1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,000 Greetings my Peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD. 2 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:18,840 In this episode I'll be doing my NBA postseason awards predictions and also I'll be breaking 3 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:26,480 down the WNBA draft and talking a little bit about that and all the players, those returning 4 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:41,960 and everything else so just sit back, relax and enjoy the show. 5 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:50,680 Okay guys so I'm back once again your boy GD with the All Things Basketball Podcast with 6 00:00:50,680 --> 00:01:01,120 yours truly and I'm going to get into the NBA postseason awards but first actually I 7 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:10,280 want to talk about the WNBA first because there was a draft last week and players from 8 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:15,360 different colleges and so forth they were drafted and of course Aliyah Boston being 9 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:25,160 the number one overall pick so but we'll break down the whole draft, we'll talk about the 10 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:33,440 teams as well, the returning players and so forth and kind of go around the league so 11 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,200 let us begin. 12 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:43,960 So we had the draft like I said and what I'm going to do is I'm going to go alphabetically 13 00:01:43,960 --> 00:01:48,000 through each team so let's do it that way. 14 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:54,920 We start off with the Atlanta Dream, the Atlanta Dream drafted Haley Jones the point guard 15 00:01:54,920 --> 00:02:00,960 actually out of Stanford she was the sixth pick overall and they followed that up with 16 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:11,120 LaTesia Amahir the power forward from South Carolina and then you had Lea Brown out of 17 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:19,040 Michigan she was drafted shooting guard so Haley Jones I've always liked her game she's 18 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:26,520 a facilitator guys she's able to do a number of things and do it pretty well I think she 19 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:34,320 is the probably the most fundamentally sound player in this draft I think on the next level 20 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:41,360 she'll be able to facilitate for the dream and she'll be playing with the likes of Ryan 21 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:50,960 Howard the rookie sensation from last year along with Daniel Robinson Cheyenne Parker 22 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:59,400 and they traded for Alisha Gray as well so Haley Jones I think she'll come in right away 23 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:07,720 she'll get to work I think she'll come in as a starter I see her really making an impact 24 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:14,720 on this team I really like the choice for Atlanta I was surprised she went all the way 25 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:25,520 down to six but they're getting a solid player guys LaTesia I think we don't know all of 26 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:32,880 what she can do on the next level I think she has pretty big potential so I know Tanisha 27 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:39,160 Wright the coach there she'll be able to tap into that so I see her doing big things at 28 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:44,560 the next level so where she fits in could be a starter could be coming off the bench 29 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:49,560 but I'll be interested to see what she does at the next level so I think the Atlanta 30 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:54,960 dream did pretty good for themselves so I think they're a team on the rise as well moving 31 00:03:54,960 --> 00:04:00,640 on to the Chicago sky they didn't have a first round pick they pick late in the second 32 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:09,800 round they got Keanna trailer shooting guard out of Vatek and then Cassinia Malaresca and 33 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:16,400 they got her out of middle Tennessee so a couple of low picks there probably be bench 34 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:22,280 players obviously you have returning players like mind you James Wade he's gonna have to 35 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:30,040 do some major rebuilding on the fly here cuz he's lost the likes of Candace Parker Courtney 36 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:36,200 Van the Sleuth and a number of players they moved on so but Kalia Copper I think this 37 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:42,360 is gonna be her team now now the spotlight's gonna be on her she was an all-star last 38 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:48,160 year I think they'll be interested to see with her being the major star there they did 39 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:55,880 trade for Marina Marbury got her from Dallas the guard there so so at least Copper has 40 00:04:55,880 --> 00:05:02,040 some support there Courtney Williams they got via free agency point guard there and 41 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:08,480 Rebecca Gardner they have as well so again James Wade he'll be rebuilding that squad 42 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:14,640 so be interested to see if he can keep them competitive this year so moving on we'll talk 43 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:21,200 about the Connecticut Sun they had two draft picks Alexis Morris aka Lex Luthor coming 44 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:27,240 out of LSU and of course they won the NCAA championship she went in late in the second 45 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:33,200 round