating language barriers, hunting for Black-owned salons, “You realize quickly when you get on the flight how different you look. Your style, your hair—it stands out.” —Sue (32:10)
• Generational Gaps
  • Aliyah: “When I first got to the league, the thought of going overseas was never even in my mind. It just wasn’t a thought… That just shows how much the game has grown.” (33:57)

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6. USA Basketball: The End of the Overseas 'Cheat Code' (35:06–43:19)

• Sue Bird’s new role: first-ever Managing Director of USA Women’s National Team (“Joke’s on me! Balancing player POV with decision-making is new… you just can’t get it perfect”). (38:48)
• On Overseas as a National Team Cheat Code
  • “We were doing scouting reports—telling coaches about players because we KNEW them. Now, with fewer players going overseas, it’s an adjustment.” —Sue (36:08)
  • Potential issues: learning FIBA rules, officiating, physicality; “If you’ve never experienced it, it’s hard. Sometimes you just have to get thrown into the fire.” (36:50)
• Hopes for Cross-Pollination
  • “Now, with more $$, probably more European players come to WNBA. Does that give American players a look? Maybe.” —Sue (37:54)
• What Makes a Good Camp/Team Environment Now?
  • Aliyah: “I’m there for the vibes. Dinner, 100%.” (40:39)
  • Candace: “Expose players to other things—a spa day, hyperbaric chambers. Old person stuff.” (40:57)

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7. Dynasties, Mindset, & The Role of Luck (43:19–53:51)

• On Sustaining Championship Success
  • “You can’t do what you did the year before to win this one. Let go, learn, and don’t compare. So much is out of your control—injuries, free agency, luck.” —Sue (43:19–43:32)
  • “No team has won it without a year where you just barely missed out and tasted that motivation.” —Sue (46:51)
• Why Vets Matter
  • “You need people who’ve been around, know how to win. You don’t understand it until you’re around people with that ‘it’ factor.” —Candace (47:18)
• Heartbreak & ‘What If’ Seasons
  • Sue: “2008 with the Storm—Yolanda Griffith, Cheryl Swoopes, Swin Cash, me and Lauren Jackson. We were legit. Lauren gets hurt. Season’s gone—sometimes it’s just luck.” (48:49–51:37)

Notable Quotes:

“When you do have a chance, it’s about not missing the moment because you never know when you’ll have that group again.”
— Sue Bird (45:39)

“You can be as good as you want, but it takes a little luck—sometimes you just avoid the team that gives you the most problems.”
— Candace (51:37)

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8. Fan Questions: Playmaking, Position Debates & Stats (55:07–58:01)

• Who had the most assists before age 24?
  • “Sue Bird: 596 assists; Caitlin Clark: 452; Aaliyah Boston: 378.”
    “Yo, your playmaking’s legit… you might be the first, you’re at the tippy top!” —Sue (55:10)
• What’s harder: Post or Point Guard?
  • Sue: “It’s point guard.”
  • Candace & Aliyah: “Our show is called POST moves for a reason!” (55:49–56:57)
  • Joking, they agree both spots require unique mental and physical strength. It’s love, not rivalry.
• Kumbaya moment: “We do need each other. It’s about balance.” —Candace (57:34)

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9. The ‘You Got This’ Moment: Becky Hammon Tribute (58:24–65:30)

Becky Hammon’s Greatness

• Statistical dominance:
  • “One of four coaches in WNBA history to win three titles… highest Finals win percentage (10–2)… WNBA Coach of the Year 2020.”
• Adaptability & Trust:
  • “Nothing turns me on more than a junk defense. Becky’s the master.” —Candace (59:43)
  • “She trusts her players, adapts game to game, brings out the best in everyone… Becky, in a short amount of time, was one of the best coaches I ever played for.” —Candace (61:24)
  • Cites Steve Kerr’s philosophy: key to championship culture is total buy-in of your star and head coach. (61:50)
• On Impact & Barriers:
  • “She deserves to coach in the NBA. Many will overlook her because she’s a woman, but she’s proven she’s got it all.” —Candace (63:27)

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Most Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Generational Joke:
  • “Candace, you’re almost off your parents’ car insurance!” —Sue Bird teasing Aliyah (00:08)
• SubTweet of the Night:
  • (On Asia’s game-winner) “First player all time to hit a game-winner over a married couple—I’m done with the internet!” —Candace (04:11)
• Real Talk on Overseas Life:
  • “Figure out home for those six or seven months… I can eat borscht, I gotcha.” —Sue (30:12)
• Leadership Wisdom:
  • “Letting go of the prior year—don’t compare. Learn from it, but don’t cling to it.” —Sue (43:19)
• On Team Dynamics
  • “You can have a great group, but one bad attitude takes the whole ship down.” —Candace (52:47)
• On Winning
  • “Learning how to win is a muscle… it’s a cheat code.” —Candace (53:51)
• Sue on retiring and passing the torch
  • “I’m jealous (of today’s players)—but I’m so proud to have been a part of the growth.” (20:56)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Aces Dynasty & Asia Wilson's Historic Season – 03:00–07:15
• Mercury Roster Changes & the Pain of Losing – 07:16–08:34
• All-WNBA Team Honorees & Snubs – 09:19–12:06
• CBA Talk & Salary Growth – 13:32–15:11
• Sue Bird Joins: Coping with Fame, Jobs, and New Roles – 18:13–22:15
• Overseas Experience Stories – 24:42–35:06
• USA Basketball: International Transition – 35:06–43:19
• How to Build (and Lose) a Dynasty – 43:19–53:51
• Fan Questions: Assists Stats & Position Debate – 55:07–58:01
• ‘You Got This’ Tribute: Becky Hammon – 58:24–65:30

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Final Thoughts

• The episode delivers deep basketball wisdom, off-court hilarity, and honest generational perspectives on the sport’s rapid growth.
• Sue Bird’s legacy—in uniform and now in leadership—anchors the conversation with authenticity, while Candace and Aliyah’s blend of playful rivalry and mutual respect provides warmth and plenty of laughs.
• Key themes: continual reinvention of self and team, supporting the next generation, celebrating those who lifted the game—on court and on sidelines.
• Listeners will leave with a sense of how far women's basketball has come, and just how bright the future looks.

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New Post Moves episodes drop every Wednesday—subscribe and follow @postmovesshow for more bold takes and behind-the-scenes stories!

Transcript

[A]

We'll do PG 13 stories on this podcast. We got 23 and a half year olds listening, so. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[B]

Round up basically 24.

[A]

Basically, you're almost off your parents car insurance.

[C]

Are you on your parents phone?

[B]

Hold on. I am on my own car insurance. We're on a family plan. But I pay my own bill. I pay my own bill. What are you? My mom takes my phone bill out every time. Thank you. I'm hashtag independent.

[A]

She's like, you owe the family this much money for your family plan.

[C]

All right, we'll let it slide.

[A]

What's up, everyone? And welcome back to another episode of Post Moves. I'm Candice Parker here with my co host, Aaliyah Boston.

[B]

That's me.

[A]

Follow us at Postmoves show on all socials and don't forget to hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

New episodes drop every Wednesday. Keep sending us your questions. You can DM us to post moves, Instagram, or leave it in the comments on YouTube. We love hearing from y'. All.

[A]

We've got a great episode today. I'll be honest. We have.

[B]

I'm excited.

[A]

Sue many jobs bird on the show today. Woman of many jobs, my past teammate. We both competed against her, actually. Have you competed against Sue?

[B]

No.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. You haven't?

[B]

I didn't put baby.

[A]

I have competed against her so many years. One of the best point guards ever in the game. So we talk a lot about a lot of stuff with sue, so I would stick around for that. But before we get into that interview, how are you?

