Greetings my peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD.
In this episode WNBA season is starting and we have the preview for you right here.
We'll go through all the teams, all the news surrounding what's going on as well.
We'll do that and we'll just break it down and chop it up as always.
So just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Okay guys it's your boy GD back with the All Things Basketball with GD Podcasts and guys
it has come.
WNBA season starts May 14th.
We are on the eve of it right now so I said you know what let me push out this episode
and get you guys ready and cared for that so let's get right into it guys.
So with that said let's talk about some of the top stories and then we'll get to the
previews for each team.
Top stories of course you have to start with the rookie class that rookie class that came
in 2024 all the star power there you have Caitlyn Clark of course for Indiana Fever
so you know she casts such a large shadow and then also you have the combination of
Angel Reese and Camilla Cardoso out there in Chicago then in LA you got Cam Brink there
along with Rikia Jackson and then up there in the Northwest in Minnesota you have Alisa
Peely and then of course you have Nika Maul second round pick over there with Seattle
and the aces they got a couple of rookies themselves.
Diacia Fair and Kate Martin she made the team guys and then I was just reading this on social
media and actually this is out of the 36 picks in the 2024 draft only 13 made the roster
wow including four second rounders nine first rounders because a few of them were international
picks that chose to stay in their respective countries especially with the Olympics coming
up so that's why you have that kind of disparity it probably would have been more so yeah so
you know and with that said there's a need for expansion guys and word has it we're getting
that golden state next year will be added in as the 13th team and then word has come
down guys Toronto thanks to the great showing that they had in preseason for game up there
in Canada now they're going to get a franchise guys so in 2026 you'll have a team in Canada
playing out of Toronto and according to Kathy Engelberg the commissioner they want to expand
to 16 teams and guys they need it because some of these girls that's getting cut forget
about it is it's just utter nonsense you got so much talent but not enough spots there
so that's good news for the league so we'll see what happens there more opportunities
for the ladies there and of course that's always a plus so that's your two big items
there and then of course the TV coverage now you're gonna have a lot more coverage a lot
more avenues in which you can watch the games from prime to ESPN to Ion so you're gonna
have a number of options guys you got four games on the slate open at night Washington
takes on the New York Liberty actually they host the Liberty and then Caitlin Clark she'll
be going to Connecticut to play the Connecticut Sun the defending champs the Las Vegas aces
they'll be at home putting up their banner as they host the Phoenix Mercury and then
a game also around that same time Seattle be at home hosting the Minnesota links so
you have four games on the top open at night guys and from what I understand they're all
available on TV so like I had mentioned maybe a couple of episodes back you have to take
advantage right now of this exposure that's now on the league you got these rookies coming
in with huge followings Caitlin Clark of course her following Angel Reese you know
she has a large following on all your socials so a lot of these ladies here got big followings
you're gonna have to maximize Kathy Engelberg and the powers that be in the WMBA so bear
that in mind with that said also to some big news for them charter flights guys I had talked
about this last season when you had the Brittany Griner incident where you had the provocateur
I'm using air quotes go and go harassing her and then the league came to Brittany and said
okay we know it went down we will have you on the charter flight but just you that didn't
and didn't sit well with her because of course she doesn't want to be separated from a teammate
so it seemed like she's getting preferential treatment so she declined it but now the teams
are able to use charter flights thanks to a partnership between the WMBA and Delta Airlines
so there and it costs 25 million to for the next two seasons so so kudos to the league
for you know putting up the dough I think this was in large part because of the what
happened with the Indiana fever going to Dallas for their first preseason game and all the
clamor you know of course people trying to get close to Caitlyn and all those sort of
things so the league said you know what now's the time so let's get this thing up and right
running as far as the charter flights and good for them they're doing the right thing
in that regards so and that's your other bit of news as far as top stories and then also