guys that to me was a stunner she was the 22nd pick I thought she would go higher 46 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:39,240 at least higher in the second round and then also Ashton Pritchettel the center out of 47 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:45,440 Stanford she's the backup center took Cameron Brink out there with the Stanford Cardinals 48 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:53,360 so she was drafted as well and of course the Connecticut Sun they dealt their MVP John 49 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:59,320 Quill Jones to the New York Liberty but they still have Alyssa Thomas their Swiss Army 50 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:06,240 knife also DeWanna Bonner still there they re-signed Breonna Jones they also in the 51 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:13,200 trade for John Quill they got back Rebecca Allen also Tiffany Hayes they got via the 52 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:19,680 trade route also but let me talk about Alexis Morris she has such a phenomenal story guys 53 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:25,000 as far as her collegiate career is concerned I think she's going to be a fighter guys I 54 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:30,240 think she's definitely be able to crack this lineup I'll be interested to see what she 55 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:37,160 does on the next level but she's as tough as nails guys and she's a baller so I'll 56 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:42,200 be very interested to see whoever she can crack I know she'll definitely come off the 57 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:49,040 bench as far as starter yeah maybe it's possible I don't count her out in that regard so I 58 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:53,880 think she can contribute to this team and they'll be interesting to see what this team 59 00:06:53,880 --> 00:07:00,480 does now because their coach moved on to a greener pastures Kurt Miller he moved on 60 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:06,880 to the Los Angeles Sparks so now you have a Stephanie White coaching them so you'll 61 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:13,520 be interested to see the new changes up there in Connecticut but I like the Morris pick 62 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:19,120 for them that's for sure so let's move on to the Dallas Wings the Dallas Wings they 63 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:26,960 really loaded up guys mind you they had like three straight draft picks within the top 64 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:33,600 five so let's talk about that Maddie Segras the Power Forward our Villanova a scoring 65 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:39,760 machine she was picked third Stephanie Soares the center out of Iowa State she was picked 66 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:48,120 fourth although she was traded guys she got traded to Washington so and then Lou Lopez 67 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:53,720 Senichal the shooting guard coming out of Yukon she was the fifth pick and then later 68 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:59,600 in the first round they were able to pick up Abby Myers they drafted her the shooting 69 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:07,200 guard out of Maryland at pick number 11 then they went on to draft Ashley Jones small forward 70 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:14,240 out of Iowa State and Paige Robinson as well they were able to draft so so a lot of draft 71 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:20,360 picks there guys but Maddie Segras I see her making an impact right away I see her being 72 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:26,720 able to score on the next level what she brings as far as the forward position I'll be interested 73 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:35,440 to see that and the returning players for Dallas Arika Akumbo Wally their all-star guard 74 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:42,800 she'll be back as well as Tierra McCowen their center actually they resigned her also and 75 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:48,280 then you have Natasha Howard who they got via the trade route Diamond the shields also 76 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:55,360 they got via the trade so I see Maddie fitting right in into that starting lineup there as 77 00:08:55,360 --> 00:09:01,120 far as Senichal she'll probably be a bench player for them but she can have an impact 78 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:08,560 as well keep an eye out for Abby Myers and Ashley Jones as well I think those are a couple 79 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:14,240 of players too who can add to this roster as well so Dallas I'll be interested to see 80 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:20,360 what they do they had a pretty good year last year we'll see what happens now Dallas another 81 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:27,360 team that could be on the rise let's move on to the Indiana fever they had the first 82 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:33,520 pick in the draft Aliyah Boston of course coming out of South Carolina the Power Forward 83 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:39,560 Slash Center they also went local with their next pick guys the seven pick they used on 84 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:46,640 Grace Berger out of Indiana the University of Indiana so local product there Taylor Mike 85 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:54,360 Sell the shooting guard out of Iowa State they picked her in the second round Ledesha Williams 86 00:09:54,360 --> 00:10:02,440 they picked her 17th she was the Power Forward for Kim Mulkey's LSU Lady Tigers and then 87 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:09,800 late in the draft they got Victoria Saxon actually Aliyah Boston's teammate out of South Carolina 88 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:16,680 