Natisha Hiedeman Reveals When She and Courtney Cried Over StudBudz

0:00 What's the funnest moment that you can think of with you and Kourtney? Or the most outrageous? I ain't gonna lie.

0:05 One time, this is just a memory that sticks out to me.

0:07 It's like when me and Kourtney, we cried in the parking garage in Minnesota because it was just like, I think we just got our first deal with StubBuds.

0:17 And it was just like, to us, just like life changing. You know what I'm saying? So we was just in there crying, like couldn't believe it.

0:33 My good people, y'all don't even understand that I just did the most energetic intro out here. And I was like so hyped because my AAA is in the building. My girl's in the building. We got Ashanti and Aaliyah. I like to open up space for everybody to be themselves. Why don't you tell the people who y'all are? Not that they wouldn't know because honestly, y'all really popular. It's giving popularity. Go ahead, Aaliyah. Okay.

0:57 Hi, everyone.

0:59 My name is Aaliyah Funshell. I am a sports content creator and podcast host and one third of AAA. I like to pretend like I'm on FaceTime with the audience and really show behind the scenes of the sports industry, whether that's interviewing your favorite athletes or showing you what a real day in the life looks like.

1:18 That's kind of what I do.

1:20 You're catering to the nosiness, and I love that. Literally so many people want to know what they're doing 24-7, and Aaliyah's the one willing to share. Oh, yeah. Definitely. I've had to work my way there. We're trying. We're doing our best weekend. The best weekend of what we got. What I got. Hi, y'all.

1:37 My name is Ashanti Plummer. I'm a former professional basketball player turned sports media entrepreneur. I do a little bit of everything from podcasting to broadcasting. And I really love talking about sports, in particular women's sports. So.

1:52 And y'all, she was pro, right? And she was like, okay, my body wouldn't let me play basketball anymore. Then we go on this.

2:01 Road trip, right?

2:01 Oh my God. Now you're about to tell my story. Y'all lucky. Well, y'all can't see because she's sitting down. Then she can walk today. That's a fact. Are you okay? Barely, girl. The knees are crazy. I limped up very.

2:13 No, yeah.

2:13 I mean, you know, that's why I actually medically retired early because I was having issues with my knees. But I mean, I still get to be around the sport. And I'm going to still dance. I don't care if I got one knee.

2:23 I'm going to get up on that dance floor. You did have one knee.

2:27 Literally.

2:27 She rocked her knee with ice.

2:29 We were out.

2:30 Y'all, okay, so we made a road trip to Connecticut, right? Connecticut Sun, unfortunately... and played their last game in Mohegan. Very sad about that. They will be relocating to Houston. And we just so happened to be a great time. So we decided to take this great time beyond the game and into the night because we're growing and we could do that. And, I mean, it was great, wholesome fun, but Ashanti was literally single-leggedly doing this. No, absolutely.

2:58 Funny enough, I got my leg wrapped by the Connecticut Sun's PT.

3:03 Mid-party. Yeah, mid-turn up.

3:05 And after that, I was just like, I'm not going to let this night.

3:08 Go to waste, y'all. It is the last night. And I wasn't going to let it, you know. And the let out ended up being end of the road. And that was just, oh, God.

3:16 Yeah.

3:17 Well, I think like me being an overshare, the reason we were even able to get her knee wrapped is because Mohegan Sun, like some of the bars closed early.

3:26 And so everyone's like. to the training room and she's like yes.

3:30 Please to the training room i need my knee.

3:33 Like this table make it work okay no legit make it work like help me oh my god but the boy what a way to end out or close out w30 it's like last or last night last weekend was just the culmination of all like the greatness that is the w it made me feel like 2016 again and like it's like It was just a great time to share with your friends. And then like W30 as a whole has been cool to just look back on all the history and everything like that. So what I'm watching right now is the reflection that is I'm watching the legends get their flowers. I'm watching Nneka Ogumike step away from the game of basketball, even though you're on Sinead today and I was watching when y'all played Brit Sound about how Sinead never retired, neither did Kara Lawson. Sinead

4:22 and Kara Lawson, I feel like y'all should come back. Well, Cara's in her bag, Coach. The way that CBA set up.

4:28 Okay.

4:29 Let me get a meal real quick. Real quick.

4:31 Okay.

4:31 One-year deal. But how historic is that? You get a million dollars, right? They have a historic CBA this year. They have just unprecedented visibility. It's up year over year. I think 32% of ESPN alone. And then you have other networks buying in. Then you have the greats retiring, the legends getting their statues, and just so much gratitude toward a league that is the longest-standing women's sports league in the domestic U.S. And despite all of Title IX crumbling from up under us, which is a story for a different day, let's be honest, we know that the WNBA is the one staple that's going to continue to push women forward. So I am watching playoffs, obviously, but what I have been watching is My camera roll to

5:15 see all the memories that have happened this entire time.

5:18 Yeah, it's something really beautiful. For all of us, we're able to grow up. We had the luxury of growing up to watch a league like this grow and be constant, right? We have our parents who grew up and there was no women's basketball league.

5:31 You know what I mean?

5:32 Not with as much visibility as the WNBA has. And it's just a beautiful time to continue to be a part. And it's just, when I think back on the 30 years, it's like, Wow.

5:44 You know what I mean?

5:45 Like, we always knew the talent was there, but now the world gets to see. And it's just been something I'm so proud to be a part of. Whether it's a fan, as a former player, or as someone who creates content around.

5:58 It, it is just, it's really beautiful to see.

6:02 not only the paths that come from the W, but just, like, everything that's grown and how far we've come, and I'm excited for the future.

6:08 No, and I think it was really poetic that the CBA got agreed upon in this 30th year because there were so many legends coming back to get honored at their respective teams while this insane CBA just got done. And so they got to actually see, like, the fruits of their labors right in front of their eyes the same year that it's happening. They're getting honored in such a way, so... Um, and they really laid the foundation and I think, you know, 30 years ago, little girls couldn't watch TV and know that they could be a professional women's basketball player. And I think that segues into what I'm watching is the WPBL. That league has just been so cool that little girls can now watch and know that they can play baseball. And I just got

6:51 to give a shout out to our girl, Monet Davis, because I am the master manifester and I was scrolling TikTok and I saw a video about how she said she's going to win a championship in this inaugural year.

7:03 And what did they do?

7:03 They won the championship.

7:04 She said that. She said that. It's only right, especially for the people who've been watching Monet's journey, right? Like when you think baseball and women in baseball or girls in baseball in general, This girl has been famous for baseball. Not to be confused with softball, two very different sports by people. But she's been such a front-facing entity when it comes to girls' baseball and women's baseball within the United States.

7:27 Yes.

7:28 That it's so super poetic that the WPBL, she has the ring for the first year. Yeah. Honestly, it's been... So I played softball growing up.

7:37 Funny enough, it was actually, it was my second sport.

7:41 Funny enough. Yeah, girl. Yes, I did. Shame. You a little lanky for that. No shame.

7:46 I was a first baseman and I played center field. But I didn't even know that there was a possibility to play baseball because you just grow up and it's like, no, you're a girl.

7:56 You play softball.

7:57 And it's funny because I remember first seeing Monet on TV and I'm.

8:00 Like- who's this little girl? Like, who is this girl?

8:03 And I love that she's like a little black girl. And I'm just like, girl. And I'm, mind you, I believe I'm older than her. So I'm just, I'm inspired by that. So I can imagine the generation behind her.

8:14 Oh yeah. Who's seeing this.

8:15 It's just, we're literally living in history and she doesn't even realize like, how great she is, and then you gonna manifest and win a chip.

