The Skyhook Podcast

Takeaways from The Sky's First Three Games, Sloot's Historic Night and WNBA Buzz

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 on Expectations for The Sky, James Wade's Player's Tribune Article and Ranking Chicago Sports Teams

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. 

Aryeh Schwartz on The MVP Race, Gabby Williams Fit w/The Sky, and WNBA Photography

*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. 

Ari Chambers on the Elena Delle Donne Debacle, Her Rise in Covering the WNBA and Predictions for the 2020 Sky

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. 

Madeline Kenney on the Wubble, Azurá Stevens' Immediate Presence and What It Will Take For the Sky to Win the Finals

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. 

The Sky Lose Lavender, Allocating Minutes at the Four and Scouting Stella Johnson

(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. 

Dangers of the WNBA's Return, Contenders Lose Big Pieces and Privilege in Health Care

On June 24th, Chris and James discussed COVID-19's impact on Florida and the risk the league is taking in pursuing an abbreviated season (0:00-14:30), the loss of big names in the W, how others could follow and where the Sky stand in this format(14:30-28:00), the legitimacy of this year's championship, what a vaccine means for next season and privilege in health care (28:00-41:00). 

Matt Ellentuck on Diamond DeShields' Potential Superstardom, WNBA Power Rankings, and Navigating Sports Journalism

Before Matt Ellentuck joins The Skyhook, James and Chris reflect on George Floyd's murder and the change they want to see happen moving forward (0:00-38:30); Matt discusses his newsletter breaking down Diamond DeShields' game and how she can turn into a superstar (38:30-1:07:00) Matt, Chris and James go through their WNBA power rankings (1:07:05-1:48:00) Matt talks about staying sharp in a competitive sports journalism industry, how people can get into reporting on the WNBA and why fish are awesome (1:48:05-2:15:00)