The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GOOD FOLLOW - New York And Phoenix Head Into Game 2, Natisha Heideman Reveals A New Look, Paige Wins ROTY & More

Episode Date: September 16, 2025

Today on Good Follow: Ros and Angel preview the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury’s game 2. How will New York adjust with Breanna Stewart’s potential injury? What does Natasha Cloud bring to the Liberty? Next, they break down the Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries before they head to the Bay. How will the crowd impact the Golden State Valkyries in game 2? Can Minnesota’s bench keep the momentum? Then, Ros gives her DraftKings pick of the week. Finally, Ros and Angel play a game of Good Follow or Unfollow. Is the pink hair an A’ja Wilson trademark or does it belong to the Studbudz? What do we think of Natisha Hiedeman’s ‘Femme T’ look on stream? Do we like Cathy Engelbert’s Rookie of the Year surprise for Paige Bueckers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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You're listening to Draft King's Network. Hey, what's up, everyone, welcome the good follow show presented by Draft Kings. I'm Roz Goldenboide, and I am here with five-time WNBA All-Star, Angel McCartrey. What's up, Angel? What's up? How are you doing, Ross? Girl, 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 do kind of make the move back to L.A. 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. And so I'm going to spend today cleaning, packing, up trying to make this move how you doing angel 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 kind of like a slightly late birthday present slightly early slightly early birthday present and we're kind of like the same person very goofy people don't know we're very goofy and we're burgos so we're always in our heads but let's do this. Let's get started. Let's do it. 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, y'all. 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 Goodfowl today, first round WNBA playoffs, we're going to identify kind of our watch list, our X factors of the two series that are going to play game two on Wednesday. So we're looking at the Liberty versus Mercury series. game too. We're looking at the links versus

the Valkyries and looking at X factors in those series. And then for the playoffs on a whole, we are following the WNBA playoffs and storylines in a brand new game. You know we like games here and good follow. And the name of the game is

good follow or unfollow. Ooh. I like. So 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.

Yep, Angel, you're the best. Well, let's start off with Liberty and the Mercury. So, you know, if you look back at that game won real quick, the Liberty beat the Mercury in overtime, 76, 69, and they're up one in the series. Look, you know, 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, Brianna Stewart, you know, holds on to that knee and goes down. And at the time of taping, we're still waiting to hear an update on Stewie, but it didn't look good. She was like, teary-eyed on the bench. She looked uncomfortable. So as we like 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 mean, I mean, I think first and foremost, it's got to be Stewie's health, right? It's definitely Stewie's health. Whenever someone goes down and they're holding knee, 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. Raj, you don't lose at home when your first game. Yeah. I mean, they say in playoffs, it's not a series until someone steals, right? Well, like with this new one-one format,

one-one-one, yeah, like, you know, 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. So look, you know, with Stewie's health, she grabbed the left knee. It's the right knee with the bone bruise that caused her to miss over a month and 13 games. So it is a different need. But it's a huge loss for the Liberty if she's not available to play in game two or beyond.

And for me, you know, Stewie 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 rah-rah, but she has the best messaging. She knows time and place. Remember, she is the one that called the Liberty out publicly and said that the effort, urgency, it wasn't championship level.

And she has the respect factor to do that. That was very strategic of her. So I think she always has the right message for this team. She is so integral to their defense. She's one of the best defenders in the league. She's a all WNBA defense. offender in my book, you know, with her length, her blocks, her versatility, her steals. And obviously, I think, you know, the Liberty have a lot of talent.

But for me, now that I've watched the whole body of work from the season this year, when the Liberty need a bucket or a response, they can go to Stewie. She's either going to find a way to score or get to the free throw line. Stewie is second in the league in free throw attempts and free throws made. And now they don't have that. So if Stewie is not playing, it is a. a huge loss. It's a huge loss. And I think, like you said, from that,

bone bruise 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 kind of what happened to me, tearing my ACL twice. I was overcompensating on the strong leg for so long that it just gave out.