8:24 Girl, you better! And she, you know what's crazy? They can do this and they can go to other leagues like the Savannah Bananas. You have Kelsey going right back there. And so there's so many opportunities. And as USA Baseball for women is growing, they just, it's a better feeder system. So shout out to USA. About to be real super competitive in this thing. And also I'm looking forward to the expansion of the WPBL, right? So like, Right now, they were in one location, four teams. Obviously, it gave unrivaled to me. So just to see the trajectory or the possibility of trajectory that they have going forward, endless possibilities.

8:58 Here's to more opportunity for girls and women to play professionally in the sport that they want to play. And it doesn't have to be this dream, right? It can be a goal. I love when dreams are no more and goals are happening.

9:10 Good point.

9:10 It got to start somewhere, and I love when it becomes tangible.

9:13 Yeah, period.

9:14 But you guys, I mentioned that it was my second sport was softball.

9:17 You have a third.

9:18 Girl, my.

9:20 So funny enough, basketball was my third sport.

9:22 What?

9:22 My very first sport was soccer. Here she go. Now, I'm going to tell you, I promise.

9:27 You this is the truth, and here is the crazy story. So I'm Jamaican-American. My dad is Jamaican, and in Jamaica, soccer is a football, is a big deal in our household. Y'all, I promise you not. I played soccer for all of two months, tweaked my ankle, and never played again.

9:43 So you ain't tweaking in basketball? You just didn't love it like that?

9:45 No. By the time I started playing basketball, my mom was like, girl, you going to.

9:49 College for three, so you better figure it out. You got to stay right there. You better figure it out. I mean, track wasn't an option being Jamaican. I'm just saying.

9:54 Track was an option, but let me tell you something. The thought of running, even though the thought of running is crazy.

10:00 That's it. Like, I'm not chasing a ball. Like, not punishment? I'm not, like, going against somebody. I'm just running.

10:06 No. Nuts.

10:08 Wait, what position in soccer?

10:10 Girl, you think I knew? I was all of eight years old. You needed to be in the goal. I was all of eight years old. You needed to be in the goal. And I didn't want to be in the goal. You needed to be in the goal. You're so long.

10:17 You needed to be in the goal.

10:18 I'm long now, but when I was eight, I was not as long. I was 5'3. Really?

10:23 I didn't hit my growth spurt until probably like 12, 14.

10:26 By the time I was 12, I was 5'8. But this isn't about that. Anyways, back to you. Wait, I'm gagged.

10:30 But speaking of soccer, I do want to give a special shout out to Ashley Sanchez of the North Carolina Courage.

10:36 Yeah. She is having a golden season.

10:40 Generational run.

10:41 She is literally tied right now with 20 goals and in the lead for the Golden Boot. And what's crazy enough is just last season, she only had five. Yeah. So shout out to our good sis because she is going to, she has the potential to make history because they actually have a game tomorrow. And if she scores a goal tomorrow, she's the single season leader.

11:01 We want to talk about manifestation. Before the season started, her and her coach had a sync about goals and communicated to her, hey, you're going to get a 20 goal season. And she laughed at that. No way. That's crazy.

11:12 She laughed at it.

11:12 And so it was already written for her in that way. And with a team like the Courage, especially with her speed and ability to shake the defender and get them off groove, she has the ability to cook with this Courage team. Everybody's like, oh, it's unfortunate that the Courage are on the brink of not making playoffs. However- she's in a position where she can individually shine and hopefully, like, the pieces land where they may. Right? Soccer's a team sport. Yes, yes, yes.

11:36 We can acknowledge the fact that the Golden Boot and MVP do very different things. So just the fact that soccer has the ability to have a shining light on, like, a Golden Boot situation versus, like, an MVP of the whole season situation is really.

11:47 Great for the NBA.

11:48 I mean, shout out to her teammates, too, for setting her up for those goals.

11:52 No, yeah.

11:53 And also, it's like, you got to start somewhere. You have a player that's really, like, shining and growing, you build around that.

12:00 So maybe this isn't y'all's season.

12:01 You can still create history in this season, but then you have next year to be really motivated and build on that.

12:06 You know what's crazy? When I think about excellence in WSL, I think of, obviously, Gotham. I think of Washington Spirit, but I also think of The Courage because historically they've been great, right? The past few years has been shaky making the playoffs. It's like on and off again playoffs, but I am looking forward to The Courage being, I mean, this could be because I'm from Raleigh. It could be because I'm from Raleigh, but I'm excited to see the future of The Courage because they've had tumultuous path. A path.

12:39 A path, right? Very up and down. Very give the girls everything versus give the girls not so much of everything. But I'm excited to see how they build around Ashley. Well, and like the tides change in the NWSL so quick. Like I remember the year Gotham won a championship against Allie Krieger's retirement year. They won that year. Yeah.

12:55 But they didn't realize they clinched a spot in the playoffs until after the game during Allie's retirement speech.

13:00 Yep.

13:01 And so they went from that to not even knowing if they'd make the playoffs to winning.

13:05 And now look at them.

13:06 And since then, they've won another. A.C.A. 2025.

13:09 Gotham's roster is so deep that people are on the internet acting like detectives trying to figure out their roster construction.

13:16 And they're like, how? They basically assemble the Avengers.

13:18 If the girls can construct a super team, let the girls rock. I mean, I'm here for it. No, but remember the year that they didn't win when they had those megastars too? Like, it's literally, Gotham's always been able to have a solid roster. And I... I'm just excited to be able to be in the proximity of Gotham.

13:34 They're actually sitting on the top of the standings right now. And is. We're getting ready on the road to the NWSL championships, right? So that's Saturday, November 21st. And right now, Gotham's sitting in the top spot. We're accustomed to Gotham and Washington being really high up. Gotham's number one, Washington number three. San Diego Wave is way back in there, number two. So just let's be on the lookout for that, let's just say.

13:59 I'll definitely be tuned in. If you guys don't know by now, I'm New York through and through. So I'm definitely rooting for our girls.

14:06 Well, they have a six-point lead on San Diego for the Shield. Sounds great. Which is like regular season championships. So they're pretty dominant. Gotham, when the system works, the system works. And consistency is their key.

14:19 I am Gotham through and through.

14:20 I know.

14:20 But things... can change.

14:23 So much soccer is such a beautiful sport in the fact that like people might think it's boring if there's only one goal goal scored the entire game. But like if one team gets lucky and puts one in the back of the goal and has some good defense, anyone could go down on any given day. So this, this will be pretty spicy.

14:40 I'm excited to see what angel city is going to do the rest of the season. Um, they, they're another one that, that confuses me a little bit because they have been dropping and rising in the standings and things like that. But Yeah, I'm looking at the comprehensive list right now for the playoff race, and it's pretty tight.

15:00 Third through ninth are within seven points of each other. It kind of gives like WNBA playoff race. So don't let us tell you. Let us know what you think about this playoff race, my general public who's listening to us right now. But we'll see y'all there in November. That's when I do know. I know that's right. Okay.

15:19 I am tuned in. All right, so we covered soccer. That's cool. That's cool and whatnot. But let's get back to W. Yes. Because awards are going to be flowing out over the next few days. We already know what AP thinks. We know some of the league awards. And let's just jump right into what was unanimous in Olivia Miles running Rookie of the Year. She's been showing out, being a rock, all the things. What y'all thought?

15:48 Bro, when her parents surprised her with the award, I was crying right there with them. I mean, we all knew it. It's like no surprise there. This season that she's having is, I would say second to none, but we have Candice Parker. But in recent years, I can't remember a rookie that just gelled so well from the jump and had really no transition time.

16:15 That was really fun to watch in real time.

16:18 Yeah, I think that this rookie class was so, so talented.

16:23 But what's also really important is your situation.

