Veronica Burton on Her Most Improved Player Award Season & Building the Valkyries Incredible Culture
This week we welcome Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries, the winner of the 2025 Most Improved Player Award!
Before the interview Sue chats with Tommy Alter about the WNBA semifinals and shares her thoughts on the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever heading into Game 3s.
Then, Veronica joins and shares so much with us. She discusses all things Golden State Valkyries including what it was like joining an expansion team, Valhalla and the fanbase, making the playoffs in the organization’s inaugural year, and head coach Natalie Nakase. Veronica also shares lessons she learned during her college career and Northwestern and her first few seasons in the WNBA on the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings. She talks about what she thinks makes her a great defender, what went into her being able to achieve the Most Improved Player award, and lots more.
Link to vote for ‘Bird’s Eye View’ in the Signal Awards: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/[…]sports
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1:44:25
Aliyah Boston on the Fever Making a Playoff Run & Playing With Caitlin Clark + Sue's Playoff Recap
On this week’s episode, we welcome Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston to ‘Bird’s Eye View’!
Before Aliyah’s conversation with Sue, Sue recaps the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream, Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries, and Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty.
Then Sue and Aliyah dive deep into her life and career. They discuss what it was like growing up on Saint Thomas island and making her way to playing for the University of South Carolina. Aliyah explains what her relationship with Dawn Staley was like in school, and how it’s developed into her professional career. Aliyah also explains her development in her game as a playmaker and a post player. She also shares what it was like meeting Caitlin Clark, what it’s like being her teammate, and how their relationship on the court has grown. After last year’s playoff exit, Aliyah explains how the Fever had a target on them, and how they want to make a deeper playoff run this year (which they just accomplished upsetting the Dream to make the semifinals.) You don’t want to miss this episode!
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1:36:11
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1:36:11
Gabby Williams on Doing It All For the Storm & the France National Team, Plus Sue's Playoff Preview
This week we welcome Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm to 'Bird's Eye View!' Aka the "French Army Knife."
Sue and Gabby discuss so much, including how Gabby began her athletic career as a track star - even competing in the Olympic Trials at the age of 15. They the discuss Gabby's career at UConn, playing for head coach Geno Auriemma, and what life lessons she learned from UConn's program.
They then dive into her professional journey, including getting drafted by the Chicago Sky and her suspension from the Sky a few years into her career. Gabby shares how playing in Europe was a real turning point for her, and explains her journey of getting the keys to the French National Team. She gets into all the details on "prioritization" and what she wants for the future of both WNBA and FIBA basketball. They also get into some real hoop talk about how Gabby can do it all on the basketball court before Gabby talks about the Seattle Storm's season.
Much more is discussed as well, you don't want to miss this episode!
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1:35:16
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1:35:16
Satou Sabally on Leveling Up With the Phoenix Mercury & Her Journey From Germany to the WNBA
WNBA star Satu Sabally, known as the league's "Unicorn," joins Sue Bird to share her incredible journey to becoming one of the WNBA’s most versatile and dynamic players. Satou opens up about her breakout 2023 season, which saw her earn a spot on the WNBA All-Star First Team and finish fifth in MVP voting. She also reflects on her German roots, her transition to the U.S., and the sacrifices that shaped her career.
In this episode, we get into everything—from her rookie struggles and learning the physicality of the WNBA to her decision to request a trade to the Phoenix Mercury. Satou breaks down her personal growth, overcoming injuries, and the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level. Plus, she shares her thoughts on team chemistry with Phoenix’s Big Three and her goals for the 2025 season.
Whether you’re a die-hard WNBA fan or simply love hearing stories of perseverance and success, this episode is for you.
Don’t miss out—hit that follow button for more exclusive WNBA content with new episodes every Friday!
00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Sue’s View
02:47 - Playoff Race Insights
06:50 - Resting Players Strategy
09:23 - Liberty Team Concerns
12:25 - Alyssa Thomas, Phee, A'ja MVP Cases
18:02 - Regular Season Impact on MVP
21:30 - Satou Interview
27:07 - Growing Up in a Big Family
31:54 - Playing Pro in Germany
36:48 - Choosing Oregon for College
40:15 - College Recruitment Insights
42:51 - Adjusting to College Basketball
46:17 - Playing with Sabrina Ionescu
48:59 - Trio Success at Oregon
52:25 - 2020 NCAA Tournament Cancellation Impact
54:02 - Leaving College Early
55:33 - Entering the WNBA Bubble
58:58 - Adjusting to WNBA Physicality
1:05:54 - Satou's Breakout in the 2023 Season
1:08:38 - Olympics and Shoulder Injury
1:14:13 - Requesting a Trade
1:18:10 - Current Game Style
1:19:46 - New Trio and Roster Dynamics
1:25:07 - Defining Success for the Mercury
1:26:15 - Returning to Dallas Experience
1:27:08 - Wrapping Up with Satou
1:27:51 - Outro
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1:29:21
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1:29:21
Rhyne Howard on the Dream’s Title Hopes, Using Doubt as Motivation, and Her Kentucky Years
The Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard sits down with Sue Bird to reflect on her standout Kentucky years, her early years in the W, and her aspirations to bring a championship to the Dream. They discuss how Rhyne strongly considered transferring after Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell retired before deciding to stay with the program. They also dive into how Howard consistently turns doubt into motivation, what people get wrong when they question her motor, and why she sees it as simply playing at her own pace.
They also discuss her impact on both ends of the court and what she thinks of the Dream’s new head coach Karl Smesko and his system as Atlanta chases a title.
Plus, Sue gives another history lesson — this time on Elena Delle Donne and her incredible 2019 MVP season.
Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more WNBA 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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