The Skyhook Podcast: Recent Episodes
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A part of Dash Radio's #NothinButNet channel, host James Kay talks everything Chicago Sky every Thursday at 1 pm CT.
NOTE: THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE SKY WILL NOT BRING EMRE VATANSEVER BACK AS ITS HC/GM
James Kay and Chris Pennant return to go over their thoughts on how the Sky's season went and what its fans will remember from a chaotic 2023 campaign (0:00) before they discuss what the team's offseason priorities should be (6:43).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Chicago Sky's loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game One of the first round of the WNBA playoffs and Chicago's chances in Game 2 (2:09). They dive into what comes next after Kahleah Copper signed a two-year extension, how the Sky build around her over the next two seasons and predict how the rest of the playoffs will shake out (15:40).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how the Sky have fared as they try to make the playoffs (0:00) before diving into the Chicago Sun-Times' report that the organization has spoken with potential candidates to fill a possible head coach/general manager vacancy at the season's end (24:47).
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Recorded Aug. 14
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the pulse of this up-and-down Chicago Sky team and how important making the playoffs is this year (1:21) before going over who their award picks would be with 10 games left in the regular season (29:00).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how Kahleah Copper has elevated her game since the all-star break (1:05) and the Aces' outlook the rest of the way after Candace Parker said she is out indefinitely (16:15). They then go back and forth going over Sophie Cunningham's play being called out after another incident with an opponent (29:06) and what it would be like if Jewell Loyd signed with the Chicago Sky next season (43:20). They wrap up the show going over playoff odds and if there are any logical bets as the Aces continue to dominate the field (53:45).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to give their final thoughts on James Wade's departure from the Sky (3:25) before discussing the importance of Dwyane Wade joining the Sky as an investor (20:55). They go over what adjustments they would like to see the Sky make in the second half of the year (32:55) and finish discussing whose stock they are buying/selling in the final 20 games of the season (47:40).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to talk about James Wade leaving the Sky 16 games into the season, his legacy after 4+ seasons with the team and where the Sky go from here.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how the Sky need to build off the progress they made versus the Sparks on June 28 before they share their thoughts on the all-star game starting lineups.
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Tony East (The Next, Forbes, WTHR.com, SIPacers) joins James Kay to talk about the Sky's overtime win versus the Fever, Lexie Hull and Alanna Smith's improvement and Aliyah Boston already looking like an all-star.
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RECORDED ON JUNE 5
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky splitting a two-game slate with the Liberty and their miraculous 19-point comeback before diving into Courtney Vandersloot's return to Wintrust Arena (35:31).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss what is (and isn't) working for the Chicago Sky early on in the season (00:57) and what WNBA teams/players have surprised them so far in 2023 (44:43). They go over what Courtney Vandersloot's return to Chicago will be like after the former Sky guard signed with the New York Liberty this past offseason (1:06:18) and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss their takeaways from the Sky's first two games of the 2023 WNBA season.
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Recorded on May 17
James Kay discusses what it was like being in Toronto for the first-ever WNBA game in Canada (00:20) before being joined by Chris Pennant to discuss how the Sky and the rest of the league stack up against one another and what the ceiling is for Chicago in the playoffs (7:44). Afterwards, they share their award predictions (47:24).
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James Kay is joined by Stephen Garner (Twitter: @StayTrueSDot3) from The Bright Side and Madhouse on Madison to discuss the latest news of Astou Ndour's departure from the Sky ahead of training camp.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss their thoughts on the picks they liked and didn't like in this year's WNBA draft (3:52), the presentation of the draft itself (35:29) and what Chicago's training camp is going to look like after the Sky drafted Kayana Traylor and Kseniya Malashka (52:00).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how LSU was able to take out Iowa for its first NCAA title (2:16) the discourse surrounding Angel Reese's trash talk (23:07) and how tough it is for the WNBA that it won't benefit from the momentum of this year's record-setting NCAA tournament (44:49).
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Recorded on March 25
Christian Braswell joins Chris Pennant to give out free agency grades for the Dallas Wings (3:23) and Indiana Fever (15:37) before they discuss which WNBA prospects have enhanced their stock during the NCAA Tournament (34:28). They finish up going over the complexity of the situation involving a Memphis basketball player punching an opponent after a WNIT game.