16:27 The team that you join, the coach that's coaching you, the system that you have to learn and be a part of. And I think Olivia, super talented, playing at a super high level, especially to be a And then put it in a situation with a coach like Cheryl. I mean, it was ideal and she really maximized her situation.

16:49 She's been playing out of her mind. Her team is winning, number one in the league. And I think rightfully so, she is our rookie of the year. On draft night, I remember Holly asking her how she foresees this. And she says, I think I'm the best point guard. And that caused a lot of controversy, which it shouldn't have.

17:05 When you approach... a new situation with confidence, that changes your entire trajectory, right? She didn't ask for the franchise player and the team she's coming into to be injured. She didn't ask for all that responsibility, but she assumed it well because she already carried it from the preparation and the patience. I mentioned when I talked about it, when I announced the award through my socials, that she is already taking the risk, right? She was at Notre Dame- in her opinion, not fulfilling her fullest potential and took the risk of leaving a winning program like that to go to TCU, who's also a decent program, right? And really took that extra year to develop and get into a system that made her feel valued and needed. And

17:52 so she's coming off of that value need and going into the league with a disciplined coach that expects everything excellence out of you and pulls that out of you and knows how to coach it in you. And she did it with no fear. And that's what I think separates, yes, the fit, obviously, like the fit is the most important part of the W. But I also think the fearlessness that this next generation is having because they're prepared, most of them have extra years. But the prep that goes into it, the patience she has, and the fact that she has a great fierce older crowd around her in Minnesota that can keep her leveled even when she's not confident.

18:35 But also something that I think makes her so great is how great she makes her teammates.

18:39 Yeah.

18:40 Which sounds like so corny and cliche, but allowing Courtney to play off ball, like where she truly thrives and enjoys being.

18:46 Courtney don't have to play point this time.

18:48 So like, She immediately fits and immediately makes her teammates thrive. And that's just something that it might not show up on a stat sheet. It might not come up in conversations, but I think is really important too.

19:00 I do want to also touch back on what you were saying as far as her coming in confident.

19:05 Like, I think I got the highest IQ. Period. Why not? Why not? Why not? I think that it is so important to believe in yourself individually.

19:13 Even if you don't really fully believe that yet, you know what I mean? Saying it and speaking it over your life because now look where you are.

19:19 You know what I mean?

19:20 Because if you go into things, it's one thing to be confident, right? We're not saying cocky and arrogant and not listening and not trying to.

19:28 be an asset to the team.

19:29 We're talking about someone who believes in themselves and knows and believes in this team. And then you have teammates who can win. You have winners, you have good vets. You have a coach of the year, AP. And so like that whole combination, it makes sense that she's the unanimous rookie of the year and congratulations to Olivia Miles.

19:51 One last thing and then we can move on. I was talking to Diana Taurasi in All Star and her and K Mac were speaking about how there's a difference in Olivia's mentality. Yes, she's very talented, but you could tell she loves basketball. You love the game of basketball. And when athletes love a basketball purist mind and loving the game of basketball, it shows. And she has that soccer background, just like you do. But being able to see...

20:16 Three months. Being able to see all 94, being able to understand the geometry of how the ball needs to move is a skill set you... I mean, you can teach, obviously. It's teachable. But... has been widened by her soccer background and she's just a freak athlete okay somebody else who continues to get better and i just don't know how because like what do you mean asia wilson.

20:39 Bro asia i put out a thread about her wilson asia what did your thread say so i said what makes asia so great is that she's only ever in competition with her former self and making herself better and i need to take that in my own life but even with athletes they're constantly, who's the best point guard in the league?

20:59 Who's the best?

21:00 And it's like, no, I just want to be better than my 2025 self. And then that's why she keeps ascending.

21:06 Yeah, absolutely.

21:07 I mean, she said herself that most people have said it about her, but she said herself she wanted to add something to her game each year.

21:14 And then this year she wanted to add playmaking. And I'm like, girl.

21:19 I mean, this season, she has literally just broken records and continues to get great.

21:25 I'm like, girl, how much more can you add?

21:29 She's going to invent a new stat or something.

21:31 No, absolutely.

21:32 She's going to come out with something we've never even heard. We're going to have to set some new standards because she is the standard.

21:38 She's the blueprint. One time.

21:39 She is.

21:40 One time I might have drunkenly told her at All-Star like in like 2022. I was like, you're the blueprint. Like you're not just the face of the league. You're the blueprint of the league. And I meant every word.

21:51 I still do.

21:51 But yeah, she is like she's going to keep adding things to her bag that we didn't even know existed.

21:56 But look how we speak about her, right? It's just the respectability that... Well, first of all, we have Flage apologizing to her after. That was insane. It's nuts. But when you demand that sort of respect, it comes from a place of, like, first of all, you know who you are. You can execute. You have all the resources.

22:13 Every off-season addition that she has is intentional, right? Like, the intentionality behind your game with every single possession, every single move that she does is intentional. And I think that's what gets lost, too. Like, people don't realize, yeah... Like, she's great at what she does, but every single thing is so meticulous and thought out with her. Also, on a team like the Aces, if you're drawing a double or triple team, like, you got Chelsea and Jackie right there. Like, that's unfair. Right? That's unfair. And then you have a coach like Becky Hammond, like.

22:46 She demands excellence for herself. She demands it for her team. The best players always make their teammates around them better. I hate to keep bringing it up, but when they were on that losing streak and she was like, this 53-point loss, don't breathe my air anymore, children. Sometimes you have to gather, and I don't think she's afraid to gather.

23:05 And also, Asia has this stillness about her. If you know her personally, you know she can be still and... Just know how to navigate tumultuous situations. She knows how to... Provide a calm presence because you just have innate faith in Asia being Asia as a whole. So that's a luxury that the Aces have that nobody else in the world does.

23:26 Absolutely.

23:27 I mean, Asia has been a winner since as long as we can remember. And volleyball as well. No, seriously.

23:34 And being under some great coaches like Donna Stanley and now Becky, it's like it can almost feel like you can miss the greatness because you're so used to it. But you have to know that there has been some trials and errors, some... things that she had to fight through to get here, which is why she can be that calm because she has the experience.

23:53 And she's learned it also from the best, the best coaches. You know what I've noticed about best coaches? Sometimes when their team is imploding, they just sit down.

24:01 Yeah.

24:02 They just sit down. Remember when the Aces were struggling, Becky was like, all right. And then she let the players coach. And the fact that they have that experience, I mean, we're going to get in the playoffs soon, but like they have that experience. You can tell like, hey, this is why. They have a rock like Asia, a coach like Becky. The excellence should not be understated. And it's just been sustained.

24:22 Yeah.

24:22 Well, and I mean, back to the awards, like kind of like what you said with we're so used to Asia being great. I do kind of feel bad for the other players that are having like breakout seasons where it's like unheard of for them, like MVP caliber seasons, but.

24:35 There's Asia as like the asterisk.

24:37 But I would love to know some of your other... Not MVP candidates because I think we're all unanimously Asia.

24:44 When you're the asterisk, that means you have to be MVP. If it's everyone but, that's your answer right there.

24:52 Some MVP for sure is Kelsey Mitchell. Kelsey Mitchell is literally having a historic season.

25:00 I mean, she has like what? So many records. I don't know if we're going to get into this or not. Go ahead and say them.

25:04 Okay, I was going to say, she has the most three points made in a single season. She has 1,000 plus points. You know it took four years for me to get 1,000 points in.

25:12 High school and in college. You know what I mean?

25:16 And she's doing that in, what, 30-ish games, 44 now.

25:22 She is so incredible.

25:25 And I remember actually interviewing her for All-Star, and one of the things that she mentioned was just like, You know, I don't want people to... And this is not verbatim, but it's essentially don't let people miss this. Like, don't... I'm being great.

25:40 I'm great.