as well so and then remember last year guys the Indiana fever had the big draft in they 89 00:10:16,680 --> 00:10:25,080 drafted Nalisa Smith also Amy Exler Queen Eggbow Destiny Henderson also out of South 90 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:33,120 Carolina Lexi Hall the veteran Kelsey Mitchell so another big draft for the fever Aliyah 91 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:39,720 Boston needless to say I think she'll have an impact right away I think she'll definitely 92 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:44,640 be able to come in and be a double double machine I think you know while playing for 93 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:49,440 Doran Staley at South Carolina there was some things that Doran didn't allow her to 94 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:55,080 produce but she told her she can get that done at the next level so I definitely see her 95 00:10:55,080 --> 00:11:01,080 starting next to a Nalisa Smith definitely starting next to her and you still have Queen 96 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:08,480 Eggbow as well so a lot of talent there guys as far as your bigs so definitely I see Aliyah 97 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:14,120 Boston coming in there making that impact Grace Berger I'd be interested to see how 98 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:19,960 she fits into this you still have a destiny Henderson who kind of came on as the season 99 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:26,040 progressed so it's going to be a battle there and then Mike sell will see what she brings 100 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:33,080 to the table LaDazia Williams is a pick that I really like for them but my worry is she 101 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:39,320 might get caught up in the numbers game there because they got a lot of bigs there and LaDazia 102 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:45,880 Williams she'll be a power for it the next level that's for sure so I'll know you would 103 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:50,560 think she'll make the roster I would think she would so see that's the whole thing with 104 00:11:50,560 --> 00:11:56,120 the WNBA too but I'll talk about that in a little while so wherever she ends up I think 105 00:11:56,120 --> 00:12:02,320 she makes an impact especially from what I saw of her at LSU so I'll just leave it right 106 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:10,480 there so but Indiana still in a rebuilding stage so we'll see what happens have a new 107 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:18,480 coach and Christie's sides so we'll see how she's able to develop those young players 108 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:27,320 over there now let's talk about the Las Vegas aces the defending world champs of the WNBA 109 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:33,160 didn't make too many moves they only had one draft choice and that was at the very end 110 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:39,080 of the draft Brittany Davis shooting guard out of Alabama but this team is loaded for 111 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:48,360 Bear gosh you got Asia Wilson your MVP Kelsey Plum Chelsea Gray their all world point guard 112 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:55,080 Jackie Young as well you added a Candace Parker which is a tremendous pickup and then also 113 00:12:55,080 --> 00:13:02,360 you were able to add a Alyssa Clark a veteran a heady player who will definitely add to 114 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:09,600 this roster so Becky Hammons she's she's got it all under control over there so I expect 115 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:16,240 more greatness coming out of Las Vegas so not so much of a draft impact but you got 116 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:23,400 the veterans over there so it is what it is so yeah so let's move on the Los Angeles 117 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:30,440 Sparks like I said they have a new coach in Kurt Miller so we'll see what he brings he 118 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:36,840 had a winning program over there in Connecticut so he looks to bring more the same over to 119 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:44,640 LA in the draft he was able to get Zaya Cook with the 10th pick in the draft the shooting 120 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:51,720 guard out of South Carolina also Shanique Swain got her in the second round shooting 121 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:57,920 guard out of Australia actually so whether she comes over to the states or not we'll 122 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:06,840 see and then in the actually early in the third round they were able to snag Monica 123 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:13,920 Sinanu the center out of Iowa we'll see how she fits into the mix there she is like your 124 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:20,680 traditional big doesn't really get a lot of movement inside definitely good on putbacks 125 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:25,480 and she's not going to give you a bunch of dribbles down there in the paint she's a catch 126 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:32,160 and shoot close to the basket sort of players so returning of course is the a woman case 127 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:41,040 sisters NECA and Shanee so they'll be back as well as Jordan Canada their point guard 128 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:47,600 they were able to get the Erica hand be actually from the Las Vegas aces got her in a bit of 129 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:55,640 a controversial trade and also via the trade route Jasmine Thomas and as a free agent 130 00:14:55,640 --> 00:15:04,440 they signed Azura Stevens as well so Sparks looking to be on the upswing I think Zaya 131 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:10,320 Cook I'll be interested