When no one was watching the WNBA they got sloppy with rules , refs and professional conduct. Now the league has a lot of eyes on it-they all have to step up and grow with the business.

That move had disciplinary action written all over it. Sides answer makes it plain as day if you’ve ever been on an organized team

I've never heard anything more immature than what I've heard about these players.

You are correct. When I heard that answer, I immediately thought it was something Smith had done off the court.

This team is totally messed up. They can't accept Clark not only as their best player but maybe the best player in the league.

I believe you are correct, Adrienne. The Indiana Fever should trade Melissa Smith asap! She should have been the one they traded instead of that good defender that got the axe. What a shame.. poor Caitlin - she's got enemies all around the outside... and enemies from within!!!

I took a long lunch to watch the Mystics game. It was a weird game. It was like the team morphed back to the lack of cohesion they had early in the season.

Clark Wins 2 of 3 ESPYS

Smith was not on her game. The fever need Temi Fagbenle back in the line up!

Smith probably missed practice to spend time with her gf. After the Liberty game, Sides was joking and said the team was trying to get two days off again like theyd had that week. Bet Smith took two days anyway.

Agreed coach that sounded like it was for personal reasons. Still question why Mitchell was given the final shot and not Clark.

NaLyssa Smith is way too emotional, and it really affects her game negatively.

Nalyssa Smith went out of town for 2 days to see her gf. She probably thought they just beat the Liberty, so they got the Mystics in the bag. Guess what? She comes back to a loss to the worst team in the league. 🤦

Yup, this is what I reached out about…Carrington and smith are back to dating again. Carringtons last few tweets towards Clark are def going to make that locker room quiet

This roster must be revamped over the off-season. Too many players are in it for themselves.

She is very open to talk about personal issues involving Caitlon Clark.

This is what needs to happen, Sides takes Clark into her office, closes the door, sits down at her desk, asks Clark to sit down, takes a deep breath and asks - Caitlin who do you want to start the game with - listen - then do - and after the Game Caitlin will give her the credit - simple solution if you think about it.

Whoever is the owner of this team must not care about winning?

She didn't tell you which coach....probably the coach of the SKY.

Sounds like Miss Smith broke an internal team rule

The reporter that asked Christie Sides the question was Bob Kravitz. He is an all-time great sports journalist and long time Indy sports journalist. He always ask meaningful questions and good sport analysis and opinions.

Carrington is about to ruin Smith’s entire career over her own ego. And Smith is about to let her. This is absolutely wild. You speak the truth Adrienne, your loyalty has to lie with your team. This is business. They are just being messy about this. And what Smith needs to realize if it comes down to choosing Clark or her they are not going to pick her she needs to be making wiser moves. As people have said before this is an incredibly competitive league and it’s hard to get a spot if she loses her spot on the fever, where is she going to play?

I wouldn’t be surprised if, they share each other’s team’s playbook. Whoever is weaker, emotionally, in that relationship will be the one being squeezed for information.

There are reasons that she was hired and reasons that she remains. Winning championships and developing team play are not among them.

I find it interesting how NaLyssa is allowing Carrington to sabotage her career with the Fever. Not the best love choice.

I think the situation between NaLyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington is becoming a conflict of interest. DiJonai has been making some suspect comments on X and NaLyssa has been cosigning.

Adrienne, as always your analysis is spot on. I thought something was odd about Sides reaction to the question, and you nailed it. Blessings to you

Thank you Adrienne. It never occurred to me that it was a discipline issue. I thought Christie just didn't appreciate having her starters decision questioned......If that romantic relationship stuff is true, that is a problem. In many professional settings you can't have relationships with the competition, or even with a coworker. Seems like an ethical issue.....However, I sincerely doubt Christie Sides would wade into that controversial area and discipline a player over it.

I’m really not too impressed with the character of former Baylor players. Looks like Mulkey ran a circus

ive never been teammates with someone romantically involved with an opponent. I find this extremely weird and i would trade smith

CC got 2 ESPYs and Aja got 2 ESPYs

I like that perspective...I made friends with other players and we had real connections. But my coach was very clear...you represent and respect the uniform. We never left the locker room before a game til warm upstairs and stayed focused. if I'm playing against my best friend I don't acknowledge her I am focusing on beating the crap out of her and her team. Whatever I edge I needed to help win I used. That was in high school. I didn't get paid...this is supposed to be professional. The WNBA is way too toxic. CC deserves better.

Dijonnai been bitching a lot on Social media lately...

