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Mar 11, 2025
Off The Court with Veronica Burton
Off The Court with Veronica Burton
00:00
31:04
Transcript
0:00
[funky music] You're listening to Off the Record, your home for unyielding, unfiltered coverage of women's hoops.
0:24
[funky music] So Veronica, it's been a while, um, especially since Dallas, and then going to the Sun, now being in Bendigo. You know, it's been a lot.
0:33
So just kinda wondering, you know, all that travel and different teams and different locker rooms, how that's been in kind of molding into what you're doing now? Mm-hmm.
0:44
Yeah, obviously, as you said, kind of just a whirlwind and, um, a lot of different places at a lot of different times, but I think that's kind of, um, I guess the industry that I signed up for, and kind of, uh, the business of it.
0:59
And, um, I think just one, taking a step back and, uh, just appreciating it, you know?
1:06
I think the opportunities that I've been, been given, um, a lot of people would be really grateful to have, and so I'm just really grateful for where basketball has taken me to be out here in Australia, um, have family come out and experience it with me, and then obviously for every team that, um, has given me an opportunity in the W.
1:25
I'm, I'm extremely grateful for that, because I get to play, um, the sport that I love, so. Right, you get to do what you love. I mean, can't really call that a job. Right. Exactly.
1:36
So like you said, basketball taking you to Australia, you know. I remember that one game that your parents flew out. First of all, you know, being there, it's such a beautiful country.
1:44
Not a lot of people have been there, especially from, you know, where we're from in America. What's been some of your favorite things experiencing, you know, just outside of basketball?
1:51
I know you went surfing and some other things. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I would say the surfing is probably, probably number one on the list. I would definitely wanna do it again. Um, just have to be a little bit careful.
2:02
It can be a little rough, you know? The waves are a little rough. Um, but that was really neat. I have never done that, and so t- taking a surfing lesson was awesome. Um, I would say we also...
2:15
There's, like, it's called Great Ocean Road, and it's just, like, this really long, uh, road along the ocean, I guess. Mm. But it like,
2:25
like, it goes on for hours, and there's beautiful landmarks, and so I was able to drive along that with my parents.
2:30
Um, I think that was just really special for me because one, you know, you don't always get to spend time with them, and, um, with their work schedules, it's hectic, and I think just as we get older, um, that's the time that I really, uh, remember.
2:43
And, like, those are the moments, just hours in the car together, seeing beautiful things, and, uh, just listening and singing to music together, playing games, all that stuff. Mm. So I think that was amazing.
2:53
Um, and then just playing games with my teammates. I'm a big... I love card games, I love Bananagrams, any type of game like that, um, I'm big on that.
3:02
So we've had many, many game nights, and those are, again, off the court, I mean, obviously I love basketball, I love hooping with my teammates. Mm.
3:10
But I think the, the moments off the court are definitely the most, um, meaningful to me. Okay.
3:16
Uh, to, uh, kind of bounce backs off of that, now, while you've been out there in Australia and then you've had to, been out there with your parents, how long were they out there for the duration, uh, visiting you? Mm.
3:26
And what was one of your favorite things that you'd eaten either with them or by yourself or with teammates? Did you say that I've eaten or done? Sorry, I don't know what- Eaten. Like, uh, restaurants or- Okay.
3:36
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will say the first question, they were, they were only here, unfortunately, I was not pleased with this, but they were only here for, like, 10 days, um, which was great. It was awesome. Yeah.
3:46
They put me in a house here in Bendigo, so they were able to live with me. Uh, they have a, have an extra room here, so just really smooth all the way around. And so they were here for the, uh, around 10 days.
3:56
Got to see two games. Um, hopefully one of them might come back. I don't know if that's gonna happen, but that's my goal. I'm trying to convince them. Mm-hmm.
4:04
Um, favorite thing I've eaten, that we've eaten together, there was one morning that we like... There's this beautiful lake in Bendigo, um, called Lake Warrona. I think I said that correctly. Mm.
4:16
And it's beautiful to walk around, and you just hear all, like, the different sounds of all the animals, beautiful trees, and so we went for a walk around that, and then there's, like, this cafe that sits, um, right alongside it.
4:27
And so it's just a beautiful scenery and, um, we just had some breakfast out there. So I would say that's probably...
