I'm curious, who have been y'alls favorite player\ on the Valkyrie this season?
For me, its been Burton whose incredible defense (Backcourt Burglar baby!!!) and passing (31 AST%) who I've been most enjoying watching. With that being said, Leite's speed attacking the basket and scrappy defense has really been fun and if she can add a reliable 3 pt shot we're going to have a fun backcourt moving forward!!
Same. I like Carla's play style. But I like all of them. It's like that movie "The Replacements", and they're just a bunch of cast-offs playing with Gui Santos joy and energy. "Basketball is life!"
Looks like having a Valk (current or future) is good fortune, of the 5 Valks' teams, 4 have already punched their ticket to the next stage. Only one team without a Valkyrie has advanced already, and GB is the only team with a Valk that has not advanced, no fault of Temi.
Just watched Coach Nat's post-game presser. Very interesting.
First of all, Nat should be in the "coach of the year" conversation. What she's done so far is amazing.
What stood out to me was when she was asked about her team being "dogs". Nat explained that - before the season started - she and Ohemaa studied film on all their players, and they placed emphasis on players having a "killer" mentality. Nat explained that they picked players who dived for loose balls, hustled and took charges. She said that these are the types of players who will win 50/50 balls and give you extra possessions. And she mentioned the term "exhaust their minutes".
So Nat's philosophy seems to be "we will win by just playing with more energy than you". It's like having all players play like Gui Santos all the time. So no matter who comes in, she expects them to go all-out. No pacing - play like your hair is on fire.
When I was hooping 20+ years ago, I remember that playing against these types of high-energy players is really annoying and uncomfortable. It's hard to get in a rhythm because you're being rushed and bumped. I wonder if this formula can work long-term and get them in the playoffs?
I would hate playing against a squad of Gui Santos players.
It'll definitely work long term, its just that we don't have a high enough caliber of player to maintain our offense atm.
Tbh, the encouraging thing about having a bunch of ultra physical defensive players that hustle and got a killer mentality is that it sets a culture that'll influence future additions.
And after understanding Coach Nat's philosophy more, I can see why they waived Shayanne Sellers quickly. Sellers is very skilled. But she doesn't play with Gui Santos motor and energy. Sellers' game is finesse / smooth. She's not a rugged / scrappy player.
I remember that Nakase and Ohemaa consistently talked before the drafts about looking for players with "competitiveness". I also remember wondering if that was their way of using vagueness to avoid telling us anything. However, I do see now that it really is a dimension of their team building.
I have no doubt that GSV can make the playoffs and have a decent record with sheer effort and togetherness. It's a different question whether GSV can go far in the playoffs. In the playoffs, all teams are trying harder and probably at a similar effort to the GSV regular season. Thus the competitiveness and effort will be less of an advantage. But I wouldn't be surprised either if GSV beats any team outside of NYL and MIN.
Agree that this "high energy" style can get them in the playoffs. But excellent point that - once you're in the playoffs, all the teams are trying harder and are more locked in. Every possession counts. And this is when star talent can get you wins.
What's also interesting is that - because of Coach Nat's style - you could basically swap players and not lose much of a step. For example - without Temi, Salaun or Van Loo, Nat plugged in Bibby, Leite and Amihere, and they were able to play with the same frenetic energy.
It brings my little joy to share this as a non-wave-enjoyer, but apparently the first usage of The Wave was at an Oakland A's game, so instead of "emergent local culture" the wave might just be "bay area culture"
A fair geographical point. I guess I have to specify basketball culture!
As I recall, the Wave happened not during gameplay, it was during a long video call review, so it could be worse. I think a Wave during gameplay would be unacceptable.
According to Richard Cohen, I guess they aren't official eliminated yet:
Theoretically, we still have a chance to advance, but it's going to take Spain beating Germany, and then us beating Germany convincingly on Sunday. Like I said, theoretical...
I’m really glad you mention that insane out of bounds leap from Leite in Q3. My seats are in that corner (opposite the away bench) and so I viewed it perpendicular to the leap and it was INSANE. I could not believe it.
I'm curious, who have been y'alls favorite player\ on the Valkyrie this season?
For me, its been Burton whose incredible defense (Backcourt Burglar baby!!!) and passing (31 AST%) who I've been most enjoying watching. With that being said, Leite's speed attacking the basket and scrappy defense has really been fun and if she can add a reliable 3 pt shot we're going to have a fun backcourt moving forward!!
All of them? If I had to pick one, it's probably Carla because she is good but should still have a lot of improvement ahead
Same. I like Carla's play style. But I like all of them. It's like that movie "The Replacements", and they're just a bunch of cast-offs playing with Gui Santos joy and energy. "Basketball is life!"
Maybe compared to Natasha Cloud.
Plus, the fact that they're playing in Ballhala adds to the vibe.
