July 2, 2025 • 48 mins
On this episode of Full Circle, Lexie and Mariah tackle all the breaking news from the W this week. They talk commissioner cup predictions, Angel Reese’s improvement this season and plans for team expansions through 2030. The two get into the trade of NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces, the waiving of Liz Kiltey and Tiffany Mitchell, and how unprecedented these moves are for a W season. Lexie gets candid about the current CBA negotiations, the grind of staying in the league, and why a soft salary cap matters. Finally, the two also celebrate Candace Parker’s legendary career and her recent jersey retirements in Chicago and LA.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Full Circle is an iheartwoman's sports production and partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, y'all,
welcome back to another episode of the Full Circle Podcast.
I'm Mariah and I'm here with Lexi Brown. Lexi, how
you feeling.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm feeling much better than last week. Guys. Let's clap
it up. Let's clap it up for Lexi.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Feelings, Thank God better. I'm playing this week. I mean,
I'm available to play this week.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Y'all know how to playing. Y'all know how that's been
going for me. But no, I'm feeling.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'm feeling so much better the week I needed it.
I didn't know how much I needed it, but I
feel amazing mentally, physically, everything. It was a great reset
for me. I'm very excited to get back to practice,
get back dressing up for games, like all of the things.
And I know y'all watched our game last night. If
(00:55):
you didn't, we played the Valkyries and it was not good.
I'm not gonna get too much into it because I
didn't play, so I didn't contribute.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm not going to say anything about it, just know
that we're watching that. But I feel like this is
a very pivotal point for our season and what we
do moving forward is very important because that was that
was not a good loss. No disrespect to the Valkyries whatsoever.
We worrive about them all the time, but thirty points
(01:25):
like that can't happen. So other than that, though, my
weekend was great.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
How is your weekend?
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Oh God, Well, since I'm talking to women's basketball fans,
I'm assuming you know how my weekend went. So I
had a video drop this weekend.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh my, it's me, please, arguing.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Against ten angel Reaves haters. So to talk about that
a little bit that experience, because I had so many
people commenting on my TikTok about it. Basically, those people,
the angel ree haters, they are real haters. Like they're
real people that were casted by House of Highlights to
come in because they hated or It's like they it
wasn't fake, it wasn't scripted, like that was real.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Like they volunteered. My sister texted me when it came
out they volunteered to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, they were cast it because they
dislike her. I don't know if they.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
How did you get how did you How did did
they they reached out to you to come on or
like how did that process work?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I have a I guess you could call it a
partnership with House to Highlights. And so I'm doing a
few projects with them. And that was my second one.
The first one was unrivaled, the second one is was this,
And so I don't know what's to come. Maybe I
should argue for somebody else, but that was insane. My
sister texted me, was like, how did you not cry?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
They were going so crazy?
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Like did you know that that was one of your
things that you were doing with House to Highlights, like
when you signed your deal with them or whatever?
Speaker 1 (02:48):
No, I didn't know. And obviously I could have been
like if I was super opposed to it, I thought no.
But the reason.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
They picked the right one with you, right, the reason
I was so gung ho to do it when the
idea came up, one fan versus ten haters, I didn't
know who it was going to be.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
First of all, it could have been like a plethora
of people. I chose to do Angel because I wanted
to challenge myself. I obviously really love Angel and I'm
a fan and I really appreciate everything that she's doing.
But my main motivation in doing it was like debating
is a big part of sports commentary, and I don't
really have to debate with people ever, And to debate
(03:27):
with ten people who think so differently from me, like
Angel Ree's Absolute Haters was very out of my comfort zone,
and so I wanted to put myself in a situation
where I was uncomfortable and that's why I did it.
But it was crazy, and I was there filming for
probably three and a half four hours, like they cut
out a lot of it. I was there all day.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You did great, and honestly, that's one of the things
I do love about sports is there is a way
to debate things without taking personal jobs at people. But
for some reason, that's where sports has like shifted to
when quite literally, there is an endless amount of things
(04:09):
that you can talk about someone's performance, their stats, their numbers,
their wins, their a lot, like there's tangible things that
people can talk about when it comes to sports. But
because people don't do research, people are emotional and people
are mean, they choose not to do that, Like you
came with facts, you came with research, you came with data,
you came with all of the things. And speaking of
(04:32):
Angel Reese, we can talk about the Sky actually.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
Because she has been, yes, spawling, she has been, which
thank you, Angel, shout out to you, because if you
wouldn't involved after I did that, I would be.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
In witness protection. So shot you, Angel.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
No. Like literally, her performance obviously we knew that she
was gonna find her stride. Like everyone was freaking out
about her performances, the Sky's performances, and it was like
seven eight games into the season. What a new team,
a new coaching staff, new expectations, a whole bunch of stuff.
(05:10):
I personally think she's she is now exceeding expectations that
she probably even put on herself. But it looks like
the Sky's offense in total has has made a shift.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
They have found a lineup that works. Camilla is gone.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
So that's still something that they're going to have to
play with because she is just too she's too big,
and she's too talented, and she's too great of a
player for that still to be like a gray area
for them. So it's going to be very interesting how
they insert her back into the offense when she returns
from her commitments with the Brazilian national team. But the
(05:45):
way Angel has been playing the last few games has
been The.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Sparks game was definitely a highlight for me.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
That was probably the best all around game I've seen
her play in the NBA for.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
That entire Those rebounds were not me bounced. Let me
tell you if you were actually watching it, She's making strides.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
She's making strides.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Her last three games the Sky of One, two out
of their last three, she has had eighteen and seventeen,
seventeen and eighteen, twenty four and sixteen, shooting fifty percent
from the field.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Before y'all start, So.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
She's she's literally she's really turning a corner. Rachel Bannon
running the point guard position. I mean, they're kind of
running the point guard by committee, and that's like a
lot of teams right now, honestly. And then I think
another spark has been key a nurse coming off the
bench now, So I'm sure I know what it's like
to be starting than not starting. Like it's it's a
mind game. It's a mental it's a mental mental battle.
(06:47):
But she's been shooting forty five percent from the three
in their last three games, and she's been a huge
spark off their bench. Aerl Atkins is finding her stride.
Elizabeth Williams has been playing amazing.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Like we've always.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Said, the sky are going to be okay, Like everyone
needs to relax.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Obviously they need to start winning more.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
But you can be very excited and confident about the
way Angel Reese has been playing. And like Ryan said,
you said, you said that she could be a top
ten player of all time. I didn't watch your reasoning
for that, but I would like to hear it right
here why you believe that?
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Okay, So first thing I want to say is the claims.
Me slash House of Highlights collaborated on the claims, So
take that for what you will, but I will say
I think when it comes to debating, people don't pay
attention enough to like my exact words. And I didn't
(07:41):
say she is or is one hundred percent going to
be top ten. I said her ceiling is to be
a top ten player. And I brought up a lot
of examples of the facts that like, okay, if she wins,
like for example, Kennice Parker on the mind because of
her jersey retirement. But like, let's say Angel makes a
certain amount of all defensive teams, wins a certain amount
of championships, like it's well within her reach to do
(08:04):
to hit those milestones that other people who are in
that list of the greatest WBA players of all time
at least the top ten. For Angel to reach those things. Now,
the number one thing will be winning, like if she's
if she wins two three championships, that'll put her in
that conversation a certain amount of All Stars. She already
won an All.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Stars and a difference here.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Exactly, So I think that it's very possible breaking records
her rookie year. It's still so early, so I'm saying
she has such a high ceiling. And I also mentioned
this so many times. I felt like a broken record
the whole time that she's won on every single level.
It's not like Angel isn't a winner. Like all we've
seen her do is win, like from high school to college,
like she wins championships, and so I feel like it's
(08:46):
unfair for people to put this label on her, like, oh,
her first year in the WNBA, She's not doing this
and that when it's like we've seen her style of
play translate into winning every other level. If you give
her time in the W I can see her doing
it there too. So that is what maybe say.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
That, Yeah, I mean, I don't think that's an outlandish
take at all. Like when you say, like she could
be the top best, like top ten ever, Like I'm
sure initially people are like whoa, whoa, whoa. But there's
a lot of players in the right now that could
solidify themselves as a top ten player. Ever, but like
you said, winning does matter, Like there's a lot of
top ten players currently playing that I think could be
(09:22):
a top ten if they win like one or two
more championships. It's hard to win a championship. It's hard
to win MVP, it's hard to make All WNBA, it's
hard to make All Defense, it's hard to be an.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
All star, all of the things.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
So the fact that she's breaking record, she's already she's
broken into the top ten all time rebounding list for
the Chicago Sky in year two, Like, let's let's think
about this. People, she is in her second season. I
think because she is so who she is, people forget
how young she is like she's just scratching the surface
and really it's up to her what she wants to
(09:56):
do with her career.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
And literally, like you said, her ceiling.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Is literally like it's amazing, and I just feel like
everyone should be happier. Like I'm sorry that a lot
of you were like wrong, but like who cares? Right?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
A big point I made was about her scoring. Her
offense obviously came up a lot in the debate, but
I believe it was Lisa Leslie. But I could be wrong.
But she is obviously a top ten greatest player player ever.
We're not even getting into that discussion. But I never
won a scoring title. I don't think that Angel necessarily
has to win a scoring title or completely switch the
way she plays in order to be a top ten player.
(10:32):
Now that needs to improve, and it has, which is
another thing.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
I also want to mention that video was filmed before
the season started. I hadn't seen a single game of
this season when that was before the season started.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Yeah, that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Wow, that's actually crazy, because.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
I'm sure when the season started you were like.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Oh no, no, like that was I think that we
have a lot of new w fans and they often
compare the WNBA to the NBA, and our game is
just simply different, Like the scoring is different, different, play
style is different. Like there's things different, things that we
(11:15):
value in our game that aren't as valued in the
NBA and vice versa.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
And being a.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Twenty twenty five point per game score in this league
like is extremely impressive one because the league is so
talented too. Defense is being played in our league, and
there's the style of plays different. So if you don't
ever eclipse a twenty point and there's a lot of
greats and there's less time, which we actually are going
to get into that in a little bit later because
(11:43):
I have I have some thoughts about that, especially with
the expansion teams. But if you go down the list
of like greatest players in the w like, there's not
many who have like a career average of twenty points
per game, Like, that's not a thing like.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And that's why I approach like bits like that, because
I looked at I was like, Okay, what accolades do
these women have who came before her? A scoring title
or averaging thirty or those things that are expected in
the NBA. It's not the same. It's not the same Angels.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
The same at all.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Like you said, defense is being played is very beneficial.
