The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Monica McNutt Talks NBA Finals Predictions, Taylor Swift, The Spirit of Knicks Fans, WNBA + More

Episode Date: June 12, 2026

Today on The Breakfast Club, Monica McNutt Talks NBA Finals Predictions, Taylor Swift, The Spirit of Knicks Fans, WNBA. Listen For more!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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She told Taylor Swift, get the fuck out of here. She said, she said, Wait, I'm just, please. She shouldn't do that. She said, what the fuck is she doing here? Please. It made me feel so good. What the F is she doing here?

I saw you say that. It made me feel so good. Monica, ma'am out, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning, y'all. Good morning. You got a Swifty, huh? I'm not a Swifty. I'm not a Swifty.

I'm not a Swifty. What body at work? No, we're not going to do that. No, we're not going to do that. The body. You're talking about the dance. She did. No, I didn't see all like.

Girl power. all that stuff. Okay, the internet don't care about context, but context, one, hot mic, first of all, right? Second, I literally y'all just did a piece on Nick Celebrity Row. Y'all, like, after the game, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor are hugging me,

like, I know the celebrities that are there consistently. I may have misspoke on her loyalties, but I had not seen her all season. No, you have. Monica, you have the questions that need to be asked, she ain't on Nick's fan. Now, I don't. 76's fan.

So we saw her in Cleveland with her fiance. And when I dated a Cowboys fan and I was a Commander's fan, We wore our stuff. That's my ax, don't worry. But we wore our stuff. And she didn't have on any Knicks gear in Cleveland. Don't nobody know the connection.

What is the connection between Taylor's Whiff and the Knicks? That's how you was trying to figure out. You just like, get out of here, girl. And you know how we say, get out of here, girl. Literally. But like, girl, like, also. I heard get the fuck out of here, girl. You already know that on my head.

Don't do that. Don't do that. Godly. I was like, yes, Monica. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't do that. She's a Knicks fan, apparently.

Because one of my colleagues at MSG was like, Even in the down years, when she was younger, there's pictures of her in Jersey and stuff. So, my bad, I misspoke. But again, I had not seen her. But shout out to her. Orange and Blue is uniting everybody. Like, now we have that in common.

She said that her, for her original admiration for it was because of her, she was a fan of Amari Stadamire. Yeah, that's what my homeboy said. Really? She got to. That's what I'm saying. So the more we know. But we couldn't tell that when she was with Travis at the game.

Listen, I couldn't tell she was a Cleveland fan at that game. I thought. What I'm saying, at least him, And for me, if you are a diehard fan and it's the playoffs, that's fun in houses. It's fun within relationships. But to your point, I just saw you in Cleveland, you ain't had no gear on.

My bad. Like, my bad, yeah, yeah. I want to talk about Game 3, the different energy from game 3 to game 4. Of course, game 3, the Orange Man, Donald President Donald Trump was there. There was a lot of celebrities that weren't Nick's fans there.

What was the energy like in game 3? I will say game 3 was kind of tense. And I think a lot of it had to do with routine. Even my routine, y'all like, and I'm cool. I know everybody got jobs to do. but I was hot coming in and might have had some conversations I wasn't proud of trying to get into the arena

because everything was so exponentially more difficult, right? And I get it. You got to be safe and all that good stuff, but it was really, really frustrating to get in the building. And I continue to say this. I think for the players, y'all, across sports, routine is so important. They are so particular about their routine,

their meals, their naps, they're stretching, their routine, and everything was off because of all of the pompous circumstance. I'm glad it went smoothly. There was no incident, but I did feel like, and for three and a half quarters, we were tested, I did feel like game four would be the opportunity for everybody to settle in and take advantage of the incredible fans, all of them in the garden.

And ultimately, y'all, that's what happened. But I ain't going to hold you. A halftime, I was like, oh, here we go. It's about to get real difficult. We're going back to San Antonio 2, too, too. I kept saying if they could get it to 10. If they get it to 10, I believe. Like, we've seen it.

I was thinking the same thing. Just get it to 10. Get it to 10 with enough time to play ball. And I think I looked at the clock at right around the 8 minute mark and I said to my radio partner, Tyler Murray. I was like, all right, this is where it started to happen in Cleveland. The lead, I can't remember exactly the deficit at that point, but I was like, it's got to be now. And sure enough, man, shout out to OG, y'all.

Oh, my God. God, gee. God, Lee. And I wanted to ask, you know, were people leaving when they were there? So I got to give the fans credit. I didn't see anybody. Wow. I didn't see anybody.