I honestly thought the same thing Adrienne when she hesitated to answer! You could tell she wanted to say something but kept it in house for once instead of telling the whole world ! Like when Caitlin said they woke up a monster Coach! Anything a player tells their coach should always stay between them. All that did was give the league a heads up and I'm sure they tried to shut Caitlin down even more than they have already been trying to do IMHO I think Christy lost Caitlin's trust just from that incident! I know I got off the subject a little bit LOL

Lyssa gotta tell get her gf Carrington to cut the shit and stop tweeting about CC. It's embarrassing.

Bench Nalysa Smith if Fever will play the Connecticut Sun but not the Mystics when the Fever are trying to settle at 7th place. Again, idiotic coaching.

Im trying to like women's basketball but they don't make it easy.love your truth

Thanks a lot for explaining. Sides still needs to go. GO FEVER 🏀🏀🏀

The problem I have with that is that she eventually put her in. I am suspicious and I think that there’s more here than just disciplinary action against the player. I’m beginning to think this league is chalk full of corruption.

She's the coach, so it was her decision. But the reason the fans are upset, was not because of Lexy, but because as a rule of thumb, you don't change a winning side.

She was asked today about it and who was starting tomorrow and she said that’s team business and I’m not talking about it.

I wish fever could get Cardoso

Makes sense. Cost them the game. Takes down my interest in Women's bball. Drama off the court is out of this world.

We know there is one anonymous General Manager in the WNBA, who said I would trade my whole team for CC. Where is the offer? If I were a GM, especially in Chicago, Minnesota, Arizona and Dallas I would make a trade. All 4 of those cities are connected to Iowa in location and/or vacation and retirement areas.

Adrienne you should stop saying "Coach Sides," just say Sides. LOL A coach knows what they are doing, and is in control of the team.

Smith's coziness with a competing team's player is inappropriate and unprofessional. Especially when her girlfriend mocks Caitlin on the court and makes social media posts attacking Caitlin. It's bad for team morale, and raises serious questions about Smith's loyalty to her own team. Smith needs to be waived, the sooner the better. Especially since she's very inconsistent and therefore not a reliable person to keep on the roster.

Smith allegedly was liking negative comments online about Coach Sides earlier in the season, which resulted in Smith being benched and told by Sides that she doesn’t see a place for her on the team. That’s when Temi Fagbenle became the starter. Of course we know that Temi injured her foot and Smith got her starting spot back. That’s what was going around on KZfaq,

I think you've nailed it coach!!

ESPN UPGRADED REESE REBOUNDS FROM 9 TO 10 POST GAME TODAY!!! ILLEGAL, JASON WHITLOCK WAS RIGHT

This should not be a surprise to anyone , thank you for noticing the change and there are other problems within this team. KM laughed with Angel Reese after CC was knocked down. I heard they are friends. She will not pass to CC and Wheeler does the same thing. CC creates their plays and her own. I think Boston is hot and cold towards CC , what a mess.

Nobody on the team can trust her anymore. What's to prevent her from clanking a shot on purpose to help Carrington's team? What's to prevent her from throwing the ball out of bounds on purpose? Carrington has been talking smack about Caitlin, but Smith hasn't done a thing to stop it. Bench her for the rest of the season or cut her.

I agree. After that tic tock posted, I thought it would cause trouble.

I feel bad that Carrington is so disrespectful to Smith. Smith could do better.

This makes a WHOLE lot of sense too when you see how Caitlin responded to the lineup question too

Smith is inconsistent and is more of a one on one player , i don't have a problem with her not starting

I think Smith has been doing things behind closed doors that is a detriment to the team. I actually got she gets rid of Smith because of her toxic girlfriend who keeps race boring CC. I don’t trust Smith - you don’t allow your partner to treat your teammate like that and expect everything to be okay!!!! She needs to go regardless of her being a good player!

Well hell, they should've released Na'Lyssa Smith and kept Celeste Taylor.

NaLyssa has stunk it up a number of games aside rebounding. She has 1 quality screen for CC for the season. Smith doesn't want to play with CC. I bet she blames CC for the Dijonass breakup. There's video of Smith grabbing Carrington by the elbow post game, so...

I’ve said this several times before, Smith is terrible as is Wheeler and Mitchell is only out for herself and all three need to go!!!

Try trading N. Smith to Sky for Cordosa.... who's not happy being 4th fiddle behind Reese, Carter & Mabrey......

