Podcast Summary: GOOD FOLLOW – Will A’ja Wilson Or Napheesa Collier Win MVP? Who To Watch For The End-of-Season Awards

Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (Good Follow Segment)
Hosts: Roz Gold-Onwude, Angel McCoughtry
Date: September 11, 2025
Length: ~28 minutes
Theme: A dynamic breakdown of the 2025 WNBA end-of-season award races, focusing on MVP contention between A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier, plus all other major honors.

Episode Overview

Roz Gold-Onwude and WNBA legend Angel McCoughtry deliver an energetic and insightful analysis of the end-of-season awards in the WNBA. They take listeners through the razor-tight MVP race, the pivotal moments that shaped it, and deep dives into Coaching, Defensive, Rookie, Most Improved, and Sixth Player of the Year races. The hosts maintain a tone that’s both analytical and candid, peppered with personal insight, stats, and memorable commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Viral Clip Controversy – Addressing Criticism

Timestamps: [02:14] – [05:25]

• Context: Angel McCoughtry addresses backlash to a prior viral clip where she suggested a player could share a bonus with teammates.
• Angel’s take:

  "If somebody offered you 210 grand today, you're going to take it. So stop this hypocritical behavior... Has athletes not never gifted their teammates before?" – Angel McCoughtry [02:29]

• Roz’s response:

  “If the audience didn’t necessarily agree with your strategy or suggestion, that’s cool. But...we spoke about the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese for like 18 minutes…it was objective…nuanced discourse on the situation." – Roz Gold-Onwude [03:14]

• Show philosophy:
  Good Follow commits to “agenda-free” analysis, promising energy, preparation, objectivity, and creativity, regardless of fan allegiances.

2. MVP Race Breakdown: A’ja Wilson vs. Napheesa Collier

Timestamps: [05:29] – [13:11]

• The Pivotal Date:
  August 2, 2025, was a turning point: the Lynx beat the Aces by 53 points.

  • Napheesa Collier was the MVP frontrunner but injured her ankle that game, missing 7 straight and 10 total, opening the door for others.
  • A’ja Wilson and the Aces rebounded from “rock bottom,” launching a 15-game win streak, with Wilson central to the run.

  “After that 53 point loss, you heard the quote she said, she said, 'This is not Aces basketball. This is not who we are.' And they listened. They bought in.” – Angel McCoughtry [08:30]

• Statistical Arguments:

  • Collier: Just 0.4 points per game behind Wilson, strong two-way play, career highs, and a key part of the WNBA’s best defense.
  • Wilson: 13 30-point games, massive late-season dominance, leads league in blocks and is second in rebounds.

    “This is a body of work. This isn't just something that just happened. This is all season.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [09:36]

• Alyssa Thomas:
  Third MVP candidate, with record-setting performances – 8 triple-doubles and league-leading assists.

  “She has again rewrote the triple double record book. I mean, she's breaking her own records, including recently the fastest triple double ever.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [11:19]

• Memorable Quote:

  “Do you know how hard it is to score 30 points? Like people take it for granted because you make it look easy. But that is one of the hardest things to have consecutive 30 point games.” – Angel McCoughtry [10:52]

3. Coach of the Year Race

Timestamps: [15:31] – [21:04]

• Top Contenders:

  • Natalie Nakase (Valkyries): Expansion franchise makes playoffs in Year 1, creates strong team identity, juggles fluctuating roster.

    “I'm going to go with Natalie [Nakase] only just because it's a new franchise and that's so hard to do.” – Angel McCoughtry [16:50]

  • Cheryl Reeve (Lynx): Lynx exceeded expectations, continued excellence even when Collier was injured.

    “I don't think that coach Cheryl Reeve is getting enough chatter, y'all. And it might be just fatigue of greatness.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [19:13]

  • Carl [Last Name] (Atlanta Dream): 13-game improvement, franchise record wins.
  • Honorable Mentions: Becky Hammon (Aces, 15-win streak), Nate Tibbetts (Phoenix Mercury culture reset).

