Alley Oop | EP 24 Indiana Fever SHOCK the Aces, MVP Reactions & Coaching Changes

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Alley Oop | EP 24 Indiana Fever SHOCK the Aces, MVP Reactions & Coaching Changes
Date: September 23, 2025

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and a rotating cast (with this episode primarily featuring Juju, Rebecca, and a co-host) delve deep into the WNBA playoffs, dramatic upsets, MVP chatter, coaching changes, and the intersection of sports and culture. This episode centers around the Indiana Fever's shocking victory over the Las Vegas Aces, MVP reactions, Dawn Staley’s corn-hole side quests, the debate over "enhanced" Olympics, and the ongoing coaching carousel in the WNBA. True to the show’s spirit, the banter blends sharp analysis, heartfelt fandom, and plenty of comedic asides.

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Key Discussion Points & Segment Highlights

1. Word on the Curb & Trending Videos (02:41 – 06:41)

• Dawn Staley’s “Side Quests”

  • The crew opens by joking about Dawn Staley participating in cornhole competitions during the WNBA playoffs, framing it as a humorous "side hustle."
  • Quick-witted dispute over the phrase "side hoe" versus "side quest."
  • Debate on whether head coaches should focus exclusively on coaching (“Kara Lawson has no side quests. One focus. Women’s hoops.” [03:44]) versus engaging in outside activities.
  • “[Dawn Staley] can do that on the weekend because she here in America. Because guess what she’s doing during the week? Recruiting.” – Juju [04:16]

• Enhanced Games: Steroid Olympics

  • Introduction to the concept of an “Enhanced Games” Olympics with steroids permitted, spurring a comedic riff on the absurdity and dystopian potential.
  • Notable comment: “They're turning them into super soldiers and they're gonna take over D.C. That's what they're gonna do.” – Co-host [05:20]

2. WNBA Playoff Fallout: Indiana Fever Shock the Aces (06:47 – 16:59)

• Emotional Reaction to Team Losses

  • Juju expresses deep pain over his team’s (Atlanta Dream) defeat and the Fever’s seemingly unstoppable postseason run.
  • “I don't have anything. I'm so hurt right now. Like, everything about it hurts. My back hurts. My positivity hurts. My self-esteem hurts. It's just hurt.” – Juju [07:12]
  • The group salutes players across the Dream's roster in a moment of sports grief and solidarity.

• The Resilience of the Indiana Fever

  • The Aces’ defeat by the Fever draws awe and begrudging respect.
  • “I called the Indiana Fever cockroaches and people got very upset with me. So I'm going to call them the Indiana Fury... You can't knock them down. If you knock them down, you think they're dead. They just get right back up somehow winning the fight.” – Co-host [09:12]

• Standout WNBA Performances

  • Kelsey Mitchell’s postseason dominance is lauded, with calls for the league to create a “BMF” (Baddest MF) award in her honor:
    “There should be a separate award in the WNBA for dog... Kelsey Mitchell gonna win that every single year, bro. Cause she got number dog in her.” – Juju [09:53]
  • A lighter moment as Rebecca confuses team geography: “But aren't those players from Atl?” [10:36], sparking a playful exchange.
  • Analysis of the Aces’ backcourt struggles and the emotional toll on players.
  • Discussion of A'ja Wilson’s MVP award timing and its impact on team psyche.
  • Kelsey Mitchell’s heroic adjustments in distribution and scoring during adversity, recognized as invaluable.

3. Riffs, Awards, and League Culture (16:59 – 21:36)

• Player Fines and League Image

  • Caitlin Clark fined $200 for criticizing referees (“Because she said the refs couldn't stop us on social media.” – Juju [18:20])
  • Group mocks the fine as symbolic and laughable:
    “Do not make the WNBA look like a Mickey Minnie Mouse league. $200 fines make it seem like everybody's broke.” – Co-host [18:42]

• Player Fashion & Personalities

  • A detour into WNBA player style, with affectionate roasts on Caitlin Clark’s “big ass black Air Force ones” [20:55] and discussion of evolving player fashion.

• Sophie Cunningham’s Postgame Comments

  • “The league is so mad that we won because we are literally not supposed to be here... Girl, salute. Salute to my sister Sophie. But the league is happy as hell y’all won. Are you serious?” – Juju [19:43]

4. Scheduling Rants & Viewing Frustrations (21:36 – 24:04)

• WNBA Scheduling vs NFL
  • Juju bemoans playoff games conflicting with NFL Sundays:
    “It's still not ideal that we got to watch these WNBA playoff semifinal games during NFL Sunday. What the hell is this bro?... Stop making us choose between our favorite sports football team and the WNBA.” – Juju [22:10]

5. Coaching Carousel & Narrative Shifts (24:04 – 28:32)

• Media Stoking Coaching Controversy

  • Discussion about poor journalism and speculative questions regarding Sandy Brondello’s (Liberty head coach) job security after injuries and a tough postseason:
    “Whenever somebody say people are saying it, tell them to tell you. The people.” – Juju [24:54]
  • Commentary turns to Storm head coach Noel Quinn’s firing and the underrepresentation of Black female coaches in the WNBA.
  • “[Noel Quinn firing is] a bad move by the Seattle Storm to get rid of sis.” – Juju [26:39]
  • “I think that's it. Because they fired Teaspoon. Yeah, I think this is it. I think that's it.” – Co-host on Black women coaches [26:57]

• Conflicted Takes on Coaching Outcomes

  • Group deconstructs accountability—whether to blame coaching or player underperformance.