[B]

I'm great. I'm great. I am at the house, so I'm happy. I had training today. So we're back in the gym training.

[A]

Like what can you please?

[B]

Basketball, Shooting the ball in the hoop.

[A]

So you're doing basketball training a week in five days after ending to be 23 and a half.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Like, you did a whole workout.

[B]

I did a whole workout. I was on the court for like an hour and a half and then I went to lift after and here I am.

[A]

So you're not a lift before working out person.

[B]

I mean, I like to, but I. I'm cool with this setup. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I adapt, you know.

[A]

So last week we were taping, you said you were booking your flight. What's the latest where I booked my flight. Are we going?

[B]

I'm going to Jamaica.

[A]

Are you taking us with you?

[B]

I 100am Are you kidding me?

[A]

So are you Gonna have, like, the palm trees in the background.

[B]

Yes. And my pina colada.

[A]

Oh, Lord. Before you get too far into that, it's time.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

For what we want to talk about, presented by AT&T. Connecting our fans to everything happening on and off the court. Let's get into it. Aces.

[B]

Sweet.

[A]

Yeah, go ahead. Go for it.

[B]

Sweet. I mean, they. I mean, they just dominated the entire series. They dominate the entire series. Asia and mvp. Finals mvp. I mean, she. She was hooping, man. They. They had no answer.

[A]

No. You got to say it, right? First player in WNBA and NBA history to win MVP. Defensive Player of the Year and Final and Finals MVP. In a season, you look at Asia's entire resume. Three time champ, two time Finals MVP, four time MVP, three time Defensive Player of the Year, seven time Allstar Rookie of the Year. And she's 29. So I think not only this season cemented a legacy that we already knew, but just her continued dominance in that sweep. 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks. Her second Finals MVP. The other one coming 2023. She averaged 28.5, 11.8 rebounds and two blocks in the Finals. She hit the game winner in game three. Over. That was a tough shot over Duana Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, which, by the way, I hate the Internet. Sometime I know exactly what you're about to say. The Internet provides comedy, okay. Comedic relief in ways that you had no idea. Somebody tweeted that that was going to be an awkward ride home between Alyssa Thomas and Dana Bonner, that Asia Wilson was the first player all time to hit a game winner over a married couple. I could not. I'm done with the Internet. I'm done.

[B]

They get a good joke, though. Get a good chuckle.

[A]

Well, you talk about a dynasty. Let's go into it. The Aces rebounding, I should say losing. Kelsey Plum. They traded her. Bringing in Jewel Lloyd. A lot of people question whether that was going to work. Mid season move Becky Hammond made to put Jewel as the first player off the bench. And KB was kind of the pseudo starter in that. And Kirsten Bell coming in, playing two minutes, getting the flow. Jewel coming in, loving that role. Finished almost all of those games, but just didn't start. That seemed to be kind of the game changer. Dana Evans off the bench, figuring out her role.

[B]

Melissa played important.

[A]

Melissa Smith trade mid season.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Coming to the Aces. Says that that was the best thing that could have ever happened in her career.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Earning a ring a couple months later.

[B]

Proud of my sister, girl.

[A]

But listen, I do want to Give it up to the Aces because I think basketball is about constantly reinventing yourself. And the way that you won previous championships is not going to be the way that you win this championship. You talk about the emergence of Jackie Young, who, who I think, honestly, I mean, you talk about her 21 point quarter in game two, that was.

[B]

Man, that was something.

[A]

Her 21 point third quarter, her ability to have the ball in her hands and operate as a facilitating guard. What Becky Hammond did this year in terms of having Chelsea Gray still have the ball, but giving Jackie Young more ball handling and playmaking responsibilities made the Aces incredible. I was wondering at the beginning of the year, what are they going to do to offset Kelsey Plums getting to the paint? Because Jewel Lloyd is not that she is a lot of things. She doesn't like to drive the ball, she wants to shoot it. And so Kelsey's dynamic, Kelsey Plum's dynamic on that team was that she would get to the paint and then defenders would have to collapse and then the ball would get moving. And once you got into that game with the Aces, it was a no win situation. And it kind of was like the ying and the yang. Like Kelsey was more of that guard that drove Chelsea Gray kind of was like that ball controlling point guard. So it was like a great dynamic. But to be able to reinvent yourself now, add Jackie Young to the mix, I mean, just pure dominance. So let's give it up to the Aces. Undeniable champs. Proud of that group. First best of seven series, which was.

[B]

I mean, they took it down in.

[A]

Four, so I mean, yeah, they didn't even need the five games they got. They got it done in four. The Mercury. Let's get. I mean, listen, a year after Diana Tausi retires, bg Britney Grer walks in free agency. They don't get anything for her. They trade for SATU and they bring Alyssa Thomas in.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Then Dana signs later. Kalia Copper was in and out with injuries this year, but then was back. You, you gotta. I mean, they only had two returning players from last year's team in Natasha Mack as well as Kalia Copper. So Nate Tibbets and the Phoenix Mercury have done a great job of getting to the finals and let's see what they. What they can put together. But I've been a runner up before. That shit sucks. Like when you're in the locker room and you can hear everybody spraying champagne and the championship trophy and then you got to go out there and be like, good job.

[B]

And then you're not good at social Media after too because you know it's not gonna, you got, you can't even go on your phone really. Because that's all you're gonna see. That's all you're gonna see.

[A]

Yeah, it, it, it's tough to lose. It really is tough. It is tough to lose. But what's even tougher is to be booed. Kathy, that was really, that was crazy.

[B]

Did you see like they on, on Twitter that people were like screenshotting everybody's reactions in the back when the booing started and everybody was.

[A]

But it went through her entire, like she was the entire thing talking at the beginning to give the championship her trophy. People booed. Then there was a pause and then she gets to come back up there and give the most outstanding player. Sorry, I'm in college mode. The finals MVP to Asia. They booed the entire time.

[B]

It, it was, it was od wild.

[A]

That was crazy. Yeah, the fans, that was, that was crazy. But in other news, Aaliyah Boston, our very own post ups made all WNBA second team. It was announced this past week. First team, Nafisa Collier, Alicia Gray, Kelsey Mitchell, teammate Alyssa Thomas and Asia Wilson all made first team. Second team, Aaliyah Boston.

[B]

That's me.

[A]

Third youngest center in W history to make an all WNBA team. Paige Beckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Neko Gumake and Jackie Young.

[B]

Hey, it's a good day to have a good day.

[A]

What did I call and say? I FaceTimed you. As soon as I saw the little popped up, I looked at it. I was like, okay, she better made it. As I'm scrolling through what I say.

[B]

Yeah, I mean you did, you did. You were like, I'm glad they didn't play around. I was like me either. So I'm happy though. It's always a blessing. Like I look at it and I'm like, this is a blessing. This season. Even though there was so much that happened to our squad, really just like I feel like allowed me to just show a little bit more of my game and so hey, I'm blessed.

[A]

Yeah, I thought that they did a great job putting this team together. A couple first timers in Alicia Gray and Kelsey Mitchell. Your teammate that made first team was Brianna Stewart. Snubbed. Did her missing a bunch of games impact the decision on second team? Also of note, there's conversation around Paige Beckers who individually as a player 100% makes second team. Do you factor in that they were in last place in the wnba? Does that impact voting? I know a number of years Devin Booker was impacted by that tremendously because he was putting up crazy stats, but the Phoenix Suns just weren't good. And so he wasn't going to make, you know, all NBA team. So that's a conversation. But again, I'm a big believer in if you're going to take somebody, if you're going to put somebody on, you got to take somebody off. And that's a tough choice. I think all of them have cases at this point of, I mean, first team to me, solidified. Yes. Yeah, solidified. Locked in. Locked and loaded. Second team, possibly. But at the end of the day, I think that everyone is super deserving of it. So congratulations to all the first timers. Aaliyah. Now the ceiling is the roof. The sky is the limit. And so therefore the expectations. Guess what? Tomorrow's price ain't today's price. Tomorrow, tomorrow, as in next season, I expect first team. So I'm gonna just put that out there.