Some prayers up to Stewie. I mean, I think they have a big four, not a big three with adding the cost of cloud making them a big four. So she was great. She's been great. So I feel like if Stui is out, she's feeling 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. You know, I think she, in game

one, she had emotional control of the game for the Liberty. She came out, just fired up. And I talk with Tosh all the time. I love a little pregame, you know, Kiki with her. And she talked about how she wants to be intentional with setting a tone for toughness. And like, 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 like create offense off of defense

and momentum and fire that way. I also think for this Liberty team, I talked about how like Stu is a little bit more of a reserve leader. So was JJ. So was Sabrina. These aren't super, you know, emotional. leaders. Doesn't mean they don't lead. And I want to be very clear, again, about Stewie. Stewie 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, I'm watching this woman play every game. She's competitive. Same with, same with Sabrina, same with Jean-Quel. So, you know, 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. And And, you know, that's valuable, right? To have some raw, raw, too? You have to. It's a great balance. I think this team has the identity of being, like you said, the kind of quiet leaders.

They lead by example, but they still get the job done. And Natasha 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, so I have some tea on the mask. So first of all, so she's been shooting incredibly with the mask, like 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. So I think one, you know, Tosh steps it up for 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, you know, like everybody's saying the Masked Avenger. But what Tosh likes, he said, I like to think I'm the villain when I have the mask like she likes to like you know some people like she's cool with being the villain and she said she actually said that the mask is really tough to play with it's sweaty it slides she she says 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 um and actually

they had to cut and widen the eyes on the sides of the mask because her peripheral vision. So, like, 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. Villantosh, 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. You know, just to round out the combo on the Liberty. You know, I think another X factor could be Emma Miesomen, you know, activate your, you know, activate your not-so secret weapon.

She found a lot of success being isolated. Literally play five out. And so, like, 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, you know, fake a handoff, turn around, and pass it, or just take a jumper. But I also think that if Stewie is out asserting herself as a rebounder, and everyone, guards, everyone, get in there and rebound, that's going to be key.

Because a possessions battle is always important for the Liberty, who turn the ball over, Angel, 20 times. 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, your season, your shot. The NFL is rolling, and every touchdown brings you closer to a payout with Draft King's Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL.

Bell. From first touchdown scores to anytime props or the rush of live in-game betting, every snap is a chance to win. New customers, this one is for you. Download the Draft King Sportsbook app and use code good follow. That's code good follow to get $200 in bonus bets instantly when you place your first $5 bet. Plus, over $200 off NFL Sunday ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. in partnership with Draft Kings, the crown is yours. Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler. In New York, call 8778-8-8-Hop-N-Y or text Hope-N-Y 467-367-3-6-9. In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling.

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DraftKings.com slash promos. Sunday ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto renews until canceled. Digital games and commercial use excluded. Restrictions apply. Additional NFL Sunday ticket terms at YouTube.com slash go slash NFL Sunday ticket slash terms. Limited time offer. Summer's here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber eats. What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well-groom lawn delivered, but you can get a chicken parmesan delivered. A cabana? That's a no. But a banana. That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. Nope. But a box fan. Happily yes.

A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select markets. Product availability may vary by Regency App for details. This, look, in game one, none of the Mercury's Big Three played amazing, right? Right. In the sense that, like, AT had a slow first half, Alyssa Thomas. Collier Copper started strong, but she had foul trouble that disrupted her. and Satu Sabali, uncharacteristically, I mean, she shot very poorly. Two for 17, one for 10 from three, took 10 threes, only four free throws.

Like, how does their, 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 it around. This is where I would depend more on DeWana 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 championship rings she's the one that has to rile this team up get inside two's faces it listen whatever it is let's go i know players

are tired during this time but we don't have time to make excuses figure out you got to figure it out the tiredness can't be you can't let it control you thought too with eight points a rebounds yeah that's a good game for someone else but not for you sot too because we hold you to a higher standard satsu you are the x factor if you want to win this next game you got to score point baby it's just as simple as that find a way to win will your team to win and score find the way to score i'm uh you know close with satsu 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 and coming here and so you know

i expect that that she's going to turn this turn that another turn in a better game And, you know, they're a very well coach team, coach Tibbitts as well. But I think another key for them might be rebounds to the Liberty out rebound to them. Why do I say rebounds is important? A defensive rebound helps you play with pace. Liberty's defense was suffocating. Like they held Phoenix to 35% shooting from the field and 23% shooting from three. So beat that defense down the court and create some pace.

