Capital Hoop Caucus
Join Troy Haliburton, Isaac Agyekum-Harris, and Wardell McCabe every week on their quest to become the preeminent basketball program in one of the nation's largest basketball markets: the DMV. They'll cover all levels of the sport, from high school to the pros, covering all areas of the game both on and off-the-court. Every week they'll be joined by new guests as they play engaging games that let the audience be a part of the fun.
Capital Hoop Caucus
Mystics All-Star Preview, Wizards Summer League Takeaways, and 2026 NBA Draft Update with Fran Fraschilla
On today's show, Isaac and Wardell discuss Isaac's key takeaways from his trip to watch the Wizards at this year's NBA Summer League! From there, the two recap the last week of Mystics basketball (18:27) while also previewing WNBA All-Star Weekend (24:20) - with Washington now having three All-Stars on Team Clark.
Also on today's show:
(30:04) 📰 Full Court Press discussing WNBA CBA Negotiations and NBA Expansion possibilities
(56:38) 👑 King of the Court of 2025 WNBA All-Stars
(01:04:37) 🎙️ Guest Interview with Fran Fraschilla
It’s basketball with the signature beltway flair, banter, and bold opinions. Let’s hoop.
Five days. You work one whole day to play. Come on everybody. Your roller skates make it. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. Good morning. This. It is another. Absolutely. Be a beautiful day in the capital city. And it's time for a new episode of the Capital Hoop Caucus. I am Wardell McCabe, and I am joined by one of my co-hosts. Well, is a man who is a traveling man. Fresh off his flight back from the Sin City. It's Isaac. Isaac. I'm Harris, and we. Well, in spite of this thunder storms that have been hitting the area, we are bringing the fire in the booth this weekend. And no, I'm not just a fan of the London radio scene. I'm only bringing that up because our very own Isaac is wearing a shirt which which features the map of the London Underground. Right now, of course, God has sported God as sported, but Isaac just ask, how was Vegas? Vegas was Vegas. And although the old phrase is, everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, that can't be the case when we were covering the Wizard. So a lot of things from Vegas I got to talk about. So I'm excited. Absolutely, absolutely. We're going to get into all that. But first let me just note there is no Troy Haliburton with us this week as he is out. Everyone please if you can send him your absolute best wishes. He is really the heart and soul of this show and it truly doesn't feel the same without him right now. So please just just keep him in your thoughts and in your prayers and in your heart. He gave us the blessing to move forward with this episode, and we really appreciate that. But just know that we are very much looking forward to him joining us soon. Oh yeah. No, we can't wait to have our brother Troy back. I wish he was here. Still, give me the scowling look. On my opinions and takes and being that big brother to mine. So, we're, only sending positive vibes home. And if you guys can send the same, by all means. Of course, it means a lot to us. And, hopefully Troy is able to to hear this. And, hopefully he knows that we, we are all rooting for him to come back soon. But let's just focus on the show that we have this week. Let's let's put our minds to that. And well, if this is everyone's anyone's first time tuning in, we'll stick around because you might very well find that you enjoy what we have to say. And and hopefully you become a fan of us. But just a quick intro, if we can, as to who we are. We're just three basketball fans from the DC area who are just trying our very best to cover the sport in a way that hasn't been done before on the radio in this area. And so, and by that we mean all levels of the sport, too. I mean, we will probably talk about the TVT that's in town. We've talked about high school sports. We talk about college pros, men's and women's, you name it. We are going to be covering it all on this show, and we really do appreciate it for you. Sticking with us, and we hope you like it. As I noted there too, as I said, it's on the radio too. If you didn't know, it's ESPN 630 and will also wherever it is a year podcast. So if you are tuning in for the first time, stick around, you might like it. But enough of that. Let's go ahead and get on to today's show, for which there is a whole lot to discuss. Not only is it the All-Star weekend and well, the mystics have three players participating in tonight's game, so we will have, a little bit of a conversation as to what you can expect from each of the three of them in that game, while also building out our very own all star starting fives in this weeks King of the court. But there's also some news to get through regarding the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association. From there will also discuss some of the latest reports around an NBA expansion and of course, some of, a little update, on some moves that have gone around the NBA and how that could affect the 2026 NBA draft for the Washington Wizards. And the close that will have a very special interview with Fran for Sheila from our very own Isaac Harris, as he was in Vegas and joined Fran out there. But first, as always, let's go ahead and start off the show with the Beltway. Be. Well, as we said on the the onset of this show, Las Vegas Summer League, Isaac was just out there. He saw some of the games the Wizards went through to this point. The Wizards in their summer league stay. They went. They've gone one and three. This is before their consolation game coming up Saturday night against the New York Knicks. But let's just quickly talk through some of these games that have gone down. Their first game. They had an 84 103 loss of the Suns. And highlight of that one, Trey Johnson, first round pick of the Wizards bounced the ball off of Malone. Watch his calf Isaac. What was it like to witness that moment? To witness that moment was for me. Who someone wants Tre Johnson throughout the college basketball seasons. Like okay yeah he's a good player. But the dude that's like, oh, we may have just drafted our future star. Like, that's the fan in me. And I think that's what the fan with all the other Washington, DC writers and journalists, it was like, oh my gosh, we have like, this is like John Wall esque, like excitement. Like we're getting here. So that was the initial part. But for the rest of the game, it was it was ugly. But there's more positives and negatives. In that first game against the Suns, the Suns were a much more experienced summer league team. Just giving the guys there, and they had a lot of and they had a little more depth on the front court end, which kind of did play a factor toward the end of that game. But although it was ugly, it wasn't that ugly. Yeah, I think that probably sums up their entirety of Summer League so far, is it? There were bright spots and those bright spots were kind of take your breath away kind of moments. And a lot of it was was a little rough around the edges. So let's go ahead and and walk through some of the other results. After after game one they took on the nets. They got their win. You know they had a 1 or 296 win over the nets. It was a Drew Timmy game which is weird. He dropped 30 points. Very jarring. But oh my gosh. On the opposite end Alex Saad did have eight blocks on that one. He damn near had a triple double with blocks, which is pretty impressive. Are any level of basketball, much less summer league. So that was a pretty cool highlight. And then they followed that up with a really ugly one, a 5874 loss of 70 Sixers. That one stung a little bit, and that was a game in which the Wizards sat most of their players. But hey, Jimmy Walk and second round pick from this latest draft. He swiped seven steals now one. So I think that was a pretty cool one. And to to wrap out the most of their regular games in summer league before the consolation games, for the tournament actually had they had a 7686 loss to the jazz, which obviously not great, but AJ Johnson did shine through in that one. He did have 25 points. So Isaac, you were there for the first few games of Summer League. You told us a brief examination of that first one. What were your takeaways as from summer league overall for the Wizards? The Wizards have a long way to go, and I that's my ultimate takeaway is that they still got a long way to go. But there's so much promise with this young core and this young roster. And I think there's a blessing in disguise of drafting Trey Johnson. And one of the messages that I've been honing out on to everybody that I've been talking to in my eyes when they ask me, like, how do you feel as I'm coming from DC, is that they chose someone with fit over flash? Yes. Ace Bailey was the big sexy name that we should have had in DC or the Cooper flag, but I think we have the right fit in. Trey definitely showed that. He's like, no. It was the blessing in disguise that we should have been here because the praise on how he played, he could have been. And this is not just from my words. This is from a lot of other national media hits that the Wizards potentially could have had the number one pick in the 2024 draft, and that's how highly a lot of people think Trey Johnson is with his skill set and his potential that he if he was in last year's draft, he would have been the number one pick. And I think that's a positive that all Wizards fans should take is that he played like that. He played like he's like, I could have been the number one pick in another draft, but this draft was so historic and Cooper Flag's in it. You got me at six. So you got him at risk. You got me at a bargain. And that's the feeling that we should have. It's like the feeling that when you, go to an outlet store and you find some rare Jordans, you find something rare at that store, you get on clearance. Even though it's worth way more than what you paid for. That's what the Wizards got with this, and especially with the other, first round draft picks. Rounding it out, I think there's the positive there, but not the negative side is I still have so many questions about the front court. Alex can't be out there by himself as much as I must. As we talked about last week, having that five out that we can see it and we wouldn't be mad about it after watching a couple games. I'm mad about it. I'm mad about it. Now. I'm like, we can't have Alex just out there at the five. He's not he's not strong enough yet. And unless there's, he's going to start gaining another 20 pounds right before the regular season. I'm not sold on it just yet. You need another solid four or another bruiser to push Alex to the floor to make this team really successful. And I think they will do the right, make the right moves to make that happen. But that's the two biggest key takeaways that I took from this game, that they still got a long way to go. But there's a lot of positives. And you know that front court is shaky. Let's let's we'll talk about the front court a little bit because the Wizards have actually made some moves over the past week since we last talked to you all about how they can possibly try to shore up that front court. Let's go back to Trey for a little bit. I know you said they drafted someone who's fit over flask, but he did show some flash in this and that's for damn sure. I mean, this guy was pretty lights out from just about everyone on the floor. He had a 68.8 true shooting percentage in his two games that he played, which is incredible. I mean, if if Washington fans have been pining for a guy who can