6. Liberty’s Collapse and the Lynx’s Dominance (28:32 – 35:41)

• Liberty’s On-Court Collapse

  • In-depth analysis of Jonquel Jones’ downturn, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart’s injuries affecting performance, and how expectations diverged from reality.
  • “You can't be the finals MVP and go Houdini the next playoff time you get in there.” – Co-host [31:19]
  • Jest about accountability and the different tones male NBA commentators often take versus their more empathetic style.

• Minnesota Lynx Praise

  • The show transitions to hearty praise of the Minnesota Lynx:
    • “I think the Lynx are the most dominant team in the WNBA all year. They show it again. Their fourth quarter was ridiculous.” – Co-host [33:02]
    • Courtney Williams’ unselfish play and critical steals highlighted.
    • The Lynx’s “bridge” of reliable supporting cast, unselfishness, and defensive prowess is called out as what separates them from the field.

• Nas Hillman’s Sixth Man of the Year

  • Shout-out to Nas Hillman for clinching the award.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Dawn Staley’s Cornhole Hobby

  • “She is not a side Hoe, bro. Ms. Don Stady is not a side ho.” – Juju [02:57]
  • “Kara Lawson has no side quests. One focus. Women’s hoops.” – Co-host [03:44]

• On Enhanced Steroid Olympics:

  • “These people are turning them into soldiers. It is not even what they're saying. This is lies. They're turning them into super soldiers and they're gonna take over D.C.” – Co-host [05:20]

• On WNBA Scheduling:

  • “Stop making us choose between our favorite sports football team and the WNBA.” – Juju [22:10]

• On the Indiana Fever:

  • “You can’t knock them down...They just get right back up somehow winning.” – Co-host [09:12]

• On Coaching Speculation:

  • “Whenever somebody say people are saying it, tell them to tell you. The people.” – Juju [24:54]

• On Kelsey Mitchell’s Grit:

  • “There should be a separate award in the WNBA for dog… Kelsey Mitchell gonna win that every single year.” – Juju [09:53]

• On Female Black Coaches in the W:

  • “I think that's it. Because they fired Teaspoon. Yeah, I Think this is it.” – Co-host [26:57]

• On Lynx Team Chemistry:

  • “I ain't never seen a more reliable supporting cast. No matter who's got it going, where there's fee, she got it going… they're gonna let them have that great night and just be ready when you need them.” – Juju [35:04]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dawn Staley & Cornhole Hobbies: 02:41 – 04:36
• Enhanced Games & Steroids in Sports: 04:36 – 06:41
• Dream Defeat & Fever’s Shocking Rise: 06:47 – 09:40
• Kelsey Mitchell & Award Conversation: 09:53 – 16:59
• Caitlin Clark Fine & League Image: 18:12 – 19:26
• Scheduling Rant (WNBA vs NFL): 21:36 – 24:04
• Coaching Rumors/Biases in WNBA: 24:04 – 27:10
• Liberty’s Playoff Collapse: 28:32 – 32:46
• Lynx Praise & Team Dynamics: 33:02 – 36:36

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Episode Tone & Language

The conversation is organically fast-paced, witty, and mixes statistical knowledge with affectionate banter and sports fandom. The hosts don’t shy away from vulnerability, especially when discussing losses, embracing a tone that wavers between comedic self-parody (“It hurts so bad. It hurts so bad. Oh my god...”) and genuine admiration for athletes' resilience.

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Summary

This “Alley Oop” episode is a quintessential blend of WNBA playoff drama, culture wars (from enhanced games to player fines), and sharp, sometimes irreverent, dialogue. Listeners are treated to grieving fans, revisionist award ideas, fiery takes on league management, and some of the best one-liners in sports podcasting, all with the signature touch of the Le Batard universe. Whether you’re tuning in for expert insight, unfiltered fan emotion, or pure entertainment, this episode captures the chaos, heartbreak, and joy of postseason sports.

Transcript

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[Juju]

We're gonna do some word on the.

[Rebecca]

Curbs, some trending videos. Sounds like we're gonna talk about some Gamecocks and some on croc crime. So what do you two think about this little side hose? That little side hustle that Don Staley's got going?

[Co-host or Analyst]

A side hoe. Don't.

[Juju]

She is not a side Hoe, bro. Ms. Don Stady is not a side ho.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She called her a side ho.

[Juju]

That's disrespectful. That's disrespectful.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Is she. Is she bowling? Right there.

[Juju]

It looks like she's playing Cornhole.

[Rebecca]

Cornhole in the Cornhole championships.