With all the airballs and Stat padding and Touchy feely going on... Gambling steps in real quick....especially with VERY low pay scale. The Wages HAVE to go up to help curb the FIX>

The "drag" is near criminal. Do that at your work.....see where it leads you. Discipline is definitely needed.

I dont think this was the first time Smith was benched. I think Smith is more intetested in her girlfriend than playing good basketball and it seems she is a little immature. So much for "professional players" in the league.

I do agree that Smith’s benching was discipline related; however, I think it’s more than what you stated. Players know that once you get between the court lines friendships goes out the door. Smith probably called Sides a idiot and/or directly questioned her coaching competency in front of the team Awesome analysis Ross lady :)

That's why I think they came out in shambles because whatever happened was serious enough to affect the whole team.

Great points, great episode! I applaud your energy to keep up with this drama. I’m happy you do it! Keep it up. ❤

Tell it like it is! Finally found someone who knows what she is talking about!

When ever I see something like someone suddenly dropping a lot of passes etc I wonder about the gambling aspect. It doesn't take much to beat a point spread if one was in the proper position & was so inclined. I also don't think the Smith/ Carrington conflict of interest will be tolerated much longer.. The "Coaches decision" may have come from farther up the ladder.

Must be awkward in that locker room, especially when players on the Fever, especially CC know that's her girl and I believe $$ is involved.

I thought that relationship would become a problem for the team at some point.

Someone has to go to send a message. Wheeler, Mitchell, Wallace, and Smith are not one the CC/Boston train. Trade one or cut one to send a message, Sides, for Gods sake COACH!

I wondered about that. It was disciplinary

I have seen around on the "great reliable internet" that she was late or possibly missed a team meeting/practice. While i do persobally think that Carrington is involved one way or another of why she was late.

I honestly dont have a problem with a couple 20-somethings being flirty ... Im more bothered by Carrington's negative posts against a fellow WBNA player and her fans, particular of her partner's team team ... I sure cant post negative things publicly against my co-workers, which I think is a norm for work places/public relations. It impacts morale at the work place ... ... And if this was a "coach's decision" for what you said, apparently the Sun's Coach isn't feeling the same way? ... (And Ny'lissa was totally finally shining again during the Liberty game!)

I think the fever players were rattled by the coach’s lineup; you could see that they were deflated.

You should be an analyst for ESPN, seriously.

Being a new fan of the WNBA I’m very concerned with this league and sports betting. When you have a lot of players who are not paid very well this has the potential to be a huge problem, especially as the popularity of the league and betting on it become more mainstream.

Benching Nalyssa 100% led to the loss

Carrington has attacked CC on social media numerous times. Smith is sleeping with the enemy. It makes perfect sense! Also smiths lack of intensity and performance at times is questionable.

Outstanding take on the situation. You are confirming what I have been thinking since the season started.

Starting Hull was a great decision. She is a beast. But she should have benched Samuelson instead of Smith.

Get rid of Smith. Make a coach's decision to trade her.

Off topic: Celeste Taylor has signed a one year contract with the Sydney Flames in Australia. I gather they are one of the top teams in there league. I am very happy for Celeste; this will likely be a much happier place for her than sitting on the bench with the Fever.

This does not pass the sniff test! They come off of a HUGE win from the Liberty game and she changes the starting line up. She lets her team get blown out on a massive 17 or 20 point run and doesn't call time out. When her team is on a run, she calls time out. Sits CC when she's one away from a triple double in one game. Sets up Kelsie who was 0/8, to take the final shot when CC carried her entire team, the final quarter. Something is fishy, just saying.

Can you do a video on gambling in WNBA?

Caitlin should not be around these indisciplined players. The W needs more Hawkeyes.

Sides is doing what “the league” is paying her to do. She has to lose games without being too obvious. And make sure that Caitlin is not a threat but can shine enough to string along the fans to bring in the money and the tv deals. After that they can just go ahead and hold her down and beat up on her as much as their little hearts desire…Knowing they still “own it” and will still be the ones picking winners and losers. And also…I WOULD say it’s not a😮 fair fight bc the league can lie, they can cheat, they can take the awards and give them to someone else…whatever they want to do just like always. However what they are doing looks a lot like a certain agenda that is notoriously opposed to what is right and true…and we know there is a power greater than that where truth and love are the winning power. Caitlin said it herself when asked about the treatment on the floor…treat others the way you want to be treated. That pretty much says sportsmanship too. I think the league is way out in left field when it comes to that.

Thank you for this thought-provoking video! Well done!!