score, I mean, I have been pining for someone who can score, who can really just be a bucket. They seem like they've got that. I mean, there's put put whatever stock you want in the summer league. It is summer league money. None of these games really mean all too much in the grand scheme of things. But from what he showed out there, he showed a player like a player who's very comfortable in who's very at the speed already of other pros. And so I think that's a massive win. Where I will contrast that, though, is I've got to admit, I was pretty disappointed in the results of these games just considering how this roster was assembled. I mean, their summer league team featured a lot of their players who are already going to be in the NBA. And so players like Bob, like Keyshawn, George, like Alex are. And some of them had their bright spots and others did not as much. Could you talk someone like me into seeing the bright side of of the takeaways from this? It's someone who, like, I felt like they probably should have been closer. Their record should have probably been closer to being switched to being three and one versus one and three, just looking at their competition and how many of the their opponents are going to be making in the NBA team. Like the Wizards for sure have a higher volume of NBA players on their team. And so can you. Can you talk me into to the momentum that they're able to build here? I think the biggest thing that I can tell you, Wardell, and as well as any other Wizards fans that are listening, is that don't let the record fool you. Look at the development. This from talking to a couple of members of the staff and some of the members of the Go-Go staff that the Summer league, that this roster here is not what the NBA roster would look like. Yes. A lot of them will be featured in this, but it's more of like, hey, let's try to experiment to see what we have as an open trial and let's take a chance, whether we win or lose. Obviously, you want to win to try to win the championship, but whether we win or lose, let's see. Let's really assess what this core is. And after that first game, for example, after this Suns game, Brian Keefe of Brian Keefe, mentioned he had a private conversation, was mentioned that he had a private conversation with Bob, Alex and Keyshawn. George, just kind of reiterating, that they are the core that they are. These three are like our big three here from then on, like everything else stems from them. And it showed and it reflected that conversation was at home in that nets game. Now, beyond that, that's a whole nother thing. But they're still trying to experiment with what they have. And they I think they treated Summer League as that, as a just an experiment to try to see what matchups work. How can we put Bob at the point guard or if Keyshawn George is a point forward? So there was a lot of experimentation this summer league rather than just say, oh, we should just go out there and win because we have the oldest roster or the roster that features much more NBA talent, on a permanent basis rather than a temporary basis. Okay. I can see that as it being a more of a testing ground versus like an actual representation of what the season could be. I think there are a lot of positives to take away from this. You mentioned development. I think some of the the bigger areas of development that surprised me the most. I mean, you mentioned Keyshawn, George, he kind of showed out he's a player that I think I mean, this is a very bloated roster and we'll talk about that too. But we're having these conversations of who even makes the team. He's a player I think has been knocking on the door for possibly being a starter next season. Yes, that is true. And that's what everyone else was thinking. Just based off that Suns game alone, you could tell that he, the Keyshawn was in the gym. He took that jump season very seriously, along with a lot of the other rookies that did stay in the market and worked out. And from what I'm also hearing to from what I've just watching in summer league, there thought a lot of people's thought process is, was that Keyshawn is supposed to step into that starting role now after last year coming off the bench a little more, or he started a couple games here and there just giving them matchups. There's a skill set that Keyshawn has improved with the shooting and along with just his IQ and it showed. It showed up throughout summer league. It showed so there there will be a chance that Keyshawn will be starting this year I think. I think that's more the more the definite, just based off the summer league alone. I think another area to, one of the other players that you mentioned as being a core for this roster, Alex, are he had that eight block game. Something that surprised me was how hungry he was with Chase in the rebounds after those blocks. And that's something that I think a lot of players in basketball in general kind of struggle to do, right. It's it's always like instinct just to whack the hell out of a ball when it's in your region. But he was blocking, he was trying to catch it in the air and he was trying to to jump and dive for four balls that looked like they were going to go out of bounds for it. I think that hunger is something that is very hard to teach and to learn, and it seems like this is something that is being implemented for just about everyone on the roster. And so I think it was really cool to see SA have that kind of development. I think so too, and I have to give some credit to, summer League head coach TJ Allen. I think I want to believe I am not sure this is true or not. I want to believe that it had something to do with JJ Allen being this head coach, that football mentality saying, hey, like, lay your life on the line for this team, lay your life on the line. Believe that, hey, this is for everything. Yes, it's summer league. Yes, these teammates may not be your teammates in the regular season, but bring that type of energy. Play it like you're going to be playing like a regular season game. And I think that was a little NFL talk to Alex. Sorry to try to motivate him to try and say, hey, don't just get the block, get the rebound too. And that's why we had the stats we had. Oh yeah. I mean, while speaking of that, that mentality seems like it could be implemented for the bottom half of this roster regardless, just because of how this roster is currently looking to be shaping up. I mean, it's it's very, very full to say the very least. And I mean, I mentioned it earlier, the Wizards have made some moves. Their first move was they waived Richaun Holmes I mean had a bit of a weird contract. Only $250,000 of his contract was guaranteed. So a bit of an odd one that that one was structured, but it seemed like, okay, we're trimming the roster down, except they went in. Sign Marvin Bagley the third. Again. It's not a resign as much as it is that they signed him again from after the fact that they traded him to Memphis. And now he's back here. It's a very strange storyline for him. But he's now back in DC and they've also resigned Tristan Vucevic, which means that this roster total is at 20 right now. It's very full. So I mean obviously some players like he's on a two way deal. According to Shams Charania and other players JT Thor Jalen Martin they're on two deals and per the league you know every team can have 3 to 8 deal players. So that's good. They're three. They're two way deals are all filled up right. So but the issue though is it's 15 players plus three two ways. That's what the NBA allows. The Wizards right now are at 17 plus three two ways. Which means that some decisions have to be made here. And because of that, some players are going to have to play a little bit more aggressively and a little bit more hungrily. As far as like doing the little things and trying to develop that dog mentality, how do you think that this is going to to shake up, though, for this team? I think the biggest thing that's going to happen, especially when we come training camp and especially after this last summer league game, is the staff is going to come together. Both Will Dawkins, Marshall Forney, Jonathan Wall, and Michael Wing are going to look at this roster based off stat for STAT and also Beyond Analytics say, hey, had this guy approached practice during training camp, why they're in Vegas, was he out and about doing everything? So literally this roster is going to come down to just the little things of not just how they played in some league off the tape. It's how they looked in tape in practice, how they interacted with people, how they politics. It's going to go down to every single thing when it comes to build that roster spot, and especially when you're trying to already have a full G-League team as well that you're trying to keep. Oh, let's save him on the back. Let's save a player for the back end to develop. You're like you already mentioned, you already have Thor. You already have a couple of guys that are already going to stay from last year's team. So this training camp is going to be possibly one of the most competitive training games, in my opinion, in the Wizards history, in a very long time, because you have a lot of young, young, young guys trying to gun their spot to, to be part of, to be part of the organization, period. And it's going to be very fascinating to see, because although there are some players that may that you do like, like Vukovich is on a two way, they could easily try to flip him easily, try to flip them because they can easily fit them because, well, we didn't see playing somebody. We know you took a break, but how are you interacting with everybody? How are you doing everything like that? So I it's going to come down to just even basic, basic politicking to see who stays on this roster. Yeah, it's going to be an interesting one to see other shakes out. Every player has really got their career on the line there. Those ones who are on the roster between like spots seven through 15. Really. Right. They're all up for grabs. So we'll see who comes with it. But to to switch from the Wizards over to the mystics in the, the last time that we talked to you all at home, the mystics have played three games, but it is obviously all star weekend. But let's just quickly go over the three games they had. So we can just update you guys on. On how the mystics have played. Last Thursday they had a 70 to 68 win over the aces. They followed it up with a 7469 win at Seattle. And then they had a pretty tough 80 to 99 loss to the sparks. Isaac, quickly, what were your takeaways from those games. We're 500. Oh my gosh I think we were I think I was possibly wrong on how many games they can actually win. This mystics team is, I think, playoff ready. They're definitely playoff ready. And I think they just had to figure out a couple of rotational pieces and see what fits more and get Aleah Edwards more comfortable. That's my biggest takeaway from the these these last couple of games is that like they're literally like a couple moves away from the trade deadline. So we'll see how that goes. And you know this team never gets up. They never give up. They're a fighting team. There's a fighting chance. There's a fighting spirit with his mystics. And you can joke around and put the pun in there that they're using dark magic to come back or stay competitive when their teams should be on paper, really bad. That's something beautiful that you can see say, about this roster. Oh, for sure. I mean, look, you talk about having that sigh of relief that they're at 502 of those games I just listed out. They were decided between