[Juju]

Yeah, she doing side quests. She out there. Did she win? Do we know the results of this or what's happening here? Well, that's the one she hit.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Listen, listen. Don Staley maybe should stop playing Cornholio if she wants to cement her legacy. We got. We got Carol Lawson right now taking Don Staley's spot and becoming the head coach of. Of Team USA women's basketball as of 60 minutes ago, putting her in rarefied air. We can't talk about Dawn Staley on our little side quest. You know what? Kara Lawson has no side quests. One focus. Women's hoops. No side. Kara has no outside activities that she's interested in doing.

[Rebecca]

Okay, that came out angrier than I thought. That was more rageful than I thought Cornhole was gonna.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Listen, listen, Cornhole.

[Juju]

Look, Carol, she got one of the best ponytails. Her wavy as hell. Her be wavy. Salute to Carol.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She has literally. She literally has the waves in the. In the slick back.

[Juju]

But see, this is what you don't realize, too, though. By dying right now, she can do that on the weekend because she here in America. Because guess what she's doing during the week? Recruiting. She probably had a recruit that she could see in that city, and they say, hey, come, come B with us.

[Co-host or Analyst]

So Cornhole is just a tax write off.

[Rebecca]

I'm sure you've both heard about the Enhanced games, am I correct?

[Co-host or Analyst]

No.

[Rebecca]

So the Enhanced Games are new games where, like the Olympics, where all steroids are allowed. Thoughts?

[Co-host or Analyst]

I think steroids should be allowed always. I think steroids should never be, like, taken out of anything. If it was destigmatized, juju would be on the steroid right now.

[Juju]

Get the hell. Nah, I wouldn't be on no damn steroids. I like this. The Steroid Olympics salute. It's way different, though. I feel like a world record should be every damn trial, every heat, damn near right?

[Co-host or Analyst]

I've changed my mind. The caption has made me change my mind.

[Juju]

Hold on, what it say?

[Co-host or Analyst]

It says, backed by high profile investors like Donald Trump Jr. And Peter Thiel. I already know what time it is. These people are turning them into soldiers. It is. Is not even what they're saying. This is lies. They're turning them into super soldiers and they're gonna turn them into the National Guard and they're gonna take over D.C. that's what they're gonna do. But they're like literally roided up and they're also Olympians.

[Rebecca]

This is pre and post the enhanced game. This guy.

[Juju]

Oh, that's the same. That's the same Joker.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Same dude. Yeah, he looks like.

[Rebecca]

I mean, he is not all right, this guy.

[Co-host or Analyst]

He's not. Launch in Las Vegas. I'm surprised they're not doing it on the White House lawn, bro.

[Juju]

Fast as hell in a swim, bro. Imagine if you're trying to run from somebody and you turn around and he follow me. You in.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh, you're dead. Listen, he probably has. He's probably got a. A gun now attached to his arm too.

[Juju]

This is super. Yeah, this Olympus gonna be crazy. You just gotta keep your eyes on all the participants.

[Co-host or Analyst]

That's gotta be so hard to find a T shirt. Oh, my God, it's like those traps.

[Rebecca]

I've never seen anything like that.

[Co-host or Analyst]

No. And those lats. Those lats come off his pec further than his pecs.

[Juju]

Respectfully, his trap game is. Is stifled by. I don't see. I don't think y' all really notice how long this brother neck is.

[Co-host or Analyst]

His neck is super long.

[Juju]

Brother neck long as hell.

[Rebecca]

He needs a bra for his back.

[Juju]

I don't give a damn.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Like a feeling meant these broken wings. So Atlanta can fly again. So the dream can fly again. I see you got the black glasses on. We're now not even rocking the WNBA stuff anymore. We're going right to unrivaled juju. What would you like to say? Anything.

[Juju]

Ouch.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Ouch.

[Juju]

I don't have anything. I'm so hurt right now. Like, everything about it hurts. My back hurts. My positivity hurts. My self esteem hurts. It's just hurt.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Does it hurt more based on how the end of the game went with Ryan?

[Juju]

It just hurts because we didn't score as much points as they scored. That's the out of my.

[Co-host or Analyst]

That's it. That's the end, bruh.

[Juju]

Oh my God, the referees 24 free throws to 11 free throws. And that number got, like, closer as the game, like, was ending. The referees was on. They wasn't calling travel. They wasn't calling nothing. They don't give a damn about nothing except the damn Tide. Look at them. Look at them. That's just. Oh, my God. By the look, by the time Lexi Ho passed that ball, I was already outside of the arena.

[Co-host or Analyst]

No, you were not. No, you were not, bruh.

[Juju]

This hurts so bad. It hurts so bad. Oh, my God. There's no way in the world. It's supposed to beat us, but look, man, great season. Salute the Big Carl. Salute to Big Al. Salute the Big Ryan. We gonna be back next year, man.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Salute to Big bg.

[Juju]

Salute to Big B Jizzle. Salute to Pow Pow. Salute to Nia Coffee. Salute to everybody.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Salute to Big Al.

[Juju]

Satori Walker, Kimbrough.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh, all of them. We're going deep into the bench. We're going deep.

[Juju]

Exactly. Everybody, man, salute Maya Caldwell. Maya Caldwell. I see you. Exactly. That's why I got it on today. It's. It's, it's. It's unravel season now.