see what she brings to this team especially there is a need there 132 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:16,160 for some solid shooting guard play and she provides that so I'll be interested see how 133 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:22,000 she looks next to a Jordan Canada I like to fit for her in LA so I expect her to you know 134 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:27,800 bring her a game to that Sparks team and the Sparks team is going to be interesting that's 135 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:35,200 for sure so we'll see what happens there moving on to the Minnesota links with veteran coach 136 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:40,840 Cheryl Reeve they were able to get in the draft the number two choice diamond Miller 137 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:48,240 the shooting guard out of Maryland also Maya Hirsch actually coming out of France they got 138 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:58,060 her also Dorca Juhaas the center from Yukon they got her in the second round of the draft 139 00:15:58,060 --> 00:16:04,640 also in the second round of that draft Brea Beale shooting guard out of South Carolina 140 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:11,920 as well she can also play the forward position and then Taylor so they got her coming out 141 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:22,080 of Virginia Tech small forward so Minnesota now in the post Sylvia fouls error so we'll 142 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:33,080 see what happens with them returning as Nafizia Collier also Ariel Powers Kayla McBride and 143 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:40,720 Viya Trey you have Keanu Williams as well so diamond Miller I expect her to shine at 144 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:47,720 the next level what she was able to bring to that Maryland program just steady scoring 145 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:54,880 she could play both ends of the court so I'm expecting all star level play from her as 146 00:16:54,880 --> 00:17:00,960 far as Maya Hirsch could be a situation where she stays overseas we'll see what happens 147 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:08,160 there Dorca I like as your center coming in because you don't know the situation with 148 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:15,600 Maya Hirsch yet so I think she could man the center position at the next level Brea Beale 149 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:20,840 I like that pick as well she's going to get in there and she's going to be feisty she's 150 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:26,080 going to make her way into this roster that's for sure and I think she can contribute at 151 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:31,600 the next level she's another tough player that I think you didn't see all of what she 152 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:37,320 could bring while she was at South Carolina so I'd be definitely interested to see what 153 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:43,640 she does next level so Minnesota is an interesting state right now so we'll see what happens 154 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:51,200 with them then we move on to the New York Liberty they too only had one pick in this 155 00:17:51,200 --> 00:18:01,720 draft Ocacco Adica a small forward out of USC more likely than not she'll be glued to 156 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:07,400 the bench there remember the Liberty had a big offseason seems like Sandy Brondellos 157 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:14,160 she's going for it guys they signed as a free agent Breanna Stewart and remember I mentioned 158 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:20,720 the trade of John Quill Jones coming to the Liberty also they signed Courtney Vanneslute 159 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:28,920 coming out of Chicago you already had Sabrina Anescu, Medina Joleney as well you have her 160 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:38,080 there Stephanie Dolson is Sena that you picked up last year and Marina Johannes also you 161 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:44,000 have there as well so the Liberty loaded for bear guys and I'll be interested to see how 162 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:49,360 all those pieces mesh together all eyes are on Brondello she got to bring it all together 163 00:18:49,360 --> 00:18:57,160 guys so should be interesting times over there at the Barclays Center then we move on to 164 00:18:57,160 --> 00:19:03,440 Phoenix Mercury they had a few low draft picks as well they didn't pick until late in the 165 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:12,480 second round Destiny Harton shooting guard out of University of Miami and then KD Sasoco 166 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:19,680 power forward out of USC so but returning guys Brittney Griner they have her back now 167 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:26,920 so she's back safe and sound and she's already preparing for this season coming ahead also 168 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:34,160 you have Diana Terrasi I would imagine this is her last go round also Skyler Digginsmith 169 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:42,400 you're going to have her back you re science Sophie Cunningham and also Rihanna Turner 170 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:51,320 as well so the big question for coach Vanessa Nygaard is incorporating Brittany Griner back 171 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:58,080 into playing in the WNBA you know she went through the harrowing ordeal over there in 172 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:05,160 Russia so I'll be interested to see how she handles Griner this coming season and it'll 173 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:12,240 be all love for Griner at home is on the road where I'd be curious to see how fans treat 174 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:18,720 