17 Burst results for "Alicia Gray"
WNBA Nation
"alicia gray" Discussed on WNBA Nation
"Want to say that a player like Leah Boston is enough that they wouldn't squander that pick immediately after taking them up, but after the last four years, I just can't say that. I have no idea how they're necessarily running that team. They may want to say that some of these players haven't been developing the way that they've wanted them to. And that's a fever problem. That's not a problem on any of these players. And then after dropping a player like this, the Henderson, I just don't fully understand what's going on here. I would like to see this team flourish, I would like to see a lot of high level talent coming out of here and see some things pick up. I think just about everyone in one way or another wants to see the seam succeed because we don't necessarily want a team hit the pit of obscurity and run into problems, but you've given me no reason to believe in that. And that's unfortunate. So the fever are going to be at 12. This is where things get really interesting. The Connecticut sun I have at 11 I think they're drop off is as big as any team we've seen in a very long time. You lost your head go to was kind of the core to making that entire roster work. You lost your MVP. I don't necessarily see this team being cohesive. Do I think they're going to be in the tank for a long time? Possibly not. I think there's potential for them to maintain some things. And they've picked up some talent that I think is formidable. I actually really like, for instance, a Beck Allen is one of my favorite players. And I like the potential of what she can do over there. So there's going to be something there. But I think for one, the 9th through 11 are probably all going to be within like one to two games of each other for me. It's going to be a closer run, and I think I see them on the outside looking in. I also have the sky with a big drop off I have them at ten. I'm just not seeing them when I look at their roster. Look at the core of that team and what's made that team successful is more or less wiped out. Outside of paleo copper. Now, this glee convert the type of layer that can work with Courtney Williams and Elizabeth Williams and potentially help that team pick up some momentum and do better and potentially make the playoffs? Yeah, it's possible. I'm just not feeling it. I think this is an outside looking in and is a really good case to see just how effective James wade can be as a coach. And how he responds to this year's performance is actually what I'm most interested in. Not even necessarily this performance, but where we see things. Also, if this is their bid, as the market closest to, I was sitting if this is their bid to take a back seat for a couple of years and suddenly be in the Caitlin Clark sweepstakes, kudos to you. That's a good point. So I'm almost expect them to intentionally take 12 in that case. So there you go for that. I have storm just barely missing the playoffs at 9. I expect Juul Lloyd to put in big numbers. I actually expect this team to overperform what some may believe. I think there's a lot of potential for them to make some things happen, and I don't necessarily see their gap between 8 and 9 being huge. But it's just really hard to believe that they're going to outperform when you just there's so much of what's made the storm the storm over the years is now gone. And a lot of the spirit of that is gone. And it's going to be hard to see how that picks up. Very intrigued to see where Julie responds to this. If they really try and put a non a separate effort to build a team around her, or if she's going to be living elsewhere next year, it's going to be hard to sell, but I do have them barely losing out in the playoffs. With that said, I have the sparks at 8. In an only just situation, I like the improvements that they're making. I don't know that there are enough to do much more than that, but they were in the tank last year. And so a playoff appearance, I think, is more than enough for them. Also, given all of the insane drama that's gone on in aces sparks match up or a liberty matchup are both pretty spicy in the first round who knows how that looks. Number 7 I have the dream and about ten minutes ago I had the dream at ten. So I don't know how I'm feeling yet, but I gave this roster another look. I just kind of pulled them up again. And there's a lot to like about this. I'm going to say this Atlanta might be the most fun team that isn't going to be considered a super team this year. They have just a lot of really fun talent. That's on top of the fact that I expect Ryan Howard to potentially play it and I'll start a level. Haley Jones, I wasn't high on his draft pick, but damn it, the dream kept her and not a lot of teams kept their draft picks this year. And I'm going to give that some stock and I'm going to believe in a Haley Jones against my own judgment because they actually held on to her and that's a good thing. But I think you're going to see a lot more coming out of every McDonald's. DRAM is always a great veteran having your team shine Parker is one of the most underrated players in the league and has been for her entire career. One of the most underrated pickups of this entire season is Alicia grey go into Atlanta,
Winsidr WNBA Show
"alicia gray" Discussed on Winsidr WNBA Show
"Talk Atlanta dream on this episode. Coach, welcome back. A few things have changed since we last spoke. You now have a year under your belt in Atlanta. How are you feeling less than a week away from the WNBA draft? You know, I'm feeling good. But, you know, everything is coming pretty fast here. I think it always happens around this time of year. But I feel good about where we are. And the steps that we've made in this off season and where we're looking forward to. Feeling good, feeling good. Good. You should. Because there's a lot we could talk about a lot we could digest. I think at the general consensus is there's a lot of excitement. Atlanta is trending in such a good direction. And a lot of things we could pick apart with that, but obviously you're at the draft stage. Of the season, you know, headed into it. And primarily even headed into free agency. You know, what were some of the goals that you and Dan kind of had going into that? Of what you wanted to do with this roster and how you were going to take that next step. Yeah. We're still, you know what? That's a great question. And we're still in the building stage, right? Like last year it was great, no doubt about that. But we still have steps to make and sometimes those steps happen just incrementally, baby steps, right? So for us, coming into the off season, it really was about just getting better. It didn't matter. How we got better, but we wanted to make moves to get better. And I honestly think that we've done that. You know what I mean? Now, whether or not that jump is from a to Z or a to E, you know what I mean? It's a jump for us. And bring it in gray, obviously, was one. Going out and getting D Rock, another one. So all those things for us is just a small way to get better on the court. So, and at the same time, making sure that the right people for our work. Well, okay, we all do the fun free agency grades. Yeah. I'm gonna make you grade your guys own off season so far. Oh, we got an a hands down. Hands down, we got an 8. You know, if a pluses were like, I think thing thing, I would give us a plus, but we definitely got to actually think the majority of our grades a few of us, the people that we kind of do, I think ours are pretty right or right around that area. Yeah. No, listen, at the end of the day, we got better. I mean, adding Alicia gray was a huge piece for our future. Not just adding her, but also being able to extend her, right? And to pair her and to compliment her with somebody like Ryan, I think is a big, is a big step in the right direction for us. She's a great kid. First and foremost, she lives right down the street. From Atlanta. I mean, I think we probably got a bunch of season ticket holders the minute that the trade was executed, you know what I mean? So yeah, I definitely give us a like for sure. I like that. Okay, you bring up Howard. Yeah. I mean, goodness. She's at general generational talent potential, clearly, had a phenomenal rookie year. I mean, the hype and everything around her was very real, very valid. She's got a year under her belt now. After having such a great year, what's kind of that expectation for year two coming from you? To get better. Not to rest on those on last year and the success that she was able to Garner throughout the year because this league just gets tougher and tougher. You know what I mean? People know your name now. People know exactly who you are, what you want to do. And so the expectations for other teams are going to be tougher, not just on you, but on us. People aren't