The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz XX
[0] Welcome to Goodfollow presented by Draft Kings.
[1] I'm Megan Reyes.
[2] And alongside me, as always, are Logan Hackett and Katie Novotny.
[3] Caitlin Clark continues to reach new fans.
[4] And one way she's doing it is with her logo threes.
[5] And it turns out she's hitting them from an average of six feet behind the arc. That is longer than the best shooters in the NBA and their three -point line is a foot and a half further away.
[6] Is this the wildest WNBA stat that you have ever seen?
[7] I think it's one of the wildest basketball stats I've ever seen, period.
[8] Other than, like, I don't know, the only one that comes to mind is how tall when binyana, when binyama, whatever's name is how tall he is?
[9] How many LeBron Jameses is it?
[10] Like, do we know what, like how far, how is it, it's like one and a half?
[11] It's like a little under one, right?
[12] Six, six feet.
[13] How old, how tall is he?
[14] I don't even know.
[15] I have no idea.
[16] They're all over six foot to me, so they're all tall.
[17] And I also came from like for many years I worked at the Warriors.
[18] So I got to firsthand witness the Steph Curry legacy and magic.
[19] And so to know that this stat exists in the WNBA, yeah, it's incredible.
[20] Absolutely.
[21] I feel like we all know Steph as like a shooter as well.
[22] So the fact that she's shooting better than stuff, it's like, how much better can you get at this point?
[23] Right.
[24] And his logo threes are exactly part of his brand.
[25] So yes, if she's doing it much better and in her rookie year, I think that's everything we need to know.
[26] Try to buckle up.
[27] Well, Minnesota Lynx and Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeves said Caitlin is more than just a shooter.
[28] So here's what she had to say ahead of the Lynx fever matchup last weekend.
[29] The best thing that she does that young players don't do is she plays at an incredible pace.
[30] And pace can get you really, really far.
[31] And there's great value in that.
[32] Pace and passing, I think are her two greatest things.
[33] I know the sexier part is probably the logo three.
[34] but the pace and the passing is what makes her exceptional.
[35] So this is really interesting because Reeve infamously didn't want to discuss much of Caitlin when she was left off the U .S. Olympic team.
[36] But when she knew she had to face Caitlin, she changed her tune a bit.
[37] So do you think this was Cheryl being genuine or was she just trying to avoid any flack given the fever are now bulletin board material before their game?
[38] She was probably protecting something in the beginning, you know.
[39] probably the Olympic squad as is.
[40] I want to believe it's genuine.
[41] I want to believe that she's proven herself, and people are kind of seeing that she's more than just a headline.
[42] I think it's completely genuine, to be honest, because I feel like if it wasn't genuine, then she wouldn't have got up there and said what she said.
[43] Like, there were so many other ways that she could have gone about it, and we've seen people try to, like, avoid questions about certain players.
[44] So I think it was genuine, and, I mean, we'll still have to figure out why she was left off the roster, but it was all coming from the heart.
[45] One, I think when we had Roz on last week, she said it best, we're learning that she's not hype.
[46] She's very much well living up to everything that we knew she was going to be.
[47] And I think at this point in the season, a lot of people are starting to accept that.
[48] Absolutely.
[49] Let's talk about her fellow rookie, and now one of our sports media peers, Angel Reese.
[50] And we'll get into Angel's new podcast in a second.
[51] And hopefully her audience numbers are as prolific as her rebound numbers.
[52] Angel is the first rookie to have three consecutive 20 -plus rebound games.
[53] And you might be wondering how she gets so many.
[54] Her critics are saying it's because she's only cleaning up her own misses.
[55] She's shooting just 32 % since the Olympic break.
[56] And those accusing of her patting her stats point to moments like this.
[57] Let's take a look.
[58] Back to back with 20 rebuffs looking pursuing.
[59] Once again, Rees with the tip of another chance.
[60] Three side to put a pack.
[61] Is the criticism fair?
[62] or are people just hating on Angel?
[63] Honestly, I was really looking at all those videos.
[64] She's the only person in the paint.
[65] So who else is there to pick up her rebounds other than her?
[66] So she's a double player at this point.
[67] I just hear all my like basketball coaches being like, you have to get your own rebound.
[68] Like, what are you?
[69] Isn't that what we're supposed to do?
[70] Like, why is that a problem?
[71] I don't know.
[72] I'm not a basketball expert, but I think two things can be true.
[73] sure, maybe she's not shooting as high of a percentage, but also to Logan's point, she is the only one in the paint grabbing the board.
[74] So what else is she supposed to do?
[75] And at the end of the day, I feel like we don't see many players who are putting up as many rebounds as she is and also like shooting at a really high percentage.
[76] I feel like you kind of have to do one or the other, especially as a rookie.
[77] She still has so much time to work on her shot.
[78] So get the rebounds now, break the records, and then maybe work on doing your Caitlin shooting later.
[79] Well, I mentioned this earlier on Tuesday, Angel announced her new podcast unapologetically Angel launching September 5th.
[80] And she's hosting alongside my friend Maya Reese.
[81] No relation, believe it or not.
[82] But this got me thinking if you could build your dream podcast with one analyst, one athlete, and one wildcard who would be on it, starting with you, Katie.
[83] Okay.
