John Nolan on Team USA, Fever Stretch Run, Engelbert Retirement

0:00You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact that you may not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with progressive save over $900 on average. They make it super simple. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions, and you'll get a quick quote with coverage options tailored to your choices. Plus, you'll see which discounts you may qualify for, like the online quote discount, or savings for paying in full. In fact, 99% of progressive auto customers earn at least one discount. See if you could save when you switch to progressive. You'll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates. National average 12 month savings of $946 by new customer surveyed who saved with progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Detention savings will vary.

1:25With any other offer or discount. Kitchen and bathroom professionals know what goes behind the tile matters. That's why TradePros trust Fiber-Sement Party Backer Board to keep tile firmly in place, resist cracking, and help block moisture. Chosen in over 40 million Kitchen's and bathrooms. Party Backer Board. What the best build on. Shop now at participating Home Depot, Lowe's, and floor into core stores. For more information, visit JamesHearty.com slash hearty backer. Hello Fiber Nation and welcome to another edition of the Fiber Focus Podcast. My name is Kasey Johnson driving the ship for us today and joining me is a repeat guest, not only a repeat guest, a man who will forever go down as the first guest that we ever had here on the Fiber Focus Podcast.

2:27His name is John Nolan. He is the radio voice of the Fiber. You've seen so many different clips of him and Briagos over the course of the season, just losing their mind at some of this awesome play that we've gotten. John, I thank you so much for joining me. Let's start there. How much fun has especially the back half of this season been? Yeah, and I appreciate the chance to join you again, be part of the lore that's growing around Fiber Focus. So thanks for having me once more. And yeah, the season has been a blast to cover through some of the Lowe's, but so many highs that we've experienced. And so yeah, if you've seen any of the clips on social media of Bri and I, sort of behind the scenes as far as the radio broadcast goes, I mean, just genuine joy. Because this is, I almost don't think there's really any arguing against it. I think this is the most entertaining team in the history of the WNBA, averaging 97 points per game. No one's ever averaged more than 94 before.

3:30And here the Fiber are leading the league and shooting and 3-point shooting and the star power with Caitlin Kelsey, Alia just really actually what makes it so enjoyable too is the privilege that Bri and I have of getting to be around the team at practice and traveling and getting to know them as people and just really admiring them for who they are off the court and the high character people that they are players, coaches, staff members alike. So again, it is a very much a genuine reaction to seeing success for good people. Yeah. And I think that that's such an interesting conversation in sports, but especially in the WNBA where I don't know if you know this because it was news to me. Every single person in the WNBA is actually a terrible person and we should hate all of them and all of them should hate each other. And that is this conversation that takes place on social media every single day.

4:34And so in a way, I envy you and I envy, Briya, because like you guys get this access to the team that is so nice to where you get to actually look at them in the eyes and you can see, hey, they like really love each other. And I highly, highly doubt that this is not a really tight knit group from the things that I've seen. Yeah, I mean, even some of the days where I wake up and you know, make the mistake of looking at social media and seeing whatever sensational headline is out there and earlier part of the season, I'd go to practice and I'd maybe be like, oh, I wonder if you know, finally it's going to, you know, it's kind of the the toll will have been taken here and you know, the vibe won't be there. But even when things from the outside perhaps we're looking like the sky is following. It's a group that stayed tight knit, stayed positive truly together. And so we're talking right now during this break for the Feebo Women's Basketball World

5:36Cup in Germany. And on one hand, I think, you know, it is a disruption of the season that ideally you don't want to have. But at the same time, if there is maybe one silver lining from it, and I think anyone who's tuning in to this podcast and follows the beaver, you know, they don't need to take my word for it, that these are really quality human beings. You can get a sense of that from following the team and, you know, whether it's watching or listening to games or following along on social media, you can see that. Yeah, there are some basically bad actors out there on social media. We'll try to, you know, come up with different phony narratives. But in any case, and we can, or I can be guilty of sometimes looking at social media too much. There are, or whenever it is clearly though, some fans out there of, you know, let's say other star players around the league. So someone who's really devoted to page backers or someone who's really devoted to angel race and for whatever reason, you know, they got to get overly consumed and seem to lose sight of reality.

6:37I was thinking that maybe a silver lining of this World Cup break though and seeing Team USA with Caitlin and Alia, you know, having joy on the court now with the likes of page and angel and everyone else. So hopefully that can maybe break through to some people who've, you know, had their brains to store it to try to make things divisive when it's, when it's not there. So I'm probably being naive. It probably won't change anything per usual, but, you know, you got to have hope. Yeah. And, you know, I always think, I always think about Tyree's Halliburton and Jalen Brunson because like, they're very, very, very good friends. And every time one of them is wearing blue and gold and one of them is wearing blue and orange, they almost fistfight because that they're competitors and they get on the court. But then literally they end up on Smackdown together like in ring in a segment. And I'm like, man, all of these nicks fans and all of these Pacers fans are at each others