going to look at us as a little stepsister, right here, step sister anymore, right? Where they can just come in and get a dub. Like, no, so because of that, they know that you're going to be the head of that the head of that stake. So they're going to come after you. Different. And with the respect level that you've earned, but you got to get better. And she still has room to grow. I mean, Ryan had a great year, but she has opportunities to grow for sure. I mean, obviously, you drafted her where you drafted her clearly. But we all believe she could be great, but I don't know that everyone thought it would be that type of year. Did the year that she had in terms of just, I don't want to say breakout because that seems doesn't seem right, but did that change the trajectory of the dream? Oh, definitely. Oh, definitely. I mean, she was a rookie, right? You rookies coming in and but she was also the number one pick in the draft. So it's like when you look down the draft and you look at the generational players and in these drafts that have been number one, they've done the same type of stuff that she was able to do. Last year. You know what I mean? So it absolutely changes the trajectory of our franchise being able to add a player with that caliber. Now it's our job to continue to bring in pieces that complement that and that can help move the needle forward. You know, I was looking at this roster and it's pretty clear you got a nice contingency of vets and a nice contingency of young players, right? And I'm curious for you as a coach like, I know, unless you lived under a rock and you're not a WNBA fan, but everyone heard about the story of the dream last year kind of making roles printing it out, putting it on locker, several new kind of what their job was. And first of all, as someone I know, that was a thing that everybody knew, but okay. It got out because apparently, I mean, as someone who leads a team of the wind insider staff, I think it's an amazing idea. Maybe we have to steal that card. But I'm curious for you. You have Ryan Howard, a superstar, and you have this contingency of vets. Like, how do those conversations go? 'cause it's not always the superstar
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"To me, it just doesn't, it doesn't make as much as that. I think to flip it back to Dallas. What they're doing is they've created a team that they really like, I think. They brought in Natasha Howard this year, resigns here, Macau and, you know, they have Veronica Burton who had a nice rookie season and is going to be even better. And then they have satsu sabi and dime the shields. The dynamic between Enrique and diamond is going to be a little weird. I think diamond will shoot better from three, but that's not the fit, but it's not going to be how mabry and rique were. It's going to have to be a little different. Right. So that's going to take some time like you said at the beginning of talking all this. That's going to take a lot of adjustment. But then they have another three first round picks. This season, they have the picks coming up in the future. This franchise is set up to continue growing. And I always see people asking, what's the plan in Dallas? I think it's a fair question. And I wrote in my newsletter ball and ordered that subsector account. I wrote about I wrote about how it's kind of like, you know, I don't know, I don't know if you ever play two K but in two K, you know, when I get a new franchise, when I get a new franchise, I like immediately trade everyone. You know, I trade all my trade all the players for draft picks. I kept bringing guys that I want. I change up everything. And I want to have to do something in the video game. So I want to do another. Yeah, we learned deal. I think Greg bibb has kind of like had that mentality. It's like, hey, this move is good. I'm going to do it. And that's great for roster building. But at some point, they need to turn the corner into team building. And I think this has to be the year for them with you should travel as the head coach has to be the year for them with a recast or leader, it has to be the year that they start going from this, hey, they have a lot of talent to, okay, this team is ready to compete and win. I think this year they have enough talent to do so. So I like what Dallas is building personally. No, I like it. Again, you know, just to have the pieces to be able to build to continually build and add to, you know, who's around Enrique goomba Walla. I mean, it's her squad right now. And no shade to anybody else. But we all clutch performer on that team. And she wants those moments. So I love that for her too. To be able to own that role and to have that trust from Greg bibb and the coaching staff as well. Just to know that we're working to get pieces around you. I mean, if I'm a rique, I'm like, let's go, you know? Let's bring them because you know how she's built, right? She wants to win. So just to have that trust from everyone in the organization, I think, is a plus for her too. It's her team. That's her team. And they did lose Alicia gray. And to a certain extent, that wasn't their choice. I think Alicia, honestly, I don't know if her problem was with the franchise or the role. I think almost what the role because she's saying, I'm a better player than the touches you're giving me. Right. I don't disagree with her. So, and so losing Alicia is a big deal and I'm not trying to. Downplay that at all. She's a big deal. Losing Marina is a huge deal. Yeah. But I just think they're kind of built, they're built well now, and they have playoff experience. They have players that they can rely on, and they have a good base for playing good defense. And that's been a problem in Dallas, you know, they got their stuff together at the end of the last year, but they're going to have to really lock in on that end of the court this year. And I think they can. So shouts Dallas, I think it's a good move. There's a New York and Phoenix element to this. I don't feel like getting into the minutiae of it. There's a lot of stuff going on. It's more minor moves, more minor moves. I do want to talk about one more major move, even though we're going along. Yeah. Tiffany Hayes. To Connecticut. For the number 6 pick from Atlanta. I love that. I love that. I love that move. Yeah. I love that. I mean, Tiffany Hayes, I mean, you know, she had some injury issues. But I mean, her presence, we were talking about leadership too. Her presence as a leader is, I mean, that's what Connecticut needs right now, right? They've lost some pieces. Obviously, John called Jones and others, but I just think that that's a perfect fit for her. And Connecticut with Stephanie white being the head coach there in her first year with the sun. I just think that's going to be a great combo with having her there. And Brie Jones resigns. Actually for a little bit less than the max, which is interesting. But you look at this team. We're talking about we're talking about Chicago. This team is full of dogs. Thai Harris tip Hayes, the wanna bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brianna Jones, that's what you're starting 5, you gotta teach a heideman come off the bench in the cloud and our girl coming off the bench. I think they're a little thin, but I'm looking at it and I wanted to do power rank is on this episode. We're not gonna have we're not gonna have a chance to do it. But I'm like, they're right in there. You know, I'd say that with them and them in Washington are really close to each other in terms of competing with those top two teams in New York and Las Vegas. Yeah, I think tip, I mean, it's really hard to lose someone like John Cole Jones and still stay good. Yeah. You know, you look at teams that lose superstars. They don't tend to stay in contention. Right. This team did that with this move. And I think they should be really, really excited for what tip brings to kinetic and she's honestly something they need. That outside in sort of player who can spot up a little bit, that's exactly what they need. I think it's going to be really good for them. Obviously they take a step back though. I'm not trying to say they tip haze and John Paul Jones the same thing. They stay pretty close to where they were. Absolutely. And they get, you know, Atlanta gets a number 6 pick out of that. And I think that's good for Atlanta. I'm super young team that's continuing to grow and get better. I thought they had a phenomenal season last year for the youth that they had on the floor most of the time. So I think at number 6 pick in exchange for Hayes is a good move for them on the other side too. Oh yeah. Oh yeah, for sure. I like it. I like that move actually. So that's a win win. That's a win win. We'll say it. It's a win win. And it's great for Tiffany Hayes. She had when she was 12 years at 2018. 2018, they make the semifinals. Yeah. She was incredible.