[Co-host or Analyst]

So he's not watching any more WNBA games, but he will provide the analysis. I called the Indiana Fever cockroaches and people got very upset with me. So I'm going to call them the Indiana Fury, AKA the Tyson Fury of the wnba. You can't knock them down. If you knock them down, you think they're dead. They just get right back up somehow winning. Winning the fight. Does it make you feel better, Jew, that they. They ended up doing the same thing to the Aces?

[Juju]

It does not. I'm not a hater. I don't operate like that. It hurts me just enough to see. Oh, no. Look at her. She was.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Look at it.

[Juju]

Salute the area of Powers X Dream. Look, that's what we can talk about right there. Kelsey Mitchell. There should be a separate award in the WNBA for dog. Like, you know how the UFC got the BMF trophy? Yeah, it should be a BMF trophy in the wnba. And Kelsey Mitchell gonna win that every single year, bro. Cause she got number dog in her big shot at the big shot crossover after.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh, my God. Did they say atl? What? Oh, my God. That's disrespect.

[Rebecca]

But isn't it from. Because they're from atl. Am I wrong on that or. They were.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Yes, you're wrong, Ms. Rebecca the Fever are from Indiana. Atl.

[Rebecca]

But aren't those players from Atl?

[Co-host or Analyst]

You think they just right on them yes. They shit right on them.

[Juju]

Time out. Harassment. This is harassment.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Sorry. Salt.

[Juju]

H.R. help me.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh, man.

[Juju]

Y' all gonna jump me. Ms. Rebecca, come in with that question. I thought this was from Atlanta with the Fever jerseys on. I thought these were from around it. So you mean to tell me just gonna. On them like this? Yes, Ms. Rebecca. This just like that.

[Co-host or Analyst]

They even. They did the scooper. The. The. That we eat in Atlanta is chicken wings and magic City.

[Juju]

That's not that too. See, I gotta school y'. All. This is my partners. Y'.

[Co-host or Analyst]

All.

[Juju]

This is the. I'm so 18. Get in there. I'm so ATL. They doing answer ATL. Not the Ezekiel Elliot.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Okay. I'm so ATL.

[Juju]

To America's people.

[Co-host or Analyst]

To America. Still, I have a question. I hate to spin this in the negative, but because that's what I do, I think that's what I'm trying to do is to point out what's wrong versus pointing out what's right. Ain't that a. I know I'm not right. I don't know. There's something sick in the head. Are the Aces guards. What's the right word? Washed. Are they washed? Are they. Are they cooked?

[Juju]

Look, believe that when I said spry.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Are they. Are their ligaments. How are there. Are there quick twitches, not twitching? Because I felt like Asia had to do a lot of cleaning up on aisle nine on the backside because they were getting barbecued chicken around the perimeter.

[Juju]

Yeah. I mean, look, I think that it was a very emotional day in Las Vegas. People was up early. We was. They was doing more photo shoots than they usually do. So I feel like everybody routine was just off in Vegas. I'm going to give them a mulligan for that game one, because. Wow. Wow.

[Co-host or Analyst]

There was some gamecock on Gamecock. Crime.

[Juju]

Okay.

[Co-host or Analyst]

On crime.

[Juju]

Okay. Here we go. Trista, ladies and gentlemen.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Crime, the sword fight. We're calling on cock crime, the sword fight. So we had Aaliyah Boston making life absolutely brutal for Asia Wilson, fouling the. Out of her really a lot.

[Juju]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Analyst]

On cock. You know what I mean? The fighting, not roosters. So the question, though, I have is, is Aaliyah Boston to you the most, like a different off the court than she is on the court player?

[Juju]

I think so. Because off the court, she is the most Disney princess. Was so well spoken. So everything nice. Takes every photo with the kids. Sign your book. She would probably Christian your baby. On the court, though, take these bows.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She really is a dirty player a little bit on the court. Well, I don't even know if dirty is the right word. She just. Just gives zero, you know what I mean? And. And really scrapes, claws, grabs you rapture elbow swings you like, grabs you around the waist. Puts the booty up, puts the booty into it doesn't. She didn't feel like it was.

[Juju]

I do not know if she. I don't know what she be doing on in that.

[Co-host or Analyst]

What did you see? What did you see in that matchup? Was it because it felt like she was the reason that Asia was frustrated early?

[Juju]

Yeah, she was the reason she was frustrated. It was a lot, I think. Like I say, bro, that day is so emotional for a four time WNBA mvp.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I knew she was getting the award three days ago.

[Juju]

I understand that. But still, it's a lot. I'm just gonna throw her bail money today.

[Co-host or Analyst]

That was her on Friday when they give me the award. Stop. Forget about it. Forget about it. Don't give me this award right now until some days are off. I don't want to know on a Friday. And then you're gonna give me the award on the Sunday. And then the Fever are gonna come up in our house and make our life a living hell. I feel like that's out of pocket.

[Juju]

That is very out of pocket. But at the same time, we got to give some credit to the Fever because.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh my God.