[B]

Don't worry. Me too.

[A]

But let's do a WNBA season recap. It's a huge time for the w finals. Average 1.5 million viewers. It was the most viewed WNBA Finals through three games in 25 years. Any first draft, first round pick predictions? What you got? You got any predictions? I mean, got any predictions for first rounders? I mean, I know one of my favorite players, Olivia Miles.

[C]

Man.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Olivia Miles is gonna change a franchise to me. So you got Az Fudd.

[B]

Yep. Okay, you see Lauren Betts? You know she's coming out.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I'm riding with my Gamecocks. Every Gamecock that's coming out is a first rounder. Thank you. Put that right there. Are you okay?

[A]

Yeah, I'm good. I'm good.

[B]

Why did see.

[A]

I can't wait till south.

[B]

You know what?

[A]

I think Tennessee.

[B]

Janaya Barker. I was just gonna. Janaya Barker. I think with her size, I'm excited to see what she does at Tennessee. Not against ob The Gamecocks, but I am excited to see. To see what she's done because I felt like Janai coming out of high school especially, and I know we recruited her too. Like, so much potential and she still does. Like, I think her size can make her so hard to guard at any position because there's always going to be a guard smaller. Somewhere on that floor there's gonna be a guard smaller. So I'm very excited to see what she does. Not against the Gamecocks, but outside of that. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I'm with you. I think that it is crazy in this day and age to think that the Minnesota Links who had the best record in the league could possibly end up with the number one pick in the 2026 draft. Given that the Links have Chicago's first round lottery pick and Chicago was I believe second to last in the WNBA so they have a huge opportunity to get that number one pick and Cheryl and the links with the number one pick. That sounds a little, that sounds a little scary. So I think especially with this team, with this group of going into next year adding two more teams, the wnba, it's, it's exciting times. So we just got these got to get the CBA proposal out the way it expires October 31st. There's the latest leak of the proposed supermax. Could get closer to 850,000 veteran minimum could be around 300,000. WNBA has denied a fixed salary model is it's not tied to league revenue. So going to be an interesting off season. I hope that they're this concludes in a couple weeks, but I hear that they're not that much closer. So we shall see. All right, that wraps up what we want to talk about. Presented by AT&T. Connecting changes everything. You got anything else? Aaliyah, before we I feel like it's.

[B]

Time to bring on Sue.

[A]

You think it's time to bring on Sue?

[B]

I think it's time to bring on Sue.

[A]

Well, there's always a good time to bring on a five time Olympic gold medalist, four time WNBA champion, 13 time WNBA all star, and now a Hall of Famer. Some call her Subie. Some call her Sub Bird. We're excited to talk to her next.

[B]

After we won the national championship in 2022, I saw you, Candace, in the crowd and I just grabbed the mic and said it. I love you, girl.

[A]

And I felt that because I saw myself in you. The joy, the pressure, the entire journey.

[B]

You've always been someone that I've looked up to. And hearing you say you got this, that meant more to me than you probably even know.

[A]

That's what Adidas is all about. The you got this campaign as a reminder that support, even one moment, one voice, can change everything.

[B]

Whether it's a coach, a teammate, a friend. Sometimes it just takes someone reminding you who you are.

[A]

We've both had those people and now we're trying to be that for someone else.

[B]

Learn more about the you got this [e-mail] yougot this and follow along Adidas and Adidasus. This episode is brought to you by Smuckers Uncrustables. There's a reason classics don't go out of style. PB and J. No crust, no mess, no notes. Check out Uncrustables, the best part of the sandwich.

[A]

It's a round crimped sandwich made with soft, pillowy bread filled with peanut butter and jelly. Grab one from the freezer, let it thaw while you do your thing on the court, in the carpool, or whatever hustle you're on. This snack is for pro goats, little legends and and everyone in between. Find Smucker's Uncrustables in the freezer aisle. Learn [e-mail] Candace Honestly, my favorite plays.

[B]

Are the ones where a teammate just knows what you need. Like they're two steps ahead.

[A]

Exactly. That's the AT&T guarantee. They don't wait for you to ask. In rare event of a network outage, they'll automatically credit you for a full day of service.

[B]

So basically, it's like your PG throwing you the perfect pass before you even post up. Like, just lead me to the rim.

[A]

Or when AB is already in position before anyone else sees it coming.

[B]

All I'm saying is staying connected matters. And with AT&T, they make sure that you're covered.

[A]

That's connection with commitment. That's the AT&T guarantee.

[B]

AT&T connecting changes everything.

[A]

Credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or for wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Must be connected to impacted tower at onset of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guarantee for full details. First of all, sue, thank you so much for joining us. In between your craziness, I mean, you got not one, but two podcasts, Bird's Eye View, A Touch More with Megan Rapinoe. I mean, USA Basketball, retired athlete, a statue like hall of Fame.

[B]

That's important right there. I'm still stuck there.

[A]

I'm just like, how thank you for coming and giving us your time because.

[C]

Anything for you guys. Oh, I appreciate it.

[A]

I appreciate it. But like, how do you, like, how are you spending your time nowadays in between all of these jobs?

[C]

I know she's got a lot of jobs. She's really done it to herself. She's speaking in the third person. No, things are going great. Thank you guys. You know, two podcasts, they really kind of, you know, they compliment each other so it doesn't really feel like a ton of work. And I'm sure similar to you, right? It's like you're talking about basketball. You're having these conversations you would be having on your couch. Anyways, so that part's been going well. It's been a crazy year with the hall of fames and the statue. Memories and moments that I can't even explain them. How do you articulate these huge moments? Candace, you'll have your fair share soon. Also really thankful to have experienced it. And now I can kind of move on with my year in this wonderful way. So things are going well. I'm actually in a little bit of a downtime, so I'm happy to be here.

[A]

Well, I have a question, because I know kids nowadays. I'm gonna talk like that. You talk about talking in third person. I. I love. Because Aaliyah is 23. And a half.

[B]

And a half. And a half.

[A]

Yeah. Sue, 23 and a half. You talked about your teammate's mom being your age. This is what I deal with every single week. Okay. Yeah. So Aaliyah's 23 and a half. You, on the other hand, are with me on that side of things. So, like, can you explain, kind of like, from this point of view, what it's like looking at these kids at 22, 23 years old, doing podcasts? And if so, if you can articulate that, who would you have done a podcast with? Because I have an idea of who you would have done a podcast with when you were 22, 23 years old, coming out of UConn, going in the WNBA.

[C]

Man, in some ways, like, obviously, with the growth of the league, it's. Things are just so different with, you know, the introduction of Nil. Things are just so different for a 23 year old. Like, I can't even relate. I think for a really long time, Candace, like, we were living the life of a woman's basketball player at, like, to the. To the fullest. Like, we understood what that life was. We understood what playing in the league and then going overseas and fitting in the national team and trying to find time, like you just said, for a vacation, you had to squeeze that thing in. And now these players have, like, a totally different life. So I can't. It's, like, hard to relate. I'm definitely. And I say this with pride. I say this with such pride. I'm jealous. Sounds like a great life. Sounds like a lot. Like, a lot more money, a lot more free time, but also, like, so proud to have been part of the growth. So in some ways, like, I can totally hold both those things and love where I'm sitting now and enjoy watching it. Enjoy watching people like you, Aaliyah, like players who are creating their business out the gate. I wasn't thinking about that. So to answer your question, who would I have done a podcast with at 22:23? I mean, the easy answer is someone like Diana, just. Cuz I don't know. But if I had to, like, think out the box, oof. Maybe like, I don't know, maybe like an MBA guy who I either, like, went to high school with, college with, like, to do, like, the dual, like, the parallel path, right? Like, that could have. That could have been something cool back then.

