Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

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

Date: October 15, 2025

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.

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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.

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