This would explain the funk everyone was in at the start of the game. Boston was out of it. Katie Lou was messed up. Two things I would like to see from the WNBA. 1. Clear statement and enforcement of PED policy. 2. Disclosure of any personal relationships between WNBA personnel. Coaches and players. Teams have the right to terminate contracts if they deem your intra or inter team relationship is a detriment to the organization. Every Fortune 500 I worked for had a ‘disclose’ your relationship’s requirement if intra company or with a competitor.

Reporter should have asked: “do you think coaches should grow with their team?”

Oh snap! That could turn into SA! Grabbing someone's behind in a sexual manner on court is a dicey subject. That would get you a trip to HR at best!

I didn’t realize Sides decision reason. Changes my whole perspective after viewing the video of Smith over the weekend. Why would they post that anyway. Seems like Carrington set Smith up.

Smith also doesn't do much cutting or set shots . she doesn't work well with Clark

Love your reviews and analysis. But what was the correlation with Smith’s more than likely benching have to do with these social media posts, some of which were old clippings ??? I think there was another, more plausible reason for benching someone. This was a bit of a stretch! She may have acted in a way detrimental to her coach and/or team behind the scenes. Rather than calling moment on the what actually happened to the nosy media, Sides answered the question perfectly and did not allow family business leak outside of the field house. We may never know. But I just believe this frivolous relationship and silly lives is not at a degree where a coach would probably punish a player for this…

One story said Nalyssa Smith used a laughing emoji to Carrington's post reaming CC's fans for what she saw as a double standard. Wonder if that has something to do with it - - appearance of a statement against, if not CC then her fans is pretty bad.

I actually thought the same thing about the Smith issue. Thanks for covering that point. Love your show.

You are right, to me when I heard her say that, it was like that was what I was told to say. Don't think it was Christy's decision, think it come down from upper management.

Thank you for your analysis you've become my go to for all things women's 🏀 I like how it's about ball and not charged by all the other things. I think this video they release was just poor decision making, especially in the middle of the season, in a regular work place I could see you getting a chat from HR, even if you were on the same team, let alone seeming like your cozying up with the enemy and doing in on the court. Then you add the layer of the Carrington and CC stuff on top of that it's a mess. So if Sides felt she had to take action I can't fault her on that. When I was in the Military you couldn't fraternize with people while you were in training or when you were on the same ship, and if you did their was disciplinary action and if you wanted to stay in a relationship one person would have to moved off the course or the ship. It was not a good look. Obviously thats an extreme. But this isn't completely unheard heard of or unfair to say keep stuff like that off social media especially during the season.

Wow...I just love your videos, love your logic, love your explanations. I'd been trying and trying to figure out what possible reason Sides could have had for changing the lineup after that win, and the moment you said it was clear to you it was a non-basketball decision, I knew you'd solved the mystery. Then, when you went on to say you speculated it was a disciplinary matter, it all fell into place . I had already been fuming over Carrington's comments and over Smith and Carrington's behavior, but I never made the connection between that and Sides' lineup change-- so a big thanks for that. I find it shocking, and contrary to everything I've always known about sports, the winning mindset, and team loyalty, for Smith to be apparently-- and publicly, yet-- just fine with the kinds of things Carrington was saying off the court about Clarke. Also, you seemed to feel that many watchers might not get what the problem might be in Smith's behavior, but-- I swear this is true-- about 5 seconds before you said it, I was jumping up and down yelling at the screen, "That's fraternizing with the enemy-- you can't be doing that!!!" This isn't just West, or a few fanatics; this is core to creating a team "family"-- has Smith never heard the expression "I've got your back?" Smith's behavior violates the most basic rule, whether written or unwritten, of team sports, and whether she doesn't know that, or knows and doesn't care, it's a problem. And just one example of the reasoning for the no-fraternizing thing (besides the ones you gave): imagine how Clark feels, hearing all that stuff about those two, and seeing Smith's support for Carrington while Carrington is just ripping into Clark on social media. Sure, Clark is mentally tough, but when the coach and players are, or should be, doing every last thing possible to gain a psychological edge, how is it permissible for Smith to behave in such a way as to make any normal teammate feel undermined? And how is it "team spirit" or loyal, for Smith to put Clark in a position in which Clark has to pour some of her valuable psychic energy into keeping on an even keel/not letting it get to her that a teammate doesn't have her back? All that energy needs to go into the game, and her prepping for it. If I were Sides, I'd've done a lot more to impress upon Smith the traitorousness of her behavior, than just change the lineup for one game...and I hope she does!

You are a super smart person. I really enjoy your analysis. Always spot on.