And we're up at like 200. So I have a pretty good view. Maybe people behind me was leaving. But I didn't see. Like, and my, Tyler did a great job on our radio call. At one point, the deficit was 19. Yeah, it was 19. And he's like, if you listen, if you were just listening to the crowd, you would think the deficit was only nine.

Like, I got to give the fans they props, y'all. Telling clue to everybody, you want to do anything. It was, they stood in. They did not leave. Like, it was, that to me was impressive because, you know, we've been there all season. Sometimes we got things to do with New York. I want to be traffic. Nobody left.

As a basketball analyst, right, do you realize you're watching history in the moment? It's funny, Charlemagne, before the game, I, like, had one of those moments where you just kind of sit and soaking in. Because for me, I'm living my dream in many ways, right? covering the NBA finals in New York City in a city that has embraced me in a way that I could have never anticipated like the guys are super cool like so many things are aligning for me. It registered

when they won the 13th game two in San Antonio. Yesterday Tyler closes the call, biggest comeback in NBA finals history. And I'm like between because we've covered sports, 3-1 has happened, right? So I'm between like this was incredible but also

Jalen Brunson, O.J. Anobie, all of them are going to say the job's not done. So we got to like, yes, enjoy it. It's euphoric. And I said it, but the job is not done. But it's, this is, like, everybody's talking about the different books that'll be written. Like, I got a book too, okay? In terms of telling the story, like, it's so incredible.

I love it. Now, be a Sholomein, argue, right? I think Nixon 5. Okay. He thinks Nixon's 6. He wants him to come back. I don't want to play that game. We haven't wanted so long.

If we need to win and San Antonio, then let's win in San Antonio. We're still going to have a big. What's your prediction? I came into the series saying Nixon 6, but I'm with you. because you got to put them away. You got to put them away. Like, if they get it done in San Antonio, so be it. We'll have a parade, we'll have a celebration.

We'll party all summer. I think I'm curious to see what emotional toll game four has taken. Y'all, because that was a lot. Like, this is what I'm saying. Like, on the call, when it's 1.4 left, they are hugging OG like it was over. But they got a 7.5 foot dude on the other side, and it's 1.4. Like, it's enough time for something to happen. Y'all got to regroup and defend.

And ultimately, they did. I'm really curious to see what the emotional toll is on both teams. because I thought coming into the series, and Victor Wembeiyama, he's going to run the league for a long time to come. Is he? We'll get into that. But I thought it was a little bit, it had backfired how honest he's been about his emotions

because he said he was struggling to come down from the success of game seven and as a team they needed to regroup. And I thought the Knicks punched first in game one and part of that emotional process was a part of it. So I'm curious, will the Knicks veteran experience allow them to turn this one over and put their best foot forward to really close it out in five?

or is it going to be one of those like, all right, they got the lead, they're going to do it at home kind of situations. And in the same breath, there's got to be a deflated emotional toll on the Spurs. Like, how are they going to respond? So if you could get it done in five,

absolutely. My original pick was six. I see, the reason I still think Nixon's six is because I think the Spurs are that talented, but you said something that's very important. It wasn't just the game that's going to take an emotional toll. Just being in New York City.

Not being able to leave the arena because people surrounding your puff, egging you, you know what I'm saying? Like, they might not want to come back to New York. Yeah. They might be like, Like, ah, legit. If I just, fuck it, man.

You get them next season. I think I have a ton of respect for that team, too. And as much as we talk about Winbi Yama. Harper. Dylan Harper, who's mom? Shout out to you, Maria. I love his mom. And then Stefan Castle.

Like, I don't know what their plan is going to be for the future in terms of point guard, but those two, like, them do, man, those boys are so good. That they beat up wouldn't be too bad because from whom, he was all his ass a lot last game. So here's my thing. No, because nobody got a job. It was within the parameters of a game. Mitch got his little, you know what I'm saying? He got his little, Wimby got his little joint on Cat too. I do think that that was a distraction coming into the game.

And I was arguing with shumping them yesterday morning on get up. Like I don't want to hear about this retaliation. You retaliate, best revenge is your paper, right? By winning the game and playing hard, being aggressive. I thought in the first half, I don't need a flagrant while you down 25 already. Like that's, it's not giving, right? And so ultimately, they got it done when they just started to play downhill, play hard, the spurs started missing threes, and the Knicks capitalized.

Louis Alvarado, were you surprised he didn't get a flagrant when he lifted up his leg? I was. I was surprised. I thought for sure that he'll give him a flagrant. Because I'm like, this lightweight little wrestling move, bro. Like, you're not that slack. Like, you're not that. I feel you.