[A]

No, that would have been awesome. That would have been for sure. So dope.

[C]

Wait, who you got for me? Who'd you be?

[A]

I mean, I thought. I thought yalls, you know, four at UConn would have been a pretty interesting podcast. I sat at some dinners with you four, and I felt very entertained. And. Yeah, talking about Asia. Swin yourself, Diana, Tamika. I'll throw some. Some Tamika in there. But, yeah, I thought that that would have been. I was entertained overseas, but we'll get to that later.

[C]

We had some good times.

[B]

Candace, Wait, who. Who would you have done it with?

[A]

Yeah, that is a really good question.

[B]

Who would you have done it with?

[A]

That is a really good question. I mean, our class at Tennessee was crazy, so I think the easy answer would have been, like, our. Our four. Alexis Hornbuckle, Shannon Bobbitt. I honestly. That's a great question. Maybe. Maybe Allison Felix, because it was kind of the crossover in track. Yeah, I like the guy. Yeah, like, I like the guy. Similarities. Because Dwight Howard and I were kind of 04 McDonald's, so kind of seeing the similarities between that. Aaliyah at 23, 24, who would you do a podcast with?

[B]

Um, personally, I think I would pick Candace. Um, I don't know if you know her for real, but Good answer.

[A]

Good answer, good answer, Good answer. Aaliyah.

[C]

But the only answer.

[A]

Yeah, the only answer. But listen, birthday girl coming up, October 16th. Do you have any plans? You have any. You have any plans for your big, big celebration?

[C]

Yeah, I mean, I'm turning 45. It does not roll off the tongue. It does not roll off the tongue. 44 wasn't great either, but I was like, okay, let's talk about 45. And now I'm staring down the barrel of 45.

[A]

No.

[B]

No. Big fun.

[C]

Yeah, it's fun.

[B]

Is it?

[C]

You'll see. You'll see. It's all right. No, no big plans. Just gonna do, like, you know, dinner with friends. Honestly, big plans for me now is dinner with friends. That's like the big night out.

[A]

Are you an early night person? Do you go to bed really early or are you a night owl? Like, what? Because, listen, my. My wife went to a concert last night, and I stayed home with the kids, and I didn't realize the time. I was texting her to keep my eyes open until she got home. And then I looked at my. My messages today. It was 9:30pm where I was like, I'm trying to stay up, but I don't think I'm gonna make it. So are you an early or late?

[C]

I'm a. I'm a morning person. I'm a morning person. I like the mornings. I like quiet mornings with my coffee. I'm chill. That means you do kind of have to go to bed early. But. But it's because I'm like, saving it for, you know, I would say like twice a month I'm having, like. I'm not. It might not be exactly a Russian night, but twice a month I'm having a night.

[A]

All right, well, you. You did the transition story time here, Aaliyah. Many moons ago, actually, not that many moons ago, sue and myself played in this place called Russia. And we played in Katernberg, Russia. And we had drivers and chefs and we were paid pretty well, and we flew private and we had extravagant parties, almost to the point where it's like another party. We got black diamonds. It was amazing. It was a great.

[B]

Was outside.

[A]

Oh, we were. Well, listen, I was a mom, so. I was a mom, so I wasn't.

[C]

Outside as much as all we had was outside that.

[A]

And it was cold.

[C]

Sanity was outside. We had to stay outside.

[A]

Yes, but, sue, what can you say about your experience playing overseas? And if you can summon it up in a couple, you could do PG13. We'll do PG13 stories on. On this podcast. We got 23 and a half year olds listening, so. Oh, whoa, whoa.

[B]

Round up. Basically 24.

[A]

You're almost off your parents card, which is. All right, we're almost there.

[C]

Are you on your parents phone?

[B]

Like, no, I. Hold on. I am on my own car insurance. We're on a family plan. But I pay my own bill. I pay my own bill. What are you. My mom takes my phone bill out every time. Thank you. I'm hashtag.

[A]

She's like, you owe the family this much money for your family plan.

[C]

Okay. Okay, I guess that's all right. We'll let it slide.

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

Yeah, man. I mean, overseas was. It's crazy, because would I prefer to be in today's game, where you don't have to go, probably. Yeah. Like, it seems amazing to be able to play here and get paid and all the things, but at the other side of my mouth, wouldn't trade it. Really wouldn't trade it. Like, the experiences off the court, culturally, living in another country, experiencing that, getting to know different people, make different friends, you name it. It has, like, impacted who I am as a person, and I'm so thankful for it on the court. I always say it's like, it's kind of crazy because it was professional sports, but in a sense, it had like a college feel to it. Like, you were on this team, it was your club, your ride or die. The fans are ride or die. When you go other places, it's not. It was never. You know, you play in some of the smaller cities like Borges in France or Kosice in Slovakia, it's not like huge arenas, but what they had, they packed and these people were going crazy. Those EUROLEAGUE road games, some of the hardest games you're ever going to play in. Then you fast forward to, like, EUROLEAGUE Final Four. Some of the best. I always say people talk about, like, the. What is it? The greatest game we never saw, which was the men's.

[A]

The practice. Yeah, the practice between the Dream Team and the.

[C]

Yeah, the development practice between the Dream Team. I'm like, all the Final fours in Euroleague for like a good five, six year span. Greatest games. You never saw, like, some of the names on these teams going against each other in a real game. Not a practice, not a scrimmage, not an all star game, like a real game that had crazy stakes because a lot of our bonuses were tied into that. You know what I mean? Like, there was just so much happening. So it really was such a special time. Hard being away, not gonna lie. But honestly, Candace, when I saw you guys, you and Anya in France, like this past summer, where we were in the club, Anya and I were kind of next to each other, and we were just doing like a reminiscing of, like, all the nights and all the times, and we did like a. Where are they now? You know, like, where's this person? Where's that person? You know? And it was just. It brought back so much, like, good memories, good stuff, a lot of love. And again, it was. It was. I would never trade it. It really just changed who I am as a person.

[A]

And with that being said, I just want everybody to hear your first experience, because for me, it was like I googled where Ekaternberg, Russia was. I remember Googling it, and there were, like, two pictures of, like, Penny. Penny Taylor, and it was Cappy Pondexter, Asia Jones were, like, on the Google search. And I don't even know if it was Google. It might have been before Google. I mean, I. We were still using Skype, so, like, that's. How old are you? Listen, this is like early 2000. You're not Google 2008. I mean, it was. It was a. It was a reference.

[B]

Yeah, I was.

[A]

You were on MySpace, probably Black Planet, like, doing. So we gotta. We gotta roll that back. We gotta find all your old Instagram posts. But I'm anxious to hear what your first experience. When your agent hits you, you get the contract, you're going to this place. Because I don't think people understand that. Literally, you just get on a plane, you land. And I landed when it was minus 38 degrees. It was like the coldest they had had in Russia. I have my daughter with me, my mom with me. She's in a snowsuit. It was a big blizzard. There was snow. When we walked up out to here, I got sick, like, the next day. I remember looking at my mom like, how are we gonna do this? And you figure it out, and you adapt and you find, you know, home a little bit, and you make it home for those six or seven months. So I'm just anxious to hear about your experience. Like that first time when you went overseas.

