Welcome to A Fan’s Notes, a column about the Golden State Valkyries, written by Gazetteer SF managing editor Megan Rose Dickey whose bias for her hometown team is unabashed and unabated.
If there’s one thing Ballhalla faithful know, it’s that the Golden State Valkyries are going to do it “for the gays!”
It’s what they’ve done since their inaugural season last year, so it’s only right that they do it this postseason.
The Valkyries, the best thing to happen to San Francisco since Dutch crunch bread, are set to face off against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs this Sunday at the Chase Center, marking the Valkyries’ second consecutive playoffs appearance.
But something tells me this game is going to be extra special because it will be the first-ever WNBA postseason game at the Chase Center.
Yeah, you read that right.
Even though the Valkyries made the playoffs last season — becoming the first franchise to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, naturally — they were relegated to the SAP Center in San Jose due to a previously scheduled event. People, myself included, were pissed.
That they ended up losing that game to the Minnesota Lynx, ending our postseason run, only made it that much worse. I blame that outcome entirely on the fact that the Valks weren’t playing a true home game.
But this time, it’s going to be different. Mark my words.
The Valkyries have been playing high-level basketball all season, finishing the regular season in the No. 2 seed. Led by head coach Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries have one of the best defenses in the league. Known as “Valkatraz,” the team’s defensive game is notorious for locking down the opposing team’s offense.
The Valks also play a team-first brand of basketball, where you can’t really bet on any one person dominating the game. That’s what is so exciting about Valkyries basketball: It's an all-team effort and everyone gets their due. Anyone, from All-Star forward Gabby Williams to backup center Laeticia Amihere, is capable of being the team leader for the night. And whoever it ends up being, Ballhalla is going to be screaming for them.
Other than the Valkyries completely dominating their opponents, my hope for the postseason is that we can all leave the nonsense of the regular season behind and keep the focus where it belongs: on basketball. The right wing has tried to hijack a historic season in part thanks to an Indiana Fever player who very loudly came out against letting trans women play in women’s sports.
To say it’s been a distraction, and an infuriating one at that, would be an understatement.
For one, it’s the wrong take, especially from a player in a league that has long been vocal in its support of racial justice and the LGBTQ+ community. Secondly, the noise has detracted from the amazing, highly competitive basketball we’ve seen this season.
Leaguewide, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces has made a strong case for what would be her fifth MVP award this season. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles, who recently broke Caitlin Clark's WNBA record for points in a first season, is a lock for Rookie of the Year and also a contender for MVP. If Miles were to win both end-of-season awards, she would join three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker as the second-ever player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Meanwhile, Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream broke the single-season rebounding record and the single-season double-double record this season.
History has been made this season. Now it’s time for the Valkyries to go beyond history and into legend.
Remember when Joe Lacob, who owns both the Valkyries and the Golden State Warriors, said he expected the Valks to win a championship within five years and everyone was like, “Yeah, OK Joe”?
Maybe that was just me, but either way, I drank the violet Kool-Aid and I’d like to formally apologize to Mr. Joe (as Valks General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin likes to call Lacob) for doubting him. And for all those other things I’ve said about him regarding the Warriors.
Now, we’re in it together. V’s up!