But again, like, and y'all been in the city, to the change at head coach, Mike has really lived up to everything he said he was going to be. Like, I remember when he got here and he's like, I want to be collaborative. Yeah, all right, Mike, welcome to New York. I want to, I'm going to throw the 15th man on the bench in the game just to make sure they're ready. All right, Mike, whatever, it's New York. He's done all of it. He's done all of it.

And I think yesterday's decision to go with Jose Alvarado and you go with your two guard lineup so that the game is faster. Like, Jose was one of a few dudes who attacked Wemby? Like, he might not have attacked him straight up to lay it up. But like, he's getting in the paint, moving the defense around using his feet. And for him that shoot the three well yesterday,

let's go, Jose. Obrado, product, a crazy king. That's my guy. I'm really happy for him. I think the league in corporate America in some media is desperate for a new face of the league, and they may have proud of Wemby. I got to give a shout

to Robert Orr because we were in San Antonio and I think he's the first person that I said it and he's got the legacy right having one with multiple teams including San Antonio he's like he's said it was too soon you got to actually win and Mike Wilborn who we love is

he's one who is big on you have to have the heartbreak the scar tissue is the word that I like to use all of this is learning but look at the other side y'all that Trey young I mean not Trey young sorry Knicks fans what's my got

Halliburton that bounced last year like the Knicks have had consecutive years of heartbreak in terms of you would look at them and be like, oh, this might be their year. Like it's shaping up, right? And so they've gone through the heartbreak. And what I think is unique about this group is the core has been able to stay together and allow those experiences to propel them to this moment, y'all. Like, I just, once it got to 10, for me, having watched this group, there was just an expectation. Like, they're going to figure it out. Like, Jayla has been saying the last two seasons for sure, we'll find a way. And they did it again. Does this team stay

together, though? If they win a chip, why would you bust them up? I mean, and I'm not... New York has done weird things before. If they win, I have a hard time believing that they would get broken up. I'm also not a cap expert. And I get, like, there's some money on the books that they got to figure out. But why? Why would you break them up?

And I'm so glad they got the chance to run it back. Because, you know, the honest noise was loud. I thought that this group, considering what they had been through, they had earned the opportunity to run it back. And y'all, they've done it in historic fashion. 13 consecutive wins, 29-point comeback. Like, all this is not supposed to happen in one season. Like, it's not.

Do you think Wimby is as dominant as he could be? Because that's what I get. Not yet. I'm like, yo, you're 7-6 with that skill set. There's no reason for you not to be taking over games. Not yet. He got put some weight on. Not yet.

I think he needs some weight. So he, Shaq was dominant in his third year. He got swept too. He did. He got soft in the furnace. He did not. He was a pushing Shaq.

I didn't find dominant though because when he was defensive player of year, like all that evil. But I feel like you should, you should be able to will your team to victory just by your mere presence being on the court. He should, he had a double,

I think he had 26 and 13 or something like that. But yo, he should be doing like 40 and 18 every game. This is where I think like, and I get it, we are all fans. But if you're not in the day to day, like, I think we don't grasp how diligent opponents prepare. Right. Like, eventually do I think Wembe will be like, all right, good luck. Baby, but I also know there are so many great basketball minds around the league. They are looking at every little thing.

Okay, force them right. He's going to take one dribble right. Then we're going to send help like that. They are getting down to the minutia of the details of how to make a, guy uncomfortable. And I think what you saw with the next yesterday in particular, O.G. Anobie spent some time on him. And right now in the playoffs, y'all, first of all, if this your first playoff rodeo, we are in June playing basketball. Like, I'm tired, bro. Like, I get it, right? And so I think the two, if you look at what Wimby did in the Western Conference

finals, when the cadence was one day between games, he would have a big one. And even if the numbers at the end of the game looked good, he didn't have the same pop energy impact. And so I think yesterday, he just got a little bit tired. And so as he continues to grow in terms of developing the stamina that he believes he will need to be dominant. Like, the dude is focused out of his mind. Like, he's only going to get better. But I think, too, you got to give opponents credit. Like, they're looking at every little thing.

And frankly, if you shoot the ball well, like the next day in the second half, like, seven for four is in the pain or running at you. Like, if you can shoot up, like, that's how you neutralize that. So I'm excited for where the league is. I think he has come up in the face of the league conversation so much because he seems willing to embrace it. And, you know, we got the sound from LeBron about why you wouldn't want to be and different guys not necessarily embracing that role,

but he has seemed fine with that crown man on his head. Can a foreigner be a face of the only? You tell me. I don't think so. Why? Because I think that cultural impact really plays a huge role, and I think that you have to be relatable to people here in America. You think LeBron is related?