[Juju]

Yeah, they continue to just continue. It's like every time you think, all right, here we go. Here's the wash that's supposed to happen. Let's see it. They come out. Kelsey Mitchell. I don't understand what in the hell. Like whatever award we got to give Kelsey Mitchell this May.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She needs something. She needs. We need. Yeah, we need to make an award up for her. She doesn't. She didn't. She. Hold on. Didn't she lead the league in scoring?

[Juju]

I'm pretty sure she did. I mean, yeah, unless Asia was up there.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Yeah, she did. No, she led the league in scoring at 26 a game, bruh. She, James Harden.

[Juju]

We can't let. We can't let a performance like that go without reward from this year because whenever every single person stepped out or got hurt on their team, she stepped in and helped them with that specific thing. You feel me? Like when Caitlyn got her. Oh, we need more distribution. Distribution. That's it. Distribution.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Distribution.

[Juju]

Distribution. We need more distribution. Damn it. Get what?

[Co-host or Analyst]

She got something like something that's something that somebody in Georgia was saying. Distribution. Yeah, we got distribution.

[Juju]

Hey, Cassie, Misha was disturbing that guy all year, bro. And then we need scoring. Get what? Haha. The wet is purest jumper I've seen in the wnba. Her shot just go like. It's just so pretty.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She puts up on skates like she got like the back, like behind the back.

[Juju]

Oh, man.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Jab into the midi. Pull up right in your dome piece. It's a wrap. She hit that one from the elbow early on in the game, and I said, oh, it's going to be a long night for these aces. Guards. Oh, my goodness.

[Juju]

When she stepped back from the three, she'll give a ha ha ha. And step back and still in your mouth. And that has so much arch on it. It does draws like. You feel me?

[Co-host or Analyst]

How about. Okay, so we know Kelsey Mitchell's player of the game. She's the best player on the floor that day.

[Juju]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Some unsung heroes. Number one, Natasha Howard, I don't think is being discussed for how she's bringing the ball up in transition as a big. Her handles are pretty nasty. She's getting timely rebounds. She's bodying other people out of the paint, clearing the way for Kelsey Mitchell to have an open lane. She's making life hell on Asia. Not as much as Aaliyah Boston, but she's a player that people thought was done. And not only was she not done, she took it to a whole new level and I think is showing some versatility. We talk about like, when the. When the fever needs something, someone steps into the liver, the hole that was missing. They just give you that. That's her.

[Juju]

Yeah. Speaking of when the delivering and the referees deliver a 200 fine to Caitlyn Clark.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Yeah.

[Juju]

Because she said the refs couldn't stop us on social media.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Is that fine worthy?

[Juju]

It's not. And stop finding me folk. 200, man. It's embarrassing you embarrassing us. Like we trying to keep this going to playoffs. Y' all pop up with 200 fine. Stop. Don't announce that. Yeah, just say, hey, man, we don't just find this.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Do not. Do not make the WNBA look like a Mickey Minnie Mouse league. 200 fines make it seem like everybody's broke.

[Juju]

Come on, man. I would have been like, look, I just find Caitlin Clark. You do not want to know how much I find her. Trust me. I find her.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Just know it was a lot.

[Juju]

So stop talking about the referees. Don't give a damn. Nah. They're like, yeah, we just find Caitlyn. 200. Yeah. Two bits.

[Co-host or Analyst]

She's gonna come back on social media and say more shit about the referee.

[Juju]

Oh, that's All y'. All. That's all y'. All. Charging for referee slander.

[Co-host or Analyst]

That's how much I tip my waiter. 200 bucks on a night tonight basis. Caitlin Clark's got cheese, she's got bread. She doesn't care about your little 200 raggedy ass fine.

[Juju]

Exactly like that LeBron meme. How about this? Here go another one. Come on. I just shoot them folks a banjo and just be like, all right, I'm gonna say what I want to say this week. How about that?

[Co-host or Analyst]

What do you think about Sophie Cunningham's comments, Man?

[Juju]

Okay, what Sophie say? The league is so mad that we won because we are literally not supposed to be here at all. And that just fuels our fire even more. Girl, salute. Salute to my sister Sophie. But the league is happy as hell y' all won. Are you serious? It's the exact opposite. Ain't nobody mad y' all won. Only people mad y' all won is Atlanta fans.

[Co-host or Analyst]

You know, but he's like, oh, my God, we really wanted Atlanta. We really wanted to have our. You know what? Talk about. Talk about a player who's just slept on and disrespected is Big Al. Big Al should have won most improved. Big Al is consistently left off a three point percentage and three point scoring lists, guard lists. Like, she's one of the nastiest in the game. She's consistently disrespected by those who are making said list. And so you think that the league was like, oh, we need. Need more Alicia Gray. You know what? We need more goggles. More players that don't get. Come on. We even just this fact that we see Caitlin Clark with her little Stranger Things fever T shirt on and her.

[Juju]

Big ass black Air Force ones, bro. She went to black Air Forces. I'm like, damn, Kaylin, don't do it like that.

[Co-host or Analyst]

See, like, is her fashion sense changing her fashion sense.