two guys old faces and new places you start with Seattle now you have the combination
of neck of a woman K season Seattle now along with scholar digging Smith to give you a potent
combination there you add that to what you already have players like of course jewel
Loy who's all world over there as the Magda gore you have her as well a defensive presence
inside so you add those two pieces to the mix I see good things happening in Seattle
here I'll talk about them in a minute then you have the Phoenix Mercury and they have
made a few additions as well signing a Natasha cloud from the Washington Mystics also in
a couple of trades they made they were able to secure Kalea Copper from the Chicago sky
and you know she's an all-star baller and you get a shooter like Rebecca Allen that
you got by she was a free agent but you got a via trade nonetheless and she's coming
from the Connecticut Sun so those additions there should help Phoenix and I'll talk about
Phoenix in a minute and then down there in Minnesota you added yourself a nice little
backcourt there the combination of Courtney Williams and Natisha Heidelman so these are
two players who know each other well they played together with the Connecticut Sun so
Courtney Williams is one of those players that's very unsung but boy does she get it
done on the court she's a floor general she gets her teammates involved Natisha Heidelman
she's choosing from long distance and also gives you another ball handler in the backcourt
I think that's going to be a big help over there in Minnesota I'll talk about Minnesota
in a minute and then you have Jordan Canada coming over from the Los Angeles Sparks and
you signed a Tina Charles Tina Charles still trying to cat trying to grab that elusive
WNBA championship so she signs with the Atlanta dream over there to add to what they already
have the lights of Ryan Howard over there Alyssa Gray and then you have Cheyenne Parker Titus
she got married in the off season so congrats to her so you get you add that to the mix
and things are looking good for Atlanta so those are your old faces in new places well
at least some of them at least so with that said guys let's get right into it with my
look at each of the teams starting in the east your top team in the east the New York
Liberty of course being coached by Sandy Brondello and you got the star power over there you
got Stewie over there Brianna Stewart Sabrina and Escu John Quill Jones who is now healthy
guys she came into last season where she was banged up and she got healthy down the stretch
but she comes into this one pretty healthy coming in so that's good and you got Courtney
Vanners-Sleuth of course the point guard over there and then Banaji Laney Hamilton she
went and got married in the off season so big ups to her and congrats to her but she's
there player very unsung she does the little things that help your team get the win she
plays both ends of the court and definitely a staple for that Liberty team then of course
you got the likes of a Kayla Thornton over there coming off your bench Nyara Sabali
who now really gets a chance to shine now that you no longer have Stephanie Dalson she
went to Washington so now this is Sabali now she's the premier backup to John Quill Jones
the center there Marquisha Davis that you got in the draft I call her Kalea Copper 2.0
she plays just like her and if that's the type of player that they were able to draft
kudos to them I still tried the New York Liberty for not getting Nika Moll who you could have
got in the draft I think not not saying that they shouldn't have got Marquisha because
I think they should have you could have also went to the Chicago sky I think I talked about
this with that hot pick in the second round you could have made a trade and snatch that
pick to take Nika Moll because oh by the way that pick that Chicago sky use she she didn't
make the roster so I'm just saying New York Liberty you could have drafted the heir apparent
to Courtney Vandersuit who isn't going to play forever guys so let's be clear about
that I'm just saying and then you had a shot at Jaylin Sherrod who you got got as a rookie
free agent she played at Colorado and she was ballin in training camp and you guys waved
her I don't understand that because if you watch the playoffs last year they were getting
smoked by these quicker point guards so what are y'all doing over there New York Liberty
I'm just saying so that's neither here nor there they wave the young lady a whole she
catches on somewhere else but I think the Liberty did a disservice to themselves not adding
her I'm just saying and then you also let the forward out of the Dominican Republic is
Mary Martinez you wave her as well so so much for Washington Heights coming to Brooklyn
that's another story but anyway so the New York Liberty I think will be the top team
in the East still coming up second Connecticut son I mean you you'll be getting Brianna Jones
back which will be a plus for you you already have the engine Alyssa Thomas there to wanna
Bono you were able to bring her back via free agency.
