Podcast Summary: Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 21: Unrivaled Opening Night, Candace Hall of Fame Nominee & Women’s College Hoops Upsets
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode Overview

This vibrant episode rings in the new year with signature humor, real talk, and an in-depth breakdown of the biggest stories in women’s basketball and beyond. Candace and Aliyah catch up about the holidays and dive into personal updates before tackling major headlines: the launch of Unrivaled’s new season, Candace’s Hall of Fame nomination, WNBA labor talks, and a flurry of women’s college basketball upsets. An extended Q&A and a viral TikTok challenge round out an episode packed with stories and playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Recap & Family Stories (00:00–05:30)

• Candace shares a hilarious story about receiving bedazzled Victoria's Secret underwear from her mom (“It’s the Post Moves After Dark”—[00:15]) and the joy of gifting her kids a vintage McDonald’s playset:

  “When you give your kids gifts that you got as a kid... and it hits with them like it hit with you… That warmed my heart.” —Candace (05:26)

• Aliyah reflects on the meaning of family during the holidays and sharing experiences with her cousin, to whom she gifted Uggs (03:16).

• Both commiserate about the realities of traveling with young kids and the ever-present waves of post-holiday illness.

2. NFL, Family vs. Fandom, and Fantasy Football Frustrations (05:33–08:12)

• Candace juggles between attending her nephew's graduation and major NFL playoff games:

  “I have a tough choice to make: be at Soldier Field on Saturday or be at my nephew’s graduation party. So stay tuned.” —Candace (07:56)

• Discussion of fantasy football, auction drafts, and missing the playoffs:

  "Saquon Barkley… Derrick Henry went off the week I didn’t have him. I wasn’t in playoffs." —Candace (07:14)

3. Unrivaled Pro League: Opening Night & Behind the Scenes (08:12–14:00)

• Aliyah previews Unrivaled’s Opening Night (“There’s always that excitement, right?”—Candace, 08:30), giving a glimpse into team chemistry, scrimmages, and the differences in style compared to regular league play:

  “I just know the pace of Unrivaled is unbelievable.” —Candace (09:15)

• Aliyah emphasizes team dynamics with Kelsey Plum, Dana Evans, Natasha Cloud, and others, and discusses being coached by former rival Renneke Hodges:

  "That’s how old I am now. All my opponents are coaches now. All of them." —Candace (09:37)

• Practice structure in Miami: Two-hour practices, open gym slots, and utilizing team chefs for meals (13:16–14:24).

• Notable mention of star rookies (Paige, Dominique Malanga, Kate Martin) and preseason highlights (“Paige was throwing lobs to Dominique. That’s actually wild.” —Candace, 11:37).

4. WNBA Headlines: Player Movement, Injuries & CBA Negotiations (14:45–23:25)

Notable News

• Napheesa Collier’s injury and replacement:

  “Napheesa Collier will be missing the entire season... surgery on both ankles.” —Candace (14:45) “Obviously we wish her health and her to heal and take her time necessary to get back.” —Candace (15:18)

• Candace’s Hall of Fame Nomination

  • Emotional reflection on being nominated alongside Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and the 1996 Women’s National Team:

    “I don’t think you ever set out to get an orange jacket… But as you get older, you realize what comes with that and all the people that you idolize.” —Candace (16:16–17:40)

  • Aliyah’s reaction:

    “Like, why would they not? Are you kidding me? They would be deep fried, actually.” —Aaliyah (16:04)

• Players Becoming Coaches

  • Sylvia Fowles joins Portland Fire as assistant coach. Candace and Aliyah reminisce about Fowles’ post dominance and the legendary Minnesota Lynx lineup:

    “If you never tried to get around her in the post…” —Candace (18:04) “I couldn’t imagine my rookie self... AB, go guard Sylvia. No, help me, AB.” —Aliyah (18:34)

CBA Standoff

• The hosts explain the tense labor situation and collective bargaining proposals:
  • Candace: “WNBPA proposed a model... salary cap of 10.5–12.5 million… league says that plan would cause 700 million in losses.” (20:14–21:32)
  • Gross versus net revenue debate outlined for listeners; Candace breaks it down:

    “Gross revenue… all money coming in. Net revenue is money left after paying expenses.” (21:32)

  • Both joke about learning to read a paycheck—with taxes and deductions:

    “Who the hell is FICA? FICA taking way too much money!” —Candace (22:02)

5. College Hoops Upsets and Trends (23:38–29:56)

Recap of a Wild Week

• Eight undefeated women’s teams fall; major upsets include LSU, Maryland, Nebraska, and TCU (23:38–24:07).