[Juju]

I feel like sis been fresh. Like, for real, for real. It's just that. No, no. I feel like she has stylists that sometimes miss the mark. I feel like if. If you leave it up to a lot of most WNBA players to just dress themselves and come out the house, they'll most likely land there. Most of these sisters got swag, but at the same time, once you sign that deal with it was a Filipino. Who. Who gonna style you in the back now? He got you out here wearing the sweatpants with some jean shorts painted on the front.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Oh, my God. Not Filipino. Isn't she with she style for. With Prada as well, which they've got some stuff and product. Product. You can be dressed to the knives and Prada with your Birkin, but you could also look like you're a 47 year old accountant ready for her next job interview. So there's different levels to this. Come on. She was doing her Murphy Brown.

[Juju]

Murphy Brown swag. I see sis. Come on.

[Co-host or Analyst]

By the way, Sophie Cunningham. Speaking of Sophie Cunningham, she's got style too. She finds a way to make a a baseball cap look good.

[Juju]

I mean hey, salute to Sophie. She also found a way to argue with the cops mid court during the game. She's going crazy man. Salute to Sophie. Salute to them Fever. Also too quick. Sidebar is still not ideal that we got to watch these WNBA playoff semifinal games during NFL Sunday. What the hell is this bro? Ms. Rebecca, do you got the picture I send of you sent to you like I sent Miss Rebecca a picture of what my Sunday looks like because I'm not gonna not watch what I'm paying for. I love the NFL. We shouldn't have to make people make choices. I got so many damn screens over here and I just got barely enough. So I imagine the random person at the house. They ain't got time for all these screens. Stop making us choose between our favorite sports football team and the wnba. Guess what? There's no games tonight. We could have had a game tonight on Monday night. Monday, Wednesday.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I think there is a game tonight. The Ravens play the Lions.

[Juju]

I'm saying. But I would rather have one game to go against as far as the.

[Co-host or Analyst]

And now WNBA allows you to the multi box. You could do the cross sport multi box and have them both on.

[Juju]

Exactly. But what I'm saying is there's no WNBA games tonight.

[Co-host or Analyst]

No there's not.

[Juju]

So what I'm saying is why not just postpone that day. Bam. Monday, Wednesday. Bam. Look at this. Why the hell do I have to watch the Aces like this? In the. In the bottom right corner you see the Aces. I do not know why I had Bengals Vikings on the big tv. I promise to God it's. I thought it was going to be Jamar Chase versus Justin Jetta's. It didn't end up being that. But look what I got to deal with. And this is a loyal. This is a loyal WNBA member fan. Why Community. Come on bro, let's do ourselves a favor.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Nobody loves the WNBA more than Juju. And yet he had to put it on the MacBook Air.

[Juju]

Come on man, what we doing?

[Co-host or Analyst]

Bad choice though. Vikings Bengals over Aces. Bad choice was a reporter Juju Asking Sabrina Unescu and Brianna's Brianna Stewart if Sandy Brondello, their head coach, should be fired.

[Juju]

Bruh, that was the worst choice ever. Mr. Beckham, you got that video.

[Co-host or Analyst]

What the. They said, hey, people be asking. The streets are talking. And the streets are saying, how come you think Sandy Brondella, your head coach, should be fired? And. And Brianna looks at her like, what the. You crazy? And then the reporter's like, I'm not saying it, but like, she pulled the Donald Trump. I'm not saying it, but like other people are saying it. It's like, who's saying it?

[Juju]

Who said whenever somebody say people are saying it, tell them to tell you. The people.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Yeah. Who are those people?

[Juju]

Exactly.

[Co-host or Analyst]

You are saying it. You're stirring the pot, right?

[Juju]

You are people, man.

[Co-host or Analyst]

The streets are talking and they're saying your coach should be fired, like, off of an A championship after some of the most brutal string of injuries you've ever had. You know who did get fired, though? We got to talk about Storm head coach Noel Quinn getting fired. What you think about that?

[Juju]

I mean, maybe I'm missing something. I know that the Storm were having a rough couple of years a couple years ago. I know it was rough, but I feel like this year they turned the corner. Right. Because you don't just have the mind to sign Erica Wheeler and no, bruh, you don't really like to me, we know the streets know Erica Wheeler is a dog. But for a coach to know that and give Erica Wheeler such a big role on that squad, on that squad that was seconds away from advancing, right. Come on, man. Put that pairing well with Skyler the milk Diggings. Like, I think that she did phenomenal to me. Neca aging superstar still giving us what she need. Ezzy giving us the rebounds blocks all year long. B sites came over and transitioned well into a great Storm player. Gabby Williams stepped up in the. I don't see what happened there. Maybe it's above my pay grade. I'm not. Maybe I'm not G14. Right. I'm not G14 classified. But I think it's a bad move by the Seattle Storm to get rid of sis.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I'm so conflicted. Yeah, I'm conflicted because I like Noel Quinn. I think it's. I think it's up that there's not really any black female coaches in the W when that's primarily what the W is made up of. So that's rough.

[Juju]

Was she the last one?