7:39throat. Tyree's Halliburton and Jalen Brunson are literally play fighting on national television, having the time of their lives. And that's the way that I feel especially about Caitlin and Paige. We're like, these two young women because I'm a, I'm a huge Jimmy's and Joe's guy. X's and O's very important, but I think that we discount the humanity. I've said this so many times on the podcast of these athletes and like, these are two girls who met at like 11, 12 years old and have grown up together on the USA select team. And in all of these different AAU circles and things like that, like guys, they're friends. And when they get on the court, they bicker like an old married couple like any two friends would. And don't get me wrong. I don't ever really get the feeling that like Caitlin and Angel like love each other. But it's very clear they're getting along tremendously and that they at least don't

8:41hate each other. And so you, you look at these situations like this and I, I agree with you because I think that provided there are no injuries. Players like Caitlin and Kelsey for the experience that they're getting in the world cup in that international play could really benefit them. Is there anything in particular that you're really looking for, for from either of them in order to, because you know, we're about to hit a stretch run here. And my thought is the more physical international play could be a really, really good primer for the playoffs. Is that something that you think could be the case and what else are you looking at? Well, just in response to that, I mean, how much more physical can it get than what we've seen at some points over the last few years for Caitlin and Alia. So in all due respect to the physical and even international basketball, it's not something to me that is necessary for, for the fever to have to adjust to for the playoff run.

9:44But yeah, for Caitlin and Alia and for coach White. Yeah, there's an opportunity for them to have these high stakes, high stakes games in. Now as we talk, the team has just advanced out of the quarterfinals into the semis. So yeah, I think it is a positive to have these pressure situations and even though that game and the group play against Italy was sort of disastrous with the fact that it came down. So the closing seconds, now the lesson again, it provided high pressure situation for Alia was out there in crunch time. So I think you know, the more experience, the better for the fever. I mean, Caitlin had two playoff games as a rookie. Of course didn't have the chance to be out there. But last year's run, you know, for Alia, all things considered still fairly limited in terms of WNBA, postseason play. I mean, she obviously and Caitlin as well going back to college and AAU circuit like you're kind of looting to them and they played in some big games.

10:45But yeah, more reps, more experience, the better I would say. Yeah, and coming off of particularly the game today, which folks, I'm going to burst a bubble. Unfortunately, neither John nor myself woke up at 530 in order to watch the game. But I have done my research and I've listened to several recaps of the game and I've heard people talking about it. And one thing that sort of created a light bulb moment in my head is their defense was the thing that really, really benefited them today. And I started thinking about that coaching staff and I thought to myself, there are certainly worse things that could be happening to Caitlin Clark right before the playoffs than learning how to play defense from Natalie Nacosta. Like this is, this is really beneficial. Yeah. And off of that, I guess it's crossing my mind with Caitlin and Alia being such high IQ players and then coach White's acumen.

11:47The fact that they are in the company of the head coach of the Golden Saved Valkyries and most of the roster coming from, or most of the players in the roster coming from teams that will be in the WNBA playoffs. Yeah, I kind of trust that Caitlin and Alia maybe pick up on a finger too from their current teammates who soon will be opponents again. And that could maybe be a slight advantage that they've got, you know, filed away somewhere in their basketball brain. So you know, switching back over to the fever for the sake of the fever because I said this on our one of our last episodes, I think maybe the scariest thing about this World Cup break is the fact that Kelsey Mitchell is going to be coming back and getting ready for a playoff run with very, very fresh legs. I think the MVP of the World Cup might be her PhD program, which is one reason she doesn't, you know, participate internationally.

12:48I think this could be such an important postseason for the fever franchise, but also, man, I think about Kelsey Mitchell as a player. Kelsey Mitchell wanting to make her mark. Kelsey Mitchell with the salary cap situation, we don't know how long and how feasible it's going to be with a hard cap to keep this entire core together. If you want to win with this core, which they do, they love each other, man. And if you want to win with them, you've got to start really, really showing the powers that be at this point that it is worth the financial risk to keep everybody together. How pivotal do you think this postseason run is for Kelsey Mitchell? Well, I think it's pivotal in the sense that she's the ultimate competitor. And so while she's started to stack up things that have never been done before in the WNPA, like, for example, this streak of games with at least 20 points at the end of the day, though,

13:51yeah, ultimate competitor. And so she wants to be a part of a championship team. And so I think that's what she's really about. And so I think it's pivotal just because that's what everyone's objective has been since they gather together back in the middle of April. Yeah, who knows what the future holds. I don't know. That's for people smarter than me to figure out. But I wouldn't really get into the mindset of thinking that how things transpire necessarily affects the future. But I think it's a pivotal run just because you've got a high level player who showed out certainly in the playoffs last year. And then unfortunately, I mean, it's a great what if in terms of her going out due to that situation in the second half of game five at Los Vegas and the semi finals. Yeah, what if she stays healthy and gets them somehow over at the top and who knows in

14:52a final series? So like you said, it's a nice on one hand, I think it's a mistake on USA's, USA basketball as part that they've overlooked Kelsey and not included her with this group. It's a different conversation, but I think selfishly then from a fever fan perspective right there with you and thinking, wow, Kelsey's got a chance here to recharge a bit because it seems like for the most part, she never slows down. She's going to be in the later parts of the game and she is still just significantly faster than everyone and you'd think that the tank might be running a little bit low but it just doesn't seem to happen. So she's got a she's incredibly condition in the first place and yet now a chance to maybe be even more explosive in the later part of the season in the playoffs. Yeah, I always think about this play. I forget which game which game it was in now. But Kelsey was backed up with like four seconds left on the shot clock against the half court line with two players on her and I was like, all right, well, you know, I guess