Winsidr WNBA Show
"alicia gray" Discussed on Winsidr WNBA Show
"Employed by the Connecticut sun by the terms of normal sports, free agency, whatever. But yet is in all this marketing promotion for the Connecticut sun during the off season. What are we doing? Like, it makes no sense that day before she announces she's signing with Chicago. She's in promotions for Connecticut selling tickets to season ticket holders and whatnot. Find a different way to just ridiculous in my mind. And that's just like the tip of the iceberg and then you're talking about all the stuff under the water. I mean, yeah, I just think that I have to have to tread lightly with what I'm talking about here, but I also want to be transparent and I want to this has been known and this has been going on and whether it's one team, whether it's multiple teams, what I'm curious now is can they even find evidence? Is there proof? Well, that's the other thing. Like, how are you going to and that's what I was going to say is like, not having proof of this or getting enough evidence to bring down the hammer. Doesn't necessarily mean it didn't happen. And doesn't necessarily mean that it didn't impact things in an unfair way. I mean, I think that, do they lose future picks? Did I get obviously a fine or someone has to resign or they lose massive amounts of picks down the road? I guess that's one way it could go down. Well, Rachel, even before that this news broke, it was already disaster island over there, considering the fact it's been what three weeks since the hand be trade went down in the handy allegations came out and they haven't put out a state. They hadn't put out a statement. They eventually did put out a statement, but kind of fumbled that one. This is just such a bad look. Everything going on right now with Las Vegas aces. People are trying to sugarcoat it, make it look like it's not that big of a deal. They're serious accusations from a former player. Who probably it was because of the move that happened. And the disgruntled former employee, if you want to call it that, probably caused some snowballing effect that was allowing it. I mean, that's like these are these are mutually exclusive. Exactly. And then the Nikki fargus on the presser, I'm sorry, she had to leave, but she's still on the Zoom call and then magically disappears just then. I mean, there's just, we can do a whole podcast episode. I want to. It's ridiculous. It's bad. And then it's like a bad reality TV. Two days later, because why not? We're going to be comparing these two franchises, you know, something else come home. The New Yorker have handled the John cold Jones, acquisition, and that they handled Brianna Stewart and Courtney van der sloot press conference earlier today, complete class act, everything you would expect from a premier franchise team from an organization across the board. Vegas right now, I'm disappointed. I'm a little bit confused. Who's calling the shots here? Because to me, this is where PR at experienced PR person, which is what they have would step in and determine hey, this is how we need to handle this situation. That's not what it's looking like to me. So I want to know who's calling the shots and who's making this look like the complete disaster that it is right now. So I'm just gonna I'm just gonna throw this out there, Rachel. I saw you tweeted something about like this is PR one O one. This is the statement you should have put out in the moment these allegations came. And then I found it funny because it looks like they copied and pasted that for their statement later on. But enough about Vegas. Let's move on. There's been some very interesting moves that happen today. Atlanta trades Tiffany Hayes to Connecticut for the 6th pick in this draft. It's going to be interesting because what is tip haze's availability whole season, partial season, we saw last season, she did dip out at one point for national team commitments, not the U.S. national team. So that's going to be an interesting one, but I love the addition for Connecticut. Brings a lot of elements that team needs a shooter, a score, a good defender, a two way player. Honestly, a great, not the same style players that don't take it that way, but a great addition after you lose Courtney Williams in free agency. Any thoughts on that trade? I agree. I think it's a win win for both. We knew she was on the move. I think that was common knowledge. I kind of forget what is and what isn't, but it kind of was like, I feel like Atlanta was able to secure a nice, a nice piece with this and being able to be, you know, now you're involved in this draft with two solid picks. I think they're going to be able to meet their needs. In this draft with those two picks, maybe even secure a future piece, something along those lines. But yeah, I mean, everything you said, I think it's great for both. Well, and a smart move too, because they used one of their first round picks on the move to get Alicia gray. And then possibly tip ace is already leaving, but then you're able to get back into the first round with that one. So I think the move is a smart move a nice move.
WNBA Nation
"alicia gray" Discussed on WNBA Nation
"Everyone right or themselves right. I never knew what I was wrong. I'm pulling for them to kind of have a renaissance year with that group before they hit a hard rebuild soon. And I think this is a pretty sexy one of those one of those players that I just think could make any team better. She adds kind of a rare on ball defensive tenacity that everyone could use. So it's a good move. Yeah, she's been on the all defensive team for the last three seasons. So that alone plays in well. When you've already got some pretty decent scoring potential, I do think that I do think that they do need to add a little more offense to this mystics team to really become a true contender, but on the defensive side of the ball, I would consider their job complete like you go get some shooters at this point. Go get some scores. So that's where I see this. Steve, any thoughts? You couldn't find a better player? To pair with Shakira Austin under the basket. Right. That's like, this will be a low key top three front court defense with that Perry. They're going to work with each other so freaking well. And that's on top of the fact that obviously you have only a del dog along that ride. But that just, those are two players that are going to boo each other up. I've expecting Shakira Austin hit all star levels. I mean, I really like a lot of my side of her last season. And I'm just excited to see those two have a dynamic that I think could play really well together, but I mean, to everything, once you said, yeah, this is definitely a good step forward. For the mystics to try and bring something together, obviously they were very much in that scuttlebutt of where John Claude Jones might end up, you know, New York is where it ended up, but there was talks at the missed very much being on that list. And so with that doesn't play itself out to go and pick up Britney Sykes, who is a defensive player that your contender on a frequent basis. Yeah, I hate to call it a value pick because sometimes when we use the term value pick, I feel like we watered down and actually the effectiveness of the player, but it's very positive that positive. I agree. One last pick that or I guess move we should bring up is, which actually fits well because Sykes, Brittany Sykes and Alicia gray were kind of that one, two punch as far as rookie in our initial break into the league was it really came down to Alicia gray and Britney Sykes for that first rookie of the year that we were covering. But Alicia gray has been traded to Atlanta from Dallas for picks. Including the number three, right? Including the number three, yeah, I believe you are correct on that. Yeah, including the number three for this upcoming draft as well as their 2025 first round pick. So again, Dallas finding a way to just have draft picks forever. That's just always Dallas's move right now. They couldn't handle only having 6 first rounders or whatever. I just traded we should crave for all of Atlanta's lions? Lions matters at all this case, but if it does, upset. The parks play into how Dallas approaches draft picks is very apropos. So the reason the reason I like talking about this and I'm glad we're kind of ending the episode on this because I haven't said a lot of positive things about Dallas in the last couple of months. If you guys picked up on that. I'm
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"Good in defense. So you gotta be able to step up and be a better defense. Natasha, it helps in that regard, losing Alicia gray hurts in that regard. We'll see what they made up for in the train. I want to take it from Atlanta's perspective with Alicia gray too. I mean, this is interesting. Because obviously, this team is still really young. They have 5 players in the contract. So Cheyenne Parker, Daniel Robinson, who they just traded for, Ari McDonald, Ryan Howard, and not his helmet. Does the only 5 players in the contract in Atlanta right now? But you put Ryan Howard and Alicia grey together on the perimeter. We're talking about a really scary defense. That's legit. That's legit. Yeah. Yeah, that's legit. I mean, when you have players who bear down on the defensive end that way, amen, and their attention to detail. I mean, when you're talking about Ryan Howard and The Rookie season that she had, rookie of the year, right? And it's not just her offensive prowse. It goes back to what I was just saying. About your defensive energy and they understanding of what you provide as a defender. And now, like you said, adding gray. Side by side with her. I mean, I think that can rival, you know, what's here in D.C., right? Yeah. And tash can't hear me. But with clowns. You know, it's like it's a difference maker. When you have players who understand that's what you need from them, right? And they have pride in that side of the court. And on that side of the court. And what they want to and what they want to be held accountable to bring day in and day out. Not just in practice, like working each other over, right? No one gets a pass. Give it to you in practice. Like you're not going to be able to get by. And that's why that's why the great defensive teams get better because it's iron sharpens iron at the end of the day and practice is there going at each other with that level of physicality and energy and focus. So, you know, obviously in Atlanta, that's what they're going to. That's what they're going to have there too. And I think to what you said, they're like, this could rival one of the better defensive backwards if Ryan Howard continues to improve on that. And I think the other thing for this for Atlanta's perspective is like having Alicia gray mentor Ryan Howard at this age and just teaching her how to do the extra preparation, where the look, what are you looking for, like, how to be most efficient that preparation is like a maker that much better. Along with making this team really good. And I say this, I say the most interesting because you think of Atlanta and you think of future, right? So we're talking about Ryan Howard as a future superstar. Talking about Nas helmet as a player who could grow into, hey, maybe not starter, but a really solid bench release, Ari McDonald's, a pretty good point. I mean, she ends up being a backup. She's a really good backup pointer. So you think, right? Like, okay, Atlanta shouldn't be the team giving up draft capital. Atlanta should be the team, you know, kind of kind of looking at it and saying, okay, we'll take a step back and we'll wait our turn. They're not waiting their turn. They're putting up on the gas. They're bringing Alicia gray and I'm sure they're doing more in free agency. I'm sure there's stuff to have down the ballot because they won't give up draft picks if they didn't think that they would be getting players to compete. This year next year whenever. As soon as Ryan Howard's ready to compete, they want to be able to compete, which I think is smart. And this goes to another thing I want to talk about is like the changing landscape of the WNBA. Okay. Because obviously we've talked about Connecticut, Connecticut's looking like they're going to drop back a little bit. Right. We look at a team like Chicago. If WNBA free agency goes crazy and according to at least, Ken sparkly. That's a team, that's a team that's going to take a step back as well. You look at Seattle. Another team that is potentially taking a step back if free agency goes insane. And you look at Phoenix and Phoenix is a wild card just because we all know about Britney grinders, health and condition. Obviously, we hope that her and Diana can circle the wagons, but no Skyler didn't Smith. So that's 19 that you're looking at their talent level and you're saying, well, they also took a step back. And Skylar, I'm guessing there's going to be a trade for Schuyler soon just because that's. You know, she's expecting. Right. And she's expecting, right? Yeah. And she's going to be out for she's going to be out for some time. Unsure about how long, but seems like she's going to be out for some time. So Phoenix and Larry, so we're talking about four teams there. That could be moving back. Right. And Atlanta is looking at this and saying, why can't we be a team that moves up? Right. And I think that's really that's really interesting. Yeah. Say that last part again, because Natasha's ceiling. Just the last question. So Atlanta's looking at those four teams saying, okay, they can fall back. Last year, we were almost in the play. We were in the playoff race. We had a change in the cloud first. If Reinhardt takes a large step this year, where are we? We're looking at, we're looking at being a mid tier playoff team. We're looking at a chance to get to the second round. We're looking at a chance to maybe make a run in the playoffs. And so I think I'm not sure it's smart, and I'm not saying it's smart. Right. But it's cool. It is. And it's something that I think takes some guts and maybe some knowledge. Maybe some knowledge on Dan pad over's part to understand where this league is going. And to take a bold step like this and acquiring Alicia gray. And I think there's going to be more from them, like I said. Yeah, absolutely. I agree with that a 100%.
