Golden State Valkyries · 5 notes
"She's come to the dark side a little bit." Natalie Nakase says Veronica Burton is cussing like her now, more direct as a Golden State Valkyries leader. Nakase's father cussed her out after games: "his love language was basketball, it was discipline, and it was time."
Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes are among those who close games for the Golden State Valkyries. Natalie Nakase said her staff builds late-game plays around "what they like at the end" so the closers "feel confident."
Golden State Valkyries' closers, per Natalie Nakase at practice: Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes. The staff is building late-game plays around what each likes, to "develop some situational things that they can close with and they feel confident."
Veronica Burton's assignment for Golden State: the Aces' Bre Turner, whom she has guarded the past two games. Burton said that can change at any moment, because a fast break can put her back on a guard. The Valkyries lead the series 2-0 heading to Las Vegas.
"Kaitlyn Chen was fresh and I'm playing a fresh Kaitlyn Chen." Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase on using Chen over Veronica Burton late; Burton never returned after the third quarter. Asked if that was injury-related, Nakase said Burton is "feeling great" but didn't say.