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Recorded Before NCAA Tournament
James Kay and Chris Pennant return to offer their free agency grades for the Atlanta Dream (1:19) and Connecticut Sun (14:38) before discussing the discourse over who the face of women's basketball is (37:56).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to give out their grades for each of the Sky's moves over free agency.
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Where do the Sky rank in the league? Should the Sky retire Candace Parker, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot's numbers? What's Li Yueru's status?
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to answer listener-submitted questions.
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James Kay shares his thoughts on the Sky's two media availabilities from this past week (1:04) before he is joined by The Next's Jackie Powell to go over some of the overlooked transactions in WNBA free agency (10:42).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss their thoughts on the Sky executing a deal to land former Dallas Wings guard Marina Mabrey (00:35); what the next year means for the Sky in trying to retain Kahleah Copper beyond 2023 and media transparency (25:08); and how the other free agents the team signed fit in with the rest of the roster (42:00).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Courtney Vandersloot's exit from the Sky and where the franchise goes from here (1:05), Kahleah Copper's future with the franchise (20:55) and whether or not we have seen the last of Allie Quigley in the WNBA (35:10). They wrap up by discussing Azurá Stevens' exit and what it means for Los Angeles.
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Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times joins James Kay to discuss Candace Parker's departure from the Sky and the odd discourse around it, Courtney Vandersloot's WNBA future, the timing of Chicago's new ownership announcement and the Sky and WNBA embarking on a new era in 2023.
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James Kay hops on the mic to discuss where things stand with the Chicago Sky after Candace Parker announced her intentions to sign with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.
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Note: This episode was recorded before Dearica Hamby's Instagram post was released. You can find it here.
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Dearica Hamby getting traded to Los Angeles and what it means for both the Aces and Sparks (2:14), Breanna Stewart taking meetings with the Liberty, Storm, Lynx and Mystics (12:01) and the latest news around Azurá Stevens' market in free agency.
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RECORDED ON JAN. 18
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the three-team blockbuster deal that sent 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones to New York and what to make of the Connecticut Sun now (1:53), a possible Courtney Vandersloot and Breanna Stewart pairing in New York and what it would take to make that happen (22:17) and the news about the Sky and Lynx playing in the first ever WNBA game in Canada (53:17).
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Note: This episode was recorded on Jan. 10. Courtney Vandersloot signed with Fenerbahce which we do not touch on in this show.
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's free agency outlook. They each came up with three questions and discuss the future of the franchise, how the 2023 Sky could look and which teams are the biggest threats to sign Chicago's free agents.
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Eight awards. Three candidates per category. James Kay and Chris Pennant go back and forth discussing the best moments of the Chicago Sky's 2022 season.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Candace Parker's recent comments about her WNBA future and how her decision affects the Sky's free agency plans (1:09). They go over the case for Candace to return to Chicago or Los Angeles (11:42) before Chris gives the listeners an overseas report on what's going on abroad with members of the Sky. (34:00).
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Recorded Oct. 24
James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss Curt Miller agreeing to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks and potential head coaching candidates for Connecticut (1:17). Ahead of the NCAAW season, they dive into which prospects intrigue them the most (22:10) before ending with Chris going over what is happening overseas with the Sky's players (39:50).
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Recorded Sept. 21
James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Aces beating the Sun in the Finals (1:02) before discussing what makes a dynasty (11:02). They shift over to the Sky's front and talk about the odds of each of Chicago's free agents returning to the team (22:09) and finish with World Cup chatter (1:07:00).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant go over the Sky's late fourth quarter collapse vs. the Sun in Game 5 of the Semifinals (0:36) and how DeWanna Bonner led the Sun to an improbable comeback (13:16). They discuss Curt Miller's comments about Candace Parker (21:13) before answering listener submitted questions (30:13).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Sky being one game away from returning to the WNBA Finals after beating the Connecticut Sun in Game 3 of the Semifinals.
