NBA Free Agency & Commissioner's Cup Preview

A four overtime WNBA thriller puts the Washington Mystics back in the record books and gives us a perfect excuse to talk about who really impacts winning when everyone is exhausted. We also preview the Commissioner’s Cup with injuries hanging over everything, then pivot to NBA free agency chaos and the trades and rumors that can change a season overnight. 
• The Mystics vs Fire four overtime finish and why it stands out historically 
• Late June and early July as a weird hotspot for WNBA overtime madness 
• Alicia Flores’ five steals as a defense-first impact moment 
• Michaela Anuare’s breakout scoring night and what it signals for a young team 
• Kiki’s all-around stat line plus the importance of free throw improvement 
• Shakira Alston as the defensive anchor and how that supports the team’s closer 
• Commissioner’s Cup storylines, injury questions, and what “depth” really means 
• Liberty vs Aces expectations if A’ja Wilson misses time 
• NBA free agency volatility through a Lakers fan lens 
• The Ja Morant trade, perceived value, and why fit matters as much as talent 
please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone one, about the WNBA, and two, about my show. 

Transcript

Welcome And Quick Housekeeping

SPEAKER_00 0:00

What's up everybody? It's your favorite show. It's favorite show Get a Bucket. I'm your host, Train as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're gonna talk about some things in the WNBA and the NBA. But before I do that, please make sure that like and subscribe button. Comment on anyone who's anyone about the show. I'm trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And if you wonder where you heard this before, that's the you've been listening with me Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate your support.

Four Overtime WNBA Instant Classic

SPEAKER_00 0:23

Now, WNBA, because you know we're gentlemen, we're gonna let ladies go first. We gotta talk about the four overtime WNBA game, which tied the record for periods played. No pun intended. I know people are gonna be like, what you mean by that? No, just flow with me. Just oh my gosh. Oh, this is take two. Alright, so the Mystics just played the Fire. Okay, the Washington Mystics just played the Portland Fire, and it went to four overtimes. Now the Mystics ended up winning, 124 to 123. But this is the second time that this has happened in WNBA Hershey. I hope y'all peeped me when I say that tied, right? Now the thing to note are the following. One, this took place July 3rd, 2021. So it was almost the same day. It was almost the same day. Very close. Something's in the water when it comes to late June, early July time frame in the WNBA. But it was also involving the Mystics. They played the storm. The Mystics actually won that game, but peeped the score. Now remember I said this Mystics versus Fire team, the game went 124 to 123, right? The Mystics won 72 to 69. It's a large gap. That's yeah, that's 52 points of my math is mathing, right? Between the winning scores. Now, overtimes were five minutes apiece, right? The main difference in the overtimes were in the Mystics Fire game, overtime only produced two double-digit quarters, periods, however you want to classify it, right? In that Mystics versus Storm game, the first one, it produced one quarter or period, whichever one you want to classify it. And that's when the Mystics scored 12. But in the Fire versus Mystic game, we had two. Where both scored 12 and 13 in the first and third period of the overtime. Now, just want to give a couple quick shout-outs,

