Interview: Maggie Hendricks, Writer for Bally Sports, on the WNBA Playoffs

In this episode, Lindsay Gibbs talks with Maggie Hendricks, writer for Bally Sports. They preview the eight teams that qualified for the WNBA playoffs, which started on Wednesday night, and discuss their playoff predictions.

This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our social media and website specialist. Burn It All Down is part of the Blue Wire podcast network.

Transcript

Lindsay: Hi, flamethrowers. Lindsay Gibbs here. Welcome to Burn It All Down. We're so happy to have you here on this Thursday. And this week for our interview, I am so thrilled to be joined by Maggie Hendricks of Bally Sports. Maggie, thank you for coming on Burn It All Down!

Maggie: I am so excited. I love Burn It All Down so much, so I'm thrilled to get to be on it.

Lindsay: It's very strange that we haven't had you on yet. [laughs] Definitely had to like triple check that, and I'm glad we're fixing that error of our ways. So look, it's WNBA playoffs time. We are recording this on Tuesday. You are listening to it on Thursday morning, is when it comes out. In between then, we'll have a couple of games played, but we're gonna preview the first round of the WNBA playoffs, and kind of make some predictions for further on. If you have been a little overwhelmed this summer, haven't been paying as close of attention, this is the podcast for you. We wanna get everybody kind of up to speed. [laughs] And I think the first thing to note is just that the format is different this year. The past few years, we've had a couple of sudden death games in the first two rounds. That is no more.

We have seeds one through eight, no byes. Everybody plays first round. The first round is best of three, and then the semis and the finals are best of five. There is no reseeding after each round, like there has been previously, so that's another change. So it's kind of a more normal playoff format than the creative stuff the WNBA did a few years ago – which, I liked some of the creative stuff, but what I didn't love was the sudden death. So, Maggie, first question, best of three. I think it's important for people to know the higher seeds host the first two games, and then if it goes to a game three is the only time that the lower seed would get a playoff home game. What do you think of that format? Because WNBA's kind of done it all. They've done 1-1-1. They've done in the beginning, they did it where the lower seed hosted the first game, and then they had two at the higher seeds. What are your thoughts on that format?

Maggie: Well, I like it, because it's a heck of an incentive for those higher seeded teams to just get those games over with. Because as we know, you travel commercial in the WNBA, at least until the finals. So that means that you won't have to travel at all, you don't even have to deal with it. And the WNBA players have been dealing with the exact same travel shenanigans that all of us have been. So I think that it's really, really a great incentive, and it's a great incentive for that road team to say, okay, let me steal one game. Then I'm gonna make them come to my house. You only have to win one game to get them to have to come to your place. So I like it because now the first round byes are gone, and the first and second round byes, but that's still a really great incentive for them to get into that top four seeds. 

Lindsay: That's very true. It does make the seeding matter a lot. I know the Washington Mystics who all season long, there were five teams that were kind of the, you know, championship caliber teams. And so one of them was gonna get that five seed. It ended up being the Mystics, and they had some chances to not let that happen down the stretch, but didn't make it. I really wish we could do 1-1-1. You know, I think it's so important for fan bases to host playoff games. I think it's such an energizing thing for fan bases. And so I'm a little sad that likely a lot of them won't get that opportunity. But I do understand, especially because the WNBA doesn't seed things by conference anymore. So when they did do 1-1-1, that's when it was mostly eastern conference and western conference. So, that made the travel a little bit less. Whereas now, if you had like 1-1-1 from DC to Seattle, that's a lot. 

Maggie: Yeah. If they were having charter flights throughout the playoffs, I'd say, yeah, let's do 1-1-1. But man, can you imagine having to go back and forth to Connecticut? How difficult it is to get to the Sun's arena? Like, no thank you. No thank you at all. 

Lindsay: An actual nightmare. Well, now that we talked a little process, let me go through the top eight seeds. We have number one, Las Vegas Aces. Number two, Chicago Sky. Number three, Connecticut Sun. Number four, Seattle Storm. Number five, Washington Mystics. Number six, Dallas Wings. Number seven, New York Liberty. And number eight, Phoenix Mercury, I believe. It was a race to the finish. The Dream were very close to getting a playoff spot and didn't quite make it. And the Lynx as well, very close to getting a playoff spot and didn't make it. But I think this is a pretty good group of eight. What do you think? 

