Greetings my peeps and welcome to the all things basketball podcast with your boy GD.
In this episode I will be talking WNBA, we'll do a first round recap and we'll talk about
the semifinals which leads to the finals with preview that.
Also we'll talk postseason awards guys.
We'll talk about all the awards that were given thus far and what's coming down the
pike and then real quick I got some NBA news that I want to talk about just a real snippet
so just sit back relax and enjoy the show.
Okay guys so we are back with the all things basketball podcast with your boy GD of course
and what we're going to do in this episode all about the WNBA folks we will recap the
first round and we'll talk about the semifinals give you a preview of that also we have some
postseason awards to talk about and some other news items as well so anyhow let's get right
into it let's not delay so folks we have our semifinals set and as I predicted guys all
chalk here all chalk is the top four teams going at it so that held true for the most
part but let's talk about it so alright we will start with the Dallas Wings and they're
going to take on the number one seed the Las Vegas aces and in that season series the Las
Vegas aces took the series three games to one so Wings were actually able to get a win
off of them so how did both teams get here we'll talk about that how Dallas got here
well they ended up sweeping the Atlanta dream two games to none game number one they won
that 94 to 82 and in that game Rica Agumboale 24 points nine rebounds seven assists four
steals so strong game for her Satoh Sabali 32 points five rebounds four assists four
steals for her and then on the losing side for the dream Ryan Howard just started out
of the gate hot and she ends up with 36 points in that game along with eight threes that
she may guys so she may eight threes in that game and also with that she had about three
steals also Ryan Howard and actually she ended up setting a record she's the youngest player
to have a 30 point outbursts in her first game of the playoffs so Ryan Howard set records
there Alicia gray she had a strong game 21 points for her seven rebounds three steals
Cheyenne Parker had a rough go of it 11 points on five of 16 shooting and she had three steals
and three blocks as well so kind of a tough go inside for Cheyenne Parker so that oh and
also in that game tiara mcowen 17 points and 14 rebounds so she dominates the boards in
that one so that is your game one game two Dallas takes that in a blowout 101 to 74 a
game that saw seven Dallas wings in double figures so talk about balance scoring that's
what they had guys of course led by a Rika of goomba wale she had 20 points and seven
assists tiara mcowen 12 points and 16 rebounds totally killing it on the boards and then on
the losing side Ryan Howard 21 points and she made three three pointers in that game
Alicia gray 19 points and seven rebounds she also had six assists as well and Cheyenne
Parker she had 15 but this was on five of 15 shooting with five rebounds in two blocks
for her so and then Dallas's bench outscoring the Atlanta dream 35 to 12 so got big time
contributions from their bench in that one so so Dallas takes the series from the Atlanta
dream and now for the Las Vegas aces how did they get here of course they ended up sweeping
the Chicago sky two games to none and here's how it shook out for them game one Las Vegas
aces took that 87 to 59 in a game where you had Chelsea gray playoff Chelsea showing up
20 points seven assists for rebounds two blocks and two steals Jackie young 18 points for her
with six assists and three steals Kelsey plumb 16 points Asia Wilson with a modest 14 points
along with eight rebounds but four blocks so of course showing her prowess inside defending
the pain and Kia Stokes had 15 rebounds herself so and on the losing side Kalea copper only
15 points and she did that on five of 14 shooting along with five rebounds for her so and then
in the second game those Vegas aces 92 Chicago sky 70 and that one Asia Wilson just has a
monster game 38 points 16 rebounds four blocks three steals so making her presence felt on
both ends of the court of course Jackie young 15 points for her she did it though on five
or 17 shooting so a lot of shots being hoisted up but she gets 15 out of 17 shots there along
with six assists five rebounds three steals for her and in this series actually Alicia
claw coming off the bench solid for them in both games 13 points and 14 points respectively
so giving them major punch off the bench and then for the Chicago sky Kalea copper has
a better game 25 points she made four threes in that one along with 10 rebounds Dana Evans
off the bench 22 points for her in this series Marina Marbury didn't have such a fine series