25:41 Don't take it for granted, essentially. Because I think that's another thing. Like, we're witnessing greatness. We're literally living through history in the records that she's setting and the level that she's playing at and the years that she's been in this league. And I do think she's still super underrated.

25:57 She is. She is.

25:58 And because... When I look at Indiana, I think of the backcourt duo that is Kelsey and Kaitlyn, right? But we have to silo Kelsey because individually, even if you talk to the athletes coming in now, ask the younger generation who their favorite player is. It's Kelsey Mitchell. She's super quick, the fastest guard pace. She is unguardable. She has a range that's so solid. Honestly, the reliability on her three-point shot is the best on her team, to be honest. The efficiency that she shoots it with is crazy.

26:29 The tenure that she's had in Indiana, this is her team, right? She has been in Indiana for a long time. So just being able to... To understand, to share the star power there, but still produce in such a high and efficient level as she does, that's to be rewarded.

26:45 Absolutely.

26:46 So shout out Kelsey Mitchell as well. You had a great season.

26:49 That's why I wanted to bring it up because it's like Asia is that outlier, that one to beat every year, but I don't want it to overshadow just everything that Kelsey's done this season.

26:58 Yeah. When I think about teams going long in the playoffs, I think about the depth, right? Golden State is one. I don't think we talk about the depth of Golden State.

27:06 Oh, my gosh.

27:07 They ain't nothing but the French national team.

27:10 Okay. And that's what it is. And we know what they're about. Janelle Salon got the AP Sixth Woman of the Year. And I anticipate that being the League Award as well. And first of all, Golden State's bench mob, period.

27:23 Oh, don't get me started. I worked at Columbia when Caitlyn Chen was terrorizing.

27:28 The Ivy League. She's still terrorizing.

27:29 And I love that girl. I love her down.

27:31 Like, she.

27:32 I love everything about the way she plays. Talk about basketball IQ. Like, she is the spark.

27:36 Like, literally.

27:38 their whole bench.

27:38 Like this is.

27:39 It's crazy.

27:40 It's one thing to be super talented, but then you have every single person playing with so much heart.

27:45 And giving it all in every possession. Every possession.

27:47 That's like, where do you find that at?

27:50 You know what I mean?

27:51 I think it's also Natalie just pulling it out of the top to the bottom.

27:55 She said, Hey girls, our owner said in our, in our, Expansion, display, the debut, that we're going to win a championship within five years. We got to position ourselves in that. And Natalie Nakata is feisty. Yeah, and mine just shoot all the five feet. It's all the little ones.

28:10 And I know they.

28:11 Scared of her.

28:12 Honestly.

28:13 In reverence. They say that she was like the good wholesome one last year and then this year she's coming back with some bark. That girl got bark and bite because the team has been doing all the things.

28:21 Absolutely. Absolutely.

28:22 She's able to inspire like such a fire out of these players and you see it. And I mean like, yes, absolutely. Definitely a shout out to Golden State because they're doing their thing.

28:29 Yeah. I mean, they went on, what, 10, 11 straight wins to position themselves second in the league.

28:34 I don't know what's in the water in the Bay Area because the way that they be shooting the freaking basketball.

28:39 Yeah.

28:40 Like, you got games where you making 11 threes, 12 threes.

28:43 10 threes.

28:44 They're the most productive three-point shooting team in the league and number one in defense. Insane. So, just insane.

28:50 I mean, I never like to bring men into it, but you're right.

28:52 What is in the water?

28:52 You have the splash.

28:53 Come on. The Warriors are known to be.

28:56 A shooting team.

28:57 Oh, damn.

28:58 I don't know.

28:58 We're talking about men. Sorry.

29:00 All I got to say is there is something in the water there.

29:02 And I need to see what it's about. Let's see what's going on in Dallas. Don't do that. So the most improved player for the AP is Jessica Shepard, your bestie. Yes, we're locked in. Locked in. Triple, double machine. No, no, like all jokes aside, I have.

29:21 So much respect for Jessica Shepherd. She honestly, most improved is so deserved. She's been so solid during the regular season. And triple doubles are not like.

29:30 A normal thing. That's not normal.

29:31 I think people, I think AT has made it so you kind of like, oh, like, hey, regular, another triple-double, but like, having Jessica come onto a new team, new system, new coach, and come in and be such a force and a consistent force, at that, I mean, shout out to her. Like, generally well-deserved. I agree with AP. And I'm just, I'm excited to see what she does in this playoffs.

29:54 She's another case, too, where it's just like, obvious and I do have like my some words about other players that I think have also yeah I would love to um I I really I have a lot of love for Natasha Howard and to see her go from Indiana to the links and really um and and if you look at the stats it's not a huge jump but it's felt and I think that um obviously like her improvement isn't one that's getting talked about for awards but I think just as a hoops enjoyer she's one to talk about.

30:24 That makes me, sorry, go ahead, because I have another one. Shakira Austin is mine. I was going to say Bridget Carlton. Okay, go with Bridget real quick. No, no, no, Bridget Carlton. She's been playing out of her mind.

30:32 Unfortunately, that team is not going to be in the playoffs, but the girl's dropping 26-point games, shooting her lights out. She even did really well in the three-point competition.

30:41 Yes, and Ashanti, hear me out. What you about to say? She was the X Factor in Minnesota. Okay. We just didn't talk about it. That's what it is, though. We just didn't talk about it. That's what it is. Is it improved or are we just looking at it now? I think numbers-wise, across the board, she has improved. Sure.

30:54 And she's always been an X Factor to me. So to me, it's always been sustained excellence, but it's just like we don't pay attention to it.

31:01 I think that- BC's always been an X Factor. Those two things can be true.

31:04 Yeah, I agree.

31:04 I think that she has been an X Factor, and it's not like she was trash and came back, and now she's amazing. I think now she's in a situation where more lights and more eyes are on her. And I think on top of that, statistically, she has improved in each category. Yeah.

31:17 For sure this year. Fair, fair. And Shakira Austin. First of all, she has been one who has battled with injuries throughout her whole career. But I love her story of going overseas and having to be that coach for them because their coach got fired literally during this playoff. It's nuts. But just to grow as a leader, I know this is like a statistical category and she has grown statistically and she has made a big splash this year as opposed to other years, even though she's always been that talented. But I think that the situation of wheeling the Mystics into the position they're in and being in the rock of that team and producing the way she has and now assuming more leadership weight and accountability

31:56 and being prepared for that and able to execute that and have the respect from a rookie like Cody, like the way she's taking Cody under her wing. And I know this is a basketball award.

32:06 Sure, sure, sure.

32:07 But, um, I think that Shakira should have had a nod.

32:10 Yeah.

32:11 I agree. She's playing out of her mind.

32:12 She's also one of those people where it's like, why are we not talking about this?

32:16 Why is the lights not on it?

32:17 And I think this year- Because nobody expected anything from the young bleeps. Because they're young. That's true.

32:22 Young bleeps.

32:23 Drop the E. I mean, I'll say young ho, but like- Drop the E.

32:29 Drop the E makes it not explicit. Like, doesn't make it explicit.

32:32 Georgia A. Moore said that. And I love Georgia's logic, however.

32:35 Yeah.

32:36 Girl math. Girl math.

32:38 I support her.

32:38 No E, period. I support her. Right to the wrongs.

32:41 Oh, my God.

32:42 That was great for those awards, but now we have our own. Everyone watches. E-W-W-S, Superlatives. Okay, y'all ready for this? Lord. All right, what do we got? Best record-breaking moment.

32:55 Mine was Kelsey Mitchell.

32:56 Oh, well.

32:57 Sorry.

32:57 I had to jump in because before you steal mine.

33:01 No, no, no, no. Go ahead.