4:32
I wouldn't say, like, it was any special food that was my favorite thing I've eaten, but that was kinda that favorite meal that I've had with them.
4:39
You know, especially, uh, WNBL teams, these teams usually bring back players consistently in the off-season. You know, I know you love surfing, you love the environment.
4:49
Would you eventually get a surfboard and maybe go back next off-season? Yeah, it's definitely something, um, that has been brought up, I feel like, in conversation.
4:57
I think it would really, that would be something I kinda have to consider. It's definitely not out of the question.
5:03
It just kinda comes down to my experience in the W, like, going back, how my body's feeling physically, mentally.
5:09
So it's, uh, I'm not one to, like, commit super early to things, especially if I'm not, like, 100% sure yet. Of course. So I think that's something, um, time will tell with that.
5:18
But I 100% love everything about it here and I love the people, so, uh, it's definitely high in consideration. Understood.
5:28
And understanding where basketball is taking you in so many spots, I mean, you went from Massachusetts to... I'm, I'm from Chicago, so you know the big- Mm... uh, Chicago's only Big Ten school. Yeah. Come on.
5:39
[laughs] Um, you know, and then going to Dallas, going to Connecticut. Mm. Went to Australia, now you're gonna be going to Golden State. Kind of- Mm-hmm...
5:48
all these places that basketball is taking you, but what do you actually want out of the sport, and kind of what's it giving you that you treasure the most? Yeah.
5:57
Um, what I want out of the sportIt's a deep-rooted question, man. Um- I'm sorry...
6:05
I think I've gotten a lot out of this sport, you know, uh, in just terms of what it's taught me and about myself, about, um, what I value and what my priorities are. And I think it's helped me.
6:19
Um, my faith is something that is really important to me, and basketball, in a way, is something that has strengthened my faith, um, in many, many ways.
6:26
And so I think what I want from it, um, I obviously wanna be the best basketball player that I can be, and I think I'm willing to put in a lot of work and, um, I've even just kind of seen myself grow and just,
6:41
uh, mentally, you know, through the ups and downs, whether it's getting cut or not playing or then playing in the playoffs, like just, uh, the challenging of myself, and I think I, I just wanna see how far I can go with it and see, no matter how bumpy the road is, how, um...
6:58
just what I can get out of it and how I can grow in areas on the court, um, and off the court. And then, um, what was the second question? Oh, um, that was- Sorry... all right, you're good.
7:10
Uh, what do you wanted out of the sport, uh, basketball, and also what have you, uh, gotten out of it that you treasure the most? Oh, yeah, yeah. Oh, man, probably the relationships.
7:20
I think what I've gotten out of basketball, um, I have met some of the most amazing people, I think. Like, literally everyone that is in my life- Mm... I just feel like there's some way or form connected to basketball.
7:34
Even if I didn't meet them through basketball, like, even the people I've met out here in Australia that had nothing to do with basketball, like, I'm only meeting them because of basketball, you know? So,
7:43
uh, I have to say the relationships, and especially at Northwestern. I think the people that I had playing alongside me at Northwestern, um, those are my lifelong friends. Those are my sisters. Like, we're gonna...
7:55
We're all each other's bridesmaids. We have a wedding coming up, and we're all in the wedding. Like, it's just a, a beautiful sisterhood that I don't think I could get from anywhere else, no other job, no other...
8:05
And even when, even in the W, you know, you only have four or five months together at a time, and sometimes you may never play alongside them again, but people like Awak Kuier.
8:15
Like, I, I would've never met someone like Awak in, um, in Dallas, and we became so close, uh, so fast, and that's just a relationship that I'll cherish forever. So I think the relationships is the main thing.
8:27
That's a perfect segue, um, actually. [laughs] Awesome. You were in training camp last year, and the Wings cut you right before the season started, you know. Mm-hmm.
8:39
In media circles, it felt like there possibly could have been a trade or tried to, you know, get something out of that. Mm. Um, that was kind of, you know, a thought around a lot of people. But- Yeah...
8:50
the Sun picked you up maybe not even a couple weeks ago. I think it was, like, June 5th by chance.
8:56
Now, what were those couple of weeks like, and, you know, did you ever felt like you could get more out of Dallas in as far as, like, the development and trying to just better- Mm-hmm... you as a player? Yeah. Sure.