and she even admitted it in the exit interview she said she's got to be better she's got
to be in better shape so on so forth so I expect to see a more dedicated Marina Marbury
come next year we'll be looking forward to that so nonetheless Chicago goes down to the
Las Vegas aces and then with that their coach their interim coach and V Vattana severe he
ends up getting fired so they gave him the interim tag I thought it was a credit to
him keeping the team afloat and actually getting them into the playoffs but the franchise
saw otherwise so he is out in terms of candidates for the job of course high on the list is
Teresa Weverspoon who we last saw actually on the NBA level as an assistant coach with
the New Orleans Pelicans so she's pretty much a front runner for the job there's other names
being bandied about possibly Katie Smith who may get another bite at the apple when it
comes to coaching she had stints as a coach with the New York Liberty so might be one
of those deals where they think they could catch lightning in the bottle kind of like
the Connecticut Sunday with Stephanie White we'll see what happens there and then pokey
Chapman longtime coach in the W she may get a crack at it but they're kind of outside
shots I think again Teresa Weverspoon is the front runner for the job so we'll see what
happens there so with that said let's talk about the Dallas Vegas series key matchups
for me I think it's incumbent upon Latricia Trammell the coach I think it's incumbent upon
her as far as Asia Wilson goes I think probably better off putting a Natasha Howard on her
the thing with Asia she is cat quick in the postman and she's got moves aplenty so to
me putting a Tierra McCow in who is strong inside make no mistake but kind of slower
foot when it comes to keeping up with her Asia Wilson I think Natasha Howard is probably
more suitable for the job as far as that goes I would go that route and of course you know
you bring over help defense to help out Howard but I would say I would primarily put Natasha
on Asia and see if she can possibly stay with her with that said another matchup I'm looking
at Kia Stokes who once again has stepped in she did it last year for Deerika Hanby
who has injuries so Kia Stokes stepped in this year she stepped in again this time for
Candace Parker but I think Kia Stokes versus those twin towers inside Tierra McCow and
and then you got a Kalani Brown coming off the bench I think whoever controls the boards
in this series will have a big advantage if you can kind of lay a body on Stokes and
control those boards I think that'll go a long way here so another matchup I think it'll
end up being Chelsea Gray on Areka Agumbawale I think that could end up being the matchup
there and that will be a very intriguing matchup I think and then of course you have Sato Sabali
versus Jackie Young this one Sabali I think has the size advantage that's for sure of
course Jackie Young has the quickness so I think whoever gets the better of the other
that will go a long way in this series so so with that said my prediction I'm gonna
say I think Dallas does get a win in this series here's where and this is kind of a
fun fact when Areka Agumbawale has is has about five or more assists in the game Dallas
Wings record is eight and four during the regular season and two and oh in these playoffs
so I think when Agumbawale when she's able to get her teammates involved that makes
the Dallas Wings that much better so I think it's incumbent upon her to involve her teammates
get them going of course she's gonna get her offense anyway you slice it but to get her
fellow teammates off and get them going I think will go a long way in this series and
could take it to the distance but I will say Las Vegas Aces in four that's what I'm going
with so but Dallas again I think Dallas can surprise they are a strong team a deep team
and that could be a factor in this series also because of course you have Alicia Clark coming
off the bench after that Kirsten Bell she's kind of coming into her own a little bit the
others you don't see much I think Dallas's bench is much stronger than the Aces so we'll
see what happens there but again I'm gonna say Las Vegas Aces in four all right so let
us go to the next series that's gonna be Connecticut Sun versus the New York Liberty so your 3C
versus the 2C and in the season series New York Liberty took that four games to none
coupled in that a couple of blowouts there and also overtime thriller that the New York
Liberty ended up winning so how did the teams get here let's talk about that how the Connecticut
Sun got here well guys they ended up going to three games in the three game series Connecticut
Sun took game 190 to 60 so you kind of thought this would be a probably a sweep and in that