[C]

Yeah, well, first of all, what really helped make it feel like home was, you know, when. When. When the check came through at the end of the month, that was always like, okay, I can do this, I can do this.

[A]

I can eat borscht. I gotcha. I'm good.

[B]

Up.

[C]

Snow suit. Sign me up, Sign me up. Yeah. So I actually played in. I played in three different teams in Russia. So my first team, I played for Danamo Moscow for two years. Then I moved over to Spartac for however many five years or so, then finished in Katerinburg for three years, something like that. And so the first experience, I think I really had, like, a true overseas Russian experience. I was the only American. So we had another foreigner. It was Mewati Mabika. So it was me and my. But I was the only, like, from America. American. And everybody on the team spoke Russian. Luckily, I had a storm. Teammate Camila Vadika, she's from Czech Republic, but she spoke Russian. So that was like my binky. Like, I went everywhere with her. I'd be like, take. Take me to the store, order me this. What does this say. But I remember going, like, right before I was going, having a lot of people, like, older people, which kind of is interesting given where we are now in terms of, like, the Ukraine war and the Russian relations and all that stuff. I had a lot of older people in my life be like, their only experience was, like, the Cold War. And so they were like, you're going where? To do what? For how long? Like, they couldn't really wrap their head around it. And I was like, I don't know. It'll be fine. And I only felt that way because Swin Cash, my college roommate, she had actually played for a member of Samara, had a team, and ended up being square the whole thing. She had actually played for a Russian team the year prior to me going. So I kind of hit her up, and I was just like, what am I getting into? What do I need to bring? And she kind of calmed my nerves on a lot of it. It was like, they have everything you need. They have a drugstore. You don't have to bring all your things. If you have favorite things, you should bring, like, hairspray. If you have a favorite hairspray, a favorite product, bring that with you.

[A]

Yeah, they don't have a lot of brands. It's kind of just like one or two that are on the shelf. Aliyah. So you, you know, figuring out braids and hair and stuff is a little difficult.

[B]

Yeah. I really do apologize, though.

[C]

I know, I know. I feel like all my. I feel like all my black teammates, anytime we saw, like, another black person on the street, which usually they were from Africa or France, I feel like those were the two. It'd be like, you know where to get your hair braided. So I did. I feel like I like adjacently still.

[A]

We do that anywhere you go now.

[B]

You'Re like, hey, who braided your hair? That looks really good.

[C]

That was how much.

[A]

Going to a new place. Yes.

[C]

Yeah. That's how my body was really. All my teammates. But yeah. So I remember when I first was in the airport headed over, I was like, well, how are they going to. Like, who am I looking for more, you know? And they were like, they'll know who you are. And then you quickly realize when you get on the flight how different you look. Like, your style, the way your hair, whatever it is.

[A]

You see how you don't jump up when the flight stops. Oh, my gosh. Aisle.

[C]

This aisle.

[B]

Boom, boom, boom.

[A]

I can't even explain to you, like, how customs here, where it's like you wait in a line and you back up and you don't crowd the person. You just, like, give them space. Overseas, there's no space. I don't care if you're on a bus, on a trolley, on a train, you know, McDonald's.

[B]

I'm with them. Honestly, I'm with them. The quicker. Let's just get this going. Let's.

[A]

She from the Iowa.

[B]

Let's get this going. Like, there's no reason to wait. Let's really. Let's really clap and. And keep.

[A]

So you're telling me when you. When the plane lands and it goes bing, you're one of those people that. In the back. I'm talking about the people in the back are, oh, they're already getting you. And the door is not even open. That's kind of like, where's the fire?

[B]

That's kind of crazy.

[C]

You just rush and it's normal. Yeah.

[B]

It's actually crazy to think, though, like, how the game has grown so much, because when I first got to league, like, the thought of going overseas just was never even in my mind. Like, it was just. That was not even a thought. And obviously after, eventually, now, last year, we got blessed with unrivaled. But even. Even before then, it was like, are you gonna go overseas? And I was like. Like, no, I'm just gonna. I'm just gonna train here. I'm just gonna work out. But ever since I was little, even when I played USA Basketball, like, I would go on these trips, my parents would come, and I would always be like, dang, we not going home yet.

[C]

We.

[A]

We.

[B]

We not going home yet. And USA was like, a lot shorter, obviously. But I think growing up, like, 13, 14, 15, 16, it's like, dang, we over here for forever. But even now, thinking it's like going overseas is just not even the main thought, which I think just continues to show, like, how the game is really growing.

[A]

No, listen, I. I think there are a little fewer zeros behind the check now. So I will say it was a little bit more intriguing because there were more zeros behind the check back then. I said back then, sue.

[C]

But it was.

[A]

Yeah, I said back then. But, you know, the thing that I'm interested to ask you, and especially since you've represented USA Basketball for decades, and now you're the first managing director of USA's women's national team, which you just hired your. Your head coach, Carol Lawson. Congratulations on that. How do you think the impact of players not going overseas as much anymore? Because I think we had a cheat code a little bit. And I remember sitting with you in 2012 at the Olympics, and I remember some of the guys on the team being like, that's not a travel. And us being like, yes, it is. Overseas, you have to cross over or you have to put the ball down. It's not the American rules. And so I always say that the women had the cheat code because we played overseas for six months. You had your stars and yourself, Diana. Everybody played overseas pretty much and knew the rules and the cadence of how they call fouls and all of that stuff. Do you think there's going to be some sort of impact in terms of adjusting internationally with this being kind of the first Olympics, that those key players aren't going overseas?

[C]

Yeah, absolutely. I definitely do, I think. I mean, you said it. We were doing scouting reports. We were telling coaches about players because these are the players we knew. We knew them well. We played against them. A lot of them were our teammates, even so we knew everything about them. And I think more so how they call the game, the physicality they allow, that's an adjustment. That's an adjustment. And if you've never experienced it, it's really hard. And we know that because that's how it was for us when we first went. Like, your first month to two months overseas is very frustrating, maybe even season, maybe even for season overseas. So I do think it's an adjustment. I do think it's something that I've thought about, I've given a lot of thought to, in terms of, you know, how do you set players up for success in terms of understanding that? So is it, you know, bringing referees in who are going to call it that way? Is it having a practice team in the short amount of time we do practice, having a practice team that's going to, you know, emulate that style, I've definitely thought about it. And sometimes the only way to learn, though, is to get thrown to the fire. And so that's what a lot of these camps are about. That's what all these, like, qualifying tournaments are about, because it is different and it can be really frustrating. So also on top of that, trying to have conversations around not being frustrated, not letting it get to you, but we all know that's easier said than done. My one hope, my one hope, I don't know if it's real, but it's a hope, is that now, especially with potentially a new cba, more money, more European players coming here, does that give American players, like, a look like. Think about, like Don Malanga, great example. She's In Seattle. So shout out. Great example. So now, yeah, on one side of it, she's going to get comfortable with American players, but like Aaliyah, you're going to get comfortable with her.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, so I'm wondering if, you know, once the again the CBA hits, I do think more European players will come over. Does that kind of level it a little more? But tbd, it's definitely something I'm thinking.

[A]

About a hundred percent. What do you think the biggest transition in your role has been in terms of seeing the game obviously the way you saw it from the point guard position and you're the leader of the team, leader of the squad, captain numerous times to now, being the managing director and having to see the game obviously from the player's point of view. But also, you know, I mean, we would joke around about, you know, training camps and things like that. How are you balancing those jokes that you told as a player and not wanting to do 2A days in Durham, which we did. And yeah, you know, way back then to now, you know, being. Having to figure out what's best truly for Team usa.

