The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Good Follow - Are Expectations Too High For Angel? Is the Aces Dynasty Over? + Valkyries Recent Success & More

Episode Date: June 11, 2025

This week on Good Follow: Ros & Logan discuss if the expectations for Angel Reese were too high too soon, if the Aces dynasty is over, if the Valkyries' recent success is surprising, and how Jonquel J...ones’ injury impacts the Liberty. Finally, Logan shares her NWSL pick of the week presented by DraftKings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 You're listening to Draft Kings Network. Hey, what's up, everyone? Welcome to Good Follow presented by DraftKings. I'm Roz Goldenware, and that is my girl. That's my co-host, Logan Hackett. Logan, the bell is back. Oh, no. It's bell time.
Starting point is 00:00:35 It's bell time because we've got announcements to make. Logan, I know you're going to get to them. But before we even get there, let me give you the show menu. We've got so many great topics to talk about today. We're starting off with, were expectations too high for Angel Reese? The sky is falling in Chicago. The Liberty's historic start and John Quayle Jones's injury. How troubling will this be?
Starting point is 00:01:02 We beg the question, has the Aces window closed in Las Vegas? And those Golden State Valkyries, they're onto something. We're going to discuss their recent success. And of course, Cocoa Golf's come back to win the French Open. Oh, it's a good show, Logan. Yes. And as for the big announcement, the bell is absolutely needed. We'll not be dropping new episodes twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. So we're coming at you double the amount now. And as always, thank you all for subscribing, commenting, liking, following our socials,
Starting point is 00:01:35 clicking all the buttons, and now you'll get to do that two times a week. But anyways, as for the show, Fraz, are you ready to get into it? Do I look ready? Let's do it. So I wanna start with the Chicago Sky, who you already mentioned are a bit down bad. After a 27 point loss to the fever, they are
Starting point is 00:01:53 now two and five on the season with their two wins coming to Dallas, who are the last place team. But to make things worse, they lost slew to an ACL tear. Absolutely tragic, especially given that I believe this was gonna be her retirement year. And then we also have Angel Reese who is struggling. While she is averaging nine points per game, she's shooting just 30% from the field and averaging almost four turnovers with 2.6 assists per game. Now, all of this led to a conversation about Angel
Starting point is 00:02:21 and the game against the Fever this weekend. And I'm keen to hear your thoughts on it, but it was basically posing the question, were the expectations or are the expectations for Angel Reese too high too soon? You know, I think it's all of the attention that comes with Angel Reese that puts her on this pedestal. You know, she gets the attention of a superstar. But at this very moment, Angel Reese is not a superstar basketball player. She's not a franchise basketball player yet.
Starting point is 00:02:53 That doesn't mean she won't be. She certainly has the motor, the work ethic, the upside to be that. But right now what I see is a young player that still needs quite a bit more time and development. And same for Camila Cardoso, both of them. And they were named as the cornerstones of this franchise. But I think it's important to just make that statement and kind of walk back, maybe all of the pressure being put on those two and very specifically Angel Reese and Tyler Marsh, the coach actually said that himself. He said, I don't think Angel struggled tonight.
Starting point is 00:03:25 I think we struggled as a team. It's not about Angel being better for us. It's about us being better for Angel. And that was after they lost by 27 points to the Indiana Fever. And so I think that's important. You've got a young player who's on a team. The entire team is struggling.
Starting point is 00:03:40 I mean, the Sky can barely hold onto the ball long enough to be able to enter the ball into one of their post players, Angel Rees and Carmelo Corrioso. They had 19 turnovers on 18 made field goals. So they have more turnovers than they had shots made. That's just an issue. And remember you brought in all of these vets, these veteran players to surround these younger bigs and take some of the pressure off
Starting point is 00:04:05 of them. And they're struggling. They have not been pressure relievers. There was nobody in the game against the Indiana Fever that scored in double digits. So you're looking at Kea Nurse, you're looking at Ariel Atkins and saying, Hey, they need to bring more too. And now you lost Courtney VanderSloot to a season ending ACL injury. I mean that loss against the Indiana fever without Caitlin Clark, without them having Sophie Cunningham, without even their coach, Coach Stephanie White being there on national TV losing by almost 30, no one in double digits and you lose Courtney VanderSloot. I just don't know if it could have been any more devastating, but that also means maybe the only way to go from here is up.