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"I'm not sure crystal dangerfield fits in sailor plans, but it's nice to have her rights in case they strike out some other point guards. Yeah. I just don't understand getting draft picks when you want to win now. So I'm wondering if they're trying to wheel and deal and find a different another player to use that draft capital on. Yeah, that's a great question because, I mean, talk about the beginning of last season and crystal dangerfield. Going from team to team, right? Remember that? It's just tough. It's hard to find your niche, especially as a guard in the league and which teams need what from you, right? So I think it's going to be a difficult meshing for her. But not impossible. So another thing to watch for as the season unfolds, but at the same time, you know, financially speaking, like what you said, what's that going to look like? And how will that be for her as well? But I think just player personnel wise. How does her skill set match what they want to do? And I don't know. That's the question of the day. And I think it just remains to be seen once the season begins, what it looks like. On paper, it's like, doesn't look like it feels like meshy. If that's the word, it doesn't feel messy, just on paper. But that doesn't mean wants to season begins and they actually are on the floor. That the chemistry piece surprises us or the chemistry piece is better than it looks on paper. Well, they should have good chemistry, frankly. I mean, they are adding the big the big piece they're adding is Natasha Howard, but you know, she's pretty easy to add, honestly. I would think it depends on what else happens. I assume trading Alicia gray means they're intent on locking up. Maybe in the cowan as well. Not entirely sure how much I love the Howard McAllen from court, but that's a tough defense to score on. And you put that around Enrique goomba wale. Players you can get down the lanes, especially how we're maybe. I think it's a really interesting dynamic and you saw two solid can be healthy. Now we're talking about team that can really compete in Dallas. And we'll see what happens with the draft hat, because that's what I'm saying. It's like, okay, we are here at this point with Dallas. You want to win, right? At some point you got to win. We got to start winning. Now, you made it to the playoffs last year, like take the next step. So I don't know if that draft capital that they got. I'm sure they'll try to keep some of it, but I think they're going to try to move some of it for a player, maybe you fall to the cracks or someone or some team unexpectedly signs. Player in their position that they got to move. So I think there's plans there for Dallas. And I think they're not quite done in free agency either. And I'm excited to see where they go, because that's agreed. That's a franchise that should be doing better with. But it's time, you know, I think it takes a minute just to get the pieces. It's about personnel. And not just that. It's about personnel and how well and how quickly they mesh together and how quickly they can have that chemistry and the synergy on both sides. On both sides, it's not every time you say chemistry you're thinking offense, you know, offensively. So defensive synergy, you have to consider as well. What kinds of things can you do defensively with the pieces that you have? You switch one to 5. Or can you only switch one to three? Can you switch? At all. I would hope. Wait, but that's the chemistry part of it, right? It's not just who can score. Like if you're in the WNBA or any league for that matter, it can you put the ball in the basket. I think is at the top of the list, but that's like a common denominator at this point. Right? Yeah. How well do you fit with the team that you're on defensively? Natasha cloud has the loudest work I've ever heard. She's working. I just heard the next step. So she fixed whatever to yell about. Good, good. Good. Sorry. But yeah, no, I think and hopefully they can mesh together. And like I said, I don't think it's that crazy to think that they will. Right. But now it's like also getting on Riga goomba walley shoulders to kind of be an MVP, but. She's so good. Face to face, like, you know, on the court. It's like she's very well defended and makes these incredibly tough shots. That's when you know you're in an elite level, right? When you see that happen, so yeah. You know, when you're at, but you could also be better at kicking out. Like, that's my other thing. It's like, get in the pain kick out, 'cause if she has shooters around her, it's gonna look and that's what she did that a lot last year before she got her at the end of the year. And so offensively four flash you. Good. That's good enough. If you're forcing offense, you're good enough. Right. 9th defensively can't be 19. The teams who made the playoffs were all good in defense. So you gotta be able to step up and be a better defense. Natasha, it helps in that regard, losing Alicia gray hurts in
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"It's just, it's just, I don't think they would move her. And I mean, I don't know. You know, this is my own personal opinion. This is no breaking news. But I just don't think that they would give her up because I just think she fits so perfectly to the puzzle. Here in D.C. for Eric Tebow, the new head coach. A shorter way of saying that as I Ariel Atkins is better than Alicia grey. Look, but she's also too young. I said that. Ariel Atkins is two years younger and frankly, she's just a little bit better of a player. And that's not not gonna Alicia gray, I'm comparing we're comparing gold medalists we're comparing all star to the all star contenders for comparing players that can win. But to me, I would rather have very lakins. I think the mystics would too. I think they see her as a franchise player. Absolutely. Especially at her age, she's 26. She's a very she's a very young still. Yeah. And she'll get paid next year, but I think the mystics are going to be happy that they're keeping her. So then the other option would be my issue shines out. I don't feel like getting too far into that, but I just don't see that happening either 'cause my shine sound has two years left on her deal. And they play such different positions and then kind of becomes a little bit redundant with the other talent you have. But maybe Washington's a possibility, the other three teams, though, really have nothing in the vein of a player that would help Dallas win. Not necessarily next year, but just within this core, there's not really a player there that you should look and say, hey, that's someone I would trade Alicia grey for, even one year of Alicia. So to me, I think she's going to end up staying put in less that money, unless another team is going to offer a lot for early sugary, which could happen because she's an awesome player. I could see her being LA being involved. I could see a bunch of teams trying to get involved with her. And I just think for Dallas, I would say, hey, we're going to see what happens in restricted free agency, because if we get a deal on mabry and McAllen, and you can come back and play, we all know gray is a professional. She's not going to, you know, go out and give out, give less than whatever a 100%. She's not going to pull an unnamed former rockets player and come into the season very out of shape. So crazy to come in and compete because she's a competitor. Well, James. So that means I didn't say anything. Okay. I didn't settle. I'll take that. Long we're saying, if I'm Dallas, you got to blow me away with an offer because I think Alicia gray is going to help us win next year. And she wants to leave after that. That's her prerogative, but I'm not trading her. So that's my take on the Alicia gray trade. Yeah, I think she stays too. I just don't think, you know, again, I don't think teams are going to give up players at that level at this point where all the teams mentioned are still trying to grow. They don't know in Chicago if quickly is coming back. They're still a lot of questions on roster. So I just think people are going to hold what they have, right? Burden the hand. Well, and things may change by the time the draft rolls around as well. True. And maybe there's an opportunity for Dallas to trade up and get someone that they want. And they think can really fit in because they will need rookie contracts that work. I just don't. I don't see that happening in any time in the immediate future. But I'm not always right. We were so speculative, but it's fun to speculate. I'd said mental gymnastics is part of this whole deal, though. There it is. That's a whole little session right there for you. So we hit everything that had on the WNBA news. Oh, brianne, January, coming back to coach for the Connecticut sun. Yes. And it was just her birthday, too. And oh wait, they had someone else too. It was, it was Brian January. And karima Christmas. Kelly, Kelly's back. Is she also in them? I thought Connecticut are where is she? Or is she Indiana? She might, I think she's in an Indiana. I know Monica Wright is in Phoenix as the existing general manager. Which is funny. It's a big deal because the Phoenix is now always had an assistant general manager seems like they put it in a little bit more money there, which is fantastic. And now I'm looking, I am looking for this cream. I'm just going to I saw a post the other day about how she's coaching summer, but I don't know, I don't think it's Connecticut. I think it's Indiana. Indiana. In Indiana, she is with Christy sides. Yeah, Christy sides was just at the end Lin Dunn. They were just at the Maryland Indiana game. Last night. That's a great transition. It was really great. It was good. See how good that is? Perfect. Courtside right here on her hoops podcast. Just a well oiled machine. Midseason baby,