And if she can just click a little bit more
and the team around her gets a little bit better
and the championship start flowing, I feel like my video
will age very well.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, Like she's literally one of the best utility glup
players that we could see in our game. And we
said it last week that Alyssa Thomas is currently the
best utility player that we have in the w And
I would put Angel right under her at this moment
in time as far as someone that can affect the
game on offense and defense, whether she's scoring twenty or
(12:44):
scoring ten, Like, she's going to make herself felt in
a bunch of ways, and I think that's very important
in the women's game, especially because, like I said, there's
so much talent, so you got to find your niche
and she has found it and she is thriving in it.
And I've always been so complimentary of her rebounding and yes,
me bounds off like she's still getting them. A rebound
(13:05):
is a rebound, And she said in her press conference,
like if I can work extra hard to get my
team an extra possession, why would. I not like the
way people have tried to flip that as into a negative.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
I've never understood it. Yes, can she finish better? Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Can a lot of us finish better? Yes, She's not
the only one that misses shots. She's not the one
who misses lips. I watch myself. I watch a ton
of other players miss shots lips all the time. So
the fact that she is turning this corner, the sky's
turning this corner, is very encouraging. It's making me really happy,
and I hope more people. I mean, I saw my
(13:43):
whole TikTok yesterday was praising her, so like that was
really nice to see.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Especially how their season started.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
So shout out to the sky for their win over
the Sparks, spoiling Cannis Parker's jersey retirement. Unfortunately, it was
a good game, they played well, she showed out in
the sky. They're they're finding their way. So I'm happy
for them. I'm happy for her, and I'm happy for you.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Because of that video, thank you, thank you, I was like, Briah, yeah,
it turned out a lot better than I thought. I
was really nervous, especially like I thought because I did
make it a conscious effort during the debate. And I'm
saying this because we're about to talk about the Indana
fever and we're going to talk about the Commissioner's Cup
and everything. But I made it a conscious effort. I
(14:30):
was like, if Caitlin Clark is brought up, it's not
going to be by me, because I want to make
a conscious point that, like a WNBA debate about Angel
Reese does not have to involve her. Now, obviously she
was brought up. I knew that would happen, but I
didn't want it to be by me. I knew that
would be I would lose the debate immediately. And I
also didn't bring up like race or like anything like
(14:50):
necessarily emotional. Like I tried to like keep it very
on her game and I want debate.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
So hey, yeah, you did win.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And I wish I hope that people now can just
talk about women's basketball that way, Like it is okay
if you don't like this person's style of play or
you don't like the way this person scores the ball
or doesn't score the ball, but like just tell me why,
like in basket, like just just talk hoops. That's it,
(15:20):
Like you don't got to bring all the extra stuff
into it. So I'm actually really happy that you went
in there because I'm sure that people were expecting you
to come in with a different type of energy, but
you came correct, You came with stats, you came with
your shit together, Mariah and you.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
You you ate.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I had to add hold it down with my WA sisters.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I do want to see that debate with like a
play a W player with like less obvious glaring like
flaws in their game, because now I would not you
like you don't obviously it doesn't have to be you
doing it. But now that this has now, because I've
seen that they have this for like a bunch of
other NBA players, like, I would love to see like
(16:01):
someone like debate down like a Candace Parker or like
a Maya more like I.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Would love to see right that, but we'll see this.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Is a series, and that was the first one for
Women's self.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yeah, it's kind of like not saying yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
So I would love to see like people's opinions on
like people that we consider flawless, because I would be
very interested to see what takes people have, like why
their game doesn't like, why they don't like their game
or whatever like that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Let's talk about the Commissioner's Cup Championship. The thing we're
worried about is who's going to be playing actually in
the championship game. So THEFISA Collier is back and she's
looking dominant, averaging twenty four point five points per game
twenty six, seven and six in her return, but Caitlin
Clark is day to day with a groin injury. She
did some non contact work on Sunday. Now, should the
(17:00):
Fever risk playing Kaitlin and the Commissioner's Cup Championship if
she's not one hundred percent or save her for the
long game.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
You know, this is a tough thing because we're not
we're not her. We don't know how she feels, we
don't know what she's going through. Obviously, as a competitor,
I'm going to assume that she wants to play in
this championship game. It will be her first like technically
championship in her pro career, which I think would be
really huge for her. But you don't you don't play
(17:30):
around with your like with any type of injury. So
I think that the Fever are in like an interesting
space right now with stuff that's going on with their team.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Their record is five hundred. I think they're turning a corner.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You know, we just play they just beat us, so
you know, I got to see them up close a
few days ago, and I think that they're figuring it out.
You know, having a teammate leave mid season something that
I person have experienced on one of my teams, Like,
that's not an easy thing to navigate. Again, we don't
know what's going on with that situation, so I'm not
(18:07):
even gonna speak on it because we don't know what
happened there. But the fact that they still show up,
be professionals, come do their jobs every day like that
takes a lot of maturity for me. I think Kelsey
Mitchell and Eliah Boston have become a very dynamic duo.
I think that Caitlin Clark is also at her best
(18:30):
when she's facilitating.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
In the case that she does play in the Commissioners.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Cup Championship, I think that she could be super effective
in the game just with her gravity as a player one,
so defenses have to plan for her, and just the
way she moves the ball and passes the ball. I
mean when we played them, we held her to under
ten points scoring, but I think she had nine as sis,
Like she was still moving the ball around, finding her
teammates and her Aliyah and Kelsey are averaging fifty points
(18:58):
per game, the three of them. I think that despite
their record, there's still one of the best big threes
in the league, and I think that people have kind
of lost sight of that because of the drama off
the court. You know, things got mixedy with them in
their game with Connecticut, But at the end of the day,
like that's a very good basketball team. And then they
(19:20):
added Ari McDonald who's average twelve points and three assists
in her five games with the fever. Like they're gonna
figure it out. For me, I'm playing the long game.
If she's not feeling like it's like how you feel,
and like if something's actually hurt, like if it's something
that like she can play through and then like later on, like, oh,
we might have to deal with this later, Like I
(19:40):
would say no, but like.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
We'll see if she plays the game is tomorrow correct,
July first, yes, so we'll see. I mean, she's a competitor,
so I wouldn't be shocked to see her on court.
But I also wouldn't be shocked to not see her
on the court because we have thirty games left in
our season, so we'll see.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
I'm hoping she plays. But outside of just Caitlin playing
or not playing, I wrote down some of the difference
makers as far as this matchup is concerned. So Number one,
experience vers is a newcomber. Minnesota are the defending Commissioner's
Cup champs. Meanwhile, Indiana is making their first appearance in
the Cup final, and as Lexi mentioned, this would be
Kaitlin Clark's first championship in her professional career, which would
(20:26):
be crazy. Home court advantage is in Minneapolis at the
Target Center, and a couple other things. This will be
a three point chess match, which me and Lexi love.
But Minnesota has the best three point percentage in the
WNBA with thirty six point three and Indiana has the
best three point defense in the league, holding teams to
twenty seven point five. Will that work with Minnesota? We'll
(20:46):
about to find out. Kelsey Mitchell is hot thirty two
points versus Dallas, and hull Heads leads the Fever in
their three point percentage. Okay, now pay some turnovers. This
one very interesting to me, the Fevers struggle in trance.
There are eleventh in fast break points. Meanwhile the Links
are third and fast break scoring and lead the league
in points off turnovers, So the Fever gonna have to
(21:09):
watch out and take care of the ball. The Fever
average fourteen point eight turnovers per game. That is dangerous
versus a team like Minnesota. Lexi I want to hear
because that doesn't raise alarm bells for me as much
as somebody who was such a huge Warriors fan. In
the MNBA, they average very high turnovers and have in
all of their seasons, especially in their championship seasons, Like
(21:30):
this has always been a thing for them. Isn't that
kind of situation with the Fever, where like if they're
turning the ball over, it's okay as long as like
the shots are going in. Or is it like because
they're playing against Minnesota, that is a no go.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
No with Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
The way that they score the ball in transition is
absolutely insane, Like you cannot give them free possessions like
live ball turnovers against Minnesota Links, Like you can guarantee
they are going to score, whether it's a three, it's
a lee, They're going to go to the.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Free throw line.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Like the way that they run their transition offense is
very very efficient. You know, you take Caitlin Clark out
of the equation for the Fever, that's you know, a
handful of turnovers that go away. Like no disrespect to her,
but like that's something that we know, Like she is
an amazing passer, but she also turns the ball over.
But I do want to say, like I think that
(22:22):
the X factors for both of these teams. For the Fever,
I think it's a Lexi Hall. I think that her hustle, plays,
her defense, her ability to rebound the ball at her
position is going to be game changing for the Fever.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
She had a double double on us. I think it
was her first career double double.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
But just the way that she just hunts the ball
when it goes up is like super impressive, and you
need all the possessions you can get against the Links.
So I think she's going to be their X factor.
And then for the Links, I think their X factor
actually will be Courtney Williams. Her ability to take care
of the ball at the table for her teammates and
(23:01):
then score on top of it is going to be
game changing for them. You know, sometimes she scores a lot,
doesn't pass a lot. Sometimes she passes a lot, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Score as much.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
But if she can find that balance in this championship game,
then I think that this is going to definitely be
a w for the Links, especially at home in the
Target Center, Like you mentioned home court advantage, Like Target
Center is one of my favorite arenas to play in.
Like when I was on the Links, I loved playing there.
When I am not on the Links, love playing there.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
So I love that surprises me.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
I think it's like the way it's set up, like
it like goes like how do I describe it? Like
it's big, but like everybody feels like like they're on
top of you.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Like it's like very intimate to me. That's how I feel.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
So if anybody has been an arena, it's like I
would compare it to like Staples or Crypto. Like Crypto,
like you feel like you're playing outside like you're the court,
and then like everybody is like so far away from you,
it feels like, but in Target Center it feels like
everybody he's like right on top of you. And I
love that And it's good for shooting, because like the
(24:05):
depth reception, all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Like goes out the windows.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
So I'm excited for this Commissioner's Cup Championship.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
I'm pissed that.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
We weren't we're not playing in it. We were so close.
