spearheads our coverage of the WNBA. She's the founder and
executive director of grow the game, and also a co-host of
the Chicago Sky podcast. Welcome to the show, Sabrina
would occur.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hi,
how are you?
You saw that there were some headlines.
Okay. Sorry, you saw there were some headlines splashing by
the screen of
the news about the WNBA possibly expanding sooner maybe
than we expected.
I want to just like give the audience a little background on
you because you started organization grow the game and
the whole theme of this. Are
with the MBA. And I mean it's in the past couple years, but
there's like a big push like growing the game expansion,
you know, the there's more games like available to watch
on TV and like other places to watch games. There's really
a big effort to push, the woman's game forward, and you're like
definitely one of the people who are a part of that, that
effort. So just wondering your
thoughts on expansion like, what cities do you think we
should expand to and just your thoughts on the news because
people have different opinions on the idea of the Dead? Um, be
expanding.
Yeah,
so as far as cities though,
I think that right now that's well markets that the WNBA
teams are currently in is a little skewed,
you know, being from Chicago and being in Chicago. I can go
to Sky game easily, you know 20, half hours. I can go to
Indiana Fever game, a quick fights, Atlanta. That's that's
nothing for me. But
I want to see more in the South.
I think, when you think about NCAA basketball,
you think a lot about the SEC? On how dominant they're
becoming. So I would love to see another team in the South.
I know they're looking at some
where it's Tennessee. I think that's a great idea.
I think, you know, I know your fandom lies in California with
the NBA,
but I don't want too many teams
in California for the veggies. I actually kind of want them to
stay clear a little bit
and I get to California happy.
But I mean, I think expansion is great. I think
it's An exciting idea.
I just think that with some of the issues that we've seen with
team travel and how it might be hard to get from Vegas or
Seattle to New York. I think that
maybe expansion isn't necessarily the right move in
2024 definitely down the line, but I would like to see The
League start with adding more roster spots. I mean now it's
the beginning of the season but we are seeing so many teams
with the lack of a bench in signing a new hardship.
Contract every other week. And I think if they have more
roster spots, they wouldn't need to sign as many hardships
contracts and it will open up more opportunities for
the players who deserve to be in the league but aren't so maybe
do that first and then go ahead and switch the expansion.
Yeah. That's a pretty popular taken. I was curious if you
were going to say that like that. We just need to add more
roster spots to some of the teams.
Okay, so let's get into the season because it's been
a pretty Lively season.
And right now, as I mentioned you, you host the podcast for
the Chicago sky, but there's a few teams that are kind of
people are talking about that are in the running, maybe for
contention this year
and the sky aren't necessarily being talked about as much
even though they are the reigning Champs. So
what are your thoughts on the teams? Who are potential
contenders for this season?
Yeah, so it's funny that you say that because Connecticut
sun is one of them and they've been one of them for many years
and they liked To
go on this thing where this hashtag is disrespect and you
capitalize the CT because in Connecticut, it's cute.
But I think, you know, Connecticut last year. They had
coach of the year, the MVP most improved players. So at this
point, they're not being disrespected anymore. I think
the disrespect this now with Chicago
and how people are not considering them a real threat.
I mean, I get it in the standings were number 6, but
guess what? That's how we were last year
when we went on an eight-game losing streak.
Without Candace Parker, and we ended up coming to win it all.
So I think people need to put more respect on our names.
I mean, hey, if the WNBA had to go and change the entire
playoff schedule because you were knocking off top teams and
single elimination games,
people need to start talking about you and people need to be
a little worried. But right now, I'm gonna go with Chicago,
Connecticut,
Las Vegas and the Washington Mystics are at the top of my
watch outlets for now.
Okay. So the, the a, Says, you know, they had a new coaching,
you know, change over there. Becky Hammon came on board and
they're just like scorching. You know, the offense is
beautiful there in threes.
They just look really good right now. That doesn't mean
that they're going to win it all, but obviously, they're one
of the contending team. So what do you think about all
the changes that he Hammond is made there?