[84] I have a couple ideas.
[85] is.
[86] And the first one, okay, I don't even know where to begin.
[87] I just got a rip.
[88] Okay.
[89] I want Charles Barkley because he, I think he's the funniest person in the entire world.
[90] I want, I'm tied between two athletes of either Alona Marr or Abby Wambach because we know their personalities are so lovable.
[91] And they would have that the two of them in Berkeley, I feel like would be a grand slam.
[92] And then, I think I want, okay, my wild card is one of two comedians.
[93] One is a comedian who also plays rugby.
[94] Her name is Beth Stelling, and she's phenomenal.
[95] She was like, she posted earlier this year, like, she had to take a break from touring because her rugby team got so good and was like about to go into the Olympics.
[96] So that would be like a really fun trio.
[97] But TIG Nataro as a comic and her dry delivery paired with the two big personalities of Barclay and Alona or an Abbey, I think would be actual gold.
[98] And I'm very torn.
[99] I don't know.
[100] I don't know which one to go for.
[101] So very well thought out an intentional lineup.
[102] Yes.
[103] Logan, who is on your lineup?
[104] I want to do flage because I've been seeing her on the mic recently and she's incredibly good.
[105] As everyone knows, I love the drama.
[106] So put Stephen A in there because I want to go back and forth with him.
[107] I want to fight.
[108] want to bicker and I want Floschet to be like, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[109] I'm trying to think of the third.
[110] I really, hmm, Trinity Rodman, I feel like would be really fun.
[111] I know that's kind of an athlete still.
[112] Well, so I think Wildcard is almost like a, I don't know.
[113] Like anyone.
[114] Yeah.
[115] I feel like, yeah, I really feel like Trinity would go well in there.
[116] We'd all kind of like vibe off of each other and it would be like a 3V1, maybe sometimes, depending on what we're talking about.
[117] And then we're all like black too.
[118] So it's like black sports.
[119] I love that.
[120] I truthfully didn't put much thought into this, but I'm going to just come up with one off the top of my head.
[121] I think I would want Diana Tarasi, just because when her and Sue are miced up and they're doing their broadcast, it's hilarious.
[122] Possibly inebriated, but that's, I think, to be disclosed at a different time or never, but either Sue or Diana, because they're just, they're funny.
[123] One analyst, oh, that one's tough.
[124] I like Joy Taylor, because I love Joy Taylor.
[125] I respect her a lot.
[126] I respect her as a woman in sport, as a black woman in sport, and also she is really exceptional at how she carries a conversation and her hosting duties.
[127] And then I think one wild card would be, oh, gosh, I had it.
[128] Oh, okay, this is so random.
[129] And I would probably actually hate this because it's so many strong personalities.
[130] and they would probably take over the conversation.
[131] I'm going to put in Drusky.
[132] Just to put in Drusky.
[133] But I feel like that's going to be a lot of personalities trying to carry the conversation.
[134] So I might backtrack on that one.
[135] I was actually going to put in Kai Sinat.
[136] And I had the exact same thought process.
[137] I was like, this would be absolutely chaotic.
[138] And it would just be like talking over each other the whole time.
[139] That's why I was like, TIG feels like a better for my ride car.
[140] Like she's like a lower key personality and she could balance them out.
[141] and come in with, like, just amazing observations and jokes.
[142] I love it.
[143] Okay, can't wait for a podcast to come out.
[144] But let's talk some tennis.
[145] The U .S. Open is well underway, and there are a ton of fun stories for us to follow.
[146] But let's start with the defending champion Cocoa Gough.
[147] She's still fighting to get back to the finals at the time of this recording.
[148] She didn't have a great summer, but if she wins, she'll be the first back -to -back winner since the Serena Williams three -peat from 2012 to 2014.
[149] So, Logan, where does Coco rank among the most important American athletes right now?
[150] Pretty high, especially out of all of tennis men's and women.
[151] I mean, she's at the top of it.
[152] But I think doing a back -to -back is very difficult, especially on home soil.
[153] I'm really hoping she does it.
[154] But everybody just seems to be at the top of their game right now.
[155] So it's going to, she's going to have to do her big ones.
[156] And then, of course, we need to talk about Naomi Osaka, who returns.
[157] to the U .S. Open for the first time since 2022 after taking time off following the birth of her first child.
[158] And coming back has been difficult for her.
[159] She hasn't been at the top of her game, but she says, my biggest issue currently isn't losses.
[160] My biggest issue is that I don't feel like I am in my body.
[161] Are you more impressed that she came back or that she's being so honest about how difficult it can be to return from childbirth to professional sports?
[162] The latter for me, it is so it's such a I mean I've never been pregnant or had a baby but being a woman in your body and feeling good in it is so hard at a baseline and after you go through a essentially traumatic experience and having to come back and having to fight for what you quote unquote what once were that is a mental challenge that I think a lot of us experience on some level.
[163] And I think it's really refreshing that we're talking about something like this, to be perfectly honest.
[164] Yeah, I've had, so this is like, I'm not even going to go on a whole tangent because we don't have that much time today.
[165] But my therapist and I have had conversations about this before, and it's completely unrelated, but she specializes in helping, well, it's not why we see each other, She specializes in helping moms navigate motherhood, especially first -time moms.
