Podcast appearances and mentions of brian agler

Guest host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories in which games are featured.  Brian Agler's “The Rules of this Board Game Are Long, But Also Complicated” speaks for itself as the unnamed host of game night makes it clear there is no way to win this one.  Meg Wolitzer is the reader.  In John Updike's “Still of Some Use,” a family clears its attic of old games; memories and emotions surface, along with battered boards and random game pieces.The reader is James Naughton. In Susan Perabo's “Some Say the World,” a fragile young woman holds the world at bay with Parcheesi. The reader is Colby Minifie.

Now entering Greener Pastures! Greener Pastures is a comedy and satire site run by a bunch of writers obsessed with out-writing, out-joking and out-funnying each other! And because we love to writing satire, talking about it, and the people who do it, we've expanded into podcasting! Today, Amy and Kegan share and dissect their favorite satire pieces! Pieces mentioned in the episode: "The Rules of this Board Game are Long, but Also Complicated" by Brian Agler "Are You Baking Cookies with Children or Starring in a Gritty Crime Procedural?" by Audrey Burges “College Drama Workshop, or Clinical Depression?” by Anna Pook “Acceptable Mermaid Skin Tones: A Guide for Racists” by Gabriel Thibodeau  “We Need to Talk About Your Behavior at Our Eyes Wide Shut Parties” by Nathan Pensky “The Average Contestant on British Baking Shows vs. the Average Contestant on American Cooking Shows” by Rebecca Turkewitz ***Also, shoutout to Frazzled editor, Lindsay Hameroff, and their upcoming book, “Till There Was You." Tune in next Monday for the next episode! Follow us on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠@greenerpastsat⁠⁠⁠ and on Medium at ⁠⁠⁠Greener Pastures Magazine⁠⁠⁠.

Are you a leader? Are you a good leader? Are you leading at a championship level? If you have a desire to increase your knowledge and understanding of how to lead, this is the episode for you!Please join Brian Agler, a two-time WNBA championship coach for multiple WNBA teams. He is also a Division III championship winning basketball player as well. If there is anyone who has the knowledge and understanding of how to increase your leadership, it's Brian. Listen in as Brian shares his personal stories surrounding his successes and failures. He gives in-depth details about what traits and characteristics he used during his championship seasons and how other people have made a huge impact in his life as well. You will surely grab some additional bullet points to add to your leadership tool box in this episode. Thanks and enjoy!

There's no debate – the Columbus Quest were the best ABL team ever. Thecoach and players relive the start and end of the team and league.Guests: Katie Smith, Brian Agler, Valerie Still, Andrea Lloyd-Curry