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"And so for Alicia gray, I think she may be, she may be able to get out and I think it's good, it's good work by her agent to get this out now before free agency begins. So teams can start thinking, hey, at least gray wants out, you look at Dallas's situation, Marina mabry, and tier McAllen are restricted free agents who look like they're going to get some good offers. So if that happens and it comes down to a decision between, hey, we got to keep mabry or gray. Obviously great doesn't want to be here. Maybe we can help her out and get her to a team that she wants to be at, provided that that team has assets that we want. There you go. That's a big piece of it, right? I mean, it can't just be where you want to go. It's very, you know, the team that your eyeing, where you fit on that team, right? Right. And what they can, what they can give up or what they're willing to give up. If there was anything, like some teams want to stay pat, right? Because, you know, the salary cap and everything else, they want to make sure that they're status quo with that stuff, right? Well, and continuity wins. The team had just talked about. They're great team, great talent, but they've been together for years now. And it's a second year, Chelsea gray, and that's really what kind of propelled them to being the great team that they were. So I think most teams are going to factor in continuity, but the question is, also, for the wings, I think Richard Cohen brought stuff on Twitter. Do you really want draft picks here? Because what did graphics do for Dallas needs to Dallas needs to move it along? They did start winning now. They do. So I don't think draft picks works. Are you looking at players that can help you win now today? And how many, how many teams are going to like, what teams are going to give that up for Alicia gray might be a good swap, but you're not going to say probably not going to be saving money and you probably not can get a really high end player because if a really high employer is happy where they are, you probably want to keep them. What are you doing? Yeah. What are we really talking about? Exactly. So let me throw out some ideas here just to see if we can. One of these spots that she wants to be at, let's see if it makes if it works out, right? So in Washington, I mean, it's tough because they don't, they don't have a ton of people on roster. And the players that they do have are kind of non movable. I mean, obviously laying down on something moved. Would you would you think? Because the answer to me is no, but would you think if Dallas called and offer Alicia gray for aerial Atkins? Because I think no. My hesitation on that is more shock than it thought. I would tell you that. Now, and no disrespect. I love girls. No, I love gray. But I just think that Ariel Watkins, you know, the Olympic gold medalist, and I know gray won one with the three V three team. So they both want to go. But at the same time, I just think Ariel Atkins fits the system for Mike T Bo, I'm sorry, oh my God, Eric T bone. Eric, father of dean. In Michael. I thought he was going to name him Gabe, Gabe. Well, you know, you guys are boys. You know, but he is such a sweetheart. And I saw just getting off the track for like two seconds. I saw Mike Tebow at a recent wizards practice. And I just gave him the biggest congratulations. He and Nancy and Carly and the new auntie up there head coaching at Fairfield, Eric's sister. And so he just said it was an amazing thrilling moment for their family. So just sending lots of love to the tebows. And oh my gosh, he is such a little nugget. He's a sweetheart. Yeah, so congrats to Eric Andrea with their new bundle of boy. Yeah, so I mean, yeah, sorry, we were going to say that at some point, but fumbled I fumbled and said, Mike TiVo, you know, I got to fix that. I gotta rewire myself to say Eric, but I just think that Ariel Atkins just fits what the mystics do, right? Yeah. Three and D, but the way that she plays defense is just, it's uncommon. The way that she forces her will on opponents on the defensive side of the ball. And she's going to crack your head on the offensive side too, and don't get it twisted. She's not just a three point shooter. Although she's in the 40 percentile, I think or high 30s at the end of the season. But low 40s, high 30s is still a clip, okay? For aerial Atkins. But I thought that the ability of her to gain access to the drives and finishes and get herself to the free throw line. It means she made a concerted effort. In the off season to say that's what I want to do better. I want to get to the second. The first and second levels are already know, I'm going to be there for kickouts because I'm usually on that same left side because she's a lefty, but she's on that same left side with Elena delle donne. Della donne loves that left block. And I love to set her there. And dominates that lip balm. And dominate right there, but I mean, that's smart, right? Because then you have Ariel Atkins in the corner or Ariel Atkins lifting to fell on your extended in the slot.
The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"alicia gray" Discussed on The Her Hoop Stats Podcast
"I like where we are right now. I like where we're heading. And the expectation internally has increased as we head into this year. The other factor here that you have to remember is, along with all the rookies last year, all the second year players, you had a brand new coaching staff unit of head coach, new staff, new system, everyone's got to learn each other on the fly in a very short training camp and season. We have all that behind us now. The core group comes back, the coaching staff comes back. And we're not starting from scratch. Scratch. We're starting somewhere down the line. When you play in a WNBA, you're playing against players that have been professionals for a decade or more, you're playing with groups that have played together for years and years and years. It's really hard to overcome that when you're a new team with a lot of young players. I don't think we're going to be the youngest team in the league this year. I haven't done the math yet, but I don't think we will be. When you look at us, we're still young, but you think about Alicia gray, 6 years in, Kayla Thornton 7 years in Enrique now four years in Marina four years three years in tiara four years in. We're not a team of first and second year players anymore. We're in a different place in many ways, and that's what's exciting about this year and the years to come. And so how do you kind of, I guess, massage the expectations and the pressure like, is your job more to put the pressure on or try to just let it let it happen? There's plenty of pressure externally. I think my job's more about accountability. And setting expectation internally of who we are and what we want to become. And again, that is a moving target based on the realities of where you are. The conversation this year, we could not have had last year or certainly the year before it would have been, it would have been genuine. Now, I think we're at that place. We qualify for the playoffs last year. It's no longer about we just need to get ourselves into the playoffs. We've taken that step. That's behind us. We want to look for what's the next step for us. And for me, the next step for us is winning a playoff series. We haven't done that. So that's the next step for me. Obviously, there's a lot of factors that go into that in our league health. At the end of the season, plays a huge factor in who wins and who doesn't, because the margin between the very best and the very worst in our league is like that. Health plays a huge part in that. But that aside, the expectation certainly has increased this year. And so how has your how has your job changed in particular from when you got to Dallas to now dealing with everything you've dealt with and now having this chance to kind of take that next step? Has your job changed a lot? I don't think our job has changed because while the expectation of the result has moved, the expectation of how we go about our business primarily off the court has never wavered. And we continue to look to improve it as an organization in terms of how we invest, particularly into the players. We continue to add layers in terms of the category of what I call player health and well-being. We continue to look to add resources to put our players in our coaches in the best possible situation to do their job, which is to win. So I don't think we've changed our approach as much as we've just changed the expectation of the end result. I see. And then what are those, what are the resource next steps because I've