Transcript of GOOD FOLLOW - New York And Phoenix Head Into Game 2, Natisha Heideman Reveals A New Look, Paige Wins ROTY & More

You're listening to DraftKings Network. Hey, what's up, everyone? Welcome to Good Follow Show, presented by DraftKings. I'm Roz Gold on Bode, and I am here with five time WNBA All-Star, Angel McCartree. What's up, Angel?

What's up? What's up? How are you doing, Ross?

Girl, I am doing a million things at once. So my big, beautiful Brooklyn, New York City summer is Coming to an end, and I officially make the move back to LA, and I move out of my space tomorrow morning. Ask me if I've packed or done anything towards that.

Wow, Ross. You have a lot.

Yeah, I haven't done anything towards it. I'm going to spend today cleaning, packing up, trying to make this move. How are you doing, angel? Are you good?

We're good over here. We then came to Atlanta, so just seeing the fan. My mom's birthday is today. She's also Virgo, so doing some fun things today.

Happy birthday to your mother. Thank you so much. How beautiful that you two are so close in birthdays. When you were born, you were like a slightly late birthday present. No, a slightly early.

Slightly early birthday present. We're birthday present, and we're the same person. Very goofy. People don't know we're very goofy and we're very go. So we're always in our heads. But let's do this. Let's get started.

I'm so excited. Let's get into it. We have so many great things to talk about because guess what? It is WNBA Playoffs. The postseason is here, we are dead in the thick of the first round. And let me take you through today's menu. So what we are talking about on Good Father today, first round WNBA Playoffs. We're going to identify our watch list, our X-Factors of the two series that are going to play game 2 on Wednesday. We're looking at the Liberty versus Mercury series game 2. We're looking at the Lynx versus the Valkerries and looking at X factors in those series. Then for the playoffs on a whole, We are following the WNBA playoffs and story lines in a brand new game. You know we like games here, Good Follow. The name of the game is Good Follow or Unfollow.

I like. You guys can check out episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please continue to like, comment, and subscribe. Thank you for having me here, Ross, as usual.

Yeah, Angel, you're the best. Well, let's start off with the Liberty and the Mercury. If you look back at that game 1 real quick, the Liberty beat the Mercury in overtime, 76, 69, and they're up one in the series. Look, Alyssa Thomas smoked that layup that would have probably won the game. Instead, they go to overtime. Liberty win However, they do have a loss within it, and it's Rihanna Stewart holds onto that knee and goes down. At the time of taping, we're still waiting to hear an update on Stuey, but it didn't look good. She was teary-eyed on the bench. She looked uncomfortable. As we look ahead to game two, which is going to take place on Wednesday evening, what are some of the X factors and the things we're watching for? I think first and foremost, it's got to be It's Stewy's health, right?

It's definitely Stuey's health. Whenever someone goes down, they're holding the... I know from experience, from holding the knee, that it can be something very serious, especially when tears come down your eyes. So I'm hoping it's just nothing long term, that she can bounce back because they're going to need her Wednesday. Phoenix is ready. I think they're riled up and upset that they lost at home. Ron, you don't lose at home in your first game.

Yeah. I mean, they say in playoffs, it's not a series until someone steals, right? Well, with this new one, one, one format, one, one, one. Yeah. Right off the bat, the steal happened. And so now the Liberty are heading home with a chance to close out the series at home and win two out of three games. Look, with Stuey's health, she grabbed the left knee. It's the right knee with the bone bruise that caused her to miss over a month in 13 games. So it is a different knee, but it's a huge loss for the Liberty if she's not available to play in game two or beyond. For me, Stuey is one of the most effective leaders on the New York Liberty, and I covered the team all season. She is not the loudest or the most ra-ra, but she has the best messaging. She knows time and place. Remember, She's the one that called the Liberty out publicly and said that the effort, urgency, it wasn't championship level. She has the respect factor to do that. That was very strategic of her. I think she always has the right message for this team. She is so integral to their She's one of the best defenders in the league.