9:09
Um, I definitely think, I, I won't go too into detail about all, like, the behind-the-scenes stuff. I think it was tough, uh, uh, from a mental standpoint more than anything. Just, you know, that's,
9:22
that's a hit that you don't... You, you always hear about it. You see other people, and- Yeah... you know, you always have a lot of faith in other people.
9:29
"Oh, they'll get picked up," all this, all that, and you hear it, and it's great, and it's lovely. But when it happens to you, it's just like dang, like, you don't know, you know?
9:39
I was very unsure of what was gonna come, and I did, I do agree.
9:43
I think there were probably some opportunities, um, for trades that just didn't end up happening, and, um, whether it was maybe unexpected that I was gonna get... Like, I, I don't know. I think there's a lot more
9:59
that I... it's above my pay grade, and I couldn't even... Like, the more I spend time trying to, you know, navigate everything in the W, I think that's when you drive yourself crazy.
10:08
So, um, I do think I, I wish I got more out of myself in Dallas. I can't, I can't put that on anyone else, you know? I think fit is a big thing when it comes to the WNBA.
10:19
Style of play is a big thing, and confidence is a big thing. Um, and being comfortable, being confident in yourself is one of the biggest things that can make or break you in this league is what I've noticed, I think.
10:31
Um, just an observation. And so, um, I think I pushed myself, and I think I, I... One thing about me is I'm gonna be in the gym, and I'm gonna work, so it's never a matter of that.
10:42
Um, it's just then trusting that work, and, uh, I think I've learned from that and just still gonna be up and down from a mental standpoint. That's just how it is.
10:52
But I think just learning from, okay, getting cut, and how can I avoid that in the future?
10:57
But I think it was also almost, like, a breath of fresh air afterward, which is maybe ironic because it just seemed like everything would come crashing down, you know? Right.
11:08
But I think when I got cut, I realized like, okay, I'm okay. Like, you know, it wasn't the end of the world.
11:12
The idea of getting cut to me was just such this daunting thing that, oh, what am I gonna do if I get cut, like... And I was like, all right, this sucks. Don't get me wrong. It was sad.
11:24
It sucks saying goodbye, and, um, I had higher expectations for, uh, the first few years and just being in Dallas. Like, I loved the people there, and they were really good to me.
11:34
So, um, you know, I realized life goes on, and now I gotta put my head down and work, and that was the reality of it. And, um, that, again, strengthened my faith.
11:44
I think that's when I really had to call on, on what I believe in, you know? It's- Mm...
11:48
I can preach all I want and say all these good things, but at the end of the day, like, in, in those moments, that's when it came down to my faith and, uh, God's plan for me and where he wanted me, and where he wanted me last year was Connecticut.
11:59
And it was one of the biggest blessings that I could've imagined for basketball reasons, for family reasons, for just, like, mental reasons.
12:07
Um, I was really grateful for my entire year in Connecticut, for sure.And that's kind of what I wanted to get into next.
12:15
Going from Dallas to Connecticut, you know, um, I don't know why a lot of people don't know you're from Massachusetts. I, I mean- Mm-hmm... when people find it, it's kinda surprise. I mean, like, you know- Mm-hmm...
12:25
obviously you don't know where her family is, you know, that's cool. Yeah. [laughs] But being a stone's throw from Boston, that area, in Connecticut, you know, how was that?
12:35
How many times did your family come out and watch you play by chance? Right. And being around- Yeah... players like Diana Taurasi, A.C.- Yeah... Dijonai Carrington, you know, Bre Jones. Mm-hmm.
12:44
I mean, that team was loaded. [laughs] Yeah. So like, what did you learn most from that experience? Uh, so much. Uh, first off, yeah, my family being, what, an hour and a half drive, I, I couldn't have asked...
12:58
My parents, one thing about my parents is they're gonna show up. Um- They gonna come out, right...
13:03
from when I was young to now, they, yeah, they, they're gonna find a way to show up, and I'm extremely, extremely grateful for that because it goes deeper, you know?
13:11
It's just, uh, not everyone can say that, and so i- I think it's not something I always recognized, and the older I got, I was like, "Man, this is special."
13:20
Um, so honestly, I wanna say I had one of my parents at every single home game, um, in Connecticut, which- Really?... was outrageous, but- That's crazy... it's so nice. Right? Crazy, right?