two possessions. Just two. What's crazy about this team? 12 of their games this season have been decided by two possessions or fewer. That's crazy. That isn't like it's a. Single game of theirs is grinding it out. And the mystics, by the way, they're seven and five in those games. So every one of those games, of those 12, that's over half of their season to this point has been down to the very last, where the mystics are greedy and they're trying to to work outwork their opponents in every one of those games. And so this team, they may only be 500, but they're one of those teams that men, those opponents are feeling out of the next day. You know, they're really going all out after it. And especially when you consider like, not only is this team a top five defense in the WNBA this season, but my goodness, they are punishing teams down low, especially over the past seven games. I mean, the size that they have in combination with Arya, Finn Edwards and Austin, I really think they should lean into it even further. I know you mentioned that the trade deadline and a couple of weeks ago we were talking about the the murmurs around Ali Edwards, how Washington is potentially being open to to fielding offers to to listening to what other people have to offer up for Lee Edwards. But man, I think that they should really keep her right now. She has been falling out of her mind over the last eight games. She's shot 27 for 45 from the field. That's over 60% by the way, and she's playing so well right now for the mystics. In combination with all that they've gotten going on. Like they're just relentless inside and I think that something they should do is try to even out her minutes with Kiki and Shakira. Right. It's been kind of skewing in such a way that Shakira and Kiki have been getting close to that 27 to 30 minute mark over the past eight games, whereas Aliyah is closer to that 15 to 18 minute mark. I think if you can try to bring Aliyah minute Amelia's minutes up a little bit more and Shakira's and Kiki's down a little bit more, you could possibly make it to where you have some combination of the two of them on the floor at all times that the majority of the game. Right. That's what their mindset should be. And you have that in combination with slim, who is now an all star, by the way, who has been driving in a way that none of us have ever seen in her entire career, it's been so cool to see how how quickly and and dominant they are in the paint. And then you have that in combination with a rookie, Anthony Citroen, who is somehow like the most efficient double digit scorer in the WNBA this season. It's a team that, like you said, they are a real playoff contending team right now. It's way ahead of schedule. We talked when the season began. Vegas odds had them winning 14. They're already had 11 at the midway point. So they're like on the pace to do far exceeding that. And if we're being honest here like all cards on the table, the only person in this show that thought they were going to hit that mark was you. Yeah. I mean, I thought they. Were going to be closer to the seven when Mark they passed that about a week and a half ago. So I mean it's it's cool to see how, how well this team is playing. And I think they should take it really seriously. They are the seventh seed right now. They are going toe to toe with teams like the aces. I think you you invest in this team right now. You go all in. You try to keep going big. You stick with the identity that you've built, which is just a punishing team. And I think you can really make a run for the playoffs. I have to agree with that. And the reason why, even though I said that earlier, was the ball bounces funny, especially women's basketball. When you're playing the purest form of basketball out there where the game does get physical possessions don't go your way. You can't really predicted that. Well, the mystics, the misses can run the table. And I know Troy was looking to be crazy back then. I'm like, you never really know what this roster, and especially when you have a built in pro, is Sonia Citron. Knowing her role and knowing when to step back. Step back. I know the last couple games she hasn't, you know, been on that scoring punch and you know, the plus minus hasn't been pretty. But she still leaves an impact because a lot of people are now worried about her. In the Scout to where now Lee Edwards is comfortable. You don't know where the threats are coming from defensively and offensively from this team. So it's really you. You never know what you're going to get from this team. And because you never know, it's hard to me. It makes it harder. The scout and what makes them a very, very, very troubling threat come playoff time. Oh for sure. And you know who seems to agree with us, the coaches. Because the coaches around the league, not only did they initially select both Sonia Citron and Kiki Area fine as all star reserves, but and a news update Caitlin Clark a few days ago due to a groin injury has had to pull out from the All-Star weekend and in her place is one slim. Brittney Sykes is finally an all star and I agree with it. She should be an all star now. But you know, I know a lot of people are out there saying like, oh my gosh, she should have been also over the rookies. The coaching staff didn't believe that. But now with Caitlin Clark gone, they believe she should be the all star replacement. The meteor replacement. And it was the right call by the coaching staff and everybody. So we got three all starts now for the all star game. And I have to believe that has to be a record for the mystics, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah, it has to be. This set the set a new set, a record because we've only had a two at a time. Maybe so. Yeah. Well, what I love too is, you know, as as I said, she took the place of Caitlin Clark. And both both Kiki and Sonia were drafted on Team Clark. So Team Clark is now basically the mystics light as they have three of the mystics players on the squad. It's going to be so much fun to watch them play together. Still, now, just tonight. Now they'll have other teammates on that roster like Aliyah Boston and A'ja Wilson. So it's really cool to see the mystics get that kind of representation. Another cool thing too is, former teammate of Ice is Natasha Cloud. And they were caught on camera. It's been kind of going around on social media and the practices today, and they were just so happy to be with each other. It was so cool. I think seeing the happiness on Cloud's face when she embraced Brittney and they were just jumping up and down and they said, you, you and did it like you made the team. It was so cool. Like, this is so well-deserved for Slam. This is something I think the players are absolutely celebrating too. It feels long overdue. And there was that debate, just a week ago of of who was the biggest snub. And a lot of people were saying it was Britney Sykes and she's got it. She's an all star. She is an all star. And I mean, I have to put this thought out into the universe here. Just imagine if Natasha Cloud was on this mystics roster. With Brittney now playing the way she's playing. And just we get some throwback of pre 2020 and man I mean shout out to Brittany and I feel like she's a players player. That's the that's the message I'm getting that the players love her. She's a great teammate obviously you know former teammate Nick cloud is there and everything. So it this is exciting time for the league that you know someone one of their own want a vet of one of their own that's finally getting their shine. And I hope they I hope she takes advantage of this weekend and parties like it's like it's nobody's business. And also part show party on the game of the hey, this is what I'm about for the mystics on the national stage. All right, well, let's go to elsewhere in the festivities. For everyone at home, we are recording this on a Friday afternoon. So this is before the Friday night activities unfold. But the mystics have someone participating in those events that being so, when you sit around the rookie playing or participating in the three point contest, Isaac, what do you think about her odds in this one? Not good. I thought about it and I was like, yeah. So yeah. Then I'm like, I'm I'm reading who's else's? And I'm like, not good. I'm just hoping she places like top three. Like I had a good night for me personally would be top three. So I hope she just has a good up because it won't be the first time she's out there, I don't think I don't think this is like a, this is like a the first time. So I hope she has a good time. But I the highest I think she finishes his third. Yeah. Yeah I think I'm on on the same boat as you. It's it's tough when it's obviously in this competition is your school in the last time she was out there I think she missed like, shot and so fight the the odds are definitely not in. So just favor and not Vegas agrees there I think that's he's like the least favorite but still I think it's cool to to see a rookie of her caliber of her ilk to to already have that spotlight pretty much. I mean, to have to share with Sabrina and ask you who I firmly believe is possibly the best shooter in the WNBA, hands down. Sorry, Caitlin Clark fans, but that's just how I feel. Oh, I mean, what Sabrina is doing is is insane. And she can actually shoot with the NBA guys. That's been proven like she can shoot with the with league guys at her height and at her capacity. So I'm just happy Sonia's there. I'm happy she's just there. Part of that. Yeah I think that's the win you got to take from. Do you, do you have someone who you think is going to win? Is it going to be Sabrina? Is it going to be Sabrina? I got to go with the West Coast girl. I got to go with the girl from the Bay. I have to like. If you cheer against Sabrina in this competition, that's just not a good look. I look. I'm going to actually root for Alyssa Gray in this one here. Like, she can't. She's. She's shooting just about the best that you ever had in her career. So I have I have a weird feeling I think she's going to pull something out of it. But, you know, my mind is logically telling me that it's going to be hard to summit the mountain. That is Sabrina, UNESCO's three point shooting. And so it will not surprise me if Sabrina walks away with it again. No. I mean, like my my like my my thought process to this is like how, Team France went up against like, oh my gosh, you know, we've been practicing all this time. And Katie's like, yeah, but what are you going to do about that against Steph? That's the same conversation with the it girl she's been shooting. She's having a great career. But I'm like, what is that going to do against Sabrina though I feel like what's they going to do. Good Sabrina. So that's my thought present. Like give it to her. I'm giving it to her. All right. Well that's what we have so far, but we are going to talk a little bit more about the WNBA after the break because, well, we'll launch the full court press to discuss some of the the league conversations that have been going on between the WNBA and their players association is the captain caucus on ESPN 630 and the ESPN 630 app. I me so I do want to. Stand up. Because I was too up for. Yeah really get now. My body. To be free. From all things true. No more snappy song. Oh, yeah. Oh my God, what's up with the. I'm Heather? Oh. You bet. Good morning, everyone, and welcome on back into the cap. Who cooks on ESPN 630. That is Isaac Harrison. I am Wardell McCabe. Hey, we mentioned it before the break. Well, it's WNBA All-Star weekend which on top of the