Hoops Off

The WNBA Draft Lottery numbers are in, and Liz and Karen are not sure if everyone is happy about the top 5 drafting teams. With Paige Bueckers as a major first-round draft pick, predictions as to who will hit the target are still up in the air. With the league poised to grow to 16 teams by 2028, Karen and Liz kick around the cities they think would be natural contenders and lively additions. And, from the women-in-business buzz come these juicy updates: the new JuJu Watkins docuseries (On the Rise) premiers this week; Whoopi Goldberg is launching the All Women's Sports Network, and U.S. Soccer gets a huge cash contributor. Ka-ching. Meanwhile, the NBA is not looking as shiny as the realm of womens sports: a boatload of injuries is plaguing the league and it’s really hitting the starting lineups. Not to mention there is still lots of pettiness going around with Inside the NBA: Clay vs. The Bay and the same old stale foolery. In the face of so many injuries, Liz and Karen share Fantasy League tips to help keep thing optimized from week to week, then they. take their hoops off for some real talk, and tie up this episode with a bow of gratitude.MENTIONSNBC, Peacock to premiere docuseries featuring USC Star Juju Watkins:https://www.si.com/college-basketball/usc-star-juju-watkins-docuseries-nbc-peacock Whoopi Goldberg launches All Women's Sports Network:https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/all-womens-sports-network-whoopi-goldberg-launch-november-2024/ NBA Injuries Up 35 percent over last season:https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/278024/NBA-Injuries-Up-35-perc-Over-Last-SeasonIn Street Clothes covering sports injuries from the perspective of a certified athletic trainer and backed by analytics:https://instreetclothes.com/

Hoops Off podcast welcomes Jenny Nguyen, founder of the The Sports Bra, located in Portland, Oregon, and dedicated ENTIRELY to women's sports. Jenny’s origin story and her journey to getting the bar off the ground travel a fascinating trail--from the shoe-squeaks of hoops courts through professional kitchens, the pandemic, rounds of deep introspection, amateur Keynote pitch decks, and wildly encouraging rejections, Listen to her immersive journey and find out what's next as she discusses the current infusion of monetary investment from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is also husband to award-winning tennis champion Serena Williams, as well as life in the world of franchising. Also in this episode, Karen breaks down the Emirates Cup (formerly known as the In-Season Tournament) including the renaming, how it works, fancy new courts and foolish heist marketing.MENTIONSThere's never been a better time to run a women's sports bar:https://www.thecut.com/article/how-jenny-nguyen-the-sports-bra-owner-gets-it-done.htmlThis popular women's sports bra in Portland is bringing its winnning formula to other cities:https://www.fastcompany.com/91111766/sports-bra-womens-sports-bar-portland-franchise-alexis-ohanianThe Sports Bra announces plan to franchise with investment from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian:https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2024/04/the-sports-bra-announces-plans-to-franchise-with-investment-from-alexis-ohanian.htmlNBA's Emirates Cup Features New 2024 Courts. What's Changed:https://frontofficesports.com/nbas-emirates-cup-features-new-2024-courts-whats-changed/

Women's basketball courts are still going strong with the start of Women's College Basketball. Meanwhile, the revolving door of WNBA head coaches are making heads spin. Liz and Karen run through the firings that have popped up just a few weeks into the WNBA offseason. Then, Money Mama Karen breaks down the millions--in both dollars and reach--for the college WBB. The NBA's numbers are trending in a less favorable direction than the W's, particularly in the viewership department. Liz and Karen discuss what the league can do to be better. Plus they breakdown the slew of injuries happening way too early in the season, reflect on the Joel Embiid suspension, dig into the on court player beefs, and Giannis trade rumors, before laying up some insightful Fantasy NBA tips. To close it all out, this week's Hoops Off segment gets personal.Give us your thoughts and questions in an email or, better yet, a voicemail: Send it here: hoopsoffpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thehoopsoff https://www.instagram.com/thehoopsoff/MENTIONSOver Half of WNBA Coaches Have Been Fired. What's Happening?https://frontofficesports.com/half-of-wnba-coaches-have-been-fired-whats-happening/ Opinion: The NBA is causing its own failure:https://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/nba-viewership-declines/article_f6b829f2-9a26-11ef-8aaf-83b76cb16d34.html Joel Embiid suspended three games for shoving columnist:https://nypost.com/2024/11/05/sports/joel-embiid-suspended-three-games-for-shoving-reporter/ Nets predicted to cut ties with $177 million guard to acquire Bucks superstar:https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/milwaukee-bucks/news/nets-predicted-cut-ties-177-million-guard-acquire-bucks-superstar/a03bb4e3cf4bfb31a3f46070

Award-winning sports journalist and host of the Sportly podcast on Immigrantly, Kavitha Davidson, joins Liz for a one-on-one interview about her remarkable sports journey. From the sights and sounds of old Yankee Stadium to her memories of former Yankees Center Fielder and musician Bernie Williams, Kavitha reflects on her unique path, including her parents’ inspiring immigrant story. But before that great convo, Liz and Karen kick off the episode by savoring the electric ending to the 2024 WNBA championship, where the New York Liberty clinched the title, and dive into the journey of the team’s Finals MVP-winning Center, Jonquel Jones. Drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft, this Bahamian basketball star’s career reads like a movie script, and the women of the Hoops Talk pod are here to give her her flowers!