[166] And, I mean, she says all the time, and when we've had these conversations about how it is really difficult for a woman to feel in tune with her body following a pregnancy, following childbirth.
[167] Like you said, it is a traumatic experience.
[168] I think we have to label it as it is, giving birth is a traumatic experience for the body.
[169] And so when players come back and play at a high level as a professional athlete, you have to give them a lot of credit because it's really difficult for your body to be in sync with your mind.
[170] Yeah.
[171] And like if you've ever had surgery, you know how hard it is to feel normal again, not anywhere on your body.
[172] And I've seen my friends experience like anxiety for the first time and they're worried about everything.
[173] And I'm like, oh, you don't know what it's like to worry about every moment of every day.
[174] Welcome.
[175] Buckle up, baby.
[176] So I think I'm so glad she's saying it.
[177] I'm so glad she's saying it.
[178] Well, Naomi returned to the U .S. Open and so did her style.
[179] In her first match, she walked out in a lime green outfit full of bows and tool.
[180] She says it's the best fit she's ever worn.
[181] But personally, I think it seems uncomfortable to compete in.
[182] I mean, I was a ballerina, so I know what it's like to be trying to move.
[183] around in tool and bow, so let alone play tennis.
[184] But when she was asked about it, she said, I don't mind feeling uncomfortable just as long as it's stylish.
[185] Is this an example of look good, play good, or possibly doing a little too much?
[186] I think it's look good, play good, all they look good, play good, feel good.
[187] I mean, when you just have that feeling that like you're all put together, everything is like amazing, it does help you play better rather than being like, oh, I don't look great.
[188] And especially because all eyes are going to be on her, she knows that she's going to have to pop off with this fit, and she did just that.
[189] I would trip and fall and lose, personally, but I think whatever works for you, make it work, you know?
[190] When people say things like, oh, how do track athletes run with the hair and the nails and the lashes, how do basketball players play with the lashes or soccer players play with, you know, the braids and the lashes, it's, first of all, it doesn't matter.
[191] It doesn't affect you, but it helps them feel good.
[192] them feel confident.
[193] So I personally don't believe in what a lot of people would label doing too much because that is what makes one person feel confident.
[194] And then that's not doing too much.
[195] That's just being themselves.
[196] But that's my opinion on it all.
[197] So coming up, we talk some footy from both the U .S. Women's National Team and Chicago Red Stars, centerback Sam Stobb joins us.
[198] We'll be right back.
[199] Welcome back into Goodfollow.
[200] Joining us today is U .S. Women's National Team and NWSL defender Sam stop.
[201] Sam, I'm very excited to have you on the show.
[202] How are you today?
[203] I'm good.
[204] Thanks for having me. Well, we're thrilled to have you and I'm going to jump right into it.
[205] Back in June, I got to be in Denver to cover the U .S. friendly against Korea, which also happened to be your first cap for the national team.
[206] So can you share with us what that experience was like for you?
[207] Yeah, it was really exciting.
[208] My whole family was there too because I'm from California, so it wasn't too far um yeah it was really exciting um i was so exhausted because we were playing at altitude um but yeah it was just like a dream come true obviously so it was great at altitude and it was so hot also yes like it was just a combination of things it was the hardest 30 minutes i have ever played probably in my entire life and adrenaline was just like out the out the door like it was crazy were you guys training any differently for altitude um no not really um it was emma's first camp i think So it was like all of us just trying to like figure her out too.
[209] So I don't think it was different.
[210] I don't know.
[211] I don't know any different.
[212] Like it was my first camp.
[213] So yeah.
[214] And with all that, you were the first player to make their debut under Emma Hayes, who was a brand new coach at the time.
[215] She says she enjoys a high pressure of the US women's national team.
[216] What does she bring to the team as a coach?
[217] I would say that she just kind of like brings like this different like energy.
[218] She seems very calm just like she knows what she's doing.
[219] and I think she just wants everyone to be their best self, which I think is like a really refreshing thing.
[220] I don't know any different.
[221] So that was also like really interesting going in like not knowing anything previously about the national team.
[222] But yeah, I was just like really excited to get my first cap and obviously very grateful to her for that.
[223] Once Emma was named head coach of the national team, there were some questions on whether the team would be able to come together with both a new coach and then so many new faces.
[224] But then they went on and won gold in Paris anyways.
[225] So what do you think that says about the future of the national team?
[226] I think it's just exciting.
[227] Yeah, there's like no ceiling there for that group.
[228] So I think it's really exciting and obviously a really good start and just keep it going.
[229] For this question, you're allowed to say yourself, but do you have your eye on any future stars of the team?
[230] I think the team is so young.
[231] I think there's like a core group of the team that's so young and I'm just really excited to see how they do and some of them are good friends of mine.
[232] So I'm just really excited to support them and hopefully play with them obviously.
[233] But I think there's just like a lot.
[234] There's a lot of really young talent in the U .S. and there's a lot of talent already there on the team.
[235] So I think it's just really exciting to see how everyone's going to fit in.
[236] Everyone's going to come together.
[237] I'm always really fascinated by the process of national team players getting their call -ups and going through camps and things like that.
[238] At what point in your career did it feel like a strong reality that being part of the national team could happen for you?