15:58they're not scoring before half time or whatever and I look to the right and I look up and she is at the basket scoring on an and one opportunity and I'm like, there is no other player that I've ever seen that just has the ability to like, it's one of those like you stopper kind of situations where it's like, oh, it's easy. I'm just not going to let her get to her spot. Okay. And this this has been a season where I've tried to remain cognizant, especially through like you said, all of the people trying to tear it down, all of the outside drama, all of the times when sometimes it isn't that fun. And I've tried to remember that it is that fun and that we are watching something that is truly special from both Caitlin and from Kelsey, that dynamic duo create situations where at a certain point, y'all just need to give your statistician the microphone because there's so many records. There's so much going on.

16:59What's it like to just be sitting there watching the court and realizing that you're watching one of the most impressive things, certainly in women's basketball history. Yeah, I try to be cognizant of making sure I'm staying in the moment and appreciating it. And I think I do a pretty good job of that for the most part. But as you point out there though, it is unreal. And so, you know, one of the challenges for me as a radio play by a play broadcaster is that at times I feel like I'm being left speechless. There are no words to do justice to how amazing they are. But yeah, it's on me to keep going through the the sores and dictionary to come up with new ways to try to caption this because it's just again, simply put, it's just never been done before by two players simultaneously. So yeah, I'm not one for hyperbole and I don't think I'm being hyperbolic when I say it's just the best back court in the WNBA right now.

18:00And I think definitely a strong case to be made. This is the best back court WNBA history. Yeah, and I've always I feel for you as being in the medium of radio specifically because it's your job to paint the picture, right? Because it's not a visual medium. And there are certain points where it's like Kelsey Mitchell. Oh, guys, I'll be honest. I'm not entirely sure what she just did, but it was awesome. Trust me. Uh, so what do you mean don't need a feel sorry for me? That's a great problem that's that fever fans and myself get to have. Yeah, Jeremiah Johnson and Pat Boyle and always say pleasant problems. That's that's one that I folded into my own lexicon. I really, I really like the idea of a pleasant problem to have what. So, you know, this season, we talked to you before the season and it was something of a lot of optimism. A lot of, hey, the fever might be able to hit the ground running here and then they hit the ground ground, you know, power walking, but it was really clear.

19:02A couple of players were still dealing with lingering injuries. They were still trying to figure out the, the chemistry portion of it. Monique Billings was learning not only a new style of play but who in extent a new position as well. What do you think was there a moment in your head where you really started to feel over the course of this season? Like they have really, really got the hang of this now. I can't think of a specific moment and I would say as they really have found their stride though here in the second half of this season. What comes to mind to me though is just continuity because again, even in the earlier part of this season, unfortunately, there was some disruption with Caitlin missing four games even Alia was, was out multiple times as he touched on their other players who were working their way back from injuries and even Monique had missed the first game of the season. You're listening to this podcast so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact that you may not know yet.

20:04Drivers who switch and save with progressive save over $900 on average. They make it super simple. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with coverage options tailored to your choices. Plus, you'll see which discounts you may qualify for like the online quote discount or savings for paying in full. In fact, 99% of progressive auto customers earn at least one discount. See if you could save when you switch to progressive. You'll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates national average 12 month savings of $946 by new customer surveyed who saved with progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary. Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile with your summer price forecast. Now, unfortunately, we're seeing rising costs across the country with possibility that big wireless hates you 100%.

21:04Now over here at Mint Mobile, we're seeing sunny skies and dropping prices every plan to just $15 a month. Give it a try at mintmobile.com slash switch. Up from payment of $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan required $15 per month equivalent taxes in these extra. New customer offer for initial plan term only greater than 50 gigabytes may slow in network is busy. See terms. So if you missed the game in there, so knock on wood, but of late they have been able to be healthy and have that continuity and things have come together. And then it seemed like the lack of chemistry in the early part of the season and the lack of experience together was obviously really just standing out on the defense event. I mean, out of the gates first game of the season against Dallas, they put up 100 plus points of loss. And that problem has repeated itself a handful of times over the course of the season. And to be fair right now, I'm probably you would say still not been fully corrected that the defense is the question mark going into the home stretch of the season. But yeah, I think it just comes down to the fact that Caitlin missed most of the last season

22:09was in and out and not feeling 100% and then even right when she came back and some of those games there was the minute restriction and it's hard to get into a float, a flow there. And even probably around the league, not specific to the fever, you know, the officiating was sort of evolving over the course of the season. We still see that as an issue flaring up from time to time with inconsistency and how games are called. Yeah, I can't say there is one moment. I think the one thing though that the team is demonstrated throughout and this goes back to last year too is just how resilient they are. And so basically the only game to me that stands out where they sort of just didn't look like themselves as that game at Portland in late May when they got off to a quick start and had a lead and then found themselves down 20 plus points. Otherwise though the way that they compete is always going to have them right in there.

