
Nate Tibbetts on the Mercury’s Finals Run, Coaching in the WNBA vs. NBA, and Diana Turasi's Final Season
Bird's Eye View with Sue BirdShow Notes
On this episode, we welcome Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts!
Nate and Sue discuss the Phoenix Mercury’s Finals run this past season and how the Mercury found success by building through free agency, forming the Mercury’s Big Three (Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally). They also talk through Nate’s coaching background and his transition from coaching in the NBA to WNBA, what it was like coaching Diana Turasi in her final season, and becoming the highest paid coach in the WNBA. Then, they break down the discourse around WNBA referees, as well as what Nate’s approach is to this CBA offseason. Plus, much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Joining Sue for this week’s episode of Bird’s Eye View is Kara Lawson, head coach of Duke University Women’s Basketball and Team USA. Kara and Sue kick things off breaking down the first three games of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream: from Angel Reese’s impact on winning to key adjustments the Valkyries need to make offensively.
On this episode of Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird, we welcome Seattle Storm guard and newly minted 2026 WNBA All-Rookie Flau’jae Johnson.
This week on Bird’s Eye View, Sue is joined by Washington Mystics point guard Georgia Amoore. While Sue and Georgia break down game one of the WNBA semifinals, Georgia gets candid about what it was really like to face the Atlanta Dream during round one of the playoffs and explains why she thinks the Dream are on their way to winning it all. Sue and Georgia also assess whether the Las Vegas Aces can keep up with the tenacity and persistence of the Golden State Valkyries (and Ballhalla!) Georgia then opens up about how being “short” forced her to develop a game bigger than her size, overcoming a season-ending injury her rookie year, and why she wants to spend the offseason playing in Australia’s WNBL.
On this episode of Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird, we welcome Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama to recap round one of the WNBA playoffs.
The WNBA's 2026 Most Improved Player and Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard joins Bird’s Eye View this week. But first, Sue shares her selects for this year’s highly contested WNBA awards, including who should be named MVP among A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, and, yes, rookie Olivia Miles.