[239] And what was that process like?
[240] Never really.
[241] Like I obviously got like my first cap and everything, but I think there's like no reason to be complacent.
[242] But it was like pretty surreal, obviously getting my like first call in and everything.
[243] It also was like kind of anticlimatic.
[244] Like I just got an email.
[245] So like that's all that happened.
[246] And I obviously like told my friends and family and that was like the really exciting part of it.
[247] But it's also like I'm now injured and now have to like work all the way back into that so I don't think that there's like really like the oh I made it like feeling yet or probably ever I always think it's funny because we see the videos especially around World Cup where everyone's waiting for the face time and the call with it sounds like a lot of times it is just an email that you're waiting to come into your inbox and then you get to celebrate that moment yourself and in your time yeah yeah basically yeah I go an email and then I called my brother like that's basically what happens well let's switch to NWSL for a bit.
[248] Your red stars are preparing for a match this weekend against Angel City.
[249] And it has really big playoff implications.
[250] So what will be important for your teammates this weekend to get the three points?
[251] Yeah, I think just playing together, we're a team that's always done better when we play together, not really as like individuals.
[252] We need everyone on the field and everyone on the bench to get the job done.
[253] I think also LA is probably one of the most exciting and difficult places to play because it's so loud.
[254] You almost can't even hear yourself think.
[255] So, kind of like settling into the game early and, like, overcoming all the, like, ruckus and noise and, like, Hollywood of that game will be, like, really, really important.
[256] Where have been your favorite places to play?
[257] Like, what are some of your favorite road atmospheres?
[258] I think it's changed, like, throughout my career.
[259] Obviously, like, I'm from San Diego, so playing at San Diego is fun and, like, special in a different way.
[260] And then I have a lot of family in New York, so it's always fun playing there and at Gotham.
[261] I think Bay has like a really cool stadium.
[262] So that was like a really fun place to play this year.
[263] And Kansas City was really cool too.
[264] But I think like just the family aspect of like my family being at games is always my favorite.
[265] When talking about the end of yourself, we have to talk about the Orlando Pride who haven't lost a game in 323 days.
[266] They hold the longest unbeaten end of your cell streak and set a club record for most wins and points in a single season.
[267] Is there somebody who you think can knock them off or do you just kind of see them as unstoppable?
[268] I would say hopefully the red stars.
[269] We played them in like two weeks, I think.
[270] We did tie them.
[271] We didn't lose to them the last time we played them.
[272] So we can do it.
[273] Sam is manifesting this.
[274] And so in two weeks, we need to come back to this interview and see if Orlando gets our first class.
[275] Yes, that would be fantastic.
[276] Well, besides the Red Stars, of course, do you think there is a team in the league that could be a surprise contender as we get closer to the playoffs?
[277] Like making the playoffs?
[278] Or are you saying beating Orlando?
[279] Oh, gosh, let's do both.
[280] I don't know.
[281] I think, like, making the playoffs, I feel like, it's, like, totally dependent on momentum, I feel like.
[282] It's, like, whatever team is kind of, like, feeling themselves at that time.
[283] I was, like, really impressed with how Louisville kind of, like, really beat us this last weekend.
[284] So I think they could, like, potentially sneak in.
[285] They signed a bunch of new players.
[286] And I feel like they're really just going for it.
[287] I think they're out of the playoff question right now.
[288] But I think they kind of, like, if they're playing on momentum and everything, think they could potentially get into the playoffs.
[289] As for anyone beating Orlando, I don't know who's played them like twice or whatnot or what's left, but I think anyone towards the top could potentially knock them off.
[290] Yeah, I don't really know.
[291] I want the red stars.
[292] Like, that's kind of all I'm really rooting for is the red stars.
[293] That's what's so exciting about the league is truly anything can happen.
[294] Yeah.
[295] And with still so many weeks left in the season, someone could absolutely come out of nowhere.
[296] and you really can't predict it.
[297] Yeah, definitely.
[298] So I want to actually step away from soccer for a little bit.
[299] I think the good follow audience would love to get to know Sam a little bit more.
[300] Outside of soccer, how do you like to spend your time?
[301] Like, what are Sam's hobbies?
[302] It shifted a little bit because I am not super mobile at the moment.
[303] But I love to just go for walks and like explore, try different foods.
[304] I love going to different restaurants.
[305] I love going out to eat.
[306] I love like skincare and makeup.
[307] and even though I don't wear makeup that often, but when I do, I like, love doing it.
[308] Yeah.
[309] I would say those are like some of my like favorite things to do.
[310] And dogs, even though I don't have a dog.
[311] You can come babies and my dog whenever you have a free weekend.
[312] Whenever, whenever I'm free, I'm into it.
[313] I did see on your social media that you're super into skincare.
[314] What is like your holy grail of skincare routine?
[315] I wouldn't necessarily say I have like one thing, but I just like I love aquifer.
[316] I like to use it for everything.
[317] I went through acutane like four or five years ago.
[318] And aquifer was my holy grail during that whole thing.
[319] And it still is my holy grail.
[320] I use it for like literally everything.
[321] And now that I just had surgery, I like use it on my scar.
[322] And everyone tells me my scar looks fantastic.
[323] So like aquifer just like keeps just like exceeding any sort of expectation.