Starting point is 00:04:47 Exactly. And I think a big takeaway from the expectations of Angel is the fact that ever since that championship game a few years ago, I feel like her and Caitlyn, though they play different positions, have been kind of put on the same trajectory and given these same expectations when that's not the same case at all. I mean, we have to remember, Caitlin went first overall, Angel went seventh and coming in, a lot of people didn't have those expectations, but I think to the media and based on what you see from social media, you would put her at the same level. But in the conversation, the big
Starting point is 00:05:20 conversation I also had this weekend, it came up about everything that she does off of the court and having pretty much her own life and profession that she's made for herself off of it. So do you think that there's too much pressure and distractions coming from everything that she's doing outside of the W? You know, if you are just following any of the sports accounts and you're part of the just kind of sports and entertainment algorithm, you probably saw, you know, that that angel was getting clowned on social media for pulling up to that game against the Indiana fever. And she did a whole photo shoot. She had her fur hat on and the black fit.
Starting point is 00:05:57 She looks great. You know, she's got the boots on all the things and she's posing for the camera. I'm not, this is not like your walk through to the locker room from the bus. This was a full on photo shoot, like step and repeat moment. And she got clowned because after doing all of that, she had four points. They lose by basically 30 points on national TV
Starting point is 00:06:18 to Indiana fever team without Caitlin Clark. In many cases, I do think that Angel Reese is unfairly discussed, but in this case right here, I just think this ain't no bullying. This is part of the territory. Yeah, if this was a guy, we would be absolutely clowning an NBA player for this kind of tomfoolery and behavior. And that being the result, Like it comes with the territory. And I think, you know, look, if you gonna be flashy
Starting point is 00:06:49 and let me be very clear, I will always fight for your right to be flashy. I will die on a mountain hill for your right to protect your right to be flashy. But you know what that means is you gotta back it up because you put yourself out there in that way. And so, you know, Logan, I remembered when Asia Wilson started to wear white tees and sweats to the games. You remember that?
Starting point is 00:07:12 Absolutely. That was iconic. Yeah, it was like she was basically like she didn't like the way the team was playing the Aces. She didn't like the way she was playing. And she was like, Yo, I'm forget a fit. I'm here to handle business. And I for Asia and the Aces, I really liked that moment. And they did get back on track. Do I think that Angel Reese has to do that or take a page out of that book or, you know, diminish the things that she's about?
Starting point is 00:07:39 I will always caution against policing joy and confidence, and especially that of a black woman. I will always caution against policing joy and confidence, and especially that of a black woman. And in particular, Asia's whole business and ecosystem, it, part of that is storytelling, is social media, is being fabulous. And all of that is hard work, by the way, all of these extra things that she excels and thrives in. It's hard to execute all of this
Starting point is 00:08:03 and everything she's doing. What I will say is I think the meat and potatoes business for Angel, it's being an elite hooper. It's being an elite basketball player. And I think that that has to be at the foundation. It is at the foundation of all of the other things that can offshoot off of the foundation of you being an elite basketball player.
Starting point is 00:08:23 So, you know, she's always gonna have to handle her meat and potatoes business. She needs to stay true to herself and do it the way she needs to do it. But I think the takeaway point is that the sky as a team have a lot of improvement to do. This is a team issue. The whole team needs work and individually as well. Angel Reese, I think she'd raise her hand and admit that, too. She has room for improvement as well. Angel Reese, I think she'd raise her hand and admit that too. She has room for improvement as well.
Starting point is 00:08:47 So it's just, it's all of that at once. And I don't think there's anything wrong to say that. Yeah, and with that room for improvement actually, losing Slute is a huge component, but how much do you think they will miss her on the court? Oh my gosh. Any team with Courtney VanderSloot misses her. I mean, Tyler Marsh called her the engine, the captain, the leader. It's a huge blow. You're talking about
Starting point is 00:09:12 somebody who is all time leader in Chicago in games played, points, assists, steals. You know, she brought 10 and a half points, five assists, one and a half steals. But more importantly, what Sloot brings is veteran leadership. She's highly competitive. Even though the sky was struggling, I know that it's Slute in there that's communicating to them what urgency looks like. You know, what they need to be or be doing
Starting point is 00:09:36 to be the kind of team that they aspire for. You know, where I'm more concerned is, hey, Slute's 36 years old. You know, what does this injury mean now for her career? I'm more concerned is hey, Slute's 36 years old. You know, what does this injury mean now for her career at 36? It's a season-ending ACL injury. This is somebody who's already won the two championships. She and her wife, Allie, welcomed a baby girl to the world just recently.