Mariah Jefferson who you got in that trade for where you sent out Rebecca Allen to Phoenix
you got Mariah Jefferson there a player who's played in the state of Connecticut before
playing for Gina R. E. M. up there in in stores Connecticut so that's a plus for you.
Deja Naye Carrington a six six person of the year last year who I expect to see her gain
blossom Olivia Nelson a doota who filled in admirably for Brianna Jones when she went
down and Tiffany Mitchell you have as well so Connecticut son I see them being the flying
the ointment in the East they're always not an easy team to deal with and especially you
got the likes of Stephanie White over there last year's coach of the year so Connecticut
son will be a problem in the East at number two. Number three spot I'm going with the
Atlanta dream and I mentioned their additions Jordan Canada something that they sorely needed
guys they needed a floor general over there and they're getting one in Canada a two way
player who will definitely help this roster Tina Charles who I mentioned she's you signed
her so you add some depth to the front court Ryan Howard who's absolute star you have her
there Alyssa Gray your your guard over there who was all star last year and Cheyenne Parker
Titus your center for that team and then of course you still have players like Haley Jones
who will be one of your top guards coming off the bench near coffee there LaTisha at
Mahir and aerial powers as well so you got some depth over there. Tanisha right of course
she's the coach over there she's fiery she gets her team to step up in place so I think
the Atlanta dream takes a step forward this year and I'm picking them third fourth place
I'm going with the Indiana fever guys I think Christie sides I think she's I thought she
coached very well last year it was a few things I had issue with I thought she could have
played players like Victoria Saxon more I think she'll see more playing time this year
though but of course you have a Leah Boston there that's your anchor in the middle and
of course you add a Caitlyn clock to the mix I think and I was on social media and
somebody was saying how Chrissy side once Caitlyn clock to kind of alter a game a little
bit not too many logo threes work on a mid-range game and stuff like that which is helpful
for the young lady in all honesty and somebody was saying oh Chrissy size won't have her
job for very long I adamantly disagree with that she wants a young lady to improve on
our game to be more of a distributor and you got to remember guys this is not the cornfields
of Iowa this is Indiana here and this is the WNBA so you're going to have to ingratiate
yourself with your teammates and get them involved and those sort of things you have
much more talent than you had over there so you're going to have to kind of I want to
say you got to there'll be more team oriented let's let's put it that way and then you know
as time progresses her game will start to open up more but I think in interim you won't
see her shoot as many shots I know in her very first game she took 13 shots from three
I think Chrissy size wants her to lower that number just a bit with a little more efficiency
and now be good for Caitlin in my estimation and it'll be good for the team you gotta think
of the team first anyway so that's all I'm saying with that but she'll be fine she'll
acquiesce she'll be fine she'll blend in she's already endearing herself to her teammates
and that's a good thing so Kelsey Mitchell she's still there along with Nalisa Smith
I say watch for her I think she's going to be an X factor for this team this year Erica
Wheeler who the Cosmant Pro she knows Caitlin's coming in she has taken her under a wing she
knows that Caitlin will probably start over her and she's good with it she's been the
Cosmant teammate for her which you always like to see that guys somebody that's welcoming
of rookie coming in kind of showing her the ropes and she's done that Katie Lou Samuelson
a veteran there that definitely gives you help up front Grace Berger who's had a very
good training camp guys I think we kind of forget about her but she's going to be a vital
piece Lexi Hall you know she's a tough defender so I think this team is poised to really towards
last year they were kind of a problem for other teams I think this year they'll be much
more so so don't be surprised if perhaps Christie sides get some culture the year considerations
I think that's how much this roster can improve so we'll see and then in fifth place I wanted
to pick them higher but I would have felt better if not for the shoulder injury with
Camila Cardoso that's going to keep her out for the six weeks so that's going to be a
kind of a blow to her but Chicago sky you got players like Diamond De Shields there
a veteran who's going to run the show Marina Marbury look out for her this season guys