[324] But yeah, I wouldn't say there's any like one product besides that that I just like use and will always just be 100 % behind.
[325] Well, one, it sounds like you need an aquifer partnership, if you haven't already.
[326] And two, what I really want to get into is Korean beauty and Korean skincare.
[327] Yeah, I've actually, like, kind of gotten into that.
[328] Like, I use, like, I think it's called, like, Innes Free, that face wash and, like, double cleansing with the, like, oil cleanser I've started doing.
[329] I do really like that.
[330] So, I will say I'm a fan of that.
[331] So when you're playing, like, after the games, what does your skincare routine look like?
[332] Because as athletes, like, even when I was playing, it was like, I feel like I always had acne up here.
[333] And it was all because of just how it was sweating.
[334] I will say the, like, after training or something, if I'm not, like, showering and changing right away or, like, after games and stuff, the, like, salt water spray.
[335] I'll do that on my skin.
[336] I feel like that's kind of, like, become really, like, a trend that people are doing.
[337] But I do really like that.
[338] And I've noticed, like, a difference that it, like, helps because it'll, like, kill the bacteria on your skin and whatnot.
[339] And it feels good when it's hot.
[340] Like, we're training in the summer.
[341] It feels good.
[342] I don't know if you already make them.
[343] But if you don't, we're going to need some Samsob skincare.
[344] Yeah, I know.
[345] That's the thing.
[346] I like, I don't have a TikTok.
[347] So, like, I can't, like, make the videos or anything.
[348] I'm also, like, very tech challenge.
[349] Like, you guys saw how long it took me to sell at my phone.
[350] Like, I'm very tech challenged.
[351] So that's, like, part of it.
[352] Like, one of my friends actually works in PR and she's always like, you should do it.
[353] Like, I don't know why you don't do it.
[354] I'm like, you understand.
[355] Like, it would take me four days to make one video.
[356] Like, that's embarrassing.
[357] You know, I actually am all for the.
[358] But don't let yourself get into the TikTok black hole unless you have to because it's a slippery slope.
[359] Yeah, that's what I've heard.
[360] And I've never been on it or anything like that.
[361] So I'm like, I've lasted this long.
[362] I might as well just not have it.
[363] Okay, one last question before I let Logan take us home.
[364] Where have been your favorite places to explore and favorite places to eat since you've been in Chicago?
[365] I live like in the West Loop area and I love walking around there.
[366] There's so many restaurants.
[367] There's just like so much going on.
[368] It's very young.
[369] It's very fun.
[370] my favorite restaurant so far I went to Ever last week and that was just like an experience I also really like watching the bear but it depends on like price point like that was like very very fun but just like a whole different experience I've really liked this place called Sunda Alyssa and I went recently and it's like Asian fusion that was good I just like going out to eat with people I feel like it's really fun to try new foods with people I guess that's kind of like my love language But, yeah, I think there's, like, anywhere that someone wants to take me or that I really want to go.
[371] If, like, you go with someone, I think it's just, like, a really fun experience with people.
[372] And you're in the perfect city for that.
[373] Yes, like, very much to a food city.
[374] And I lived in D .C., which doesn't get enough credit as also being a food city.
[375] So that kind of, like, started my addiction.
[376] And then now I'm in Chicago, which is, like, a certified food city.
[377] And it's just been great for everything but my bank account.
[378] But that's okay.
[379] That's okay.
[380] We're young.
[381] It's part of life.
[382] It's part of experiencing life.
[383] Yeah.
[384] Logan, take us home.
[385] Last question before we let you go.
[386] A week ago, the NWSL and NWSLPA agreed to a new CBA, which included the elimination of the draft, free agency, all guaranteed contracts and so much more.
[387] This is such a big deal for the league.
[388] Can you explain how it impacts you and your fellow players in a positive way?
[389] Yeah, I think it just gives like a lot more power to the players.
[390] And I think that's something that we've been fighting for for a really long time and before I was even in the league.
[391] In my like five or six years, I've seen the league explode like dramatically and I think that this CBA kind of like is finally starting to follow how successful women sports has been recently.
[392] And I think that's just like really exciting.
[393] But I think there's just like more power to the players, which is just like a really great thing.
[394] Well, Sam, it has been wonderful having you on good follow today.
[395] Thank you so much for joining us.
[396] Yeah.
[397] Thanks so much for having me. Coming up, Katie, Logan and I swipe right or left on other headlines across women's sports and pop culture.
[398] We'll be right back.
[399] Come back to Goodfollow.
[400] It's probably not hard for New York Liberty fans to find a special someone to bring to the game.
[401] They're the favorites to win the title and Sabrina Yonescu is making shots from other states.
[402] But in case fans are looking, Bumble is now the official dating app sponsor of the Liberty.
[403] So in honor of the new sponsorship, we're going to do some swiping of our own.
[404] I'm going to present two stories that have a common theme.
[405] Pick your favorite story to swipe right on and one to swipe left on.
[406] So let's say on the conversation about branding, pick a story to swipe right on.
[407] Angel Reese recently signed a deal with everyone's favorite candy or should be their favorite candy, Reese's.
[408] But Brianna Stewart released her new Puma Stewie 3 Harry Potter shoes.