Maggie: Yeah, I think so. And I think, you know, Cheryl Reeve made a comment during her kind of postseason press conference that you have to do certain things to make the playoffs, and we didn't do those, so we don't deserve to be in the playoffs. And I think that that's true. And when you have such a small amount of teams and you have to keep beating the same teams again and again, I think that ends up making for a really good process of choosing the playoffs and making it just the straight top eight, because as we've seen, it does always make a really good playoff run.

Lindsay: Yeah. It's really fun. You know, I know there was a lot of people very angry with Curt Miller, because he put his starters in that game, the Sun versus the Lynx. But you know what? I had friends who were at that game and had brought like kids to that game for the first time. And like, that was their first WNBA game ever. And like, what does that show you if they're just throwing in the towel, right? [laughs] Like, winning still matters.

Maggie: And I feel like anybody who's mad at that hasn't been close to any high level athlete, honestly, because the thing is, is they want to win. To get to the level where they are, you have to be crazy competitive. You just have to be. And so just because Connecticut had their seeds settled doesn't mean they wanna be nice to Sylvia Fowles. They gave her stuff before the game. That was how they were nice. Then the game starts.

Lindsay: And as you mentioned, like, Cheryl Reeve doesn't want any handouts. [laughs] 

Maggie: No.

Lindsay: Cheryl Reeve does not want your pity party. Okay. So, let's start with the games that we're gonna have on Wednesday night. This means game one will already be in the books by the time you all listen. But we've got number one, Las Vegas Aces, versus the number eight, Phoenix Mercury. I would say this is, as a number one versus number eight matchup would be, this is the most lopsided possibility. [laughs] Do you wanna remind people, if they haven't paying attention, a little bit of like what Phoenix has gone through this season? 

Maggie: It's been a lot. I mean, obviously the number one thing is that in February, their very best player was detained by Russia and continues to be wrongfully detained as defined by the State Department. So, please don't fill my mentions with telling me that, “Well, she broke the law…” Shut up. We're believing the state department. 

Lindsay: Yes, we are firmly in the bring BG home camp as soon as possible.

Maggie: Yes. Though I should have more faith in flamethrowers to also be in that camp. 

Lindsay: Yeah. Yeah. I don't know that our listeners are gonna be flooding your mentions.

Maggie: Yes. But so that was the first thing. And that's not a small thing. That has clearly been something that has weighed on that team, every single second of every single day. They talk about her before and after every game, they make sure she's still in the injury injury list. Every single time she's on the injury report. So like, it's not something that happened and then went away. It's continuing to weigh on them. There have been several flareups between their two best remaining players, Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, after Diana Taurasi didn't make the All Star team. The team's rookie head coach said that it's not a valid All Star team, even though Skylar Diggins-Smith had made it. And Skylar Diggins-Smith promptly tweeted that clip with a clown emoji. And then there was the Tina Charles divorce that Tina Charles and the team just said, you know what? This ain't working. And they got a contract divorce. And Diana Taurasi has been injured at the end of season, and Skylar Diggins-Smith missed the end of the season for personal reasons.

Lindsay: Yeah. By the way, as we're talking about this, we have no idea if we will see Diana or Skylar in the playoffs. I would say probably not, the way there's been no update. We would expect the first injury report would come out sometime later today for that game. So, you know, caveat, we're not sure. But it's been the rough season. It's honestly, all the credit in the world goes to the play of Skylar Diggins-Smith, who's had an MVP caliber season. And also, you know, Shey Peddy and Brianna Turner. And I mean, I know she is not a favorite of the Burn It All Down audience, and for a good reason, but Sophie Cunningham on the court has been remarkable. They moved her to the 4, and she's been great.

Maggie: Diamond Deshields too has been an incredible addition.

Lindsay: Oh my god. Diamond Deshields. You know, Bri Turner tweeted, you know, “When’s our 30 for 30 coming out?” And like, I don't care if this team gets swept in the first round. It's worthy of one. And with a rookie coach, Vanessa Nygaard, who I think probably had the most difficult assignment a rookie coach could ever even possibly have. And of course management didn't know about a lot of things when they hired her, mainly Griner's detainment. But I think, you know, it's questionable whether or not someone as inexperienced as she is should have gotten it. But I think kudos to Phoenix for their grit, for their perseverance. But do you expect them to get a game or two against the Aces?

Maggie: No, I don’t. I think that they're going to go to Vegas and their season will end on Saturday. And it's not just because they, first of all, have a very short bench because of all of those injuries and issues and contract divorces and all of that. And like on Sunday, Kaela Davis, who they had just signed, went down with an ankle injury. And it's just been stuff like that. So, I don't expect them to get anything. And also, that offense of the Aces is so overwhelming. And outside of Bri Turner, they don't have much in the paint in Phoenix. So, I think they're going to be able to just overwhelm them pretty quickly. 