game the Juana Bono led the way 17 points 15 rebounds six assists Alyssa Thomas 15 points
for her 10 rebounds and five steals for her in that game and Rebecca Allen with a strong
game 15 points she hit five threes in that game guys four steals in two blocks as well
so she was active on both sides and for the Connecticut Sunday had five players in double
figures so that always bodes well Tiffany Hayes had a nice game for them 14 points with
four three pointers made and on the Minnesota links side because that's what they played
the fissure Collier 14 points for her six rebounds and 16 points for Caleb McBride so
game two also in Connecticut Minnesota links steal one on the Connecticut Sun's floor 82
to 75 and in that game Caleb McBride just goes crazy 28 points she hit six threes in
that game along with eight rebounds the fissure Collier she had 26 points 13 rebounds two steals
and on the Connecticut Sun's side Alyssa Thomas with 26 points eight rebounds six assists
DeWanna Bonner she had 24 points she hit six threes in that game along with five rebounds
in the loss so so Connecticut Sun with their backs against the wall has to go cross country
to Minnesota to face the links in a do or die situation when it takes all game three
and in that game Connecticut Sun pretty much led from end to end and they end up taking
game three ninety to seventy five in that game your big guns really showed up Alyssa
Thomas 28 points for her 12 assists in that game along with six rebounds DeWanna Bonner
25 for her 10 rebounds six assists three blocks as well and for the Minnesota links the fissure
Collier shows up big time 31 points in the loss along with five rebounds so Connecticut
Sun ends up winning that series ending the Minnesota links season which again I stated
in the last episode they started out the gate slow but they really turned it on down the
stretch so major credit to Cheryl Reeve for writing the ship in getting those ladies into
the playoffs as the six seed definitely kudos to Cheryl Reeve and you know she had those
two rookies in there Diamond Miller and also Dorca U-Haas but next year with a year of
season and I expect those two ladies to contribute more their futures bright over there so hey
how with that said let's talk about New York Liberty and how they got here well guys you
know I talked about in that last episode I talked about them I talked about their need
to sweep the Washington Mystics and sweep they ended up doing guys they took it two games
to none two tough games by the way guys but game one they take 90 to 75 and in that game
Sabrina Nescu absolutely on fire from three 29 points total 73 she made in that game six
assists and two steals John Quill Jones her re-emergence continues 20 points for her 12
rebounds two blocks but Nige Laney 19 points for her with eight rebounds and then on the
losing side for the Washington Mystics Maisha Heinz Allen 21 points for her leading the way
along with five rebounds Elena Deladon only 11.6 assists five rebounds and Brittany Sykes
16 points for her along with four rebounds and two steals in game two the one that went
to overtime guys it was a tough one but New York Liberty prevails 90 to 85 in that game
Brianna Stewart absolutely showed up she had not such a strong game in game one she did
have eight rebounds four assists three blocks but in the deciding game 27 points for her
nine rebounds three blocks and two steals so Brianna shows up big time in this game
that New York Liberty pretty much desperately needed so John Quill Jones another strong
game for her 19 points 14 rebounds three blocks but Nige Laney 19 points again for her Courtney
Vandersloot with a strong game eight points ten assists two steals Sabrina Nesco kind
of a slow game for her but nonetheless New York Liberty prevailed and for the Washington
Mystics Natasha Cloud and what many are thinking that it might be her last game as a Washington
Mystic she absolutely showed up guys 33 points and she hit five threes in that game wow that's
saying something for her also she had nine assists six rebounds and four steals so she
had absolutely monster game and really kept the mystics afloat to be honest with you Elena
Deladon another slow game 11 points again for her on 416 shooting so guys in the series
the shooting was it all that great for Elena Deladon and actually she exited that game
for a brief moment but she returned back oh by the way she was 0 for 6 from three point
range as well along with the four rebounds so big time questions for the Washington Mystics
you have Natasha Cloud who's going to be a free agent Elena Deladon also going to be
a free agent so we'll see what happens there will they invest in Elena given the injuries
she's sustained over the years and so forth will they stay loyal then keep her there we'll