fun festivities, also means that there are some league meetings going on right now, one of which includes some ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. And, well, let's go ahead and launch a full court press to discuss it further, because, per ESPN's Kendra Andrews, there was a meeting between the two parties, those being the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association, Thursday to discuss the new CBA and no new ground was gained. And this was the, the first in-person meeting on this matter since last December. And for Andrews, this was actually the largest in-person turnout for the players in the history of CBA negotiations. So I was like, I ask you, what does this all mean? We might only see the the only women's basketball we'll see is possibly only college. That's what I'm seeing and unrivaled. That's what it seems like it's leading toward. And I in my opinion, although I'm always for fighting for the players, this is a very touchy, touchy subject in this matter because part of me is like them. The WNBA is at a pivotal time to where they're about to grow, even expand even more. And we have expansion signs coming. And with any type of work stoppage, it could, you know, spell the start and stop the growth of this league. So that's where I'm kind of like questioning. I'm like, is this a good time? But you know, nothing's a good time if you're trying to get paid. So yeah. Well I think let, let's, let's give some context to this. Obviously they're in the midst of these negotiations because the players association, they opted out of the current CBA last fall. And if a new one is not put into place by the end of October, it's been noted by some of the players that they are willing to have a lockout to hold out until a new agreement is reached, and that would be the first time that there has been a work stoppage in the WNBA since 1997, and it could have a very massive impact. As you said, the the WNBA is is a league. It's in this period of growth, that just last year they came to agreements on new media rights deals worth in excess of $2.2 billion. And those start next season. And the league has already made it known they're planning to expand to 18 teams by 2030. So this is a really pivotal point in the history of the league, which is why I think that the players association should be leveraging their power, should be aiming and pushing for a hold out a lockout because, well, with these new franchises looming, it means that the league is kind of hungry to expand and when you're the players and you have leagues that exist like unrivaled elsewhere, there's also Athletes Unlimited. You know, you have a little bit more power and it's time now to push for that fairer form of pay, because we're seeing what the Valkyrae are already worth within their first year of existence. And we know already what the buy in is for these new teams. It's $250 million for the new teams that are expanding in, and there's already more and more that are being promised and folded in. We know Toronto is coming next season. The season after we know is going to be Portland. And so they're going to keep adding these teams in. And it should be fair for these players to to try to argue and fight for every dollar that they deserve. Because if we're being honest, you know, the split between revenue of share, going to the league and to the players has not really been fair. No, it hasn't and historically has been bad. I mean, Kelsey Plum even brought it up on several podcasts that one of the initial CBA negotiations was, it was a hassle just to even get a percentage of jersey sales that at one point that the W was not giving players a percentage of jersey sales. And, you know, if the CBA historically has always been not about the players. And and I know you read all the comments that are saying like, oh my gosh, these the league operates on a on a loss. It always offers. And it's why are you trying to fight for a CBA said, well, for the first time in league history, it's not going to be operating on a loss and it won't be operating on a loss for the rest of its existence. After this first media deal, it's going to be profitable for the first time in history, and the players deserve a piece of that profit. Without a doubt. So, I'm for it. But I'm also, like, skeptical of, like, you know, like we're about to grow, so, Well, yeah. I mean, if you're skeptical, I think that's a very fair feeling to have. But what I would just say is it is a pivotal time for growth in these. These owners are definitely feeling that right. The the franchises they're feeling the pressure of that's at stake. Then give the players what they deserve. Then it's point blank period. That's that's the end of the discussion for me. I will always advocate for those and labor to continue fighting for more fair compensation, compensation. And they should absolutely be seriously questioning whether or not a lockout should be had. And I think it seems like the players are on a united front on this path because I mean, you know, like it's it's not to be understated that this was the highest turnout for such a negotiation in the history of the league, that they're all really coming together for this. They know what their value is right now. They know what the value of the teams are. They know what the value of the league is, and they know that they should be getting a more fair cut of the pie. And so for that, I think I'm all in favor of this. I understand that it would lead to a potential lockout. I would lose out on seeing the start of next season, or however long it could be that this holdout holds through to. But I'm never going to not support their their push for this. And I think what I'm grateful for as a fan of these athletes is that there are these other alternative paths that you know, in the past, we've seen it for the NBA too, right? Like when when there is a lockout and it goes an extended stay, you have to go overseas in order to get the compensation. Well, not for nothing. The WNBA players are kind of already used to that. They're already acclimated to going overseas because they really weren't getting paid much to begin with. And now there's other avenues in the U.S. there are winter leagues that exist. There are spring leagues that exist with Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited. And so I think, I'm glad to know that there there isn't as much pressure for them to cave in. They can actually hold out for this and they can continue the fight. And I'm really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out. I am too, and I think you've sold me on that. You know, the players need to fight for this. There's more money coming. And then now you have billionaire owners actually coming in like they're taking out the small time owners or forcing the owners to spend more money. So this is a pivotal opportunity, especially with the team, especially with some of the ownership groups that are coming with Toronto, with Philly, Detroit and then Cleveland. Like you're dealing with NBA owners that you're like, yeah, we have the cash to spend on these entry fees, and we are going to be able to support a team here. So I'm with the players. They are I'm with the players for it. And I hope people understand that. And take this educational moment that you explained with that saying, hey, this is the time to fight. This is the right time to fight, and I hope they get what they deserve. I mean, the WNBA has also been a league and known as, hey, we're very united with our players. I feel like they almost act like the MLB. It's like, oh no, we're going to be the force for change or the trendsetters for a change. If we have to be, like with the voting rights, they're one of the first leagues to really go on a united front saying, hey, we're going to protest for voting rights or or try to fight for charter flights. The WNBA has always been known for that. And to keep this that trend alive for them. And that's what they're known for. I think it's going to end up they're going to get the win out of this. Well. What I would say is that that those trends have been because of the athletes. It's not been because of the league wanting to do those things. It's because the athletes have been fighting that fight, that they have been outspoken and refused to to be quiet. And on these fronts, I mean, Atlanta is a great example of that. I mean, we've seen what happened in the past when a previous owner was advocating against things that fundamentally the players disagreed with to their core, and so they wore shirts, said said vote for the other person. And so I think that's something to be said. It's that it's the players that have been fueling the the, the viewpoint that we have of this league that then being more progressive, more outspoken, more active. It is because of the athletes and it's and it's because of that that, you know, I think they should get this win, that they should hold out for this win. And to be clear to anyone at home who thinks that they are disagreeing, please be certain on what it is that you're disagreeing with. To be clear, none of the athletes are advocating for a massive balloon in contracts. What they're asking for, and they're advocating for is a fair split in compensation, because the way that the revenue split has been going, it's not anywhere aligned to what the other leagues are. They're not asking to get contracts. It's similar to what the NBA players are. What they're asking for is the revenue split to be similar. And so that that's what they're advocating for and that's what they're fighting for. And I can't understand why it is that anyone would disagree with that. So that's that's where I stand on it. But of course, if anyone disagrees, you are more than welcome to have that contrary opinion that's totally on you. But let's go ahead and shift over now to the NBA. They're also having some league meetings right now. It's the sense it's summer league that all that always means it's time for the NBA Board of Governors meetings which, you know, I think people can think could be boring. But somehow I feel like a lot of the nerdier NBA fans are like, this is this is the rooms that you would really love to be in, right? Because the Board of Governors has the conversations of rule changes. They also have conversations like this. One of expansion of the league. And that's a topic which has been highlighted apparently, and one which, according to Adam Silver, it's a discussion that will continue with further research. I think right now this has been a conversation point that everyone's speculated pretty heavily over the past 4 or 5 years, and there are two teams, which I think everyone assumes are going to be the cities that we we, the NBA chooses as the next expansion points, those being Vegas and Seattle. But my question for you, Isaac, is, are there other cities that the league should be considering? In my opinion, yes, there's a lot of other cities. And if those cities lose out on the bid and I got into an argument with some of my friends, I work in the league office or work in the league, is that they should consider those cities as independent G League teams, because we've already seen the success with, the Mexico City Cup. Captains. So said the English version of the team. I'm not very good at the Spanish at that point, but there's a couple of cities that I, that I've mentioned was Kansas City outside of Seattle and Las Vegas and then Montreal, and along with Mexico City, which already has a G League team, has already proven that it is actually a proven NBA market. And then with the addition of