But good luck to the Fever and the Links. I
will be tuned in. I hope y'all are also. We're
tuned in. By the time this episode drops, the game
will have been completed. But I'm going to say the
Minnesota Links are going to win this game. So let's
hope that this age is well, let's hope this age
(24:34):
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Now, this all depends. This depends for me on if
Caitlyn plays or not. If Caitlyn plays, I can see
the Paper winning, and that is such a hot take. Really,
I can so see it like a behind a huge
game kind of the way she played against the Liberty
if you remember that one crazy game earlier in the season.
I could see something like that.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Yeah, And honestly, this would be such a great game
for her to have a good game because she has
and struggling offensively shooting, like like I said, still yeah,
but she's still one of the best passers and facilitators
probably one of the best point guards in the entire
league right now. So I think people definitely are focused
(25:15):
on her shooting struggles, but the way she impacts the
game with or without making shots is very impressive, especially
in year two. So I mean, for the sake of
the w I hope that she plays in that game,
but wishing her healing vibes and energy because injuries suck
and we're seeing a lot of them this season. So
(25:36):
take care of you, girl, because that's important. Your body
is your money maker and it's something that you need
to value and.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Take care of.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
So if she doesn't play like I wouldn't be shocked,
would I be disappointed a little bit?
Speaker 5 (25:51):
Right thing.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
I want to see her play obviously, but again, we're
still very early into our season.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Like, even though it feels like.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
It feels like we've been for five years, it's been
fifteen games.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Well, Lexi, the WNBA broke the internet this morning, at
least for me, because they announced that they are going
to be expanding to eighteen teams by twenty thirty. Cleveland
is getting a team in twenty twenty eight, Detroit is
getting a team in twenty twenty nine, and Philly is
getting a team in twenty thirty. This is building on
the Golden State Valkyrix successful debut in twenty twenty five,
(26:25):
and Toronto and Portland both coming in twenty twenty six. LEXI,
what is your reaction to all of these new WBA teams?
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Hold on, Sorry, I'm sorry, guys, breaking news right now
on this episode that the It's not breaking news, it
happened two hours ago, but the Aces wave Tiffany Mitchell
and Liz Kitley.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Oh my god, I got it too.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Okay, this is not a breaking news show, guys, but.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
We're gonna interrupt this show right now to trying to
discuss this. What's happened this morning?
Speaker 3 (26:57):
Yes, the WNBA broke the internet with the expansion teams,
but the Aces also broke the internet this morning by
trading for one hundred percent Melissa Smith from the Dallas
Wings and in turn waving Tiffany Mitchell and Liz Kitley.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
That's very surprising, especially since the Aces had a huge
win yesterday over the Mercury.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
I'm sorry, guys, like this is this doesn't happen in
the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
No, And we talked about that earlier in the I
think in our preseason episode about how like that doesn't
really happen. But Melissa reacted via Twitter saying, sick to
my stomach. Dog never saw this coming, but I love you,
Dallas Nation. Thank you for everything. On another note, though,
if I could have chose to go anywhere, it would
have been to Vegas. So hella excited for this new
opportunity with my goat Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
One great pickup for the Aces.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
In my opinion, I think that Melissa is a great player.
I think that the Aces have been struggling in that
post position outside of a she needs some help. She
cannot play forty minutes a game for this entire season,
especially the way she gets defended and all, like, it's
hard down there. That's why I never I'm so happy
(28:11):
I'm not a post player because it's it's it's a
tough life down there. I think that that's a great
move for the Aces. I hate that a player one
was blindsided like Melissa was.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
I know I also know how that feels.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
And I also hate that two players have now lost
their roster spots because of this, but again, like that's
the business of basketball and it's super unfortunate. I do
think that Tiff and Liz could potentially get picked up,
but again, like it's salary cap gymnastics, which could lead
to a whole other conversation about our freaking CBA negotiations.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Why we need.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
A soft salary cap because things like this happen, and
teams should be able to make adjustments throughout the season
to put their team and better positions to win.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
But people should not lose their.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Jobs over it, right, that's like my biggest issue with it.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
It makes sense in the sense that Vegas acquired Melissa
Smith from the Dallas Wings in exchange for a twenty
twenty seven first round pick. I do feel like that,
I don't know that that's not a lot, and so
it seems that they had to let them go in
order to complete this, to completely facilitate this trade. According
to bly tri report, y'all, that's where I'm getting this
(29:27):
information from, and so that's why this is happening.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
This is crazy, honestly, and when things like this happen,
it makes me wonder if like more dominoes will fall
throughout the league. You know, I don't want to put
energy out in the universe, but like nothing, I don't
put nothing past anybody. There's a lot of teams that
could probably make some personnel changes, but again because of
(29:51):
the salary cap, because of the limits to twelve roster spots,
like it's very hard to make changes during the season
to improve your team. And again, like I said, people
get cut like you, it's not a player.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
For a player.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Like I said, the money just doesn't simply match up
for the caliber of players that.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
We have in this league.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
So now we're getting to a point where players are
now just getting waived to make space because this person
costs too much.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
But the player that you have on the roster also is.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Super valuable, but not valuable enough to match the money
that you're trying to bring in. So, Kathy, WNBA, these
CBA conversations, I hope that situations like this continue to
get brought up. And going back to Kathy and the
WNBA with the announcement of the expansion leagues, like I
(30:45):
just feel like, as exciting as it is, announcing three
new teams in the middle of CBA negotiations is absolutely
a chess move on their part. And the basketball nerd,
the basketball business sports to business nerd, and me can
do nothing but applaud the WNBA for how they're moving
(31:05):
right now because we are in the middle of negotiations.
So yeah, like everyone can be yeah exciting orrah braah,
but we're still dealing.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Well, explain to those who don't know, what do you
mean by it was a chess move? Like, in what
way does this put the WNBA, and I would say
a more improved position than they were before when it
comes to CBA negotiation For fans who don't really understand.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Yeah, for me personally, I mean I this is these
are my thoughts. Okay, guys, like we yes, we are
all speaking on a united front. We want what's best
for our league, our players, all of the things. But
everything that I say is what I feel. So I
don't want everybody to think that like, oh, this is
what they're all talking about in the meetings, Like, no,
this is just what I feel. I am about to spill,
(31:51):
not tea or nothing. I'm just letting y'all know, like
this is not like what we're all just chit chatting about.
I think that there is a possible ability of a lockout,
and Terry said it. I said in our last talk
about CBA, like there's always a possibility for a lockout
if you don't come to an agreement. I think that
we're just continuing to build the momentum of the league
(32:13):
for it to not make sense for us to have
a lockout. I don't think that we as players should
settle for anything that we don't deserve. But you can
tell that the WNBA is showing the world like we're
trying to grow this league. We're trying to become a
global league, a global brand, and it is in everybody's
(32:36):
best interest to continue this momentum moving forward.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
She did it last year with the charter flights.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
When she kind of just rolled them out like randomly,
because that's not written in our CBA, right, she just
did it.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
So when she does.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Things like that, it makes us be like, hmm okay,
like what's going on in the WNBA offices. But at
the same time, I'm like, I mean, if I'm trying
to run a successful business, I'm doing everything in my
life power to make sure that my business is successful.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
So yes, am I super.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Excited that there's going to be three new teams in
the next five years, Actually, what five new teams in
the next five years. Absolutely, that's more roster spots, that's
more jobs, that's more opportunities for people to play in
this WNBA, but we are still dealing with things like
people getting waived mid season because we have a hard
salary cap and they want to make their team better,
(33:27):
but they don't have enough money to do it. So
now you have to send people home essentially for no reason.
What I feel like because Tiffany again, Tiffany Mitchell has
been starting for the Aces in some of their games, Like,
this league is cut throw. I've really do not think
people truly understand how hard it is to be in
(33:52):
this league for a lot of years. Like it's a blessing,
it's amazing, it's the best.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Job in the world, But shit, it is. It is hard.
It's very hard.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
Before we hopped on and I had just seen that
Melissa got traded to Vegas, I was like, oh my god,
great move for Vegas. However, me and Dallas fans were
all looking at this like, Okay, it seems to me
by watching basketball that Dallas needs help in twenty twenty five,
not in twenty twenty seven. Why are they doing this,
like please, like free yourselves. However, I just looked at
(34:40):
players that will be eligible to make that leap into
the WNBA in twenty twenty seven. What are the possibilities? Now,
this is like way too early kind of thing, y'all,
don't jump me. However, that's Juju right, USC's Juju Watkins,
Notre Dames, Dina Hidalgo, Madison Booker, MICHAELA. Will. I could
(35:01):
go on and on and on. However, the way too
early in me, the Bleacher Report, girly in me is
making graphics of Juju in the wings jersey standing next
to page. That's all.
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Wow. Would feed families? Feed families?
Speaker 3 (35:18):
You know, a lot can happen in two years. I'm sorry,
like I'm just I'm gag just like you because this
simply does not happen in our league and moving forward,
I don't know if this is a good thing or
a bad thing. I love that teams are being proactive
in improving their rosters to win championships, but at what cost?
(35:43):
There are so many things that need to be discussed
in our CBA outside of salary, especially for a player
like me that has been a victim of mismanagement of salary, caps,
roster construction, all of the things. It's not an easy
thing to do. I'm not saying that GMS and front
(36:04):
offices have to be perfect, but there needs to be
wiggle room for when people want to make a change
without people losing their jobs.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Like Tiffany Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (36:16):
I don't know Liz Kiley, but I do my heart
still goes out to her because that is not an
easy thing to deal with. But Tiffany Mitchell has been
one of my good friends since we've been in middle school.
