WNBA ALL-STAR GAME

July 9, 2022

Breanna Stewart

Sue Bird

Jewell Loyd

Team Stewart - Media Conference

Q. This question is basically for all three of you: For Breanna and Jewell, what is it like being back at the All-Star Game, and then also playing your last All-Star Game with Sue Bird? Sue, what is it like for you to be here? This is going to be your last All-Star Game. What memories do you have of previous All-Star Games?

BREANNA STEWART: It's always an honor to be back at the All-Star Game. Really a way to celebrate the success of yourself and your other teammates around you and just have a good time, take a pause from the WNBA season for a second. And I'm really happy to share the court with these two, especially Sue. Selflessly wanted to trade for her just to be able to share the court with her for her last All-Star.

I think for Jewell and I, we just want to play with her as much as possible. If we can be on her team, then we will.

JEWELL LOYD: Yeah, what she said.

SUE BIRD: Yeah, I mean, it's exciting to be at the All-Star Game. For me, the best part of All-Star is yes, playing with your own teammates, but also getting to just spend time with some of the other players that you're usually competing against, so getting to know them, playing with them. Like I said, those are some of my fondest memories. I'm just going to try to enjoy it the same way this time.

Q. BG has been at the forefront of all of you guys' conversations throughout the whole season. Now that All-Star is taking center stage in the sports landscape right now and this weekend, how does that communication shift at all for all of you guys this weekend?

SUE BIRD: It doesn't really shift. We obviously did the rally yesterday. I think for all of us, we just want to always keep BG's name at the forefront in everything we do.

Yeah, every now and then we'll answer questions about All-Star and talk about the basketball, but you're going to see her name on the back of all of our shirts, and so like I said, it doesn't really shift. We want it to always be there.

Q. It feels like we were at the moment with the W -- Sue, you're retiring. It feels like a transitioning of eras. We have all this momentum around the league, the most amount of eyes on the sport that we've had ever. What would you like to see the league keep doing to keep that momentum going? How do we keep it going?

SUE BIRD: I actually think we have finally in some ways cracked the code a little bit, so the answer to this question four years ago would have been different. I feel like now what we've done is able to kind of establish a foundation of who we are as a league, a foundation of how we want to market ourselves, the ways in which we want to represent ourselves, and so to me it's just about following the path that we've finally figured out. That's really I think what's going to push things forward, and of course continue to put pressure on the powers that be, because in my mind -- I'm sure you guys would agree with this, when the TV deal is up in two years, that to me, that's the moment.

So I think we just have to continue down this path, keep doing what we've been doing, and then when they start negotiations for that, that could really break things open and change the entire trajectory of our league.

Q. Stewie, I'm curious if you could talk about why you picked Jackie, in addition to obviously being with you because of Puma, what was it about her that sort of -- why you wanted to pick her?

BREANNA STEWART: I mean, I picked Jackie for a number of reasons. Obviously she's having an amazing year. She's just really, I think, finding her confidence and understanding what she can do, especially stretching to the 3 and knocking that down consistently. But wanting to have great players on my roster, and from the list to choose from, they're all great. So there's really no wrong answer.

I had Sue's trade in my back pocket, so I wanted to make sure that I got guards, I got a player that was like versatile, she can play multiple positions. And also, like you said, she's a part of the Puma family, so I had to get her on my team.

Q. To follow up, not only Jackie, but Sabrina and Rhyne and I think Kelsey Plum, those are all people that are first-time All-Stars and they're also No. 1 picks. I'm curious what advice you have for those people in that group for their first All-Star?

BREANNA STEWART: The advice I have for the first-time All-Stars is just enjoy the moment. I touched on it earlier, especially this season, it's such a condensed season, we have a lot of games. You're always on go mode, go mode, go mode. This is an opportunity to celebrate your success, enjoy it, appreciate it, and also make you hungrier for what's to come.

Q. Sue and Stewie, specifically Syl, this is obviously her last year, I would ask you guys, one, what's your best Syl story from your Olympic experience, and Stewie, for you specifically as a big, what have you learned from playing alongside her?