talked to a bunch of WNBA folks and just talking about where are the resources going to be most efficiently allocated going forward? And I feel like that's changing a lot. It's almost changing by the day due to COVID and everything. But where do you see the sort of resource allocation going and where do you want to be most efficient in that route? Continues to be player focused and player first. We have long, I think, over indexed in terms of the medical and support staff. We have put around our team. We've had at least one team psychologist on staff, for example, with us since day one in Dallas. We've added a nutritionist. We've added some player movement specialist. We've added a coordinator of player well-being. We've added an assistant trainer. We've added a team masseuse. So we continue to add additional support around that group of players. Again, to give them an optimum opportunity to be successful. And obviously, again, back to my previous comments. A lot of that has to do with health. We want our players to feel good. Be confident in where they are with their health and to perform that are optimal level. And how do you kind of manage that when they're not in market for the majority of a year, how can you help their health from afar? It's a unique challenge of the WNBA, but it's really about communication. You know, taking care of them while they're here, giving them a plan as they leave to part to do their work overseas. And then be in constant communication with them, making sure they're on task and also being responsive to anything they may need if something arises overseas and then as soon as they get back, reassess. And again, adjust that plan accordingly so that they are being taken care of the entirety of the summer. Yeah, and those are the types of things I've heard a lot is the health and health and wellness is really where resources are going in the WNBA and like you mentioned. I think the challenge of it is more interesting than I'm pretty much any other league because you don't have those players in market. So I'm really interested to see how your you guys handle it how our teams handle it. And hopefully we get more and more investment into those areas because it helps the players. But this is her hoop stats. So I do have to ask one question. In terms of the future of the league, what are some of the analytics that you're looking around like the NBA, for example, and saying, man, I wish we had that. Where can those analytics and stats improve on our side of the ball? Yeah, there's two areas in particular. I think I mentioned, one is like tracking capabilities. Having a better understanding in games and in practice around the movement and usage of players on the court, I think that's an important one for us. The technology around that and the wearables in particular and wearables is a broad category that a term has been applied to and there's a lot in that, but for sake of our time, I'll just say wearables. And then the second one for me, I would love for us to figure out a way to have an opportunity to better engage with potential players, draft prospects in advance of the draft. We don't have an opportunity to have that one on one engagement outside of kind of what we're doing here today, which is a Zoom call basically in advance of the drive. When you think you look at our NBA counterparts in terms of the opportunities they're given to bring a player in assess them, do medical evaluation, measurements, you know, it's funny, but like I've actually sent a person a scout to a game, had them sit courtside so that when the player walked by, they could stand up and try to figure out exactly how tall is that player. Based on who's sitting there, and we always ask the question, we're talking to him, okay, how are you? How tall is that with shoes on versus how tall is that without shoes on? I think we can do better in that area. Now, we have challenges at the NBA doesn't have..
Winsidr WNBA Show
"alicia gray" Discussed on Winsidr WNBA Show
"How are we feeling about Thai Harris on this team? How are we feeling about still hope? Chelsea Dungey on this team. What about Bella, Charlie, a walk? You know, what are the future with some of these players? And I don't know if those, I don't know if we have the answer to those right now. You know, part of me feels like those questions are going to be answered a little bit later. You know, a year from now. Oh, totally. I mean, I would have to assume that Louisa and Dungey are the two players that you move on from. If you had. But realistically that frees up like one 30 plus your 15 in cap space so you're like, and that's for one roster spot. So yeah, maybe you can bring in one person if you make those moves, but I agree with you. I think you gotta stick with it. And if I saw anything and maybe I'm reading in too much to what we saw last year, but it seemed like they didn't even know, right? They didn't know what the ranking of these young prospects was based on minutes. And obviously injuries impact that and blow away games by mabry impacted that and the connection of mabry Enrique definitely impacted that. But at the end of the day, you know, they have a lot of depth and I think the easiest thing to do is to say satu Enrique are stays, right? Alicia gray, as long as she's willing to say, is a stay. And if you believe it that way, then when I say is, your focus has to be on the other positions. Right? You don't need to have three people behind those people. You don't need to have insane depth behind, you know, your stars. So you need to start thinking about who can we drop. Now, I completely agree with you, Rachel. They just need to say we're running with this roster, and we're going to see how we can grow, because like you said, nobody is calling this team a contender. I would be shocked. This is said, I know they call me hater Ye, but this is, I mean this was all love. You're not winning a finals with mo Jeff Izzy Harrison and satus three seasons four seasons into the season. So that's just not happening in my opinion unless they do a crazy run like we saw from Chicago this past season. So it's a team that's stuck. Yeah, well, I mean, yeah, could we see, you know, some shatter shifts and the signing of maybe a veteran? I don't even know what position that could be. I mean, really, anyone, just if you really felt like this team needed a veteran presence that could come in and fit in, I don't know if that's the correct move, but look at the cap space for this year just over $15,000 AKA nothing compared to next year. You're looking at close to $600,000, and mo Jefferson's unrestricted free agent. I really think it's going to be difficult to move her this year with a contract at one 80. It just seems a little more likely to me that we'll see more aggressive moves a year from now. And by that point, this ownership, this franchise will have a better understanding of where the future lies with some of these younger players. Yeah, I agree. I mean, here's my thing that I'll say, yes, it's a question of what position would they even want? I'm going big. I'm going like a true center that can teach a walk in Charlie. Sorry is the Izzy's great, but in my mind, if you're a championship contender team, Izzy's your backup. And I don't mean that in a bad way, but that's just the way I view it. I mean, just looking at this, if they could get a silvia files, this team isn't a contender. Sylvia, Mercedes Russell. Tina Charles. Tina Charles would be ridiculous and honestly fun to watch. If they could somehow get a Liz cam beige back in there. I mean, there's no. But those are like, I'm talking about heck, even a Stephanie dulce in there. There's plate like a real center who has established that they can be a down low presence. Now I know Steph dolson wants to be more than just that, but that's what I think this team should be looking for. You have to move one of those protect and veteran contracts and drop probably at least one or two. Well, or no, realistically you would drop Izzy Harrison so that a walk in Charlie can split those back up minutes and then you'd also drop a Dungey, right? So then but realistically also, you're not gonna be able to move as the Harrison unless you find a team who's willing to pay one 60 for a backup center. So I mean, their hands are tied and that's why I think the ultimate play when you come down to it is don't I think many teams can make this mistake of rushing to make a move for the sake of making a move as opposed to waiting until the time is right for the team to make a move. Yeah. That's my final thoughts for the Dallas wings what about you? No, I mean, I think this team is on the right trajectory. If you look at it as kind of a, for what, for what took place, the last few years with this team and we've been talking about youth for so long, like I want to gouge my eyes out, but they're on the right trajectory trajectory if that's truly what you're willing to live and die bys. This is what we're going to do. And if you did want to make a veteran move, yeah, maybe you play the field a little bit and see if you can get something done this year, but if you don't, I don't think it's the end of the world. I think you're more likely to get what you want and have a better understanding of this roster next year in 2023..