the addition of possibly Louisville, Louisville was in the conversation for a long time. So was Greenville, South Carolina, and then Saint Louis. But we know that will probably never happen to the history of the league and history of the ABA merger. But those were the cities. Definitely. It was Kansas City. Montreal, Vancouver and Mexico City were the four that were listed outside of Seattle and Las Vegas. All right. So, some of those teams obviously would make a push for a more global game. Granted, obviously the NBA is already in Canada right now in Toronto, but a place like Vancouver, that's the opposite coast. And if I'd assume if you talk from someone in that province, they would say that they are nothing. Like anyone in Toronto. You you you actually, you know, I know my ancestry that. That would help to, to further the reach of the league. Once again, I think what is interesting is some of those cities, Vancouver being one of them and then also Seattle, their teams that had NBA teams in the past. So it probably feels a little bit more comfortable for the league. But a large swath of what you just listed off, they are on the western side of, of North America. And so let's say any of those combination of teams are added in, or let's say the league does go with a Las Vegas or Seattle, probably would be time for some conference realignment, I think. Let's just play this out and say it's it is Vegas and Seattle and now there's an uneven balance between teams in the West and in the East. How does the league try to balance that out? In my opinion, you move either both Minnesota and Memphis or just Minnesota and restructure the divisional path to, structure the divisional path or eliminate divisions just period. And just let everyone just play it out, almost like the, with almost like an MLB schedule where it's like, all right, you play regional, regionally close, obviously they do divisions, but you kind of eliminate the division aspect of it like the WNBA. But my likely guess is to move Memphis in Minnesota closer to the East. And I know from talking to people, Minnesota wants to be moved to the Eastern Conference. They think it'd be better, more aligned to Memphis is like, okay, that's like, okay, we'll see what happens. But yes, that's what I would believe. All right. What happened? All right. So so a possible move for Minnesota I think that would probably help in terms of competitive balance, at least in the short period. Let's say they fast track, an expansion team within the next two years. I don't think that that's going to be possible, but let's say they figure out a way to make that happen. Minnesota being shifted over to the East. Obviously, you have some player like Anthony Edwards on the East Coast, and then it does kind of balance it out for for them. Right? They are very close to a lot of the the central teams in the East, right. With Chicago and Milwaukee being relatively close in proximity. And as it stands right now, Minnesota is in the Northwest Conference. And like they are, other teams in that conference include Denver, you know, and so like that's a pretty long ways away from them. And let's say they add that Seattle team I'd assume Seattle would go in the northwest. And that's an even further travel for Minnesota. So I can certainly see it. I think me, I'm stuck on the the geographical side of things. If they add two teams on the West, it just Memphis and New Orleans to me are just further east. You know, I mean, and so they just feel to me like more East Coast teams, especially Memphis. Memphis to me feels like a southeastern city. And so I would see that shifting over. But either way, I mean, you you listed as Memphis being a team that shifts over and so do I. That would mean that a new team would likely be added into the Southeast Division in the East Conference, which is where Washington is. And the reason we bring this up for this show is do we think that there's an opportunity for Washington B to be shifted out of the southeast? Yes. Oh, I ultimately, yes. And I think that's what's going to happen is that when when this does happen eventually I mean manifested that DC will be in a more division that kind of regionally aligns to where their fans can actually travel to. And when you look at the nationals and you look at, the commanders there in divisions, with the exception of the commanders that have one outlier, because due to rivalries and history, with the Cowboys in the NFC East and then with the nationals, they're in a league, they're in a division that kind of aligns with their geographical locations. You have the Mets, you have the Phillies. I mean, it seems the capitals, you're in a division that realigns with that. I feel like we're the only if I'm not mistaken, we're the only DC area sports team that plays in a division that does not have regional, that super Mid-Atlantic, Metropol and areas in our division. The closest team in our division is the Charlotte Hornets. And although yes, that's close, but what Wizards fan is like, you know what? I'm a drive. The 4.5 hours are 95 to 85 to go to Charlotte to go to, you know I'm like I'm not going to do that. And there's a lot of college kids that are Wizards fans down there, but now they want to do that. They want to take the Amtrak to Philly. Then they want to take the Amtrak twice a year to New York, or take the midnight Amtrak to Boston, or take the hour flight to Toronto. Like, those are all more regionally close and drive in 4.5 hours of Charlotte and then taking two flights to Miami and Orlando. Although those are nice, don't get me wrong, those are very nice going. The Florida is very nice. Are Atlanta you know that you know they I rather I rather see a division to where we're regionally back with our Mid-Atlantic super super friends New York Boston and Philly. I think like I mean you said like Charlotte is the closest in proximity right now. Charlotte just is not closer than Philly, you know? I mean like it's just it's it. And so it definitely feels like that would be appropriate. Granted. You know I think there is that argument to be made is, is what do divisions even mean anymore? I mean, you mentioned possibly the elimination of divisions altogether. Just have east versus west. You know, I think that is something that people would probably get behind. I think it probably wouldn't be that big of an issue. And that's just, I even assume it's either Memphis or New Orleans who shifts over to the east, because if it's Minnesota that sits in the east and it's like that Central Division is going to be bulked up, and then Washington will probably stay where they are if they decide to stick with divisions. But who's to say, obviously we have to wait to hear what their further investigations are, whatever that research is going to be. We'll just wait. I know what they're really trying to do is balance it out, because we have heard the rumblings and it seems like it is a very legitimate thing. Now that Adam Silver talked about the expansion of a league in Europe, that seems to be like a very real thing. And he made note that trying to to build that while also trying to build two new teams in the NBA, it's going to be a tough balance. These two things can't be entirely separate because they're full infrastructures that have to be assembled. And so well, I guess just wait and see for maybe the next time the Board of Governors come together and we have any sort of real update and to to see what the track is on both of those. But elsewhere in the association to to keep on to the full court press, there has been a pretty major move that has impacted the Washington Wizards. It's something that the rest league seemed like they were just kind of waiting with withheld breath to see what was going to happen. And that was the buyout of Bradley Beal. Bradley Beal kind of gave up $13 million of what he was owed. So don't do that. Oh my god. He gave a $13 million. But he he did sacrifice that in order to have his contract kind of kind of stretched a little bit there. And he immediately signed with the Clippers. The the reason that impacts the rest of the league is there were some teams, I think, who were waiting to see where it is that he would go, some that probably deluded themselves into thinking they had a chance at him, some that actually may have had a chance, but he signed with the Clippers. The reason this impacts Washington, though, is with the trade that sent Beal to Phoenix. Phoenix sent some pick swaps to Washington, one of which conveys next season, and the Suns team is now another player down, one of their top scorers from last season. And it's a Suns team that is in a very stacked Western Conference. And that pick swap could be very valuable to Washington. Obviously Washington has their pick protections, in this upcoming draft, should it fall outside the top eight, that pick could convey to the New York Knicks. But right now, as it stands, if Phoenix is one of the worst teams in the West and they have their opportunity, in the lottery, Washington could very well be able to swap that place. So I think Phoenix is a team that's probably going to be one of the worst in the league next season. It's hard for me to see them being a very good team. No this to Jalen Green. It just you aren't going to replace the impact of Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. So you know you're going to be worse than where you were last season. And last season wasn't great to begin with. So if if they had the chance to to have that extra ticket really in the lottery, you know they obviously they're only going to get one of those picks because that pick swap, there's all sorts of ramifications that come there. Like Washington gets it because it's top eight protected. And if it falls outside of that, then the pick could convey to Oklahoma City with a pick swap in there too. There's a bunch of teams with like eyeing those two picks, but Washington could have two chances come lottery night next year. Two to get a top pick and a draft that feels like it is pretty stacked. Yeah, yeah, there's a lot to unpack with this with this Bradley Beal. With this Bradley Beal wave and stretch and with the pick swap I'm very curious because next year's draft is extremely loaded. You have deer deer. Darryl Patterson the boozer twins and aging the bond set with a plethora of other guys, including our locally own native met, who's possibly in that possible mix that the Wizards could go after, depending on how the season goes. And the Suns are probably eye on you because they're going that young group saying, hey, let's. And this is per one of the Suns writers shout out to Eric Ruby from Phoenix. Phoenix Digital. He mentioned that the Suns their playing hopefully is now we're in a better direction that we want to be like the rockets come to come next free agency to where okay. We have a young core. We have Devin Booker still in his prime. And let's try to do that. And possibly depending on how the Wizards finish and how and how they finish, that pick is going to be part of that piece to where either draw another free agent to come play with Devin or as a, you know, as a trade piece. That's something that we've talked about, that we mentioned too, just off talking when I was at Summer League. So that pick swap is going to be very important, especially for the Wizards who is trying to look at hopefully get one of the boozer twins or even both, depending on how it falls it down. Turning out the tree falls, along with drafting those, the very stacked class of 2026 roster, because the next draft that you've already pointed out, Jonathan, good