This is a whopper of an episode! Liz and Karen recap the WNBA 2024 Finals with a big congrats to the New York Liberty champions, as well as MVP of the finals, Jonquel Jones. The duo also takes a look at court side fashions spotted during the series, including Angel Reese's iconic Stewie/Napheesa jersey, made by the talented Jocelyn Hu. Liz and Karen also unpack Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve's post-game comments: her emotional critique of the officiating and her shady congrats to the Liberty. And, of course Ellie the Elephant, the MVP of mascots, gets her flowers in this episode. With the start of the 2024-25 NBA season upon us, Liz and Karen tee up burning questions about teams and players (i.e.Will the Celtics repeat? Can the Knicks beat Boston? How many games will Lebron play? Or Curry?) This over/under round of predictions is coming in hot. Closer to home, it’s time to look at the Hoops Talk Fantasy League, critiquing the 8-teams draft and trades, while also passing along some fantasy team tips.MENTIONSLiberty finally give New York City a basketball championship:https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/nyregion/new-york-liberty-champions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.UE4.Ojqv.eXM8ZO79uei8&smid=url-share Jocelyin Hu:https://jocehu.com/Jocelyn Hu Instagram Reel:https://www.instagram.com/p/DBZFqopuHOQ/ Jocelyn Hu Brittney Griner 42 Weeks:https://jocehu.com/42-weeks Fantasy Basketball All-Fades Team: 5 players you should avoid in drafts for the 2024-25 NBA Season:https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-basketball-busts-2024-25-121000752.html

Leaves fall, the W ascends, NBA fantasy leagues draft, “Les Brons” debut: this season’s many transitions are ripe for hot takes, and Liz and Karen are here to deliver. Plus, special guest Alex Taylor, founder of Hoop York City, sits in with the Hoops Off Pod for a chat about her journey, drive, and mission to create a NYC-based women's basketball collective. Taylor reveals the devastating incident that triggered her into action, and shares the special meaning behind one of her favorite Hoop York City logos. Liz and Karen also discuss rookie of the year Caitlin Clark's offseason plans to joins LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam on the green and at the Women's Leadership Summit. Then, due to a listener's correction, Liz sets the record straight by providing a deep dive into the ownership and head coaching changes for the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks. Karen gets a good chuckle at the "Elder" nomenclature being used to differentiate the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James from his son Bronny James, making history as the first Father/Son duo to play on the same team in the NBA. Liz and Karen also show some love to Shamwow, share NBA Fantasy League tips and of course, take off their hoops!MENTIONSHoops York City:https://www.hoopyorkcity.com/WNBA's Caitlin Clark to compete in the LPGA Pro-Am hosted by Annika Sorenstam in November:https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10138470-wnbas-caitlin-clark-to-compete-in-lpga-pro-am-hosted-by-annika-sorenstam-in-novemberJuJu Watkins and Nike reach a lucrative deal: https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/41684352/sources-usc-juju-watkins-nike-reach-lucrative-extensionLebron, Bronny James first father and son to play together:https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41653840/lebron-james-bronny-james-share-court-first-nbaCan Zion Williamson, Ja Morant reach their 'potential' after years of starts and stops?https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5825604/2024/10/08/zion-williamson-ja-morant-usa-basketball-void-pelicans-grizzlies/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=728016ESPN hires Shams Charania:https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/08/shams-charania-espn-move?publicationSource=sbd&issue=33a8f5eecf1f4d208320439ad68169e2Fans are outraged that Josh Giddey is playing during NBA Investigation:https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/fans-outraged-josh-giddey-playing-220001062.html