She's an all WNBA defender in my book with her length, her blocks, her versatility, her steals. Obviously, I think the Liberty have a lot of talent. But for me, now that I've watched the body of work from the season this year, when the Liberty need a bucket or a response, they can go to Stuey. She's either going to find a way to score or get to the free throw line. Stuey is second in the league in free throw attempts and free throws made. And now they don't have that. So if Stuey is not playing, it is a huge loss.

It's a huge loss. And I think, like you said, from that, Bone Brew is being on the right side, and it's the left knee she was holding. Sometimes we don't realize we're overcompensating all season because of an injury from something else. And that's what happened to me, tearing my ACL twice. I was overcompensating on the strong leg for so long that it just gave out. So prayers up to Stuey. I think they have a big four, not a big three, with adding that across the cloud, making them the big four. She was great. She's been great. So I feel like if Stuey is out, she's filling in that big three spot for the Liberty. I mean, 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. She's holding it down right now.

I absolutely agree. And I think Tosh has been important for this Liberty team on the season, but certainly in a playoff run. She came in and said, I'm going to be that dog. I think in game one, she had emotional control of the game for the Liberty. She came out just fired up. I talk with Tosh all the time. I love a little pregame, kiki with her. She talked about how she wants to be intentional with setting a tone for toughness. She'll do that by attacking the rim, which she did over and over against the Mercury or defensively, getting up in somebody and trying to create offense off of defense and momentum and fire that way. I also think for this Liberty team, I talked about how like, Stuey is a little bit more of a reserve So is JJ. So is Sabrina. These aren't super emoting leaders. It doesn't mean they don't lead. I want to be very clear, again, about Stuey. Stuey is one of the most competitive players I've ever had the chance to be around. It doesn't show as like, but I'm watching this woman play every game. She's competitive. Same with Sabrina, same with John Quill.

But the way Tosh is, she adds a little bit of fire and loudness and voice in huddles and in a locker room that sometimes is quiet. That's valuable, right? To have some ra-ra, too.

It's a great balance. I think this team has the identity of being, like you said, the quiet leaders. They lead by example. But they still get the job done. And Natash adds a little bit of that. I don't know what's up with this mask. Is this something with the mask or what?

I'm glad you brought up the mask, girl. So I have some tea on the mask. So first of all, she's been shooting incredibly with the mask, way improved. So for the season from three, she's shooting 34% from three. But over the last five games that she's played, she's way up. She's shooting 41% from three. I think, one, Tosh steps it up for a postseason. She's really stepped her game up. Two, I think a little revenge never hurts. Right now, she's played great in game one. That's against her former team in the Phoenix Mercury. But I spoke to her about the mask. Everybody's saying the mask Avenger. But what Tosh likes, she said, I like to think I'm the villain when I have the mask. She likes to... Some people, she's cool with being the villain. She actually said that the mask is really tough to play with. It's sweating, it slides. She said, she's so funny. She said it messes up her hair and her braids. Like, she'd be getting her hair freshly braided and it immediately looks all messed up after the mask. Actually, they had to cut and widen the on the sides of the mask because her peripheral vision.

So it's been a process with the mask. But for some reason, through all of that, she's been even better.

So it seems like because she's upset with the mask in a way, she's taking it out on the other team, which is actually making her play even better.

I don't know. Vilintash, though, is in her bag right now.

I'll take one mask, please. I'd like to order one.

I'll take a mask for everyday life. Just to round out the combo on the liberty, I think another X-Factor could Emma Misiman, Activate your not-so-secret weapon. She found a lot of success being isolated, literally play five out. If they're out and then throw her in there to play one on one to post. Also, you could bring her out higher, give her the ball, and let her facilitate. She's so cerebral, can make plays for others, fake a handoff, turn around and pass it, or just take a jumper. But I also think if Stuey is out, asserting herself as a rebounder, and everyone, guards, everyone, get in there and rebound, that's going to be key because a possession's battle is always important for the liberty who turned the ball over, angel, 20 times. And gave 15 points off of those turnovers. But, Angel, before we go to the next game, I just want to ask you this. Your season, your shot. The NFL is rolling, and every countdown brings you closer to a payout with DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. From first shutdown scores to anytime props or the rush of live in-game betting, every snap is a chance to win.