Lindsay Gibbs (Burn It All Down, Power Plays) talks with Jordan Ligons (The Ringer) about the Dallas Wings and Brian Agler "mutually" parting ways, the Los Angeles Spark's many free agency questions, possible Candace Parker destinations, and what could be next for the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you'll get 20% off your next order.BuiltGoVisit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you'll get 20% off your next order.RomanGo to getroman.com/lockedon TODAY. If approved, you'll get fifteen dollars off your first orderof ED treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lindsay Gibbs (Burn It All Down, Power Plays) talks with Jordan Ligons (The Ringer) about the Dallas Wings and Brian Agler "mutually" parting ways, the Los Angeles Spark's many free agency questions, possible Candace Parker destinations, and what could be next for the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BuiltGo Visit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Roman Go to getroman.com/lockedon TODAY. If approved, you’ll get fifteen dollars off your first order of ED treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erica L. Ayala is back from Memphis and recapping the Women's Sports Foundation's Salute to Women. Erica also provides a quick update on former Dallas Wings head coach Brian Agler and the lack of former WNBA players holding coaching roles in the league.Additional resources:WSF Salute to WomenWNBPA on the need for more women in coaching‘We have to get more diversity in those seats': WNBA faces hiring reckoningThe NBA wants female head coaches. But how feasible is that goal?Brian Agler leaves Los AngelesPenny Toler sues Los Angeles SparksBrian Agler, Dallas Wings agree to part waysWhite men are the last head coaches standing for the 3rd WNBA season in a rowSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you'll get 20% off your next order.TheragunTry Theragun RISK-FREE for THIRTY-DAYS. Go to Theragun.com/LOCKEDON right now and get your Gen 4 Theragun TODAY.  BuiltGoVisit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you'll get 20% off your next order.RomanGo to getroman.com/lockedon TODAY. If approved, you'll get fifteen dollars off your first orderof ED treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erica L. Ayala is back from Memphis and recapping the Women's Sports Foundation's Salute to Women. Erica also provides a quick update on former Dallas Wings head coach Brian Agler and the lack of former WNBA players holding coaching roles in the league. Additional resources: WSF Salute to Women WNBPA on the need for more women in coaching ‘We have to get more diversity in those seats’: WNBA faces hiring reckoning The NBA wants female head coaches. But how feasible is that goal? Brian Agler leaves Los Angeles Penny Toler sues Los Angeles Sparks Brian Agler, Dallas Wings agree to part ways White men are the last head coaches standing for the 3rd WNBA season in a row Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Theragun Try Theragun RISK-FREE for THIRTY-DAYS. Go to Theragun.com/LOCKEDON right now and get your Gen 4 Theragun TODAY.   BuiltGo Visit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Roman Go to getroman.com/lockedon TODAY. If approved, you’ll get fifteen dollars off your first order of ED treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WNBA season just ended, but the WNBA offseason is already getting going as the Dallas Wings and head coach Brian Agler "mutually agreed" to part ways yesterday. Christy Winters-Scott and Gabe Ibrahim break down what the decision means for Dallas and who should be a candidate for the job (HIRE BLACK WOMEN!). They also get into the what went right and wrong in the Washington Mystics' season as well as what DC's offseason may look like. 

Coach Brian Agler is the winningest coach in US women's professional basketball. He has two American Basketball League Championships, two WNBA Championships with two different franchises (only coach to do that), and he even has a National Championship from his playing days at Wittenberg University. He is now the Head Coach of the WNBA's Dallas Wings where he is tasked with building yet another championship team. In this episode he tells us about his journey coaching in the WNBA, the keys to winning championships, what it's like coaching superstars like Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, and Candace Parker (to name a few), and so much more! I absolutely love this episode! Coach Brian Agler can be found on twitter @brian_agler --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

2x WNBA champion and current Dallas Wings Head Coach Brian Agler joined the show to discuss both semifinals matchups. What we have seen, what we expect, and Wings update!

In her Wednesday edition of Roster Deep Diver, Lindsay Gibbs talks with Drew Ivery, Dallas Wings reporter at The Next, about Arike Ogunbowale's improvements, Allisha Gray's resurgence, and how head coach Brian Agler is putting together the rest of his roster puzzle pieces.Then, Bailey Johnson, Atlanta Dream beat reporter for The Next, joins to talk about how the Atlanta Dream are doing without Chennedy Carter, why Glory Johnson isn't getting much playing time, and the revelation that is Betnijah Laney. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! HelixRIGHT NOW Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows. Get up to 200 dollars off at Helixsleep.com/lockedonnbaRock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In her Wednesday edition of Roster Deep Diver, Lindsay Gibbs talks with Drew Ivery, Dallas Wings reporter at The Next, about Arike Ogunbowale's improvements, Allisha Gray's resurgence, and how head coach Brian Agler is putting together the rest of his roster puzzle pieces. Then, Bailey Johnson, Atlanta Dream beat reporter for The Next, joins to talk about how the Atlanta Dream are doing without Chennedy Carter, why Glory Johnson isn't getting much playing time, and the revelation that is Betnijah Laney. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Helix RIGHT NOW Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows. Get up to 200 dollars off at Helixsleep.com/lockedonnba Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is in Memory of Brian Agler.If you want to donate to his family, you can do so here: https://www.babylist.com/baby-claire-and-brianAnd courtesy of Andy Balinsky, some more about Brian.Here is a brief bio of him from a website of a political writing collective that he is a member of.He is the co-author of a 141-issue weekly Humorous Writing newsletter. He has written humor columns for the New Yorker, Esquire, and McSweeny'sHe has been a co-host of a series called the "Evening of Humorous Readings"Here is the video of him in the semifinals in 2015 going against eventual champion Ben Ziek on Coverings & Coatings