13:31
And obviously my dad, uh, covers the Patriots, and so even for him to be able to show up as many times as he did while also, uh, like mid NFL, like everything, just- Yeah... um, yeah.
13:44
So having, having them there was a beautiful thing. My sisters came, my brother came, like I literally had every single one of my family members at a game, um, at one point that season, and I had never...
13:54
Dallas, they would travel to Dallas when they could, but having them at every home game, it was just, um, it, it hit differently for sure.
14:02
And then to go on a team like Connecticut, I remember when I first got the call and they were 11 and 0 at the time. Mm-hmm. And I was just like, "Are you sure?"
14:11
Like wh- wh- I didn't under- I, I mean, I was very happy, and of course I was gonna jump on it, but it was like what could Connecticut need right now, you know?
14:20
I've watched, I w- didn't miss a WNBA game when I was a kid. I watched every game and it was just- Yeah...
14:25
they looked so well-rounded and put together and, um, so then to get a call from Stef White and Darius, who was the GM at the time, and just, um, seeing where I could fit in and seeing where they valued me was really special, and I think it just, um, boosted me up a little bit.
14:40
And so I learned so much from honestly every single person, um, from that, on that team, you know?
14:46
Playing two years in Dallas against A.C., I think there could be a bit of an intimidation factor or just you never know, and she, um, and DiDi, both of them, you know? They- Right...
14:56
they're legends of the game, and so, uh, they just welcoming me in with open arms, and I learned so much from both of them.
15:03
And to be able to learn, it's one thing to learn from your own position, which I definitely did from Ty Harris and Mo Jeff when she was there, and, um, Marina as well, but I think it's really neat when you can learn from, you know, a, a three or a wing or, um, four, like a four position, fi- like even Bre Jones, you know?
15:19
I'm learning so much from every single player on that team and from the coaching staff as well.
15:24
So, um, I think them welcoming me in, even though I wasn't there on the initial roster, and, um, just kinda going with it, you know?
15:31
They had a confidence in me and a belief in me that, uh, like in turn just built me up, and I think it allowed me to, you know, just get more comfortable and grow, um, grow my game as well.
15:43
And so those are relationships again. Dijonai as well, just grew really close to them.
15:47
Tiff Mitchell, I think just watching her strength over the course of the season, the ups and the downs, like these are people that I will connect with, um, moving forward as well. So I was very, very lucky to have that.
15:58
Yeah. I, I remember when that news about, uh, Tiffany Mitchell dropped and- Mm-hmm... you know, no one really understood what was going on. Mm-hmm. And I remember talking to, uh,
16:12
Noelle Quinn up in Seattle about it and, you know, she was just like, "You never know as far as basketball- Yeah... what someone's going through. You just never know."
16:20
And the fact that she was dealing with that and never said anything about it, you know, that was- It's crazy. Yeah... pretty crazy, right? A very pivotal part- Yeah... that, you know, kind of played into the team. Yeah.
16:31
And that's a testament to Tiff Mitchell because honestly, and it's crazy, like the outside didn't know, and even for a bit we didn't know the extent of it, you know? She- Really?... downplayed it.
16:41
Like, yeah, for, for a little bit it was just like we know she's going through something, you hope for the best, and I obviously won't like speak on her experience, but- Of course...
16:50
just one of the strongest, strongest individuals that I've gotten to know and to love, and when she was able to return, just the light did not dim at all, and it was so, so impressive to see and just learn from her and, um, see her kill it, you know?
17:05
I can't wait to see her next season as well. Yeah. Going back, uh, not going back, but going to Vegas with that team and- Mm-hmm... you know, honestly- Right... but I think that- Mm-hmm...
17:14
in addition to Cheyenne Parker signing and, uh, Tiff, I think that's probably arguably two of the best players I've seen come off that Vegas bench in a while. 100%. Right? 100%.
17:25
To have players like that coming off the bench is, is a very good sign for them, honestly. You must have read through my notes 'cause that was kind of what I'm going to next as far as your evaluation.
17:34
[laughs] Um, you said you playing at, uh, Connecticut, kind of learning more from different type of players and, you know, I've been watching you over in Australia. That's kind of been you on defense.