She went through a really hard health crisis last year
recovered bounce back.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
So for seeing her go through.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
Something like this is actually like breaking my heart because
I know how hard she worked to get herself back
from that. But again, like business of sports is brutal,
but like Becky having as y'all see, she does not
play around, Like clearly there's something that they're lacking that
(36:54):
she feels that they need an adjustment now. But like
I said, they just had a huge win Snide over
the Mercury in Phoenix. So this is mind boggling to
me honestly. But again, like this is why I want
to be a GM so bad, not because I want
to make decisions like this.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Obviously, Oh you'd be great.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
This the whole, thank you, just the whole, Like all
of this, like it's like making me like excited, it
makes me sad at the same time.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
And on a personal level, this does break up DJA
and Melissa.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Yeah, the fact that they didn't even last the season
is crazy, Like yeah, physically, but yeah, I don't know,
this is this is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Like this literally just derailed our whole show.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Guys, I'm so sorry, but this is something that we
need to talk about.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
We needed to talk about that. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
Yeah, but the negotiation period, Like I don't typically like
to like get into like very specific scenarios in the league,
but like something like this, I think it goes hand
in hand with our CBA negotiations and everything that we
talk about as far as roster spots and needing more teams,
and like I mentioned earlier, there's not.
Speaker 2 (38:08):
Enough time in these games.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
Like I even I am a huge advocate for playing
twelve minute quarters. Like the NBA, we have too many players,
we have too much talent, and the girls are tired
and they've been very vocal about it. So I think that,
even though that sounds counterintuitive, like they're tired, make the
games longer. No, the games can be longer, so the
minutes can be stretched out more. These players can get
(38:31):
their numbers, feel like they've contributed, but.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
Not feel worn the hell out every night.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
And I feel like there's a lot of players right
now playing like thirty five, thirty six minutes per game,
and that's that's a lot of minutes.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
They're doing it. They're doing it well, they've been doing
it for years.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
But the fact that we still now have charter flights,
we're staying at better hotels, we have better doctors, better medicine,
better technology, all of the things, and players are still exhausted.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Like that says a lot about the schedule.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
It says a lot about the wear and tear on
our bodies, the injuries, everything. So I don't know if
they can do it in this next CBA, because adding
eight minutes doesn't seem like a lot.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
But when you're talking about like TV.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
Slots, commercials, all of these things, like eight minutes is
like an eternity. But that's something I've been saying this
for years. Why we don't play forty eight minute games
in the pros Like I've never understood that. But again,
longer games, more minutes, more games, more roster spots, Like
(39:33):
it's like a it's like a trickle down effect, but
it has to start at the top.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Everything more.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
We want more.
Speaker 3 (39:39):
For some reason, the WNBA is like, y'all, we're gonna
make y'all do more, but we're not gonna give y'all more.
Like that doesn't That just doesn't The math ain't math in.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
Yeah, if you're you're expanding to eighteen teams by twenty thirty,
that money gonna have to the match that by twenty thirty.
That don't make no sense.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
The money's gonna have to match that.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
As our season gonna expand, are we gonna have more
back to backs? Which I'm not going to complain about
the back to backs because the amount of back to
backs that the NBA teams have is outrageous. So they're
probably looking at us like, y'all have like one or
two back to backs this season?
Speaker 2 (40:15):
Just enough?
Speaker 3 (40:17):
But you have eighteen teams right currently we have thirteen
teams in a forty four game schedule, Like, what is
our schedule going to look like in the future? And
you still want us to have these ten, eleven, twelve people.
It's it can't work. It can't continue to work this way.
Speaker 1 (40:35):
Well, I feel like the players in the w have
been very vocal about expanding roster spots before adding more
teams just because it's dangerous is the number one thing.
At least that's what I think of. You'll have people
to scrimmage and have somebody on the bench that don't make.
Speaker 2 (40:49):
No sense, like you're watching our team.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
There are four roster spots.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
It's like you have more coaching staff than players dressed
to play.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
But I will say, on my positive poly note, the
idea that more cities having teams means that like more
young girls growing up to possibly want to be WNBA
players or owners or women in the sports business or
whatever the case may be, will have those opportunities in
(41:19):
their cities. Detroit comes to mind, especially like them having
that woman's team for little girls of Detroit to be
able to look up to and be like, oh my god,
I want to be like that, or get tickets or
just get you know that kind of thing like I'm
sure you got to do when you were growing ye.
Like see, we talked about this the first time ever.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
Might I love going to WBA games when I was young?
Speaker 4 (41:41):
Bring back the Orlando Mirror because they're coming back, yeah please?
Speaker 2 (41:45):
Or Miami.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
It's like all these teams they put up a graphic
of all.
Speaker 2 (41:50):
The teams and it's like team team teams, and it's
like just Atlanta.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
By itself down there, Like why are there no teams
in the South? There are no It's Atlanta, And I
guess you could include Dallas.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Like Sashville.
Speaker 3 (42:06):
There's a market for it. Orlando would be great to
bring their team back. Miami had a team. Briefly, I
am like, where are the teams in the South. They're nowhere,
but shout out to what is it? Cleveland, Philly, Detroit.
That's gonna be poppin'. I'm very excited about that. Portland Toronto,
(42:28):
Like the WNBA is growing in a way that I
did not think that I would be experiencing while I
was still playing. So to be in this league still
and being a part of it, even though you know,
my career has been a roller coaster to say the least,
Like to experience this massive growth in real time has
(42:48):
been like incredible, and I'm so grateful to be a
part of it despite playing, not playing, being sick, being healthy,
Like just being able to say that I was part
of this league during this time is like, it's amazing,
It's amazing, So shout out to the w I know that,
like this is a very exciting, interesting, weird time for
(43:11):
women's sports, but like weird in a good way because
it's like unprecedented, and we know it doesn't seem like.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Anybody knows what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
But things are happening and I'm very excited about it.
But yeah, let's bring up the team back to Florida, right.
Speaker 1 (43:26):
Yeah, Well, I've had so much else that we were
going to talk about. We've been talking for an hour,
so we will fore you guys, But Lexi, do you
do you have anything you want to leave the people
with before we go?
Speaker 3 (43:40):
I do want to give our flowers for today. We
did have a lot more to talk about, but we
went on a tangent. But I think that's good. Sometimes
tangents are good. I want to give my flowers to
Cannis Parker. Obviously, her jersey was retired in La over
the weekend, and.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
I had I tell people all.
Speaker 3 (43:58):
The time I had the honor to win a championship
with her in Chicago, and she deserves all the things.
And I feel like, you know, when people say who's
your goat, you know, Maya Diana, And I feel like
Candace's name doesn't get brought up enough, and I will
even I'll even take some credit for not bringing her
(44:19):
name up enough, as it showed when it comes to
the greatest players to ever play in the w and
in women's basketball in general. I remember watching her play
in the Final Four in Tampa when I was in
middle school, when she played for Tennessee, and I reminded her.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
Of that all the time.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
I was like, Cannas, I watched you play when I
was thirteen, when you were at Tennessee, and I just
think being able to have those moments, like, like we said,
the importance of having women like that to look up
to and want to be like and strive to be like.
And at thirteen, did I ever think that I would
ever be on the same team as Candace Parker. No, never,
(44:57):
never in my life, And the fact that that was
able to happen for me, like is absolutely unbelievable. So
I'm so happy that she's getting her flowers. She's also
getting her jersey retired in Chicago, which is amazing. I
think they said she's only the second player in WNBA
history to have her jersey retired. For two teams, we'll
have to fact check that, but I'm pretty sure it's
(45:18):
not many players that leave an impact in a legacy
the way she has. So flowers to Candace because she
deserves them all, especially while she can still spell them.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
So yeah, I was also going to give my flowers
to her. Just some highlights about Candace, just for our
new w fans that might be tuning in and don't
quite understand how amazing she is. She was the first
woman to dunk at the Mcdonaldall American Game. She won
the slam Dunk contest at the Mcdonaldall American Game in
two thousand and four, beating out some future NBA stars.
(45:50):
She dunked in the NCAA for the first time and
then also dunk twice in one game during the NCUBLEA tournament.
She had a historic WNBA rookie season where she won
the MVP.
Speaker 2 (46:00):
Mind which, yes, like wow, that gags me.
Speaker 1 (46:05):
That's the same, like weeop, don't show how hard that is.
And she's a three time WNBA champion with three different teams,
the Sparks, Chicago and the Aces. So not even to
mention all the things she's done off the court, being
the head of women's basketball at Adidas getting her signature shoe,
being the first of Adida to do that. Like an
(46:27):
incredible force for women's basketball and definitely a trailblazer. So
we want to give her her flowers. She deserves them,
and all of the women who came before this new
era really do. Because I hear Charles Barkley talk about
a lot how he looks back at like burden Magic,
being like we got to make million dollar contracts because
of them, and to see like the growth that's happening
(46:48):
now because of the work that those women did. It's
so important to recognize and so I'm just glad to
have a small part and sharing their story.
Speaker 3 (46:55):
Yes, and she's she's one of the ones, y'all we
didn't even mention and no stats numbers, nothing like. That's
just how impactful she has been for women's basketball and
just basketball in general.
Speaker 2 (47:09):
So shout out to Cannas Parker. We love you. We
would not be here without you.
Speaker 3 (47:14):
Like, I'm just I'm so happy for her because I
feel like there was a moment in time where she
was being wildly disrespected as a player, as a trailblazer,
and I feel like everybody has come back down to earth.
And is giving her all of the respect that she
deserves because she has earned every single ounce of it.
Speaker 2 (47:32):
So shout out to Kennis Parker.
Speaker 3 (47:34):
This was a very chaotic episode.
Speaker 2 (47:39):
We had a plan, guys, We had an outline. We
have an outline, guys, we really do.
Speaker 1 (47:44):
But I love news.
Speaker 3 (47:46):
This is something that is going to become a thing
in the wnba'm I'm absolutely here for it and we
want to be here to report it responsibly in the
way that it should be and keeping it about the game,
about the ninety four feet So thank you guys for
tuning into another week of Full Circle podcast.
Speaker 2 (48:05):
We will see y'all next time.
Speaker 1 (48:07):
Bye, thanks for listening to Full Circle. We'll be back
next week with more basketball for the Girls, by the girls.
We want to hear from you. Leave us a review
on Apple Podcasts and tell us what you want us
to talk about. Full Circle is hosted by Lexi Brown
and Mariah Rose. Our executive producer is Jesse Katz. Our
supervising producer is Grace Fuse. Our producer is Zoe Danklab.
(48:30):
Listen to Full Circle on America's number one podcast network, iHeart,
open your free iHeart app and search Full Circle with
Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose and start listening
Full Circle is an iheartwoman's sports production and partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, y'all,
welcome back to another episode of the Full Circle Podcast.