I'm just asking. I think so I hear you on that. Yes, he's an animal. Let's go! An I-R-Radio experience. You and a pal in Montreal and Oceaga, with four nights at residents in downtown, Montreal flights from Porter Airlines, two weekend gold tickets, and $1,000 cash.

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I was terrified. There was no anything inside those eyes. They turned black. It scared the hell out of me. That was your first murder case? Yes, sir. Fear to say this was the biggest case of your career?

Yes, sir. Rape the murder for a child. Just as bad as it gets. I would think so. People wake up. I'm the one that saw the murder take place by Crevent and DePippo. Anthony DePippo showed no signs of remorse.

appearing unfazed after being sentenced to the maximum. I said I'm not guilty. I'll take it to the grief. Listen to the devil's quarry on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And to hear the devil's quarry ad free with exclusive content, subscribe to Lobif for Good Plus on Apple Podcasts. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. You can't order it, you can't borrow it, or simply hope it into life. but now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence.

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Highlights are trending. opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Eric, I can all like that stuff. So yes, he's relatable in that way.

But if under that pretense, the most relatable basically probably to me was then Steph, because at least he's everyday man size. He appears that way. Mind y'all, stuff is legit 6'3. Like he's not an average man's height, but he just looked that way. Like Shaq was culture. Yeah, that's true. A hundred percent.

Jersey, hip hop, break dance. Like, funny. Yeah. Those people, too. Like, when they're there, when they're playing, you feel like the team is looking for them and looking at them. Let me ask you all this, though, because y'all in New York, does Jalen Brunson have a chance to be a face of a week?

I think so. If it's about relatability, like, whatever. I don't. Okay, why? I don't. And I think Jalen is probably, if he wins this, he'll be the best Nick to me. Uh-huh. But the problem with Jalen is, I think Jalen is too closed off.

It's too many. It's like everybody that has been to face of the league has you felt the aura, the energy. Jalen just feels like hoodie on, mask on, I'm just coming. You got mama mentality. Yeah, mama mentality. But even with mama mentality,

Kobe was still charismatic. He was still fun. Jack was fun. I thought like Kobe was charismatic later in his career, though. Steph was too, charismatic. I don't feel like they gave Kobe face of the league. That's what I'm in that too. It's dominant.

He was charismatic. He did the movie. He was, it was a lot funner with them. But I think, he's just too militant. And I don't think, and I think organizations matter too. I think because he plays on the San Antonio Spurs,

it just doesn't feel the same. Wembe. Wembe. That's interesting. That's interesting. If you look at, who else was there? You look at. No.

Duncan. He was born as hell. Yeah, Tim Duncan. The big fundamental. I just don't think, I don't think San Antonio can create that because I don't think there's enough hoopla around.

It's only been like four, maybe five faces of him. Who is Jordan? Magic. Magic. Larry Bird, Jordan, Braun, stuff. And I put shack in there. You can put shack in a little bit.

Yeah, I think the thing about it is there's no, all of those guys had errors where they literally kept people away from Delario O'Brien trope. And so that, I think, as much as the culture piece is going to be the thing. And then if you're looking at the marketing piece, like the numbers bear out, people are watching with me. They want to see what this alien is fitting to do, right? So we'll see.

I think he has owned that. I will be really curious because, you know, they're saying like kids not watching basketball the way they used to we're consuming highlights blah blah blah like will he bring people back to the game in the traditional sense like that's a big metric does he do enough highlights for that i think we're gonna get bored with his highlights because he's so big and he makes it look like no for real i do you got a rebound and you tipped it in your hand was right there like cool anything amazing it is amazing but it doesn't exactly it's like the dunk contest right like you then you get hype when the little dude's

dunk because the big dude's make it look easy like i think he's fantastic and i think there's a tremendous upside. I hope, like we talked about, as this team continues to go, Dylan Harper, Stefan Castle, like, they are as important. He's truly one of one. Like, eye-popping stats, impacting on both sides of the basketball. Like, San Antonio is going to be a very, very good organization. The Knicks need to go ahead and close out the deal because people are going to be dealing with San Antonio for a long time. How does the lead deal with all the stuff that goes around outside of the, you know,

the fighting, the beating up the Spurs fan? Like, what does the league do for that? because that makes going to the games. You let New York be New York. Nah, you can't because I'm a New York fan and I want to go to San Antonio now I got to worry about retaliation. Let me say, I was- They not like that in-