And 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 Valkyries, game one, you know, look, a matchup of the one and the eight seed, and it's tough. Congrats to the Valkyries. It was the franchise's first ever playoff game. And in the first quarter, they came out red hot. They actually outscored the Lynx 28 to 21 in that first quarter. Of course, the links then turned it on from there.

Absolutely. turned up their, turned up their defense. And the Valkyries never scored over 18 points in any quarter after that. And they ended up losing by almost 30 101.71.72. All right. It was what it was. Now the Valkyries 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 Natasha Hideman has been an X factor for the length. she is the X factor I don't know once again the pink hair I don't know everybody's funny their swag that thing that gives them their swag 18 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 I mean to me that's the mark of a championship team and as far as the Valky's

I mean having you know 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 Valkyries. And you're going to take this experience and you guys are going to be a more dangerous team with years to come. Absolutely.

So like take what you can from this. First of all, come out and compete. If there's one thing about the Valkyries, they're a tough squad. And, you know, 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 Bayer. 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 Area are still going to make whatever arena they're in super loud and crunk. It won't be exactly, you know, Valhalla, but you think that crowd could be an expect for them? From my experience, we were, 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. I mean, so it did throw us off a little bit. We lost a lot of fan base.

The gym was smaller. it was out in Gwinnett, 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. Like 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 Valkyries. So crowd bring it. And, you know, I think for the Valkyries, to stay close in this game, you've got to take better care of the ball. at 16 turnovers, and I think you've 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 like literally, I mean, the links have the number one rated defense in the league. So no surprise, they turned that defense up and shut that whole thing down. And, you know, my last point I'll say for the links is this. We called out Natisha Heideman, but the bench for the links outscored the Valkyrie. 42 to 17. And that's not just Natisha Heideman.

That's just like a Shepard off the bench who had 12 points, 8 rebounds, four blocks, four assists, one steal, no turnover. Like you got players coming off the bench in Shepard who's a plus 26 and Natisha Heideman 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. Y'all stay with us.

We'll be right back. Oh, hi, buddy. Who's the best? You are? I wish I could spend all day with you instead. Uh, Dave, you're off mute. Hey, happens to the best of us. Enjoy some goldfish cheddar crackers.

Goldfish have short memories. Be like goldfish. The white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew from Starbucks is made just the way you like it. Handcrafted cold foam topped with toasted cookie crumble. It's a sweet summer twist on iced coffee. Your cold brew is ready at Starbucks. Welcome back to Goodfellow. Today's episode is presented by Draft Kings.

It's now time for the Draft King's pick of the week, presented by Draft King. 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 Jaunquell Jones and Satu Sabli. When Jean-Quil gets a double-double, the Liberty are undefeated. And Satoos 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 biteer on the way. This segment is presented by Draft Kings. Draft Kings, the crown is yours. Okay, okay, okay, guys, we have a game. The playoffs have already been wild and not just because of the basketball.

So in this game, we are going to follow some of our favorite storylines of the playoffs in a brand new game of Good Follow or, unfollow. All right. You like that? You like that, I love it. I can't wait. Yes. Who's had a bigger year than the stud butts? So you know they rock the pink hair.

And to show love, Minnesota links fans have been rocking pink wigs at the games. I mean, even dogs have been rocking the pink. But if the links 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 wave too. Don't forget for Media Day or Becky Hink. who rocked a wig post game at a press conference. So, good follow or unfollow? Links fans and stud buns own the pink wig trend and made it pop culture? I'm going to go with good follow for the stud buds.

Even though Asia did it first, the stud buds are, the trend is like trending right now. They took it to another level, man. The dogs are wear pink. I'm about to wear pink. I think you're about to wear pink, Ross. I don't know. Yes, and actually they do have the upper hand, too, because I think, yeah, Cheryl Reeve said if they win the championship, she's going to dye her hair pink. Cheryl.

