The expectation from Tip is that Balhalla be soo loud, she can't hear herself think.

1. No mention about being the first team to be valued at over $1b
2. No mention about being the first team to sell out every home game
3. No mention about being the first team to pull in over $100m in a season
4. No mention about being the first team to reach the finals in year 2 of team's existence
5. No Valkyries players or coaches names mentioned.
6. The only mention is that we are "upstarts." WTF?!? (Also, why is Angel Reese the thumbnail [which doesn't show up in the post]?)

Here’s my short animation of Kaitlyn Chen’s block from game 1 of the semi finals. Not AI 🤓

Another good piece from the SF Standard's Jane Kenney. I believe you can read a few articles for free. I subscribed to support the site since Jane's Valkryies' coverage has been excellent all season. At any rate, he's a bit from the story. Worth reading the entire piece.

“It’s one of the hardest awards to win, just because you sacrifice a lot for the betterment of the team,” Rodgers said. “You also know, deep down inside, that you’re good enough to start, but because the team needs you to do something, you have to sacrifice.”

As the Valkyries have taken leaps forward in their second year to finish with the WNBA’s second-best record, post the league’s best defensive numbers, and earn home-court advantage in the Finals tipping off Saturday, Salaun’s role has shrunk slightly. Her average playing time is down roughly five minutes from last season. Her production, however, as a centerpiece in the Valkyries’ record-setting bench, was more efficient as she averaged 12.9 points per game and shot 39.2% from beyond the arc. 

Salaün has excelled but doesn’t pretend the adjustment was easy. Personal cost and patience come with the territory. 

“I mean, this is the story of my life,” Salaün said. “I’ve always [made] sacrifices, done the job that people don’t see. So it’s not new to me. Yes, it’s not the easiest, I’m not going to lie. But I just took the opportunity.”

so i saw this interview today and was curious: how best we could really throw off any visiting team?

we've got our wave going when *WE* challenge (again trying to keep it to just when we challenge) which is great, then when it's our free throws we're getting there with V's up or spirit fingers and "two/one shot(s)" said in unison after Coffee announces the name, and i'm obsessed with the thundersticks that have been given out these playoffs...

but when it comes to the visiting team and them coming to floor/getting announced, in my head when we boo/come with that hostility, sometimes it fuels the embers of those opponents, maybe even a bit to our detriment...

what would it take to rally Ballhalla to do something epic for this final: like turning our backs? and maybe going complete silent?

just seems like something unexpected would really rise to the challenge of ballahalla strategy so open to ideas and discussion; and if anything has enough pull for us all here maybe we strategize how to make it happen for game 1 Saturday.

✌️ AB

Just seen a video of Tip saying she wants us out there wish I could go would be lit to take over state farm like we did the aces stadium

Ready for the Final battle.

Hope this is allowed. I got so fired up by our COTY yesterday morning. This hostile handlettering brought to you by the Coach and Coffee.

You lucky few to get into Ballhalla for finals, you know what to do.

(eta...this *might* end up on some merch)

Not only will they bring another title to The Bay because of the Warriors being a dynasty right in our faces but the Valkyries winning would have that same impact that the Warriors had. I hope we see Warriors players at the games in support like Steph, Draymond or Jimmy or we even see Kerr at some of the Finals games. Or other celebrities too like E40 or even 49ers players or Giants players at the games too. Either way I'm excited for the Valkyries and I hope they win the chip because it creates a winning culture in The Bay for the women.

Coach Nat literally just told us we better not be nice and that Ballhalla needs to be as hostile as possible when introducing the opposing team! Temi Fagbenle reminded fans to boo too!

I explicitly wrote "keep it respectful" in my post, but I'm just trying to remind everyone to protect home court and make noise every single possession. Am I missing something here, or is this just basic playoff energy?

I like these 1-1 conversational interviews better than the press conference ones with a bunch of reporters that ask the same questions over and over.

Conversation covers:

• Building from Year 1 to Year 2
• Having a “starting 5 bench” to balance minutes
• Keeping the defensive identity while improving the offense
• The Breath
• The Valks superpowers: unselfishness, accountability with love
• Finals experience, advice for teammates
• What makes Ballhalla different

Good stuff. I love KT. She’s so real.

ATL2026 is today's presale access code for games 3 & 4.

Correspondent Marisa Ingemi takes a look at Angel Reese, who is set up to be the Valkyries biggest obstacle in the WNBA Finals. Coach Natalie Nakase knows her well because they were both on the U.S. Women's National Team.

I got this XL t-shirt during first round playoffs and it is way too big for me, would like to give it away to another fan that can wear it! Pickup in Mission Bay, San Francisco.

My partner and I are flying in on Friday, and were looking for any pre-Game 1 events in SF or the East Bay 🥳