This week we welcome Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries, the winner of the 2025 Most Improved Player Award!

Before the interview Sue chats with Tommy Alter about the WNBA semifinals and shares her thoughts on the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever heading into Game 3s.

Then, Veronica joins and shares so much with us. She discusses all things Golden State Valkyries including what it was like joining an expansion team, Valhalla and the fanbase, making the playoffs in the organization’s inaugural year, and head coach Natalie Nakase. Veronica also shares lessons she learned during her college career and Northwestern and her first few seasons in the WNBA on the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings. She talks about what she thinks makes her a great defender, what went into her being able to achieve the Most Improved Player award, and lots more.

Link to vote for ‘Bird’s Eye View’ in the Signal Awards: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/[…]sports

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On this week’s episode, we welcome Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston to ‘Bird’s Eye View’! 

Before Aliyah’s conversation with Sue, Sue recaps the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream, Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries, and Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty. 

Then Sue and Aliyah dive deep into her life and career. They discuss what it was like growing up on Saint Thomas island and making her way to playing for the University of South Carolina. Aliyah explains what her relationship with Dawn Staley was like in school, and how it’s developed into her professional career. Aliyah also explains her development in her game as a playmaker and a post player. She also shares what it was like meeting Caitlin Clark, what it’s like being her teammate, and how their relationship on the court has grown. After last year’s playoff exit, Aliyah explains how the Fever had a target on them, and how they want to make a deeper playoff run this year (which they just accomplished upsetting the Dream to make the semifinals.) You don’t want to miss this episode!

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This week we welcome Gabby Williams of the Seattle Storm to 'Bird's Eye View!' Aka the "French Army Knife."

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WNBA star Satu Sabally, known as the league's "Unicorn," joins Sue Bird to share her incredible journey to becoming one of the WNBA’s most versatile and dynamic players. Satou opens up about her breakout 2023 season, which saw her earn a spot on the WNBA All-Star First Team and finish fifth in MVP voting. She also reflects on her German roots, her transition to the U.S., and the sacrifices that shaped her career.

In this episode, we get into everything—from her rookie struggles and learning the physicality of the WNBA to her decision to request a trade to the Phoenix Mercury. Satou breaks down her personal growth, overcoming injuries, and the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level. Plus, she shares her thoughts on team chemistry with Phoenix’s Big Three and her goals for the 2025 season.

Whether you’re a die-hard WNBA fan or simply love hearing stories of perseverance and success, this episode is for you.

Don’t miss out—hit that follow button for more exclusive WNBA content with new episodes every Friday!

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Sue’s View

02:47 - Playoff Race Insights

06:50 - Resting Players Strategy

09:23 - Liberty Team Concerns

12:25 - Alyssa Thomas, Phee, A'ja MVP Cases

18:02 - Regular Season Impact on MVP

21:30 - Satou Interview

27:07 - Growing Up in a Big Family

31:54 - Playing Pro in Germany

36:48 - Choosing Oregon for College

40:15 - College Recruitment Insights

42:51 - Adjusting to College Basketball

46:17 - Playing with Sabrina Ionescu

48:59 - Trio Success at Oregon

52:25 - 2020 NCAA Tournament Cancellation Impact

54:02 - Leaving College Early

55:33 - Entering the WNBA Bubble

58:58 - Adjusting to WNBA Physicality

1:05:54 - Satou's Breakout in the 2023 Season

1:08:38 - Olympics and Shoulder Injury

1:14:13 - Requesting a Trade

1:18:10 - Current Game Style

1:19:46 - New Trio and Roster Dynamics

1:25:07 - Defining Success for the Mercury

1:26:15 - Returning to Dallas Experience

1:27:08 - Wrapping Up with Satou

1:27:51 - Outro

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The Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard sits down with Sue Bird to reflect on her standout Kentucky years, her early years in the W, and her aspirations to bring a championship to the Dream. They discuss how Rhyne strongly considered transferring after Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell retired before deciding to stay with the program. They also dive into how Howard consistently turns doubt into motivation, what people get wrong when they question her motor, and why she sees it as simply playing at her own pace.

Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more WNBA interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!

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Napheesa Collier sits down with Sue Bird to discuss her journey from Jefferson City, Missouri to UConn—why her freshman year was such a challenge, and how she turned that struggle into becoming an elite defender. They explore the influence of Maya Moore on her career, and how Collier has anchored the Minnesota Lynx atop the WNBA standings this season.

Phee also talks about playing under Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, and how her style compares to Geno Auriemma’s at UConn. She shared how impactful the veteran leadership of Sylvia Fowles was early in her professional career, and how playing overseas helped her develop by experiencing the unique styles and physicality of different leagues. They also discuss Collier’s experience co-founding Unrivaled with Breanna Stewart.

Plus, Sue answers listener questions about her statue at Climate Pledge Arena and which historical WNBA moments new fans should watch.

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Two-time WNBA champion, Four-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Plum joins Sue Bird to open up about her decision to leave the Las Vegas Aces, how she’s fought to prove herself in every stage of her career, and what it means to lead the Los Angeles Sparks. They also discuss her incredible career at the University of Washington and Plum's early years in the league.

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his week, we welcome the one and only Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Caitlin opens up about so much, starting with her iconic run at Iowa and making two NCAA Championship games, and how she stayed grounded while becoming a household name. Caitlin also shares how she’s learning to adjust to the physicality and defensive tactics of the WNBA, her “risk assessment” in the passes she makes and shots she takes, and why the Fever have been the perfect organization to start her career. She also candidly discusses what it’s been like dealing with her injuries this season — including what she’s missing most about being on the court, but also what she’s come to learn from the sideline and how she thinks her career will benefit going forward. Caitlin also explains how she manages the high praises and harsh criticisms she receives, before closing with her top three shots of her career.

Plus: Sue breaks down the latest WNBA trades, and gives a big shoutout to Naz Hillmon and the Atlanta Dream.

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Two-time All-Star Dearica Hamby joins Sue to talk about her late start in basketball, winning a title with the Aces, and balancing motherhood with pro hoops. She also gives us her perspective on her iconic buzzer-beater in the 2019 playoffs, and opens up about how impactful her Sparks teammates were in helping ease the transition from the Aces to LA. Plus, she talks about reuniting with Kelsey Plum in LA and helping shift the culture with the Sparks while continuing to grow her game.

Lastly, Sue discusses Skylar Diggins' historic triple-doubles, Arike Ogunbowale's post-All-Star bounce back, and the Sparks' upward trajectory.

Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!

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Last week at WNBA All-Star, Sue sat down with Kayla Thornton to talk about her incredible journey from going undrafted out of UTEP to becoming the Golden State Valkyries’ first-ever WNBA All-Star. They discuss how Kayla developed her game overseas, grew through tough early-career moments, and built a reputation as one of the most reliable defenders in the league. They also discuss Kayla’s time with the Dallas Wings and what it was like to win a WNBA championship with the New York Liberty.

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