BREANNA STEWART: I mean, what I've learned from Syl playing alongside her is just the fact that she's constantly working. She never stops. She obviously has her frame that she uses to her advantage.

I think the thing that I enjoy the most is sharing the court with her, like playing with her and not playing against her, and now we'll play against her again tomorrow.

But Syl is someone that's an amazing person, an amazing player, and really has touched many lives off the court. Yeah, she's going to go down as one of the best to ever do it.

SUE BIRD: The first time I met Syl was actually right after -- not directly after she finished college, but after her first season she came to play in Russia, so we played on the same team overseas. So she was probably 22, 23, and my first memory is her coming to practice and every post player being like, yeah, I'm good, I don't want to have to guard her. Everybody really being intimidated by the way she played. That's a compliment because we had some of the best post players in the world on our team at the time. That's really my first memory of her on the court and obviously that has sustained throughout her entire career.

My memory of her off the court is you're overseas, a lot of downtime. Syl was always down to cook for the team, always down to be like that teammate that was there to nurture, and I'm sure if you've followed her career, you know that's exactly who she is. She's been that through the course of her entire career. She's been that I think especially in the last couple years in Minnesota, just really helped those younger players, and that's who she is at the core.

Not much changed. She's only gotten better, but not much as changed in terms of who she is from when she was 22, 23 to now.

Q. Sue, A'ja Wilson talked yesterday about the Olympics and how afterward you had told her that the team was now in her hands and Stewie's hands. Do you feel like now that they're co-captains that this league is now in their hands?

SUE BIRD: Oh, yeah. These two have been neck and neck for the MVP race in the WNBA, neck and neck for the MVP even as teammates with USA Basketball. I think they're really starting to establish themselves as players who can be the names for this league, players who can represent this league, players who are going to set the bar in terms of what that MVP player looks like, like what it means to be consistent every year. That's how I would describe those two.

I've talked to Stewie about it, as well. It's not lip service. They are really the future, especially when it comes to USA Basketball. Like I said, I think more than anything, it comes with setting that bar, setting that standard of what it is to be the best player in the world.

Q. Jewell, this is a homecoming for you; how many friends and family do you have coming for the weekend for tomorrow's game, and what are your fondest memories of growing up in the Chicago area and playing hoops?

JEWELL LOYD: Yeah, it's always a great pleasure to be back in the city, see my family and friends. I just have a small group of friends that I've been close with since I was little and they're coming out to support me and that's what it's about. Obviously there's Nike Nationals and stuff like that so I know the teams are playing.

But it's super special to be back home for sure, and I'm just excited to see my family, see my nieces and nephew tomorrow, and yeah, put on a show.

Q. What would it mean to win the three-point contest at home against stiff competition, what would it mean to come out on top in your hometown?

JEWELL LOYD: You know, I'm just going to get reps up for it tomorrow because I know there's a four-point and stuff, especially for the game. That's all I'm worried about.

Q. Sue, I'm wondering when you were at the White House the other day, were you able to speak with President Biden about Brittney Griner? I was wondering if you could share your favorite All-Star Game memories from over the years anything that stands out to you as you look back?

SUE BIRD: Yeah, I didn't have personal time with President Biden but Megan (Rapinoe) did, and as we all know on the lapel of her jacket she had BG's initials embroidered and flowers. I know Megan has taken the opportunities in those moments when she's been able to speak to the President to talk about BG, so I do know that.

Favorite All-Star memories, God, I think the first one that comes to mind is who knows what year, don't ask me, we were in Connecticut. It's been there a bunch of times, so literally no idea. But at the end of the game, the game was kind of over, and we just kind of let Michelle Snow get some dunks in. I think it was Lisa Leslie maybe, I could be wrong, but definitely Michelle Snow, and I feel like that was the first time we were seeing that in the All-Star Game, and I just remember the players being really excited, the fans being really excited. It was a good show.

