The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz: "GOOD FOLLOW - Napheesa Collier is Back! Is there an MVP Favorite? Can the Liberty Run It Back?"

Date: August 26, 2025

Overview

This high-energy episode of Good Follow breaks down a crucial stretch in the WNBA season: the heated playoff picture, the ever-evolving MVP race, and the fate of the defending champions, the New York Liberty. Hosts Roz Golden-Onwude and Logan Hackett, live from different cities but united in passion, detail player comebacks (notably “Queen Fee” Nafisa Collier and Breanna Stewart), examine team momentum swings, analyze the league’s drama, and bid an emotional on-air farewell to co-host Logan—while launching a new social media-driven segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celebrating the New York Liberty Broadcast Team (02:08)

• Roz shares personal joy: The Liberty broadcasting squad, including Roz, received championship rings commemorating the 2024 title.
  • "As someone who is from New York, I'm from Queens. I grew up on the New York Liberty... This ring means a lot to me." (02:08 | Roz)
• The moment marks her long history with the Liberty and underscores her investment in the team's journey.
• Transition: From personal celebration straight into the episode’s focus: WNBA playoff races, MVP debates, and team fortunes.

Nafisa Collier’s Triumphant Return & MVP Implications

Collier's Comeback Performance (04:42)

• Napheesa “Queen Fee” Collier returned to the court for Minnesota:
  • Blazing performance: 32 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals vs. Indiana Fever.
  • "First of all, what do you think of her first game back?” (04:42 | Logan)
  • "Bravo. The game needed you... I absolutely think a 32.9 rebound performance is a statement game." (05:05 | Roz)

The Wide-Open MVP Race (06:10)

• Unlike last year, there’s no clear MVP front-runner.

  • "I am officially at the point right now where I can say I don't think that there is a favorite in the MVP race. Now I actually think the WNBA MVP race is a full on horse race at this point.” (06:10 | Roz)

• Main Contenders:

  • Nafisa Collier (Minnesota): League leader in points (24 ppg), career highs across several categories.
  • A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas): 23 ppg, leads league in blocks, 2nd in rebounds, 11-game win streak, clinched playoff spot, has played 8 more games than Fee.
  • Alyssa Thomas: League’s assist leader (as a forward!), frequent triple-doubles.

• Race Dynamics:

  • Aces and Lynx fighting for top seeds, stakes high for MVP narrative.
  • Possible impact of teams’ rest and player minutes late in the season.

  "These games are going to be very fascinating to see how it plays out… All these other teams in the standings need every single game." (09:48 | Roz)

Can the Aces Go All the Way? Team Analysis (10:11)

• Aces’ Turnaround and Team Effort:

  • Recent 11-game win streak after midseason struggles.
  • “This Aces team goes as Asia Wilson goes, full stop. But they've also risen to the occasion, especially during this win streak… Jackie Young has been on both ends, working on both ends of the court…” (10:27 | Roz)
  • Key contributions: Jackie Young’s playmaking, Chelsea Gray “stirs the pot,” role-players (Melissa Smith, Kirsten Bell), shooting from Dana Evans & Leonie Fiebich.
  • Defensive and rebounding improvements.

  “It feels like they've gotten out of some of the mental struggles that they had. People know what they need to bring to the table right now.” (10:27 | Roz)

The Liberty’s Challenge: Stewart’s Return, Rebounding Issues, and Playoff Potential

Brianna Stewart’s Return from Injury (13:24)

• After missing 13 games, Stewie is back—scoring 19 points, grabbing 5 rebounds in first game.

  “It's a huge deal that Stewie's back… in her first game back I thought she looked really good. 21 minutes… 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block.” (14:02 | Roz)

• The Liberty struggled without her: 5-8 in her absence, dropped to 5th place, only 6 games remaining.

Liberty’s Playoff Outlook & Needed Adjustments

• Roz’s Analysis:

  • The team has been plagued by injuries, used 14 different starting lineups, and lacked practice/reps together.
  • Defensive lapses and, most crucially, leading the league in giving up second-chance points.
  • "If the Liberty want to repeat as champions, they must get serious about rebounding. This is one of the keys for them — rebounding." (16:38 | Roz)

• Reasons for optimism:

  • Team growing healthier (“the potential is huge”).
  • Offensive versatility with Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Emma Meesseman.
  • If Liberty can mesh quickly and rebound, they remain legitimate contenders.