Lindsay: Yeah. So, the Aces took the season series 3-0, but they actually haven't played since May, because scheduling is weird. I agree. I think even if Skylar and Diana come back, the Aces under Becky Hammon, they are shooting threes. They are dominant in every way, except for depth. And that's something we can talk about a little bit later. This is actually a battle between the teams with the two worst benches in the league. Aces bench only averages 12.9 points per game, Mercury only 13.9 points per game. Of course the Aces’ starter is much better, but I think, yeah, I'm with you in expecting an Aces route. And you know, I don't think their lack of depth is gonna bother them there. We also have on Wednesday night, so, game one's in the books, actually a series I'm very excited for. I think I'm really excited for every series maybe except for Aces-Phoenix. But you've got the Chicago Sky, the defending champions, versus the New York Liberty. Chicago won the series 3-1. You are in Chicago, Maggie, so you spent the most time with the Sky this season, I would assume. 

Maggie: Yeah. 

Lindsay: But what have you seen from them? I mean, they had a much better regular season than they did last year when they won it all.

Maggie: Yeah. I mean, it's so crazy that the Sky won the championship and then went and improved the roster by adding Emma Meesseman, Julie Allemand and Rebekah Gardner. And like, I feel like those players are going to be the ones to make the difference. I mean, Emma is just, as you well know, watching her in Washington for many years, Emma Meesseman just in the paint has been incredible. And I'm excited to see her and Natasha Howard and Stefanie Dolson, you know, just battle. It’s gonna be so fun. Oh, it's gonna be so fun. I do expect that the Sky's going to win both games because they are so good at home. And the one loss they had to Liberty was on a back to back where they of course had travel issues all day and didn't get into New York until like 10:00am for a 6:00pm game. And so it was a tough one for Chicago.

But I don't think it's going to be a route like I think Phoenix-Las Vegas will be. I think they're gonna be some fun games, and we're gonna see some fun battles. I mean, Kahleah Copper and Stefanie Dolson know each other very well. They're very good friends. They're still gonna go at each other and it's gonna be a blast. So, I think that's one. And then also, something to point out is Olaf Lange, one of the assistant coaches for New York, who is also Sandy Brondello’s husband, he was an assistant coach with the Sky last year. He won a championship with the Sky last year. So he knows the Sky and he knows James Wade very well. So I think that we're going to see some good strategy battles too. 

Lindsay: Yeah. I mean, look, the Liberty are the healthiest they've been all season too, you know? They finally got Laney back. Betnijah Laney's playing well. Natasha Howard has had some great games lately. They won, I believe, six of their last eight. They had to win a lot to get in, so they're a hot team coming in. Sabrina Ionescu has, you know, any hype, lived up to it, exceeded it even, right? [laughs] Like, to this point, I mean, she's been remarkable. I'm very excited to see her against the phenomenal guards of the Sky, you know, with so much on the line. I think that'll be a lot of fun to watch. And, yeah, I agree with you. I think these are gonna be series that you want to watch. We have to mention Han Xu. If you haven't seen Han Xu play yet, for the New York Liberty. They’re, what, six foot nine, six foot ten? Six foot eleven? How old tall is she?I don't know, but… [laughs] 

Maggie: I believe 6’10” and the tallest in the W. Unfortunately, Li Yueru, the Sky's Chinese very tall player, is not with the team for national team things. So, unfortunately we're not gonna get to see them play each other, but– 

Lindsay: Oh, that's sad.

Maggie: That’s sad. But they did have, like when Chicago was in New York, the ambassador from China came to the game, and it was a whole big thing when they played each other.

Lindsay: That's so cool. This is a series…I would not be surprised if the Liberty stole a game. I would be shocked if the Sky lost it. 

Maggie: Yeah.

Lindsay: Just because…And also though, wouldn't be that surprised if it was kind of back to back routes. But I think if you look at where the W is right now with these teams that are in the lower range, right? The Liberty, the Wings, the Dream – it's just like, the future, it is bright! [laughs]

Maggie: Oh, I know. 

Lindsay: It's so exciting! It's just so cool.

Maggie: Yeah. I was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago to do stories on the Dream and, you know, just talking to the players and talking to Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon and to their coach, to Tanisha Wright. Like, I was so…I just was so excited for the future. And I was really hoping they would end up making the playoffs. They didn't end up doing it, but I just am really excited to see what next year's going to be, because I, especially with some of the big retirements, I think there's gonna be some changeover starting to happen. And I mean, that's thrilling. I can’t wait.

