Beyond the Bleachers

We are officially at the halfway point of the 2023 WNBA season. Samantha and Joslyn go through the past, present, and future by highlighting their favorite moments of the season thus far, their favorite moments from All-Star Weekend, and their predictions for the winners of the top awards at the end of the WNBA season (Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Sixth Woman of the Year). Which players have taken their game to new heights and which are still struggling to find their rhythm? What teams are on a roll so far and which ones are quickly falling out of it? What was your favorite moment from All-Star Weekend, and are we excited for next year's festivities in Phoenix? Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us!

This episode is a little longer because we have a lot to say! Las Vegas has been defeated once again. We told you last week that its all in the hair and this week Alysha Clark proved our theory to be correct. Meanwhile, it's the elephant in the room. The big E. You guessed it. We're talking about the almighty ego. We all have one, but when does it go too far? We talk team success vs personal gains. Plus, Sabrina lonescu is on the cover of NBA 2K24. The streets are talking and so are we. Is she deserving? Who would have been a better choice? Is it even that big of a deal? After the episode we want to hear your thoughts. Also, Lexie Hull started the season rocky has recently elevated her game to new heights, and Jackie Young may be quiet but her game is far from it. Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us! We’d love to hear who you think is an unsung hero of the W!

It’s officially all-star season, as the WNBA has announced the 2023 all-star game starters! Find out which players we are most excited about, and which players we think should be reserves. Also, find out about the devastation that has hit the Connecticut Sun and what two players Samantha believes are the keys to their success moving forward. Here's a hint...one of them is her breakout star of the week! Also, is being a hothead player a good thing or a bad thing? Find out why Joslyn thinks it may not be such a good thing as we discuss Arike Ogunbowale’s recent ejection from a game while she was on the bench! Was it targeted or due diligence? Let us know your thoughts! Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us! We would love to hear from you!

Samantha and Joslyn have a special guest this week-2014 McDonald's All American and Duke Blue Devil Lynee' Belton (@lynee_be). She shares her experience playing for a Power 5 program, her passion in advocating for mental well-being in and out of basketball, and the family ties she shares with Samantha. As an avid WNBA watcher herself and current AAU basketball coach, Lynee’ shows just why we dubbed her a fellow Sophisticated Spectator. She names the team she thinks will give the Las Vegas Aces a run for their money come playoffs and pinpoints what makes Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks stand out from the rest. Also, Joslyn and Samantha emphasize just how important it is to stay ready while highlighting some players that have gotten called on in some crucial moments this season. Plus, find out what has Samantha annoyed with the media this week! Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us! We would love to hear from you!

Samantha and Joslyn have nothing but praise for the Connecticut Sun! They took time to highlight their win over the previously undefeated Las Vegas Aces and selected two of their starters as breakout stars this week. Then, they do team recaps and discuss what each team is doing well or needs to be doing in order to find success moving forward. They also share some opinions that they feel may be slightly controversial, including reigning in Dallas Wings superstar Arike Ogunbowale, trading New York Liberty’s own Sabrina Ionescu, and taming the big personality that is Phoenix Mercury living legend Diana Taurasi. Plus, are the Seattle Storm planning for a big move?! Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us! We’d love to hear who you think is an unsung hero of the W!

Samantha and Joslyn have officially hit WNBA overload! June has sent the season into high gear and there’s no slowing down now. In noting the lack of diversity shown reporting on the league, they highlight the importance of Black media voices in and around the W and where you can find all the latest and greatest that mainstream media doesn’t tell us. Plus, is Napheesa Collier the next superstar for the Minnesota Lynx? Has Lexie Brown found a home with the Los Angeles Sparks? As always, go to our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us!

Black media voices to follow:

LaChina Robinson @lachinarobinson on Instagram and Twitter

Terrika Foster-Brasby @sheknowssports_ on Instagram, @sheknowssports on Twitter

Khristina Williams @khristinawilliams on Instagram, @khristina on Twitter

Subria Whitaker @subriawhitaker on Instagram and Twitter

Ari Chambers @ariivory on Instagram and Twitter

Rosters continue to change moment by moment, but one thing that remains devastating is being cut from the team. LSU standout and 2023 second round draft pick Alexis Morris was waived by the Connecticut Sun after one preseason game, but it’s her words in the days following that had the league talking. Samantha recounts those words plus the reactions around the W that ultimately lead to Morris’ apology on Instagram. Joslyn chimes in with her thoughts on the significance of competing for a spot in the best professional women’s basketball league in the world. Plus, hear what they have to say about the lack of respect the league gets from the media. Then, in speaking of elite players, Samantha and Joslyn give a special nod to some of the W’s “unsung heroes” and highlight some prolific players that they think aren’t getting enough shine. It’s one week into the season and these players already have us on the edge of our seats! Join us as we continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow (especially if you love giveaways!), like, comment, or DM us! We’d love to hear who you think is an unsung hero of the W!

The regular season is finally hear and already off to a great start! Samantha recaps her attendance at the Washington Mystics season/home opener against the New York Liberty and gives an overview of their rookie picks in their home openers. Then, the Las Vegas Aces blew past the Seattle Storm in the season opener, but not before the Aces found themselves in pre-season hot water that has left Head Coach Becky Hammon suspended for two games to start the season. Joslyn leads the discussion and takes us through where the Aces went wrong, what’s next for 2x WNBA All-Star and WNBA champion Dearica Hamby, and what all of this means for mothers (and future mothers) of the W. Continue the discussion on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ where you should follow, like, comment, or DM us! We’d love to hear from you!

Joslyn and Samantha are back with more preseason highlights, including Brittney Griner’s debut back in the starting lineup for the Phoenix Mercury, Zia Cooke’s impeccable rookie performance for the Los Angeles Sparks, and a baby stealing A’ja Wilson’s moment during a postgame press conference. They also discuss the significance of the first ever WNBA preseason game in Canada while comparing what league expansion looks like for each of them. Finally, Samantha shouts out her home team, the Washington Mystics, as they announce a groundbreaking deal that shows expanding the league goes beyond the number of teams.

Follow and comment on our Instagram page @beyondthebleachers_ we’d love to hear from you!

Joslyn tells us the origin story behind a term she coined, the sophisticated spectator, while plugging where she first used the term: her personal podcast Growing Thru It. Then, with the 2023 regular season tipping off in just under two weeks, Joslyn and Samantha kick off this podcast talking all things W(NBA). They discuss the teams, players, and coaches they have their eyes on this season while critiquing some major off-season hot topics they are sure will leave an impact as the season progresses. Lastly, they share where you can go (outside of their podcast of course!) to stay on top of the latest in WNBA news, games, and gossip.