Q. Sue, how have you seen just the All-Star Game evolve over the years to the point where it is now, and what stands out the most for you in terms of the progress for All-Star, where it is now compared to where it's been?

SUE BIRD: Yeah, to be honest, this particular All-Star marks, I think, a big change in terms of the excitement and the events surrounding the game. This is really the first year we've had multiple parties where different brands are hosting different events, and last night Brand Jordan had a party, they had a musical performer. These are the types of things you see at other All-Star weekends, and that really hasn't been the case for us. The WNBA always does some sort of reception, but we're talking like parties, like people want to be seen at these parties, people want to go, and I think it really does mark a big difference in terms of the excitement.

As far as the game goes, I have to admit, through the years there's been some games that have been better than others, some hosts have been better than others, but for the most part, the standard for the actual game, the event from a player perspective, it's been pretty consistent. I think it's been pretty high level and pretty consistent.

Like I said, some better than others, but to me it's the excitement around the game like throughout the community, and I know it sounds silly, but the parties matter. I think they represent something different in like the world of cultural capital. That's kind of exciting to see that happen this year, and I hope it continues.

Q. Sue, James Wade talked about early in his career spending some time working with you. Can you share --

SUE BIRD: Trying to guard me is what it was.

Q. He said there were some battles. From your perspective what was that like, and how much are you looking forward to rejoining him on the court?

SUE BIRD: Yeah, I mean, myself, James, his wife Edwige, we have some amazing memories. I played against Edwige for many years overseas, James was always around, and Edwige played for Seattle and James was a practice player. So I feel like I've been around James like, gosh, so much of my career. There's little stories with James embedded in there.

He obviously started as an assistant, but when he got a head coaching job, I was like, oh, it was just a matter of time. There was just something about him. There was just always -- he was always paying attention, always observing, paying attention. He was always around. So as he kind of climbed through and eventually got that head coaching job, none of it was surprising.

But yeah, he always tried to -- he jokes, I had to be hard on you in practice so my wife could get some playing time. I was like, that's not fair. That's not fair.

Q. Stewie and Jewell, do you feel like you guys that she's passed the torch off to you guys now? Where do you want to see the league go next? What kind of steps do you think they need to take to keep the momentum going around the attention?

JEWELL LOYD: You know, I think we've learned and we're still learning from Sue. I have a big notebook of stuff that she's taught me over the years. It's nice and thick.

I think you want to make sure that we continue her legacy and our legacy, and that's just treating the game with respect, going about everything as professional as possible, but adding our personality in it, as well, and I think we're doing that now. Obviously Stewie's shoe, make sure you guys go get it, as well as mine, things like that, I think established just who we're becoming, but we've learned a lot from Sue and we've tried to do our best to make sure we can sustain that and hopefully pass it down to the next generation of hoopers.

BREANNA STEWART: Yeah, going off that, I think just understanding all that Sue has done for the game and appreciating that and also sharing these moments with her, and being genuine and making sure that as we continue to strive for more in the WNBA and more for women, women in sports, things like that, that we are honest with who we are and what we do, and at the same time putting the league and endorsements and companies in uncomfortable positions that maybe they haven't been in before where they need to get to, so then we can set the standard for something new.

Q. Sue, what are you most looking forward to in your last All-Star Game?

SUE BIRD: Really just to have fun. I know that sounds kind of small, but it's not. It's not. This is a weekend that is always enjoyable, and you only get one a summer. This is obviously my last, so I'm just going to have fun with it.

Q. Jewell, for you and Stewie, talk about your new sneakers and how that can impact and inspire girls who look up to you?

JEWELL LOYD: Yeah, I think that's the biggest thing that we're able to inspire so many others to have a voice, to have full creative control of what we wanted to put on the shoe. It's super special. I even have my nephew, he did the insoles, so I think that's special, too, he was involved. And just knowing that representation matters and having someone as little as them look up to me and say, Wow, you have a shoe, that's amazing. I can rock it, hopefully that inspires them to achieve their goals and I'm sure that's the same for Stewie, and it's pretty cool.