17:45
You're not just guarding guards. Sometimes I see you guarding wings- Mm-hmm... and switching on the bigs and rolling to the rim. I'm just like, "Okay, crazy." When was the last time you looked at your stats?
17:55
Looked at my stats? Yes. Oh, I have no idea. Yeah, I won't know my stats. [laughs] Okay.
18:00
So right now you're averaging 14.4, uh, 14.4 points per game, I think 3% on twos, 37% on threes, which is sixth in the WNBA, 4.6 assists per game, which is third, six boards, two steals, which is sixth, and-A block and a half, I think, which is 10.
18:17
What are you seeing out of your game over there? How is it blossoming? And, you know, what are you seeing differently than you've seen at every other stop? Obviously, just a consistency.
18:27
I think that's my biggest thing, um, in the professional level is being consistent.
18:33
Um, and um, being a consistent finisher around the room, being a consistent three-point shooter, um, I think that's been something that I've really been working on. And, uh, especially, you know, off the dribble.
18:45
I think it's one thing to, to be efficient, catch and shoot, and that's a great thing, and I need that. But I think, um, you know, making people change up their ball screen coverage is a big thing that...
18:54
a big goal of mine, uh, going into the W as well. You know, not just letting people, you know, let, let, letting them off the hook by going under every screen. And so, um, that's something I'm hoping to carry over.
19:05
But I think just, again, um, a comfort-comfortabil-comfortability and confidence over here is a big thing. Yeah. And just, um,
19:14
you know, knowing, knowing when to set people up and being good at that, and I think I've always kinda had the facilitator mindset, but knowing when to, you know, take over and, and be aggressive, look to score, and when to get mine as well.
19:25
And, um, from a defensive standpoint, I think honestly in Connecticut that, that helped me when it comes to guarding some bigger guards or, um, being able to switch onto fours.
19:34
And I think obviously as we lost Tiff, uh, it kinda put me in a position back up to Nay in terms of guarding some of their better or their best players.
19:42
And so I think my strength is something that I've always had and something that I've utilized, and have, I've been looking to get stronger over here.
19:48
And, um, so I think that's something I'm also trying to bring back, is just being able to guard, you know, one through four almost.
19:55
And so being able to switch with me on the four and, um, so I'm not a liability in that area is something that I've...
20:02
I'm grateful that I'm able to work on it over here because you don't always have the, the luxury, even with shooting, you know?
20:07
You don't always have the luxury of being able to miss a bunch of shots or being able to take some shots that might, you might not be able to get away with in the W.
20:15
And so I think just growing in that aspect and, um, putting my work into action, I think.
20:20
I'm always in the gym, but it's not always easy to replicate it when you're not playing consistently, so, and getting that experience.
20:27
Going off what you said about your three-point shot, that's one thing that I've noticed. You know, I've watched you play for years. I understand, especially now in Australia- Mm-hmm... like, your shot is so much faster.
20:37
[laughs] I'm not sure if it's- Yeah. I'm not sure if it's confidence. Yeah, it's me, honestly. I've noticed, like- Honestly...
20:43
that 22-point game, the 30-point, 31-point game, and then, like, just other just normal games where you may not have, like, a, a great flashy night, but you're incredibly efficient and the shot is crisp.
20:54
Like, what has gone into that development and, you know, how has it gotten you to what you're doing now, which is pretty incredible? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Just, man, a lot of repetition. And I'm actually very...
21:06
That was one thing when I was signing with Bendigo as well, is just their, their access and, to resources, you know? Our coaches are so, so involved and- Mm-hmm... so willing to put in the time. And I didn't...
21:19
Even when I was in Poland last year, you know, it's, like, just me in the gym, which is great.
21:23
Don't get me wrong, I love being in the gym by myself too, but they, like, anytime you call up a coach here, they're, they're willing to get in the gym with you.
21:30
And so I think just putting up large amounts of reps and game-like reps and, um, and then applying them in practice. We scrimmage a lot in practice, and I think that's been the best thing for me, is because I can...
21:42
I'm a really good shooter in drills, you know? I can knock down- Yeah... a lot in warmups and drills, whatever it may be. Yeah. You could... I could be really good at that.
21:50
But when it comes time to the game, and you know, again, as you said, you have to get your feet faster, you have to get the ball out faster, and, uh, someone's running after you, or you're shooting behind the ball screen and reading and, um, I think that's been a big thing for me.