23:09And I think that it's crazy to call a, you know, an all-star starter, an unsung hero. But with, you know, the Co-MVP push for, you know, Caitlin and Kelsey with the toss up that who's going to break a record on this given night? How much can be said about the steady hand that is Alia Boston? Because she is somebody who I, you know, compare her sometimes to she has a, for the Pacer's fans, like this Pascal see ackermish thing of like, because I'm a Pacer's half season ticket holder. And I will look down and I will say when did Pascal score 23 points? Because you're in the middle of the third quarter and it's just, you feel like he's just hit a couple shots, but he's quietly put up a double double. And Alia is just always there. What do you think has evolved the most about her game this season that has caused her

24:14to just be such a linchpin here? Yeah, that's a cool comparison. And I would say, you know, a common characteristic between Pascal and Alia gives out their just team oriented, unselfish players. So in Wendy ever see, now just speaking here about Alia and her role at the fever, when did you ever say, oh, Alia forced a shot there? I'm not sure it's ever been said with that and that question. I mean, clearly the answer is the evolution of her three point shooting this year. And it really is sensational how she's been able to develop and add to her game. I mean, talking about someone who was the number one overall pick in the draft in 2023. And yet she has added layers to what she contributes every single season offensively, you know, going from being a traditional post player to being in picking roles with Caitlin and her rookie season. Last year with Caitlin out, oftentimes being the hub of the offense and then now 40 plus percent from three and for stretches this season has been the number one three point

25:16shooter in the league by percentage as the volume has gone up to. And then steady is a fantastic word to describe her game because she remains one of the only players in the league who stopped 10 and rebounding and block shots. And so a lot of times that's not even really going to jump out as much when you're checking stats, but you know, just the anchor that she has for this team defensively and on the glass too. I think you're right. It's a little bit hard to believe, but probably sometimes underappreciated just because of the exciting nature and flashiness of the scoring and the passes from Caitlin and Kelsey. And then, you know, past those three, there has kind of been and not even necessarily in a bad way at times, but a bit of revolving door in terms of whose night is it going to be other, other than those three. And I want to run through a couple of names with you real quick.

26:19For one, I think that anybody who has watched the fever extensively this season would be hard pressed to say that Michaela Timson is not the biggest story in terms of growth at least over the course of the season. KK, somebody who didn't really play much even in her rookie season, even in so far as all of the injuries and stuff, she was still in a very, very, very developmental role. Maybe if the developmental slot had existed last year, she could have even been on one. But now she's a very consistent starter. She's filling the exact right hole in the offense. She's also filling a very nice hole in the defense. Do you think that there has been, I mean, other than just effort, springiness and all of the other buzzwords that we can use? Do you think that there's a specific reason why Michaela Timson is just the Swiss Army Knife Skeleton key that unlocks the true potential of the starting five?

27:21Yeah, so I would say with KK, I mean, I suppose the answer to that question would be because of her character and her work ethic. She is put again, the work to continue to get better. I think part of it would also have to be explained by the God-given athleticism that she has, which is unmatched on this roster and just about unmatched around all of the WNBA. So it is pretty wild to consider how the fever have been able to improve their team this season without a major acquisition from off the roster, so not a trade or a free agent sounding, but simply the maturation and growth of KK Timson. I mean, people will probably forget there is a game in June against Phoenix where KK did not log a single second on the court. So it wasn't even just flipping the switch at the start of this season. It's been over the course of this year, but certainly now as she's been in the starting lineup for the last nine games.

28:23One thing that Caitlin has talked about recently is just the way the KK is able to run the floor and that's how boost the assist numbers for Caitlin because KK just has the ability to have that kind of speed and quickness to go with the strength that helps out defensively, too. It's really wild. And so I would say they're still a ceiling and more room for growth for her and for this team, which is really exciting. And it's part of the reason why I think fans can be optimistic about what this team is capable of going into the playoffs. Yep. And everybody knows who's been listening to the show exactly what I'm about to say right now, but I'm going to say it again just because of the fact that I know that I can at some point in her career, Michaela Timson will dunk. And when she does, all of you were going to think about me. All of you were going to think, I've been banging this drum the whole season. All right. I agree with you that she will dunk at some point in her WNBA career.

29:27I will apologize in advance that I'm not sure, Casey. I won't necessarily be thinking of you. I might be thinking of when the fever played in New York recently, there was a young kid I'd say who's probably like a second grader. And he was holding up a sign that said, like, KK, dunk. And I know if she saw, I talked to her about it after when she saw it. And yeah, I'm with you. I think it's only a, only a matter of time. Well, hey, actually, the question will be, is it going to be Kate there? Is it going to be Michelle O'Neill? Yeah. Oh my gosh. I'm sure the fever as Michelle, recent addition of the roster on a player development contract. So she's made one appearance so far this year. Not sure if she'll wind up getting it over the final four games of the regular season. And then I don't think would be eligible for the playoff roster in all likelihood. But I'm sure fans have seen she recently did dunk after a shoot round in Dallas. And so yeah, just about opportunity for her in a game. So noted home run hitter and Tyrese Halliburton's celebrity softball game, Michelle O'Neill.

30:33Probably like one of the most naturally gifted athletes that I've seen in a long time. Of like whenever you watch Michelle O'Neill do anything, it's like, oh, she's like different than I am. And let's be honest, it extends beyond her athleticism too. It's one of the most affable people that I've come across. And one of the most intelligent people I've come across too for anyone not aware. She has also been working professionally as an engineer since she graduated from Cal and had a degree in I believe bioengineering. So yeah, an amazing person. And again, someone who might not necessarily really have any stats to show impact on this team, but we're describing an elite human being. And I think part of the shame of some of the online conversation over the course of this season and the past would be shots taken at the team's front office.