Two of our favorites are back! Dav & Buster . . . er . . . Dav & Francis!Talk to us about this episode by sending an email to episode32@punintensive.comToday we talk about:Nothing worthy of an "Explicit" tag, but there are a couple of jokes that may be considered ribald, so use discretion around the kids (as Ira Glass might say, we acknowledge the existence of sex shops)We Start a BusinessComedy and ZoomAnd a lost comrade in the pun community (see more below)Links relevant to this episode:Austin's Hideout Theater's Maestro (and their Twitch link)The Limeliters staying six feet apartSNL & RBGLast Week TonightMarlon BundoComedy Sports AustinFrancis McGrath's MusicAnd on a somber note, in this podcast we talk about the illness of a fellow punner, Brian Agler. Since the day this episode was recorded, Brian Passed away. Per Julia and Andy Balinsky, Brian was in the winner’s circle both years he competed at the O. Henry Pun-Off.Here is a brief bio of him from a website of a political writing collective that he is a member of.He is the co-author of a 141-issue weekly Humorous Writing newsletterHe has written humor columns for the New Yorker, Esquire, and McSweeny'sHe has been a co-host of a series called the "Evening of Humorous Readings" Here is the video of him in the semifinals in 2015 going against eventual champion Ben Ziek on Coverings & Coatings:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvf_Hs35yOM&t=819s Help us out and donate to our patron campaign!Want more?Our web site is punintensive.comPlay games at faceboook.com/punypageSocial media where we reside:facebook.com/punintensiveinstagram.com/punintensivepinterest.com/punintensivetwitter.com/punintesiveyoutube.comWe want to give special thanks to the band Dark Meat, whose music ("When the Killers Came") we have come to love to use in our podcast.We'll see you in two weeks! (and please rate us on iTunes!)

Listen to WNBA 2 x winning coach Brian Agler of Dallas Wings and formerly of Seattle Storm and LA Sparks talk about a wide range of topics. From the WNBA draft, to a WNBA franchise in Canada, to coaching overseas and even Fish and Chips in England. We also talk about EuroLeague Women and EuroCup Women Final Eights proposals and whether U17 Women's Basketball World Cup will go ahead. Also what will be the legacy of Covid-19 on the sport?

Before hoarding was cool, Dallas Wings General Manager Greg Bibb was gathering 2020 first-round picks.  Like a squirrel sitting on nuts for the winter, Bibb is quite happy with his haul. But he also knows he, head coach Brian Agler and the staff have to get this right. If they do, it might mean the Wings are set up for years to come. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Please rate and review the Her Hoop Stats podcast to help others find it while we work diligently to grow the women's game. Feel free to reach out with comments or questions to: podcast@herhoopstats.com

  One of the most suprising moves off last WNBA offseason was Brian Agler stepping down as head coach of the LA Sparks.  About a month later, he was announced as the new leader of the Dallas Wings. While the first season was challenging, Agler saw several bright spots, including Rookie of the Year runner-up Arike Ogunbowale stepping into a leading role. Coach Agler discusses his offseason, thoughts about the future of the Wings roster, how they'll approach the 2020 draft, Arike's development, and more. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. There's a new feature conversation every Monday, and in between you'll get some tremendous bonus content. Please rate and review the broadcast to help others find it while we work diligently to grow the women's game. Feel free to reach out with comments or questions to: podcast@herhoopstats.com.

This Episode Rachel and Aryeh speak to Wings HC Brian Agler in regard to the current WNBA Finals. What he has seen so far, where the coaches heads are at and what goes into a finals series.