see Natasha Cloud there'll be a lot of suitors for her I would think the Washington Mystics
do the wise thing and keep her but we'll see what happens but nonetheless that is your
series right there guys so now to preview the Connecticut Sun New York Liberty series
to me the key matchups of course it's going to be DeWanna Bonner versus Breonna Stewart
I think that's going to be a matchup that the Liberty has to get the advantage in that
regard you're going to have to slow down DeWanna Bonner because she's one of those players
if she gets hot forget about it her and her team can shoot you out the gym so that's
going to be key I think Alyssa Thomas I think you'll probably have to go Banaji Laney on
her I think will be the one who can probably tail Alyssa for the game she has the quickness
to do so I think that's imperative for the Liberty in order for them to win this series
they have to be able to slow Alyssa Thomas down Sabrina Nesco versus Rebecca Allen Rebecca
Allen somebody who knows Nesco well being she was a New York Liberty player for a few
years here so she knows Nesco she knows what she likes Sabrina's going to have to bring
her a game in this series that's for sure and kind of a under the radar matchup I'm
looking at Courtney van the Sluut versus Natisha Heidelman I think that's going to be a fun
matchup of those ladies they're both floor generals for their team although pretty much
Alyssa Thomas is the floor general for the Sun to be honest but I think that could be
a fun matchup as well my prediction even before I do that let me talk John Quill Jones in
games where she has a double double the Liberty are six in old guys in the regular season
and two and oh in these playoffs I think John Quill Jones she's like the secret weapon
in this series for the Liberty she has to control the boards in this one she has to
and she's been able to do so and then remember this is her old team so she can really stick
it to them by sending them home and out of these playoffs so but I'm going with the Liberty
I say the Liberty in four games kind of like the Las Vegas aces I think New York Liberty
is loaded for bear I think they just have too many weapons too many weapons for this
Connecticut Sun team you've seen their dominance in the regular season I think it still carries
over into the playoffs so I'm saying New York Liberty in four alright guys so that is your
predictions as far as that goes let me talk about postseason awards right quick two awards
are not officially been named yet that's the rookie of the year which I think is pretty
much a fader complete for Aliyah Boston Aliyah Boston I think pretty much has that wrapped
up guys for the Indiana fever and then MVP of course I've talked about that in the prior
episode how is the three horse race I think when all is said none I think Brianna probably
gets it more likely than not although you have three strong candidates in her age of
Wilson and Alyssa Thomas so but in terms of the other awards Alicia Clark gets the sixth
player of the year for the Las Vegas aces this is one where I didn't even include her
I don't know why I didn't include her but she ends up getting the war and in hindsight
I think this is the choice as far as the award goes and out of 60 votes she gets 35 of the
votes in second place D. J. A. Carrington with 13 and Chicago skies Dana Evans with
nine I think what hurt Carrington was she did miss some games down the stretch with
the injury so I think that kind of her to her chances but Alicia Clark she's the one
I mean when she comes into game for the aces she solidifies that defense she tells people
where to go and this is her first individual award in her 11 year career in the W. She's
a two-time NBA champion with the Seattle storm so she's seen everything guys she knows what
her calling card is and that's playing tough defense hitting clutch shots when needed so
kudos to Alicia Clark she finally gets her due and she gets this award and congratulations
to her executive of the year I didn't really talk about that but it goes to Jonathan Cobb
of the New York Liberty for obvious reasons of course the trade for John Quill Jones acquiring
both Breonna Stewart and Courtney VanderSoot via free agency so of course he ends up getting
the award culture the year pretty much saw this one Stephanie White gets the award for
the Connecticut Sun again I must reiterate the job that she's done having to take over
this team for Kurt Miller having to deal with some major player losses John Quill Jones of
course Courtney Williams as well and then losing Breonna Jones her All-Star Caliper
Center about a month into the season so the fact that she was able to keep them amongst
the top three in fact team was third in the W's you got to give her the award I understand