31:36And so this isn't me trying to be a company man or anything, but like, I mean, just look at the quality people that they have brought in, not to mention their talent on the court. And the fever right now at 26 and 14, they've won 65% of their games. It's the best winning percentage in franchise history. This is season number 27 for the fever. So if they can sustain this winning percentage and have a pretty good chance to build upon it here with these last four games, it's going to be the best regular season franchise history. And so it makes it all the more unbelievable that frequently there have been headlines about just about everything else. And so I appreciate the work that you and Alex do and keeping things centered on basketball for the most part and what is actually reality. But yeah, so that's a little bit of a tangent for me.

32:36But yeah, again, it's been really cool to have Michelle, part of the squad recently too and also including for the crazy athleticism that she has. Yeah, you made me think about I saw a clip. I think it was Jake Query a couple of days ago who was talking about the fever and he's talking about how people stop him in the street and they're like, what are the fever going to do? They're going to have to blow it up. And he's like blow it up. They're the fourth best team in the league and they're like, oh, judging by what I see online, I thought they were like last. Yeah. Right. And actually, though, too, one thing that is that on the flip side of things as I bring up, that's winning percentage in franchise history, but merely tied for four currently with Atlanta and the standings, that is a testament to the quality of talent around the WNBA. And so fever obviously have their work cut out for them to make a deep run in the playoffs sort of, you know, no fault of their own, but just because of how good the other teams

33:38out there are. And so, yeah, I think to be realistic, the fever are over index in the national conversation. It's like the Lakers and the NBA or the Cowboys in the NFL, where regardless of sort of if it's good, bad or ugly for them, they're going to be the team featured on national TV shows and sort of getting the most action on social media. So for better or worse, it's that way with the fever too, but I guess I just bring this up to be respectful about how good the other teams are and then also to, you know, preemptively avoid any crashing out if the fever, you know, don't win a title, not because like they fail because the other teams are really good too. Yeah, especially in truncated playoff series where they're not all best of seven in the WNBA like you're used to in a couple of other sports. And so it's like, man, if you have one off night, that could quite literally derail an entire championship season. But in order to make that happen, you do need vets and it's difficult to talk about the

34:42fever season this year without bringing up somebody like Ty Harris. And when I, when I watch Ty Harris, the number one thing that comes to my mind, the number one term that comes to my mind is one that you've used a number of times, which is just unselfish. I don't know that I've ever seen a player play with less of a knee first mindset ever in any discipline. She like, there have been times where she has barely taken a shot or two and been the starter in place of Caitlin her job when she is out there on the court is to ride the hot hand. And if it is her own hand, she will continue to ride the hot hand and recognize that. But the way that she looks to everybody else first is that not exactly what you want in your motor off the bench? 100% and I think if you're talking about any successful organization, whether it's a

35:43professional basketball team or I don't know, an accounting firm or a restaurant, everyone's got to know their role. And I think one of the real strengths of this fever team is how the role players understand their role and really pretty much across the board at this point of the season thrives in their role and sort of dominated their role. So if your tie hair is, yeah, that's just being a steady presence at point guard and being a different type of player than Caitlin Clark, not necessarily trying to be as aggressive attacking the score offensively though there have been times this year where tie was feeling it and put up big offensive number scoring wise to go with the assist and then maybe even more importantly, low turnover numbers. So again, I think there should probably be more respect given to the job that the front office and staff have done in putting this roster together in getting pieces where they're

36:46bought into their role. And so I think it's really awesome. And just the epitome of a team where someone like Misha Hinds Allen has had some games where she didn't check in at all or hardly play. And then yet, you know, there have been some games recently where she jumped right in and was really impactful like the game at New York in August is one that that stands out and even like Mercedes Russell, newest addition to the team when Alia didn't play at Chicago. The job that Mercedes did coming off the bench. So I think that's really what, you know, I think that's a pretty common characteristic for championship teams is everyone's thriving in their role. And yes, part of role players is that they're not as consistent as superstar players. And so again, sometimes I just kind of chuckle and someone on a fan might be sort of freaking out that oh, like, so if we didn't make a three in this game, well, yeah, she didn't

37:49make a three in this game, but she's got the confidence that the next game she's capable of making five. And so I just think it's really valuable that the fever have mature players and this could be could have a different conversation about this. But how often do we see some players out there around the league who have emotional meltdowns on the court during games or on the bench or whatever. And I think just the maturity of this fever team from the coaching staff all the way through through the roster is really impressive and special. Yeah, as as I listen to ironically, like Colts content, I've listened to a Colts show that has former running back Alan Pinkett on it. And he's talked about the fact that when he was with the Houston Oilers, he they had to have a moment where they looked around the locker room and they were all like they really liked each other like they were cool outside of the locker room and they had this gut check moment where they said, you know, if we want to stay together, we have to start

38:55winning. And so I think that sometimes the again, the humanity of it, we have a tendency to discount because if you granted, if you put talented players and smart players together, they will figure it out. All of these are talented players, all of these are smart players. But if you put a group of good people together who legitimately like each other, they're not stupid. They know that if they don't get results, then they will be split apart. If you want to go to work every day and see your friend, you're listening to this podcast. So I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact that you may not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with progressive save over $900 on average. They make it super simple. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions, and you'll get a quick quote with coverage options tailored to your choices. Plus you'll see which discounts you may qualify for, like the online quote discount or savings for paying in full. In fact, 99% of progressive auto customers earn at least one discount.