Valkyries' summer vacation in Europe status:
Looks like having a Valk (current or future) is good fortune, of the 5 Valks' teams, 4 have already punched their ticket to the next stage. Only one team without a Valkyrie has advanced already, and GB is the only team with a Valk that has not advanced, no fault of Temi.
https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-eurobasket-2025/news/tracker-who-is-qualified-for-the-quarter-finals
Just watched Coach Nat's post-game presser. Very interesting.
First of all, Nat should be in the "coach of the year" conversation. What she's done so far is amazing.
What stood out to me was when she was asked about her team being "dogs". Nat explained that - before the season started - she and Ohemaa studied film on all their players, and they placed emphasis on players having a "killer" mentality. Nat explained that they picked players who dived for loose balls, hustled and took charges. She said that these are the types of players who will win 50/50 balls and give you extra possessions. And she mentioned the term "exhaust their minutes".
So Nat's philosophy seems to be "we will win by just playing with more energy than you". It's like having all players play like Gui Santos all the time. So no matter who comes in, she expects them to go all-out. No pacing - play like your hair is on fire.
When I was hooping 20+ years ago, I remember that playing against these types of high-energy players is really annoying and uncomfortable. It's hard to get in a rhythm because you're being rushed and bumped. I wonder if this formula can work long-term and get them in the playoffs?
I would hate playing against a squad of Gui Santos players.
It'll definitely work long term, its just that we don't have a high enough caliber of player to maintain our offense atm.
Tbh, the encouraging thing about having a bunch of ultra physical defensive players that hustle and got a killer mentality is that it sets a culture that'll influence future additions.
And after understanding Coach Nat's philosophy more, I can see why they waived Shayanne Sellers quickly. Sellers is very skilled. But she doesn't play with Gui Santos motor and energy. Sellers' game is finesse / smooth. She's not a rugged / scrappy player.
You could also say she doesn’t play with the motor and energy of Natasha Cloud.
I remember that Nakase and Ohemaa consistently talked before the drafts about looking for players with "competitiveness". I also remember wondering if that was their way of using vagueness to avoid telling us anything. However, I do see now that it really is a dimension of their team building.
I have no doubt that GSV can make the playoffs and have a decent record with sheer effort and togetherness. It's a different question whether GSV can go far in the playoffs. In the playoffs, all teams are trying harder and probably at a similar effort to the GSV regular season. Thus the competitiveness and effort will be less of an advantage. But I wouldn't be surprised either if GSV beats any team outside of NYL and MIN.
Agree that this "high energy" style can get them in the playoffs. But excellent point that - once you're in the playoffs, all the teams are trying harder and are more locked in. Every possession counts. And this is when star talent can get you wins.
What's also interesting is that - because of Coach Nat's style - you could basically swap players and not lose much of a step. For example - without Temi, Salaun or Van Loo, Nat plugged in Bibby, Leite and Amihere, and they were able to play with the same frenetic energy.
The backs of those t-shirts that Podz was launching say something like:
Caught This At Ballhalla
Has any team ever gotten a clean sheet in a Euro Basket game? Ope, and there's a score!
Valkyries YouTube caption: the Leite Show is back. Very clever.
She did look uncomfortable and I think didn't play in the 4Q, so I hope she is okay for the next game
She was questionable with a back issue entering the game so I hope that will get better, as the schedule picks up after the next game…
It brings my little joy to share this as a non-wave-enjoyer, but apparently the first usage of The Wave was at an Oakland A's game, so instead of "emergent local culture" the wave might just be "bay area culture"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_George?wprov=sfla1
A fair geographical point. I guess I have to specify basketball culture!
As I recall, the Wave happened not during gameplay, it was during a long video call review, so it could be worse. I think a Wave during gameplay would be unacceptable.
Good fight at the end from GB, but not enough. See you soon, Temi!
According to Richard Cohen, I guess they aren't official eliminated yet:
Theoretically, we still have a chance to advance, but it's going to take Spain beating Germany, and then us beating Germany convincingly on Sunday. Like I said, theoretical...
Podz does the night night.
https://youtu.be/1sZlRHYrjEM?si=LJT7Ctlij4LiX2NC
Hopefully, we'll see Steph and Jimmy courtside on one of these games.
I read Steph was supposed to have gone already but there was some family issue that came up.
Am I the only one who thinks Carla Leites game reminds them of Jeremy Lin?
That's a good player comp. In his prime, Jeremy's speed was elite. He was good at getting to the rim off the dribble. Carla is as fast and fearless.
I love this, from Q2:
“6.20. If Boston is making GSV feel her size, Leite is making IND feel her speed.”
Big win by the Valks. Props to Chloe Bibby and Amihere. Talbot with some good defense.
I’m really glad you mention that insane out of bounds leap from Leite in Q3. My seats are in that corner (opposite the away bench) and so I viewed it perpendicular to the leap and it was INSANE. I could not believe it.
she ended up like halfway up the lower bowl after running out her momentum!
Haha if only Carla had high jumped over you