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Christan Braswell (Twitter: 808sandSnackBreaks) joins Chris Pennant to discuss:
-Sky adjustments in Game 2
-What to look for as the scene shifts to Connecticut
-The importance of Emma to Chicago's gameplan
- Kah's tweets, the excitement of Seattle vs. Las Vegas, and the proper way to prepare meat and greens!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's 68-63 loss to the Sun (1:53) before going over adjustments for both teams heading into Game 2 (12:17). They talk about Candace Parker's insane performance on both ends of the floor and the Sky needing to feed off the type of energy she brought in the series opener (28:08). They finish up with Game 2 predictions.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky taking down the Liberty in a pivotal Game 3 in the first round (2:50), their predictions for the semifinals between the Sky and Sun (14:55) and answer listener submitted questions (24:33).
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Mark Schindler joins James Kay to discuss James Wade winning Executive of the Year (1:52), Game 2 between Sky-Liberty and what adjustments New York could make in Game 3 (8:56) and finish with listener submitted questions (23:37).
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Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times joins James Kay to discuss Kahleah Copper's non-contact injury at practice the day before Game 2 of the first round and James Wade's comments to the media about it. They finish the show making their predictions along with James sharing a brief message to the audience during the outro.
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Recorded on Aug. 15
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the most intriguing playoff matchups in this year's postseason (1:04); Kahleah Copper ascending as the Sky head into the playoffs (14:02); before answering questions their listeners submitted on Twitter (20:47).
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Recorded on Aug. 10
James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss the Sky's most recent game against the Storm and Chicago's short rotations ahead of the playoffs (1:33). They dive into the teams who could threaten the Sky the most with the postseason approaching before finishing with their reoccurring segment, "What Do You Say With Azurá" (16:33).
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James goes over the Sky's weekend slate against the Liberty and Sun (1:00) before discussing how both local and national media blatantly made a mistake not reporting on Courtney Vandersloot passing Lindsay Whalen on the all-time career assist list (6:34).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant brought on Stephen Garner (Twitter handle: @StayTrueSDot3) to talk about the Commissioner's Cup and debate whether the media picked the right person for MVP (1:22). They dive into whether this was an eye-opening bump in the road for the team (13:17) and finish up with their new segment "What Do You Say With Azurá" (35:10).
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Subria Whitaker joins Chris Pennant to discuss the Sky's depth, dominance and which team, if any, can match up with the Sky in the WNBA Finals. They also celebrate Rebekah Gardner and her brilliant rookie season and debut a new segment: What Do You Say with Azura!
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Recorded on June 30
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the All-Star game rosters and what the voters did and did not get right (1:50). They talk about which Sky players could be future all-stars (24:32) and finish with their ongoing "Do you agree with Kah?" segment (35:18).
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James Kay is joined by Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile to discuss Candace Parker's return to Los Angeles and the atmosphere in the arena (3:44), where their confidence level is with Chicago after it's recent dominance (14:19), the Sky's win versus the Lynx (25:04) and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's historic 28-point comeback against the Aces on Tuesday night. They go over Las Vegas' lack of depth and debate whether these two teams are a true rivalry yet. They finish up talking about the Sky's tendency to keep games close before wrapping up with their "Do you agree with Kah?" segment.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to discuss the Sky's most recent road trip (0:17) and Emma Meesseman's dominant two-game stretch (8:05). They go into how bad the league's officiating has been across the WNBA (23:00) and Chicago's rotations with the recent arrival of Julie Allemand (31:00). They finish up with answering a listener's email (42:55).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant return to discuss their takeaways from the Sky's most recent games against the Dream and Mystics.