Lindsay: Yeah. I mean, these younger teams, like, you're gonna have to keep up with them. Like, they're gonna start setting the pace, I truly believe. Now, one other thing I just wanted to mention is that the Liberty do lead the league with 9.73 points made per game. And I know that Chicago can get cold at times offensively, right? [laughs] They're one of those teams, like the Mystics, where you watch them for quarters and you're just like, what, what?

Maggie: This is the basket. [Lindsay laughs] Put the ball into it. Yeah.

Lindsay: Like, how are you one of the best teams in the league? It looks like you've never met each other before. [laughs]

Maggie: Right. You know what? They have had those moments before, and I've been covering the Sky for four years now. It is incredible though how Candace Parker's presence and her leadership can help them when they have those problems, because she does a very good job of just snapping them back into attention and saying, you know who you are, remember who you are. And it's really been a delight of having her in Chicago, to watch her…I mean, yes, of course her basketball's incredible, always, but to watch her leadership and to watch how she talks to every single player on the team. And like, try to keep an eye on it during the playoffs, because it is so cool to watch how she handles that. 

Lindsay: I agree. And like you mentioned at the top, one of the most intriguing kind of…I think, you know, the Sabrina Ionescu versus Sloot and Quigs is gonna get a lot of headlines here. But I think that seeing that battle in the post between a healthy Natasha Howard, maybe a little bit out for revenge Stef Dolson, you know, you always get a little chip playing your other team. And then Candace Parker is gonna be really fun. Thursday night’s games, these are the closer (seed-wise) matchups, and I think…Whew. Yeah, lots of thoughts. So, we will have on ESPNU or NBA TV on Thursday night…Now, that is infuriating that we're left with ESPNU or NBA TV. I should say that this matchup will be the ABC game on the weekend. So that's a little bit talents helpful, I think. But I'm still gonna complain about this, because this is ridiculous.

But anyways, you've got the number three Connecticut Sun versus the number six Dallas Wings. Dallas won this series 2-1 in the regular season. [laughs] These are two of the hottest teams in the league. The Sun have been 11 and 3 since the All Star break. Dallas won six of its last eight, and that includes wins over the Sky, Aces, Dream and Liberty. So, over some playoff teams and, you know, the Dream almost being a playoff team. Obviously, you know, this is a Bally team. So I'm gonna ask you about Dallas. And first I'm gonna ask you, they've been without Arike, and they're gonna be without Arike, I believe this series, this whole series. How have they been so good without Arike? [laughs]

Maggie: Well, I mean, honestly, playing with Arike means playing around Arike. And they cater to her, which they should. She's an amazing player. That's what you do with amazing players. But I think they have found a rhythm without Arike. And I did spend some time in Dallas this season, was there for a couple games, and it is clear that there's a completely different tenor on the court when Arike is on or when she's not. And so they found some comfort. They found a lot more comfort playing in the paint when she's not on the court. And Teaira McCowan has really just…I mean, she was the WNBA player the month for a reason. She just has been fantastic. She has really just become a lot more comfortable, and it's kind of something I think a lot of us have been waiting for us to see, is this Teaira McCowan be comfortable in the paint, be comfortable with their size, and just own the paint. It's so fun to watch it finally happen, because we know we didn't see that in Indiana, and it took her some time to get comfortable, and for Dallas to get comfortable with her. But now, like, you've got Kayla Thornton in the paint, and you've got Izzy Harrison and Teaira, and it's a fun team to watch, like when they're hot, and Allisha Gray is hot and is ready to just make every shot. It's fun. 

Lindsay: Marina Mabrey literally just loses her mind at times. [laughs] 

Maggie: Sometimes good, sometimes not so good!

Lindsay: But no, I think it's really important. I remember, you know, for years, Cheryl Reeve, good times and bad. Like, why are we not playing through SyI in the post, right? Like, yes, we've got these great guards. Yes, we've got…But we have to play through Sylvia Fowles. And I feel like that's a little bit like what the Wings have done, right? Instead of playing through Arike, they're playing through McCowan. And they're being like, we have this kind of unstoppable force. And I don't know if this is my upset pick, but like, I'm really afraid to pick against the Sun. They're great. But I like what's happening in Dallas, which is surprising to me, because there were a lot of questionable moves earlier this season. And they had drama too. Isabelle Harrison, you know, speaking out against Vickie Johnson for not playing her. Like, there's been drama. And here they are, the number six seed. 