[409] Unclear if these shoes can be used in Quidditch, but which sponsor and player is the perfect match?
[410] Angel Reese.
[411] Swiping right on Angel Reese all day, every day.
[412] love it.
[413] That's, it's a slam dunk.
[414] I keep using sports puns today.
[415] I don't know.
[416] I, it's so good.
[417] It just makes sense.
[418] It makes so much sense.
[419] It should have happened years ago and I'm glad it's happening now.
[420] It's like, and I, there was a little bit of conversation around this.
[421] Like, why did Wilson never partner with Asia?
[422] It was right there.
[423] It was right there.
[424] Yeah.
[425] Yeah.
[426] But yeah, swipe right on Angel, especially because she had that, it was either the tweet or the comment on social media where she was like Reese's where are you all at um and then she manifested it she had it come to life which I'm all about manifesting it's also really nicely timed with fall and Halloween coming I like that I like that a lot I'm not the biggest fan of the style and design of the shoe um which I'm not not I'm not knocking it you I'm supporting you I just don't like the design.
[427] I don't want those on my, I don't want those on my feet.
[428] And I'm also not a Slytherin, so I would need a hufflepuff situation.
[429] I do appreciate how Angel has merch with her Risa's Pieces deal, too, because they could have just done like a commercial or something like that.
[430] But the way it, like, incorporates too, is just a one.
[431] Swipe right.
[432] Swipe right.
[433] Maybe a super like, I don't know.
[434] I might give her, I might give it a super like.
[435] We're paying for the premium so that we can really push it to the top.
[436] Yeah.
[437] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[438] Okay, next story.
[439] This past week, two goats had jersey retirement ceremonies, and you know they had to step out.
[440] Megan Rapino wore colorful Nikes to her jersey retirement in Seattle.
[441] And Maya Moore was gifted metallic versions of her five most memorable Jordans during her retirement ceremony.
[442] So swipe right on a shoe game, Megan Rapinos, or Maya Moore's.
[443] Dude, metallic is sick.
[444] I would go right.
[445] I'm going right on Maya Moore.
[446] I think I am too for sure especially because like she's this female Michael Jordan like it's all making sense she deserves that she deserves anything she wants at this point but I think that's really good Megan's colorful Nikes are sick don't want to don't want to ignore that but if I had to choose I'm going I'm going with the metallics like that's a profile picture I'd be really excited about I think the metallic shoes and it being five different versions of her most memorable Jordans.
[447] Like, I think it has a little bit more thought and intention there.
[448] And so I'm swabbing right on Maya as well.
[449] I think we've seen Megan in her shoes before.
[450] I don't know why.
[451] Or maybe it's like the Nike shocks or whatever that she's been in.
[452] But I don't know why.
[453] I feel like I've seen that color combo or the, with the vapor shocks on Megan before.
[454] Well, her and Sue have I don't know if you've ever seen the pictures of their shoe closet in there, it looks like a store I mean, it looks like a stadium good store.
[455] And so they probably have five different versions of every shoe and every color way, so we probably have seen this on her foot before.
[456] Okay, my more swipe right.
[457] Next up, Shooter Shoot.
[458] Three pointers are cool, but you know what's even cooler?
[459] Swishing a contested logo three like Sabrina Yonescu.
[460] Yonescu from the logo.
[461] And then on the other side, the sky left too much time on the clock for reigning MVP Asia Wilson, who called the game.
[462] Let's take a look at this video.
[463] It's it.
[464] Gray will take it out.
[465] 1 .1.
[466] Looking for Wilson to put it in a full step basket.
[467] So who are we swiping right on?
[468] Sabrina's three or Asia's game winner?
[469] I got Asia's game winner.
[470] I it was a long thought but not that long because there's nothing better than sealing the deal for your team at the buzzer and you see from the sally and everything like Sabrina don't get me wrong that's crazy especially contested but I'm going with Asia what about you kidding I mean I agree with that I think that feeling coming right under the gun is unbeatable across the board but the other one just looks cooler it's just like going to that far just look so sick.
[471] I love it.
[472] I like, I can't, like, I keep going back to when we were trying to shoot threes like a couple of months ago and like everything I did from that spot was an airball.
[473] Like I can't even get, I don't know how they do it.
[474] It's fascinating to me. I mean, it's a lot of strength.
[475] So when people like Sabrina can throw threes up like that and make it look so effortless, like it's a lot of strength that it takes to shoot three pointers, especially from that far.
[476] But then what's really cool is the eight.
[477] Asia Bucket, it came right after Kennedy Carter made a three to tie the game with one second left.
[478] So there was a lot of back context to this as well.
[479] I don't know.
[480] I think three pointers are super fun.
[481] I'm all about live by the three, die by the three.
[482] But yeah, there's nothing about a buzzer, Peter game winner.
[483] The shot right before to tie it.
[484] The pressure.
[485] The pressure, you guys.
[486] That's why she's braining MVP.
[487] Yeah.
[488] And why she will, maybe.
[489] be back -to -back at me be dot dot dot okay next story it's a big week for babies ace's rookie kate martin and tiffany hayes were caught on camera singing along to justin beaver's baby on the sidelines let's take a look perfect timing because justid and haley beber just announced the birth of their first baby jack blues beber and it sparks some conversations about celebrity baby names.