James Kay and Chris Pennant reconvene to discuss Sky-Mercury and Chicago learning how to play with new faces on the team (00:32). They dive into Diana Taurasi's ejection and how the bench has performed as of late (10:41) before closing talking about the Aces' most recent stretch (19:15) and Kah's Corner (34:19).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss their feelings about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas the day of the Sky's ring ceremony (00:30), the keys to Chicago's next two matchups between the Aces and Mercury (15:26), James' notes from talking with Commissioner Engelbert (38:29), and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss their takeaways after the Sky split their two-game home stand (1:05), Marquee Network drawing ire from fans after the second game (26:00) and finish with their reoccurring Kahleah Copper tweets segment (38:30).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to give their final thoughts on the record-setting ratings during the NCAA tournament and how women's basketball continues to progress at all levels (0:35). They discuss the Sky's most recent transaction that sent Lexie Brown to Los Angeles in return for Li Yueru and what it means for both teams (7:00). They finish up with their new Kahleah Copper segment: "Do you agree with Kah's tweet?" (20:30).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are BACK to discuss the Sky's impending competitive training camp, who will backup Kahleah Copper after Crystal Bradford was waived, and Imani McGee-Stafford's return to the WNBA (2:12). Since the Sky don't own any draft picks this season, they go over which 2023 WNBA prospects would make sense in Chicago (20:20) before answering listener submitted questions (33:15).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant return to the mic to discuss Courtney Vandersloot reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with the Sky (1:39) and Kysre Gondrezick, Kamiah Smalls and Rebekah Gardner getting a look from Chicago in training camp (10:42). They go into Astou Ndour-Fall's recent announcement about her decision to sit out the 2022 season (21:06) before assigning grades for Chicago's offseason (25:51).
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Annie Costabile of Chicago Sun-Times joins James Kay to discuss the most recent trade between the Sky, Fever and Mercury. They go into how Julie Allemand fits in Chicago (1:53) before setting the record straight on Vanderquigs' status in free agency (7:00). They shift over to talking about Diamond DeShields' next stop and how the timeline for her returning to Chicago didn't quite work out (20:00) and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the latest moves in free agency. They dive into Holly Rowe's report about Courtney Vandersloot receiving a "wildly disrespectful" contract offer from the Sky (0:59), Emma Meesseman and Crystal Bradford reportedly signing with the Sky and what that means for the team in 2022 (12:50), Diamond DeShields having interest in joining the Mercury (28:28), and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the latest buzz in WNBA free agency. They talk about Diamond DeShields' recent comments about her future in Chicago (2:00) and her best fits if she leaves in free agency (12:30). Afterwards, they dive into possible Courtney Vandersloot (23:20) and Stef Dolson (35:30) destinations.
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Recorded on Dec. 13
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss which Chicago Sky free agents they think are going to stay or leave when free agency starts in January. Courtney Vandersloot (1:37); Allie Quigley (11:29); Diamond DeShields (23:00); Kahleah Copper (35:45); Stef Dolson (37:20); Astou Ndour-Fall (45:30); Lexie Brown (52:23). They finish up by taking about the 2022 schedule release and round two of the Commissioner's Cup.
Recorded on Oct. 18
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back on the mic to discuss the Sky winning their first WNBA championship, Kahleah Copper's dominant Finals run, how bringing a title to Chicago changes the perception of the team around the league and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. They go over if the Mercury's depleted roster can recover the rest of the series, the Sky's potential to play even better than they did in the first game and more!
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's return to the WNBA Finals (00:32), Game 4 reactions (8:11), how Chicago stacks up against the Aces and Mercury if each of those teams were to make the Finals (17:03), and more!
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Recorded on Oct. 4
James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss how the Sky took control of the Semi-Finals in a dramatic Game 3 (00:45), Azurá Stevens coming up big for Chicago (4:33), Kahleah Copper emerging as a star (10:25) and what happened with the Joneses (13:19). They finish up by going over Alyssa Thomas' impact in Game 3 and make predictions for Game 4.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's game two loss to the Sun in the semi-finals (00:42), what happened to Jonquel Jones in game two (9:14) and how Alyssa Thomas stepped up for the Sun after she had surgery to repair her achilles in late-January (14:39) and more.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back after the Sky's double overtime win over the Connecticut Sun in the first game of the semi-finals. They go over Courtney Vandersloot's record-breaking night (1:39), how Chicago's second unit stepped up (11:11) and who needs to bounce back in game two for the Sun (20:10). They conclude the show by giving their predictions for game two.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's triumphant win over the Lynx this past Sunday in Minnesota. They go over what Chicago did right to secure their spot in the semi-finals before going over how the Lynx stumbled in the second round. They conclude the show by previewing the semi-finals vs. the Connecticut Sun.
