For episode 30 of Pull Up with Myles and Owen, we brought back our friend
@SheKnowsSports
to share thoughts on Candace Parker’s retirement, the Connecticut Sun’s deep TC roster, and more! Thanks to league partner
@LaCremaWines
for providing us drinks!
🎙️:
See, this is how you know
@McNuttMonica
is an ELITE media talent, because we experienced the exact same emotions in this moment. The only difference is, around the time I was spamming a half-dozen group chats with all caps gibberish, she’s composed for a perfect radio breakdown.
Aliyah looks great, and her breakdowns are spot on — she’s remarkably comfortable in this analysis chair. It’s so important to keep these W players visible in the offseason, and AB has been crushing these Peacock broadcasts.
Candace Parker ended with a tribute to the Bryant family: "Kobe and Gigi have meant so much to our league. The advice I got from Vanessa before the game was 'play Gigi's way.' Thank you, Vanessa. We love you, Gigi. We love you, Kobe."
#NoCeiling
#WNBA
Be a part of that legacy, and bring us an A’ja Wilson signature sneaker. She’s the face of the WNBA and a role model to so many young fans. If they can see her, they can rock her kicks—plus a jersey and leg sleeve—at the park while practicing A’ja’s post moves, they can be her.
Congratulations
@_ajawilson22
on making history and tying the WNBA single-game scoring record with 53 points 🏀 Continue building your legacy and playing your game.
Everyone out there saying to flip the three-point and dunk contests at NBA All-Star because the shooting is more exciting… keep that energy the next time you hit WNBA comment sections.
It sucks that, instead of seeing a buzzer beater attempt that could’ve immortalized this game, we get another questionable 50/50 whistle to take the ball out of the players’ hands. A great game, but can’t help but feel robbed at what was stolen from us.
I loved the scope of Caitlin’s answer here, acknowledging how she had to mature in a way that let her be freed of her own internal expectations, and knowing that the adjustment at the next level will be a new—but exciting—challenge. A really terrific question from
@RomeovilleKid
.
As is too often the case in women’s basketball, even moments of celebration—because yes, it’s terrific that CC is getting a sig shoe—are tainted by the all-too-obvious uneven standards that Black women are held to by these brands. A’ja’s resume is undeniable, her sneaker overdue.
I’ve been privileged to cover DiDi Richards these past few years. If you only know one thing, know this: DiDi is always real. She’s genuine in her support of literally everyone, perhaps the most welcoming person I’ve ever met. She brings a bubbly joy to every interaction. 🧵 1/9
I started covering Liberty pressers in the bubble season, so 2021 brought a whole lot of anxiety when interviews were suddenly in person. A rookie to those experiences, I found comfort in talking to an on-court rookie. Michaela Onyenwere, new to the W, was my safety blanket. 1/6
Natasha Howard on this immediately iconic Marine Johannès pass: “I was just being ready at all times, because I didn’t know if she would pass me the ball. It kinda reminded me of a Sue Bird pass.”
Naomi Osaka does not owe us any explanation, but has continued — through this all — to be transparent about her mental health. It’s truly awful to see the extent of her efforts to mitigate the outdated media requirements ignored by the inflexible leaders of the WTA & French Open.
We’ve got
@GothamFC
representing at tonight’s Liberty game! Kristie Mewis and Lynn Williams (or the other way around, if you believe the lower third). We love to see women’s sports crossovers!!
#yerrrr
#LightItUpNYL
Rebecca Lobo, on Nika Mühl, says that a scout told her that "they've never seen one player's draft stock rise so much because of one performance in a loss." Draya Carter says she loves Nika's game and specifically called out the Liberty's need for perimeter D. (Q:
@maggie_vanoni
)
On IG Live,
@A_Hooper25
just announced that she has officially been CLEARED to play basketball again! She has missed the past two
#WNBA
seasons while suffering the long-hauler effects of COVID. Incredible news for Asia, for the
@nyliberty
, and for basketball fans.
#OwnTheCrown
While I usually hate when the camera lingers on players being upset at the end of a tourney run, seeing Olivia Miles comfort senior Dara Mabrey, even while both are out with injury… it’s such a beautiful moment. The love in this huddle shines through the challenges they faced.
It hurts to know that Aliyah had to compose herself there, in such a heavy moment, because she knows that if she didn’t, the reel would play on a loop…and then to have the instinct to protect Zia. I love AB’s leadership, but hate that she needs to regulate her own emotions.
The Barclays crowd gives Natasha Cloud a huge ovation as she walks off the court. An incredible performance from Tash today: 33 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals. She waves on her way to the tunnel.
Jonquel Jones, the newest member of the Liberty, made a trip to the Barclays Center as a fan tonight and received a loud ovation. Welcome to Brooklyn,
@jus242
!
#WNBA
(via
@TheBKN3
)
At the tail end of SportsCenter, leading into tonight's Elite Eight games, the anchor listed Kim Mulkey, the Cavinders, Caitlin Clark, and Hailey van Lith as the people to watch tonight. There are layers to this inequitable coverage, and it's a constant frustration.