Maggie: Yeah. There's a lot of on the court stuff. I don’t necessarily agree with Vickie on all of it. But man, there are times after a press conference where I'm like, okay, I'm gonna go run a marathon right now, because she just…The way she pumps people up just makes me, like, makes me wanna, like, can I work for you? Like, what can I do? Because just the way she can do that. Now, if the players are on board with her or not, it's completely different story. And you know, we're not in that locker room, so we can't see it all. But I do think everything kind of is trending up at the right time for them. And since it is just a best of three series, if this was the best of five, I would say Connecticut, no question. But you only gotta come away with two wins. That's it. I do think Dallas can do that. I don't know, but I think they can.

Lindsay: And I think three point shooting's gonna be big. Like, we've talked all about post, right? And post is important and you're definitely gonna need McCowan to be scoring, getting her double-double and scoring 20+. And I say that like it's an easy thing to do against Jonquel Jones and Brionna Jones and all this. I'm like, yeah, you just have to do that. 

Maggie: You have to do it. 

Lindsay: But if there's a weakness in that Connecticut team, it’s the three point shooting. It's not their comfort zone. It's not the thing that they are the best at. Whereas Dallas can get absurdly hot from behind the arc.

Maggie: When Marina Mabrey gets going, then it's like she's shooting shockwaves through her fingers because everybody else is gonna get going too. So like, if Marina can get hot, that’s really bad news for Connecticut. And so I think that is going to be the thing to watch, is like, can those three pointers, can Ty Harris? You know, there are people on the Wings. Can they get hot? And if they can, that's trouble for Connecticut.

Lindsay: But let's talk. We don't wanna #disrespect anyone here. [laughs]

Maggie: No, no disrespect, CT. 

Lindsay: [laughs] Not us, not us. You know, the Connecticut Sun are still the number three seed. They still have last year's MVP, Jonquel Jones. They have Bri Jones who is, I think, one of the best stories in the W right now. And just a testament to giving players a little bit of time to develop, you know? And her versus Teaira McCowan just feels almost like a throwback matchup of centers, right? Like, we're just not used to seeing…You know, we're used to seeing so many more hybrids. But what is going to be the key for the Sun to…I mean, I think very much the Sun are in a position where they need to win a title in the next couple of years. Like, it's time.

Maggie: It’s time. 

Lindsay: They’re not early in their development anymore, right? They of course, again, suffered a devastating injury this year. Jasmine Thomas, out. It seems like they can never have all their big players healthy at the same time, and that's devastating. But they've managed to obviously click at the right time. So, what should people be looking out for from Connecticut, and why are they still the number three seed? 

Maggie: I think the key is going to be controlling the paint. I mean, I know we just talked all about it with Dallas, but I think that's a huge thing. And Jonquel Jones being able…She can score from anywhere. So like, how will they be able to deploy that and deploy what Jonquel Jones can do? Because we know she can be an outside threat. So like, are they going to be crafty enough to use that against Dallas? And her, will she be able to make those shots? And also, Alyssa Thomas is an outstanding player. She's an All Star. She was my pick for defensive player of the year for a reason. But she also can get emotional in games and get kinda caught up. And when you have Marina Mabrey on the court with you, [Linday laughs] you need to figure out a way to control that, because–

Lindsay: It's gonna be Courtney Williams versus Marina Mabrey. [Maggie gasps] Like, I know that they're both coming out of this alive. [laughs] Like, are you kidding me?

Maggie: It's gonna be so fun! I can't wait.

Lindsay: I can't believe we're just now mentioning Courtney Williams versus Marina Mabrey on the outside. Whew. I'm like, it's just so, so much. I will say, if Jonquel Jones has a weakness, which she really doesn't, but you know, we're splitting hairs. She can disappear at times. 

Maggie: It's true. 

Lindsay: She can forget that she's Jonquel Jones. She's very passive. She's very laid back. I've interviewed her about this for years. She's from The Bahamas. She’s got this just kinda like chill island vibe, right? And that doesn't mean she's not competitive, but I've seen her in big games–

Maggie: Forget that she's Jonquel Jones.

Lindsay: Forget that she's Jonquel Jones, right? And Teaira McCowan, like, the Wings have enough talent to take advantage of that if she's not playing at her best. You know, Connecticut has enough talent that they can sometimes get away with her doing that. I think she's gonna need to be maybe not at her best best, but she's gonna need to be very good. Very good. All Star level.