22:04
So I'm, I'm really grateful that I'm able to, one, get in the gym with my coaches every day, and then, um, from a drill perspective, and then do it in practice because we're scrimmaging so often, and then in the game.
22:15
And so I think just that consistent, um, practice reps to game reps has been huge and, um, something that I need to carry over. And, you know, that's a, you know, the perfect segue as far as the practice element.
22:28
That's the one thing a lot of W fans and even some media don't understand, that in the W, practice time is very limited, and sometimes- Mm-hmm...
22:35
you don't really get it often during the week, even, like, during games and stuff. So- Right...
22:40
how has that been, you know, having that extra time, like you just said, getting the shots up, but also just developing as, you know, a defender as well? You know, a couple years ago- Mm-hmm...
22:49
uh, there was this one interview you had where you said you got a lot of steals and deflections in high school, but you kind of really developed as an all-around defender.
22:56
I mean, very strict on, uh, basic defensive play of the year. That's something that you rap about. You know- Mm... how, how did you hone that craft and, you know, what went into that? Yeah. Um, yeah.
23:10
Firstly, with the time y- when in the W, 100%. Um, I think with how kind of compact our season can be, especially obviously with the Olympics last year, you know, people's bodies have to recover. So you just...
23:21
We don't get a ton of practice time. You, you have two to three games a week sometimes, and so it's a lot of walkthroughs because people's bodies are beat up. And you just don't have...
23:30
You have training camp, and then we obviously had the Olympic break. So that's really when you got to practice. That's really when you get to go live and scrimmage.
23:37
And obviously each team is different, so to each their own on that. And, uh, like, even with some vets versus maybe a younger team, everyone does it differently, but you definitely do not have a ton of practice time.
23:46
And so when I was going overseas, that was something that I kinda wanted to emphasize. Like, I don't...
23:52
I wanna be playing, don't get me wrong, but I don't wanna be beating myself up to the point where I can't also develop my craft.
23:57
And so I loved the idea of Australia and having, uh, mostly one game a week so that I can be doing a lot of skill work and then playing, and then doing a lot of skill work and then playing.
24:07
And so that was a big factor for me, um, as well in coming out here. And then, um, in terms of my defense, yeah.
24:15
I think if you ask, if you ask my high school coachAgain, I think it's obviously different in high school when you're one of the better players.
24:23
You can, you can pick and choose when to maybe dominate on either side of the floor, and, um, I was probably more athletic than most of the people, so I could always get the steals, and I always had the hand-eye coordination probably from playing football with my brother or something like that.
24:38
Right, yeah. So I could get deflections, I could get steals, but man, I would melt into every single ball screener. I just wouldn't, like, eh, the effort wasn't there to get through it and the footwork wasn't there.
24:48
And, um, even at Northwestern at times, you know, we played a, a, a massive zone defense, which put me in an impeccable position because that's what I love to do most, is just kind of read the game on defense and see, okay, think I'm a really good help defender and I know when to go and when to go for the steal, and, um, just getting a lot of deflections.
25:08
I think my arms are a little bit longer than people may think, um, or my timing. I don't know what it is, I guess.
25:14
But even my, you know, my first, what, couple years, I led the league in steals and, um, I can always get you a steal. It's just, okay, are they also scoring on me?
25:25
And am I also, like, actually sliding my feet and being physical? And, um, that was something I think when I got drafted, it was just, "Okay, defense, she's a very good defender."
25:34
And, um, then it just kind of becomes a little bit of your identity, and I also just hate the idea of anyone scoring on me or being able to talk, talk crazy to me afterward.
25:43
And so, um, I think that even leveled up when I got to Connecticut, you know, because they prioritize defense and they take so much pride in it.
25:50
And I think it was really cool to, uh, watch Dijonai and AT and just learn from them because they, they really took it personally if they let someone score on them. Like, you could just see it.
26:01
And it was, like, cool to play defense.
26:03
[laughs] And so, uh, uh, that was something that excited me, and I learned a lot from Dijonai especially, and just watching her footwork and, um, getting through screens and using her strengths.
26:13
She's one of the strongest guards as well, and so I think- Listen... um, using my body more to push and get through screens was a big thing.