[Co-host or Analyst]

I think that's it. Because they fired Teaspoon. Yeah, I Think this is it. I think that's it.

[Juju]

Damn, bruh.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I think that's it.

[Juju]

That's a whole nother topic for a whole nother day right there.

[Co-host or Analyst]

So anyway, what I will, what I will say is that we talked about how the Storm were underperforming based on the roster that they had. And so yes, you use Erica Wheeler in a way that's very effective. But there were a lot of games that this team just didn't come out ready to play and they played down to their competition. Now I don't know about these things. I don't know if that's a player cohesive, individual thing or you can put that on Noel because having a bad game plan but we know at the end of games they've melted into the sun. That's like coaching thing. But I think like they also performed great against the Aces and probably should have won that series, so. But it did take Skyler Diggins going crazy and that offense is brutal. That offense really gets run like a. Like a stick in the mud. I don't know what is going on with it. So I just feel so conflicted, bruh.

[Juju]

I'm talking about if Erica Wheeler hits a mid range free throw line jumper.

[Co-host or Analyst]

A wrap.

[Juju]

We're not having this conversation today. Like Noel Quinn would be coaching her team in the semifinal.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Erica Wheeler didn't hit the mid range jumper at the end of the game. One of the last games of the season. We are having this conversation two weeks ago.

[Juju]

Look. Exactly. I guess long story short, salute to Erica Wheeler.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Long story short, Erica Wheeler now promoted coach of the Seattle store.

[Juju]

Look man, sis, she got it going on there. She gonna. It's gonna be a bidding war for her next year. Neither here nor there. Moving on New York Liberty. The God of here they man John Jones. John Quail Jones had the worst series that I have seen her have ever. And I. I love John Quail. That's. Come on man. We if you. You got the little John Quail. But it was a rough series to watch. I don't know what was going on.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I know what's going on. John Quill probably thought, listen, it's just not our year. We've had issues to try. You know you're about to play the links, right? You know what it is. Brianna Stewart's got.

[Juju]

She did not know what it is.

[Co-host or Analyst]

No, get. Listen. Brianna Stewart's got a bionicle, a knee attachment on her knee to take away the pain from whatever sprains, whatever ligament is going on. Sabrina has been injured on and off all year and she's having a brutal series. You've got Jonquill that's been dealing with injuries as well. This team already. You already know Brianna's not right. She's doing everything she can for you. And like, shout out to Brianna Stewart, who is fucking phenomenal in the fourth quarter. The only Liberty player to score. But now you're about to go on a five game series with the Lynx. You know you're now beating the Lynx. You know that this is a. This is a wrap for you. Brianna's probably operating at 50% health and the pain level is gonna be immense. I just think Jonquill wasn't mentally ready to go to the level that she went in the finals where she was finals mvp. Especially considering they've been up and down and up and down, up and down all year.

[Juju]

Don't nobody from the Liberty look at the damn links and be like, oh, yeah, we can't beat them. Are you crazy? Well, they probably. If you ask them today, they probably like, yeah, we can beat them still. We lost to them. That is not how they operate. I think something happened in Alyssa Thomas land. I feel like something happened inside to cyberly defense mechanism.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I love you. I love you. You're. You're like the opposite of me. Do you know what I mean? Just. That's why people like you more than they like me. Come on.

[Juju]

Nobody likes me, bro.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Everybody likes you, bro. You're like, oh, man. Satu and Alyssa, they just took it to another level. And I'm like, nah, John. John Quill kind of blew it. Sabrina kind of blew it. They did. They blew it. If we were w. If we were male NBA commentators, we would be like, see, the thing about Jonquil Jones is, is you can't be the finals MVP and go Houdini the next playoff time you get in there. That's what we can't do. This is why people thought John Quell was cooked when she came out of Connecticut. That's what they would be saying. And you would. And if you were an NBA commentator, you would be like, nah. The thing is, Alyssa Thomas deserves in her lack of shoulders and her lack of labrums. She needs more respect.

[Juju]

You know what I will say though? John Quail should be held accountable for that tantrum she threw at the free throw line on the floor. What the hell was that? John Quail, come on now. You know I mess with you, but come on now.

[Co-host or Analyst]

I messed with all of them. Come on. I love them all, but they know that they did not Perform. And even Sabrina said we didn't give our fans what we should have given them.

[Juju]

Yeah, you know what?

[Co-host or Analyst]

You're gonna make me better. You're gonna make me better. You're gonna make. I just want to do this. And you just want to do this. That's the difference. That's the promo. That's the promo. I just want to do this. And juju just wants to do this.

[Juju]

Exactly. I want to raise the roof, man. Yeah, I wanted the damn Liberty to beat this Phoenix Mercury for Tasha Cloud, man. But that's nevertheless. Sis still balling. Sis still gonna be balling next year. So all the haters step off before.