33:04 What's crazy?

33:04 Okay, so I was going to say until Kelsey broke it was Ryan and her three-point shooting this season. And this is an off year for her shooting technically in her mind, in her savant mind. But like, Hello, these threes.

33:19 These threes.

33:19 She's literally second place. I think Kelsey has like 135 and Ryan has like 134. So let's go with Ryan Stills then.

33:25 Oh, she is the lead in the league. They said my girl can only shoot.

33:30 Oh, no.

33:31 Oh, no, it's giving two-way.

33:32 No, two-way.

33:33 It's giving very much two-way. But that's not a record-breaking thing. But anyway, let's focus. I got our girl, Angel Reese.

33:39 Hey!

33:40 We love you, Angel.

33:41 Single season, she's had over 520 rebounds in this single season.

33:44 Which is not normal. It's not normal.

33:46 And I needed to get more light and love. You know, the game of basketball, scoring has.

33:51 So much, like, pizazz to it.

33:54 I love defense.

33:55 And I love Angel.

33:56 But real hoopers will be watching. We love a good lockup, baby. Let's throw the double doubles, right? Like, yes, defense, because my girl would be on the perimeter and in the paint.

34:07 Okay, does it all. I don't know if it's motor, but it's will. It's will to do it all. It's literally will. She has the want and the will. To defend everywhere. To track the ball and see where it's going. It's not the easiest thing to not only follow the shot, but position yourself to yank the shot from people who are arguing. Like, there are a lot of times bigger than her.

34:25 Bigger than her.

34:26 Sometimes maybe stronger. Stronger than her. Maybe quicker than her.

34:28 But guess what?

34:28 Her will is always bigger.

34:29 And the way she has... no singular lash out of place. Her makeup beat down.

34:33 The blush is insane.

34:34 I love this blush season. She's actually come, let go a little bit of the false lashes. It's giving a little bit of a natural beat.

34:41 The natural beat with.

34:42 The pinky pink. The freckles now. Oh, and then my friends, I took my friends to a game the other day and they could just talk about the quality of her hair. My girl, the ponytail doesn't stop bouncing.

34:53 I just love that we're in a place where you're able to be a girly girl and still be a major hooper.

34:59 You can be both. You can be Courtney. You can be Angel. What? What? You can. You can. You can do it all. And I just love that for us.

35:07 Yeah.

35:08 So, actually, I think I do want to change my answer to Angels double doubles and rebounding and all the things. All the things. Are we okay?

35:17 They're not okay.

35:18 Are we okay? Okay. I'm going to skip the award because I know the answer. Most memeable... Y'all already know. Most memeable... This is karma.

35:29 Most memeable.

35:31 No, leave this in. Girl. Leave this in because.

35:33 Girl, breathe.

35:35 Most memeable... Most memeable... Oh, no way.

35:39 No, leave this in because she was.

35:41 on me so hard on our road trip when I couldn't say conjoining rooms.

35:45 And you're like, what is it, Aaliyah?

35:46 What is it? I don't remember saying that. I don't think I said that.

35:49 I have it on the record.

35:50 We have five people there. I don't think I said that. Well, most memeable boy has got to be... Shut up. It's got to be Angel. Memable.

36:00 Memable.

36:02 I got one. Okay, go ahead. Asia Wilson running over that staff member. Yo, there's no way. I've seen it in every angle. They put her in a Raiders jersey.

36:12 We were all together when that dropped.

36:14 No, 100%.

36:14 And it went triple platinum in the hotel room.

36:16 I don't even think people have fallen as funny typically, but I was crying.

36:20 It was the reactions.

36:21 But also, like, shout out Asia. She knew we all needed some sort of comedic relief.

36:25 We had Nneka's retirement, Sun's final game, Asia collision, and we needed that.

36:29 The gum.

36:29 Girl.

36:30 The slow-mo shot of the gum falling out. Her pregame gum. And then WNBA Art had just the picture of the gum. And I said, oh, you're funny.

36:37 I'm really just glad that everyone was okay, because I typically also don't think people falling is funny. But when I say the way people have taken that and run, they've added music.

36:45 They put her in an NFL jersey. I mean, generally- They should have looped it.

36:50 Here comes the boom.

36:50 Here comes the boom. Don't start, because they will end up on my TL, girl.

36:53 That is crazy.

36:55 Okay, my favorite meme of the season actually is a sleeper pic, because it's one of those if you know, you know.

37:01 Okay.

37:02 Our home environment.

37:03 So we- Shout out New York Liberty. It was when someone whistled the national anthem and the Sparks reactions. And it was my video that I posted and went viral. Cameron Brink even reposted it. Zoom in on all of their faces. Like Cameron's whistling along with him. We have players like holding back tears. Like it was so hilarious.

37:25 Can I try?

37:25 Are you blowing out or are you sucking in?

37:33 I'll do the high notes.

37:34 I don't think this is going to go well with the pot. Oh, they hate it. Sorry, production. I can't even whistle right now. I don't have my lip gloss is like really preventing me from whistling. That was great.

37:44 But yeah, no, like the every single player, if you just watch your reactions.

37:48 So good.

37:49 That's my that's my meme.

37:50 Unscripted moment.

37:52 Hmm.

37:53 Unscripted like the one liner.

37:54 Yeah.

37:56 I'm sorry. Sid Colson plus, plus, plus on national television. I think the most typed out response.

38:05 Since you want to be funny. I'm going to be hilarious. No, no, no. Y'all are OD'ing. Y'all are OD'ing.

38:11 Sorry, sorry.

38:12 The girls, if you know, you know. If you know, you know. Actually, y'all win.

38:16 What can of worms did I open up? No, like the number one typed out response to Sid is always like, Sid, please. Like, it's always like.

38:23 Sid, please.

38:24 You don't come snatch that phone? And mind you, it be me. Sid, please. Sid, please. Please. Every time. every single time dang those are.

38:30 Really good it's one thing to say it online but to say it on.

38:32 TV it's crazy I was just saying I was trying to do a continuation not necessarily talking about the situation.

38:37 But you know y'all are insane I'ma say Angel Reese again when the reporter I think it was the LA reporter was saying to her oh like you're breaking NBA records and he corrected himself she's like no no no no I'd be breaking yep those two essentially I'd be breaking NBA records too and I mean 26 rebounds in a game.

38:56 Like bruh like Like, you good? You just bouncing all over the place? Is you cool?

39:00 Crazy.

39:01 Is you cool?

39:02 But yeah, major record breaker. But those two, hey, no she, no she, no tea.

39:08 No, no, it's just we can laugh about it now. No she, no tea, no matcha.

39:12 No she, no tea, no matcha.

39:14 Ari, what's your one-liner?

39:15 I don't know. Buzzer beater. Next. Buzzer beater.

39:20 I hate to say it, but I don't know who this man is. No, I'm just kidding. Sorry.

39:25 NECA against the Liberty on WNBA Legends Night. Is that the game you got in trouble by?

39:30 The way?

39:30 I got in so much trouble that night.

39:31 Shanti, what's yours?

39:32 Oh, buzzer beater, Chelsea Gray.

39:34 Oh, yeah.

39:35 Oh, yeah. It's a no-brainer.

39:36 She hits that buzzer beater to take it into overtime and then hits another one to win the game.

39:40 Chelsea Gray. She's unreal. I need her jersey for real. She ran around that... She ran around my court. I said, Chelsea, you still need legs, baby. It's overtime. You still got more to go. And guess what? Your class of 2014. You need to preserve.

39:53 That's so crazy because two years ago today, I posted her... like pregame routine her pregame routine is crazy and I think that has a lot to do with it because she she was like balancing and then like throwing a ball like you got to it was yeah it's impressive so you know what.