26:20
So I definitely still have some, some ways to go on the defensive end, uh- Mm... contrary to what, to what people might think. But, um,
26:27
I think half of it is an IQ thing, and then the other half is being willing, um, an effort thing and just a discipline. You know, you're 5'9", and honestly- Yeah... sometimes you play like you're 5'11".
26:41
You play a lot bigger than you are. Yeah. [laughs] And you're pretty strong. Like, I've seen you develop, and I've seen you, you know, especially in Australia, like you said, you have the resources.
26:49
You only play one game a week. Mm-hmm. You have a lot of time for skill time. Now you're going to go with the State where you have state-of-the-art facilities.
26:56
You're gonna have those coaches, you're gonna have the access to those statisticians and, you know, um, different elements of the game that make you a better player.
27:05
You know, I've, I've asked a lot of different players in my time, um, as far as I've been covering W the last four years, and expansion is a great thing, but they also- Mm...
27:14
uh, echo the importance of additional roster spots. Would you say the same? Yeah. I guess I haven't thought even too much about it. Um, I, I think it could get... It could go either way.
27:28
Like, there's probably a beauty in it, for sure. I think whether more people would have an issue with playing time would, could go either way. I think,
27:38
I think maybe when it comes to injury and stuff like that, like, it's a big thing because we have so many hardship contracts. Um, and so making that an easier transition.
27:48
So I guess I don't know the perfect answer for that. Um, on the outside it looks really good- Mm... and I could understand the beauty of it. Um, it's just
27:58
if people can accept, I guess, uh, maybe a smaller role the more people there are on a team, you know? Piggyback off of something that you said as far as, you know, AT and those players hating being scored on. Mm-hmm.
28:10
Have you been keeping up with the Unrivaled, uh, one-on-one tournament? I have the... I did watch the one-on-one tournament, for sure.
28:16
I haven't been able to see all, like, the three-on-three games, but the one-on-one tournament I definitely have been keeping up on.
28:21
Well, I don't know if you've, you've been, like, watching watching, but sometimes you can see, like, okay, they get matched, they're getting scored on, and I think it's hilarious because you never really get to see this kind of passion for the game from these type of players in the W.
28:36
And being a- accessible to that and seeing- Mm-hmm... their true personalities. I mean, you don't really get to see that, you know, more times than not because, you know, it's five-on-five and it's more elements playing.
28:46
Right. You know, what's the specialty of that, and what goes, you know, into players kind of not being embarrassed of that?
28:55
Because I've seen a lot of people say that that, that would never happen in the NBA 'cause guys will- Yeah. [laughs]... their egos get hurt, and I feel like that's true. Yeah. Yeah.
29:04
I definitely think it's really cool, um, what people are doing, what people are willing to put on the table. I do think, you know, you're in a vulnerable position.
29:14
It's like everyone's just watching and everyone has something to say no matter what, good, good or bad.
29:21
M- like, could be an amazing game of one-on-one or a horrible game of one-on-one, people are gonna have something to say about it. So I think it's cool.
29:26
Um, obviously to be able to play for that big of a pot of money is great for, for, uh, women in sports in general and just getting access to that. Um, but I definitely think it's really dope.
29:36
You know, I think it's exciting, and, um, obviously on social media you can tell, like, people are invested in it.
29:41
People are tuning into it, and they wanna see who's gonna win, and you get some unexpected people winning it. And one-on-one is so different than five-on-five, and, um, so I think it's really neat to see.
29:52
Obviously Aaliyah Edwards, like, and it's just cool, you know? People that you don't always get as big of a light in, in five-on-five are getting, getting it right now.
30:01
And so, um, it's interesting to see the different maybe strategies behind it. A lot are- Mm... feel like fouling early and- [laughs]... um, so whether it's, like, pure one-on-one, it could go either way.
30:14
But I definitely think the, the egos are on the line in, in something like this, 100%. And so, uh, from top to bottom, you know, even Stewie's tweet, like, her being willing to, you know, um, like, take it on the chin.
30:27
Obviously so much respect for Stewie, and everyone knows that, but I definitely do think that it would be tough in the NBA because the egos would... It would be tough, for sure.
30:37
[gentle music] That's all you gotta say on that one. Thank you for listening to Off the Record, your home for unyielding, unfiltered coverage of women's hoops.
30:51
Don't forget to share and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. [upbeat music]
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