Dearica Hamby on Her Basketball Journey, Motherhood in the W, and Building Culture with the Sparks
Two-time All-Star Dearica Hamby joins Sue to talk about her late start in basketball, winning a title with the Aces, and balancing motherhood with pro hoops. She also gives us her perspective on her iconic buzzer-beater in the 2019 playoffs, and opens up about how impactful her Sparks teammates were in helping ease the transition from the Aces to LA. Plus, she talks about reuniting with Kelsey Plum in LA and helping shift the culture with the Sparks while continuing to grow her game.
Lastly, Sue discusses Skylar Diggins' historic triple-doubles, Arike Ogunbowale's post-All-Star bounce back, and the Sparks' upward trajectory.
Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!
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1:26:59
Kayla Thornton on Going from Undrafted to the Valkyries’ First WNBA All-Star
Last week at WNBA All-Star, Sue sat down with Kayla Thornton to talk about her incredible journey from going undrafted out of UTEP to becoming the Golden State Valkyries’ first-ever WNBA All-Star. They discuss how Kayla developed her game overseas, grew through tough early-career moments, and built a reputation as one of the most reliable defenders in the league. They also discuss Kayla’s time with the Dallas Wings and what it was like to win a WNBA championship with the New York Liberty.
Plus, Sue answers some wild audience questions—including a brutal bench/start/cut between her first UConn championship, her first gold medal, and her first Seattle Storm title.
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1:10:33
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen on Adjusting to the W, the Value of Good Vets, and Staying Grounded
D.C. Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are off to an incredible start to their WNBA careers. Sue sat down with them to discuss how they've been able to hit the ground running so effectively in their rookie year. Sonia and Kiki talk about their respective journeys through college, getting drafted 3rd and 4th, and what the transition to the WNBA has really been like. They also break down what makes guarding Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu so difficult, and the value of having great vets around them.
Plus: Sue breaks down a monster game from A’ja Wilson and how Angel Reese's prolific rebounding is helping the Sky win.
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1:03:52
Tina Charles on USA Basketball, Overcoming Adversity, and Evolving as a Leader
Tina Charles has seen it all. She’s won an MVP, Olympic gold medals, played overseas, been traded, and competed alongside (and against) some of the biggest names in WNBA history.
This is a special two-part episode, recorded first in late June, then again on July 10.
Across both conversations, Tina and Sue talk about Tina’s early struggles at UConn, playing for her hometown New York Liberty, and what she learned from each of her stops along the way. Tina also reflects on the highs and lows of her time in Phoenix, what it was like joining super teams, and how she’s evolved as a leader and a teammate. Finally, Tina and Sue tell some incredible previously untold stories about USA basketball, life overseas, and...drug tests...
Plus, Sue shares her take on the new CBA possibly bringing more European players to the W, DeWanna Bonner’s return to Phoenix, and the rookies named to this year’s All-Star team.
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2:15:09
Natasha Howard on Winning in the WNBA, Adaptability as a Skill, and Coming Full Circle with Indiana
The Indiana Fever’s Natasha Howard basically wins wherever she goes. Howard sits down with Sue Bird to talk about what it takes to win three WNBA championships, why being adaptable is her secret weapon, and how she’s approaching her new role as a leader on a young Indiana team. She also reflects on learning from legends like Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, and Rebekkah Brunson, the four trades that shaped her career, and what it’s like playing alongside Caitlin Clark. Plus, Sue and Natasha reminisce about their championship runs together in Seattle.
Sue also explains the WNBA's connection to the flow offense utilized by the Indiana Pacers during their NBA Finals run, previews the Commissioner's Cup, and weighs in on some of the narratives around the league’s physicality.
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Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!
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Bird’s Eye View is your courtside seat to the WNBA, hosted by Hall of Famer and four-time champion Sue Bird. Every week, Sue offers sharp insight, candid analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories that spotlight the brilliance of women’s basketball — on the court.
From the Vox Media Podcast Network and TOGETHXR.
New episodes drop every Friday here and on YouTube.
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