I think she's poised to have a really good season I think last year for some reason
she was kind of stuck in the mud but I think this year I believe she said it in her exit
interview last year how disappointed she was in her game so look for Marine Marina Marbury
to really show herself because two seasons ago she was such a beast with Dallas and I
think this year I think this is kind of her revenge tour or redemption tour whatever you
want to call it we'll see and then of course how can I not mention Angel Reese who she
she had a very good training camp guys and she's she's been a sponge over there willing
to take in learning learn what she needs to do to help this team I think you're going
to see her game blossom as the season goes on but Angel Reese I have no qualms with her
she's going to work hard she understands this guys that basketball is the avenue towards
other things she may want to pursue whether it be modeling being an entrepreneur those
sort of things she knows that basketball is her bread and butter so I think she's going
to do the requisite things to improve herself on the court and the locker room and with
others so and you know Teresa Weverspoon she's the coach over there you know she's going
to coach her hard and she welcomes that that's the good thing about Angel she welcomes being
coached hard so I think this is going to be a nice little fit over there for her and again
I was I think she'll blossom as the season goes on Elizabeth Williams who's going to
have to step in and place of Cardozo as far as someone in the middle so I'll be interested
to see how her and Reese kind of play off each other inside for the sky Dana Evans who
was a sixth person of the year candidate as well there and then also to Michaela Anaware
who they got via the trade with Phoenix the one that sent Kalia Copper over there to the
Mercury so that's another piece there so I see them finishing fifth guys and then in
last place unfortunately I think it's the Washington Mystics guys I understand you still
have players like Ariel Atkins there you have a Shakira Austin who hopefully you have her
healthy for the entire season her first couple of seasons she's been banged up a little bit
but you have her coming in healthy so hopefully she can have a nice campaign where she's kind
of injury free Britney Sykes who was a godsend last year for them last year in the backcourt
with Natasha Cloud but now you're going to have to rely on Britney Sykes to be kind of
the floor general there can she do that we'll see and then of course in the draft you got
Leah Edwards there a fine piece there that you can put next to Shakira Austin then you
also have my Asia Heinz Allen there coming off your bench they dealt Queen Egbo she
usually went to the Connecticut Sun so so the Connecticut Sun has her Stephanie Dolson
that's your backup center there very valuable player in the league always beloved by her
teammates so she'll be a nice fit there and actually she's returning she once played
for Washington Mystics now she comes back to the DC area D.D. Richards she makes her
return back to the league guys and then they just recently traded for J. Milbourne a guard
I guess this is insurance you know in that you don't have a Natasha Cloud and she's
coming via Seattle so but Eric Tybald I think he's going to have his hands full this season
especially in that Eastern conference that's going to be so tough but I think they end
up finishing last and then remember to you have no Alayna Deladon too so here's that
all right so that's the East guys let us turn our attention to the West and of course we
start with the best team in the W. The Las Vegas Aces of course being coached by the
great Becky Hammond who's known nothing but winning since she's taken over that operation
over there. Aja Wilson the best player in the league bar none oh by the way she's everybody
was talking about you know this one getting a shoe deal that one getting a shoe deal and
she just revealed playing her preseason game at home Columbia South Carolina there where
they had the exhibition game against well preseason game against Puerto Rico and there
is where she revealed that she's getting her own shoe deal with Nike and that's set to
come out 2025 and also a clothing line guys so so she broke that news on Twitter or X
and then Dawn Staley she went IG live to let it be known. Aja's good she got her deal and
she was kind of doing what what she does. Well Dawn Staley's something else but nonetheless
Aja Wilson the head of the snake over there for the Las Vegas Aces. Chelsea Gray looked
like she's back now remember she went down with the foot injury and the finals against
the Liberty but she's back now the best point guard in the W bar none then you got Jackie
Young a player the silent assassin of course doesn't say much but her game talks loudly
guys and a player who if she was somewhere else she'd probably be Aretton 25 again but