Starting point is 00:09:59 I know last season was very trying for Courtney VanderSloot. Her mother passed. This was supposed to be a homecoming in Chicago. And now we just heard that Allie Quigley, her partner, officially announced her retirement. Now she hasn't been playing for years, and I was kind of like, oh, I thought she did already retire.
Starting point is 00:10:17 But she officially announced it right after this injury. So I'm imagining maybe we might hear something from Sloot as well, but we don't know. Either way, I'd be interesting to see how Slute reacts to this injury at age 36 at this point in her career. I think with her being such a facilitator as well, they're almost going to have to go back to the drawing board and hopefully something positive can come out of this. Hayley Van Liff getting more minutes, but you will need a facilitator like Slut
Starting point is 00:10:46 as she was putting up about five assists per game. And maybe if, you know, Hayley Van Lith may get more time or if the fever can't hold on to Aerie McDonald, who was dynamite for them in their two recent wins, hey, the rest of the league, including the sky, I'm sure have their eyes on her. Absolutely. And you were just mentioning Asia and the white t-shirt sweatpants combination. They might have to go back to that because this past weekend, they suffered their worst loss of
Starting point is 00:11:14 the season, which was a shocking 95 to 68 defeat against the Valkyries. And the A's just shot just over 35% from the floor while committing 13 turnovers. And we've talked about this many times on the show, but we have to talk about it again. I'm going to ask you the question, Roz, is the Aces dynasty over? Honestly, probably yes. Look, windows in sports are small. Teams got a lot better this off season and the Aces continue to have some of the same problems that they've always had.
Starting point is 00:11:52 Depth issues, spurts of bad defense issues, more than spurts, just bad defense issues. Their surrounding cast this season is inconsistent in scoring and production around Asia Wilson. It's getting harder and harder to hide issues. And, you know, over the years, they've lost a lot as well too. They've lost Kelsey Plum, you've lost Tiffany Hayes, Alicia Clark, these were like veteran players who really understood their role and executed that.
Starting point is 00:12:23 We're not even just talking about player personnel. You lost high level assistant coaches that are now head coaches, Tyler Marsh, Natalie Nakase. So I think the entire team is feeling that and reeling. And it's almost a little bit like the Aces are kind of a shell of themselves. And Becky Hammond called her own team out. She said, we're soft.
Starting point is 00:12:46 And here's where I was most concerned, Logan. Becky said, we've got a heart issue that's becoming a head issue. Woo, I would avoid and run anything becoming a head issue like as fast as possible. Like that's concerning. Against the Valkyries, it was absolutely about effort. They were out effort it out hustled out toughed out rebounded everything For the aces is so hard every when they started to finally score
Starting point is 00:13:13 It was like these hard one-on-one plays, you know, Chelsea Grey. These are the same shot She's always taken but they go they used to go in a lot at a higher clip I still very much believe in Chelsea Gray, but boy, it's a whole lot of dribbling to get that shot to go. And even for Asia, you know, she's got a crowd around her every single time. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist, defensive mind to realize that Kia Stokes
Starting point is 00:13:38 literally is not going to take a shot. And then it compounds it when Jewel Lloyd and Jackie Young are both combined for two for 14 from the field where they're shooting poorly. And you could almost mask maybe poor offense if you were going to play some defense, but the aces, in transition defense, there was none of it. They allowed three point shots in assists in the Valkyries in the second quarter in particular just continued
Starting point is 00:14:05 to push the pace on them, the pace on them. So defensively they struggled. I think, um, I don't think that this means that the Aces will be a bad team this season, but you asked me did their championship window close? Maybe. Yeah. Other teams got a lot better and the Aces seem, seem that they didn't. And you mentioned it, but I think it's also a testament to just how much AC Sid Colson and Kelsey Plum impacted this team, especially Sid Colson kind of holding them together like the glue.
Starting point is 00:14:35 And then the fact that Minnesota and New York have been rising and they put pressure on the Aces and almost dismantled their system, while also the Aces have not changed their system to kind of keep up with that play. But I want to move on to the Valkyries who have kind of been moving up. They beat the Sparks by nine last night in overtime and now they're on a two game win streak for the second time this season with a four and five record. Now, when talking in preseason, most said that they want to be killers. And in my opinion, their drive and tenacity is what's propelling them right now.