39:57See if you could save when you switch to progressive. You'll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates. National average 12 month savings of $946 by new customer surveyed who saved with progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary. This is Angus Maximus. This partner has one pound of hot sushi cooked to auto Angus speed. It's more expensive than a quarter pounder. The bill for a limited time of participating restaurants tax on included not valid for use within a combo or in combination with any other offer or discount. The way that you have been all year, you kind of have to produce results. And again, I'm with you in the maturity of the team and the way that they have in a season

41:04as every season has been for the fever where it would be really easy to be at each other's throats. The moment you look at social media, the moment you look at that first tweet that says Caitlin Clark has it out for Kelsey Mitchell or vice versa or whatever the stupid narrative is that's taken place. And you've been so close to this team and Pat Boylan's talked about it with us. Brea talked about it with us. Everybody who has been close to the team has said, man, they haven't had a situation where it's pulled them apart. It's brought them together more and more. It is the Indiana fever against the world and aspect. And to that point, you can't really say enough about the humans in the locker room. Yes. And then actually I will flip it here for a second because again, I admit sometimes I can make the mistake of seeing stuff online. And I think, you know, fortunately, again, the fever have to echo what we're saying, mature

42:06people. And so I can't run this definitely talked about this. And basically for all everyone on the team at some point, there is just that there is a difference between what's on the internet and real life. And so part of what's in real life is the amazing fever fan base. And I think that's something that's also an expacter for them here, the rest of the season because we see it time in and time out, whether it's Game Bridge, Fieldhouse being sold out and having, you know, as high energy of an atmosphere as possible or the games on the road where nearly every time out, you feel like it's almost a home game. And it's just incredibly special the way that fever fans for road games arrive early and they do at home too. But I guess that's somewhat to be expected. But it's so common on the road an hour or so before the game. I mean as soon as the gates open, usually 90 minutes before the game, but almost all

43:08the way up until the game time, you think that it is a fever home game to space off the number of fans wearing fever gear, jerseys, shirts, hats, etc. And who make their way down towards the court area to watch warm ups. And yeah, for a lot of them there, maybe also hoping to get a chance to score an autograph. But I think that we, you know, got to just give a lot of props to the to the hardcore dedicated fever fans. And you know, again, as a society, we just unfortunately kind of gravitate towards the negative sometimes, but I just want to make sure to share. And you know, again, for me as the team's radio broadcast, it's a real, it's a real honor and blessing that we have so many fans that tune in to games too. Of course, the fever setting records that get publicized all the time on the TV sign of things. And, you know, I know more and more people since the radio broadcast return last year have found us either through the radio or streaming for free online and through the fever app. So I think, and I think that's maybe it's because back to like when I was in high school,

44:12like I was in the student section, I want to feel like fans can influence things maybe more than more than is realistic. But I think that's something that helps the field and this team along too, because 99% of the time when they're in the arena, they know that they got people there out their back. Yeah, I, you know, and this is something that I've been sort of thinking about for potentially a future episode of the fever focus wide angle, probably going to end up releasing that one around the start of the playoffs. But the internet has manufactured what the Indiana fever fan is with heavy quotes. And the internet has its own version of what the fever fan base is like and what the people within the fever fan base is like, and I, you know, I was out in LA visiting my in laws last year and we went to a sparks game because like if I'm going to be able to go to a basketball game inside of crypto.com arena, I'm going to go to a basketball game inside of crypto.com arena.

45:13And like we were sitting next to these people and we were telling them we're from Indiana, you know, and they were, we were as mentioning, you know, a fever game at Game Ridge Fieldhouse is one of the most welcoming environments that I've ever been in and they were like, word? And I was like, yes, yes, yes, there's like, if you put any two people in the room, they're going to find more that they have in common with each other than what they have different. And like you and I are lucky, we get to experience, you know, that arena all the time. We get to experience the real fever fan all the time. But, you know, to an extent, kind of like you said, it's up to us to evangelize how special of a basketball environment it is because everybody runs with just the one or two things, some of which have even been debunked. And then we just end up in that same situation. But I'm I'm the same way as you. I can't say as much, I can't say enough about the the fever fan base.

46:17Yeah, I personally find going to any fever game, especially ones inside Game Ridge Fieldhouse, to be a restoring faith in humanity kind of experience. And yeah, I think it's so cool to see a typical Game of Game Bridge fieldhouse featuring fans of all ages, all demographics from all over cross, you know, not only Indiana, but across the country and then even from around the world, literally. Yeah, it's so it's so unique and so wonderful. And so yeah, at the end of the day, that is that's more of the real world than, you know, someone who's got some other issues going on and for whatever reason has a distorted view of the team or the league overall. So real quick before we let you go, I want to spend a few minutes just pivoting and talking about what is absolutely the biggest news coming out of the WNBA this year, potentially the most pivotal

47:22news in WNBA history. And that is the the resignation and retirement of Kathy Engelberg. It's something that has happened since we have been on our break here. And I I first I want to take your temperature in terms of just do you sort because my opinion is that this is going to be probably the most pivotal single higher in the history of women's basketball probably. They're at such a hinge point right now to where it could go up into the stratosphere in the same way that it's going, but the wrong higher really could tank a lot of things if they lean into the wrong side. Do you think that this is as or even in the same stratosphere of importance in terms of higher as I do what what does this moment feel like for you being sort of on the inside?