I'm Mariah and I'm here with Lexi Brown. Lexi, how
you feeling.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm feeling much better than last week. Guys. Let's clap
it up. Let's clap it up for Lexi.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Feelings, Thank God better. I'm playing this week. I mean,
I'm available to play this week.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Y'all know how to playing. Y'all know how that's been
going for me. But no, I'm feeling.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
I'm feeling so much better the week I needed it.
I didn't know how much I needed it, but I
feel amazing mentally, physically, everything. It was a great reset
for me. I'm very excited to get back to practice,
get back dressing up for games, like all of the things.
And I know y'all watched our game last night. If
(00:55):
you didn't, we played the Valkyries and it was not good.
I'm not gonna get too much into it because I
didn't play, so I didn't contribute.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
I'm not going to say anything about it, just know
that we're watching that. But I feel like this is
a very pivotal point for our season and what we
do moving forward is very important because that was that
was not a good loss. No disrespect to the Valkyries whatsoever.
We worrive about them all the time, but thirty points
(01:25):
like that can't happen. So other than that, though, my
weekend was great.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
How is your weekend?
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Oh God, Well, since I'm talking to women's basketball fans,
I'm assuming you know how my weekend went. So I
had a video drop this weekend.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh my, it's me, please, arguing.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Against ten angel Reaves haters. So to talk about that
a little bit that experience, because I had so many
people commenting on my TikTok about it. Basically, those people,
the angel ree haters, they are real haters. Like they're
real people that were casted by House of Highlights to
come in because they hated or It's like they it
wasn't fake, it wasn't scripted, like that was real.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Like they volunteered. My sister texted me when it came
out they volunteered to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, they were cast it because they
dislike her. I don't know if they.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
How did you get how did you How did did
they they reached out to you to come on or
like how did that process work?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (02:17):
I have a I guess you could call it a
partnership with House to Highlights. And so I'm doing a
few projects with them. And that was my second one.
The first one was unrivaled, the second one is was this,
And so I don't know what's to come. Maybe I
should argue for somebody else, but that was insane. My
sister texted me, was like, how did you not cry?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
They were going so crazy?
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Like did you know that that was one of your
things that you were doing with House to Highlights, like
when you signed your deal with them or whatever?
Speaker 1 (02:48):
No, I didn't know. And obviously I could have been
like if I was super opposed to it, I thought no.
But the reason.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
They picked the right one with you, right, the reason
I was so gung ho to do it when the
idea came up, one fan versus ten haters, I didn't
know who it was going to be.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
First of all, it could have been like a plethora
of people. I chose to do Angel because I wanted
to challenge myself. I obviously really love Angel and I'm
a fan and I really appreciate everything that she's doing.
But my main motivation in doing it was like debating
is a big part of sports commentary, and I don't
really have to debate with people ever, And to debate
(03:27):
with ten people who think so differently from me, like
Angel Ree's Absolute Haters was very out of my comfort zone,
and so I wanted to put myself in a situation
where I was uncomfortable and that's why I did it.
But it was crazy, and I was there filming for
probably three and a half four hours, like they cut
out a lot of it. I was there all day.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You did great, and honestly, that's one of the things
I do love about sports is there is a way
to debate things without taking personal jobs at people. But
for some reason, that's where sports has like shifted to
when quite literally, there is an endless amount of things
(04:09):
that you can talk about someone's performance, their stats, their numbers,
their wins, their a lot, like there's tangible things that
people can talk about when it comes to sports. But
because people don't do research, people are emotional and people
are mean, they choose not to do that, Like you
came with facts, you came with research, you came with data,
you came with all of the things. And speaking of
(04:32):
Angel Reese, we can talk about the Sky actually.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
Because she has been, yes, spawling, she has been, which
thank you, Angel, shout out to you, because if you
wouldn't involved after I did that, I would be.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
In witness protection. So shot you, Angel.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
No. Like literally, her performance obviously we knew that she
was gonna find her stride. Like everyone was freaking out
about her performances, the Sky's performances, and it was like
seven eight games into the season. What a new team,
a new coaching staff, new expectations, a whole bunch of stuff.
(05:10):
I personally think she's she is now exceeding expectations that
she probably even put on herself. But it looks like
the Sky's offense in total has has made a shift.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
They have found a lineup that works. Camilla is gone.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
So that's still something that they're going to have to
play with because she is just too she's too big,
and she's too talented, and she's too great of a
player for that still to be like a gray area
for them. So it's going to be very interesting how
they insert her back into the offense when she returns
from her commitments with the Brazilian national team. But the
(05:45):
way Angel has been playing the last few games has
been The.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
Sparks game was definitely a highlight for me.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
That was probably the best all around game I've seen
her play in the NBA for.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
That entire Those rebounds were not me bounced. Let me
tell you if you were actually watching it, She's making strides.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
She's making strides.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Her last three games the Sky of One, two out
of their last three, she has had eighteen and seventeen,
seventeen and eighteen, twenty four and sixteen, shooting fifty percent
from the field.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Before y'all start, So.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
She's she's literally she's really turning a corner. Rachel Bannon
running the point guard position. I mean, they're kind of
running the point guard by committee, and that's like a
lot of teams right now, honestly. And then I think
another spark has been key a nurse coming off the
bench now, So I'm sure I know what it's like
to be starting than not starting. Like it's it's a
mind game. It's a mental it's a mental mental battle.
(06:47):
But she's been shooting forty five percent from the three
in their last three games, and she's been a huge
spark off their bench. Aerl Atkins is finding her stride.
Elizabeth Williams has been playing amazing.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Like we've always.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Said, the sky are going to be okay, Like everyone
needs to relax.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Obviously they need to start winning more.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
But you can be very excited and confident about the
way Angel Reese has been playing. And like Ryan said,
you said, you said that she could be a top
ten player of all time. I didn't watch your reasoning
for that, but I would like to hear it right
here why you believe that?
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Okay, So first thing I want to say is the claims.
Me slash House of Highlights collaborated on the claims, So
take that for what you will, but I will say
I think when it comes to debating, people don't pay
attention enough to like my exact words. And I didn't
(07:41):
say she is or is one hundred percent going to
be top ten. I said her ceiling is to be
a top ten player. And I brought up a lot
of examples of the facts that like, okay, if she wins,
like for example, Kennice Parker on the mind because of
her jersey retirement. But like, let's say Angel makes a
certain amount of all defensive teams, wins a certain amount
of championships, like it's well within her reach to do
(08:04):
to hit those milestones that other people who are in
that list of the greatest WBA players of all time
at least the top ten. For Angel to reach those things. Now,
the number one thing will be winning, like if she's
if she wins two three championships, that'll put her in
that conversation a certain amount of All Stars. She already
won an All.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Stars and a difference here.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Exactly, So I think that it's very possible breaking records
her rookie year. It's still so early, so I'm saying
she has such a high ceiling. And I also mentioned
this so many times. I felt like a broken record
the whole time that she's won on every single level.
It's not like Angel isn't a winner. Like all we've
seen her do is win, like from high school to college,
like she wins championships, and so I feel like it's
(08:46):
unfair for people to put this label on her, like, oh,
her first year in the WNBA, She's not doing this
and that when it's like we've seen her style of
play translate into winning every other level. If you give
her time in the W I can see her doing
it there too. So that is what maybe say.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
That, Yeah, I mean, I don't think that's an outlandish
take at all. Like when you say, like she could
be the top best, like top ten ever, Like I'm
sure initially people are like whoa, whoa, whoa. But there's
a lot of players in the right now that could
solidify themselves as a top ten player. Ever, but like
you said, winning does matter, Like there's a lot of
top ten players currently playing that I think could be
(09:22):
a top ten if they win like one or two
more championships. It's hard to win a championship. It's hard
to win MVP, it's hard to make All WNBA, it's
hard to make All Defense, it's hard to be an.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
All star, all of the things.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
So the fact that she's breaking record, she's already she's
broken into the top ten all time rebounding list for
the Chicago Sky in year two, Like, let's let's think
about this. People, she is in her second season. I
think because she is so who she is, people forget
how young she is like she's just scratching the surface
and really it's up to her what she wants to
(09:56):
do with her career.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
And literally, like you said, her ceiling.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Is literally like it's amazing, and I just feel like
everyone should be happier. Like I'm sorry that a lot
of you were like wrong, but like who cares? Right?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
A big point I made was about her scoring. Her
offense obviously came up a lot in the debate, but
I believe it was Lisa Leslie. But I could be wrong.
But she is obviously a top ten greatest player player ever.
We're not even getting into that discussion. But I never
won a scoring title. I don't think that Angel necessarily
has to win a scoring title or completely switch the
way she plays in order to be a top ten player.
(10:32):
Now that needs to improve, and it has, which is
another thing.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
I also want to mention that video was filmed before
the season started. I hadn't seen a single game of
this season when that was before the season started.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Yeah, that's amazing.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Wow, that's actually crazy, because.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
I'm sure when the season started you were like.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Oh no, no, like that was I think that we
have a lot of new w fans and they often
compare the WNBA to the NBA, and our game is
just simply different, Like the scoring is different, different, play
style is different. Like there's things different, things that we
(11:15):
value in our game that aren't as valued in the
NBA and vice versa.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
And being a.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Twenty twenty five point per game score in this league
like is extremely impressive one because the league is so
talented too. Defense is being played in our league, and
there's the style of plays different. So if you don't
ever eclipse a twenty point and there's a lot of
greats and there's less time, which we actually are going
to get into that in a little bit later because
(11:43):
I have I have some thoughts about that, especially with
the expansion teams. But if you go down the list
of like greatest players in the w like, there's not
many who have like a career average of twenty points
per game, Like, that's not a thing like.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And that's why I approach like bits like that, because
I looked at I was like, Okay, what accolades do
these women have who came before her? A scoring title
or averaging thirty or those things that are expected in
the NBA. It's not the same. It's not the same Angels.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
The same at all.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
Like you said, defense is being played is very beneficial.