Cheryl Reeve said that, I think, I don't think I'm putting words into her head. I remember that. And, you know, they've really become pop culture themselves. They have transcended now just WNBA basketball. Not that Asia hasn't either. And 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, you know, know, that should stand for something too, right? Uh, yeah.

And she did do it first, right? She did. She did. But okay, okay, okay. But I kind of feel like we're saying stud buds and there are links fans that came to the game in the wigs might get that one. Okay. Speaking of stud buds, let's move to the next, uh, category.

Natasha Heideman unveiled a new look on stream after getting her makeup done. She got styled. She borrowed a wig from teammate Dijanae Karenton. Dijanae hooked her up now. We know Dijanae comes beat. You know, she stays looking amazing. Oh, yeah. So she did her big one on Natisha, and I saw they were saying Femtee.

So Femtee made quite the splash on social media. And Natisha's new look, is it a good follow or an unfollow? I'm a unfollow. Why were you unfollowing? I can't believe that. Okay, I'm not going to follow it. I like the look. No, unfollow.

stand for something why you know what i'm just i'm not used to it okay so i'm gonna follow that don't hate me guys no no no no don't mean that's you and talk about that opinion i um i think it's a great follow because first of all people were acting all surprised i was like anyone with a trained eye could see that she had the potential for femt you know she's a beautiful girl you know like her eyes and she just, you know, she just needed somebody, you know, I think we were just surprised. She didn't need it. She put it to, they put it together. You know, 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, yep, I see, I saw that. I piece that. And, and, and what was funny, though,

is that, like, I could tell that that's not her norm because, like, how she was walking in the heels or even how she was, like, moving her face. And she was like, I'm about to steal your man. I was crying, laughing. You know, but one thing I'll say is, I think this links team is having a lot of fun, and that's really important for the playoffs, right? Yes. And one more thing I'll add, you know, I know we're having fun,

but you know, not to get all think PC on you, but I do think this is why the stud buds are important. Like, they authentically have put to mainstream, like we're having conversations about like expressions of femininity, of masculinity, of sexuality, of like male or female presenting, like, you know, being gay, being straight, being by, like, and on huge stages. Like, they're doing vogue. Stut buds have been on vogue.

Like, they have transcended, you know, doing, you know, WNBA Weekly, you know? So it's, it's, I think, and to be centered as black, stud, masculine presenting lesbian boopers who don't usually get that stage and the way they're doing and they're so captivating and natural I think it's important

and 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's has been announced the Rookie of the year but it was done in style with unique presentation

let's take a look She's the one She's a one She's a one She's a One Ben on the last person you thought you'd see on this cruel spirit tunnel, but I'm here to present you with the 2025 key at WMBA

Rookie of the Year. Wow. Congratulations. Thank you. Rookie of the year. Rookie of the year. Rookie 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 Paige who won rookie of the year. page one with 70 votes. So Sonia Citron got two. She won in dominating fashion but not unanimous.

Sonia Citron 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 at the end. Like, 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 in pop culture. That's something that you're going to see, you know, pop up on the shade room or whatever. And honestly,

I love seeing the celebrities come down Jennifer Hudson's, you know, 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. Like, who really got pizzazz? Who got Riz?

Who got rhythm? You know, who's smooth? And one thing I got to say, one thing about Paige, she's so effortlessly smooth man she looked she's so cool like like she came down there with rhythm she looked great like and then received her award it could she couldn't be cooler it couldn't be cooler in the jacket i mean can i get one of those jackets please add that to the tab with the mask absolutely absolutely well congratulations to page beckers uh the favorite for rookie of the year

she came through with the award the number one draft pick and actually good follower follow. I'm going to go good follow on our show. If you haven't yet followed or subscribe, please do it. Um, we come on every Tuesday and Thursday. Good follow is presented by Giraff Kings. Guys, we're out of time. This show just flies. Angel, thanks for pulling up. Thank you. All right, y'all. We're out.