boy, already pointed out the class of 27. The class of 2027 draft class is not very good right now. As of right now, we don't know yet, but as of right look, it's looking looking pretty bleak. Yeah, but let's focus on the $2,026, a couple of pieces, some of whom you just name there with Aaron Patterson and, and, AJ Dubon said that that feel like they could be franchise changing. And so for for Washington what this just means it's just another ticket. And I think it's super helpful to know that, I mean, the along with this pick swap debacle that this all is because there's so many teams in this one. Washington also gets the less the least valuable pick of all those pick swaps. And so let's say Washington keeps like pick 1 or 2 and then they have still another pick swap because of Phoenix. And that one is just outside the lottery or just outside the top five. And OKC gets one and then Phoenix gets another. And then the least value of that also goes to Washington. And so Washington could very well still end up with two first round picks in next year's draft, which is really nice because that's the third straight year where you're just getting another chance at finding a guy that can really help turn around the franchise. And you've you've had a lot of those tickets already. You've gotten quite a bit of layers over the last two drafts. So combined, some of them were on draft night. Some of them, like Dylan Jones, are after the draft. You know, a year later, you still get that first round player. But I think it's just interesting to see how aggressive Washington is. And fate has just kind of fallen in favor of Washington in this one is that, you know, hopefully they the odds fall in their favor again come lottery night. But it means that the there's not a full stress on Washington to try to to lose every game because we know Utah is like Utah is is very clearly built to lose aggressively. And I think what this does it Troy mentioned it a few weeks ago when we're talking about the draft is, you know, New Orleans has kind of done Atlanta a favor by Atlanta not needing to do their own tanking. New Orleans can do their tanking for Atlanta. And this has kind of worked on the favor of the Washington is Phoenix could very well do the tanking next season for Washington. We know long term that's not in Phoenix's plans. We know Phoenix does want to try to win. The owner has made that abundantly clear. And the the looming extension for Devin Booker will also probably further exemplify that they're a team that's going to be spending to win still, but at least for next season, they're going to be in such a position that they're going to be trying to lick their wounds from this past offseason. They've took it on the chin. They know they lost what they tried to to swing with Beal and K.D. and Booker. It didn't work out. They already have flipped Durant. He's out in Houston. They took their loss with Beal. And they're still going to be paying him over the next few seasons. So they took the loss. But they are a team that's been open and and aggressive and saying like this. This doesn't mean we're done. But it looks like next year for the Wizards it could work out in their favor. And so we'll just kind of wait and see. No you're absolutely right. And I think that's that's all it is is like let the chips fall where they may. But you got to have tips to playing this game. And sorry with the whole Vegas pun thing, but that's where I'm just coming from. So the Wizards are in an opportunity to grab some chips and actually come to the roulette table or to the poker table, say, hey, we're not going to fold this yet. We're going to try to come play for this and try to play, to put ourselves in a better position to where we can be contenders again. And this is part of that. So hopefully everything works out on their side and Phoenix is hoping that too, I don't think I think the Wizards have a better shot, obviously just based off the show we where we're located. But yeah, so that's what that's where we're at. All right. Well that's that's what we have on those conversation points right now. But don't go anywhere. We're going to be right back after this break. We're gonna be talking of a little bit more about the WNBA All-Star weekend. This is the captain who cooks and ESPN 630 and the ESPN 630 app. You're looking sweet to have that. You. Listed I love you, I. Against this way. And you'd like. I might I do nice little bit. You blow my mind, I'm satisfied. Good morning, everyone, and welcome back into the Capital Hoop Caucus. I am Wardell McCabe, and I'm joined by Isaac Harris. We've mentioned it several times throughout the show. It's WNBA All-Star weekend, and we want to have a bit of fun with that. Building our own king of the court starting five for this year. All star. That's pretty simple. We'll take turns selecting our teams for all of you. And then you at home, tell us who picked the very best team. I apologize, is my voice a little froggy? Had myself a little Clif bar, and then. Come on, she'll break. Isaac, you're a fan of Clif Bars? No. I'm allergic. I'm. No, I'm not allergic to Clif bars, but sometimes Clif bars contain walnuts, and I cannot eat walnuts. So that is true. Over this last week, while I was up in Providence, I found out they have a cookies and cream Clif bar. Very tasty. Not. Yeah. 0% chance that's good for you. All right, let's go ahead and get on to this game here, though. Let's go ahead and build this out to make our determining factor of like who goes first. We're going to go ahead and spend a blind wheel. Whoever it lands on will have their first go at it. Let's see who we have. Oh I landed on me first. Okay, so I get the first pick and, well, with my first pick, who is there else to pick? But the likely MVP candidate? The physical Collier I'm going to go undefeated. Collier for my one of my forward spots. Isaac. Who do you have first? For my forward spot I have A'ja Wilson okay. Yeah the first two are really the easiest two things to go with, all things considered. Yeah. So let me let me try to see where it is that I can go next. I'm thinking I need some. Form. Of tenacity. Oh, you know what? I'm going to go with a guard who I think is also in the MVP conversations. I'm going to go to Lisa Gray. Okay. I think that this is a player who is kind of standing out so far this season. I mean, we seen in the games that she's played against Washington, right? She's really stepped up her play both on both ends of the floor really. And so I feel like her Nafisa cat could really terrorize. And so I'm going to go with Lisa Gray for one of my guard spots. How about you. I'ma switch it up a little bit. I'm actually going to go with Jackie Young. Okay. With Jackie Young. Just because initially I wanted Ryan Howard, but, you know, she's she's out this week, so. But I like Jackie young and age Wilson's chemistry go Jackie. Young okay, I like that. I can take that. All right. Well, I feel like I kind of need a little bit of size here, so I'm going to have to go with Stewie as my other big. I think that that feels like a no brainer. I need the length with you having Asia, you know, I know that there's 0% chance I could contend inside, and so I need someone who can at least. Right, add some length there. So. So Stewie is going to be one of my forwards. I like that, I like that I'm going with the enforcer for of front court for the forward. I'm going a little older on this side. I gotta go with Alyssa Thomas. Oh, Alyssa Thomas. Yeah. I got I got to go with that. I want the the time to play that unfortunate role too, you know, back of age or help with the doubles. So yeah. Got to go with that one. All right. Analyst Thomas that makes sense. Now I am going on the defensive side too. But I'm I'm going to be a little bit more on the guard route. Someone who is now an all star for the first time in her career, who's been shining a little bit of a scorer this season, I'm going to go with slim as one of my other guards. I've got a Lisa Grand Slam is my two. I'm still going to try to build out that front court. I want someone to play a little a hybrid role. Versatile. This is this is an all star game. So we're experimenting here I'm going with Kiki okay. All right. Back to. Back mystics. We're going to go with Kiki to play that three. Oh to play the 30I got yeah. Yeah yeah yeah. So we're going to go Kiki. Oh man. You put the pressure on me I now know I need another I need another wing here. Someone who could who could contend with Kiki. Do I go wing or do I go guard there? This is going to be a tough one, man. All right? You put me in a tough spot. Oh, you know what? I'm going to go with someone who is probably the most respected fat and all the all stars. I'm going to go with Nneka Ogwumike. I think that she can contend really well with Kiki. If you're going to go well, I mean, you're running three bigs. Yeah, yeah. Another third big out there in order to really to to to fight and scrap. So I'm going to go with the gloom okay. As my opinions my three okay okay. And then for my next player because I only have Jackie Young Asia Wilson, Alyssa Thomas, Kiki Irvin. I'm going to go with the I like I'm going to go with Miss Gabby Williams here okay. Let long link defend the leader of Team France and who's going to carry French women's basketball to to the promised land at some point. Yeah, I like Gabby. I like yeah, but she's she's she's she's gritty. She does everything right on the offensive line. And underrated defensive player by the way I'm right. Well just to be clear your team has a center three forwards and a guard. And it's an all star game. We're experiment. Yeah yeah. Experiment out there. Gotcha I like I like what I got. I mean you kind of puts me in that position where I had to go big and then you went even taller and longer. So that's that's what's up. But just to recap our teams, you've got Jack young, Gabby Williams, Kiki Area and Alyssa Thomas and then Asia Wilson. How do you feel about club. We're going to be struggling at the point guard ever. But I trust Gabby. Bringing up the playmaking. Is going to be a bit of. A be a problem for her. Like I'm like you know what, let's do it. But my under my six man I'm hoping we get a six man at some point was going to be Sabrina. So but to try to bring up the ball. But I'm like I trust Gabby with the ball handling, I trust I trust that. On my side, I've got Alyssa Gray, I got slim am I too? And then I got the Nneka Ogwumike, the face of Collier and then Breanna Stewart. So I'm feeling very confident. About my team. Yeah, yeah, I think I. Think I might be able to win this, but if you think that you could have built a better team at home, or if you want to let us know who you thought built the best team here, they go ahead and message the show, which for everyone's information is now easier than ever before. All you have to do is go to the podcast, open up the description of the show, and then click on the link that says message the show. That will automatically open up your messaging app. Whether you're on Apple or Android. And then you can just type out who you think you won and then click send. Or you can always just text into the show at eight, three, three, three, seven, seven, six, 630. That's 83337766 30. And speaking of which, we just want to make everyone aware. We want to start hearing from you all with a brand new mailbag. We'll be unveiling that in a couple of weeks. So text in right now with your questions and your hot takes. Tell us your name and where you're from, and we'll have the opportunity to read it on the show will shout you out and just say you