she's here with the Liberty not the Liberty she's here with the Aces doing her thing there
and just fitting in with those ladies. Kelsey Plum I think Kelsey Plum she has a axe to
grind this season that all that's going on with her off the court whether it be the you
know the impending divorce and all those sort of things but she's come back she's got some
guns on her guys she's been working out big time but Kelsey Plum I think she she's going
to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Kia Stokes the unsung fifth player over there
the fifth starter who does all the dirty work I love how Aja Wilson recognized her when she
got her defensive player of the year award where she brought Kia Stokes with her and
says she doesn't get this Aja doesn't get this without the help of Kia Stokes I like
that so Kia Stokes there Alisa Alisa Clark does heady veteran who got six player of
the year she actually won it so she's back over there with them Kirsten Bell I think
she takes another step forward I mean she's already a baller guys but you know it's always
time and opportunity especially when you got those four ahead of you but Kirsten Bell it
seems like every time they call on her she answers the bell no pun intended but so you
have her there Megan Guffa Gus Gus Gus the front so you have her as well another veteran
in your front court Sydney Colson of course the the teens class clown but she keeps them
loose she keeps them ready and when she's called upon she balls so said Colson definitely
solid piece for them for the Las Vegas Aces and then I told you about the two rookies
making the roster Aja Fair and Kate Martin who they've and the rookies seem to have endured
themselves to the sort of vets over there which is a good thing and think about this guys
all these other teams here did have any use for any of their rookies only three other
teams added two rookies to their roster that's Indiana fever Chicago sky and the Los Angeles
sparks the defending champions add two rookies in so what's wrong with everybody else what
are they doing but I digress so well Vegas Aces at the top of the West then in second
place I had to really go back and forth with this one guys but I think yeah I'm gonna do
it the Seattle Seattle storm guys I think those additions of a neck of a woman Kate
and scholar diggin Smith I think that's gonna be huge for this for this team especially
given the fact scholar diggin Smith a fellow alum with jewel Lloyd coming out of Notre
Dame so you know they're gonna be pretty much on the same page there they're gonna be a
big help to jewel Lloyd I expect jewel Lloyd to see a lot more open looks and I expect her
efficiency to really go up with the addition of these ladies I talked about as the Mac
McGor you still have the sophomore well it's a sophomore year coming in second year player
Jordan Horst and who I think can be a solid piece for them Sammy Whitcomb who can light
it up from deep Gabby Williams hopefully she's around for the whole season she wasn't last
year guys and then Nika mall who everybody seemed to be clamoring for her and rightfully
so she's she's a player who can dish to the open open player and also she's a absolute
dog on defense guys so and you know with Subaru at the helm over there over there with Seattle
they're gonna take good care of Nika that's for sure so Noel Quinn I see her having a
much better season this season coaching this squad and I'm picking them second then and
third the Dallas Wings you definitely can't count them out Latricia Tramble has done a
excellent job over there with those ladies and of course the top player over there are Rika
Agumbawale who's an absolute beast and she sees the engine that makes them go of course
she have Natasha Howard there another baller Satu Sabali most improved player last year
now we have to see guys because she has the shoulder injury and she may not be there at
the start of the season but eventually you'll see her and I actually ran into her during
the draft she seems to be okay but you know we'll see what happens with her and then you
got the two headed monster inside tiara mcowen and Kalani Brown that that's your two centers
over there Jay she's shelled in who's the rookie there I expect her to kind of get a little
baptism by fire but I think she'll be okay she's a player willing to play both sides
of the ball which is always a good thing and I expect her to have a little rough going
early on but I think as the season goes on I think she'll get acclimated there Maddie
Seagress I expect to see more of her this season and Lou Lopez Senichal she made the
roster member guys last year she was banged up pretty much the most of the year so I'll
be interested to see her role with this team but Dallas I see them with a third place finish
fourth place guys yeah Minnesota links I think Minnesota links will be in fourth place in