her when she has to play in these different arenas so but Phoenix interesting team as 175 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:25,200 well you know with Griner coming back to them so Destiny Harton she could definitely make 176 00:20:25,200 --> 00:20:31,680 this roster that's for sure so we'll see what happens there two more teams guys I'll talk 177 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:40,120 about and then I want to talk a little bit about the WNBA itself so the 11th team I'll 178 00:20:40,120 --> 00:20:48,600 talk about is the Seattle storm Noel Quinn the coach she's now in the post suburb era 179 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:55,080 suburb has retired so it'll be interesting to see how things go in Seattle also they 180 00:20:55,080 --> 00:21:01,280 lost Brianna Stewart because she moved on to the Liberty so things will be a bit different 181 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:06,640 there in Seattle in the draft though they were able to get another knife pick Jordan 182 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:12,360 Horstin the shooting guard out of the University of Tennessee also they were able to get in 183 00:21:12,360 --> 00:21:21,080 the second round Maddie Williams small forward out of Oklahoma Dooley Fon Con Dodney power 184 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:30,480 forward out of Southern Florida and also Jay O'ville small forward out of Arizona so and 185 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:36,640 returning is Jewel Lloyd they're all star guard as well as Tina Charles looked like she'll 186 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:46,240 be back all intense purposes as a mag brugger also Gabby Williams Sammy Whitcomb and also 187 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:53,080 Kea nurse as well so Jordan Horstin I think they'll probably bring her along slowly but 188 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:59,560 she's a player who can do many things as well I think she's going to be a solid contributor 189 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:05,600 to this Seattle storm team Maddie Williams I'll be interested to see how she fits into 190 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:14,200 all this as well but Seattle again in a new stage now with suburb retired so we'll see 191 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:20,640 what happens there and then the last team the Washington Mystics Mike Tibbalt he left 192 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:26,240 from the sideline and he's gone up to the front office so his son Eric is now taking 193 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:33,200 over the coaching ranks so I don't expect much of a change in philosophy there so we'll 194 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:41,360 see what happens in the draft they will able to get Elena Tisnecki shooting guard out of 195 00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:50,880 Southern Florida also Texell Alacorn shooting guard out of Spain so we'll see if she's able 196 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:57,120 to come across the waters over to the US to play in the WNBA we'll see what happens there 197 00:22:57,120 --> 00:23:04,880 returning for them Elena Deladon she's was able to have a normal offseason so we'll see 198 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:10,600 what happens there she looked like she's all the way back from that injury guys so looks 199 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:17,200 like she's back to our normal self also you have Natasha Cloud as well they're all world 200 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:22,440 guard there and then you have the second year player Shakira Austin who I thought played 201 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:29,480 very well last year their center Brittany Skye they got via free agency and then of course 202 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:35,840 Ariel Atkins as well so Washington Mystics I think they'll be a solid team once again 203 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:43,000 how they fare against the super teams that's been formed in the offseason that'll be of 204 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:49,800 interest as well but Washington will be a team to be reckoned with as usual so with that 205 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:58,240 said that's the WNBA draft guys I did have a bit of a commentary for the commissioner 206 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:05,880 of the WNBA Kaffee Engelbert I did have a bit of commentary there I think it's high 207 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:13,000 time for the WNBA to first of all expand to at least two more teams I think it's time 208 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:18,800 because some of these players are just caught up in the numbers game you have 12 teams which 209 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:26,480 means 12 players on a roster so you're talking 144 players that's not a lot of players guys 210 00:24:26,480 --> 00:24:34,720 so I think another two rosters will give you another 24 players that can show what they 211 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:43,200 can do at the next level so a few cities I think that Engelbert should consider is Houston 212 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:49,440 you had success there before with the comments that'd be a great story there also Philly 213 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:56,520 is another place to consider Memphis I think that could be a place you could tap into Sacramento 214 00:24:56,520 --> 00:25:03,200 you had success there before with the Monarchs so that would be a bad option either Charlotte 215 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:09,800 is another place where you had a team there in the Sting so I think you can draw some 216 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:16,800 fans there and Seattle that'd be nice to get a team in Seattle this way you kind of gear 217 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:24,040 up just in case the