[Co-host or Analyst]

We wrap Juju it. I think the Links are the most dominant team in the WNBA all year. They show it again. Their fourth quarter, Their fourth. Fourth quarter was ridiculous. And I think the thing that was lovely was you got 42 first half point paints from the Mercury, which is bad, really bad. Chera Reeve went in there and said, grab your ankles. I'm giving everybody whoopings. I've got the switch out. And then they held only 10 points in the paint in the second half. They end up going on a crazy run, making this thing not even close. Courtney Williams continues to be my favorite guard in the league. She had five steals. She was the leading scorer for the Lynx. Not only that did she have multiple moments where she passed up her own shot to get our girl Bridget Carlton. Multiple one deep, three one cutting layup, which really, I think iced and sealed the game. When you're on a heater, that's super hard to do, like, mentally because you're like, nah, I got this. And you know, court. Court likes to shoot it now. So Links, what'd you think about them? It's. It's a wrap for the rest of the league.

[Juju]

Look, I feel like when Courtney playing like that, it's raps. It's a rap shoe. Like you say, she passed it to the bridge. Guess what? The bridge gonna knock it down no matter What. Damn near 9 out of 10 times. The bridge gonna knock it down. Like, I ain't never seen a more reliable supporting cast. No matter who's got it going, where there's fee, she got it going. Guess what she can always do. Pastor Courtney mid range in your mouth. Get what she can also do behind the back. Kaylee McBride release so fast, you don't even get a chance to get over there before it's in the nets, though. You get it. You can get it about the nets if you want it. Like. And guess what? Post moves. Jessica shepherd stepped up this year in a way that people may not have expected, but I know that in that on the defensive end of the ball, she's so reliable alongside the defensive player of the year, the co Defensive player of the year, Atlanta Smith. Come on, man. It's like that's what separates the link from the links, from the squad, the rest of the whole wnba to me, because no matter who is having a great night, they all so unselfish when it comes to that, bruh. They gonna let them have that great night and just be ready when you need them. Him even sometimes feces be like, bro, like you say yesterday, Courtney, you got us today. If you need me, you know, it's dog food in this post, his Scooby Snacks in his post if you need me. You feel me? So, yeah, I definitely agree. Minnesota Links looking like them.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Yeah. And then. Yeah, I think that's a good point. That. That Alyssa Thomas matchup with Fee where Alyssa Thomas looks absolutely psychotic, smiling from ear to ear that way. Like when she's getting D up by Fee going face up on her and Fee's body in her, she's smiling. I'm like, what is at about to do next? So, yeah, the Lynx, they're. They're so hard to guard because they've got great ball movement. They're. They're a great defensive team. Not. Let's not even count the fact. We didn't even count the fact that Fee was a defensive player of the year last year. So you got the back to back team with back to back dpo wise and the best offensive in the league with multiple players who can shoot in your eyeball from deep. So, so deep they'll put your ass to sleep. And reliable. So, yeah, I mean, it looks like Minnesota is finally gonna get their revenge.

[Juju]

Speaking of revenge, Nas Hillman got the last laugh in that sixth man of the year race. Salute to my dog. Sixth man of the year. Even though we would rather have this semifinal birth, neither here nor there. It hurts.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Shout out to Nas. You deserve it. All right, see you later. It's been all the time that we have for the alley oop. I allied. He ooped. He allied. I ooped. And then Rebecca. Multiple oops.

[Juju]

Stupid oops.

[Co-host or Analyst]

Dumb oops. Incredible. How did you get there? Oops. I did it again.

[Juju]

So full of oops. Maybe.

[Mike Ryan]

Hey, everyone, it's Mike Ryan. One thing about me that everybody knows, I absolutely love Miller Lite. You know what else I love? You. That's right. You listening? On your way to work right now wondering whether or not today is the day to tell your boss what you really think of the new reports he needs filled out every week. I absolutely love you. That's why I'm thrilled to tell you that we are again partnering with Miller Lite to give you a chance to play along with weekend observations. Starting September 22, you'll be able to go to DraftKings.com and guess what will happen during Weekend Observations on The Show Monday, September 29 how many beeps will there be? Who's the first person to interrupt? How many people will talk about the used chances to win a national title? Spoiler alert. Definitely me. The winner will get a trip for you and a guest to come to Miami and hang with us at Flanagan's for Thursday night football on October 30th and a visit to the studio to see a taping of the show. Make sure you go to DraftKings and play for you to win and then tune in to the show and check out how you did. Must be 21+ to enter. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. See DraftKings.com for details. Now's a good time to remember where Tequila's story truly began. In 1795, Cuervo up ended Invented Tequila Cuervo what are you doing here? Cuervo Anytime someone says Cuervo, I show up. Well, I do know that to be true. But even during ad reads like Cuervo, I think you could lay out especially for one of our great partners, Sweet, delicious Cuervo. Since then, Cuervo has stayed true to its roots. The same family, the same land, the same passion. Cuervo. So enjoy the tequila that started it all. Cuervo Cuervo the tequila that invented Tequila. Proximo Cuervo.

[Juju]

Com. Please drink responsibly Cuervo Julian Edlow here from DK Network. Tune in to DKN Daily Bets Monday through Friday. A fun, quick hitting podcast where we bring in knowledgeable guests from across the sports betting industry to break down our favorite bets of the day. Find DKN Daily Bets wherever you listen to your podcasts.