There's a ton of misinformation around player endorsements disappearing when collegiate players go to the WNBA. "I don't know where that came from," Haley Jones said. Syd Colson chimed in quickly: "Men, it came from men." (Q:
@elindsay08
)
“She’s the best coach who has ever crossed my path, and I’m gonna miss her.” — Destanni Henderson on Dawn Staley. After a career-high 26 points tonight (while also drawing the defensive assignment on Paige Bueckers), Henny absolutely improved her draft stock.
#WFinalFour
When NBA stars promote themselves as allies for the W, often times it doesn’t get past rocking a W hoodie while sitting courtside. While Ja Morant has been locked in at WNBA games, he also appears willing to take his support of these athletes to the next level, and that’s dope.
Breanna Stewart on KP's comments: "My thoughts are: congratulations to Vegas. They've been phenomenal from the start to the end. Win or lose, we'll just continue to carry ourselves with grace and keep that going forward." (Q:
@ClassicJpow
)
It makes all the sense in the world that Angel Reese, one of the most marketable collegiate athletes we’ve ever seen, would revolutionize the draft announcement. It’s just perfect.
On her IG, Dearica Hamby details her experiences leading up to her trade away from Las Vegas. Far too often, women are asked to compromise their desire to be a parent in favor of their career. While winning is a business in the W, these athletes — humans! — should find support.
Hailey van Lith got hot in the 3x3 games this afternoon to separate the USA from Calgary. Early in the matchup, Rhyne Howard was all of Team USA’s matchup, but this stretch from HVL helped them to secure the W.
Brittney Griner on Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley, her UMMC teammates in Russia. “I’m genuinely happy for them. I didn’t want to lose, but if I had to lose to anybody, I’m happy it’s them, my teammates overseas… Sloot is amazing on the court, Q same.”
#WNBAFinals
Jonquel Jones: “I always try to look out for the rookies… When I came into the league, Shekinna Stricklen & AT didn't ever let me pay for a meal because I was a rookie. The one thing they always said to me was pay it forward. So I try to do that w/ Nyara [Sabally].” 1/2
@Winsidr
I’ve always loved Andrew Luck, and here’s just another example of why: he goes out of his way to shout out Nneka Ogwumike and Tara VanDerveer as they’re inducted to Stanford University’s first-ever all-female Hall of Fame class. 🌲❤️
The two franchise owners with the deepest pockets—Mark Davis and Joe Tsai—were the ones luring Becky Hammon back to the WNBA. She landed a record deal with a young MVP and championship-ready roster. A splashy investment, a financial commitment, a win-win for Hammon and the Aces.
On Instagram, Brittney Griner announced that she's sharing her story. She'll be writing a book about her experience while being wrongfully detained in Russia. She hopes this book will raise awareness for other Americans that find themselves similarly held captive abroad.
New York Liberty players are wearing “Thank you, Sue. Love New York” warmup shirts ahead of Sue Bird’s final game in New York. Bird is famously from Long Island, so this stop is a homecoming on her final season tour before retirement.
@Winsidr
#OwnTheCrown
#WNBA
The Aces, who already drew the most fans per game in the WNBA last season, are moving their game against the Fever — who project to be a huge draw with Caitlin Clark’s addition — to T-Mobile Arena, which has a 20,000-seat capacity.
🚨 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 🚨
Our July 2nd game against the Indiana Fever will now be played at
@TMobileArena
!
Set your alarms. Tickets go on sale April 10th at 10AM!
Jonquel Jones on KP's comments on Liberty not being close: "I think it's easy to kick people when they're down and you're up, and honestly to me, it felt classless... you could celebrate with your team, and instead you chose to essentially shit on someone else." (Q:
@ClassicJpow
)
For me, Nneka having her free agency destination broken by Chiney on national TV is so freaking cool. To have Chiney positioned as an ESPN analyst — what an experience for them to share. I hope they loved every moment leading up to that.
Brittney Griner on IG: “I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.” 💜🧡
Early last season, it was difficult to find New York Liberty jerseys in the team store if you were looking to rep someone other than Sabrina Ionescu. By year’s end, the starters were available. Now, you can find nearly everyone rostered. Tremendous adjustment.
#OwnTheCrown
#WNBA
Imagine winning a national championship, breaking the all-time double-double record, and pissing off Dave Portnoy, all in a few hours’ time?! Have yourself a DAY, Angel Reese! 👑
“Why do I have to work twice as hard just to get noticed?… Eighty percent of us are Black women, and you have to figure out how to market those Black women. I don’t think we do that quite well.” —
@SylviaFowles
in a terrific piece by
@kurtstreeter
#WNBA
Brittney Griner thanks her wife, Cherelle, at the start of her press conference. “She had the hardest job, honestly.” During BG’s wrongful detainment, Cherelle worked tirelessly to keep this conversation at the forefront, her enduring love instrumental in BG’s return home.
Natasha Cloud on Sabrina Ionescu: "I know I talk shit, I know I was in Sabrina's stuff and took a few hard fouls. Even though I play that villain stuff in the game, I really... respect her as a player, enough to make her my primary focus in game two." (Q:
@alexaphilippou
)
It’s no coincidence that the WNBA franchises putting the most investment into their facilities — Las Vegas, New York, and Seattle — are positioning themselves as prime free agent destinations.
It’s official! Per release, Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will compete in “Stephen vs. Sabrina,” the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 in Indianapolis during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.