[C]

Yeah, the joke's on me. The joke's on me. I'm learning a lot about nothing I didn't know, but things that I never had to like be I was faced, I never had to face or be faced with to make decisions based on. But honestly, I think the player point of view of it all is really helpful in this. I don't think, you know, people who have been in these decision making roles have had that like truly had that, like truly lived it the way I did. So one thing I'm realizing is like, you can't get it perfect. Like maybe we're choosing dates for a camp. You can't get it perfect. So you just have to kind of try to find ways to make it fit for everyone. Try to find ways to make it work for everyone. Understanding you can't get it perfect. I'm definitely thinking about ways to make it in the ways that it's not gonna be perfect. So maybe timing doesn't work for someone or it's a pain in the butt trying to find ways to like offset that. I haven't quite figured that out. You know, is it making sure we go to a bomb Michelin star dinner? I don't know what it is yet, but like just finding ways to me.

[A]

Okay, good.

[B]

That's an answer.

[C]

Finding ways.

[B]

I didn't hear you mention the 2A days.

[C]

Did you say yeah, No, I don't think that we do it the only way.

[A]

Just do it. Just do it one time. Just for the cause, just for the old heads. Just do two a days. One time. Aliyah, we did straight two. It is.

[B]

Whoa. Don't yell at a baby. Lisa.

[A]

Leslie was intuitive. Diana like.

[B]

And I'm so happy for you guys. I'm so glad that you guys really enjoyed every single moment, every single minute, every single second of two a days. That's. That's fantastic for you guys.

[C]

So wait, Ali, I have a question. If like now like as like a. What are you? Are you a gen Zer? Is that what.

[B]

I don't even know what I qualify.

[C]

But I think I'll put you Gen Z. So what. What would be fun for you? You're like, I'm at this camp, like, what's like a one night. You do something a day?

[B]

Yeah. I think I love a dinner. Dinner is always. Dinner is always great. But I mean it's sometimes hard because some people don't like to do stuff. Some people like to just be at home. Me, I go for the vibes. I'm there no matter what. Sign me up. I'm there for the vibes. And a dinner. 100%.

[A]

Can I just look at me like that? Because here's the thing. I think dinners are great. Everybody does dinners. I think to do something different, like do like have the option to do like the salt tanks, like the, the you know, or like a spa day or some sort of. Yeah. Like expose players to other things that'll be helpful later. That they might like hyperbaric chambers. Maybe I'm speaking from an old person. I'm still speaking from like the hyperbaric chamber where you literally just sit there.

[B]

And you're like, oh, should I listen? What song should I play? Oh, if they have a T. Oh, let me play.

[A]

I remember being this. Why would I remember you talking to.

[B]

Me Offer hyperbaric chamber fun over Candace babe.

[A]

I remember being this.

[B]

That was an unserious answer though. I hope you know that that was an unserious suggestion.

[A]

You're asking to offset so sue chamber having it be an option. I think a lot of players fun.

[B]

We just talked about what would be.

[A]

I'm not saying for fun. I'm saying as an offset for. Okay, we digress. Anywho, let's jump into the WNBA finals that just end which was unbelievable. I think we would love your point of view because you do have the expertise of winning 11 of 12 finals games. You've played in three of your four championships were sweeps and the only finals game that you ever won, Aaliyah, was three. It was 2004. Oh, yeah. Two and a half or the only one you lost. Sorry, I misspoke. The only one that you lost in the finals was 2004. She was three years old. So can you speak to just sweeping one and the dominance and the mindset that it takes to that, but also, like, I mean, the Aces are a part of a dynasty at this point. Three championships in four years. You think about the Comets, you think about, you know, back to back was the Sparks in the early 2000s. You think about Seattle Storm winning multiple championships in a condensed amount of years. What mindset does that take to be able to do that? Because you can't do the same thing that you want you did to win the year before to win this one. Yeah.

[C]

I think a lot of it is letting go of the prior year. Right. Like, taking what you can from it, learning from it, but really letting go, not comparing. I think that's a big part of it. I don't know. Sometimes I. When I think back.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

In my own career. But then, like, you look at other people's careers, a lot of careers, even the most successful ones, are, like, riddled with just, like, bad stuff happening that you had no control over. Obviously, injuries is the first thing that comes to mind. It could be, yeah.

[A]

Aaliyah's shaking her head with injuries.

[B]

I'm like.

[A]

I really was like, yeah, injuries. I know, I know.

[C]

Yeah. But actually, you know what? I'll stay with you guys. You come into the season, and you're like. You look around the locker room, you're like, this could be the year. Like, we got it. And then before you know it, it's like, stuff just happens. And so I know, Candace, you have stories like this. I've. Everybody has stories of looking around the locker room knowing that this could be a year where you make a run and just something happens. So injuries is one example. In off seasons, it could be free agency. Right. Like, somebody decides they want something different. You had a. This kind of happened to us in 2020. We win. Natasha Howard, Alicia Clark, they go off to different teams. That's two of our starters. Right. So we never really had a chance to run that particular year back. So things just happen. Right. And so when I think of. For me, personally, what's so impressive about Dynasty is. What's so impressive about the Aces is a. This particular year was different from the other two. And so to. To find it again, to find, like, I don't Know, magic, I guess. Right. To find the thing that works again in this short period of time is really impressive. It also speaks to like understanding when you do have a chance to not let that slip through because there's gonna come a year where they have no control over what happens, whether it's frequency, injury, whatever. And so when you do have a chance, it's not missing the moment when you have it. And that's really about like particular to this season. What's so impressive because they almost let it slip right. Like the first half of their season was really tough. That like the MVP and Asia Wilson who, you know, people are now putting her, you know, in greatest of all time. Her resume speaks that. So she almost had a situation where she could have looked back and been like, man, when I was 29, we could have won that year. And I tricked it away. But they didn't. And that's, I think was most impressive.

[B]

Yeah. I mean even just from looking as a competitor, it was like you, you're in the, in the middle of the season, like you're both kind of very similar to where in the seating and the rankings. And all of a sudden they take off and then you look in there like a five game win streak and they're on a seven and they're on a nine and they're on a 12 and they just keep going like it's, it's crazy to watch. But I think also like when you talk about having that group of players that just basically just know how to win, they know exactly what it takes. And I feel like not to turn into the fever, but I will like looking at our locker room room, like, I think this year we really had, outside of the injuries, like we really had people that knew how to win like Whitsid and Whitosh and so obviously that part sucks. But also just feeling like tasting being one game away from a finals, it's.

[A]

Just like one overtime.

[B]

You can't won overtime.

[C]

Well, like, you can't. You're not. I'm telling you, no team has ever won it without a year. Like the year you had last year where you have that taste in your mouth. You're left with that taste in your mouth. That's the, that's. It's just such, it's a motivator. You like can't create. You have to experience.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Epic fail and have it in and have that taste in order to like use it the next year. But you, I love the point you bring up because I feel like watching you guys I really realized I already knew it, but it was like, it gave me the talking point to. To talk about how important vets are.

[B]

Yeah, seriously.

[C]

They're just so important. And a lot of times, because of money, you know, you might keep a younger player over a vet.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But your team showed. It's like you need people that know how to win that have been around.