are aware. This is also something that airs on the radio, so you will be shout it out on ESPN 6:30 a.m. again, you can do that by clicking message the show in the podcast description of this episode, or by texting us at 83337766 30. Let's take our final break here. When we come back, you'll hear Isaac's exclusive interview with Fran for Sheila from Las Vegas. This is a captain who caucuses on ESPN 630 and ESPN 630. App. For. First. When I wake up in the morning. Love. And the sunlight hurts my. And something with. I want to know. There's heavy on my mind. Then I look at you. On love and the world. All right with me. Just one look at you. And I know it's gonna be. A love letter they. Good morning, everyone. We hope that you're having a lovely start to your day. And we thank you so much for joining us on this little adventure of ours that we call the capital Hoop Caucus. Mentioned it just before the commercial break that Isaac was out in Las Vegas. He had the opportunity to speak with one frame for sale is now right, Isaac yes, I did. I got to meet with the legendary play by play, the voice of the big 12 for the ESPN franchise, and we had a lovely conversation about his new NBA team that he cheers for, which is the Washington Wizards. And you will find out why he cheers for that team, along with what he thinks of this young core and how they how far they can go. All right. Well, without any further ado, here is Isaac and praying for Shiloh. Hello. It is my 1V1 and only Isaac Harris here from ESPN 630 Sports Capital, as well as a co-host of the Capital Caucus. I am here at the NBA Summer League two K 26, and it's been a blast watching the Wizards trying to grow. Although that first night was a little skeptical. But you know, there was a lot of positive out there. And I'm here with a fellow ESPN colleague and, you know, good mentor mind and a little inspiration of mine over the years. I met him in college. Mr. coach friend for is in the house with me. And I have to say, it's been an honor to come see you again. Yeah, we had a chance to we've we've had a couple great conversations. We've talked WVU, we've talked Wizards, ESPN and glad to glad to be with you guys now I appreciate it. It's an honor and definitely won't be the last time, because you are now a newly welcome in to the DC Family Wizards fan. And, I got to ask, I know you're not. From the district originally, but yeah, really. What made you decide to now focus a little more on the Wizards, if you. Don't mind sharing a little bit? Well, first of all, I've spent many, many, many, days, recruiting in the DC area, the DMV, Baltimore, you know, obviously the district, Northern Virginia, as a college coach for 23 years, I spent a lot of time in the area. My son James has been with to go go the last two years, and now lives in DC. So I've become a Wizards fan. I no question about it. And pulling for these guys and gotten a chance to spend some time at training camp with them out here. And keep in mind when I, when you see and, was it fancy all these young guys, I've seen them all in college and high school. In many cases. I've coached them at some of the high school tournaments, Nike camps, Under Armor. And then in college, I get to see them, when I, when I cover them for ESPN. So it's fun to watch these guys. Oh, yeah. No. And being now inducted into it. Into our fan base. Yeah, yeah. Now seeing everything how like, you know, we've gone through some despair and. Yeah. And the last couple years, but you see a lot of growth and I know we. Were just watching the last game, here last night against the Brooklyn Nets. What were your just some of your takeaways just from that game. And also just the, these last two games with the Wizard. Well, first of all, from what I know and I do know, you know, some of the coaches, some of the front office people like Wil Dawkins, obviously JT three it this is OKC 2.0 to me. You know when you think of what they built in Oklahoma City. Michael Winger and and Will were part of that. And I think the formula looks to be the same you know grow with young guys. Take your bumps. Watch some of these guys really mature into good NBA players, much like we've seen from Oklahoma City. And so you can see it, you know, we saw it last night. I thought there were some great performances. I'm impressed with Keyshawn, George. Obviously Bob had a good rookie year. Alex Shaw had a good rookie year. Will Riley did some stuff last night. You know, he should be going into college this year. Because he reclassified, into college last year for Illinois. So, AJ Johnson, it was just a lot of great performances last night. You know, this is still Summer League. This is I always describe this as like a baseball All-Star game. You know, if you know baseball, most of the best prospects are in Double-A, right? You know, and, so when I come out here to summer league and I've covered it many years for ESPN, this is all new to the the lot of these guys, these rookies that are learning the NBA. It's you know, it's got like training wheels. But we saw some great I thought we saw some great performances last night from some of those young wizard players. Now, I know a lot of you mentioned a lot of the young players. You mentioned Collins and you mentioned I forgot about you guys. I'm sure I. Have, yeah. No, I mean, the whole roster. I know we have it. It's filled with guards that are incredibly young and it's a good mix. Yeah, I know you had your hand covering big 12 and also covering you know pre nit a year in the tournament. Trey Johnson oh yeah I didn't even mention Trey. Yeah I didn't even mention Trey. I've been watching Trey since you know he's he was a sophomore in high school because we lived in Dallas for a long time. And Trey grew up probably 15 minutes from where we lived in Dallas, Lake Highlands High School before he went to prep school. And, and, I've spent a lot of time in Austin through the years. When Texas was in the big 12, I did a Texas NC state game this year, I've been to Texas practice, and, I'm really excited for Trey's future. Needless to say, sixth pick in the draft. And you know, I remember the disappointment on on a lottery night, right? You know, and like, you know, you know, the sixth pick. But keep in mind, schedule. Jason Alexander went 11th, Tyrese Haliburton went 11th, Donovan Mitchell went 13th. And we can keep going. You know, I know who I went to when 15th. And, I thought Trey at number six was just, you know, there's no doubt that Cooper Flag's going to be a very good player, but you just don't know in a particular draft who the best player is going to be. I said this on the air this year coming up. And you know, when when the Wizards took Trey Johnson, I really think he's got a chance to be rookie of the year in a sense that he's going to play a lot. They need a scoring you know moving Jordan Poole to the Pelicans. And Trey's just a savant when it comes to scoring. And we saw a little bit of that last night. He you know he knows how to make something out of nothing. Man up and again I've been watching him forever and really excited for his future here in the district. Now that's something that I've said on the air, even with Clinton, on Clinton and friends and just even, with our with our with the capital caucus. With our team. They didn't like, like, I'm not I'm not going to lie. So please forgive me, Wardell and Troy, but, yeah, you know, I've was never on the East Bailey train, right? I was never it just because of the fit. Yeah, and I believe that Trey Johnson is the fit over flash. They found. A piece. That makes sense in the puzzle. Yeah. How do you see Trey, developing that. Advanced that savant scoring with just Brian and. With Brian Keefe system. Well, I mean, I think when you look at how young this team is again, and again, losing some key guys, some key veterans that have moved on, he's going to be required to do some scoring and a lot of scoring and probably by the end of his rookie year, as long as he stays healthy, he's probably going to do a lot of scoring. And that's why I think he's going to have an opportunity to compete for an all rookie team like Alex did. And, I'm just I'm really I mean, I have a little bit of a connection to the Wizards now, but I know the draft about as well as anybody because I study 12 months a year. And, I think he's a great selection. And I would have said that if he went to Charlotte or Utah. Trey has always been able to do one thing extremely well, which has put the ball in the basket. He's a better passer than people think. He's trying to learn how to play defenses. You can tell when you listen to some of the coaches and, I think I think, wizard fans are going to love watching this kid grow up, remember? He's physically not anywhere near where he's going to be at 23 or 24. I don't want to say that he's the next, Devin Booker. But he certainly got a lot of Devin Booker, attributes. That's a good way to put it. That's a good way to put it. You know. And so I, I'm kind of excited to watch him grow up and physically mature and see what he's like when he's 22 or 23. Yeah. That's that's a long way off. That is a long way off. Like oh my gosh, we are still so many years now that's speaking of scoring I know the Wizards. That's something that they've been looking for is that score. And they did recently just made a trade for someone. Well I believe he had a lot of experience. Watching covering a little bit. Cam Whitmore who's a local. Yeah. And I have to ask him where does. Can fit with this young. Roster in that in that in. Court. It's funny, my other son, Matt, was at Villanova when cam was being recruited. In fact, Matt swears that he saw cam play in the EIB. Oh, that's a Nike thing on our TV and was wondering why Villanova was a recruiting him. Right? Baltimore kid. They had Phil Booth. Yeah. From Mount, Mount Saint Joe's who had a great career. And so, you know Matt, my son Matt takes credit for cam going to Villanova half jokingly. But cam, I think he's a talent and he's so young. And again, he got stuck in a situation in Houston where, you know you had Jalen Green. You had some other really talented young guys. And so this is like a new lease on life. He's 40 miles from home you know and but I'm sure he knows Bob you know I've always when I was recruiting I love Charm City kids. Yeah. That's what we call Baltimore kids. You know, people in the district know that. But, I always love Baltimore kids because they get a little bit under the radar because they're not DC. They're not New York. Kids get all the high school attention. And I think Cam's going to have a great opportunity to show what he can do, because, you know, he's so athletic, he's so skilled, and I think he's going to get an opportunity, I think, to show that, yeah, maybe he should have played more, you said. But it's hard to argue because they have a great nucleus. And he was he I'm sure he got frustrated. But there's a new lease on life being close to home. And that's just great to hear because I know some people look at it like, well, it's. A red flag because yeah, they. Traded him as a favor to the Wizards so he can actually score more. Yeah. Felt that he could be, a piece for a rotational piece now as a coach. Yeah. And let's say your former players have called you. Yeah. Say, hey, coach, I got traded. How do you look at that? As, like as a red flag saying like, oh, I can be a rotational piece for a playoff team. But no, I know I think because they were, they were so deep and they had such I mean they won 50 some odd games, you know, they were doing something right. They've rebuilt the right