I think that right now coach of the year is hers to lose. I'm
I saw a lot of Articles the other day where she was nine and one
and that was the best. Ten game start in history for a new WNBA
coach
to make history. There is a reason
and I think, I think that the changes that Becky Hammon is
making has a lot of other front office is looking at their
coaches who have been there for
a while. Oh, and the expectations are going to start
to rise when you have Our new coach coming in like that
Granite. She is a former player
and she got a lot of experience in the NBA,
but the changes she's made. I mean, even the coaches are
matching on the bench with the hoodie and Blazer combo.
I mean, everything that Becky Hammon is doing from
the outfits to
the front office staff and the changes cheese,
you know, making with adding coaches and just her players is
outstanding. She's doing a phenomenal
job and they did unfortunately fall to Connecticut last night.
But I think if you're talking
playoffs, Las Vegas, aces are intended for sure.
Yeah, and so you talked about potential Awards
and you also mentioned like the mystics as a contender, and
they have a
rookie on their team, who might be a potential Contender for
rookie of the year, or do you think that's Ryan, Howard's?
I think rookie of the year, is Ryan. Howard to lose. I really
do.
I mean, you know, we talked about it all the time, and
I think a lot of people who watch Ryan Howard play
in Kentucky, kind of knew that she was going to be the first
round. Traffic. And she had the motor that people were sent
were saying that she didn't have, and she has completely
dominated, but I think it's important to note that all
the through the topic rookies, in my book,
being the top three, picks and Ryan. Howard Melissa Smith in
Indiana and Shakira Austin in d.c., They're all in different
positions. Atlanta
just completely good at their team and is essentially
rebuilding, but you cannot tell because Ryan Howard will take
you to the basket. She will make you pay, if you don't come
out to the perimeter and guard her.
And she's completely just changing,
you know, to me the game just breaking records with the most
points
as a rookie in like the first three games. And then you know,
Indiana also kind of rebuilding and the list of Smith kind of
having to take over sometimes. I mean, she has some great vets
to help her out. But then when you have a
team is stacked as Washington, d.c.,
I don't think she care. Austin is really getting the minutes
to really compare necessarily to know, Lisa and Ryan Howard,
but
It's the three of them, but right now, Ryan Howard is
absolutely at the top of my list.
Okay, and are there any awards that
Britney Sykes, maybe up for
ya. So, I just got back.
Yes, of course at this point, like, you know, unofficial
hoopster is,
you know, shout out to her for coming
on our spaces the other day and participating in a giveaway.
I don't know if there would be an award for
I guess like
they like a fan favorite or most engaging player with fans.
But if that was an award, I would absolutely give it to
her. But I mean, people have been talking about bringing
sites for her defense last year.
She went viral in the bubble for a huge block, on a 69,
Brittney Griner. And
and Brittney Sykes is only 59 and then she's blocking Ariel,
Adkins and the step-over breaking blocking Sabrina and
sq4 a buzzer beater and she's just Just completely changing
the way that you know, players are are driving me down
the port and the game against Phoenix. The other day,
Skylar Diggins Smith, literally pump fakes her on the Breakaway
because she knew she was going to get blocked. Kayla McBride
and in Minnesota said, I had to do the reverse layup because
I knew Brittany was behind me and she was done a blocker. So
if she can get consistent again
with the blocks in the steals, I know she's probably
doing a lot as point guard and maybe defense isn't
the priority right now, but if she can Get back to that, that
Defender
that Defender that died
Defensive Player of the Year in Australia. I think she might be
she might really be their time s up second runner-up last
year, but I think she might really be there and take it
this year.
We can't,
you know, conclude without talking about Brittney, Griner.
You mentioned, her Brittany's block on her, but it's just
been a story hanging over the league. And so, just your
thoughts on Brittney, Griner, like I know
she's in all of our thoughts and prayers and we just need to
bring her home. But just, what are your thoughts on how? How
what the impact of the situation is and on the season,
this this year?
I mean, it's it's really hard, not because not really more,
you can say than that, right?
I mean, I just want to say that,
you know, I said being in Chicago, I had the pleasure of
attending all the finals games last year and actually running
into some Britney and having a conversation with her about
overseas.
And her spirit. I mean,
people probably don't think that about her just because,
you know, Naturally, she's again 69 and she's known as
like this force on the court, but she is one of the sweetest
people
and nobody deserves this at all.
No one as our Reiki. Think about it.