Esports Minute
"alicia gray" Discussed on Esports Minute
"Hey, folks, I'm Kevin Correa, and this is your E sports minute. The annual end of year all star event for League of Legends has officially been canceled as was announced by Riot Games as global eSports division. The main reasoning behind that cancellation is thanks to the increasing COVID-19 travel restrictions, surrounding the latest variants that we are still facing around the world. With 2020 seeing the all star event be a remote event. Riots shifted gears this year, saying they feel remote play fails to properly capture the spirit of the event, which they see as a global celebration of the game that brings together not just pro players, but influencers and fans as well. While fans have every right to be disappointed, but on the bright side, the 2022 campaign of pro League of Legends is about to kick up by mid January. A little over a month and a half away. Game square is already starting to make big waves with complexity gaming following their acquisition of the eSports organization earlier this year. The two entities announced today a brand new division titled complexity stars, which will feature many pro athletes who are attempting to forge a more personal brand through gaming. Complexity touts it as the nexus between sports entertainment and gaming that'll give everyone more opportunities for collaboration with brands. The initial founding roster of stars features players like two time NBA champion JR Smith, LA Dodger Edwin Rios and former WNBA rookie of the year, Alicia gray, as well as including various NFL and UFC athletes. The announcement adds even more overlap within the entertainment spaces between sports and gaming with fans winning out either way. Lastly, with halo E sports on the rise still, their first major is a little over two weeks away and another major eSports organization has joined in the scene. X set becomes the latest orc to hop on the halo train as they signed the roster formerly known as crowd pleasers who featured a four man squad of Kratos filthy G, suspect and porky J with the start of halo's competitive scene through the HCS qualifiers, the Raleigh kick-off major seems poised to be a landmark event for halo eSports to come. I'm Kevin Correa that's my time and that has been your eSports minute..
Premium Hoops
"alicia gray" Discussed on Premium Hoops
"It's just they have so many guards who should be primary or backup point. Guards or ball handlers. But more often than not the ball ends up in the hands of marina. Mary and irrigation away right so like it's great to have the ball in their hands in really is and they should have the ball. But don't build out your lineups and furthermore like your roster with guards who can't bring as much for civility offensively even if you're going to put the ball in their hands and then you know to bring. I've talked about this. A whole lot is like the big situation is it's complicated. it's complicated but And i'm bringing the perspective of like having just watched a wings game where they had neither alicia gray gold medals or sought to and those are there to like those third their second and third best players. I would say yes but like they. They just bring everything together. In that way too. I think her development as a playmaker as like blown me away in like i did not expect to to develop this to at big show this level of passing shops. Yes so it's just like it's so confusing it's so muddled the decision making is and like if you wanna know what their offense is gonna look at any given time like throw throw up the horns. Because that's that's their base off it's It's their base alignment anyway not their base office and they just. There's just so much there and like again. This is one of those situations where it's like. They're they're very young team. They're still figuring stuff out. Blake if you're going to try and play every player a that's that's just not a functional way to develop any of them right. Don't if you if you try to do everything you're not gonna end up with very much of anything like that's just how it works. A lot of the right and they should be a year. Head of new york is because these team basically all play together in bubble last year like a reggae marina is bill harrison jefferson on. We should grace like they were all on the team last year so it shouldn't have the feeling of like an entirely new team. The way that the liberty do they they should be further along. And i understand that. It's a new head coach but like i'm just not willing to give them many passes but the thing is like even with all the the silly stuff do. There's so much talent on this team. They just figure things out like you just put them on rica's hands and just like clear out the middle of the four letter work and more often than not that a week two good things because she is that talented got her first step is just. It's stupid like i mean. I like watching this. The mystics. the tasha cloud. Ace pervert vendor is just hopeless trying to stop her from getting past her which is idea like what we're working with with Bi they frustrating. I think more than any other team in the league because of all they're capable of.
Locked On Women’s Basketball
"alicia gray" Discussed on Locked On Women’s Basketball
"Have to start playing these young players a little bit more you have to and i. I say young players like most team is young. But you have to play the rookies more. And that's just like because you're not a contender this season and tell you build forward. You've gotta get these threesome reps whether you believe that. They're going to be helpful long term or not. You have to find out if that's gonna find out. I whether they're going to help you long term or not. So that's what. I wanna see them in the second half. I wanna see. I i would like to make a playoff push it by being. If they're they're committed to then. I mean hey go for it. a rica was pretty much the only one that show yesterday alicia gray played pretty well as well. I should Disrespect her but they. I'm just. I'm very confused at where they think they're going because they're not applied. They're not a contender. You're going to be back in a playoff team. And i don't know if that really if that's going to help you. I know you wanna get playoff reps. But i also want to young players get reps to yeah for sure. That's something that we definitely talked about for a bit now just in the second half of the season that there is a lot of teams. I just need to play players. Because the way that i think about like. How are these young players going to get experience if they're sitting on the bench you can't and especially like when you're weird position like this. I feel like you're much better off just kind of playing around with with your rotation's kind of seeing what works who who works Things like that on the flipside. How high or how low are we on the connecticut's on because they did lose to the seattle storm in the commissioner's cup game and then they take care of the weeks. I still think there..
Around the Rim
"alicia gray" Discussed on Around the Rim
"J gentry contributing writer for the athletic women's basketball the dallas wings talent talent and more talent all star sought to sabally most improved player candidate marine mabry olympic gold medalist alicia gray and all star. Mvp and hall around bucket getter a reggae on guba. Wally lead in all talented cast of wings players but that talent is going to have to put it into high gear this second half of the wnba season. If they wanna see postseason play. The wings entered the olympic break on a three game losing streak landing at number nine in the standings with a nine and twelve record. Fluid lineup declines in shooting percentages some star players kind of going cold a myriad of reasons as to why they are where they are but it can be easily fixed if they want to see postseason play the wings are going to have to keep that same energy as we say for the full forty eight minutes and close out games more effectively and more efficiently. In my opinion marina needs to be inserted back into the starting lineup where she works so well against bff and former notre dame teammate or rica or at least marina needs to be first option off the bench. The lineup we need to see more of players that we haven't seen whoever the best five players are for. That game need to be out on the floor. I love to see chelsea tie. Harris definitely needs more minutes. I'd love to see what a what can do what the number one pick. And the overall draft. Charlie collier can do so. There's a lot of things that the wings can do to make sure that they see postseason play. All of this is just one sports woman's opinion. I'm dorothy j gentry. Hit me up on twitter at dorothy. Jj entry wnba opinionated and play by. Play voice cindy brunson reporting on phoenix mercury chasing the franchise's fourth wnba title and riding the wave of success of its three olympians in tokyo..