NBA itself expands to maybe a 32 team league then you'll have a 218 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:31,840 Seattle squad back in the NBA so that's kind of a shot in the dark but I think that's one 219 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:40,280 thing she should consider and the second thing is guys I like the W NBA I watched in the 220 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:45,160 beginning that was for sure kind of fell away from it you know life and everything else 221 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:51,960 got in the way since I started the podcast I've kind of got back into it so I enjoyed 222 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:58,760 last season I enjoyed seeing Aja Wilson get her first W NBA title I really enjoyed that 223 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:06,040 I enjoyed the success that Becky Hammond had as well so I'm liking what I'm seeing happening 224 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:12,360 with the New York Liberty so much so I think I'll be attending some games there so and 225 00:26:12,360 --> 00:26:16,960 I think it's going the league is going in the right direction but Kathy Engelberg well 226 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:25,320 I think you should do I think you should ride this wave of the success that the college 227 00:26:25,320 --> 00:26:31,160 women's basketball game has had think you need to piggyback off of that even if you 228 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:40,960 have to advertise the current winners of the championship like you market a Lexis Morris 229 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:48,080 Deja Williams since they were two players who got drafted from that championship squad 230 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:56,200 there you definitely market a Leah Boston's I a cook LaTisha I'm here and also free of 231 00:26:56,200 --> 00:27:03,080 bill definitely market those young ladies as well and yeah I think you need to ride 232 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:11,880 that wave as far as the success of college and ride that with the W NBA and also to your 233 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:20,040 TV deals I think you need a definitive package whether it be with ESPN my ESPN has the main 234 00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:30,200 network they have ESPN to ESPN news so forth I think they even have a ESPN three so if 235 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:37,320 you got a TV package with them fine just make the games available and clear to the consumer 236 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:45,280 where they can find the games also the NBA TV channel once upon a time they used to show 237 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:51,440 W NBA games on the regular I mean it's the summertime well how many times you're going 238 00:27:51,440 --> 00:28:01,920 to show reruns of the Chicago Bulls the Lakers Boston I mean you got 24 hours of programming 239 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:09,440 there you can't squeeze some W NBA games in there somewhere I'm just saying yeah so I 240 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:17,080 think making the games available whether it be on the TV streaming I know a couple of 241 00:28:17,080 --> 00:28:24,680 games popped on the Amazon app yeah so you need to ride this wave and even the draft 242 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:30,760 you had just now it was the most watched draft in your history so you need to take advantage 243 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:39,240 of this so I'm just saying yeah so alright so that is my take on the W NBA let me get 244 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:46,240 into these postseason awards right quick we already had an award given out the defensive 245 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:52,720 player of the year going to Jaren Jackson Jr. and rightfully so he led the league in blocks 246 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:59,120 and he was proficient in steals as well so definitely well deserved others that was in 247 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:07,360 the running were Brooke Lopez for the Milwaukee Bucks and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers 248 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:13,640 so here's my predictions as far as the other awards I think rookie of the year is pretty 249 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:21,920 much a no-brainer Paulo Banquero of the Orlando Magic I think he's the clear winner there 250 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:29,280 my honorable mentions would be Keegan Murray who who set a rookie record for threes made 251 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:36,040 for the Sacramento Kings I think he's on the low he's had a very good year and he's one 252 00:29:36,040 --> 00:29:43,200 of the few rookies that are still standing still playing so and making the impact so 253 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:50,760 definitely Keegan Murray and Jaylin Williams out of OKC he had a fine year as well there's 254 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:57,640 others to Ben Maffarin out of Indiana with Indiana Pacers he's another one who had a 255 00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:05,200 pretty good year also yeah but I think it's Paulo Banqueros or to lose so then we have 256 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:12,200 coach of the year I think that one too is a no-brainer I think it's Mike Brown the Sacramento 257 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:19,040 Kings coach what he's done having them the third seed in the West nobody's could have 258 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:25,880 predicted that so to me he's like the clear-cut winner I would imagine Joe Missoula get some 259 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:31,760 votes as well the Boston Celtics coach and what he's done with that team to keep them 260 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:40,040 up there