Starting point is 00:15:05 But does the Valkyries recent success surprise you in any way? I didn't even know what to expect from the Valkyries, you know, so I don't even know if I could be surprised. But what I will say is I am impressed. And what I'm most impressed with with the Valkyries is that this is not even just like a new team of new roster. It's like a completely new franchise like everything is blank slate and already at this early point of the season I see a Valkyries team that has a clear understanding of their identity and culture and if they're not and
Starting point is 00:15:39 they're already exhibiting that and they understand who they are and where they want to be and they're executing that. They are a tough team. They are fast. They want they work hard on defense. They make it hard for you on offense. They're selfless. They run off of their rebounds. They crash the glass. They're all of that kind of like blue collar grit effort. And kudos to Natalie Nakase, the coach for, you know, having the team be able to buy into that, that identity so soon. And you know, at first we were talking about their spicy, you know, young players, international, you had Carla late, you got Janelle Salon, but this recent surge of just like strong play, two wins now against the LA Sparks in
Starting point is 00:16:24 overtime, a gritty win, right? And then you've got a dominant blowout win that you had over the Aces. It's been the veterans who have shined. It's been the veterans who have led the way. Kayla Thornton has a career high 22 points, 11 rebounds versus the Aces.
Starting point is 00:16:41 Then she hits that dagger three in overtime against the Sparks. Like, it's so exciting to see Kayla Thornton have this opportunity to come out there and just shine, to be the go-to at the end of the game. That's not the role she had last year with the New York Liberty. And now she's like an end game go-to. Veronica Burton is shining with added opportunity. She's one of the top candidates in my opinion for most improved player.
Starting point is 00:17:08 I'll give you the numbers that can support that. Points per game, she's almost tripled them from 3.1 to 12.8. She's more than doubled her assist from two to five. She went from like one and a half rebounds to like four and a half rebounds. I mean just just jumps. And she's made the most, it's only, it's been an extra 16 minutes per game since last season. And I think she like, as she goes, so does this team.
Starting point is 00:17:32 She makes them go with her drive and penetration. She pushes the pace, she's gonna kick it out. She's been great. And shout out to our girl, Monique Billings, friend to the show, who's really kind of just settled into this role coming off the bench now, where she's like, instant impact. She changes the game. Her energy's crazy on offense and defense.
Starting point is 00:17:53 She had a huge block against Asia Wilson. She's getting steals. She's stretching the court. She's hitting threes. Like, she's doing all of the things. And I think, actually, Moe might be making a case for sixth woman of the year, if she continues like this for the things. And I think actually Mo might be making a case for sixth woman of the year if she continues like this for the Valkyries.
Starting point is 00:18:07 Other veterans who are killing it, Temmie Fagbenle is gonna work. Zanda Licini is having a very nice showing. She just hit a whole bunch of threes the other day. And Tiffany Hayes, she's not even back yet from the nose injury. So I think this Valkyries team has been very impressive. And especially as of late, it's been the veterans.
Starting point is 00:18:24 And you briefly mentioned her, but Janelle Solane, she is playing like a vet. Like she looks so incredibly good. And lastly, she put up 21 points. Amazing. But the last team I want to touch on is the New York Liberty and they take on the Chicago Sky. Now, New York has been looking better than ever. I mean, they are the front runner this season by far. However, John Carl Jones is questionable tonight with an ankle injury and they did say it was minor. So hopefully it's nothing big, but fun fact, she's currently the only player in the league to average a double double this season. So with her being out or if she's out tonight, how does that impact them? Yeah, I think with John Cal Jones,
Starting point is 00:19:04 you can make an argument that she's the most important player on the Liberty. I mean, you could do that for a couple of players on the Liberty. They have at this moment. I think there's four all star caliber players on the Liberty. They are so deep. But John Quayle, like the numbers don't lie. The Liberty don't lose when she's averaging when she has a double double.
Starting point is 00:19:21 She's averaging that they're undefeated. And historically when the Liberty have lost, JJ's been less engaged than those games. She just sets the tone for them defensively. She's in the paint, grabbing rebounds, stabilizing rebounds, rebounds that allow the team to run, to play up tempo. She's changing shots, she's blocking shots, she's strong in there on offense, there is always an advantage to exploit if JJ's on the court. She'll pop from three, she's
Starting point is 00:19:51 mobile, put it on the floor, face up, step back with the mid-range, or you could just meat and potatoes, put her in there on the paint, post her up and let her finish inside, which is actually my favorite. I think it's important for her to establish the paint. But I think, look, it's a huge loss. With JJ being hurt and when she went down, my concern wasn't, oh, when does she come back against the Mystics or will she play against the struggling Sky on Tuesday? I'm more concerned big players and foot injuries are always concerning, you know? And I just hope it doesn't linger on into the season.