48:25Well, to be clear, I guess you could say on the inside of just that I do work for a team, but not on the inside in terms of having any kind of knowledge of what the process will be like for identifying the next commissioner of the WNBA. But yeah, certainly it is significant because we've seen a lot of precedent and growth in the league here in recent years yet there's been more than its fair share of sensational headlines whether justified at times or not. So yeah, I think that clearly there is an opportunity for a strong leader to come in and help unite everyone and continue to take this thing forward. Yeah, and so, you know, Kathy has been at the helm for this unprecedented growth and definitely deserves flowers for a lot of accomplishments at the same time. I mean, you hear it from players who at the end of the day,

49:27I guess I would just say to to a degree temper sort of like your statement there. I think at the end of the day, the incredible talent of players like Caitlin and Kelsey and Alia, that's going to dictate the future of the league, but yeah, certainly it can be even better and you know, you've just you've heard from players that there is that if nothing else, a bit of a gap in the relationship between the league and the players. And so yeah, hopefully everyone can kind of be more unified like, you know, this fever difference and since been moving forward, yeah. Yeah, I you know, I think back to a conversation I had with my father in law about a year ago about the company he was working for at the time and he said, you know, if I do my job eventually, I'll become useless to this company. If I do my job eventually, I will do my part in helping the company grow to a point where my skill set is no longer required. And I think about that with Kathy because you know, she was hired to get this league out of the red. Whatever she needed to do,

50:30she was hired in order to flip it into profitability and then boom, Caitlin Clark happens and boom, Angel Reese happens and pagebackers and now Olivia Miles and all of these young players who have come in that really changed like they didn't change the trajectory that the league was on, but they immediately gave it this big like power buff like you're in a video game of like they accelerated the timeline so much. And I think it is the right time probably to get somebody in who leads on sort of a different scale than even what Kathy was hired to do. And she said she would only, you know, originally was only going to do it for a few years and then step away anyway. So I don't think this is a surprise to anyone as somebody who is so close to the league and sees these players every day is there a single quality or a single thing that in your estimation, the new commissioner probably

51:30like needs to have in spades, whether or not it's something that that Kathy had, is there one specific thing that you're looking for that, hey, in my opinion, the new commissioner definitely needs blank. Yeah, and I think just to go off of what you were saying from there, this ball is probably in that category. We have a pleasant problem to have in terms of the league having grown so much that, yeah, some of the issues that leadership faces are different than what they were, you know, last cycle when there was an opening for leadership. So first thing that would come to mind for me with that question though, would be how again, whether you are working in a business office or whether you're a team or in this case a league, it comes down to relationships. And so again, it seems like we've heard from players in recent years now say that they don't feel like they've had a personal relationship and I can't think of like the exact quote or line here, but

52:33again, that supplies beyond sports. Sometimes if you want people to sort of be at their best, you got to show them how you care about them at an individual first, more so than like an employee or something like that. So I think just hopefully it's someone who's going to be able to connect with with players on a personal level. And I think that can go a long way and just getting everyone, everyone pulling in the same direction to use another cliche. Yeah, so to put the focus back on the fever on the fever focus podcast here with one final question, what do you think is the thing that we as fans need to watch the most in these, you know, last few games that the fever are going to be playing here after the break that could be a harbingers of what could potentially take place during a playoff run. That's fascinating question. And I guess the top things that come to mind

53:35would be the work that they're doing on defense and then offensively keep and turnovers down because I think basically the major issue at the defense oftentimes has been really caused actually by the offense. And so for as phenomenal as the offense has been averaging 97 points per game throughout the season, they've been towards the bottom of the league, or depending on how you want to look at it, but bottom of the league as far as turnovers go as in like they're turning it over, they've had a tendency to turn it over too much, leading the transition opportunities for their opponents. And that's where things can get off the rails at times. So and then for that matter of even defensively, probably limiting fouling. So they've made progress in terms of fouling less on defense, and turning it over less on offense. That is part of what has led here to them, now ascending to this 26 and 14 record with four games to go. So I would say those are nothing necessarily new. That wasn't the case before this break, but kind of just comes into

54:39hyper focus here as the games carry more weight for speeding. And then ultimately when you're battling the playoffs. So real quick before we get out of here, I just want you to take an opportunity to talk about the fever radio broadcast. Tell everybody where they can find you how how special it is also listening to sports on the radio, because it's a completely different dynamic than watching it, even preferable. I think sometimes when you have the choice, sometimes I really like the radio broadcast. So tell everybody where they can find you, and that's both on a personal and professional level. Thanks. Yeah. I know it's a little bit ironic, but as we've touched on some of the non-basketball things that at times have overtaken the discourse of the WNBA, it's been, in my opinion, ironic that we've gotten complemented for talking about basketball, which that's all we can really afford to do when doing a radio broadcast in a basketball game. So yeah. So I relish that we