40:10 I know we're talking about this season but like I just think comprehensively the best buzzer beaters come from Rachel Bannum I hope I don't sound ridiculous. I love you, Rachel. Rachel Bannon be having buzzer beaters, okay? We can give her her flowers. Back when, ooh, was it 2018? She had a rack of buzzer beaters. I know that's right. Okay, so this one's my favorite category. Most unhinged mascot moment.

40:34 And why is it Eleanor on the Sanctuary?

40:36 No, that's not mine.

40:38 Why is it Ellie always?

40:39 Everyone expects me to say Ellie.

40:41 So what?

40:41 Is the buckets tricking?

40:44 I have a, no, and I also have a story about Skyman from, is that his name?

40:47 From 2022 All-Star.

40:49 He threw a basketball. This isn't my moment, but he threw a basketball into the crowd. It hit off of like the little divider and onto the court. And I was like, this man is crazy. He needs to be retired.

41:00 And he was.

41:01 Anyways, my moment was Ashanti's dance battle with Violet at the draft.

41:06 Now we got to show it.

41:07 Yeah, I have the clip locked and loaded. I will send it over. I'm surprised she didn't do a front.

41:11 Walkover into a split on you.

41:12 And I'll be honest, Violet won.

41:14 Okay. No, she didn't.

41:15 Violet won.

41:16 I don't believe you. Not so much my girl.

41:17 Right, right.

41:18 We not doing that.

41:20 I'll stir the pot.

41:21 I'll do it. You saw Violet dancing to Too Short, Shake That Monkey. Girl, we're getting into it.

41:26 Actually, if I haven't seen you and her in the same room, I would think you're Violet.

41:30 People thought I was Ellie, too.

41:32 I was last weekend in Connecticut.

41:34 Just say I'm a good time. I mean. Not me and Ellie been in the same space, but me and Violet, we battled.

41:40 Yeah, no, but if you weren't, if I didn't see you two together, I would have thought she was you.

41:44 I love that. Y'all hiring? All I'm saying is Miss Eleanor. No, that girl. She will mount a sanction. Oh, baby. She will pull out the fan. She will give you Mariah Carey tees. She'll give you a nice nasty slow pump to start it off. Ellie's just, I mean, there is no one like it. And when I tell you that you cannot duplicate, let's be very clear, you cannot duplicate the efforts of Ellie because she represents... the community. She represents Brooklyn.

42:09 Yes.

42:10 And she can hold a headstand better than I've ever been able to.

42:13 Sometimes I'll be like, girl, help.

42:15 Get down. Somebody catch up. You over here clapping in a headstand. In a headstand. What a split. Okay.

42:21 No, yeah.

42:21 Ellie, we love you bad. There's really no one like her. She is literally the blueprint for her.

42:25 One of one. Well, that is our EWWS superlative list. Hope you guys enjoyed that one. All right, my good people, now that we've had a nice little key, it's time to have an even bigger key with one of our good friends and Seattle Storm's very own, Natisha Heideman. Look at us interrupting Natisha's vacation.

42:49 I'm sorry.

42:50 Look, we bad.

42:51 Like, we're sorry. We road tripping. Road tripping.

42:54 Where you going, T?

42:55 Back to the crib.

42:57 Not to be in your business.

42:58 When you got a zoo, you know you got to make that drive. Trencherous.

43:04 How many animals are currently with you right now, actually?

43:09 Four.

43:10 Four animals. Okay. And you the fifth.

43:12 That's a whole 35 right there.

43:14 Exactly. T, where's home?

43:17 Wisconsin. Okay.

43:19 Yeah. Just being a Midwest girl from like that, to where you are now, first of all, T, I don't know if you know how rare the fact, your work ethic from there to now has been beautiful to watch. And I remember your Marquette days. I remember going to Connecticut and you getting cut and then you coming back.

43:43 Your path hasn't been linear. So when you look at everything, we just talked about W30 and reflecting. When you look at everything and reflecting on your journey in particular, what amazes you most about yourself?

43:54 No, I just think like really just my whole life kind of just like the perseverance of, you know, turning a hard situation or a bad situation into something good. I feel like for me, it's like I really just trust in God and the plan that he has set for me.

44:07 So it's like I really just.

44:08 Don't stress too much about nothing because I feel like my plan is already set for me.

44:13 So I'm just I'm just being me following the ropes. You feel what I'm saying?

44:18 Yeah. Yeah, I mean, the reason why I also really love your story is because, unfortunately, for the majority of people, it's not going to be, hey, you have a goal and you just reach it.

44:30 Yeah.

44:30 Or, hey, you have a goal and you have no obstacles.

44:32 So being able to see you have this, like, perseverance and this just, like, relentless, like, will to not give up and.

44:40 Achieve your dream. Ooh, that's really something.

44:41 It is amazing, and I feel like, especially this last two years that I've gotten to know you, it's been so amazing. It's also great, sorry, I'm just really proud, to see you were playing with Kourtney, that was your twin, y'all were locked in, and so this season you were without her, you know what I mean? So now creating your own identity, your own path. It is truly a spectacle.

45:08 It is truly something that's been really awesome to watch. So, one, congratulations because you definitely have paved your own path out there in Seattle.

45:15 Period.

45:16 Thank you. Yeah, I mean, that, of course, my dog.

45:18 So, you know, it was tough, like, little transition just being with your, like, somebody who you're with every single day.

45:23 Right.

45:24 But I feel like it was just, Seattle has welcomed me so well and so amazing.

45:28 Like, especially, like, the communities, everybody, my teammates, coaches. So, yeah. I had a really fun year in Seattle, so it was good.

45:35 And, yeah, you know we close. I'm eating popcorn during the game. I'm your boy.

45:40 Oh, my God. Yeah, she came. Jesus Christ. Listen, you got to keep athletes fed, all right? That's crazy.

45:49 That's crazy.

45:50 I mean, hey, I'll be the one that's sneaking popcorn now that I know you's a plug. You make wires. Number one supplier. Natisha got the animals, you got the popcorn. I mean, what else do you need in life?

45:59 That's hilarious. No, I give me the only one not to hype up, T.

46:02 Something that I love about you, I mean, you were like the first W player I actually interviewed because the Connecticut Sun was the first team to hit me up as an independent creator. I have some stories about that. That's for later on. But no, the way that you carry yourself through so much uncertainty, whether it is.

46:20 What team you're going to play on CBA, whatever it may be, even with all this newfound fame as well, your personality just carries. And as someone that also tries to be very optimistic, like I learned a lot from you and I just love you.

46:33 I'm glad that.

46:34 Glad that we're all here right now.

46:35 Yeah, it's so cute.

46:36 Yeah, we go way back.

46:37 We go way back.

46:41 Way back.

46:42 Okay, let me just tell this story. When we were in Connecticut, I was interviewed.

46:45 So before you had Courtney, you had Ty, and people called you the evil twins.

46:49 Hilarious.

46:51 I remember I was asking them fun duo questions, and.

46:57 I was like, if Ty was an animal, what would she be? And T goes, a bird.

47:05 That's crazy. That's crazy.

47:08 A bird is crazy.

47:11 Not shady boots. Not shady boots. Listen.

47:16 That was back in the day. No shade.

47:20 That's before the game has grown.

47:22 I'm going to use that. What animal would you use?

47:25 A bird.

47:27 That's crazy.

47:28 I'll pull the clip. I'll clip that.

47:31 No, but you mentioned how the community has been able to embrace you, but you've been doing a lot for the community. Obviously, we know what you've done in the court, but you have gathered the girls to take them on runs. And trust me, I've been trying to get my friends to run a simple 5K with me. You got half a Seattle running 5Ks. How did that start?

47:48 Pause.

47:48 She made me do a half marathon with her.

