On the Beat With the New York Liberty 09/25/2021

The New York Liberty held an "Exit Interview" media session yesterday. Writers were treated to an almost full team of Coach Walt Hopkins, Sami Whitcomb, Michaela Onyenwere, DiDi Richards, Sabrina Ionescu, Kylee Shook, Leaonna Odom, Reshanda Gray, Rebecca Allen, Betnijah Laney and Natasha Howard.

The bulk of the conversation focused on this season and next season, But there were a couple other topics thrown into the mix. For the most part, the team looked loose and relaxed and proud of their accomplishments this season.

Losing the single game elimination playoff to the Phoenix Mercury by one point could not have been easy to accept, but the team went out gracefully. The Liberty have no reason to be anything but proud. This team won two games in last season's abbreviated schedule. It was almost a certainty they would improve on that 2-20 record this season. They lost the same amount, but managed to win 10 more games to finish 12-20 and squeak into the playoffs as the eighth seed. A 12-20 season wouldn't ordinarily be a source of pride, but the big improvement, coupled with a playoff appearance is reason enough for the Liberty and their fans to have lots of hope for next season.

I thank the Liberty organization for access and hospitality all season. I appreciate the time of the coaches and players. We congratulate the organization on a major improvement and I look forward to being back "On the Beat" with the Liberty next season.

That media session can be found at On the Beat With the New York Liberty 09/25/2021. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the Liberty and the league. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the New York Liberty 06/29/2021

The New York Liberty held a press session featuring Rebecca Allen and Kylee Shook. For a game day, there was surprisingly little talkof the game against Atlanta later that night.

Allen started the session discussing how she is feeling. Despite being better, Allen ultimately did not play last night in the loss.

Allen and Shook both addressed Sami Whitcomb's case for an All-Star spot. The players listed her strengths and built solid cases for her inclusion, although they admitted the roster is limited and making the team will be tough.

Following the statements from Coach Walt Hopkins, New York's practices have picked up the intensity a bit. With fewer off days of late, the practices have focused more on game situations.

Lastly, Allen talked about playing in the Olympics. Splitting her focus between the Liberty and Team Australia isn't anything new for Allen, nor for any player, as many players have split their focus between two teams/leagues.

Shook was up next talking about her season. While she is happy with her play so far, her goal is always to play better. There was special mention of her rebounding of late. She revealed her thought process on rebounding.

She closed out the session reflecting on what she learned last season and brought into this season. Shook gave insight into lessons learned that make her a better player this year.

New York went into last night's game even at 8-8. Their loss left only four teams in the WNBA with a winning record. New York has lost three of their last four games. They return to action on Saturday as they host the Washington Mystics. Three of their final four games before the break are at home and only their game hosting Connecticut is against an opponent with a winning record. New York needs to stop the streak and go into the break on a winning note.

The media session can be found at On the Beat With the New York Liberty 06/29/2021. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the New York Liberty 04/28/2021

Yesterday, I was "On the Beat" as the New York Liberty held a press session yesterday featuring assistant coach Jacki Gemelos, Jocelyn Willoughby, Neah Odom and Kylee Shook. With all due respect to the players, most of the attention was on the recently retired player-turned coach Gemelos.

After a stellar career at USC, Gemelos was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the third round with the 31st overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. After not making the Lynx roster, she would not debut in the WNBA until the 2015 season with the Chicago Sky. While she played overseas, she did not resurface in the WNBA until last season, which she split with the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. Along the way, Gemelos endured 10 knee operations.

Gemelos retired in the offseason with no immediate plans. Plans quickly materialized when Liberty coach Walt Hopkins called Gemelos with a coaching position offer. Although she ddin't originally plan it this way, Gemelos feels she is right where she belongs. "I definitely thought there would be coaching in my future. I just think I'm meant to be here."

Gemelos also joked about the first time she was called “coach” or technically, actually wasn't called “coach.” If that is just one part of the transition Gemelos is making.

Lastly, Gemelos joked and put out a question of the best Greek restaurants in the New York area. As I learned in talking to her last year, Gemelos is a big fan of the chocolate cake from Portillo's. I did not get the chance to ask her if she had the chance to enjoy any in the offseason.

Second year players Willoughby, Odom and Shook talked about their biggest lesson from last season and biggest challenge heading into this season. A rookie's season is challenging enough, but last season's WNBA rookies had the added issue of playing in the Bubble. This year they have the added pressure of competing for roster spots, where last year, the rosters were pretty set as they entered the Bubble.

Willoughby also talked about her book club. In February, Willoughby partnered with Cafe Con Libros, a Crown Heights bookstore, to start Read What You Saw, to explore injustices facing people of color through the eyes of women of color. It focuses on race, identity, healthcare, education, class and more. For now, it is a virtual online meeting, but it has become so popular in the short time, there are thoughts of expanding it already.

The Liberty finished a woeful 2-20 last season, worst in the WNBA. Star rookie Sabrina Ionescu hurt her ankle in the third game and missed the rest of the season. Ionescu is back and at full strength now

It's cliché to say, but the Liberty are better than last season's record indicates. The addition of new coach Gemelos and the growth of second year players Willoughby, Odom and Shook will be a big part of determining just how much better the Liberty are. We will start seeing the answer to that question on May 14, when the Liberty open the season by hosting the Indiana Fever.

The press session can be found at On the Beat With the New York Liberty 04/28/2021. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the Liberty and the WNBA. Check back here, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and GlobalTravelerUSA.com for my recurring coverage.