Maggie: Yeah. I agree with that. Yeah. 

Lindsay: Another thing I would say of concern is she gets in foul trouble early. That's usually where she really gets off. And Teaira McCowan is a player that can get you in foul trouble early. I would actually, now that I've talked myself into it, I would say fouls could be a huge, huge, huge part of this game in the post.

Maggie: Yeah. Because Teaira, Teaira gets a lot of what I call the Brittney Griner fouls. I remember Brittney complaining about how she just gets fouled sometimes for being a large person and just existing as a large person on the court. And Teaira has those too. Teaira is a large person who's very strong. And so that can mean that the things she's doing look a lot worse than they are. And so a lot of times you get calls for that, and it sucks, but it's there.

Lindsay: Absolutely. I would still pick Connecticut, but once again, I'm very excited about that series. And then finally, we've got our four versus five. Number four, Seattle Storm versus number five, Washington Mystics. I think a lot of us have, since 2018 in the finals when the Mystics played the Storm, been clamoring for a healthy Elena Delle Donne versus a healthy Breanna Stewart playoff series. 

Maggie: Hell yeah.

Lindsay: I don't know if this was quite the one we envisioned where it was just the best of three, where it was in the first round. And you know, where you're not even guaranteed a game in DC. I don't think this one counts necessarily towards my big wish, but it exists. [laughs] And I though think this is bad news for the Mystics. What do you think?

Maggie: I think this is bad news for the Mystics too, mostly because of the timing of it. I mean, just lately, Seattle has been terrifying. I mean, they took down Chicago, they took down Minnesota without blinking. They just looked so, so good. And they came so close to beating Las Vegas in, to me, what was the best game of the regular season, that Seattle-Las Vegas game. 

Lindsay: The very last game. 

Maggie: Yeah, the very last game, last day of the season. And it the most high level thing. Like, I couldn't believe I was watching a non playoff game. And actually my coworker at Bally Sports' brother texted her to say, are you sure this isn't the playoffs? I think this is the playoffs. And she was like, no, it's not.

Lindsay: It felt like game five of the finals. It was electric. And I mean, Chicago and Connecticut are both very deserved of their seeds and everything, but, you know, I think Seattle and Washington could be in that two and three spot and nobody would really think, you know…Even if you've been watching this season, you know what I mean? Like, you wouldn't blink twice, right? You wouldn't be like, oh, this feels really wrong, you know? And like I said, we've had five elite teams all season long. The Storm though, I mean, we talked about that contract divorce with Tina Charles. The Phoenix Mercury and Tina Charles. Well, the other side of that was the Seattle Storm got Tina Charles midway through the season, and she didn't integrate overnight, she didn't learn their playbook overnight. It took a few weeks, but these last two weeks…

Maggie: Yeah. I mean, she's just looked like vintage Tina Charles, what we expect Tina Charles to look like. And she just has also brought out a little bit of edginess in some of the other players in Seattle. I think Ezi Magbegor has been playing with a little bit more edge since Tina's been around. And that's great. Like, that's what you want Tina Charles to do.

Lindsay: Yeah. And I mean, look, you know, this is Sue Bird's final playoff run. They wanna get one for Sue. Tina Charles has…I mean, you know, I followed the Mystics the most closely, they're the team that I used to be the beat reporter for when I lived in DC. And you know, Tina Charles, there's no love lost between Tina Charles and the Mystics. Things did not go well. They didn't end particularly well last year. You know, that's not a secret from anyone. And the way Tina and Phoenix, the way that all happened was just like a lot. But there've been a few moments, number one, when the Storm clenched their playoff spot this year, and Tina Charles was told in the press conference, and she started crying. And she just said, you know, it's been like four or five years since she'd been back in the playoffs. And like, she's very transparent about the fact that she's hunting for a ring. And that's fine. Like, I don't have a problem with that, you know? And sometimes a team that has one often, like the Storm – not that they're not hungry on their own, right? But they wanna win for the people on their team that haven’t experience that as well, right? Like, they wanna get Tina her ring, I'm sure.

Maggie: Totally. 

Lindsay: You know, that's meaningful. So, I do think it is going to be electric in Climate Pledge Arena – is that what we're calling it? [laughs] In Seattle, for the end of the Sue Bird era. And it's terrible news for the Mystics who I don't think are a team that is worthy of a first round playoff exit, by any means. You know, I think of them as a semifinal team. But ultimately they lost too many games in the regular season. Elena Delle Donne, she took lot of strategic rest breaks for her back. She seems to be healthy right now. She's been in a little bit of a shooting slump. But they played their last regular season games against Indiana, which is definitely what you need if you're in a shooting slump. 