John Liddle and Acheil Tac provide play-by-play of the Las Vegas Aces 75-70 win at the Dallas Wings on August 3, 2019.  The special episode also includes great interviews with key figures on both teams. 3:15 - Aces coach Bill Laimbeer 5:30 - Wings coach Brian Agler 19:10 - Aces guard Kayla McBride 34:00 - Wings President/CEO Greg Bibb 49:30 - Aces forward A'ja Wilson 57:45 - Wings center Theresa Plaisance Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.  There's a new feature conversation every Monday, and in between you'll get some tremendous bonus content.  Please rate and review the broadcast to help others find it while we work diligently to grow the women's game. Feel free to reach out with comments or questions to: podcast@herhoopstats.com.

In a special bonus episode of the Her Hoop Stats Podcast, powered by HerHoopStats.com John chats with Dallas Wings President & CEO Greg Bibb and Head Coach Brian Agler. Bibb discusses the Liz Cambage trade, a big haul in the draft, the growth of the fan base in DFW, and the acquisition of Agler. Agler talks about his decision to leave the LA Sparks, his view of the Cambage trade, building a roster in Dallas built on his defensive philosophy, and Arike Ogunbowale playing the point as a rookie. Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.  There's a new feature conversation every Monday, and in between you'll get some tremendous bonus content.  Please rate and review the broadcast to help others find it while we work diligently to grow the women's game. Feel free to reach out with comments or questions to: podcast@herhoopstats.com. Or you can find John Liddle on Twitter: @JohnLiddleVoice.

Host Ben Dull is first joined by Jasmine Baker to preview the season for the Dallas Wings, including the return on the Liz Cambage trade, the addition of Imani McGee-Stafford, thoughts on the 2019 draft class, new head coach Brian Agler, the latest on Skylar Diggins-Smith and the team's chances of competing for a playoff bid. In part two, Eric Nemchock of Swish Appeal and Hashtag Basketball joins the show to preview the season for the Chicago Sky, including the hiring of James Wade, the decision to draft Katie Lou Samuelson, improving the team's defense and the expectations Wade & Co. are facing to make the playoffs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Ben Dull is first joined by Jasmine Baker to preview the season for the Dallas Wings, including the return on the Liz Cambage trade, the addition of Imani McGee-Stafford, thoughts on the 2019 draft class, new head coach Brian Agler, the latest on Skylar Diggins-Smith and the team's chances of competing for a playoff bid. In part two, Eric Nemchock of Swish Appeal and Hashtag Basketball joins the show to preview the season for the Chicago Sky, including the hiring of James Wade, the decision to draft Katie Lou Samuelson, improving the team's defense and the expectations Wade & Co. are facing to make the playoffs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the third edition of the WNBA podcast, Josh Coyne talks to two-time WNBA Champion and Dallas Wings head coach Brian Agler. The pair cover the forthcoming training camp, the ongoing Liz Cambage trade discussions, Skylar Diggins-Smith’s post-pregnancy comeback, moving from Los Angeles to Dallas, the latest WNBA TV deal, women’s basketball in Texas, comparing the WNBA to NCAA and playing professionally in Great Britain. Listen via the options above or via: iTunes Stitcher Spotify Tunein Acast Direct Download of Episode 3 If you have any questions or topics you would like us to discuss on future podcasts, please email us over at admin@doubleclutch.uk or contact us on Twitter @DoubleClutchUK #wnbaintheuk Join the #wnbaintheuk community, read, watch, listen, comment and follow: Double Clutch UK Twitter Facebook Instagram  Youtube 

This episode Rachel and Aryeh are joined by new Dallas Wings head coach Brian Agler. Topics covered: -State of the Wings/Why Dallas -Wings Roster/Youth/Stars -Improvement needed by this team -Draft -Staff Take a Listen!