Standout Performances And What They Mean

SPEAKER_00 2:23

right? Alicia Flores, I didn't quite know who you were, right? Five steals. That's tough. Kudos to you. Because hell, if you keep that up, you're gonna find some tick. I'm probably gonna use it right now. Like, defensive effort like that does not go unnoticed. Just ask Jose Alvarando and people like that. So again, ladies and gentlemen, Alicia Flores, I'm gonna be paying attention to you. Michaela Anuare played the game of her life. I mean, she hooped her tail off. Her tail is still missing right now, point in time. Like, she's an important role player. I've been through that. But maybe she's better than what her stats should. Like, maybe she's hitting her stride now because of the timing, because she's with this young team who is the WNBA's youngest team in history, right? So maybe she's hitting her stride. Again, game of her life with 30 points, six of nine from the three-point line. Can't knock that. So kudos to you. Kiki Erie Fing. Biggest thing I can say is improve your free throws. But you had a hell of a game. 27 points, 11 rebounds, six assists with only two turnuffs with two steals on a block. That's the Kiki Erie Effing. I need to see. Like, Kiki, do you love DC? Like, we need, we, we, we really need to see that Kiki, because if so, you're gonna challenge Sonya for the top spot, but also Shakira Alston from the top spot. Keep in mind, Shakira Alston, right? Played a phenomenal game. She did go three of nine from the field. It's okay, though. Because she got six assists to one turnover plus 13 rebounds and four blocks. Shakira, you gotta be the defensive anchor for this team, which four blocks says you're the defensive anchor for this team. So we need to consistently see you defending and being the anchor the way you displayed this game. Because respectfully, we know the best scorer on the team is Sonia Citron. And that's no disrespect to y'all at all whatsoever. But consistently, she's been y'all's leading scorer. She's been the player who y'all should get the ball or at least get the ball to close games, late game. Makes sense. So we know what Sonya's gonna do. Shakira, if you can manage the defense like you did and also affect different aspects of the game, same with Kiki. Y'all are really gonna go far. So that's why I say the mystics I expect to make it to the playoffs and make a lot of noise against another team. So definitely stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen, and peep them because they're not like they're not bad. I can't even hold you, bro. Like they're not bad at all. And then we gotta give some love to the Portland Fire, right? Bridget Carlton, you played a good game, 16 points. Megan Gustafeson, you played a good game with 20 points. Sarah Ashley Barker, 25 points. That's not bad. Carla Lalite, 32 points, nine rebounds, six rebounds, nine assists, three steals. Like, y'all had Emily Inkler. I loved six points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, three blocks. Good hoops, ladies and gentlemen. Definitely was a game to watch. I'm waiting forward to see the rematch because clearly it's gotta be something spectacular. But hey, late June, early July, there's something in the water. I'm telling you that right now. There is something in the water.

Commissioner’s Cup Stakes And Injuries

SPEAKER_00 5:30

Now we're gonna speed past that and we're gonna talk about real quick the Commissioner Cup, okay? Because it is, it's coming up. All right, it's coming up. Here's some things to note of the game, okay? We already know that these two teams are slated to go to the second round of the WNBA's playoffs. That's what history has shown us. The only team that has not done it was the Seattle Storm. And again, I told you, that's because of the games played, and Brianna Stewart was not playing. She was out during that time. And they went up against the team that ended up going to the finals. So there was a lot that factors in with that context. Now keep in mind though, okay? We might not see Asia Wilson or Dana Evans, which we haven't seen Dana for a minute. Satu Sabley is in concussion protocol, so she might not be back either. Asia could be out with an ankle injury. And the Liberty have been dealing with injuries. So what I'm looking to see is who guts it out more? Are the Aces able to rally behind Asia being out? Because if Asia's out, the expectations are for the New York Liberty to, in fact, win this game. Like they have to, without question. But on the flip side, what if the Aces do win? Does that mean that the Liberty gave it away? Does that mean that the Aces are really deeper and stronger than what people are realizing? There's a bunch of things to focus on, no matter who's playing in this game. Hell, the Aces just got their butt whooped against the Liberty the last time they played. So there might be a chip on their shoulder, on top of saying, hey, we need to do it for our girl Asia, which happens. Chelsea Gray is a stud on the team. Jackie Young is really quality on the squad. And Alyssa Smith can actually hoop despite statistical, despite you guys paying attention to her statistics. Alright, so that statistical analysis isn't always telling of a player. Just to give y'all context. So again, Commissioner Cup Championship taking place tonight at 7 o'clock. Stay tuned because it's going to be a good one. I promise you all. Who I predict or expect, it depends on who plays. I expect the Liberty, because I think they're the deepest team. But again, they're dealing with injuries. Players are starting to come back. They're trying to get their cohesion right. The Aces could, in fact, take this matchup. I just expect the Liberty because of on paper. That's the main thing for right now. But it's early, so we got to wait to see. But Commissioner Cup Championship. Stay tuned. Should be a

NBA Free Agency Chaos Watch

SPEAKER_00 8:01

good one. Now we're going to transition on to the NBA, ladies and gentlemen, because I'm going to just talk about this real quick. It's NBA freight, it's the NBA free agency period. Things are going to get a little crazy. I'm going to need you to sit tight, woo-saw yourself, okay? Because you might be, yeah, you might get upset at some of these trades, some of these signings. You might. From a standpoint of why did my team do that, or from a standpoint of why didn't my team do that. Question is, should I be a Lakers fan right now? Because my team ain't really doing but so much right now. You know what I'm saying? Now I understand we're looking at players. I'm a Lakers fan, to be clear. I understand we're looking at players. But I don't like the way we moving off the gates. Other teams is moving alright, you know what I'm saying? And my team not. I'm not gonna talk about all the trades because I, you know, we we we've seen some rumors. Like we like imagine, oh my gosh. Just imagine. Right? If we see something like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Anthony Davis sign with the Warriors, that would be an interesting team. I'm not gonna lie to you. Like that really, truly would be a very interesting team. Also, the Warriors just got Porzingis back. So what if he stays on the squad too? That's disgusting. That is disgusting work. Or, and this would kind of apply to us, what if we get Jalen Durant, pairing him with Luka Doncic? Could that be something? I