Liz and Karen, spirits high, are loving the WNBA playoffs (with one tiny, but very relatable, exception.) The duo shine a light on the historical rises in playoff viewership. They also try to understand the short lifespan of WNBA coaches—now that a third head coach has been fired. On the announcement of Big Brittney Griner signing as a founding member of the Unrivaled League, Liz and Karen do a deeper dive into the rules, players, equity, salary and more, of the league. Update on the Hoops Off NBA fantasy league open spot: it has been filled! But Liz is still feeling commissioner's woes, and half of the teams are still needing to register and pay! This week’s Hoops Off segment gets personal for Karen. For Liz, she looks directly into the recording camera to give the so-called “new-look” Los Angeles Lakers a much needed kick in the pantsMENTIONSWNBA Most Viewed Semi-finals in 22 Years:https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/10/sundays-wnba-matchup-between-las-vegas-aces-new-york-liberty-delivered-wnbas-most-viewed-semifinal-in-22-years/ Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark deserve better sophmore seasons from everyone:https://andscape.com/features/angel-reese-and-caitlin-clark-deserve-better-sophomore-seasons-from-everyone/What Wright's Firing Means for Dream, WNBA coaching landscape:https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41576332/wnba-2024-atlanta-dream-fire-tanisha-wright-coach-openings-vacancies-nextUnrivaled League:https://www.unrivaled.basketball/All-Star Brittney Griner joins Unrivaled's 3-on-3 hoops leaguehttps://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/41572520/all-star-brittney-griner-joins-unrivaled-3-3-hoops-leagueLindsay Gibbs Power Plays Substack:https://substack.com/@powerplaysNatasha Cloud Get Out The Vote:https://www.powerplays.news/p/get-out-the-vote-with-natasha-cloud Give us your thoughts and questions in an email or, better yet, send us a voicemail: hoopsoffpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thehoopsoff https://www.instagram.com/thehoopsoff/

With an expansion draft for the W coming up, and NBA trades making news, Liz and Karen deliver some spicy astrological perspectives on building team chemistry. But first: Playoff basketball is special, and Liz and Karen are LIVING for the excitement of these high-caliber WNBA semifinals! Once again Liz breaks down the box score and goes deeper into the +/- category for individual players. The Golden State Valkyries will soon have players. (The expansion draft is scheduled for December 6th). Karen explains the expansion draft rules, and names the players she’d recommend for potential draft picks. Overall, things can get messy because current teams can only protect 6 players from the draft; and the head coaching job is a chance for the WNBA to do better! The NBA Media Days offered no shortage of drama and fun. The ladies discuss the impact, and astrological signs, of the blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves that included Karl Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo and a first draft pick from the Detroit Pistons. Lastly, the Hoops come off when Liz takes a stand for Fantasy League Commissioners, and Karen slams the WNBA for a slow response to protect players against threats. Plus, The ladies also choose the first listener to take one of the two spots available in the Hoops Off NBA Fantasy league. Give us your thoughts and questions in an email or, better yet, a voicemail: Send it here: hoopsoffpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thehoopsoff https://www.instagram.com/thehoopsoff/MENTIONSWNBA Playoffshttps://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2024Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft:https://valkyries.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-expansion-draft-set-for-december-6-20240930/ Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft Rules:https://www.instagram.com/p/DAjPpZDyU5B/?img_index=3 Draymond Green already mad at media days:https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/draymond-green-nba-reporter-fans-teammates-fan/2821a8c1f31398250c299f54Lonzo Ball is Back:https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lonzo-ball-with-a-brand-new-knee-hopes-to-play-in-bulls-season-opener-after-two-and-a-half-years-away/ Knicks and Karl Anthony Towns trade:https://www.nba.com/news/knicks-await-official-arrival-of-karl-anthony-townsWNBA won't tolerate racism:https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba-says-wont-tolerate-racism-191322093.html

Liz and Karen's WNBA Playoff breakdown is coming in fast and hot this week. They take a look at stats (believe it or not!) and discuss how the matches are stacking up. Players are racking double-doubles and triple-doubles during these playoffs, but there are tweaks Liz and Karen would like to see some of the teams make. Both are excited about A'Ja Wilson's unanimous MVP distinction. They highlight her 2024 accomplishments, and recount the impressive way she received the MVP news. Liz wants us to keep an eye on Raj Sports, who, in addition to owning the Sacramento Kings, now own two professional women’s sports teams in Portland (the yet-to-be-named WNBA Portland franchise, and the NSWL Portland Thorns). Karen breaks down Kelsey Plum’s style, as well as the lack of style in the newly rumored NBA City Edition Jerseys. A farewell to Adrian Wojnarowski, who dropped his final Woj Bomb via social media, and reflections on his legacy. And, finally, podcast listener Don, takes his hoops off with Liz and Karen!MENTIONS:WNBA Announces Portland Franchise: https://www.wnba.com/news/portland-15th-franchise-announcement RAJ Sports now owns two Sports Franchises in Portland:https://rajcapital.co/rajsports#raj-sportsMore reporting on that from the Oregonian's Sports Columnist Bill Oram:https://www.instagram.com/oregoniansports/reel/DAJ-GaGBNQr/WNBA Playoffs:https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2024Kelsey Plum talks to Complex Sports:https://www.complex.com/sports/a/caidin-ferrigno/kelsey-plum-las-vegas-aces-wnba-interview-smartwaterNBA City Edition Jerseys:https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2024/9/19/24248969/nba-city-edition-jersey-2025-season-ranked-best-worstWith Retirement from ESPN, 'Woj' Leaves a Changes Sports Media World:https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/sports/basketball/adrian-wojnarowski-retires-espn.html Give us your thoughts and questions in an email or, better yet, a voicemail: Send it here: hoopsoffpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram @thehoopsoff https://www.instagram.com/thehoopsoff/