And if she can just click a little bit more
and the team around her gets a little bit better
and the championship start flowing, I feel like my video
will age very well.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Yeah, Like she's literally one of the best utility glup
players that we could see in our game. And we
said it last week that Alyssa Thomas is currently the
best utility player that we have in the w And
I would put Angel right under her at this moment
in time as far as someone that can affect the
game on offense and defense, whether she's scoring twenty or
(12:44):
scoring ten, Like, she's going to make herself felt in
a bunch of ways, and I think that's very important
in the women's game, especially because, like I said, there's
so much talent, so you got to find your niche
and she has found it and she is thriving in it.
And I've always been so complimentary of her rebounding and yes,
me bounds off like she's still getting them. A rebound
(13:05):
is a rebound, And she said in her press conference,
like if I can work extra hard to get my
team an extra possession, why would. I not like the
way people have tried to flip that as into a negative.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
I've never understood it. Yes, can she finish better? Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Can a lot of us finish better? Yes, She's not
the only one that misses shots. She's not the one
who misses lips. I watch myself. I watch a ton
of other players miss shots lips all the time. So
the fact that she is turning this corner, the sky's
turning this corner, is very encouraging. It's making me really happy,
and I hope more people. I mean, I saw my
(13:43):
whole TikTok yesterday was praising her, so like that was
really nice to see.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Especially how their season started.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
So shout out to the sky for their win over
the Sparks, spoiling Cannis Parker's jersey retirement. Unfortunately, it was
a good game, they played well, she showed out in
the sky. They're they're finding their way. So I'm happy
for them. I'm happy for her, and I'm happy for you.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Because of that video, thank you, thank you, I was like, Briah, yeah,
it turned out a lot better than I thought. I
was really nervous, especially like I thought because I did
make it a conscious effort during the debate. And I'm
saying this because we're about to talk about the Indana
fever and we're going to talk about the Commissioner's Cup
and everything. But I made it a conscious effort. I
(14:30):
was like, if Caitlin Clark is brought up, it's not
going to be by me, because I want to make
a conscious point that, like a WNBA debate about Angel
Reese does not have to involve her. Now, obviously she
was brought up. I knew that would happen, but I
didn't want it to be by me. I knew that
would be I would lose the debate immediately. And I
also didn't bring up like race or like anything like
(14:50):
necessarily emotional. Like I tried to like keep it very
on her game and I want debate.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
So hey, yeah, you did win.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
And I wish I hope that people now can just
talk about women's basketball that way, Like it is okay
if you don't like this person's style of play or
you don't like the way this person scores the ball
or doesn't score the ball, but like just tell me why,
like in basket, like just just talk hoops. That's it,
(15:20):
Like you don't got to bring all the extra stuff
into it. So I'm actually really happy that you went
in there because I'm sure that people were expecting you
to come in with a different type of energy, but
you came correct, You came with stats, you came with
your shit together, Mariah and you.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
You you ate.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
I had to add hold it down with my WA sisters.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I do want to see that debate with like a
play a W player with like less obvious glaring like
flaws in their game, because now I would not you
like you don't obviously it doesn't have to be you
doing it. But now that this has now, because I've
seen that they have this for like a bunch of
other NBA players, like, I would love to see like
(16:01):
someone like debate down like a Candace Parker or like
a Maya more like I.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Would love to see right that, but we'll see this.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Is a series, and that was the first one for
Women's self.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yeah, it's kind of like not saying yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
So I would love to see like people's opinions on
like people that we consider flawless, because I would be
very interested to see what takes people have, like why
their game doesn't like, why they don't like their game
or whatever like that.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Let's talk about the Commissioner's Cup Championship. The thing we're
worried about is who's going to be playing actually in
the championship game. So THEFISA Collier is back and she's
looking dominant, averaging twenty four point five points per game
twenty six, seven and six in her return, but Caitlin
Clark is day to day with a groin injury. She
did some non contact work on Sunday. Now, should the
(17:00):
Fever risk playing Kaitlin and the Commissioner's Cup Championship if
she's not one hundred percent or save her for the
long game.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
You know, this is a tough thing because we're not
we're not her. We don't know how she feels, we
don't know what she's going through. Obviously, as a competitor,
I'm going to assume that she wants to play in
this championship game. It will be her first like technically
championship in her pro career, which I think would be
really huge for her. But you don't you don't play
(17:30):
around with your like with any type of injury. So
I think that the Fever are in like an interesting
space right now with stuff that's going on with their team.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
Their record is five hundred. I think they're turning a corner.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You know, we just play they just beat us, so
you know, I got to see them up close a
few days ago, and I think that they're figuring it out.
You know, having a teammate leave mid season something that
I person have experienced on one of my teams, Like,
that's not an easy thing to navigate. Again, we don't
know what's going on with that situation, so I'm not
(18:07):
even gonna speak on it because we don't know what
happened there. But the fact that they still show up,
be professionals, come do their jobs every day like that
takes a lot of maturity for me. I think Kelsey
Mitchell and Eliah Boston have become a very dynamic duo.
I think that Caitlin Clark is also at her best
(18:30):
when she's facilitating.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
In the case that she does play in the Commissioners.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Cup Championship, I think that she could be super effective
in the game just with her gravity as a player one,
so defenses have to plan for her, and just the
way she moves the ball and passes the ball. I
mean when we played them, we held her to under
ten points scoring, but I think she had nine as sis,
Like she was still moving the ball around, finding her
teammates and her Aliyah and Kelsey are averaging fifty points
(18:58):
per game, the three of them. I think that despite
their record, there's still one of the best big threes
in the league, and I think that people have kind
of lost sight of that because of the drama off
the court. You know, things got mixedy with them in
their game with Connecticut, But at the end of the day,
like that's a very good basketball team. And then they
(19:20):
added Ari McDonald who's average twelve points and three assists
in her five games with the fever. Like they're gonna
figure it out. For me, I'm playing the long game.
If she's not feeling like it's like how you feel,
and like if something's actually hurt, like if it's something
that like she can play through and then like later on, like, oh,
we might have to deal with this later, Like I
(19:40):
would say no, but like.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
We'll see if she plays the game is tomorrow correct,
July first, yes, so we'll see. I mean, she's a competitor,
so I wouldn't be shocked to see her on court.
But I also wouldn't be shocked to not see her
on the court because we have thirty games left in
our season, so we'll see.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
I'm hoping she plays. But outside of just Caitlin playing
or not playing, I wrote down some of the difference
makers as far as this matchup is concerned. So Number one,
experience vers is a newcomber. Minnesota are the defending Commissioner's
Cup champs. Meanwhile, Indiana is making their first appearance in
the Cup final, and as Lexi mentioned, this would be
Kaitlin Clark's first championship in her professional career, which would
(20:26):
be crazy. Home court advantage is in Minneapolis at the
Target Center, and a couple other things. This will be
a three point chess match, which me and Lexi love.
But Minnesota has the best three point percentage in the
WNBA with thirty six point three and Indiana has the
best three point defense in the league, holding teams to
twenty seven point five. Will that work with Minnesota? We'll
(20:46):
about to find out. Kelsey Mitchell is hot thirty two
points versus Dallas, and hull Heads leads the Fever in
their three point percentage. Okay, now pay some turnovers. This
one very interesting to me, the Fevers struggle in trance.
There are eleventh in fast break points. Meanwhile the Links
are third and fast break scoring and lead the league
in points off turnovers, So the Fever gonna have to
(21:09):
watch out and take care of the ball. The Fever
average fourteen point eight turnovers per game. That is dangerous
versus a team like Minnesota. Lexi I want to hear
because that doesn't raise alarm bells for me as much
as somebody who was such a huge Warriors fan. In
the MNBA, they average very high turnovers and have in
all of their seasons, especially in their championship seasons, Like
(21:30):
this has always been a thing for them. Isn't that
kind of situation with the Fever, where like if they're
turning the ball over, it's okay as long as like
the shots are going in. Or is it like because
they're playing against Minnesota, that is a no go.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
No with Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
The way that they score the ball in transition is
absolutely insane, Like you cannot give them free possessions like
live ball turnovers against Minnesota Links, Like you can guarantee
they are going to score, whether it's a three, it's
a lee, They're going to go to the.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
Free throw line.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Like the way that they run their transition offense is
very very efficient. You know, you take Caitlin Clark out
of the equation for the Fever, that's you know, a
handful of turnovers that go away. Like no disrespect to her,
but like that's something that we know, Like she is
an amazing passer, but she also turns the ball over.
But I do want to say, like I think that
(22:22):
the X factors for both of these teams. For the Fever,
I think it's a Lexi Hall. I think that her hustle, plays,
her defense, her ability to rebound the ball at her
position is going to be game changing for the Fever.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
She had a double double on us. I think it
was her first career double double.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
But just the way that she just hunts the ball
when it goes up is like super impressive, and you
need all the possessions you can get against the Links.
So I think she's going to be their X factor.
And then for the Links, I think their X factor
actually will be Courtney Williams. Her ability to take care
of the ball at the table for her teammates and
(23:01):
then score on top of it is going to be
game changing for them. You know, sometimes she scores a lot,
doesn't pass a lot. Sometimes she passes a lot, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Score as much.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
But if she can find that balance in this championship game,
then I think that this is going to definitely be
a w for the Links, especially at home in the
Target Center, Like you mentioned home court advantage, Like Target
Center is one of my favorite arenas to play in.
Like when I was on the Links, I loved playing there.
When I am not on the Links, love playing there.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
So I love that surprises me.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
I think it's like the way it's set up, like
it like goes like how do I describe it? Like
it's big, but like everybody feels like like they're on
top of you.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Like it's like very intimate to me. That's how I feel.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
So if anybody has been an arena, it's like I
would compare it to like Staples or Crypto. Like Crypto,
like you feel like you're playing outside like you're the court,
and then like everybody is like so far away from you,
it feels like, but in Target Center it feels like
everybody he's like right on top of you. And I
love that And it's good for shooting, because like the
(24:05):
depth reception, all that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Like goes out the windows.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
So I'm excited for this Commissioner's Cup Championship.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
I'm pissed that.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
We weren't we're not playing in it. We were so close.
But good luck to the Fever and the Links. I
will be tuned in. I hope y'all are also. We're
tuned in. By the time this episode drops, the game
will have been completed. But I'm going to say the
Minnesota Links are going to win this game. So let's
hope that this age is well, let's hope this age
(24:34):
as well.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Now, this all depends. This depends for me on if
Caitlyn plays or not. If Caitlyn plays, I can see
the Paper winning, and that is such a hot take. Really,
I can so see it like a behind a huge
game kind of the way she played against the Liberty
if you remember that one crazy game earlier in the season.