[A]

It's like the know how. And I think you don't understand it until you're around people that have one and have that, like, it factor of, you know, figuring it out. And you talk about the aces losing. I mean, Kelsey Plum to la. You talk about key bench, which is what they struggled with early in the year, and identifying their bench because Alicia Clark was a huge addition. Sydney Coulson, whether she played or not, she was a huge voice and led the bench squad. And so with that, with those departures, it did take an adjustment period. And you're right. Sue, do you look back at any year and think, like, man, could. Because for me, I think 2017, we lost in Game 5 against Minnesota, and that was one of their championships and their dynasty. So for us, it could have been 2 to 3 instead of 4 to 1. And we lost in Game 5, lost at home in Game 4, and then the last second shot in 2015. I remember coming overseas and Diana giving me a hard time because they gave the ball to Elena going left. And I remember every time I'd show up to practice, she would be like, man, like, da, da, da. Like, same thing with you. Oh, oh, I can't believe, you know, type of thing. And it just eats at you the entire off season and you're overseas. And so those are probably the two years that I look at as, like, in 2008 that we could have won the championship. So do you have years like that?

[C]

Yeah, actually, the year for us that I feel that way about is 2008. We were in a position where we signed in the off season, like Yolanda Griffith, Cheryl Swoopes. I think that was Swin's first year in Seattle to team up with myself and Lauren and, like, Tanisha Wright and so on and so forth. And it took us, like, you know, we were a new team. We were kind of, you know, and yo and Cheryl were on the, you know, the tail end of their careers. But, like, we were figuring it out. And the one team that we kind of had had problems with, but then, like, figured out also was both Detroit and San Antonio. Like, I'm not saying I don't even know what our like, regular season record was. But we. We kind of. We were like, oh, at least at the. Like, at the very least, no offense to the LA Sparks. I think we could have gotten to the. The Western Conference finals. We were, like, sitting in, like, first, second, heading into Olympic break. And then.

[A]

Aaliyah, normally when somebody says no offense, it means offense, but go ahead.

[B]

Don't worry. I got it.

[A]

Because we got to the Western Conference finals that year, so I just want to put that out there. Go ahead.

[C]

So. Yeah, so go to Olympics. Lauren gets hurt, and I just feel like that year we did have enough to make a run. And that year, I feel like we did have enough to make a run, but then the minute Lauren's out now we're just like, we're, you know, we're trying, and we lose. I think we lost to you guys in the first round.

[A]

Yeah, it was. That was when the series was.

[C]

It was a crazy Finish.

[A]

It was 1 2, but it was also back to back at Seattle. So we lost game two, and then we had to play the next. We had to play the next night. Aaliyah. Oh, heads. We played back to back in the.

[B]

Playoff hyperbaric chamber after all.

[A]

I needed it. I was only 22.

[B]

Yo, I'm.

[C]

I think we were higher. We were the higher seated team. That means, yeah, you guys are higher seated. We were legit. We were good. Lauren getting hurt really just killed it. So that one, I feel like we could have made a run. And then honestly, the one that the. The two scenarios around, like, the era of Stewie, Jewel, and myself is we win in 2018. This is like, okay, we're like, we have arrived. Nobody expected it. I think we're, you know, set to or pick to finish, like, sixth or seventh that year. We win 2019. Stewie and I both have surgeries. Don't play. We run it back in 2020, win again, bubble season. So I understand that some people have opinions about that, but we win it, and then we lose two starters in free agency. So those more so like, 2019 and 2021 feel like we just. I never got the chance with that group. So that just feels like, oh, what could have been? You know, not that like, we could have or should have won, but, like, man, like, we never got to try it. So that kind of feels. That's like, let go a little bit, but what are you gonna do?

[A]

And I think that that just speaks to, like, the woulda, coulda, shoulda. And I say that, like, you can be as good as you want to Be. But it takes a little bit of luck. It takes a little bit of things going your way. And with that being said, you know, the Aces being able to figure out different ways. I mean, I was on the bench injured in 2023 or 20. Yeah, 2023. When two starters, both are. Have foot injuries for game four in New York.

[B]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[A]

And Becky just was like, hey, we're gonna just run a junk defense. We're gonna junk it up. And that's what they did against the Liberty, and I'm sure the Liberty are looking at that game like, if we could have just forced a game five.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's why they won in 2024. Motivated.

[A]

Exactly. But it's also back to back. I mean, there's also an opportunity to go back to back. You know what I mean? And so with that being said, I think there's, like, the biggest advice I would give to Aaliyah is, like, those moments where you see a possibility, everybody has to be on the same page because one bad apple, one bad attitude, it's. It takes the whole ship down with you.

[C]

But I agree with you on luck. I could sit here and tell you the times that we won where luck, like, maybe it's. We didn't have to play against a team that we had. We had struggled with that year. 2018, Atlanta was the one team where, like, we just could not figure them out. And they lose in the Eastern conference semis. Angel McCaughtry chairs her ACL that year. That's not the luck part. So, I mean, you know what I mean? Obviously, injuries. You would never wish that. But it changed. Obviously changed their team. Didn't matter. We struggled with them. Somehow they lose in the semis and we don't have to play them. It happens. I mean, listen, Vegas was figuring a lot out this season in the second half, Figured a lot out in the playoffs. Kelsey Mitchell.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

She has. Whatever. I can't even pronounce that word of thing that she had.

[B]

They would have.

[C]

And it's like, who knows what happens?

[A]

Aaliyah is still like, this is. Aaliyah is still doing. I don't even know if.

[C]

But, like, sometimes there's a little bit of luck involved. It's not to say you're lucky you won. It's just like, there's luck involved.

[A]

Yeah, there's luck involved. But I also say that learning how to win is a muscle. And it is evident in the way Vegas won this year. It is evident in way Golden State pulled that championship out of nowhere, out of thin air against Boston in 2022. Like. Like, it's just those. It's a muscle. And once you learn how to win in those moments, I'm telling you, it's a cheat code. But listen, we understand Subi's got 97 million seven jobs, so we have to get to fan questions before we can jump, so. All right, sue, before we let you go, we have to ask you some unfiltered fan questions. Powered by Uncrustables Find Smuckers uncrustables in the freezer aisle and learn [e-mail] so I'm going to start by saying this because this is what I'm most proud of with Aaliyah. This is what they asked me, you know, because I'm all for big guards. Right? All right. Post ops out there. It's about the big guards. Soever Stats. Would love to hear Sue's reaction to this stat. Most assists before turning 24 years old because Aaliyah's 23 and a half. Sue Bird 596 assists. Caitlin Clark. Clark 452 assists. Aaliyah, Boston 378 died.

[B]

Yeah. Big guard. Big guard.

[C]

Yo, your playmaking's legit. Your playmate. I saw something the other day I came across. By the way, Megan and I, whenever we see something on social media and we actually stole this from Courtney Mays stylist, something came across my desk, but something the other day came across my desk talking about post players being playmakers and like, the percentage in which they. And you're at the tippy tops. You might be the first. I can't remember, but you're at the tippy top. Very impressed. Impressed by your playmate.

[A]

Number one. Yes.

[C]

Number one.

[A]

Yeah, she is number one.

[B]

I love another question. Which. This one for me. I. Let's just hear it. So from @liberty4 1. What's harder being a post or a point guard?

[C]

Well, we already know the answer to this.

[A]

I mean, our show's called post on three. Just be careful, okay? One, two, three. Post.

[B]

Listen, why are you scratching?

[C]

It's point guard.

[A]

It depends on what type of. Nah, bro.

[C]

You guys take. You guys have more of like the. You guys have more of like the physical brunt of it. Like, like, like, generally speaking, you guys have more, you know, it's. It's more physical than it is for guards. Not always. Some posts are more finesse, some guards are more physical, but generally speaking. So I'll give you that. That'll give you for sure. But, like, you know, I have to, like, dribble the ball and call a play and make sure you're in the right spot and tell everybody what to do and. And. And. And. Right.

