Don't miss this fantastic interview by Mariah Rose with Too $hort, where he talks about his love for women's basketball, what Ballhalla says about the W's future, and what it means to be a fan.

Too $hort Talks Golden State Valkyries, Raider Nation & Lil Jon Album

Some excerpts below, but definitely worth watching the whole thing.

[14:17]

Well you know, when I go to a sports event, I'm not going in the character of like my music, Too $hort -- unless they hire me to perform at halftime or during one of the timeout breaks or whatever it may be, um, and then I go into entertainment mode.

But when I sit in my seat and I'm watching the game, I grew up in a house with parents that yelled at the TV watching sports. I was a kid with my uncles and us, and you know certain games wouldn't be televised. We'd be sitting around the house by a radio listening to the game, and that was a big deal, like, they yelling at the radio. So I grew up around passionate sports fans and I acquired that passion for sports.

[16:36] (About Gabby saying she couldn't lose in front of him)

So truly, it caught me off guard and it was extremely flattering. And uh, I I got sent that clip probably before I even got out the stadium. I was still at the steakhouse enjoying my after the game meal and I saw the clip. I'm like, "Wow, that's amazing." And then she told the crowd, "What's my favorite word?" And they yelled it out, that was just a big moment.

And then I saw later clips of her saying that that was her middle school, you know, or when she was younger, she was bumping Too $hort and I'm like, "Wow." Like, you know, that really is flattering that somebody so much younger than me is on my radar even a little bit.

[18:15]

I got to make one confession because something really funny happened to me at Chase Center when they closed out, um, when they beat the Aces at home. Somebody walked past me in the Aces colors, which are like Raider colors. And they said -- they said it in my ear like a drive-by -- they said, "You're an Aces fan."

And I'm like, really? All these years I have a residence in Vegas. All these years I've been going to the Aces game supporting the Aces, and the Bay Area didn't have a team. So to that person I say, "Yeah, when they not playing a Bay Area team, I'm riding with them. (laughing) But when they play a Bay Area team, I'm riding with the Bay until the wheels fall off."

[19:10]

I love the WNBA because of the style of basketball they play. The NBA has gone to this style of just, you know, they push the ball in and somebody's on the three-point line, they throw it back out... And the W is playing like more of a fundamental game.

And it's just, even like um when you watch the Final Four women's college basketball, it's a beautiful game. I know people that won't watch women's basketball, and I'm like, you're missing something that the NBA used to be.

[21:40] (About watching the semifinals in Ballhalla)

Well, the first thing I would say is, as a sports fan who knows the storylines of the W, how could this little young new team beat the three-time champs? Like the Aces won three of the last four championships -- and they swept them.

And it's like, you got to think that the Aces are seasoned veterans, 'cause they fight. They fight, and they win, and they know how to win, right? And they couldn't figure out how to beat this young fast shooting team -- and I think that crowd and that home court advantage had a lot to do with with them [Valkyries] just coming out and winning those first two games.

And it was um, I was watching it like, okay, Vegas is about to go back and bip-bip, and hit the young Valkyries upside the head. And it didn't happen. I was so shocked. I was so shocked and I was like, Ballhalla is real.

[23:10]

That energy in the building, it feels a lot like when the Warriors played in Oracle in Oakland, it feels a lot like that. It's loud, in your face on the court. Everybody's overexcited about everything. Every play is like the crowd is going crazy.

My favorite thing at the Valkyries games was um the little girls. These little girls are like into it. They are like, they are fans. They got their gear on. They are into it. They're getting frustrated when the the play doesn't go right. And I'm like, Wow, this is beautiful for women's sports. This is beautiful.

[23:52]

Atlanta got all this press about the 3500 seat place where they played the regular season games, and then they got into where the Hawks play for the playoffs, and then they said, "Oh, it's all booked up."

You know that happened to the Valkyries last season? The arena was booked and they had to play the playoff game somewhere else. But this year, somebody stepped up and said um, 'cause you know the Doja Cat concert was scheduled during the the championship. They moved the concert. So I feel like the Hawks had to step up and do the same thing.

[24:33]

And now my prediction is that all the other teams -- because the sport's going to be so popular next season, and the season after that, all the other teams are going to up their game, and have to let the fans into a bigger arena to battle Ballhalla. You got to go against that Ballhalla. Like it's going to affect the entire league if everybody else doesn't step up and get a bigger crowd.

[25:55]

So I'm hoping the W, the new money, like come on W, let's get it together. Let's get these women in some bigger stadiums and let's make this Ballhalla be in all the cities. It's time.

Yesterday’s game peaked at 117 decibels, according to a fan’s Apple Watch last night: https://www.reddit.com/r/valkyries/s/n0NAeMxmzp

The former warriors play-by-play guy said that we believe peaked at “116 or 118 decibels”, from the official NBA rep: https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/ex-warriors-pa-announcer-reveals-the-loudest-oracles-ever-been-for-a-basketball-game/1350393/

Comparisons are never perfect, since it’s not the same arena and we’re not using the exact same meter to measure. But as someone who was in Oracle for the early Steph campaigns, this matches my experience. Oracle could get loud when it mattered, Ballhalla is consistently louder and peaks just as high.

Excited to see if we can get past 120 db tomorrow

For folks wondering where to listen to Kai the Mic, Stunnaman02, and Jwalt's Ballhalla from Game 1.

Vs UP 💜!

I was repping my giant Valkyries necklace today and was walking down the sidewalk in SF. Omitting the exact location to respect her privacy. I was hoping to see some fellow fans on my walk. Needless to say this was an amazingly pleasant surprise! I first saw her Valkyries-labeled shirt and pants. I was excited to say something in passing. Then I looked up to see who it was and was happily surprised! I said, "Go Valks!" She looked up at me, smiled and said, "Let's go Valkyries!" She looked busy on the phone, so I left it at that.