Starting point is 00:20:26 The Liberty also have to think about their depth. It'll be really tested. Niara Sabli, Leonie Fiebes will be going to Eurobasket. But look, I think against the Mystics, it was the next line of depth that really changed the game and helped the Liberty hold on without Jonquell Jones. Isabel Harrison, I was on the call. I mean, she was ready when her name was called.
Starting point is 00:20:48 She came in, was great around the rim, finished there, was active, got rebounds. She, Kennedy Burke, Rebecca Gardner changed the game with the pace they played with, the intensity that they played with on defense, the deflections that they started to get. They were defending so close to the other player. Like they got up in your shorts and made you feel them. And I thought those three made it happen. And Kennedy Burke is a sixth woman of the year candidate. Rebecca Gardner looks comfortable, but their depth will continue to be
Starting point is 00:21:17 tested right now with Eurobasket. And we'll see what's the latest with John Quayle Jones. Well, you're coming up. I make my DK game pick of the week and we have some quick hits for you. We'll be right back. The NBA finals are here and DraftKings Sportsbook and official sports betting partner of the NBA is pulling out all the stops. New customers, here's your shot.
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Starting point is 00:22:43 For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.co.slash audio. Welcome back to Good Follow. Today's episode is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings, the crown is yours. It is now time for the DraftKings Pick of the Week presented by DraftKings. Kicking off this weekend of NWSL games is the San Diego Wave going up against the Houston Dash. San Diego is currently coming off their first loss since April 12th, but their offensive production has still been amazing, leading the league in passing and netting the second most goals in the league. I have a good feeling about Ken Zadale this week who has started in every game but has been a bit quiet only having one goal and two assists this season. With her recent snub from the French national team ZiroRoster,
Starting point is 00:23:33 she'll be looking to prove a point. As for Houston, they love to move the ball as well but just haven't been able to score. Their team is in mixed bag but I definitely keep my eye on 22-year-old Maggie Graham leading the team with three very clutch goals this season. If the game is close, I'm counting on her. I do feel like this will be surprisingly close but I'm going with San Diego to get the win. Make sure to follow along and tweet us your predictions at Good Follow Show. This segment is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings, the crown is yours. Crown is yours Logan. We both had it. Crown is yours. Crown is yours, Logan.
Starting point is 00:24:03 We both had it. It's that time of the show where we get to quick hits and headlines. What you got? Yes. So the biggest one, probably the story of the weekend is Coco Golf won at the French Open and she is the first American to do so since Serena Williams. I feel like she's just following in Serena's footsteps at this point. Those are some really great shoes to fill.
Starting point is 00:24:26 Oh, absolutely. And another big story this weekend was the college softball World Series. They had three of the most viewed games in history, and it was great with Nigeri Candy, the million dollar pitcher and then Texas, who ended up winning their first ever title. So congrats to Texas. Hook them, baby. Wait, what is it? Hook em? I'm not too sure. My timeline was going crazy over this. It was so, so good. But actually another thing that was good,
Starting point is 00:24:53 quite a heartwarming story, was French woman Lois Boisson. She moved up 296 spots in the WTA rankings after having a crazy semifinal run at the French Open. And if you looked at all the semifinalists side by side, it was world number one, world number two, world number five, but previous world number one, and then Lois, who was like 314 at the time or something. Wow. Wow. That's a great story and life lesson.
Starting point is 00:25:17 Stay with it, folks. Absolutely. And then as for the last two, the PWHL expansion draft kicked off and Vancouver was just raking all of the players in. And then Angel Reese's Reebok shoe Pretty Gritty is now out. Okay. Thank you so much, Logan. I appreciate all the hits and headlines.
Starting point is 00:25:34 And of course we appreciate you at home or wherever it is that you're getting and viewing and listening to your podcast. We appreciate you rocking out with us because that's the end of this one. Yes, our episodes now are two times a week. It's shorter, but it's compact. It's power packed, if you will. And we're dropping Tuesdays and Thursdays. So make sure you stay with us.
Starting point is 00:25:55 Stay locked in. Tell your friends things have changed up, but it's still the same crew. Subscribe, all the things. Follow us on socials, comments. We're building this thing together. Logan, anything else? Love you.
Starting point is 00:26:10 Yep, we love you. Have a great week. We'll catch you on the next one. Oh, and good follow. Yep, we're presented by DraftKings. We'll see you next time. Bye, y'all.

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