San Antonio. I almost feel bad that New York has cut up this. Come on, like, has cut up so bad because San Antonio, I'm leaving a hotel. Dude was like, are you with the next? I was like, yeah, I'm gonna be here for the next. He's like, you know, good luck, but we're gonna get you guys when you get back here,

like unsolicited politeness. It was so polite for you. The video, we were like, what the fuck you're rapping, mom? Exactly. The fuck you're all, mom. We posted after game two. There's a dude and I think it's a Tim Duncan jersey

that turns around and is like shaking hands with like Knicks fans, Spurs fans. After they lose y'all, like they are so polite. No, and when we were in San Antonio. Like in the back of my video, I'm like, they are so polite. So it's quite the juxtaposition. Listen, I do think just like we want sportsmanship

on the floor, there's a level of sportsmanship that comes with fandom. And I'm gonna just leave that at that. And you don't want the few bad apples to spoil the lot for the whole bunch. Like we already got watch parties canceled and whatnot like just leave it at that I know but don't you think if your team blows a 29 point lead you might deserve you beat up what do you're talking about

the loss is the big no no I have been a part of some teams I were terrible so no I've been on the right no I have nothing to do that I pay 9,000 for a ticket they whip my ass on the way no no the loss is the biggest thing anyway I will say this though I think the way that New York has lit up and I know y'all have been I'll be five years for me in October. Like, it's incredible. I've never seen nothing like it. Like, it's incredible. I've been there 20 years. I've never seen anything. I've seen the Giants win. I've seen the Yankees when. I've never seen anything like that.

Ever. It's been incredible. Nothing. It's so incredible. Like, I just... And I think, too, like, it's not... Yes, it's a little pandemonium and mayhem and emotions are high. But I've always said Knicks fans are so smart. And yesterday, I always have had mad love for Nix fans. But everybody's standing in, staying through them. Like, it was looking real crazy. And nobody left, like for real. It was my minute. What they're talking crazy? Was it like wilding it when it was...

So we usually can hear the fans behind us. And you know, people are frustrated and they're ooh and an eye and as you know, whatever. But nobody left. And when it was time to push, like y'all, mind you, it was 29 points. Like when it got to 20, it started to get loud. It's still a 20-point lead. But I think the fans have come to expect this team to figure it out. And whatever they had to do to do their part to make it happen, they did it.

Y'all, like, I called it out the last play when the Spurkey are inboundable. Like nobody, everything was in within the boundaries of being a fan on court side. But then fans are standing around Dylan Harper, like, cheering, making noise, like, whatever you can do to be a part of success and history is turning to the city. Like, everybody trying to get to the parade. There was one part of the broadcast where they were like, the room was literally shaking. And I was telling, like, you could, like, almost feel it while you were watching. One of our producers this morning. Yeah. Oh. Yeah. Mind your business. You know who I was telling.

You know who I was telling. So wait. Yeah. And that is a great. And that is a Great observation because, yeah, like the places alive. I don't know if I've ever felt such a contrast for the same team in two games. And not in game three, obviously there was, you know, extra pomp and circumstance. Part of it was the result. But even in game three, like the Knicks, they had a chance late. But yesterday, like, that will go down in like my personal dopest experience covering sport. Like the, like, the building is shaking at 20, let alone as it's getting down.

And you know, Nick's fan smart, so Josh Hart blows the layups. I don't even really think I heard, like, the collective grown as much as I heard them trying to continue to cheer. Like, they just all in. I just, y'all, like, who. I want to ask about the flopping criticism, you know,

especially SGA, and it's been a big thing on the league. What you do, man? He's too big to be flopping all over the way. He always on the floor. Always on the floor. You take a lot of time to get back down. And knock them down. Listen, I think the SGA thing got a little too loud

because it's not that many games left in the last in the Western Conference, Eastern Conference series. To me, don't hate to play, I hate the game. Like, have a conversation with the officials this summer. Because if you are, if that is working for you, then why would he, why would he not? You know what I'm saying? Like, and I, there is a space in the game.

I think Jalen legitimately gets body, but Jalen sells calls too. Like, what, what do you want? Can I go sell a call, right? And so if it's working for you, what you want me to do? Now, if there's a real conversation, I'm sure players and officials meet the league meet, Like if there's a real conversation, when we get to our broadcast meetings in the fall,

and they say new points of emphasis, and the head fake pump thing is a part of new points of emphasis, we'll know some real conversations we're had. But I think if you can manipulate things in your favor, like that is part of craftsmanship, the art of being a competitor. I thought they stopped the hackash act thing. They never stopped that? Well, they changed the rules.

