The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: DLS HOOPS: Juju Talks His Rap Career, the Aces, and Ellie the Elephant
Date: August 27, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Overview

In this episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their crew deliver a lively and candid discussion centering on the current state of the WNBA—from team dynamics and standout players to mascots and coaching legends. The episode’s special guest is Juju, who shares heartfelt insights about his dual passions: sports commentary and his hip-hop career. The conversation is interspersed with unfiltered fan questions, producing a dynamic blend of sports analysis, personal reflection, and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Choosing Your WNBA Team

(03:05–04:20)

• Fan Question: How should a fan without a WNBA team decide who to root for?
• Juju's Advice:
  • Atlanta Dream is the honest, "non-bandwagon" option: “We’re not necessarily the top of the list... If you go with New York Liberty, guess what you are, sir – a poser. You just got here. They're the champs.”
  • Minnesota Lynx: “They be having such a good time... they're so easy to root for that anybody in any walk of life... you will like them.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “Give the Atlanta Dream some love, brother.” – Sports Analyst, 04:16

2. Alyssa Thomas: The Underrated Superstar

(04:20–06:04)

• Fan Salute: Alyssa Thomas should get more MVP chatter.
• Juju’s Take:
  • Despite shoulder injuries, Thomas excels and embodies selfless play: “Sis shoulders is like out of here. She refuses to get the surgery. … She could get 10 more points if she really, really just wanted to go for stats. But Sis got that dishing it.”
  • Her contributions go beyond scoring: “A lot of people are so focused on scoring these days… she be dishing it.”
• Memorable Moment: Her triple-double performances and unorthodox playing style.

3. The Las Vegas Aces: Setbacks & Adjustments

(06:04–08:22)

• Fan Query: Is Vegas’s recent resurgence a product of an easy schedule or real improvement?
• Juju’s Response:
  • The Aces’ improvement isn’t just schedule luck, but a 50-point loss to the Lynx is unacceptable: “You can’t get beat by 50. I don’t give a damn who you’re playing.”
  • Jewel Lloyd’s voluntary move to the bench has improved team chemistry: “…that camaraderie get together, especially after you lose an all-star guard.”
  • Kelsey Plum’s absence is underrated: “Kelsey Plum was a dog. If A’ja ain’t got it for this quarter... Kelsey going at you… Ms. Devoid of that… they're still trying to get it together.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “…if you’re a together-getting-it team. If that makes sense. If it doesn’t, find me $2.” – Sports Analyst, 08:17

4. DJ Knight Carrington & Finding Joy in Minnesota

(08:22–10:45)

• Fan Prompt: DJ Knight Carrington’s newfound happiness with the Lynx.
• Juju’s Insight:
  • Transitioning from Dallas to a winning culture in Minnesota has been transformative: “It’s easy to find your happiness when you jump on the number one team... Imagine going from that… to the number one team in the league.”
  • Minnesota’s culture: “They're making her feel like, we need your toughness... She bought in.”
  • Leadership and love lead to success and fan engagement: “Message even to Dallas – lead more love and you won’t have fans in the crowd chanting against the coach.”
• Notable Line:
  • “…it's not hard to be motivated when you around love.”

5. Ellie the Elephant: The Best Mascot?

(10:45–13:05)

• Fan Debate: Is Ellie the Elephant the WNBA’s and maybe all sports’ best mascot?
• Juju’s Assessment:
  • Ellie’s unmatched energy and presence: “Ellie come out clocking T... She boots on the ground. Ellie got the Beyonce moves down pat... Ellie might just be twerking on you.”
  • Championship credentials: “Ellie got her a championship ring. … She’s just a bigger part of that team as the fans are.”
  • Comparison with other mascots: Braves’ Blooper, Philly Phanatic, etc—but Ellie tops them all.
  • Throws shade at the Suns’ gorilla mascot as outdated.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Ellie got it going on. For real, for real.”

6. Best WNBA Coaches: Past & Present

(13:05–15:04)

• Fan Salute: Greatest WNBA coaches, ever and current.
• Historical Standout:
  • Van Chancellor: “Four in a row with Swoops, Big Swoop Dog, with Coop Dog, Tina Tom Dog... you can't beat four in a row.”
• Current Leaders:
  • Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx): “Cheryl is the best coach in the league right now... She done been there, done that, won with these folks.”
  • Honorable Mentions: Becky Hammon (Aces), Stephanie White (Indiana Fever, formerly Connecticut).
• Notable Quote:
  • “If you go four in a row, then talk to me. But you ain’t went four in a row!”
  • “Cheryl Reeve’s, bruh. Bought it back.”

7. Juju’s Rap Career & The Struggle to Pursue Passion

(15:04–18:31)

• Fan Question: Reflection on Juju's early rap collaborations and why he left music.
• Juju’s Heartfelt Response:
  • Deep roots with collaborators Tagard Fahim & Mark Homme: “We came up together... Dumb boys still rapping they behinds off right now... Always forever gonna ride for them.”
  • Life changes, prioritizing mental health: “Doing this sports stuff … I just haven’t had time enough to focus on that side of life, which is one of my downfalls.”
  • Personal struggle balancing passions and mental health: “These days, I’m spending time in therapy, working on my mental, chilling with my girl… I’ve neglected that part of myself.”
  • Hints at return: “I did a song for the Atlanta Dream right now to kind of shake off some cobwebs. Them folks been playing it in the arena... I'ma get back in the booth.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “That question is a great reminder to wake the hell up, Jew. … You know your passion is. Is that music, you know, you want to spit.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On MVP Contenders:
  • “Sis ain't got no shoulders bruh... She refuses to get the surgery… she still does everything that coach asks her and more.” (Juju on Alyssa Thomas, 04:36)
• On the Aces’ Struggles:
  • “You can’t get beat by 50. I don’t give a damn who you’re playing.” (Juju, 06:44)
• Mascot Showdown:
  • “Ellie got a championship ring too. That’s what folks don’t even know about.” (Juju, 12:30)
• On Passion and Balance:
  • “Even though I love doing the alley oop, I love doing this sports thing, but it’s not my true passion. … I’mma get back in the booth like I supposed to.” (Juju, 17:23)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:05] – Picking your WNBA team (Atlanta Dream & Lynx love)
• [04:20] – Alyssa Thomas’ MVP credentials
• [06:04] – Las Vegas Aces’ ups and downs; Jewel Lloyd & Kelsey Plum
• [08:22] – Knight Carrington finds joy in Minnesota
• [10:45] – The Ellie the Elephant mascot debate
• [13:05] – WNBA coaching legends: Chancellor & Reeve
• [15:04] – Juju on rap career, mental health, and future music plans

Tone & Style

• Conversational and candid: Juju delivers heartfelt responses, answers fans directly, and doesn’t shy away from vulnerability.
• Humorous and irreverent: Frequent jokes, playful jabs at teams, coaches, and mascots.
• Community-driven: Heavy engagement with fan questions and salutes, creating a participatory atmosphere.

Summary Takeaway

This episode of DLS Hoops is packed with passionate WNBA talk, deep dives into player and team culture, some good-natured mascot competition, and serious self-reflection from Juju about finding joy and authenticity both on and off the mic. Fans get sports insight with a side of humor and realness that keeps the Le Batard show uniquely engaging.