Maggie: Yes. 

Lindsay: Like, that'll help. [laughs] It’ll help you find your range.

Maggie: Thank you, Indiana, for existing. 

Lindsay: You know, I mean, I don't wanna say that the Mystics don't have a shot. The Mystics do have an outside shot. It's just a very uphill battle for them right now. I think they're gonna rue their loss to the Sparks a lot, because I think this would be a very, very, very different situation if these two games were in Washington versus in Seattle. But I do wanna give a shout to Natasha Cloud, who was the assists leader this year, which is just like a huge deal for Natasha Cloud. Like, that's just incredible. And Shakira Austin, if you have not watched Shakira Austin play yet this year– 

Maggie: Oh, so fun to watch.

Lindsay: The Mystics’ rookie center. She was the number three overall pick. She’s phenomenal and she gets up for big games. Like, I would not be surprised if she stuffs Stewie at some point in this. Do you know what I mean? Like, not saying she's better than Stewie, but I'm saying she's gonna have her highlight real moments. Like, she is here for this.

Maggie: Yeah. I completely agree with that. And just because of happenstance, I haven't seen the Mystics as much this season, but it has been fun to really watch Shakira's development, to see Alysha Clark back too, like, to see that, and to see them finally healthy again, you know? The Mystics look like the Mystics again.

Lindsay: Almost. I would say that the Mystics’ defense has been incredible this year. I think they're, you know, in the conversation for top defense. I think they're guards are…You’ve got Ariel Atkins, Natasha Cloud, and Alysha Clark as like your three main guards. Like, it can be suffocating. And then Shakira Austin, you know, down there in center. And then the fifth in that starting lineup is Elena Delle Donne, right? Who’s no slouch either, right? So we're talking, like, they have been elite defensively this year. They have not been elite offensively. You know, I do think that they're gonna need everybody on the team to be having…Not their best night ever, right?

Maggie: Maybe 90% of their best night ever?

Lindsay: Yeah. Maybe 90%, right? But nobody can have a one for seven night, right? Like, they have had these games where they have seven, eight players in double digits. You know, they have that capability, with Myisha Hines-Allen, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, you know, these players coming off of the bench. Like, they have that capability, but there's just been way too many nights where they've just been off. And they're not gonna have that luxury against Seattle, you know? It's gonna have to all fit. And it's honestly really funny…So, the winner of Seattle versus Washington will play the winner of the Aces versus Phoenix, and Washington matches up against the Aces, great. I think they might have won that series to Washington. [laughs]

Maggie: They would've preferred that one. Yeah. 

Lindsay: Yeah. I would give them a better shot to make the finals, especially in the best of five series, to win that semifinal series against Aces than I would in this first round against Seattle. It's kind of their worst case scenario. But so then we'll have the winner of Connecticut versus Dallas play the winner of Chicago versus New York. And semifinals and finals, best of five. I mean, this is just so good. [laughs] 

Maggie: It's so good! It's like, I am so excited for every single game of the playoffs. I'm not kidding. There's not one that I'm like, eh, I could miss that game. No. The games that I'm going to in Chicago, I'm sad that I'm gonna miss the games that are also happening that night. And I was excited when I saw Saturday, Chicago was playing at noon eastern, and then the Aces play at 8:00pm eastern. So I'll get to see both games. And I'm so thrilled about that, because it's just…I mean, every single game is gonna be a banger. And I can't wait. 

Lindsay: I'm just not gonna be leaving my house much. And that is okay. 

Maggie: That's why food delivery exists. 

Lindsay: Don't get me started. If you've been following my whole damn kitchen saga, like, oh my god.

Maggie: I have! 

Lindsay: I'm so sick of delivery. I never thought I could get sick of delivery. But anyways, everyone needs to go follow Maggie on Twitter and follow her work with Bally Sports. She is on TV some! We got TV stars. She’s writing things. And, I don't know, as someone who's been following Maggie's work for years, it is so cool to see her getting her shine. Maggie, you wanna just…I’m not gonna argue these with you because I am not a voter. And I said because I wasn’t a voter, I was not gonna have strong opinions this year, because these awards are too tough. Morally neutral on it all. 

Maggie: Yes. 

Lindsay: But who are your award winners? Let's say, start with exec of the year. 