You can't do it within the last two minutes of a quarter. But the hack of Mitch is definitely a thing. Because they hack and Mitch is crazy. Yeah, and you go straight to the free-thal line. So, like, yeah, so there's that. Do you think the NBA has an idea? identity crisis because you know you see kd getting old the lebron getting old the stuff getting old the like our fans just uncomfortable with change that's why they haven't embraced anybody really

of this new generation i hadn't thought about it as an identity crisis like i said earlier i think the younger generation is consuming sport differently than we did and so like i'm not i'm not like i'm not like i'm sitting in meetings with execs but i know they are watching viewership and all like this stuff like the viewing is up crazy on this series but you literally got a dream outside of like the lakers being here right Wimby's an attraction, the Knicks are an attraction without a doubt. I'm not going to say an identity crisis, but I do think that the way we consume sport is changing the younger athlete and the younger fan all coincide. I remember being an athlete, and as an athlete, you was going to watch the games

because I'm trying to learn, like, not let alone just be a fan. And so what are the metrics that we are using to measure growth or identity? I'm not 100% sure that they're aware of what those are. But y'all, I think the basketball this postseason has been so fun. Like, it's been fantastic. If you still love ball, like, what do we talk about? Like, this is great, you know what I mean? So, and I think for me, walking around pregame, the amount of people with their kids and just the kids being energized, they got picks, they got their favorite players.

Like, sport is such a community thing that this is how you move it forward in terms of garnering real interest so that you can get past that law. Like, let your kids land on who they love. Now, I know New York kids don't have no choice. They Knicks fans, like, whatever. But there still is the era of fans latching onto a play. as opposed to an organization. That's interesting you say that about the highlights thing because I was arguing with a younger white guy

and he literally said to me, Caitlin Clark is the greatest woman's basketball player of all time. He's like, yo, shut the fuck up. You don't even watch women's basketball in it. You can make a statement like that, but I think it's because that's what he sees in the highlight. She's not even the best woman's player now. Listen, and the conversation,

that is one conversation on the men's side of the house. It's a whole other conversation on the women's side of the house because, to her credit, she was the highlight that sort of got people into, like, the highlights of women's basketball. And so offered sort of a gateway into that space. Look, man, I think we're, all these things are cyclical, right? Like, it's style, fashion, all that. I do think we're going to get back to a place where people want the community and, like,

resent the isolated experience of enjoying a highlight. And because what is still left for us to do together? Yeah. Holidays and sporting events, right? Like, I do think that it will have its pull and, you know, literally bring communities back together. Like, that's what we're seeing in New York. Why do you think conversations around women's basketball become so divisive, though?

Like, why can't people celebrate just all the multiple stars that are in the league? Why do you think people on my head about what I said about Taylor? Because you was right? No. And people hate what black women is right, my wife. Okay, the second part, there's truth to that for sure. I think, and I say that, I would,

and y'all know this. I would never want to show up in any other body than my own. Like, I love being a black woman. But I do think when you talk about women's sports, especially when you're talking about basketball, our societal totem pole, if you will. You got black woman and a, and queer woman.

largely. And so I think you hit on all of the things that make people uncomfortable. It gets divisive. It can quickly move from sport to humanity, which is wild to me. And so I think that's where we are. Y'all know how shitty the internet is. Like it just, it don't take nothing for it to go there. And I just think the idea of being comfortable with women competing for real. Like, I remember reading Layla Ali talking about this. Like, and Rhonda Rousey talking about this, like, people being uncomfortable with women in sports like that while those are definitely literally combat sports basketball can be the same like people are uncomfortable with women being competitive in that way like go be a gymnast and i i mean this fully with fully respect to gymnasts and skaters because they pour years and years into their craft but those appear as more feminine and gentle sports while those are elite athletes as well so i think there's a whole lot of intersection in terms of why that gets so nasty so quick they they do that a lot or we're doing a lot with kately clark and english

And I remember when they faced each other when Angel was in Chicago, there was a conversation about like, and you brought this up about race and how race played a major factor. And that picked up majorly as well. And you were just being honest about if the roles were reversed, they would have reported what happened in that game differently. Yeah. I mean, the language, y'all is crazy. I'm this morning. My PR gets a note that I had a ruthless comment about Taylor. No.

Wow. Ruthless. I've been getting notifications about Troy and New York Post, everything. It was literally, I didn't even remember saying that y'all is. It was just like, oh, girl, girl, good at me. Like, I ain't seen you all year. You know what I'm saying? But again, words are powerful.