I could see something like that.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Yeah, And honestly, this would be such a great game
for her to have a good game because she has
and struggling offensively shooting, like like I said, still yeah,
but she's still one of the best passers and facilitators
probably one of the best point guards in the entire
league right now. So I think people definitely are focused
(25:15):
on her shooting struggles, but the way she impacts the
game with or without making shots is very impressive, especially
in year two. So I mean, for the sake of
the w I hope that she plays in that game,
but wishing her healing vibes and energy because injuries suck
and we're seeing a lot of them this season. So
(25:36):
take care of you, girl, because that's important. Your body
is your money maker and it's something that you need
to value and.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Take care of.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
So if she doesn't play like I wouldn't be shocked,
would I be disappointed a little bit?
Speaker 5 (25:51):
Right thing.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
I want to see her play obviously, but again, we're
still very early into our season.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Like, even though it feels like.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
It feels like we've been for five years, it's been
fifteen games.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Well, Lexi, the WNBA broke the internet this morning, at
least for me, because they announced that they are going
to be expanding to eighteen teams by twenty thirty. Cleveland
is getting a team in twenty twenty eight, Detroit is
getting a team in twenty twenty nine, and Philly is
getting a team in twenty thirty. This is building on
the Golden State Valkyrix successful debut in twenty twenty five,
(26:25):
and Toronto and Portland both coming in twenty twenty six. LEXI,
what is your reaction to all of these new WBA teams?
Speaker 3 (26:33):
Hold on, Sorry, I'm sorry, guys, breaking news right now
on this episode that the It's not breaking news, it
happened two hours ago, but the Aces wave Tiffany Mitchell
and Liz Kitley.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Oh my god, I got it too.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Okay, this is not a breaking news show, guys, but.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
We're gonna interrupt this show right now to trying to
discuss this. What's happened this morning?
Speaker 3 (26:57):
Yes, the WNBA broke the internet with the expansion teams,
but the Aces also broke the internet this morning by
trading for one hundred percent Melissa Smith from the Dallas
Wings and in turn waving Tiffany Mitchell and Liz Kitley.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
That's very surprising, especially since the Aces had a huge
win yesterday over the Mercury.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
I'm sorry, guys, like this is this doesn't happen in
the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
No, And we talked about that earlier in the I
think in our preseason episode about how like that doesn't
really happen. But Melissa reacted via Twitter saying, sick to
my stomach. Dog never saw this coming, but I love you,
Dallas Nation. Thank you for everything. On another note, though,
if I could have chose to go anywhere, it would
have been to Vegas. So hella excited for this new
opportunity with my goat Wow.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
One great pickup for the Aces.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
In my opinion, I think that Melissa is a great player.
I think that the Aces have been struggling in that
post position outside of a she needs some help. She
cannot play forty minutes a game for this entire season,
especially the way she gets defended and all, like, it's
hard down there. That's why I never I'm so happy
(28:11):
I'm not a post player because it's it's it's a
tough life down there. I think that that's a great
move for the Aces. I hate that a player one
was blindsided like Melissa was.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
I know I also know how that feels.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
And I also hate that two players have now lost
their roster spots because of this, but again, like that's
the business of basketball and it's super unfortunate. I do
think that Tiff and Liz could potentially get picked up,
but again, like it's salary cap gymnastics, which could lead
to a whole other conversation about our freaking CBA negotiations.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Why we need.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
A soft salary cap because things like this happen, and
teams should be able to make adjustments throughout the season
to put their team and better positions to win.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
But people should not lose their.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Jobs over it, right, that's like my biggest issue with it.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
It makes sense in the sense that Vegas acquired Melissa
Smith from the Dallas Wings in exchange for a twenty
twenty seven first round pick. I do feel like that,
I don't know that that's not a lot, and so
it seems that they had to let them go in
order to complete this, to completely facilitate this trade. According
to bly tri report, y'all, that's where I'm getting this
(29:27):
information from, and so that's why this is happening.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
This is crazy, honestly, and when things like this happen,
it makes me wonder if like more dominoes will fall
throughout the league. You know, I don't want to put
energy out in the universe, but like nothing, I don't
put nothing past anybody. There's a lot of teams that
could probably make some personnel changes, but again because of
(29:51):
the salary cap, because of the limits to twelve roster spots,
like it's very hard to make changes during the season
to improve your team. And again, like I said, people
get cut like you, it's not a player.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
For a player.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Like I said, the money just doesn't simply match up
for the caliber of players that.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
We have in this league.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
So now we're getting to a point where players are
now just getting waived to make space because this person
costs too much.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
But the player that you have on the roster also is.
Speaker 3 (30:24):
Super valuable, but not valuable enough to match the money
that you're trying to bring in. So, Kathy, WNBA, these
CBA conversations, I hope that situations like this continue to
get brought up. And going back to Kathy and the
WNBA with the announcement of the expansion leagues, like I
(30:45):
just feel like, as exciting as it is, announcing three
new teams in the middle of CBA negotiations is absolutely
a chess move on their part. And the basketball nerd,
the basketball business sports to business nerd, and me can
do nothing but applaud the WNBA for how they're moving
(31:05):
right now because we are in the middle of negotiations.
So yeah, like everyone can be yeah exciting orrah braah,
but we're still dealing.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Well, explain to those who don't know, what do you
mean by it was a chess move? Like, in what
way does this put the WNBA, and I would say
a more improved position than they were before when it
comes to CBA negotiation For fans who don't really understand.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Yeah, for me personally, I mean I this is these
are my thoughts. Okay, guys, like we yes, we are
all speaking on a united front. We want what's best
for our league, our players, all of the things. But
everything that I say is what I feel. So I
don't want everybody to think that like, oh, this is
what they're all talking about in the meetings, Like, no,
this is just what I feel. I am about to spill,
(31:51):
not tea or nothing. I'm just letting y'all know, like
this is not like what we're all just chit chatting about.
I think that there is a possible ability of a lockout,
and Terry said it. I said in our last talk
about CBA, like there's always a possibility for a lockout
if you don't come to an agreement. I think that
we're just continuing to build the momentum of the league
(32:13):
for it to not make sense for us to have
a lockout. I don't think that we as players should
settle for anything that we don't deserve. But you can
tell that the WNBA is showing the world like we're
trying to grow this league. We're trying to become a
global league, a global brand, and it is in everybody's
(32:36):
best interest to continue this momentum moving forward.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
She did it last year with the charter flights.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
When she kind of just rolled them out like randomly,
because that's not written in our CBA, right, she just
did it.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
So when she does.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
Things like that, it makes us be like, hmm okay,
like what's going on in the WNBA offices. But at
the same time, I'm like, I mean, if I'm trying
to run a successful business, I'm doing everything in my
life power to make sure that my business is successful.
Speaker 2 (33:03):
So yes, am I super.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
Excited that there's going to be three new teams in
the next five years, Actually, what five new teams in
the next five years. Absolutely, that's more roster spots, that's
more jobs, that's more opportunities for people to play in
this WNBA, but we are still dealing with things like
people getting waived mid season because we have a hard
salary cap and they want to make their team better,
(33:27):
but they don't have enough money to do it. So
now you have to send people home essentially for no reason.
What I feel like because Tiffany again, Tiffany Mitchell has
been starting for the Aces in some of their games, Like,
this league is cut throw. I've really do not think
people truly understand how hard it is to be in
(33:52):
this league for a lot of years. Like it's a blessing,
it's amazing, it's the best.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Job in the world, But shit, it is. It is hard.
It's very hard.
Speaker 1 (34:15):
Before we hopped on and I had just seen that
Melissa got traded to Vegas, I was like, oh my god,
great move for Vegas. However, me and Dallas fans were
all looking at this like, Okay, it seems to me
by watching basketball that Dallas needs help in twenty twenty five,
not in twenty twenty seven. Why are they doing this,
like please, like free yourselves. However, I just looked at
(34:40):
players that will be eligible to make that leap into
the WNBA in twenty twenty seven. What are the possibilities? Now,
this is like way too early kind of thing, y'all,
don't jump me. However, that's Juju right, USC's Juju Watkins,
Notre Dames, Dina Hidalgo, Madison Booker, MICHAELA. Will. I could
(35:01):
go on and on and on. However, the way too
early in me, the Bleacher Report, girly in me is
making graphics of Juju in the wings jersey standing next
to page. That's all.
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Wow. Would feed families? Feed families?
Speaker 3 (35:18):
You know, a lot can happen in two years. I'm sorry,
like I'm just I'm gag just like you because this
simply does not happen in our league and moving forward,
I don't know if this is a good thing or
a bad thing. I love that teams are being proactive
in improving their rosters to win championships, but at what cost?
(35:43):
There are so many things that need to be discussed
in our CBA outside of salary, especially for a player
like me that has been a victim of mismanagement of salary, caps,
roster construction, all of the things. It's not an easy
thing to do. I'm not saying that GMS and front
(36:04):
offices have to be perfect, but there needs to be
wiggle room for when people want to make a change
without people losing their jobs.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Like Tiffany Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (36:16):
I don't know Liz Kiley, but I do my heart
still goes out to her because that is not an
easy thing to deal with. But Tiffany Mitchell has been
one of my good friends since we've been in middle school.
She went through a really hard health crisis last year
recovered bounce back.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
So for seeing her go through.
Speaker 3 (36:33):
Something like this is actually like breaking my heart because
I know how hard she worked to get herself back
from that. But again, like business of sports is brutal,
but like Becky having as y'all see, she does not
play around, Like clearly there's something that they're lacking that
(36:54):
she feels that they need an adjustment now. But like
I said, they just had a huge win Snide over
the Mercury in Phoenix. So this is mind boggling to
me honestly. But again, like this is why I want
to be a GM so bad, not because I want
to make decisions like this.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Obviously, Oh you'd be great.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
This the whole, thank you, just the whole, Like all
of this, like it's like making me like excited, it
makes me sad at the same time.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
And on a personal level, this does break up DJA
and Melissa.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
Yeah, the fact that they didn't even last the season
is crazy, Like yeah, physically, but yeah, I don't know,
this is this is very interesting.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Like this literally just derailed our whole show.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Guys, I'm so sorry, but this is something that we
need to talk about.