Ja Morant Trade And Team Fit Questions

SPEAKER_00 9:29

mean, there's gonna be a bunch of things to talk about for sure. Because again, it's free agency period. Hell, we've already seen a major blockbuster, well, not a major blockbuster trade, but a major trade in Ja Morant. And I and I really hope that Jaw understands and is and is humbled by this trade because he he he went for Jeremy Grant and Chris Murray. And I'm not gonna try to bring those two athletes down, right? But when we see other athletes getting traded, other top picks getting traded, they go for a little higher than what John Morant just went for. Shoot, Rudy Gobert went for like four or five first rounds, plus some players, right? Isn't that what happened? You know what I'm saying? John Morant went for Jeremy Grant, who quality player. No one's viewing him as an all-NBA. You might be able to say fringe all-star, but that's what we're going with. And then Chris Murray, he's probably most notable for being Keegan Murray's brother at this point in time. Again, I play him for sure. He beat my tail on the court, but in the NBA, it's a little bit different. So again, the fact that John Morant went there for that. You go to Portland for that. You already got Drew Holiday. You already got Shane Sharp. I mean, yeah, Shane Sharp there too. Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, like that's a that's a that's a that's a lot of guards over there, champ. So how much PT will he get? How much like he's gotta prove that he can play? And we know he got the talent, but off-the-court issues is his issue. Boy stupid. He has displayed a lot of stupidity along the way. We don't get over that. We don't forget that sort of thing. I still I I would not want you on my team if I'm if I'm the Lakers. I really hope we don't trade for him. But also, who needs him? Like, there are other guards out there that can give us quality production, also play better defense, and less headache off the court. We ain't gotta worry about your daddy. Like, these are things that we're thinking about. Because yes, you know, we're playing basketball, but the NBA is also a business. So, I mean, you know, it's it stands for National Basketball Association, but National Basketball Business Association, it really should be what it's called. So, again, ladies and gentlemen, you're gonna see some major trades. You're gonna see some surprising things like that happen, like John Morant getting traded. Or maybe you see Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Steph Curry get signed by the Warriors, all three of them on the team. Which, if that happens, can we get Christoph Sprozingis? Like, that would be phenomenal. Now we're getting back, now we get back to what the Mavis used to have. And what if we do something with that? That'd be pretty spectacular. But you see how now starting to think about narratives forming up. Like, what happens with Jalen Brown? What if the Celtics trade Jalen Brown to Portland for John Morant? Oh, I know some people that would be upset. But also think about Portland. You got Denny Aldia, you got Jalen Brown, you might still have Damian Lillard now. Drew Holiday, that would be a that would be a quality one through four. And then you got Klingon, that's mmm, hold on. I don't think the Celtics that dumb. But again, it's NBA free agency period, ladies and gentlemen. That anything could happen at this given point in time. It's a jump ball. So let's wait and see what occurs. But I'm I'm I'm definitely excited to see what happens. My Lakers could even pick up Jonathan Kaminga. I actually wouldn't mind that personally. I really wouldn't. But I'm curious, ladies and gentlemen, what signing, what free agency period signing do you want to see happen? What trade do you want to see occur? What thing do you not want to see occur? I want to know your thoughts.

Listener Prompts And Closing

SPEAKER_00 13:25

But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So again, you know, kudos to the WNBA for providing some very entertaining aspects along the way. And I expect to have this Commissioner Cup game be at least entertaining because there's gonna be some storylines to follow for sure. And then the NBA free agency period. Sit tight, buckle up, because we got a lot to talk about over the next couple months. But like I said, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end, that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone one, about the WNBA, and two, about my show. My name is Trey, I'm the host of Goodabuck, and I hope you are all having a good one. Take care.