The way the story gets told, like, all of these things come into play. And even if you call out race being super peace of mind, I'm just making an observation of what is happening quickly. It's people, all you're racist. No, I'm kind of stating a fact. But we have had to live in the fact, and it makes everybody else uncomfortable.

But if it was a black woman, it wouldn't even be a story. Just don't, don't, girl. Don't, don't. Don't, don't. I know. I don't, God, what you talk about? What are you talking about, man?

What you bring up a good point? Has the media done enough to prepare itself for like the increased scrutiny surrounding like the intersectionality of sports like the WMBA? And what I mean by that is I think you have to have people with a certain skill set to talk about these things. I think you do a very good job. I think people like Mel Hill do a very good job. You know, you have to have people that can discuss all of these things because all of these things matter. Right, right. And so the answer to your question is no.

I don't think there's not enough time to educate. And part of it is the nature of the beast now, because things go out quickly. It's about keeping up. It's not in-depth thinking long-form pieces, right? And while, yes, it is glaring on the women's side of the house, even the president being at the Knicks game. Like, I'm sure that was, you know,

not every player is going to jump out and want to make it a political moment. These guys are trying to win a championship. So there are all of these moments where the intersection of who we are and our experience as a collective bleed over into sports. And I think historically, women have been more. willing to use their voice, particularly the WMBA, and we're at a place now where you can't, you know, if people decide to speak on a topic or not, like, it's totally their prerogative. But no, I don't think that people are interested in context.

I don't think people are interested in history. And when you do decide to have a conversation about topics that are a little bit charged, you got to walk it very delicately and well thought out and then be prepared for this still to be backlash. Like, that's actually not what I said or how I said it, but cool, I'm going about my day. Like, there's no way for them to make that Taylor Swift moment a black or white. white thing. I heard a person who is a basketball and a listen, just a basketball fan. When she becomes a Knicks fan?

Girl, get out of here. Like, I'm just regular sports conversation. To even see her, it caught you off and go out. I feel like the headlines around the Taylor Swift thing. They're not pointing to that, but you, I mean, it's there. It's implied. Yeah, it's there. Because if I was in a different body, it would be nothing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I literally, I should show you the sex questions I got from a report to try to write about. I'm like, dog, really, is this what we're doing? But anyway, listen, shout out as a Knicks fan. Shout out to the Knicks. Like, we're enjoying it all. I don't know about that shot of the Taylor the Knicks fan. The jury's still out on it. I need a little more.

I got some boy evidence. Yeah, she was with him. A mom's side of mine. Back in the day, origin story. They won back. There you go. There you go. Why the white woman got to get the credit for that?

All the people are in the building. They said the Wu-Tang before and again. There you go. That's the second half. Same seat, same seats. Same seats. Let's rerun it. Bring Wu-Tang back too.

Let's rerun it. Do you feel like the way that people have cups begin to come cover WNBA now because it's happening more? Are you more proud of that? I remember you didn't like how some people were or were not Stephen A. Covering certain things with the WMBA at one point. Not subtle. I think I've talked with many a friend and I think you got to take the good with the bad.

I do think there are more resources being put forward. But this has been an interesting year, y'all, because I think the W has had a few missteps in terms of trying to protect players from media coverage, but we also want media coverage. And I'm not talking about media coverage. coverage that was messy or nasty. Right. But like you, this is sport. You are open to criticism about the actual basketball.

These were like actual basketball conversations that I've noticed that some organizations have kind of bristled with, bristled at in terms of access and questions. So I think we're moving in the right direction. What I do think, though, is we're all adjusting both players and those of us that have covered the game as a long time. Like, it was just so jarring and shocking and nasty all at one time. I do think it's starting to level out a little bit. And I'm excited for some of the opportunities that these women are going to have in

terms of movies and commercials. Obviously we see injuries doing all the fashion show things. Like I do think it's moving. Yeah. Is the growth sustainable for the WMBA? Or are we still like- I kind of hate this question. Because what organization is always straight up?

Like to go up down, have a back of year, bounce back up, like that is the experience of the American economy. Like you know what I'm saying? Like do I think that the league is on an upward trajectory? Yes, can I promise you that the numbers this year will be as good as last year? I don't know, we'll have to see, right?