Maggie: James Wade for that, of the Chicago Sky, because I was very impressed with how he brought in Emma Meesseman. I mean, even if he just brought in Emma Meesseman, that would be enough. But then also trading for Julie Allemand, and also finding…Rebekah Gardner is a 32 year old rookie, and she's making a huge impact. It's so fun!

Lindsay: It's so fun. Rookie of the year. Okay. I'm not morally neutral on this. If you don't pick Rhyne Howard for rookie of the year, even though NaLyssa Smith and Shakira Austin both had great years. Like, Rhyne Howard from the Atlanta Dream is absurdly good.

Maggie: Yeah. And she is clearly someone that they're going to build a franchise around. And to me, that's exactly who you give the awards to.

Lindsay: Yeah. And she was an All Star her rookie year, like, that's rare. Coach of the year, you gave the nod to Becky Hammon of the Aces. To me, it was kind of a race between her and then Tanisha Wright for the Dream, because I think they way overshot their expectations of season. But you know, it's hard to win coach of the year if you don't make the playoff. So, I'm not against that pick. Yeah.

Maggie: That was basically my thinking. I was going back and forth between Hammon and Tanisha Wright and then, yeah, the team didn't make the playoffs. So it's hard to say that's where you belong when you know you're not…So, and I think it's amazing that Becky Hammon took basically the exact same amount of same players that Bill Laimbeer had and said, oh wait, no, we can have fun on offense. And then turned them into the best offensive team in the league.

Lindsay: Defensive player of the year. Alyssa Thomas, has she won the award before? She has to have, right?

Maggie: No, I don't think she has. I think she's been an All Star, like, has been on the all defensive team, but I don't think she's won it.

Lindsay: All right. Well, she should definitely...She deserves that. And then MVP, A’ja Wilson is your pick. It's been between A’ja and Stewie all year. And I don't know how you pick. Nor do I know how you're up…You’re angrily yelling at people on Twitter, mad for people picking somebody else. 

Maggie: Right. Right. Like, if I would've said that Moriah Jefferson was my pick over – nothing wrong with Moriah, but over, like–

Lindsay: There's something wrong with her as MVP. Yes. [laughs]

Maggie: Yes. But her there, she is not an MVP, but when you're choosing between A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, like, I don't think there's a wrong pick. It literally in my mind came down to one play in that amazing game on Sunday, and that was when A'ja Wilson stuffed Brianna Stewart. And I was like, okay, I'm giving it to her! But either one of those choices, that's fine. And honestly, what makes me really happy is just what these two players mean for the future of the league. I mean, one of got a statue of her at South Carolina. Another has her own shoe. They're both exciting and personable people. I mean, how lucky!

Lindsay: A'ja Wilson, I got a PR email saying that she has chips now. There's like some A'ja Wilson chips or something.

Maggie: Yes! She is now sponsored by Ruffles. 

Lindsay: Ruffles! We got chips.

Maggie: Which has long been one of my favorites. 

Lindsay: WNBA chips. All right. If you had to pick…Before you go, I'm gonna make you do it. What's our finals, and who's our winner?

Maggie: I think Sky-Aces, and Sky win it in five because they have the deeper bench. 

Lindsay: I think I can see that playing out, but I'm super high on Seattle right now.

Maggie: I do think if there's anybody who can knock off Chicago in five, Seattle has the best because they do also have a good bench, more than Las Vegas.

Lindsay: And that's what I think happens. I think…I don't know. I mean, I could see any of the top four winning at all. I really think that there's a case for it. 

Maggie: Yeah.

Lindsay: All right, Maggie, how can people follow you? 

Maggie: You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @maggiehendricks, though my Instagram is just me sewing stuff. So, you know, it's up to you. 

Lindsay: And sometimes baking, Maggie. 

Maggie: I do a lot of baking. And pictures of my dog Sully. So, but still, @maggiehendricks.

Lindsay: Awesome. Thank you so, so much for being on Burn It All Down. Long overdue. We will make sure it is not five years until we have you back. 

Maggie: Thank you. 

Lindsay: That's it for this week's episode of Burn It All Down. This episode was produced by Tressa Versteeg. Shelby Weldon is our web in social media wizard. We are part of the Blue Wire podcast network. Follow Burn It All Down on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Listen, subscribe, and rate – please rate the show – on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, TuneIn. We've got show links and transcripts on our website, burnitalldownpod.com. And there's also a link to our merch at our Bonfire store. Once again, you can find that all at burnitalldownpod.com. Thank you to our patrons. Your support literally makes all of this possible. If you wanna become a sustaining donor, visit patreon.com/burnitalldown. Burn on and not out.