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Look, in game one, none of the Mercury's big three played amazing, right? In the sense that AT had a slow first half, Alyssa Thomas. Kalia Copper started strong, but she had foul trouble that disrupted her. And Satu Sabali, uncharacteristically, she shot very poorly. Two for 17, one for 10 from three. It took 10 threes, only four free throws. These are finals MVPs, players who have played in WNBA finals, players who have played in the Olympics. How does experience and how can they turn this around for themselves?

They have to turn around. This is where I would depend more on Dawana Bonner. She had 12 points, five rebounds the last game. But she's, to me, the real X-Factor who has the most experience out of anyone, who has the most... She has Championship rings. She's the has to rile this team up, get inside to space, that, listen, whatever it is, let's go. I know players are tired during this time, but we don't have time to make excuses. You got to figure it out. The tiredness can't be... You can't let it control you. Satu with eight points, eight rebounds. Yeah, that's a good game for someone else, but not for you, Satu, because we hold you to a higher standard. Satu, you are the X factor. If you want to win this next game, you got to score points, baby. It's just as simple as that. Find a way to win, will your team to win? And Find the way to score. Find the way to score.

I'm close with Satu, and I talk with her. I know she's very much relished the opportunity for this new chapter in Phoenix, and I know that this is the culmination of everything, this playoff run with them of everything she was hoping for in coming here. I expect that she's going to turn in a better game. They're a very well-coached team, Coach Tibbets as well. But I think another key them might be rebounds, too. The Liberty Out rebounded them. Why do I say rebounds is important? A defensive rebound helps you play with pace. Liberty's defense was suffocating. They held Phoenix to 35% shooting from the field and 23% shooting from three. Beat that defense down the court and create some pace. Actually, it was when they were able to play in space and with some pace that Alyssa Thomas started to find her groove and was able to get some assists going and impact the game in all the ways that we know she can. The Lynx and the Valkeries, game one, look, a matchup of the one and the eight seed, and it's tough. Congrats to the Valkeries. It was the franchise's first ever playoff game.

In the first quarter, they came out red hot. They actually outscored the Lynx 28 to 21 in that first quarter. Of course, the Lynx then turned it on from there. Absolutely turned up their defense. The Valkeries never scored over 18 points in any quarter after that. They ended up losing by almost 30, 101, 72. All right, it was what it was. Now the Valkeries are headed back to the Bay with the chance to tie it up. And first of all, shout out with their newly crowned, most improved player of the year, Veronica Burton. I do think Nateesha Hydman has been an X-Factor for the length.

What do you think? She is the X-Factor. I don't know, once again, the pink hair. I don't know. Everybody's finding their swag. That thing that gives them their swag. Eighteen points, three rebounds off the bench. That is the most important thing for a championship team to have those bench points. And she's shown that being aggressive, to me, that's the mark of a Championship team. And as far as the Valkries, having the most improved player and Veronica Burton. I mean, for me to them, you've done what you needed to do this season. No matter what happens with the links, I'm so proud of the Valkries, and you're going to take this experience and you guys going to be a more dangerous team with years to come.

Absolutely. So take what you can from this. First of all, come out and compete. If there's one thing about the Valkries, they're a tough squad. Another thing that they can lean on, too, is their crowd. Now, the game is actually going to be at the SAP. I think it won't be at Chase Center, but it'll still be in the Bay, or it'll be in San Jose, something like that. Angel, you've been displaced before in playoffs. My feeling is this. I know the fans of the Bay are still going to make whatever arena they're in super loud and crunk. It won't be exactly Valhalla, but you think that crowd could be an expect for them?