still with the absence of M.A. Aduca so Joe Missoula definitely deserves some consideration 261 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:44,560 I know people talk about Jock Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets and the mess he had to deal 262 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:50,680 with and still having this team in the playoffs but here's a coach I don't think really gets 263 00:30:50,680 --> 00:30:56,840 talked about but I think he deserves a ton of credit for what's happened this year and 264 00:30:56,840 --> 00:31:03,360 that's the Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins think about this guys he started the 265 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:09,760 year Jaren Jackson remember Jaren Jackson Junior he didn't start playing until about a month 266 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:17,200 or so into the season so you had that then you had the job Moran incident where he was 267 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:24,480 lost for eight games as well as games where he missed outside of that also he's playing 268 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:33,200 without his center Steven Adams who he lost back in February also he lost Brandon Clark 269 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:39,960 for the year as well with a torn ACL and for all of that to happen he still had his team 270 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:45,760 about to game a two out of first place in the West that's one heck of a job there you 271 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:53,040 got to give the man his credit so Taylor Jenkins I think deserves some consideration but again 272 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:59,720 Mike Brown will get it in pretty much a landslide so let's move on to most improved player this 273 00:31:59,720 --> 00:32:07,160 is one that can go a number of ways guys you have the favorite Laurie marketing out of Utah 274 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:13,960 with the Utah Jazz he's one player that seems like the odds on favorite I say hold up wait 275 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:20,440 a minute what about shy Gilchis Alexander whose numbers were solid across the board he 276 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:25,360 averaged over 30 points per game he carried his squad as best as he could throughout the 277 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:31,120 year I think he deserves a lot of credit for most improved player and then of course you 278 00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:36,120 have Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and what he's done and what he's brought to 279 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:43,960 that franchise averaging 24 and 6 propelling the Knicks into the fifth seed in the east 280 00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:51,160 where no one guys everyone had them in the playing game guys but Jalen Brunson has rose 281 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:57,400 and shown so you can make an argument for him definitely so I could go either way with 282 00:32:57,400 --> 00:33:05,320 any of these three I think the more deserving person is probably shy Gilchis Alexander because 283 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:10,840 he was actually able to be healthy pretty much the whole year so I would give it to 284 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:22,440 him Jalen Brunson second and then Laurie market and third so I say third because he got jerked 285 00:33:22,440 --> 00:33:27,760 in and out of the lineup I know he was pretty much present the first half of the season 286 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:33,200 but they kept jerking them in and out of the lineup after the all-star break and I think 287 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:39,720 availability has to count that's why I lean towards shy Gilchis Alexander at least I do 288 00:33:39,720 --> 00:33:46,160 so then you have executive of the year this is one there you could go a lot of different 289 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:54,080 directions guys it seems like the odds on favorite is Colby Altman the GM out of Cleveland 290 00:33:54,080 --> 00:34:01,400 with the Cavaliers he was able to pull off the Donovan Mitchell trade also well that's 291 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:07,680 pretty much it guys he pulled off that one trade and everybody's made him the odds on 292 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:13,560 favorite I get it I understand they did win the 51 games I got grant you that I don't 293 00:34:13,560 --> 00:34:18,520 know if he's such the runaway everybody makes them out to be but and here's a couple of 294 00:34:18,520 --> 00:34:24,840 executives to consider Rob Polinka for the Los Angeles Lakers they were dead in the water 295 00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:29,960 guys at one point they were two and ten on the air LeBron was missing for a good towards 296 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:35,920 the end with that injury he had his foot injury then you had Anthony Davis with of course 297 00:34:35,920 --> 00:34:41,720 a myriad of injuries who was in and out of lineup but he was there when LeBron was not 298 00:34:41,720 --> 00:34:50,080 in his availability really help the Lakers but also remember all those draft deadline 299 00:34:50,080 --> 00:34:59,760 deals that Polinka made bringing in a D'Angelo Russell Malik Beasley Jarrett Vanderbilt also 300 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:07,880 he brought in Mo Bamba so also he got back a Dennis Schroeder as well he's able to bring 301 00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:13,360 him back so Rob Polinka I think deserves a lot of consideration as well when it comes 302 00:35:13,360 --> 00:35:19,880 to exactly year and then the name I don't even hear it called but he's done a great 303 00:35:19,880 --> 00:35:28,080 job with two deals and that's Leon Rose of the New York Knicks his signing of Jalen Brunson 304 00:35:28,080 --> 00:35:36,000 where a lot of people said they were overpaying for