  “I actually feel like the defending champs are kind of a wild card type of team at this moment… In the face of that adversity... the potential is huge.” (15:51 | Roz)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Roz (on her Liberty ring):
  “I will cherish it for the rest of my life… to be a part of covering this historic team that not only is so talented on the court, but is just a group of incredible human beings.” (02:08)
• On the MVP race:
  “Now I actually think the WNBA MVP race is a full-on horse race at this point and I think it could go anywhere, either way, anyway.” (06:10)
• On the Liberty’s title chances:
  “They must get serious about rebounding… and then putting it together for a full game. I think the Liberty can run this thing back.” (17:00)
• Logan’s send-off: “Cue the tears. I will no longer be with Roz during this show, but... you are going to see me much more online on socials. So make sure to follow all of Good Follow's social channels because that's where I’ll be.” (20:13 | Logan)

Social Moments Segment (21:37)

Logan’s new role launches with a social media trending segment. Together, they blind-rank five viral women’s sports and pop-culture moments:

1. Angel Reese restraining Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh after his ejection

   • Iconic, “somewhere in the middle” of the shock scale.

2. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce engagement

   • Not as shocking; “when you put it that way… I guess it’s not that shocking.” (24:32)

3. Syd Colson's IG Live post-surgery + Caitlin Clark trolling via comments

   • “Almost five-worthy” — not surprising given the personalities.

4. Trinity Rodman flies red-eye for boyfriend’s US Open match

   • Sweet, but not shocking.

5. The “Stud Buds” WNBA power straights blind ranking

   • Most entertaining & surprising for pure originality and fun.

   “That’s why the stud buds are dope, because they're having conversations at the forefront of this thing that like, no one else is doing in a way that’s really fun to consume.” (27:02 | Roz)

Emotional Farewell & Looking Forward (21:37, 28:06)

• Logan transitions to a role focusing on show social media.
  • “My last. Logan, Logan, Logan. We’re going to give flowers… as big sis, I’m so proud of you. How you’ve showed up, of how you’ve helped build this show…” (20:34–21:02 | Roz)
  • “If y’all don’t know, this was like my first time ever doing a show… Roz the GOAT in the game.” (21:37 | Logan)

Key Timestamps

• 02:08 – Roz celebrates Liberty broadcast ring
• 04:42 – Collier’s return and “Queen Fee” first game review
• 06:10 – Deep dive into MVP race: Collier, A’ja Wilson, Alyssa Thomas
• 10:27 – Aces’ form and supporting cast keys to long win streak
• 14:02 – Stewart’s impact on Liberty’s playoff hopes
• 15:51 – Liberty’s struggles/injuries, what they must fix to contend
• 17:00 – Roz: “I think the Liberty can run this thing back.”
• 20:13–21:37 – Logan’s show transition, Roz’s tribute
• 21:37–27:48 – “Social Moments” trending topics and blind rankings
• 28:06–end – Teasers for next episode, wrap-up, and final goodbyes

Summary Table

| Topic | Highlights / Commentary | Quote / Timestamp | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Liberty Ring Presentation | Roz honored as lifelong Liberty fan and broadcaster | 02:08 | | Collier's Comeback | 32/9/2/2 stat line, immediate impact, “Queen Fee” energy | 04:42–05:55 | | MVP Race | Wide open between Collier, Wilson, Thomas | 06:10–10:11 | | Aces’ Win Streak | 11 straight, team stepping up around Wilson | 10:27 | | Stewart Returns | Immediate boost but Liberty must rebound/mesh to defend title | 14:02–17:00 | | Logan's Farewell | Warm send-off, moves to social media focus | 20:13–21:37 | | Social Trends Segment | Blind ranking viral stories, including Angel Reese, Taylor Swift & Kelsey, ‘Stud Buds’ | 21:37–27:48 |

Tone:
Conversational, energetic, deeply invested in WNBA and culture, with warm camaraderie between Roz and Logan.

Recommended For:
WNBA fans, women’s sports enthusiasts, anyone interested in league-wide player/team narratives, or those craving lively, insightful hoops talk.