Pitch Mr. Perfect
@michaelwaterloo
Newsletter: WNBA: @theixsports.bsky.social Baseball: @baseballprospectus.com March Madness: @theathletic.com Co-host: @theixsportspod.bsky.social Domestic Violence Advocate Anna Kendrick
I get why people want to see more Madina Okot, but I also get why Karl Smesko managers her usage the way that he does. But when she is out there, she's dominant. She ranks No. 13 in PER in the league, and look at the company that she's in. Those aren't stars -- those are All-Stars. #WNBA
Me: should I drop a stat? Remain quiet? Meh, I’ll throw one out. Karl Smesko: WE GOT HIM #WNBA
I love this set by the Dream. Starts with a screen to get Lish to the other side. Rhy is able to get off of an Angel screen to get to the block. She forces the help defense to drop leaving Lish open for the three. Fantastic execution. #WNBA
Angel Reese with the buzzer beater at the half. Dream up, 59-48. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
Fantastic set here. Rhyne and Izzy set the stacked screen to free up Madina Okot in the low block. Madina looks like someone who has been a pro in the WNBA for 6 years on this play - not someone who picked up a ball for the first time 6 years ago. #WNBA
Remember, if you ask her, Allisha Gray will say that she DOES NOT block shots. (She does, in fact, block shots) #WNBA
It's going to be a special Walking Bucket Newsletter week. We're dropping a newsletter TOMORROW, too. After Marina Mabrey was hit by a shoe, I asked the question: which basketball shoe in history would suck the least amount to get hit with? This is Capital J work. #WNBA walking-bucket.ghost.io
Some pregame workouts with Cameron Brink, Alissa Pili, Kate Martin, and Chance Gray ahead of the Sparks and Dream game tonight. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
There is no place like Atlanta. Montell Jordan (pre-game warmup for his halftime show) #WNBA
The Portland Fire are excellent with their screens, specifically with their ram screens and flat-angle screens. I asked Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko about how he prepares his team to defend these actions during our pregame session. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
I chatted with Naz Hillmon pregame about Bri Jones returning for the Dream in the second half of the season. Here’s what she had to say, plus footage of Bri warming up pregame for the first time this year. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
Allisha Gray warming up on the new AKA A’ja Wilson A’Twos #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
Angel Reese picked up her 7th technical foul of the season tonight. With her next one, she will be suspended a game. After her 10th, it’ll be another game. Same with the 12th, etc. I asked Karl Smesko about how he’s managing that moving forward. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social
Fantastic backdoor pass from Allisha Gray to Angel Reese here. #WNBA
Allisha Gray is rocking the new A'ja AKA sneakers tonight. I love these so much but they are 100 percent not made for me. #WNBA
A fantastic slip by Big Mama Stef seeing Katie Lou moving to the corner and taking Izzy with her. Angel was playing the screen, and she had a wide-open lane for a layup. Great find by Awa Fam. #WNBA
Best two-way player in the league? Maybe! Rhyne Howard with the nice steal from Flau'jae Johnson. #WNBA
Tomorrow at Walking Bucket Newsletter. I go one-on-one with Seattle Storm rookie Flau'jae Johnson. In your inbox at 7 a.m. For free. Always. #WNBA walking-bucket.ghost.io
I agree on seven of these with my ballot that I submitted last week. Really tough year to narrow down the starters. #WNBA
Waxahatchee has had one of the better runs in recent history. #vinyl
Not this year! I would have made sure we linked up. I went back in 2022
Trans people belong in sports and will ALWAYS have a place in sports. Always.