Brian interviews Brian Agler, aka Punda Express, a 13-time pun champion or finalist in the biggest pun competitions like Punderdome 3000 in Brooklyn and The O.Henry Pun-Off World Championships in Austin. And when Brian’s not dominating forms of “low” humor, he dominates “high” humor in pieces for McSweeneys, The New Yorker, Splitsider and in speeches for all sorts of politicians for his day job as a speechwriter. We cover all the goofs and spoofs, plus Universal Brian Questions at (45:00)

There are few people in the women's basketball world with a more complete resume than Katie Smith, and that was before she was named head coach of the New York Liberty. A record breaking college career, ABL sucess and championships, WNBA records and championships, the player's representative for the USA Basketball senior national team selection committee, assistant coach in the WNBA, and broadcaster for NCAA games. Now add head coach of one of the most important franchises in the WNBA, the New York Liberty.  The Liberty is not just any franchise. It's New York City, right by the league offices, playing in Madison Square Garden, "the mecca." On the court they have had success, albeit not championship level success. Off the court they are community leaders, winners of the first WNBA season long Community Assist award. It is Smith's job to take them to the next level on the court, a first championship for the Liberty. Smith not only has her own pedigree, she has played and coached with some of the very best, including Brian Agler and Bill Laimbeer. It will be fun to see the evolution of head coach Katie Smith and where she can take the Liberty. It is a pleasure to welcome Smith back to Dishin & Swishin.  Topics covered include: What is next for the Liberty? How do you make inconsistent players more consistent? The importance of being a part of the community  The changing of the guard in USA Basketball, when and how do you turn over roster spots Good luck to Katie Smith as she begins the next chapter in her career! Enjoy the podcast! 

The last time a WNBA champion repeated the next year was back in 2001 and 2002. That team was the Los Angeles Sparks. So, who is to say the streak of non-repeaters will not end in 2017 with the same franchise? Last year’s WNBA finals were women’s basketball at its best, and its worst. Amazing talent graced the floor for both teams, but refereeing mistakes had a huge impact on outcomes. One thing that cannot be denied though is that the Sparks are worthy champions. Loaded with transcendent players like Most Valuable Player winners Nneka Ogwumike and Candace Parker, one of the best three point shooters in the game in Kristi Toliver, and two of the best defenders in the league in Alana Beard and Essence Carson, this team was rock solid. Just as important, they had a championship coach in Brian Agler, and they bought into his system. Turn the clock forward, and while some things remain the same, some things are very different. Toliver has taken her talents to Washington, replaced on the Sparks roster by Odyssey Sims, the enigmatic but extremely talented guard acquired from Dallas. Riquna Williams signed as a free agent last year but injured all season, returns healthy and will also help fill the role of scoring guard to space the floor. Chelsea Gray showed flashes of brilliance in the playoffs, and will undoubtedly step into a much bigger role this year as well, as she continues to mature as a point guard. With the exception of Gray and sixth woman Jantel Lavender, the rest of the bench is gone from last season. From that perspective, not having Parker, Ogwumike, Carson and Lavender for most of training camp allowed Agler to look at possible replacements, including first round draft choice Sydney Wiese, and to give extra time to getting Sims time in his system. The Sparks will raise their championship banner without Parker, Carson, and Lavender this weekend, but expect them all to be back for their ring ceremony next week.