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's 81-64 win over the Dallas Wings on Sept. 23. and if Chicago's playoff outlook has changed (1:03). They also preview the Sky's second round matchup versus the Lynx and what Chicago needs to do to stop a hot Minnesota team (12:50).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the road ahead for the Sky heading into the 2021 playoffs (1:03) and what to look out for in Chicago's first round matchup versus the Wings (20:48).
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James Kay is joined by The Sports Arena's Eric Wilson to talk about the Sky's struggles to find consistency as of late (1:56), where they stand heading into the playoffs and different scenarios they face as the sixth seed (20:58) and James Wade tinkering with Chicago's backup point guard role (30:00).
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James Kay and Chris Pennant are back to discuss the Sky's season sweep of the Seattle Storm (1:50), Diamond DeShields's impressive two-game stretch (7:57), Dana Evans taking hold of the backup point guard role after Chicago spent two years looking to fill that part of its roster (12:04), thoughts on Phoenix's latest win streak and the impact of last night's Sky-Mercury game (16:56).
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Chris Pennant and James Kay are back on the mic to discuss how the Sky have looked over their last four games before they share their thoughts on Courtney Vandersloot becoming the fourth WNBA player to have at least 3,000 points, 2,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds.
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Chris and James are back on the mic to discuss how the WNBA can maximize the potential of the Commissioner's Cup (1:58) before catching up on Skytown topics that came up during the Olympic break (13:08). Lastly, they predict where the Sky will end up in the standings and how they can improve in the final 12 games of the season (22:29).
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Rachel Galligan from Winsidr and Just Women's Sports joins James Kay and Chris Pennant to discuss her time facing Sam and Allie Quigley in high school (1:21) and how the Lynx (4:18), Sun (10:25), Aces (16:24), and Storm (28:06) matchup against the Sky.
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Chicago Sun-Times reporter Annie Costabile joins James Kay and Chris Pennant to discuss the 2021 All-Star game (3:32), Allie Quigley winning her third three-point contest (11:18), what the second half of the season will look like for the Sky (19:20), and more!
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Chris Pennant and James Kay are back on the mic to discuss the Sky's first half of the season (1:04), what the road ahead looks like for Chicago in the second half of the year (12:05), Kahleah Copper being selected to her first all-star game (23:07) and more!
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James Kay discusses how the Sky have rebounded from their seven-game slide by countering it with a seven-game winning streak, how Chicago stacks up against the Aces, Storm and Sun and why the Olympic break might be exactly what the team needed heading into the last half of the year.
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In the latest edition of The Skyhook Podcast, James Kay is joined by Winsidr's Aryeh Schwartz to discuss what has gone wrong with the Sky at the beginning of the season (2:02), Diamond DeShields's play so far (11:50), the James Wade discourse getting out of hand (28:50), and how Chicago can get back on track (44:37).
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Eric Nemchock (Double Down WNBA, Swish Appeal, Hashtag Basketball) joins Chris and James to discuss their first impressions of the Sky a couple games into the season (1:44); Kahleah Copper's early season scoring tear (9:18); Shyla Heal being integrated into the second unit (18:02); Astou Ndour-Fall's impact and how her return to the team has been vital for Chicago's 2-0 start (29:25) and much more!
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RECORDED ON MAY 11
Chris Pennant and James Kay are joined by Myles Ehlrich (Winsidr, Nets Republic, Queen Ballers) to discuss their final thoughts on the Gabby Williams situation (2:20) and get Myles's perspective on where the Sky rank amongst the contenders in the WNBA (12:16). Chris and James have Myles empty his reporter's notebook and get his thoughts on what the Liberty will bring this year (26:21) before they dive into their preseason award predictions (40:52).
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Chris and James's schedules didn't line up so they each decided to record ten minutes of their takes on the Gabby Williams trade saga and analyze the situation from Williams and James Wade's perspectives.
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Chris and James go over their notes from the Sky's daily press conferences so far (1:33) before diving into some over/unders based on the team's stats from last season (30:00) and the success the league has had with promoting and selling out its merchandise (51:14)
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James and Chris reconvene a couple days after the 2021 WNBA draft to discuss: surprises and value picks coming out of draft night (1:56) Shyla Heal getting drafted with the eighth overall pick by the Sky and how she fits in with Chicago's championship window (15:36); Natasha Mack falling to the Sky in the second round and how she projects at the next level (24:00); Gabby Williams trade rumors (35:00) and more!
