***The Official 2025 WNBA Playoffs Thread***

[Green Chile]

Man, looking back at that February trade in which the Mercury acquired both AT & Satou is pretty crazy now. They were of course betting on those players being as good as they are playing now, but just the idea that the Mercury finally gave up the ghost on Taurasi-Griner, instantly had a better regular season performance than they'd gotten from Taurasi-Griner since 2014, and have improved from RS to PS, is really something.

They also did a fantastic job of filling out the roster.
Only way this was going to work (other than the big 3 playing like stars) was to knock it out of the park on minimum contracts, and they did.

Akoa Makani is the perfect 3&D PG for this team.
Sami is perfect for them. Man, how much could the Storm have used Sami back this year (though, they don't have an AT and Noelle was barely playing her anyway.
Westbeld was great.

Held and Laksa were both looking really good before they got hurt.

[Doctor MJ]

Man, looking back at that February trade in which the Mercury acquired both AT & Satou is pretty crazy now. They were of course betting on those players being as good as they are playing now, but just the idea that the Mercury finally gave up the ghost on Taurasi-Griner, instantly had a better regular season performance than they'd gotten from Taurasi-Griner since 2014, and have improved from RS to PS, is really something.

They also did a fantastic job of filling out the roster.
Only way this was going to work (other than the big 3 playing like stars) was to knock it out of the park on minimum contracts, and they did.

Akoa Makani is the perfect 3&D PG for this team.
Sami is perfect for them. Man, how much could the Storm have used Sami back this year (though, they don't have an AT and Noelle was barely playing her anyway.
Westbeld was great.

Held and Laksa were both looking really good before they got hurt.

Indeed almost all the core pieces on the roster are new this year, and the two that aren't (coach & Copper) have only been here for two years. I gave my RS EOY nod to the Vals like everyone else, but the more I look at what the Merc are doing, the more I'm thinking about their GM U'Ren.

[Shewasfly]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

[jc23]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

quite a few poor comments and actions by her in my limited time paying attention.

[sikma42]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


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[MrDollarBills]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

[MrDollarBills]

Again.

The players DON'T need the WNBA. They pay 90% of them dogsh*t wages.

The WNBA needs them. If the league dares suspend Napheesa they are digging their own graves.

[BlacJacMac]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

100%

I think it was absolutely vital getting all of this out while games are still going on. This situation needs as many eyeballs on it as possible.

[MrDollarBills]

Even Elena Delle Donne took shots at Cathy just now.

This is going to blow up in Cathy (Adam Silver)'s face

[Mephariel]

I am glad she found the courage to speak against management. I get what she is trying to do but she will definitely get suspended. I think Engelbert needs to address the ref issues directly and soundly. But I don't know, maybe she has and it is just not working.

[sikma42]

Napheesa Collier sounded OFF on WNBA leadership and their refusal to respect and protect the players.

I can't see how Cathy is still in leadership by next season (if there is one).

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

Not a big fan of Cathy. And criticisms have merit. But it all goes back to the conflict of interest and I don't think she is operating in the best interest of the WNBA and because of that I'm starting to move her into the "shady" category.

The fact that she mentioned Unrivaled and her husbands leadership + private conversations just makes me it sound a bit icky. I know im in the minority here.

[MrDollarBills]

I just found out that Phee and CC have the same agent. There is probably a slim to none chance that CC wasn't aware of what Phee was doing.

I have a feeling that this was a calculated and deliberate play by Phee and the other players. Having the player who is most universally beloved and respected do this probably floored the entire league office.

[MrDollarBills]

I am glad she found the courage to speak against management. I get what she is trying to do but she will definitely get suspended. I think Engelbert needs to address the ref issues directly and soundly. But I don't know, maybe she has and it is just not working.

Suspending Phee would be absolutely stupid so I expect Cathy to take the bait

[MrDollarBills]

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

Not a big fan of Cathy. And criticisms have merit. But it all goes back to the conflict of interest and I don't think she is operating in the best interest of the WNBA and because of that I'm starting to move her into the "shady" category.

The fact that she mentioned Unrivaled and her husbands leadership + private conversations just makes me it sound a bit icky. I know im in the minority here.

Unrivaled was created for this very reason in my opinion.

[MrDollarBills]

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

100%

I think it was absolutely vital getting all of this out while games are still going on. This situation needs as many eyeballs on it as possible.

Right. This is the time.

Bad officiating, poor amenities, low pay. The league has disrespected these women/people for too long.

[sikma42]

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

Not a big fan of Cathy. And criticisms have merit. But it all goes back to the conflict of interest and I don't think she is operating in the best interest of the WNBA and because of that I'm starting to move her into the "shady" category.

The fact that she mentioned Unrivaled and her husbands leadership + private conversations just makes me it sound a bit icky. I know im in the minority here.

Unrivaled was created for this very reason in my opinion.

Yea, and operating this way can be deemed shady regardless of the purpose. I think she wants a lock out and wants to the potential benefits that come with that for Unrivialed. But using her WNBA platform to push up Unrivialed and push down the WNBA, bring up the CBA etc...well imo it's just nasty work and there should be swift ramifications.