Moral of the story is wear your Valks gear folks! You never know who you'll run into. 😄

*Can't edit the title but correction on the spelling of her name: Sugar Rodgers

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7699745/2026/10/18/valkyries-survive-wnba-finals-shooting-slump/?smid=ta-android-share&source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.JlE.3CAJ.dVMpZzl29SIr

I love his writing style and he does the team justice!

This is a day old but I just saw it. Pretty cool!

In light of the Valkyries' incredible success this season and their first finals win, I rewatched Gabby's introductory press conference today. And I was genuinely moved -- just seeing the joy, excitement, and promise for a new beginning that accompanied the decision. It's amazing to think of all that was to come this season for her and for the team. Worth a (re)watch.

Go Valks!

I was happy to see the Valkyries were on the local NBC affiliate in the Bay Area on Saturday. It looks like you need a streaming service to watch the rest of the games? Anyone know? Thanks.

Hi Valks Fam!!! Caught up in the Ballhalla Magic so making button freebies to give away at Game 2. If you see us pls say wassup 💜 GO VALKS! - Jolly and Monica

I know coach said to take it up a notch tomorrow, but I re-watched the game and we were so loud. It took almost a week after game 2 with the Aces for my voice to recover. Yesterday, I tried not to strain my voice too much and save some energy for Monday. But man am I dreading a workday worth of talking, followed by an evening of chants and booing. They need to give everybody thunder sticks or something so we have more ways of making noise.

It still amazes me, even here in the finals, how non Valks media talk about these games. So much more coverage since yesterday has been about how Rhyne Howard didn't step up or how Angel was quiet in the 2nd half or how the Dream blew the game in general; rather than how it was a game that Valks once again imposed their will on another opponent. So many of them do not acknowledge the fact that the Dream players struggled because of what Golden State did to them, not because they had an off night or didn't get the ball to Angel down the stretch.

Oh sure they're hitting the highlights like us having an elite defense or how we have such a deep bench, but it's all still so surface level. It's not getting into the heart of how genuinely special this team is in the history of the sport.

I will not count out the Dream and I still expect the series to go long. But we have played them 4 times this year. And every one of them is an example of how Valks won. Not how the Dream Lost. But it might be hard to get that impression unless your following Valks specific media like Podhalla or Valkyries Courtside Report and shows like that.

Came across this in my morning reading and I just thought it was super cute for some reason. Who would have thought the director of The Thing would be a W stan. (link for the context)

What I'm saying is people might not mentally be ready for it. 5PM is somewhat of a strange start time. Most people are just getting off of work and it seems like a lot of people would have to leave early. I'd much prefer a 7PM start. Also Monday's can be slow because its the start of the work week and more people had time to see it on Saturday. I know there's a lot of passionate fans but I worry that the time and it being a Monday could spoil it a little.

I’m at Warriors open practice. $5.00 to get in so why not? My first warriors event. To make up for what was lost in ticket sales food was inflated. A drink yesterday was 8.75. Today it is $12. Chicken strips and fries 🍟 was $18 I believe. Today $20.00. I know better but it just sucks to see it.

I watch on Peacock and the play by play announcing isn’t as exciting as the game. I don’t have cable.

Thx in advance

i saw the new parkway did a watch party for game 1 and my gf and i are looking for some of those for road games. does anyone know if they’re doing this for every game? if so, do we need tickets? if not, does anyone know of any places in the east bay that are having watch parties? thanks!

I know there’s a post match thread but I’m curious to get everyone’s thoughts after we’ve had a day to get the nervous system back to normal.

My highlights are (obviously) this team’s discipline, lockdown defense and Gabby’s offensive drive to make the W happen.

The late minute fouls from ATL really showed me how far this team has matured and gotten really stinking good at getting a stop without fouling in clutch time.

In terms of schematics, I’m curious to see how Nat adjusts. Unfortunately, I think KT is a bad match up with Angel. Having Kai step up was huge but I’ve missed some of KT’s offense we saw through the playoffs. LA was absolutely CLUTCH and I’m so happy to see her step up and be ready.

I’m hoping Nat can scheme up something to get KFC going without ATL constantly trying to get the matchup on her. She’s such a good microwave scorer off the bench.

On the downside (and I might get absolutely roasted for this), but IMO* I think Ja still hasn’t come off of her post FIBA slump. I’m more inclined to less critical if she showed up on the defensive end but she really hasn’t, and her offense has been stagnant.

Another controversial opinion, Ceci looks a bit better on both sides but I’m NERVOUS she’s gonna get her pocket picked everytime she handles the ball. Also those FT misses weren’t great.

As for worries, I’m extremely nervous for Gabby and Tip’s injuries. I know Gabby played it off in the post game presser but I’m really hoping it was a contusion or a minor tweak.

I’m also worried about the continual reliance on Gabby to get offense going. Down in the stretch there were just too many hot potato and grenade passes back to Gabby to just figure it out.

I’m hoping we can spread the minutes around and let Gabby rest a bit more for Game 2. Either way I trust in Nat and the girls to get this done (despite what my blood pressure may indicate otherwise).

If anyone has an extra from the set (or a whole set) I have an extra rally towel or t-shirt from yesterday’s finals game, or the black shoulder bag from earlier in the season. Thanks!!!!

Wanted to offer it up to valks fans - have two spare tickets to the warriors open practice. Section 115.

Energy this series is going to be off the charts.

Wanted to watch the game tomorrow at thrive city on that big screen outside the stadium. Does that cost money and do they do that? I remember for some warrior games it use to cost money (or maybe I’m remembering wrong). Couldn’t find anything on it online about chase showing the game on the screen.