[490] So which baby are you calling mine?
[491] And you know, what's funny is my producers had it in here.
[492] I think they wanted me to sing baby, but I'm not doing that.
[493] So which baby are you calling mine?
[494] Kate and Tiffany singing on the sidelines or Jack Blues Bieber?
[495] I'm going to the sidelines.
[496] They're just like me. Like I've always thought that I don't know how professional athletes do it because I'm like in my seat watching and I'm like singing along to the songs, I feel like you know everyone.
[497] Like, I would not be able to focus on the game.
[498] Even when I was playing, we'd have songs come on.
[499] It was so hard to like pay attention to the coach, but also be like jamming out in your head.
[500] I was in a workout class this morning and Incinct came on.
[501] And I was like, I'm going full volume on this.
[502] So this is, they are speaking my love language.
[503] Jack Blues to me, it feels like a brewery somewhere where in like Asheville.
[504] I, I, the, the celebrity stuff never really gets me that excited.
[505] So I would go, I would go left on that right on sidelines.
[506] So I have multiple thoughts on this.
[507] I, I feel like when Justin Bieber baby comes on, it's just like inherent.
[508] Like it was built in my brain to know every word.
[509] I think I was a freshman in college when it came out.
[510] So we were very much into that song.
[511] I know every word to ludicrous verse, which it's not easy to know ludicrous verses to any of your songs.
[512] But this song is a. part of me. So I'm going to swipe right on that.
[513] And also, this is my hot take and has absolutely nothing to do with women's sports.
[514] But while we're having the conversation, I believe that we might need to de -influence Haley Bieber just a tiny bit.
[515] And this is my hot take.
[516] I...
[517] She's trendy.
[518] She has influence.
[519] And I think, too, I also stand on the side of where some of her trends that people are like, oh, the Haley Bieber trend, especially when she was doing like the dark lip and the slick black and the gold and it was the trend that a lot of people in the um latina culture were like we used to get made fun up for this but because haley beaver does it and it's cool now it's trendy so you know what i'm going to digress the airman smoothie sent me over the edge the smoothie i couldn't handle i couldn't handle it i will say she ate with that nail combo it was really good i love the smoothie i'm sorry i love the smoothie and i embarrassingly when i go to airwound.
[520] I'm like, can I get the strawberry glaze smoothie?
[521] I don't even call it the Haley Beaver smoothie.
[522] I say, can I please get the strawberry glaze?
[523] I respect that.
[524] You can make a smoothie at home for like $4.
[525] I'll teach you guys.
[526] It's super interesting.
[527] I've tried to make the Haley Bieber smoothie at home, and it's not the same when you're not paying $25 for it.
[528] But besides the point, swapping right on Kate and Tiffany on the sidelines.
[529] Coming up, we talk more WNBA.
[530] I reveal my draft.
[531] King's picks of the week and Katie shares her latest Goodfollow.
[532] We'll be right back.
[533] Welcome back to GoodFollow.
[534] Before we get into our weekly picks, our partners at Draft Kings have an offer that's perfect for any game day.
[535] Right now, new customers who bet $5 will instantly get $250 in bonus bets.
[536] Download the Draft King Sportsbook app and sign up using promo code GoodFollow.
[537] That's $250 in bonus bets instantly after betting just $5.
[538] And if sports betting is not yet available in your state, you can still join in on all the fun with Draft King's Daily Fantasy and have the shot to win cash prizes.
[539] Again, download the Draft King's Sportsbook app now and use promo code GoodFollow for $250 in bonus bets instantly after betting just $5 only at Draft King's Sportsbook.
[540] Okay, now it's time for this week's Draft King's Sportsbook Picks.
[541] We're in week nine of the WNBA regular season in New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota have clinched playoff spots, but with enough time and the rest of the rest of the week.
[542] regular season, the final five spots are a toss -up.
[543] Futures for the 2024 WNBA champions are on Draft King's Sportsbook, and the Connecticut Sun are tied with the links at plus 550, while Seattle Storm sit at plus 1 ,100.
[544] Look out for Seattle star guard, Jewel Lloyd, who is a big piece of the puzzle that could help the storm leave Connecticut with a win this weekend.
[545] Lloyd is a consistent scoring leader for her team, which is why she's my player to pick in this matchup.
[546] But despite the offensive help around Jewel, I think the sun's triple threat of Alyssa Thomas, DeWana Bonner, and Brianna Jones might be too much for the storm.
[547] So I'm picking Connecticut to come out on top this Sunday.
[548] Logan, what do you think about this matchup between the sun and the storm?
[549] I think it's going to be really interesting, especially given the past few games that the storm have had and the role that the sun are on.
[550] It's like, what is it, the sun before the storm?
[551] Maybe I'm thinking it called before the storm.
[552] The sun comes up after the storm.
[553] I don't know, but I have Connecticut winning all the way.
[554] But I think Jewel Lloyd is going to be an asset.
[555] Okay.
[556] And so right before the Olympic break, Connecticut acquired shooter Marina Mabry in a rare mid -season trade, how important has she been to the sun?
[557] She's been such an asset.
[558] I love it.
[559] And I love her on the team, especially given there was some tea between her and DTNAe previously.