55:44get to do it. And yeah, I remember sitting in this when joining you guys, proofy season, but credit to Pacer Sports Entertainment and the fever as a franchise that Brian and I were the only radio broadcast crew out of the 15 teams in the league that cover each and every game, home and away on site. Like most teams don't have a radio broadcast still. Some that do the road games remotely, some do it with just a play by play, no analyst. So in addition to having the most robust TV coverage in the league, fever also, first in class when it comes to the audio coverage, and then this year we've expanded with a 30 minute pregame show and a postgame show that sometimes is upwards of an hour and we've got Mick Tidro who hosts that. And so behind the scenes, Scott Fencer maker, our engineer for home games, and at a garrison who produces the majority of our games in studio. And those are some of the same guys who lead the way with Pacer's radio broadcast. So

56:47again, we've got the best best radio crew in the WNBA. And so extremely grateful for that. And yeah, as a reminder, or to let somebody know who's not aware, these games besides being on the old national bank radio network statewide. So an Indianapolis, it's on 935 and 1075, the fan, but also affiliates around the state. If you download the official Indiana fever app, touring games, there's a button right in the middle of the screen that's easy to tap with the radio logo on it to stream for free. And then you can also just go to like 1075thefan.com and have it stream for free there. I wish I had a simple solution to being able to match the audio with the TV broadcast currently. And you know, that takes some patience, I suppose, the should pause one, get the other to catch up. Like, I know in the NBA, you could, so if you have a league pass for instance, just select an option to get the radio call on there

57:52for baseball fans with MLB TV too. Hopefully one day when you get there in the WNBA, but for the time being out, I know a lot of fans have been able to get them to sink or have them close enough where it's enhancing their experience and following the game. So hope, especially, there's only going to be out of these final four regular season games. Only one of them will there be a local TV broadcast for the fever with Pat and Debbie and Kelsey and their crew and then the playoffs will be all national TV games. So I mean, I've one of my favorite parts of the job has been getting to become friendly with some of the national TV broadcasts and I think basically across the board, they're terrific people and do terrific work on these broadcasts, but it is their job to be down the middle and neutral. And so they might not emote as much when Kate one makes a 30 footer or Kelsey blows by everyone and laves it in. And obviously going back to what we were talking about at the start

58:57of this conversation for Bri and I, you know, we're in awe of the amazing play of this fever team. And so we try to have that passion come through trying not necessarily to be a homers, still trying to present things in a fair manner, but at the end of the day, we're going to be leaning towards the fever side of things. So I know again, for some fans, that's what they were prefer over someone, you know, kind of devoted equal time and attention during a broadcast to both teams. Yeah, you don't have to even talk about the the national TV broadcast. I'm not sure that there are many fans in the building who emote as much as Briah on some of those on some of those bigger shots. So, but that's what I love, man. You can tell that you guys love what you do so much. And you have so much fun out there. And you guys clearly love doing it with each other. Like this is something that

1:00:00it's we've been really lucky just in the Indianapolis market in general to have, I mean, Chris and Quinn, Pat and Debbie, you know, a Mark and Eddie and and you two to like, we've got some really, really stout announced teams in the Indianapolis market. And I watch League Pass. It's not always, you know, the that level of togetherness and that level of just knowing exactly what the other one is going to be doing at any given point. So yeah, I mean, obviously, thank you for joining us today, but also like props to you guys for doing everything that you do. I've I've worn headset. I know how difficult it is this idea that you have to like, you don't get to take a second before you say what's happening. You have to see it and it has to come out of your mouth at the same time. And so it's it's one of the, I think, the most impressive jobs that somebody can do. And so absolute props to you guys. And we appreciate the work that you guys do always.

1:01:07Oh, you're two kind and possibly not correct there. I think what we get to do is, you know, quite easy compared to a lot of jobs out there. But yeah, you know, for anyone watching or listening to this, obviously, I'm a pretty measured person. Most of the time, but and I'll preface this with saying I'm not trying to say that I am as good as my job as like Caitlin is at hers, not even in the same stratosphere comparatively there. But I do like in it in the sense that if you listen to Caitlin do an interview, she's calm, she's thoughtful, pretty relaxed most of the time. And then kind of wants the whistle blows and she's on the court. She is arguably a different person with the fire that she has, the competitiveness that she has. And so I really can't explain it. I have never caught myself sort of figure out exactly when the moment flips for me too. But you know, once, once the action is underway, you know, I suppose part

1:02:10of it just comes from feeding off the adrenaline of, you know, the players out there on the court, the fans filling the arena too. And so I definitely find a different level of energy to have during broadcast. And yeah, again, it helps that breathe as incredibly high energy and fun loving person. And so that makes it all the better too. And yeah, I'm really lucky to have such such an A plus teammate. Well, thank you, John, for joining us today. And thank you for as always. And we will forever mention this every time you're on the show being our first guest that we ever had. And thank you everybody for listening to slash watching this episode of the Fever Focus podcast. Alex and I in some form will be back soon. But until then, let's get ready for a gold to come home with the United States. Let's get ready for a stretch run. And let's go fever. Okay.

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