From my experience, when I was in Atlanta, we were going to the finals every year, and we got kicked out for Disney on Ice. We love the kids, but Disney on Ice. It did throw us off a little bit. We lost a lot of fan base. The gym was smaller. It was out in Gwanet, not in the city. So we had those issues. But if it's still in Sanfran in the heart of the city, and the fans are still going to be loud as they were in the Chase Center, they should be fine.

Look, they got to lean in on that crowd. If there's any team in the WNBA where I say the crowd was really like a sixth woman or an X-Factor, it absolutely fed the success of the Valkeries. So crowd, bring it. And I think for the Valkeries to stay close in this game, you've got to take better care of the ball. They had 16 turnovers. And I think you got to keep an eye on three. If they can hit double-digit threes, they have a shot at this. They hit five of eight in the first quarter, and they were leading. But then for the rest of the game, they hit five of 23. And literally, the Lynx have the number one rated defense in the league. So no surprise. They turned that defense up and shut that whole thing down. And my last point I'll say for the Lynx is this. We called out Nateisha Hydeman, but the bench for the Lynx outscored the Valkeries 42 to 17. And that's not just Nateesha Hydeman. That's Jessica Sheppard off the who had 12 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, four assists, one steal, no turnover. You got players coming off the bench in Sheppard who's a plus 26, and Nateesha Hydeman who's a plus 30.

That's crazy. You got a good shot to win. But I got to wrap this thing up because we got a game to play on the other side. You all stay with us. We'll be right back. Welcome back to Good Follow. Today's episode is presented by DraftKings. It's now time for the DraftKings Pick of the Week, presented by DraftKings. Let's get it. This week, I have my eye on the four and five seed matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty in game two. New York took the first game on the road, and now in front of their home crowd, I'm picking them to take the series. My players to watch are Jonquil Jones and Satu Saboli. When Jonquil gets a double-double, the Liberty are undefeated. And Satu Saboli had an uncharacteristically rough shooting night in game one, but I'm counting on her veteran experience to help her bounce back with strong shot selection in game two. I think we have another nail-biter on the way. This segment is presented by DraftKings. Draftkings, the Crown is yours. Okay, guys, we have a game. The playoffs have already been wild, and not just because of the basketball.

In this game, we are going to follow some of our favorite story lines of the playoffs in a brand new game of Good Follow or Unfollow.

All right. You like that? I love it. I can't wait.

Who's had a bigger year than the studbutts? So you know they rock the pink hair. And to show love, Minnesota Lynx fans have been rocking pink wigs at the games. I mean, even dogs have been rocking the pink. But if the Lynx and the Aces end up on a collision course in these playoffs, well, then on the other side, Asia Wilson has been known to rock a pink wig, too. Don't forget for Media Day or Becky Hammond, who rocked a wig post game at a press conference. So good follow or unfollow. Lynx fans and studbonds own the pink wig trend and made it pop culture?

I'm going to go with good follow for the studbonds. Even though Asia did it first, the studbuds are... The trend is trending right now. They took it to another level, man. The dogs wear pink. I'm about to wear pink. I think you're about to wear pink, Ross. I don't know.

Yes. Actually, they do have the upper hand, too, because I I think, yeah, Sheryl Reeve said, If they win the Championship, she's going to dye her hair pink. Sheryl Reeve said that. I don't think I'm putting words into her head. I remember that. They've really become pop culture themselves. They have transcended now just WNBA basketball. Not that Asia hasn't either. I will say if Asia is the best player in the world or a favorite or arguably the MVP, it hasn't been announced yet, that should stand for something, too, right? Absolutely, yeah. She She did do it first, right?

She did.

But I feel like we're saying stud buds, and their Lynx fans that came to the game in the wigs might get that one. Okay. Speaking of stud buds, let's move to the next category. Nateisha Hydaman unveiled a new look on stream after getting her makeup done. She got styled. She borrowed a wig from teammate Dijonate Carrington. Dijonate hooked her up. Now, we know Dijonate comes beat. She stays looking amazing. She did her big one on Nateesha, and I saw they were saying Femte. Femte made quite the splash on social media. Nateesha's new look, is it a good follow or an unfollow?