[560] Oh, tell us.
[561] They've just like always been getting into little like spats.
[562] And when she played on Dallas, they got into it in front of job.
[563] Marin.
[564] It was like a big thing.
[565] And then when she was on Chicago this year, they got into it twice.
[566] And Dejana was like flipping her hair in her face.
[567] Marina told her to F off.
[568] Like, it was always just on site for both of them.
[569] And now they're teammates and literally passing to each other and winning games together, which is really cool.
[570] But I really love Marina on this team.
[571] And her stats since joining are actually, she's averaging just a few more points than she was with Chicago, which is really cool because that means she just integrated immediately in normal.
[572] you don't really see that.
[573] Normally they have to get used to being on the team and the plays and everything.
[574] So she's doing really well.
[575] So do you think the sun was smart in picking her up?
[576] Absolutely.
[577] Okay.
[578] So we have another game this weekend, Aces at Mercury.
[579] And Aces sit in fifth, Phoenix sit in six.
[580] What will Phoenix have to do to close a gap in the playoff standings?
[581] I'm so keen to see what the heck happens in this game because the Aces have not been in a, they're kind of slump right now and they just be Chicago.
[582] And so if they wouldn't have done that, they'd be 0 and 4 in their past four games.
[583] But then you also have Phoenix who I feel like they're still trying to buckle up and make that run.
[584] I think they'll really have to come together offensively, but also more defensively against the aces, they're really going to have to be unlocked and they're going to have to shut Asia down because she is the main asset and just hope that nobody else is going to have like an amazing day, which is very hard with the aces.
[585] Katie, I'm going to ask you something I know that you probably really want to talk about.
[586] There's a new mascot in town.
[587] Can you tell me what you think about Ellie the Elephant's new bestie slash rival?
[588] Her sister, I'm so excited to see what she's going to do on the sky.
[589] I'm like, are there going to be competitions?
[590] Like, are we going to get elevated halftime shows?
[591] I feel like, yes.
[592] I was a huge fan of the Bulls, like Chicago Bulls mascot when I was younger.
[593] So I have a very high bar.
[594] So I need it to be here.
[595] And I feel like Ellie is here.
[596] So we have some room to grow.
[597] I think there's like a, there's some big shoes to fill.
[598] But I'm really excited to see what happens.
[599] I think this just further solidifies that as far as your W &Bay fandom, it has to be the Chicago sky for obvious reasons being from Chicago, but now, you know, they have another, they have a mascot.
[600] So, yeah, when I saw that, I was like, we're locked in.
[601] We're locked in.
[602] All right.
[603] She's locked in.
[604] She's picked a beep.
[605] I love this.
[606] Well, moving on, the foundation of this show is that communities get built one good follow at a time.
[607] And each week, one of us will highlight a person, page, or brand as our good follow of the week.
[608] So, Katie, you can't pick the Chicago Sky mascot because we already talked about her.
[609] But who is your good follow of the week?
[610] She's actually another fellow Chicagoan or native Napervillian.
[611] Her name is Sarah Adam, and she is a Paralympian on Instagram at Adams, 0122, which I'm guessing is her birthday or something.
[612] But she's the first woman on the wheelchair rugby team.
[613] And she was diagnosed with MS in 2018.
[614] So I automatically, she has two things for me. Like, she's from my hometown.
[615] She has MS, which is similar to what my mom has.
[616] I know the disease very well.
[617] My uncle had it too.
[618] So pretty sick for our family.
[619] But she was volunteering at a wheelchair rugby team when she was in grad school, when she was going for her OT.
[620] And so, like, that's how she got into wheelchair rugby in general.
[621] And then once she got diagnosed, she started filling in on the team.
[622] And she was, like, playing with them when they needed extra players in practice.
[623] So she already had, like, a really good sense of the game.
[624] And in the last couple of years, she was, she led the team to golden silver in, like, these bigger tournaments that were leading up to the Olympics.
[625] And Chuck Ayoki, who we featured last week, he's a team captain.
[626] in and he said that she is one of the fiercest players that he has ever seen.
[627] And I love that he said this specifically because of the wording, because it's players, not female players, just players.
[628] And something that she said in a couple of her interviews was she loves wheelchair rugby so much because you just get to be an athlete.
[629] You get to be seen as a person and an athlete first, not the disability first.
[630] she's like we you're expected to show up you're you're they call it murder ball because these people are ramming into each other like full on bumper cars and it's like are you going to do the strength and conditioning like you're going to be smashing into other people's wheelchairs at full speed can you handle it and I think that's so badass and it just shows us what we are capable of and I am a big big fan of her and I think I'm excited this is so on him that I'm about to say this, but I'm excited to see her follower count grow after these Olympics because I think she's going to catch a lot of people's attention, especially with how she plays.
[631] Well, I think this is also a great reminder for everyone to watch the Paralympics, which have kicked off this week.
[632] And Katie, that's an incredible good follow.
[633] Everyone, go follow her at Adam S. 0122.
[634] We need to look it up, but it probably is her birthday.
[635] And we want to hear from our fans, who is your good follow?
[636] your nominations to at GoodFollow Show and tell us why your good follow should be featured on our show.
[637] GoodFollow is brought to you by Draft Kings.
[638] We will see you next week.