way and sometimes if you're the ninth man in an eight man rotation or the 10th man in a nightmare rotation, you're going to get frustrated. The thing I know about cam watching him in high school and then in college at one year, highly competitive and again getting back to Baltimore. Kids chip on his shoulder. So I'm sure he was upset that he wasn't playing more. But, I think the rockets didn't do him a favor trading him to a place where he can shine. And again, being part of this youth movement, I think it's a great investment by the Wizards front office to grab a kid like this. And see what he can do. You know, I think what I've learned about the NBA is they've got a lot of good young pieces. Wizards. Maybe not everybody is going to be here 3 or 4 years from now when things. But I don't think it's going to take 3 or 4 years. But when the Wizards get good and I'm confident they will, you know, you're trying to figure out now which guys are the keepers. You know what I mean. And they already have a number of guys that I think are keepers for this team. But I think Cam's a great addition that that's great to hear. Now speaking of possible. Keepers and yeah, we've. Heard that you remember the summer league last. Year. Yeah with Alex are being number two. Yeah. There was a lot of disappointment from that summer league. But in the year he showed that hey I'm possibly worthy of the number two pick. Yeah that first game in this summer league rough. Yeah okay. Yeah I didn't think the team played well. Yeah. You know from what I can see in the stands, you know I don't anticipate that. I don't think they played particularly well. They you know again it's summer league but but they, you know yesterday I think we both agree they were much, much better. But in terms of Alex, you love the fact that they have him out there even though he was all rookie and, and, I mean, I understand we might not see much of him the rest of the way. Oh, I don't know. I don't know, I don't I probably shouldn't say anything, but, you know, like, guys like him and Bob played a lot of games, and I think it was fun to see those guys out there and maybe they will play. I'm just saying a lot of the like, Cooper Flag's done. A bunch of guys who played a lot of NBA basketball already is rookies. You know they are your the teams already know what they can do. But what we saw from Alex last night was just that elite athleticism, the shot blocking summer league record, blocked shots and he's a guy that's going to just keep getting better too. I've been watching him since he played in France over time a week Australia and he's bulked up. He's got stronger. And it's going to be fun to, watch him continue to develop. Now, as the former coach. You build. A plethora of pros. Yeah. And including your own two sons into the college games and you've seen plenty of NBA guys. Where do you see Alex is ceiling as a center, especially in this modern game. That's it. Well, I think that's the that's the key thing. Isaac. He's a modern center. You know, he's got to get stronger because this guy's in a league. You know, if you take like a Steven Adams or even a Jokic and guys like that that are very physical. You know Zubac with the Clippers there's still traditional centers in the league. But but Alex is that modern center of a guy. They can both you know hang around the basket and catch lobs roll to the rim but also develop a three point shot you know. And if he continues to do that I think the sky's the limit for him. You know I mean if you're all rookie it says something about you right now. It's a matter of how much do you keep continue to improve okay. That's that that's that's that's a great here. So Wizards fans and Captain Hook August listeners and ESPN 630 sports Cavaliers. That's a surge that we have something on. And that's something that's fun that we can do. Now my last. Question is do you love. Listening that you love. Recruiting them. Charm City guys? Yeah, I did Carrington. How are you feeling about him are expected to see. Are you expecting as a coach or as a basketball lover that you would see a. Second major jump for me? I think so. You know, it's funny. I did bumps third college game, third and fourth in Brooklyn at Barclays when he was playing for Jeff Capel at Pitt. And I think he had just come off a triple double in one of his first two college games. And I was really intrigued with about way back last November. So that's like a year and a half ago and knowing, knowing his family background, sad about his losing his dad. His dad was a legend in Baltimore. But knowing Bob's toughness, that again, we saw it in we saw it this year's rookie, I think, you know, Bob's going to grow into a really good, solid, winning player. When I think about Carrington, both at Pitt and then when I saw from him this year, despite the record, because we know that the Wizards enter a rebuilding mode, he plays a winner, he plays winning basketball and he's, not afraid of the moment. He's going toe to toe with the best players in the league. 82 games this year showed a lot when he finished the league this season strong after losing his dad. I think Bob's got a chance to be a really important piece, Bob. In some ways he's not quitting now. I've been watching Marcus Smart since he was a high school sophomore, okay? And he's he doesn't have Marcus. Insane competitiveness, although he's very competitive. I think Marcus takes it, you know, beyond like, I coach Metta World Peace and but I do think he's got Marcus is toughness competitiveness. And depending on what the Wizards do with Marcus I think Marcus is going to have great impact on a guy like Bob, because we saw in Boston that Marcus played winning basketball. Always has been playing winning basketball since I saw him in high school. And I think Bob's got that same kind of winner's mentality. And I think, and even having Marcus around part of last season and maybe hopefully a lot this year that, you know, that don't continue to help Bob grow into the kind of competitive guard, junkyard dog playmaking point guard, make some shots that you know that will allow him to develop into a really good NBA player. That is some high praise. Coming from you as the legend. Fran Vigil is as the self and newly inducted to the Wizards District family. I've been a go go. Fan for two years. Go go go go fan. I've been watching it go go religiously for two years. So, bye bye bye nature. I'm also root for the wizards. So I know you're in my last, last one. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know by with your college. Baseball sketch low crazy going to the big 12. Yeah, yeah. You only got one East Coast game really? With, you know, the mountaineers. Yeah. So what's the likelihood. We will see you in DC? I think you'll see me a few times. Yeah, I think you will. I think, you know, I've got a vested interest in following the wizards, and, I'm going to if I'm, if I'm in Morgantown, it's an easy drive over from if I'm doing a game, if I'm if I can catch a Wizards game and drive over to Morgantown. The same I grew up in Knicks fan did cam I, you know, Baltimore Bullets, new York Knicks Wes Unseld you know Willis Reed I'm I'm old as I don't you can tell, but, no I'm going to be pulling for wizards. I, you know, honestly, I was talking to Coach Keefe about this. I've been I watched Brian Keefe play when he was a high school player playing EIU. I've known, you know, I've known Brian a very long time, and I'm excited for him. He's got a great staff. David Vanderpool, I know him well. You know Cape Horn, I did, I did Adam Cahill, another assistant coach. Cape played at Saint Mary's. I coached against him when he was a freshman at Saint Mary's, and I was in New Mexico. When you're as old as I am and you've been around basketball a long time, you pretty much know everybody. You know, it's a small world. It's, you know, the basketball world is like three, three blocks long, right? And I don't know everybody on the next street over, but I know somebody who knows somebody on the next street over. So when I come over and hang out with the Wizards, there's a lot of people I already know. And then, you know, my son James obviously being went to go, go the last two years I kind of followed both those teams from a distance. And it's fun. I'm excited. I'm excited. Thank you again for and appreciate you coming. Always a pleasure. And hopefully you. This won't be the first or last time we'll hear for you on the Avenue Gog is or on ESPN Sports Capital, it's Isaac and Jacob airs and live from the NBA Summer League. All right. Welcome back in to everyone. Thank you Isaac for of course taking the time to to not just go out to Las Vegas, but just getting the exclusive content that you were able to for the Kavanaugh caucus. I just want to extend my gratitude as a fellow co-host and say that we at the Capitol Caucus appreciate you. You had no appreciate that. And shout out to Fran for Shayla, Carlos Jimenez and as well as Chris Myles and some of the lucky fans that I actually met that reached out to me saying, hey, we need to talk to you. So a shout out to all that. It was a fun experience in Vegas. And shout out to all the other NBA contacts. We got to connect and, we, we may or may not have a lot of future new friends and fans of the famous side of this of the caucus. And, I'm excited. All right. Well, I mean, I'm I'm excited. I hope next year I'll be able to join you out there. And at the very least, we have been scoping out potential All Star weekend. We'll see how that all unfolds. There's still several months before we even get to that, so we'll just wait and see there. But thank you all so much for joining us here on the Capitol Hoop Caucus. If you missed any part of the show, then do not worry. You can always catch it on the podcast feed wherever it is that you get your podcast. Don't believe me? Well, go ahead and open up your favorite podcast app right now. And I challenge you. Type in Capital Hoop Caucus through the search bar. I guarantee you'll find us right there. When you're there, go ahead. Subscribe. If you can give us a rating review. It actually really helps us and we would really appreciate it. So if you could, we greatly appreciate it. Just take the time. A few more extra seconds. Isaac, for anyone who enjoyed what you had to say on today's show, where can they follow. You on Instagram? You can find me at Isaac underscore AG Coomer Harris 224 and on X which is one Twitter I writes and then you can also follow the Capitol Hoops page on IG. So the Cap Hoop Caucus and then on Instagram the Capitol Hoop Caucus. So feel free to follow all those pages if you want to find me. All right. Absolutely. Boost the pages wherever you can. Thanks again for everyone for tuning in. If you're listening right now on ESPN 630. And don't go anywhere because coming up later today at 3:30 p.m. eastern is baseball. It's back. A guest and the Reds are traveling to New York to take on the Mets, with my cousins and Doug Glanville on the call immediately following that will be the Orioles Radio Network, presented by Springer. For those local six six, nine Eagles are on the road to take on the rays, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. eastern. You can catch it all on ESPN. 630 deacon, the ESPN 630 app or 630 on your Am dial. Signing off for Isaac guys. Kim Harris, our very special guest for him, Priscilla and myself were McCabe. This has been another episode of the Capitol Hill Caucus reminding to be wary of the lightning darlings, please be kind to one another. We'll talk to you all again. Same time next week.
.JPG)
.jpeg)