• Insight:
  Roz credits Nakase for empowering role players, managing heavy roster changes, and squeezing peak performance from under-the-radar talents.

4. Defensive Player of the Year

Timestamps: [22:35] – [24:09]

• Top Candidates:

  • Gabby Williams: League leader in steals.
  • Alanna Smith (Lynx): Key to WNBA’s top defense, 3rd in blocks and top defensive rating.

    “She's someone in there that is blocking shots, changing shots, you know, timely play. She's number three in the league in blocks and defensive ratings.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [23:17]

• Angel’s Pick:

  “That's not only defensive player of the year, that's also, like, the most improved, too…She wants that gold. So to me, she's my number one pick.” – Angel McCoughtry [23:35]

• Note on Guard Bias:
  Guards and wings often overlooked, but full credit to Williams’ season.

5. Rookie of the Year

Timestamps: [24:09] – [25:57]

• Paige Bueckers:
  Show-stopping rookie season, only player with a 40-point game, mature approach beyond her years.

  “She doesn't play like a rookie. She's so mature. Just her. She's smooth her moves. She does moves that like players, a lot of players still don't know how to do.” – Angel McCoughtry [24:38] “Paige is the only player, rookie, regular of any age that had a 40 piece this season. Her bag is so deep. She's so highly skilled.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [24:56]

• Other Standouts:
  Sonia Citron, Kiki Area-Finn.

• Mystics: Have three first-round picks next season, “the youth movement.”

6. Most Improved Player

Timestamps: [25:58] – [27:04]

• Veronica Burton:
  Quadrupled her scoring, doubled assists/rebounds, increased efficiency; critical post-injury.

  “I think a favorite here is Veronica Burton. You know, she forexed her points per game from 3 to 12, her assists from 2 to 6, her rebounds from 1.4 to 4.4.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [26:14]

• Other Candidates: Kayla Thornton, Azura Stevens, Nas Hillman.

7. Sixth Player of the Year

Timestamps: [27:04] – [28:05]

• Kennedy Burke (Liberty):
  Leap in rebounding and shooting, huge impact off the bench.

  “I watched her play…she's it. Six player.” – Angel McCoughtry [27:24]

• Nas Hillman (Dream):
  Provides energy and leadership, numbers up across the board.

  “When she speaks, people listen…And she's also a candidate for six player of the year.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [27:43]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On A’ja Wilson’s Response to Adversity:

  “This is not Aces basketball. This is not who we are. And they listened. They bought in.” – Angel McCoughtry [08:30]

• On the Philosophy of the Show:

  “Goodfollow is not a fan account…You can count on this show being a show that is no agenda, agenda free…If a player plays good, I'ma say it. If a player plays bad, I'm going to say it respectfully and fair.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [04:07]

• On Greatness Fatigue:

  “It might be just fatigue of greatness. The Lynx were, for the most part of the season, much better than the rest of the league...But it’s, there’s a lot of great coaching that’s making the Lynx as dominant as they are.” – Roz Gold-Onwude [19:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------|------------------| | Viral Clip Controversy/Show Philosophy | [02:14] – [05:25]| | MVP Race Analysis | [05:29] – [13:11]| | Coach of the Year | [15:31] – [21:04]| | Defensive Player of the Year | [22:35] – [24:09]| | Rookie of the Year | [24:09] – [25:57]| | Most Improved Player | [25:58] – [27:04]| | Sixth Player of the Year | [27:04] – [28:05]|

Conclusion

This Good Follow episode delivers a nuanced, stats-packed, and heartfelt discussion of WNBA end-of-season awards. Roz and Angel give fair credit to all top contenders, contextualize pivotal moments, and reinforce the show’s objectivity. Whether you’re a dedicated follower or a new fan, their breakdown offers clarity and depth, bringing the league’s best stories and personalities to life.