Host and Editor-in-Chief of The Summitt (Summitthoops.com) Howard Megdal is joined by Chicago Sky coach and general manager Amber Stocks. The two discuss Stocks' mentors Pat Summitt and Muffet McGraw, her time on Brian Agler's staff with the Los Angeles Sparks, and the outlook for the Sky in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of each year we tend to look back at the highs and lows of the past year,  what inspired and upset us as fans, and who were the standouts for whatever the reason. While 2016 certainly had its downside, with the passing of icons in entertainment, and distressing social and political events, women's basketball had a pretty phenomenal year, one where one could easily honor many achievements. There were great coaching performances (Geno Auriemma winning NCAA and Olympic titles, Brian Agler winning WNBA title), college performances (Breanna Stewart leading UConn to its fourth title, Kelsey Plum dominating the 2016-17 season), international successes (Diana Taurasi's three-point barrages in the Olympics), and professional success (Minnesota and Los Angeles giving us an epic WNBA final). Here at Dishin & Swishin, we spent our year end look back time searching for something more; something or rather someone, that went beyond on the court success. We asked the question, who is the person that surpassed court performance to impact people with their persona and aura. In other words who is the 2016 "Ambassador of Women's Basketball," the person that we want representing the game to anyone we would want to introduce or discuss women's basketball with. The answer came quickly and easily: WNBA MVP and Champion Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks, our first Dishin & Swishin Ambassador of Women's Basketball. On the court, Ogwumike was phenomenal. A quiet confidence and determination that was finely tuned by years competing against the best in high school, college, and both international and WNBA play. She was third in the league in scoring, third in rebounding, and first in field goal percentage. Agler's system encouraged Ogwumike to spread her wings, become the number one option on offense despite having talented teammates like Candace Parker and Kristi Tolliver, and stretch her game to include three-point shooting and ball hand

I was struck recently by Cheryl Reeve, the head coach of the Minnesota Lynx and WNBA coach of the year, tweeting about the lack of media coverage for women's sports. Not just lack of coverage of the WNBA or of her team, but of ALL women's sports. In other words, she is champion of a cause while her team is seeking the WNBA championship. Here it is, the most important and busiest time of the year for Reeve, and she was tweeting about something she felt was unfair. That strikes at the heart of why Cheryl Reeve is the best coach around, she sees the big picture. Minnesota is a supremely talented team, there is no denying that, but she gets them to buy into her system, to play the roles she wants them to play. Look at Maya Moore, the MVP candidate who this season became a strong ballhandler and helped take pressure of Lindsay Whalen with her ball handling.  Seimone Augustus, a tremendous scorer during her career, has accepted a role of sometimes being second, third or even fourth scorer on some nights. It helped the Lynx set a franchise record with 28 wins this season, and the reason they are the favorite to win their fourth title in six years. It is a pleasure to welcome Coach Reeve back to the podcast. Topics discussed include: Her pushing for better coverage for all women's sportsThe health and roles on the rosterDealing with the refereeing and foul plagued games that have been a part of the playoffs this yearFowles and Brunson versus Parker and OgwumikeThe job Brian Agler has done in Los AngelesWhalen being strong this post-season and making an impact It should be a great series, and we wish both teams luck in the finals! Let's hope for a good series, with minimal refereeing involvement, and the better team winning.

The Olympic break certainly adds an interesting dynamic to the 2016 WNBA season, doesn't it? On one hand, most players received a "mini-vacation" they needed; considering the year round playing schedule most deal with, not too many were unhappy about that. On the other hand, players and teams that had positive momentum in July have to try to sustain it after a month absence from game play. On the other, other hand, if a player or team was slumping, or banged up, it gave them a month to turn things around, and get in some practice time the regular season does not usually allow. All of these apply to the first place overall Los Angeles Sparks. They entered the break with an incredible 21-3 record, one-half game ahead of the Minnesota Lynx for overall top seed in the new playoff format. However, the Sparks dropped two of their last three games, dropping back to back road games to Atlanta and Indiana, respectively, before defeating Washington to wrap up the first part of the season. Can the Sparks build on their pre-break success? Or did the time away hurt the mystique they built through their tremendous play in the first part of the season? It is a pleasure to welcome Sparks head coach Brian Agler back to Dishin & Swishin to discuss why he feels his team was successful in the first part of the season, and why they will be able to at least sustain if not improve during the rest of the season. Topics covered include: Buying in to the system, including playing good defense and accepting rolesThe amazing, record-setting season of Nneka OgwumikeCandace Parker, the things she does on and off the court for the team and her willingness to sacrifice her own game for the teamRoad games, and more road games it seems on their scheduleHow the team handled the break and getting ready for the second part of the seasonThe revival of Alana Beard as a defensiv