47:50 Okay, well, Aaliyah's the only one. You're crazy. Shanti ain't even going to need to do it.

47:53 I was going to say, I'm injury reserved.

47:55 Okay.

47:56 Honestly, that's the thing. I don't even know how that started.

47:59 Again, I feel like I was just on stream one day, running my mouth, and I said I was going to go on a run. And then I said this the day before, and then the next day we did it, and 20 people showed up. And I was so shook that people actually showed up. So then I did it again, and the next one had 300 people at it.

48:24 The girls either love you or love it running. I think it's you. It's you.

48:28 Maybe both.

48:29 Maybe both. You can't be running, child.

48:31 I'm a runner.

48:33 You can't be running.

48:35 Hey, man, listen.

48:37 I think that's awesome.

48:39 Being able to gather community in a different sport. Honestly, T, I'm excited for what's next.

48:46 Like, you know.

48:47 It's always something.

48:48 You have this run community. You're going back home to Wisconsin. What does that look like?

48:51 Are you doing run? State fair.

48:54 State fair.

48:54 In Wisconsin?

48:56 Like, what are we doing after this season?

48:58 What's going on? I ain't gonna lie. So, really, I was really thinking about it.

49:02 I'm like, I never had this much time because I ain't never not been in the playoffs.

49:06 That's real.

49:07 That's real.

49:08 I don't even know what to really do, but I don't know. I feel like run buds is kind of fun. So, you know, maybe take that. a few other places.

49:17 Okay. Maybe.

49:18 Maybe a little tour or something.

49:20 Yes. That would be fun. Come to New York. Before it gets cold. Come to New York, please. Please, please.

49:24 Yeah, you know, a little Run Buds.

49:26 I'll meet you at the end.

49:26 Yeah, we'll be Rock Buds.

49:28 Yeah, you're going to do it since you can do everything else.

49:30 Yeah, y'all can cheer at the end then.

49:33 Thank you.

49:33 I'm coming with you.

49:36 I need you up in the front with me. Okay.

49:38 With the megaphone.

49:39 Ari needs someone.

49:40 To cheer on.

49:41 She doesn't like to run alone.

49:42 I have to, I have to motivate.

49:44 She has to be motivating to be able to run. And unfortunately for me, that was me.

49:49 I'd be like, I'm crying. So you'd be, so you'd be chatting while you're running.

49:55 Not just chatting.

49:56 Come on.

49:57 Cheerleading.

49:58 I'm not going to lie. There's been, there's been a couple of runs where I've like running and people are trying to like, talk to me like I have full conversations and I'm learning like I can't do that no I need to I need to focus on the breathing I do not like a conversation pace.

50:14 I mean it won't it won't give conversation it gives motivation let's just be clear okay let's just be clear she said don't talk to me all right all right.

50:24 No it works because I just listen like we'll just listen you talk I listen I'm like I was like I was gonna play music but okay keep going I ain't.

50:32 Gonna lie The miles be feeling forever, too. Like, I don't know, when you're in a.

50:38 Car, you're like, oh, two miles?

50:39 Psh, cool. Two miles running?

50:43 You be like, yo, I'm far from the crib.

50:48 Somebody come pick me up.

50:50 But, T, you just said that you have so much more time now that you don't have playoffs. What was it like realizing that you would not have a postseason?

50:59 Mm-hmm. I mean, well, we realized that- I know, I know. Kind of a little early.

51:04 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

51:04 Long time no see.

51:06 I was just like, dang. I didn't really know. I'm like, I don't know what to do. I just never had as much free time. I never had just been able to do whatever. I'm like, I could wake up and be in Ibiza tomorrow. I'm like, I kind of like it a little bit.

51:23 Not with those four animals, though.

51:27 Oh, they have grandparents. Oh, good. I know that's right. They got grandparents.

51:31 But before you said Ibiza, though, you still had to finish out the season since you learned it early on. What is the mental adjustment to want to stay competitive that you had to do in order to not? be trashed, like seriously.

51:51 Like you don't have to finish out.

51:53 I think just like the carry over to next year, like trying to have that carry over, that competitive edge still.

52:00 I feel like my whole team is competitors.

52:02 Like, so we really did like regardless, competed to the end regardless of like our situation. But I think for us, it was more so like, you know, we're out.

52:10 Of playoffs, but like, let's get some momentum.

52:13 Let's clean up the things that we've been wanting to clean up and carry that over to next year so we can have a better start to next year and a better season.

52:21 I have no faith. I mean, I have all faith. No, no, I have all faith that, or no doubt is what I meant, that they're going to be so solid. Like all the pieces, all the pieces. I've watched Seattle.

52:33 They are, even though they do have some vets on that team, they are so young and fun with Abba Fam and Flage there's no way that they.

52:40 End up in the same exact situation and the coaches so it's like it was completely new clean slate I mean this is the best situation y'all got positive attitudes all the talent in the world and all the perspective that you can just rest and figure.

52:52 Out get back get healthy I know listen I know y'all be in the lab adding things to your game I'm really excited to see what the Storm do next year Yeah, I think it's.

53:02 Going to be great. I think it's going to be good. Like, seriously, we got, like I said, we just so competitive. And I feel like, you know, it's an adjustment for young players when you first come into the league as well. And just like, I feel like now it's just like, you know, we know what we need to fix. We know what we need to do. And it's, yeah, I'm just, I'm ready for next year already. That's what kind of what I was talking about. You know, when I'm talking to the coaches.

53:24 I'm like, hey, I'll let you. Let's do this thing next year. Like, we got this.

53:29 Like, I feel like we learned a lot about each other. You know, everything, you got a growing curve, you know? So I feel like this was our growing curve. Now it's like, all right, we cool. T, for.

53:40 You, I think that you've been blessed with some great coaching in your career. You had Stephanie White Coach of the Year while you were there.

53:48 And then.

53:50 Cheryl Reeve, let's just talk about her because what an amazing coach she is and, you know, the recent Coach of the Year AP. So what's something that Coach Reeve does that maybe doesn't get appreciated enough that makes.

54:05 Her a really, really, really great coach?

54:07 I think I just texted her yesterday, actually, and congratulated her.

54:10 Like, you know, I love her. I feel like I love her more than, you know, just like a coach. I feel like that's somebody who I would want in my corner for life. She just taught me so much. And I think you know, what separates her is like, she just has a standard and it doesn't matter who walks through that door.

54:25 Like she has her standard.

54:27 And, uh, I mean, you really can't question the most winningest coach in WNBA standard, you know what I'm saying? So you just buy in and, um, you know, Sometimes, you know, you don't always hear what you want to hear, but it's what you need to hear. And I feel like now looking back, I appreciate that a whole lot more. T, I think it's time for us to play a game.

54:50 We know! You be down for the teammates, okay? We're going to play a game. It's called, not like that. Whoa, whoa, whoa. I think I like that one. Keep it in, keep it in. So, no, no, no, not even... Anyway, the game is.

55:07 The game is.

55:08 Game or ghost? Are you down for it, game? Or are you not with it, ghost?

55:13 Okay.

55:14 Okay, children, have we gotten together?

55:16 Yes.

55:16 We're composed.

55:17 I'll give you your first scenario, okay?

55:19 Y'all play too much.

55:20 I ain't saying nothing. That was so funny. That wasn't incriminating.

55:24 No, okay, go ahead.

55:25 Okay, first scenario.

55:26 All right.

55:27 You know if Lajay Johnson's one of the... League's incredible rappers, including yourself. She decides she wants her teammates to learn choreography and have a music video.

55:37 Would you appear in the back as one of the dancers, Game or Ghost?

55:41 The back?

55:44 She's in there.

55:47 I'm in the front. I know that's right. Are you providing vocals too? Can we get vocals and dance? Can we get a little feature?