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Chris and James are joined by The Sky Show Chi to discuss the WNBA's latest jersey releases and their first impressions of the Sky's designs (4:30); who they want to see James Wade draft with the eighth and 16th overall picks in the WNBA draft (19:25); USA mini camp and the 2021 Olympics (39:35); COVID-19's lingering impact on this upcoming season (47:15); and more!
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Winsidr's Owen Pence joins James Kay and Chris Pennant to discuss Astou Ndour returning to the Sky after being bought out by the Wings (2:20); Kahleah Copper being invited to USA Basketball's minicamp and what Skytown should expect from her in 2021 (18:30); Azurá Stevens's contract extension and possible start/closing lineups for Chicago (30:00); COVID-19's impact on the start of the WNBA season (45:45); hot takes about the Sky's hierarchy of star talent (56:50); and WNBA power rankings (1:12:10).
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After the Chicago Sky landed the biggest free agent in the franchise's history, Chris Pennant and James Kay talk about Candace Parker's fit with her new team, how both sides will benefit from one another and how the team will adjust without Cheyenne Parker.
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Chris and James are back to discuss the Sky's final push to make noise in the 2020 WNBA season, how the team will look in 2021 and Courtney Vandersloot tearing out the assist section of the record book and rewriting it herself.
Before Chris Pennant and James Kay outline Courtney Vandersloot's 2020 MVP case, Kay discusses the Sky's outlook the rest of the season without Diamond DeShields and Azurá Stevens. Pennant and Kay then breakdown the W's MVP candidates and how Sloot stacks up against the rest of the pack.
Chris and James talked after the Sky's game versus the Mercury to discuss what they like and don't like about Chicago's run in the Wubble so far, figuring out what happens when Courtney Vandersloot isn't on the court and how much fatigue has played a factor in the first 10 games of the season.
Chris and James hopped on the mic after the Sky's game versus the Lynx to discuss how the team has looked so far, the rise of Kahleah Copper, Gabby Williams, and Azurá Stevens, Courtney Vandersloot passing Becky Hammon on the all-time list for career assists, best Slooty moments, and general storylines coming out of the W's first week.
Maggie Hendricks of The Athletic joins Chris and James to discuss where the Sky are at heading into 2020, Diamond DeShields taking her game to the next level, James Wade's Player Tribune article and social justice in sports. They end the show by ranking Chicago's sports teams and talk about the city's stadiums' accessibility.
Recorded on July 16
The founder of Winsidr and the co-host of The Winsidr Show, Aryeh Schwartz, joins Chris and James to discuss his expectations for the Sky, who he sees could run away with the MVP race, Gabby Williams development, his experience with photography, over/unders for Sky stats this season and more.
Chris and James are joined by Ari Chambers of Bleacher Report and House of Highlights to discuss their frustration with how Elena Delle Donne's medical exemption process was handled, news from various WNBA media day sessions, navigating media relations, and what Ari thinks of the 2020 Sky.
Chris and James are joined by Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times to discuss how the Sky are adjusting to the Wubble, how James Wade will (probably) use his lineups this year, the league's plan to raise awareness around social justice, and what the Sky need from their youngsters to win the Finals this year.
(Recorded on July 2) After it was reported that Jantel Lavender will not be traveling to Florida with the Sky this season, Chris and James discuss what losing her means for the team's chances of winning a championship and who will absorb Lavender's minutes. They also go back and forth on what Stella Johnson brings to the table after the Sky picked her up when Sydney Colson announced she tested positive for COVID-19.
James Kay and Chris Pennant grade the Sky's offseason (2:05) before they discuss the Katie Lou Samuelson trade and looking at how Azurá Stevens fits in Chicago (7:02), Astou leaving after her great second half in 2019 (18:20) and where the Sky rank amongst the best in the league (23:24).
With CBA negotiations still ongoing, James Kay and Chris Pennant talk about Sky fans' expectations for the season (1:16), navigating the Sky's options in free agency once the CBA is signed (16:54), figuring out roles for Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams (27:24), and why they are worried about stagnant CBA talks (43:03).