Around the Rim
"alicia gray" Discussed on Around the Rim
"I know that you have got to cut out a little early way. I would love for you to hang on just a little bit longer but before you go three on three. Usa gets go. I ever first time. You know steffi dosage. Jackie young alicia gray alicia. Gray my gosh. She's just so bad tastic and kelsey plug just any thoughts on on on that particular squatted. You know what it may have felt like you. Watching them. achieve such an accomplishment. It was so fun and it was so fast. And that team for some. And i'm still i'm gonna shout katie Kahlo i mean loo- that was just a that's that's a tough situation for her in the timing and everything because she was supposed to be part of that injects came in bill. Dan did great. But i just kept looking. I'm going these. This is just a tough group right like this. These are just leather bound. Tough group of players kelsey plum. You know i'm a pack twelve girl. And so i've known kelsey glenn watch kelsey on for a long time and she's just tough little not that one man just just goes and on alicia lisa gray my i just loved it but i just love the top of it. I just love that. It was sorta like it was gritty. And they were just you know. It was a little down and dirty at super physical. And i'm i was great. And i just loved that group together. Doug it was great. I can't wait to for them to do some more of this. Because i think you could put now you start thinking of combinations of players you could put together in that and how we all know i loved it. Thank you for making some times to joy on his show. I know you have to go to real world stuff. Real stuff right. I know definitely appreciate you appreciate you joining us. It makes some time with us before you go. Please let us know. Do you have anything coming up that we should be aware of. Where can our fans find you social media yet so you always find me on social media. maxima for when three this season for me as wnba dot com so hopefully just providing some insight on wbz dot com. And we on. I've got a little calm coming up just kind of outlined where everybody's gonna be coming off the break. Some of the changes. I mean some teams have big stuff happened over these last few weeks. And they're gonna come in out of the break looking a little different and who's got wet left on their schedule because really we are well past the halfway point i would say they're gonna come back stretch of the wnba season. And so what. That's all been mean so i've got that come out a couple of days in dublin. Back on i will kill mcbride too because they think what she's done in declared in what they've done is the lakes right now and way can certainly weigh in on that. I know it's not quite back to that yet but little something about that because they admitted huge difference for a team that obscenities looking pretty tough. So we'll will definitely be checking you out on wnba by common. Thanks again for making some time for us show. You know anytime. And that's exactly where i wants out with you because hey listen. This has been an interest is easier for Most teams in the wnba. The commissioner cup you players who didn't come back from overseas until later after the had already started but i never keep county soda right like ever ever ever ever ever can. I cannot minnesota. Even when this i i'll looking little shaky nope lay comes off and then The fees are shows up and she's dropping like twenty five and you're like what are we doing. So how have you been able to judge your minnesota leagues up until this part In the season have even it's Right for me to ask if you've been paying attention. Yeah no i have. I have that is absolutely. I you can't. You can't ever count cheryl. I'll just say that in out She's the most competitive person. I think i've ever been around So she's gonna find a way they got after the slopes star in and you could see. He had just come back on her overseas season when a little bit longer than anticipated and so She got back a little bit late. obviously Getting alasia has been Has been the difference right and so Kayla has come on like cleanly found her rhythm. Sylvia there's been a few games in a few points were sylvia's looking like mvp sylvia and she's still is so dominant so good that you know. She's she's still doing it. And so there's one poach that probably is. There's one coach that didn't want the break to happen. It was cheryl because they'd want seven zero going the break. So obviously they're trending up In the right direction. It's going to be a fun as michelle said. It's not even a halfway point. It's gonna be fun last quarter the season sprint to see where everybody gets heated in how these these playoffs are gonna go and hopefully more and more fans can go where there's more and more attendance restrictions lifted so we can get back in these arenas in washer favorite teams pressure for sure. I'm certainly hoping that we could. Gas can pack out the target centers. Just it's a the atmosphere of links basketball up. Gary just amazing and so having that having that feeling back is going to be like another just a couple more before we let you go. You're wearing your simone augusta's t riot and she shocked us all look at that. That's awesome. I definitely i love this so you don't have to. You don't have to wear today. When i knew was coming on the podcast. The shore up telling you need to link because we're going to have the cop one because it's nice however out. We had small on the pie when she first announced her retirement in both china. And i were shot so to part one you know what was your feeling being able to play with such a phenomenal players. Such a game changing player into what are your advice for retirement. Know you had to make that decision either. Dow and that only deciding to retire but doing so moving into the coaching arena. I will for herself off. Like you said simone is You know one of the greatest ever To do this and three times olympian four-time champion onnell's mvp You know i i with simone when See it was. It was two thousand and three. We were playing In a in the they had a cba under twenty one tournament and so it was kind of junior nationals if it was You know elena beer was on that team oldie kendra wecker capi on to make a johnson Tunisia right simone. It's almost two years younger than us. Teach you're right. You're younger so we had a couple with most of our team. We're going to be seniors in college. And we had to. Juniors i think in then mon was a sophomore and she was that good that she played up two years the mvp that tournament as the youngest player. Probably in the room. And i'd never seen anybody make shots shoot from her release point that she has end just her shot..
Around the Rim
"alicia gray" Discussed on Around the Rim
"Great podcast plan for you today. We have a very special guests one of our favorites. Espn and espn w writer. Michelle voelpel will join us. Because there's a lot happening right now. Around the women's gain the wnba did announce that there will be an all star game. Yes we are pumped for that for the fans the players for all of us media who love all star weekend it is going down in vegas so we will talk a little bit about that about the format and how you can get in on the voting. We will also touch base on big news out of usa basketball. They have named our national team that will compete for their seventh straight gold medal in tokyo. And we have named are usa olympic three on three team. Congratulations to kelsey plum. Katie samuelson alicia. Gray and also stephanie. Dosen head coach care loss in that will compete on a three on three side on the usa. Women's national roster really really excited for everyone. I mean we talk about it all the time. How hard it is to make the usa roster how we have a one hundred and forty four the best players in the world and the wnba so to make this roster it to get an opportunity to represent your country. I can't even imagine what that is and what it was like to receive that phone call so if you missed it. On this year's olympic team ariel atkins the washington mystics. Sue bird who will play for her fifth straight gold. Tina charles nafisa collier skylar diggins smith. Sylvia fowles chelsea gray out of duke university brittany. Griner jewell loyd a stewart. Diane's rasi who's also going for five in asia wilson. The staff dawn. Staley dan hughes cheryl read. And jin residing so congratulations to all. We are super pumped about tokyo and at the same time. There's been a lot of controversy a lot of conversation this week. And that's where michelle vogel comes in. Because there are a lot of disappointed fans members of the media players of the wnba that neka goo mckay the former wnba mvp. Nwa champion of the la sparks was not a member of this twelve player. Roster now again this is the roster right and usa has so many great players but neka. We'll talk about a little bit later. This has been a life goal of hers and she put herself in position. After being snubbed watts. Some people say twice off the olympic roster to work really hard to put herself in position to be selected. And i just wanna say before we even get into that conversation if you listen to our podcast. We give everyone women's basketball their love. That's what we do on this podcast. We believe in the sport you know. All all thoughts and ideas are welcome. Obviously to reconsider journalists. So it's our job to put all opinions and thoughts out there And i have. I expressed my disappointment. That necker was not selected on twitter. I know you did as well to rica but whether it's geno auriemma or whether it's who should or should not beyond the team. These are all topics that we are exploring and talking about because women's basketball deserves it. Transparency is something we had to have in our sport. Discussion and debate is something that we have to have in our sport because we need growth and any of us. That has a job whether it's espn whether it's down the street at office depot like people can weigh in on how they feel about the way we do our jobs. I work this authority. I was not good at restocking. The tennis shoes like i always messed it up rica. you know what i'm saying so am i. evaluations. I would get some feedback there. There's always things that people can say. Wanna say or whatever about about various things. And i just want to set the table to say that you can also weigh in on this discussion because it is an important one. Netflix is someone who has been valuable to our sport. The usa basketball selection process is something that we all don't really know a lot about but it's important so anyway as as usual to reconized are bringing you. What we feel like is a discussion. That needs to be had anything else to rica. Now but i will say if anyone wants to weigh in they definitely give us an email at around the rim podcast at gmail.com. After they've listened we'd love to hear what your thoughts are on this topic all right in with that. Let's jump into the pot all right basketball fans well you may have noticed. There was a huge void in our espn coverage for a while as we were missing one of our favorite writers and she was getting a little much deserved. Art are and that is none other than the goat herself. Michelle voelpel welcome back. Michelle ayla trying thank you. Yeah we missing you. I was like wait a minute. Where is michelle in. You know one thing about those of us that covers sports. Twenty four seven is. It's hard to get a break right like women's basketball calendar for people that always say well. When is your off season it. there really isn't one. I mean it's a sport that for the college season technically starts in october. That's where most practices tip off. That's when you start preseason and even before that with what you do with who's going to be the top twenty five you know. What should you be looking for the schedule. Like you have to be way ahead of the and what's also happening in october's wnba season's ending so beginning in an ending in an a job that as much as we love it can be very taxing. So we're happy that you were able to get away and get a little time off now with that being said coming back on the scene there is so much happening in our sport. And it's like exciting time right. We've got the season that's going. Everyone's looking at the commissioner cup scores We just had our team named we will get to that in a moment but there's going to be a wnba all star game this summer. Let's start there because it's not easy for the league to pull this off right in summer where there is an olympic Happening historically that's been a tough time to have an all star because usa in very understandably wants to have as much time as they can with their players together and gelling in doing all the things they need to do to get ready for tokyo and yet we find ourselves having an all star. It will take place in vegas on july. Fourteenth of voting is actually open. As we speak started june fifteenth. You can vote on the wnba app or wnba. Dot com and voting. Ends on june twenty-seventh. Now the makeup or the format of this game will be the wnba all-stars which it's an all star game so yes. There will be one team of.