I get it Latricia Tramol definitely turned the wings around that's for sure so she deserves
some love but in the end is Stephanie White and then most improved player this one I thought
was a layup Sato Sabali she's second overall pick a few years back she dealt with a lot
of injuries but she said to herself I know if I have an injury free season what I can
do and she really showed herself this year guys so and out of 60 votes she got 37 Jordan
Canada got 18 but Sato Sabali well deserving of the most improved player award the fifth
player of the year who else could it be Asia Wilson and this is her second in a row she
won it last year and here's how the votes shook out Asia Wilson with 32 votes Alyssa
Thomas with 24 so as closer than you thought also Britney Sikes got three votes and Ben
Angelini got a vote which I was a bit surprised by that so but Ben Angelini's had a very
good year on the defensive end and then they named the all defense team on the first team
Asia Wilson of course Britney Sikes of the Washington Mystics Breonna Stewart of New
York Liberty Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun and Jordan Canada of the Los Angeles
Sparks look they're all first team second team Benajie Laney for the New York Liberty
as the Magpigore of the Seattle Storm NECA Awumake also of the Los Angeles Sparks Nafisha
Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and then rounding it up Elizabeth Williams for the Chicago
Sky so so with that said MVP supposed to be named this coming week guys so we'll see what
happens there and then all NBA will be in a couple of weeks so we have those awards
we'll talk about those so alright guys that's gonna do it for me there was some NBA news
guess I could hit it really quick and then I'll be done Gilbert Arena's blasting a
cameo large one for charging $50,000 to Yanis onto the combo for a week's work showing
him how to have several moves in the pain and all sort of things like that so Gilbert
Arena's he goes on this podcast is no chill podcast and goes on this really profanity
laced tirade for over two minutes about why is he charging this much and he's only gonna
show him these moves from the 90s people not even doing that so what is he doing so he
goes off on a rant there and then you have a few Hall of Famous who came out to Elijah
Juan's defense and kudos to these guys former teammate Ralph Samson he went on NBA today
and talked about it pretty much saying that Gilbert Arena's needs to know a little bit
of history as far as the game goes before he goes talk about Elijah Juan you know which
is a fair criticism and then I gotta give props to him Paul Pierce came out he came
out basically saying that Gilbert Arena's is capping you know that's the new phrase
now to say somebody's lying and he basically said that guys are still doing that pump fake
move in the paint that Elijah Juan does so kudos to Paul Pierce man it's not often me
and Paul Pierce see eye to eye on something but kudos to the guy I gotta give credit where
credits do and what I would say about it I'm gonna take a quote from the legendary big
daddy Kane and this is off his song call him Mr. Welfare who am I to knock a homeboy
for getting paid I mean come on what are we doing here this is a Kim Elijah Juan Hall
of Famer arguably you can make him a top five center of all time and you wouldn't get too
much of an argument the man has skills he was very skilled on both ends of the court
by the way and if he wants to charge 50 grand a week who am I to say if somebody is able
to pay that fine and a lot of people have gone to him for for counseling and for you
know being showed post moves and so forth Kobe Ryan was one of them also Carmelo Anthony
is a laundry list of guys that went to him so if the man wants to make extra coin good
for him I mean who are we to knock it and Gilbert arenas what are you doing here let
this man earn a little extra coin that's okay that's fine for you to just go on this crazy
rant is nonsensical so I'm gonna just leave it there so alright guys so that's it for
me I'm done so the next time you hear from me I want to do some fantasy basketball stuff
before I go into season preview we're about a week or so away guys from guys reporting
to training camp and all the stuff that goes with that as well as preseason games will
have those and about maybe about a couple of weeks so basketball season is on the way
guys as far as the NBA goes so we still got some W NBA action still taking place that
seems like it's gonna run right into the regular season so so a lot of basketball to be talked
about I'll be here for it I'm here for it so alright guys so once again I thank you
for listening all things basketball with GD of course and you know the website so forth
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