Speaker 1 (37:48):
We needed to talk about that. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
Yeah, but the negotiation period, Like I don't typically like
to like get into like very specific scenarios in the league,
but like something like this, I think it goes hand
in hand with our CBA negotiations and everything that we
talk about as far as roster spots and needing more teams,
and like I mentioned earlier, there's not.
Speaker 2 (38:08):
Enough time in these games.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
Like I even I am a huge advocate for playing
twelve minute quarters. Like the NBA, we have too many players,
we have too much talent, and the girls are tired
and they've been very vocal about it. So I think that,
even though that sounds counterintuitive, like they're tired, make the
games longer. No, the games can be longer, so the
minutes can be stretched out more. These players can get
(38:31):
their numbers, feel like they've contributed, but.
Speaker 2 (38:34):
Not feel worn the hell out every night.
Speaker 3 (38:37):
And I feel like there's a lot of players right
now playing like thirty five, thirty six minutes per game,
and that's that's a lot of minutes.
Speaker 2 (38:45):
They're doing it. They're doing it well, they've been doing
it for years.
Speaker 3 (38:48):
But the fact that we still now have charter flights,
we're staying at better hotels, we have better doctors, better medicine,
better technology, all of the things, and players are still exhausted.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
Like that says a lot about the schedule.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
It says a lot about the wear and tear on
our bodies, the injuries, everything. So I don't know if
they can do it in this next CBA, because adding
eight minutes doesn't seem like a lot.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
But when you're talking about like TV.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
Slots, commercials, all of these things, like eight minutes is
like an eternity. But that's something I've been saying this
for years. Why we don't play forty eight minute games
in the pros Like I've never understood that. But again,
longer games, more minutes, more games, more roster spots, Like
(39:33):
it's like a it's like a trickle down effect, but
it has to start at the top.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Everything more.
Speaker 1 (39:38):
We want more.
Speaker 3 (39:39):
For some reason, the WNBA is like, y'all, we're gonna
make y'all do more, but we're not gonna give y'all more.
Like that doesn't That just doesn't The math ain't math in.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
Yeah, if you're you're expanding to eighteen teams by twenty thirty,
that money gonna have to the match that by twenty thirty.
That don't make no sense.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
The money's gonna have to match that.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
As our season gonna expand, are we gonna have more
back to backs? Which I'm not going to complain about
the back to backs because the amount of back to
backs that the NBA teams have is outrageous. So they're
probably looking at us like, y'all have like one or
two back to backs this season?
Speaker 2 (40:15):
Just enough?
Speaker 3 (40:17):
But you have eighteen teams right currently we have thirteen
teams in a forty four game schedule, Like, what is
our schedule going to look like in the future? And
you still want us to have these ten, eleven, twelve people.
It's it can't work. It can't continue to work this way.
Speaker 1 (40:35):
Well, I feel like the players in the w have
been very vocal about expanding roster spots before adding more
teams just because it's dangerous is the number one thing.
At least that's what I think of. You'll have people
to scrimmage and have somebody on the bench that don't make.
Speaker 2 (40:49):
No sense, like you're watching our team.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
There are four roster spots.
Speaker 3 (40:54):
It's like you have more coaching staff than players dressed
to play.
Speaker 1 (40:59):
But I will say, on my positive poly note, the
idea that more cities having teams means that like more
young girls growing up to possibly want to be WNBA
players or owners or women in the sports business or
whatever the case may be, will have those opportunities in
(41:19):
their cities. Detroit comes to mind, especially like them having
that woman's team for little girls of Detroit to be
able to look up to and be like, oh my god,
I want to be like that, or get tickets or
just get you know that kind of thing like I'm
sure you got to do when you were growing ye.
Like see, we talked about this the first time ever.
Speaker 2 (41:38):
Might I love going to WBA games when I was young?
Speaker 4 (41:41):
Bring back the Orlando Mirror because they're coming back, yeah please?
Speaker 2 (41:45):
Or Miami.
Speaker 3 (41:46):
It's like all these teams they put up a graphic
of all.
Speaker 2 (41:50):
The teams and it's like team team teams, and it's
like just Atlanta.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
By itself down there, Like why are there no teams
in the South? There are no It's Atlanta, And I
guess you could include Dallas.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Like Sashville.
Speaker 3 (42:06):
There's a market for it. Orlando would be great to
bring their team back. Miami had a team. Briefly, I
am like, where are the teams in the South. They're nowhere,
but shout out to what is it? Cleveland, Philly, Detroit.
That's gonna be poppin'. I'm very excited about that. Portland Toronto,
(42:28):
Like the WNBA is growing in a way that I
did not think that I would be experiencing while I
was still playing. So to be in this league still
and being a part of it, even though you know,
my career has been a roller coaster to say the least,
Like to experience this massive growth in real time has
(42:48):
been like incredible, and I'm so grateful to be a
part of it despite playing, not playing, being sick, being healthy,
Like just being able to say that I was part
of this league during this time is like, it's amazing,
It's amazing, So shout out to the w I know that,
like this is a very exciting, interesting, weird time for
(43:11):
women's sports, but like weird in a good way because
it's like unprecedented, and we know it doesn't seem like.
Speaker 2 (43:17):
Anybody knows what they're doing.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
But things are happening and I'm very excited about it.
But yeah, let's bring up the team back to Florida, right.
Speaker 1 (43:26):
Yeah, Well, I've had so much else that we were
going to talk about. We've been talking for an hour,
so we will fore you guys, But Lexi, do you
do you have anything you want to leave the people
with before we go?
Speaker 3 (43:40):
I do want to give our flowers for today. We
did have a lot more to talk about, but we
went on a tangent. But I think that's good. Sometimes
tangents are good. I want to give my flowers to
Cannis Parker. Obviously, her jersey was retired in La over
the weekend, and.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
I had I tell people all.
Speaker 3 (43:58):
The time I had the honor to win a championship
with her in Chicago, and she deserves all the things.
And I feel like, you know, when people say who's
your goat, you know, Maya Diana, And I feel like
Candace's name doesn't get brought up enough, and I will
even I'll even take some credit for not bringing her
(44:19):
name up enough, as it showed when it comes to
the greatest players to ever play in the w and
in women's basketball in general. I remember watching her play
in the Final Four in Tampa when I was in
middle school, when she played for Tennessee, and I reminded her.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
Of that all the time.
Speaker 3 (44:34):
I was like, Cannas, I watched you play when I
was thirteen, when you were at Tennessee, and I just
think being able to have those moments, like, like we said,
the importance of having women like that to look up
to and want to be like and strive to be like.
And at thirteen, did I ever think that I would
ever be on the same team as Candace Parker. No, never,
(44:57):
never in my life, And the fact that that was
able to happen for me, like is absolutely unbelievable. So
I'm so happy that she's getting her flowers. She's also
getting her jersey retired in Chicago, which is amazing. I
think they said she's only the second player in WNBA
history to have her jersey retired. For two teams, we'll
have to fact check that, but I'm pretty sure it's
(45:18):
not many players that leave an impact in a legacy
the way she has. So flowers to Candace because she
deserves them all, especially while she can still spell them.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
So yeah, I was also going to give my flowers
to her. Just some highlights about Candace, just for our
new w fans that might be tuning in and don't
quite understand how amazing she is. She was the first
woman to dunk at the Mcdonaldall American Game. She won
the slam Dunk contest at the Mcdonaldall American Game in
two thousand and four, beating out some future NBA stars.
(45:50):
She dunked in the NCAA for the first time and
then also dunk twice in one game during the NCUBLEA tournament.
She had a historic WNBA rookie season where she won
the MVP.
Speaker 2 (46:00):
Mind which, yes, like wow, that gags me.
Speaker 1 (46:05):
That's the same, like weeop, don't show how hard that is.
And she's a three time WNBA champion with three different teams,
the Sparks, Chicago and the Aces. So not even to
mention all the things she's done off the court, being
the head of women's basketball at Adidas getting her signature shoe,
being the first of Adida to do that. Like an
(46:27):
incredible force for women's basketball and definitely a trailblazer. So
we want to give her her flowers. She deserves them,
and all of the women who came before this new
era really do. Because I hear Charles Barkley talk about
a lot how he looks back at like burden Magic,
being like we got to make million dollar contracts because
of them, and to see like the growth that's happening
(46:48):
now because of the work that those women did. It's
so important to recognize and so I'm just glad to
have a small part and sharing their story.
Speaker 3 (46:55):
Yes, and she's she's one of the ones, y'all we
didn't even mention and no stats numbers, nothing like. That's
just how impactful she has been for women's basketball and
just basketball in general.
Speaker 2 (47:09):
So shout out to Cannas Parker. We love you. We
would not be here without you.
Speaker 3 (47:14):
Like, I'm just I'm so happy for her because I
feel like there was a moment in time where she
was being wildly disrespected as a player, as a trailblazer,
and I feel like everybody has come back down to earth.
And is giving her all of the respect that she
deserves because she has earned every single ounce of it.
Speaker 2 (47:32):
So shout out to Kennis Parker.
Speaker 3 (47:34):
This was a very chaotic episode.
Speaker 2 (47:39):
We had a plan, guys, We had an outline. We
have an outline, guys, we really do.
Speaker 1 (47:44):
But I love news.
Speaker 3 (47:46):
This is something that is going to become a thing
in the wnba'm I'm absolutely here for it and we
want to be here to report it responsibly in the
way that it should be and keeping it about the game,
about the ninety four feet So thank you guys for
tuning into another week of Full Circle podcast.
Speaker 2 (48:05):
We will see y'all next time.
Speaker 1 (48:07):
Bye, thanks for listening to Full Circle. We'll be back
next week with more basketball for the Girls, by the girls.
We want to hear from you. Leave us a review
on Apple Podcasts and tell us what you want us
to talk about. Full Circle is hosted by Lexi Brown
and Mariah Rose. Our executive producer is Jesse Katz. Our
supervising producer is Grace Fuse. Our producer is Zoe Danklab.
(48:30):
Listen to Full Circle on America's number one podcast network, iHeart,
open your free iHeart app and search Full Circle with
Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose and start listening
Hosts And Creators
Lexie Brown
Mariah Rose
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.