[A]

No, always the post players. No, I know that, like, pick and roll. It is always the post player's fault.

[B]

And if you're not high enough. But yet my post player is slipping. But I gotta help, and then I gotta rebound, then I gotta box out, then I gotta grab the board, and I gotta rim run. Because. Because you want outlet. I don't know.

[C]

Honestly, it sounds all really mindless.

[A]

All right, we'll do, like. We'll do jump ball. Because, I mean, we. We. We represent both ends of the spectrum of post players. So I would say physicality, finesse, all that, but just know your audience, Sue.

[B]

It's.

[A]

It's. Post moves is the show.

[C]

I know. I'm totally kidding. This is what I like to say, though. I will say this. And, Candace, you're actually, like, the outlier here, so take yourself out of this conversation. If there was five of me on the court, that team would suck. And, like, Aaliyah, this is not a. It's like, if they were five or you. You guys will be all right. You'd have some size. But it's like, the point it. Candace. Five of you might be different.

[B]

Yeah. Candace, we can't. Yeah, you really can't.

[C]

We need each other.

[A]

We do. We do need each other, and I love that because we're ending on just like a kumbaya moment. We're ending on the fact that post players and guards were some patico. Even though we rebound the ball and outlet, but it's cool. And Ren run and run 94ft every time, every possession. And you get a three because we ran to the rim, and everybody's like, good job. Way to get them a three. And you're like, okay, I'm just gonna run back and play defense.

[C]

But anyways, so much I could say to that, but I'm gonna let you.

[A]

Have the last word, so it is always an absolute pleasure every time. There's never enough time whenever we get on the mic. So thank you so much for. For joining us. And post. Post. Moose. Yeah. We hope to have you back on. This was fun. We could have done this for. This is a lot longer.

[C]

Yeah, for sure. Thank you for having me.

[A]

It's now time for you Got this. Presented by Adidas. There's nothing like a great assist to help us remember you got this. Learn more about the. You got this. Message at adidas.com/you got this. And follow the action on Instagram, Adidas and at Adidas us. Every week we're going to shout out someone who inspired us, rose to the occasion or made their moment count. And this week, my you got this moment goes to possibly the goat of coaching. I'm going to just say that from my experience firsthand and also just dominance and winning is Becky Hammond. As we already talked about, she brought Aces their third championship in four years. She took over the reins in 2022. She coached a master class series against the Mercury. And when I tell you, Aaliyah, I'll be honest. There's nothing that turns me on more than a junk defense. There is nothing if you throw a junk definitely defense out there for a couple possessions. And Becky is the master at junk defenses and you know it. Cuz sometimes you didn't even know what was going on.

[B]

You don't know what they're in.

[A]

Exactly. You don't know what they're in sometimes. I remember in Chicago having to tip my hat at her because she came out in the Commissioner cup in a boxing one on me and guess what? I turned on the TV against the Mercury and what did they come out in and start a game? Three a box and one with Kalia Copper. They didn't guard all this like it was wild. But anyway, it was crazy. Sorry. We're gonna get to the stats and then we can have a whole discussion. I know it's a little awkward, but she's one of four coaches in WNBA history to win three titles. She's. She won in 2022, her first year, 2023 and 2025. She won Commissioner cup in 2022. WNBA Coach of the Year in 2020. Has the highest winning percentage in WNBA Finals history. 10 and 2 in the Finals. And those two losses, I believe one was to the Liberty and the other was to Connecticut. Her first year in the Finals. She's proven that she can lead, adapt, win at a high level, manage the locker room, which we all know managing a locker room of great players is difficult to win one championship. But managing egos, personalities, expectations, coaching everyone, establishing and harboring an environment that is competitive with good people is difficult. And I really feel like she is proven herself as one of the best just and has changed the way that the game is coached in wnba. And you realize that by the style of offense, the pace, all of that, the space that other coaches are having to. To coach.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And to guard.

[B]

I think you said it best like the way that she adapts and the way that she adjusts, like she plays someone once, if, if they got burned with something, they come out and they throw something else completely out. The way that you don't even prep for, you don't even know what, what they're gonna do. And I think a great coach is able to do that. And she also trusts her players, know that they brought in the players that know how to adapt on the fly, change stuff up, but also get to work and be able to play your game, too.

[A]

And bringing the best out of the players in their role is what I'm super impressed with. Becky has consistently been able to do. And I say that in. I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Kerr. He came to an Amazon event a couple. Couple months ago. And to hear him speak about your best player and your head coach being on the same page and getting them to trust and believe and be held accountable in all of those things. Becky does all of that. And with that being said, you know, the, the WNBA is going through their CBA negotiations right now, and they're going back and forth with paying players. Mark Davis was the first owner that was like, I, I know I can't pay players more than they deserve more, but guess what? We're going to get the best coaches and the best coaching staff in here, and you're going to watch the benefits that come from it. And you look at Jackie Young, entire shot, entire game has changed as a result of player development. Becky Young. Becky. Becky was the first that came in and was like, we have to change Jackie Young's shot. And look, she's an Olympian. She's a champion. She was a crucial, integral part of their team. And so I think player development and having the right coaches in the seat, playing the game the right way. I'll never forget turning on the TV and seeing Chelsea Gray start on guarding Tina Charles when they were playing Seattle in the series in 2022. So seeing that was incredible because sometimes it's like you're the four, you guard the four, you're the five, you guard the five. But guess what? Sometimes if you don't know what you're doing, the other team doesn't know either.

[B]

We say that all the time. We say that all the time. When you mess stuff up, it's like, if you don't know, the other, other team definitely doesn't know. And that's okay. That works best.

[A]

And I just, I can speak from experience in saying, like, being in that locker room and the amount of energy and effort and how much she rides for her players. She was the first to come out and say don't screw Asia Wilson over on MVP because she's great, because she's done it so many times. It's about this year we brought up the win percentage. She has a higher win percentage than Phil Jackson, than Steve Kerr, than Greg Popovich, who she was an assistant for in 2014 through 2022. So bec not only putting the stats behind it, percentages behind it, the wins behind it, the championships behind it, but she passes that that it test and super special. I will go as far as saying that managing, figuring out is more than three fourths the job for a coach. And I think Becky Hammond, just like Stephen A. Said she deserves to coach in the NBA. I think she deserves an opportunity. And there are a lot of people that are going to overlook her as a result of her gender and as a result of her being a woman. But I think she's proven that her asking coach. So shout out to Becky, one of the best coaches I ever played for in a short amount of time that I played for her. But I just like some of the stuff she would run and then like she would call me and be like, big dog, what do you see? And I was like, I've never had a coach ask me what I see. Like it's always been like do, do what I say, whatever and all this stuff. And she wants feedback and she has the because and the reason why we're doing things. She doesn't just do things to do things. So anyhow, shout out to all the amazing coaches because you really, truly have an impact on players for years to come. All right, that's my you got this moment presented by Adidas. Next week it's back to you, Aaliyah. And I think that's a wrap for this week.

[B]

Another episode. Well, this was awesome. This was great. And also we gotta say thank you to Sue. Sue, you are awesome. I know everyone's going to love what you had to say. Candice, can I just say I just love filming these podcasts with you.

[A]

I'm gonna love like off season Aaliyah too, because I feel like we're gonna get like a different look. It's not gonna be like pre game nap or whatever. We're actually gonna get like vibe Jamaica, like out. Yeah, we don't have all of that. So just in case you've been living under a rock, post ups new episodes, drop every Wednesday, subscribe on YouTube wherever you get your podcast and follow post move show on all socials at postmoveshow. That's two S's.

[B]

And also bow, Bow.

[C]

Bow, Sam.