him a lot of detractors and it looks like 305 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:42,600 Jalen's proved them wrong but Leon Rose had the confidence to do such a deal and then 306 00:35:42,600 --> 00:35:49,160 their trade deadline deal that brought in Josh Hart which I feel kind of turned this season 307 00:35:49,160 --> 00:35:57,840 around and he's been such a asset for that team especially down the stretch so Leon Rose 308 00:35:57,840 --> 00:36:04,400 why why were you not considering him and also oh by the way Isaiah Hartenstein who's played 309 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:12,680 all 82 games and has been a solid contributor whether it's coming in to start for Mitchell 310 00:36:12,680 --> 00:36:17,800 Robinson or coming off the bench with that bench mob that the Knicks have he's been 311 00:36:17,800 --> 00:36:24,280 solid the whole year so especially down the stretch so Leon Rose needs to get some love 312 00:36:24,280 --> 00:36:29,880 to as far as the executive of the year goes so that's my take on it so I could go either 313 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:37,080 away with any of these three guys definitely that's for sure so and then you have six 314 00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:45,000 man of the year looks like it's a three headed race Emanuel quickly of the New York Knicks 315 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:52,240 Malcolm Brogdon of the Boston Celtics and Bobby Portis for the Milwaukee Bucks it's 316 00:36:52,240 --> 00:36:59,720 more so two headed between quickly and Brogdon but here's what the people who are campaigning 317 00:36:59,720 --> 00:37:06,880 for Brogdon brings up he had more games off the bench than quickly and that quickly supposedly 318 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:13,560 did most of his damage as a starter as opposed to a six man but we've had six men in the 319 00:37:13,560 --> 00:37:22,280 past who's won the awards who's had to place starter minutes had to start in place of players 320 00:37:22,280 --> 00:37:28,960 because of injuries or whatever so why are we moving the goalposts when a Nick is involved 321 00:37:28,960 --> 00:37:36,040 and just ignoring the there's no mandate to say of course you have to have a number of 322 00:37:36,040 --> 00:37:42,400 games as a bench player I get that but when opportunity comes where he has to start he 323 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:48,640 has to start and that's the way it is but he's still considered a bench player so why 324 00:37:48,640 --> 00:37:56,200 does something move with the goalposts I don't understand so to me quickly is my favorite 325 00:37:56,200 --> 00:38:03,280 for the six man of the year but again you're gonna have these guys say oh Brogdon came 326 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:09,920 off the bench more than quickly so I say quickly but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets robbed 327 00:38:09,920 --> 00:38:17,680 in Brogdon ends up winning so that's the way that goes and then of course we have last 328 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:24,980 but not least your MVP this between three players Joel and Bede of the Philadelphia 329 00:38:24,980 --> 00:38:34,960 76ers Nikolai Yolkic the Denver Nuggets and Giannis Antutokopo of the Milwaukee Bucks 330 00:38:34,960 --> 00:38:43,280 I told you in a few episodes ago before the playoff previews I gave you there all the 331 00:38:43,280 --> 00:38:54,320 numbers all that they did how Nikolai Yolkic two time MVP who nearly average a triple double 332 00:38:54,320 --> 00:39:02,520 he came point to assist shy of that his team was number one in the West I grant you that 333 00:39:02,520 --> 00:39:09,240 Joel and Bede's just been a beast man he led the league and scoring again without Joel 334 00:39:09,240 --> 00:39:15,760 and Bede in that lineup that team goes nowhere so I think he was dominant throughout the 335 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:26,720 year I think I would give it to him Bede I would give it to him Bede but again if Joker 336 00:39:26,720 --> 00:39:32,960 wanted I wouldn't be too shocked I'd be shocked if Giannis gets it above any of these guys 337 00:39:32,960 --> 00:39:40,320 they seem like Giannis miss a lot more games this year so yeah so again I'm one for availability 338 00:39:40,320 --> 00:39:46,600 and you gotta give and be this props he was very available this year so I'm giving it 339 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:53,160 to him Bede so alright guys so that's my prediction as far as the postseason awards 340 00:39:53,160 --> 00:39:59,800 go and there's another award best clutch player and I know that that's gonna be a runaway 341 00:39:59,800 --> 00:40:05,480 it'll be Darren Fox he has all the numbers that points to that so anyway so that's it 342 00:40:05,480 --> 00:40:11,640 for me guys I guess you'll hear from me once the first round is done of the playoff so 343 00:40:11,640 --> 00:40:16,080 once again I thank you for listening you know where to find me all things basketball with 344 00:40:16,080 --> 00:40:26,720 GD.com also on YouTube all things basketball GD the podcast platforms and so forth so leave 345 00:40:26,720 --> 00:40:33,320 a review guys on my website leave a review there click the like button on YouTube or 346 00:40:33,320 --> 00:40:39,120 and you can make a comment as well alright I'm done alright guys I'll talk to you soon 347 00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:47,320 alright take care so my peeps if you like what you're listening to you can go to my 348 00:40:47,320 --> 00:40:58,280 website www all things basketball with GD.com you can also email me at that sports do GD 349 00:40:58,280 --> 00:41:08,000 at gmail.com to support this podcast you can go to my paypal and that email is that sports 350 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:16,360 do GD at gmail.com also on my anchor page I have a support button there that you can 351 00:41:16,360 --> 00:41:27,240 also use to help the podcast I'm on all the major platforms like anchor spreeker Google 352 00:41:27,240 --> 00:41:38,400 podcast Amazon SoundCloud YouTube Cast Box Radio Public Podchaser just to name a few 353 00:41:38,400 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