On the 13th episode of The Skyhook, James Kay brings on Nick Neindorf to discuss:-Astou Ndour's ridiculous ejection and the fallout from it-the rise of Astou and how it creates an important subplot for the 2020 Sky season-Katie Lou Samuelson's future in Chicago -Playoff preview between the Sky and Mercury
In the 12th edition of The Skyhook, James Kay brings on Nick Niendorf to discuss:-Liz Cambage and The Sky sparring on and off the court-How the horrendous officiating this season effects the Sky's offensive scheme-What to make of Katie Lou Samuelson in 2019-Breaking down the Sky's next three games-The two-weeks-too-early WNBA award picks
In the 11th edition of The Skyhook, James Kay calls up The Sky Show Chi to discuss:-How the Sky will adjust without Jantel Lavender and who should take her minutes-The next 10 games and the Sky's ceiling and floor as they get closer to the playoffs-Preview of this weekend's home stand-WNBA players being included in the next NBA 2K game and how that impacts women's sports moving forward-The fallout of Brittney Griner's suspension and how it could potentially alter the W's future
In the 10th edition of The Skyhook, James Kay brings on Chris Pennant to discuss:-Chicago's depth and how sustainable it is for them to rely on it so much.-Vanderquigs...bolting from Chicago?!?!?-Relevant stats you NEED to know heading into the Sky's next two matchups-Cathy Engelbert's missed opportunity Part Two-The lack of excitement around the WNBA trade deadline
In the ninth edition of The Skyhook, James Kay gives his winners and losers of the 2019 all-star game after calling out commissioner Catherine Engelbert for her radio silence after the fallout of the Sky's travel woes this past week.
James Kay calls up The Sky Show Chi (Brian!) to discuss: -Instant reactions from Sky-Dream game -Which Sky players should and shouldn't have been selected to the ASG -All-Star Game Over/Under: how many ASG appearances every Sky player will get post-2019 -Three things they want to see from the Sky in the second half of the season -(The lack of) WNBA Merch
Have the Sky reached their peak this season? Can Diamond DeShields be the closer Chicago needs at the end of games? Why aren't we seeing more minutes from Cheyenne Parker?On the seventh edition of The Skyhook, James Kay brings on Eric Nemchock to discuss what happened last week during Chicago's rough road trip, what they want to see from the team heading into this next week, and how the Sky can right the ship moving forward.
James Kay brings on Chris Kwiecinski to discuss:-Last week in SkyTown-James Wade vs. Curt Miller for early season Coach of the Year honors-Stats you NEED to know as the Sky head West-What Sky players would be perfect for Space Jam 2-How the possibility of the NBA shortening its season impacts the W-Lightning round: which Sky players make it to Vegas?
RECORDED ON JUNE 18th, 2019James Kay calls up co-host of The Soaring Wings Show, Arie Graham, to discuss where the Sky stack up against the rest of the league. They breakdown the next three matchups going into next week, talk about the biggest surprises and disappointments from around the league, and Arie gives Wings fans a reason to be hopeful for Dallas's future.
In the fourth edition of The Skyhook, James Kay talks about how James Wade is building a culture at Wintrust Arena (2:12), gives five takeaways from the last three Sky games (14:37), demands that Courtney Vandersloot gets recognized for her GOATness (49:50), and tosses out key stats for when the Sky hits the road (53:35).
In the third edition of The Skyhook, James Kay brings on Chris Kwiecinski to breakdown the first two weeks of the 2019 Chicago Sky season. They discuss James Wade's lineup changes, expectations for Katie Lou Samuelson the rest of the season, and TRY NOT TO OVERREACT to early season stats from the Sky thus far.
Recorded on May 19thWho has the highest ceiling on the Sky's young roster? Will Chicago break its two year playoff drought? Why isn't the WNBA appreciating Courtney Vandersloot?Host James Kay sits down with Chicago Sky season ticket holder and WNBA content contributor Eric Nemchock to discuss what newly appointed commissioner Katherine Engelbert needs to do to successfully market the WNBA. They go back and forth on what to expect from first-rounder Katie Lou Samuelson, predict what young Sky player will breakout in 2019, and what to make of Chicago's front court going into the season.