that tough West Division right now you have the Fija Collier who's their all star all
world player over there and then I told you about the back court additions of Courtney
Williams and the Tisha Heidelman I think that's gonna help this squad big time Cheryl
Reeves she's the coach over there and of course she's knows what she's doing a well seasoned
coach and she's has the requisite pieces this year guys also I'll be interested to see Diamond
Miller she had kind of a rough go of it her rookie season but I expect her game to really
show itself this season dorker you house who had a very under the radar very good rookie
campaign and I just expect her to get better and then also a lot of Smith of veteran you
have there and then your rookie Alyssa Peely I think I like her being with this squad there's
not too much of a demand on her unlike some of her other fellow rookies she could come
off your bench and be firepower coming off your bench I think she's gonna have a solid
year for them because again you're not gonna ask her to do too much just come off your
bench give you firepower I think she could do that for this squad so Minnesota I'm picking
forth and then in fifth place I would have had them in fourth but then I found out about
this Britney Griner injury she has a fractured toe guys it's in by all accounts she's out
indefinitely unfortunately for that team so that kind of puts a cloud over things and
then remember to you have Nate Tibbetts coming in first year coach he is he's a long time
assistant coach in the NBA then he takes this WNBA job match Ispia he hires him so this is
gonna be his first dip into WNBA basketball I hope he realized this is a whole different
thing than what he's seen in the NBA but he does have assistant coaches like Christy
Tolliver she's a 14 year vet in the W and actually she's a former teammate of Natasha
Cloud so that'll be a help to him somebody who knows the league and can kind of help
him in that regard but you still have Diana Terrasi is this her last hurrah we'll see
and Kalia Copper I told you they got her via trade as well as Rebecca Allen also Natasha
Cloud I mentioned who's gonna be the floor general for them so I'll be definitely interested
to see how all of that plays out because you're probably gonna have a lineup where you have
Terrasi Copper and Cloud in there Sophie Cunningham will she still start for them I imagine so
Rebecca Allen probably come off your bench if I had to guess Morgan Burch I guess now
you have to thrust her into the Brittany Griner role as far as center so we'll see there and
then Ashley Jones is also so I see them finishing fifth guys I would have had a little more
confidence if you had a healthy Brittany Griner but that's not the case and speaking of Brittany
Griner I did watch the sit down she had with Robin Roberts it was gut-riching guys what
she had to endure over there overseas with in that Russian jail and you know of course
you're gonna get the knuckle draggers the ones locked in grandma's basement with cheeto
dust on their fingers who has nothing else better do than the child this young lady to
them I say you'll be alright anyway that's all I'm gonna say for that but she really
endured something she wrote a book about it you know that's gonna be out there for you
to purchase so but is the interview was pretty gut-riching and you can tell there's still
some trauma there that she's dealing with hopefully she's seeking help she needs in
that regard so of course prayers and well wishes to Brittany Griner in that regard so
with that said so I have them fifth and then your last place team I think will be the Los
Angeles Sparks I would love to pick them higher guys but hmm yeah so it is a tough
it's a tough division that's for sure so I'm saying Los Angeles Sparks I understand
I get it like I said you have Cameron Brink who's looking good so far and Rikkiah Jackson
who I think I think as the year progresses you'll get to see her really kind of come
out of her shell a bit that's what I'm seeing with her then you have of course Lexi Brown
there Zaya Cook this this will be her second season so I'll be very interested to see the
growth in her game this year Monique Billings is there the Erica Hanby guys I think I think
last year she was kind of still dealing with you know life post baby you know after the
baby comes but she really looks good in the preseason guys I think I think we kind of
forget how good a player she is I think this year she's gonna remind some people that yeah
yeah I'm that Hanby so so we'll see there Azirah Stevens and then Ray Burrell also
on your roster Kurt Miller we'll see what he can do but it's gonna be tough in that
division it just is so in any event that's it guys that's it for this episode I appreciate
you always listening and watching definitely I can't do this without you guys watching
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