Cathy is bad and changes need to be made. This wasnt about that. It was about Unrivaled.

Do you think her husband and Unrivaled needed to mentioned in this prepared speech?

[MrDollarBills]

Watch on YouTube

The Queen has spoken.

[MrDollarBills]

Not a big fan of Cathy. And criticisms have merit. But it all goes back to the conflict of interest and I don't think she is operating in the best interest of the WNBA and because of that I'm starting to move her into the "shady" category.

The fact that she mentioned Unrivaled and her husbands leadership + private conversations just makes me it sound a bit icky. I know im in the minority here.

Unrivaled was created for this very reason in my opinion.

Yea, and operating this way can be deemed shady regardless of the purpose. I think she wants a lock out and wants to the potential benefits that come with that for Unrivialed. But using her WNBA platform to push up Unrivialed and push down the WNBA, bring up the CBA etc...well imo it's just nasty work and there should be swift ramifications.

Cathy is bad and changes need to be made. This wasnt about that. It was about Unrivaled.

Do you think her husband and Unrivaled needed to mentioned in this prepared speech?

Yes because Unrivaled is actually doing more for the players than the WNBA, which exploits them.

I posted her comments. I fail to see anything wrong with what she said. We see this crap with our own eyes.

When Reeve got suspended, I think that brought things to a head.

[Green Chile]

Went from being a big fan of Naphessa to not liking her public comments. For her to do this while the playoffs are going on and to bring unrivaled (saying her league is better run) into this is too much.

She needs to be suspended for a very long time. She also shouldn’t be anywhere near negotiations.

Not a big fan of Cathy but replaying (potentially twisting) personal conversations, saying your league is better etc. is too much


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I disagree.

What Cathy said to Phee in private is one thing but I fully support her going scorched earth here. The league has spit in the players faces for a long time and the criticisms have merit. Phee is right.

Also, if Cathy did indeed say what she said to Phee about the poor officiating and CC, she needs to resign.

Not a big fan of Cathy. And criticisms have merit. But it all goes back to the conflict of interest and I don't think she is operating in the best interest of the WNBA and because of that I'm starting to move her into the "shady" category.

The fact that she mentioned Unrivaled and her husbands leadership + private conversations just makes me it sound a bit icky. I know im in the minority here.

I think both things can be true.

Cathy/Adam/the NBA's management of the is league sucks. My dream is for professional women's basketball in the US to not be owned by the NBA.
Phee or anybody else calling that out, I"m here for it. Especially if it ends up helping the players.

But I also think this is a poor look from Phee for a number of reasons (again, if it ends up helping the players, that's great).

I disagreed with you about her conflict of interest in the Unrivaled thread, but bringing up Unrivaled here just feels icky (BTW, officiating in Unrivaled was absolutely atrocious).

Really, other than telling Cathy/the NBA to go to hell, I really don't like anything about this statement.

Certainly not the timing of it.
We're on the cusp of a massive game tonight, and a massive Finals. So many amazing storylines going on right now.

I get Phee wanted to push a message when there are eyeballs in the middle of a labor negotiation. I love that part of it.

I'd love it a lot more if she gave it while accepting a FInals MVP trophy, not after just getting her butt whipped by AT.

I love Phee so much and agree with everything she said and screw Cathy and the NBA. I don't feel great about the timing of this statement though.

[sikma42]

Unrivaled was created for this very reason in my opinion.

Yea, and operating this way can be deemed shady regardless of the purpose. I think she wants a lock out and wants to the potential benefits that come with that for Unrivialed. But using her WNBA platform to push up Unrivialed and push down the WNBA, bring up the CBA etc...well imo it's just nasty work and there should be swift ramifications.

Cathy is bad and changes need to be made. This wasnt about that. It was about Unrivaled.

Do you think her husband and Unrivaled needed to mentioned in this prepared speech?

Yes because Unrivaled is actually doing more for the players than the WNBA, which exploits them.

I posted her comments. I fail to see anything wrong with what she said. We see this crap with our own eyes.

When Reeve got suspended, I think that brought things to a head.

Unrivaled got tons of funding from a valuation based on the increase in growth of the WNBA.

I don't want to go to bat for the WNBA, but they have been operating at a huge deficit for years. The players and league have stuck through those tough times. Now some money is coming in and they are negotiating. They aren't being exploited - until the money everyone is looking at isn't being distributed in a reasonable manner then everything is going as well as can be expected. (note - Naphessa's involvement may be hindering this process).

Its also the backdrop of the whole thing. You legit have a founder of a rival league using the WNBA platform to attempt to tank the league. Its crazy people don't see how wild this is.

If that's the move she wants to make then good for her. I'd rather see the WNBA survive and give them an opportunity to do right by the players when they actually have $$.

Everyone knows Cathy wont be here long. That's the low hanging fruit. The real move was pushing for a lockout and celebrating much better Unrivaled is...