And I think that's totally fine. Like, what are people doing with their discretionary income when the economy gets tight? If you ain't buying a WMA jersey because you got to buy groceries, like, I'm not, you know what I'm saying? And so I do think it is moving in the right direction. This CBA is obviously historic and important. These women have an appeal and a mass appeal as we talked about faces of the league. Like they are sharing themselves in their stories and building these conglomerates, quite honestly, and it's incredible. But if it takes a little step back and it springs forward, like, I don't want anybody hollering.

Look, the W's down. Like, the NBA has had a couple down years. Like, you know what are we talking about? What are some key players that we should be watching right now? In the W? Yes. Ooh, girl. Key players?

Key players. Yeah. Olivia Miles is doing her thing in Minnesota. Should have been the number one pick? No, because she wouldn't be as good as she wouldn't fit. She wouldn't fit. A.Z. Fudd was the number one pick. She's also wanted to keep an eye on.

She's in Dallas. She's a better fit for that organization. Olivia Miles went three, I think, to Minnesota. Those are two rookies that are having outstanding years. Obviously, y'all mentioned the names that we all know. Asia Wilson defending her. campaign. I just think, I mean, really, I always say pick a city and pull up, like where the league is expanding.

We got teams in Toronto, Portland this year, Golden State still puts on an incredible environment. Then the OG teams, my hometown team, the Washington Mystics, the liberty are right here. I still think they are trying to figure some things out. They should be in the hunt in terms of contending this year. Raven Johnson should be starting for the feeble at the point. She should be the primary ball hands of it. Now, I'm not going to hold you. I have been locked in on NBA, so I got to sit back and catch up and do some tape.

Raven Johns is going to be an outstanding pro and she's going to help that organization. I do know that Caitlin has struggled a little bit as of late in terms of navigating some of the changes that have been made into the physicality of the women's game. But I think there's still a curve in the league and you're going to hit it at some point. But I'm excited.

Like the star power is crazy. I think as we get to WMBA All-Star Weekends in Chicago this year and Chicago a few years ago was one of my favorite All-Star Weekends. We'll have World Cup play and then we'll have the finals in the fall. So I'm excited. It's going to be a lot of fun. Monica, did you know that that was not a bad thing? basketball team in Baltimore.

But in the full in the in the 40s it was the Baltimore bullets. You don't understand what you did. No, yes I do. Did you know that? I don't think I knew that the bottom or bullets and then they moved down the street to D.C. And they was the Washington bullets. I knew they were the bullets, but I didn't know they were Baltimore.

Girl, I don't know why they left. I didn't know. First of all, I don't even like the bullets because they change the name because we had issues. That's my home. Exactly. They did end up changing name. We're not only about bullets and drugs. you know, even though it's a lot of it's flying around.

But I'm just saying, why the hell we didn't, why didn't we ever get back the team? Girl, I don't know. That's a good question. So you don't like bullets? No, I don't like the bottom of a bullet. They legit. See, look at you.

That's exactly the point. That's goofy. That was goofy. They changed it. But I think, I wonder, though, if there's something about, like, ownership groups. And I can't speak to the ownership groups. I know the monumentals are part of what the Wizards have going on.

But you got the Wizards, the Caps, the Nats. Mystics, all of them there. And I know Baltimore, shout out to the Ravens. That was my first championship parade I ever covered when they won a Super Bowl. So shout out to the Ravens, the Ravens and the Orioles. But I don't know, like, D.C. better. But even with that, I just, don't do that.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Is it? Is it? I said, isn't. I mean, that's the career. You know what? Also, even if you go down to the NFL, at first we had the Baltimore cults, and then they left in the middle of the night. Girl, I know you're not complaining,

because you got the Ravens. At least you got the Navy. At least we got the Navy. You could be Delaware. You could be Delaware. I know that we didn't got a goddamn thing school and a church. But I'm saying, I just feel like.

You know she's a DMV girl, right? I know. PG, she is. She is girls. She's no, she's no, no. No, no. I legit don't know. I legit don't know.

No, she ain't on. No, I'm, I legit don't know. I never thought about it because I didn't know. But she got a book. Yeah, she's a book, girl. Thank you so much. Thank you. Monica.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys. Yes. It's the breakfast club. Good morning, and hopefully the next one in five. Hold on.

Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The breakfast club. You're all finished or y'all's done. There was no anything inside those eyes. They turned black. It scared the hell out of me. People wake up.

I'm the one that saw the murder take place by Crevette and DePippo. Anthony DePippo showed no signs of remorse, appearing unfazed after being sentenced to the maximum. I said I'm not guilty. I'll take it to the grief. Listen to the devil's quarry in the Bone Valley Feed on the IHeart Radio app. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Joy is essential and it's also elusive. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence.

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