• Four remaining unbeatens: Vanderbilt, UConn, Texas, Texas Tech.

  “It’s the best UConn has had since 2017–18.” —Candace (24:18)

Spotlight: Kentucky’s Buzzer Beater vs. LSU

• Tony Morgan hits a game-winner and exchanges heated words earlier (“get her ass up”—25:13).
• Aliyah and Candace relish the “get back” of buzzer beaters on the road.

Texas Tech’s 7-1 Center, Stephanie Okachukwu

• Discussion on how her debut could change the game and the growing impact of NIL in recruiting international talent (26:45–27:36).

  “This is insane... the tallest player in women’s college basketball.” —Candace (26:48)

African Talent Pipeline

• Praise for NBA Africa and the influx of international prospects.

Passing the Torch Moment

• Candace highlights how Lauren Betts credits Aliyah as a mentor:

  “She told her to trust herself and to not worry about missed shots, and to take open midrange looks.” —Candace (29:16) "I love Lauryn... she makes it hard, you have to double.” —Aliyah (29:34)

6. TikTok Trend Challenge: “Say the Word on the Beat” (31:45–36:40)

• The hosts have a playful showdown, struggling and laughing as they try to keep up with the word challenge, layered with classic generational humor:

  “I love you saying hoes—that was my favorite thing.” —Candace (34:46)

7. Fan Q&A (36:40–41:48)

• “Big Guard” Discussion:

  • Humor around Joel Embiid’s viral “big guard” introduction and who qualifies in the W:

    “Aaliyah, must be Candace, you kind of big guard.” —Aliyah (37:29)

• Candace on Retirement:

  “When I get that urge, I just take my family out to our court at our house... and I enjoy beating them mercilessly.” —Candace (38:04)

  • “I go back in the house and sit on the couch… I don’t get up for shootaround, I don’t ride any buses or planes… My body doesn’t hurt. So, no, I’m happy where I’m at.” —Candace (38:43)

• Aaliyah’s Favorite 2025 WNBA Moment:

  • The Commissioner’s Cup win (“Yes, because of the money,” [39:12]) and the “insane” semifinals with the Aces.

• On a Possible ‘Love & Basketball’ Remake:

  “I think nowadays... could the love interest be a same sex relationship? I don’t know. There’s just so many possibilities.” —Candace (40:16)

• Life Lessons from Basketball:

  “Don’t get too high with the highs, or low with the lows… positive self-talk, regardless of what’s happening.” —Aliyah (41:18)
  “Sports is a microcosm of life… apply it in the boardroom, at home… how to be a good teammate, all those things.” —Candace (41:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Candace on Unrivaled’s pace:

  "I just know the pace of Unrivaled is unbelievable." (09:15)

• Aliyah roasting Candace on team performance:

  "Whatever happened last year has nothing to do with me, you know that." (12:46)

• Candace on Hall of Fame:

  “I got emotional… I don’t think you ever set out to like get an orange jacket. As you get older, you realize what comes with that...” (16:16–17:40)

• Aliyah on rookie growing pains:

  “Could you imagine if I… they would have probably read every play for Sylvia coming down the floor immediately.” (18:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Holiday catch-up & gifts: 00:00–05:33
• NFL & family priorities: 05:33–08:12
• Unrivaled league talk & inside scoop: 08:12–14:24
• Player news (Napheesa Collier injury, Hall of Fame, CBA): 14:45–23:25
• College basketball chaos (upsets, stars, international arrivals): 23:38–29:56
• Mentorship & player development: 29:09–29:56
• TikTok challenge segment: 31:45–36:40
• Fan Q&A: 36:40–41:48

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is energetic, teasing and supportive, with authentic storytelling, inside locker room jokes, and unfiltered reactions to both basketball news and life milestones. Candace and Aliyah’s chemistry is playful, bringing out each other’s competitive and comedic sides while digging deep into topical analysis.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode offers the perfect blend of basketball expertise, personal narrative, and comedy. Whether you’re a seasoned WNBA fan or a newcomer interested in women’s sports, the show demystifies news, celebrates athletes’ voices, and invites you inside the modern women’s hoops community.

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