55:55 Background, background, whatever. But I'm in the front with the crazy. I'm in the front.

56:00 It's giving shoulders today, but her knees be, the knees be knees. Yeah, exactly. That's some healthy knees. You should distribute.

56:09 Those across the land. I'm in the front. I'm in the front.

56:13 Okay, so she's game. She's game. She's totally down.

56:16 Game.

56:16 K-Mac, obviously she opened her coffee shop in Charlotte. And she wants you to go hiking to find some coffee beans for the best quality of coffee beans.

56:27 Okay?

56:28 We hiking for beans or no? I ain't going to lie.

56:30 I get out in nature.

56:31 Oh, wow.

56:32 You look like you're in nature now. That's that rum bud. That's that rum bud.

56:36 Yeah, I get out there. all right she's gay wow we're two for two sorry.

56:41 K mac because i would have ghosted i'll be in there hiking with you kayla i would never let you down depends on the day for me oh i'm down for that depends on.

56:49 The days bro okay so as we know fee has a beautiful daughter mila so fee calls you up and asks you last minute to fly in and babysit for the weekend are you game or are you ghosting pulling a Sorry, I just saw this.

57:05 I ain't gonna lie. My babysitter fee high, but I'll be there.

57:10 She said if she paying.

57:12 My babysitter fee high.

57:14 I need a flight. It's giving. She don't want to babysit.

57:18 It's giving. Mila loves me. That would be easy. Mila loves me.

57:24 But a weekend is a long time. Once you have to put them to sleep, it's like, okay, that's where I go.

57:30 That's what I said. The fee.

57:32 She said, if the money's right for you, I'm in at that.

57:35 I'll be there. I'll be there.

57:37 Okay, so game at the money right.

57:40 But where's Alex?

57:41 Where's the husband? Where the pappy? Where the pappy? Where the pappy? Bring in your husband. Make him work. Where your husband?

57:49 I ain't going to lie. I mean, if he got a big family too, or she calling me.

57:54 I'm like, yo. That's your little last case scenario. Right. Don't you got other aunties and uncles? Why me? Why my dad do it?

58:03 Okay, next scenario. You and Kelsey Mitchell played together for Hive BC. Kelsey's currently working toward her PhD in educational leadership. She asked you to proofread her 50-page paper.

58:16 No, ghost. Wait, you didn't even finish the class. She asked you to proofread her 50-page paper. You're not doing it. You know, how about get her PHP?

58:25 I love K.

58:26 Mitch.

58:26 I love K. Mitch, but I'm not reading. I'm not reading. I'm not reading.

58:30 50 pages?

58:31 You know, I'm going to be reading for a month.

58:34 So we know what book is next. We know that for sure.

58:37 No book buds. No book buds is never coming. No book buds. No book buds.

58:40 No book buds is not a thing. Because they like to read. No.

58:44 No, we can maybe send the paper to them. I like to watch the movie. Let me watch the movie to the book.

58:51 Well, you know, a doctoral thesis will not give you that. The dissertation is not giving moving. It's not giving moving.

58:56 Yeah, no, I'm sorry, K-Mish. I got to ghost you.

58:59 It be on people.

59:01 Good luck, though. Proud of you.

59:03 It be on people. JJ, Proud Dog Mom, is throwing a birthday party for one of her golden doodles and asks you to make the dog-friendly birthday. cake. You shoving it up? You game or ghosting that?

59:13 I don't know how to beg, but I... I'll try. I'll try. Yeah, I ain't gonna lie. A little dog party. Anything with animals, I'm there. So, you know, I bring my dogs.

59:23 That's cute. I love that.

59:24 A little dog party. You know what I'm saying? Not the one being menaced.

59:27 Wait, I have a question that wasn't on here, but we actually didn't bring up your partner in crime. So is there anything that you wouldn't do for Kourtney? Where do you draw the line?

59:37 Oh, that's good, Aaliyah.

59:39 Where do I draw the line? You look scared.

59:43 Right, she's like, what line?

59:44 I don't know.

59:45 I don't know.

59:46 I ain't gonna lie, that's my daughter.

59:50 I'd probably really do anything for her.

59:52 For real. That is so cute. I know, that's right.

59:54 Yeah, I'm like thinking, I'm like, I don't know. Maybe she called me today and was like, I don't know. I don't know what she was saying.

1:00:03 I don't know.

1:00:04 There ain't probably nothing she would call me for that's super dramatic that I wouldn't do.

1:00:08 What's the funnest moment that you can think of with you and Kourtney? Or the most outrageous?

1:00:14 Most outrageous?

1:00:15 Either.

1:00:15 I don't know.

1:00:15 We done a lot of stuff together. I ain't going to lie. A lot of parties. I mean, we try to win a championship together. We really together every day. I ain't gonna lie, my first favorite, I ain't gonna lie, one time, this is just a memory that sticks out to me, is like when me and Kourtney, we cried in the parking garage in Minnesota because it was just like, I think we just got our first deal with StubBuds.

1:00:41 And it was just like, to us, just like life-changing. You know what I'm saying? So we was just in there crying, like couldn't believe it. That is so cute.

1:00:50 That is just so cute.

1:00:51 I love that.

1:00:52 Yeah.

1:00:53 So it was just like, we was just in that, man, what?

1:00:56 Oh, my God.

1:00:57 We was boohooing.

1:00:58 Well, thank you, T, for blessing us with your presence. We love you so much. In case you can't tell.

1:01:04 Man, I love all y'all.

1:01:05 We love you, T. I appreciate it.

1:01:07 Every time I see y'all, y'all already know what it is.

1:01:10 Yeah, next time bring your animals.

1:01:11 I hope I see y'all in a playoff somewhere. Catch y'all in the game.

1:01:15 As long as you leave the cabin at some point. And bring the animals with you.

1:01:19 I'm leaving. I'm leaving. I'm leaving.

1:01:22 Aw, we love you. Thanks, T.

1:01:24 Thanks, T.

1:01:30 Thank you so much, T, for joining us. And now we're going to move forward onto what everyone's watching next.

1:01:37 Back onto the pitch, I guess. Seattle versus North Carolina on Friday. That's an 8-9 matchup, so that's going to be juicy.

1:01:43 Yeah, that's going to be good.

1:01:44 Gotham versus Angel City on Sunday, which is like one of my favorite. I love a battle of the coast. I love the East-West rivalry. And, you know, like, look at you, perched for Gotham. I know that's right, but hey, Angel City, fight back! Angel City, fight back!

1:01:58 Listen, y'all know I'm New York through and through, so I genuinely, like, it's one of the first, it is the first and only women's soccer team that have really followed their journey, and so I'm like.

1:02:07 Well, good for you, you've had championships in the past, two out of the past three years.

1:02:10 She lucky charms.

1:02:11 Winners. Send me, send me. It's almost like it's easy to root for Gotham because they just win.

1:02:16 Oh, not too much.

1:02:17 I'm from New York, though.

1:02:18 It's okay.

1:02:18 I'm from here. It's not bandwagoning if you're from here, so I understand. It ain't, especially you've been down.

1:02:22 I'm not being funny.

1:02:22 I'm not being facetious.

1:02:23 I'm serious.

1:02:23 Well, we were losing.

1:02:24 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

1:02:25 Because we lost them, too. Because when it was sky blue, it wasn't all blue. It wasn't all blue. You know, we had to have a reform.

1:02:31 It was great.

1:02:32 A little renaissance.

1:02:35 I can't. Oh my gosh. I'm done with y'all.

1:02:37 That's been so fun. We are here every single Thursday. So how about y'all catch us next week? We here, Liddy on the couches. Maybe not always a couch, sometimes a desk and a chair, but you know, we bring it to you.