I'm going to unfollow. Why were you unfollowing? I can't believe that. Okay, I'm not going to unfollow it. I like the look. No, unfollow.

Stand for something. Why? You know what?

I'm not used to it. Okay. So I'm going to unfollow that. Don't hate me, guys.

No, no, no, no, no. That's what you were talking about, an opinion. I think it's a great follow because first of all, people were acting all surprised. I was like, Anyone with a trained I could see that she had the potential for Femte. She's a beautiful girl. Her eyes, she just needed somebody. I think we were just surprised.

She didn't need it.

They put it together. I could see her beauty in either however she wants to show up. But if she wants to get decked out and be femme, I wasn't surprised at all. I was like, Yup, I saw that.

I piece that.

What was funny, though, is that I could that that's not her norm because how she was walking in the heels or even how she was moving her face. And she was like, I'm about to steal your man. I was crying, laughing. But one thing I'll say is I think this Lyns team is having a lot of fun, and that's really important for the playoffs, right?

Yes.

And one more thing I'll add, I know we're having fun, but not to get all think piecey on you. But I do think this is why the stud buds are important. They authentically have put to mainstream... We're having conversations about expressions of femininity, of masculinity, of sexuality, of male or female presenting. Let's talk about how to get to Being gay, being straight, being bi, and on huge stages. They're doing Vogue. Stud Buds have been on Vogue. They have transcended doing WNBA Weekly. I think, and to be centered as Black, stud, masculine-presenting, lesbian, boopers who don't usually get that stage. The way they're doing and they're so captivating and natural, I think it's important. This is just one of the ways that they just naturally do it.

They're breaking the rules, and it's so much fun.

Paige Becker has been announced the Ricky of the Year, but it was done in style with unique presentation. Let's take a look. She's the one. She's the one. She's the one. She's the one. She's the one. She's the one.

Bet on the last person you thought you'd see on this cool spirit tunnel.

But I'm here to present you with the 2025 Key at WMBA Rookey of the Year award.

Congratulations.

Thank you so Rooky of the Year. Rooky of the Year. Rooky of the Year. Rooky of the Year. Oh, my gosh. That was so creative. Doing that on the Jennifer Hudson show. That walk is like, reserved for the biggest of celebrities and a surprise for Page, who won Rooky of the Year. Page one with 70 votes. So Sonia Cittron got two. She won in dominating fashion, but not unanimous. Sonia Cittron came in second with two votes. So first of all, are surprise award announcements a good follow or an unfollow?

Always a good follow. I mean, the dance moves. I like this. We're going to name this page, this dance with your hands. I mean, and then surprise the end. It doesn't get any better than that. That's the biggest stage. The one rookie of the year.

I love that, the creativity of that. And again, transcending outside the game, hit and pop culture. That's something that you're going to see pop up on the shade room or whatever. And honestly, I love seeing the celebrities come down Jennifer Hudson's hallway. I love seeing the way they get creative about how to sing the song and present the stars. And I know it's a huge moment of judgment, too. Who really got pizzazz? Who got rizz? Who got rhythm? Who's smooth? And One thing I got to say, one thing about Paige, she's so effortlessly smooth, man. She's so cool. She came down there with rhythm. She looked great. And then received her award. It couldn't be cooler.

It couldn't be cooler. And the jacket, I mean, can I get one of those jackets, please? Add that to the tab with the mask.

Absolutely. Well, congratulations to Paige Becker, the favorite for Rooky of the Year. She came through with the award, the number one draft pick. Actually, good follow or unfollow, I'm going to go Goodfollow on our show. If you haven't yet followed or subscribed, please do it. We come on every Tuesday and Thursday. Goodfollow is presented by Giraffe King. Guys, we're out of time. This show just flies. Angel, thanks for pulling up.

Thank you.

All right, you all. We're out.