Liberty looking to make statement with ‘first punch' as they open title defense
Plenty of outside doubt has hung over the Liberty the past few weeks.
Only 20 percent of WNBA general managers believe the Liberty will win it all again.
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And coach Sandy Brondello has seen what the papers and national pundits have been saying about her team's chances.
Before winking at The Post reporter who picked the Lynx over the Liberty in a preseason 2025 Finals projection, Brondello on Friday said, 'I've seen no one's really picking us at the moment.'
The Liberty — this season's team to beat — haven't shied away from the challenge that lies ahead.
Winning back-to-back titles is hard.
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Only three teams have done it in the league's 28-years history.
But the Liberty, who are once again led by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, are setting out to join the exclusive club and continue to build their legacy in this golden era of the WNBA.
5 Breanna Stewart drives to the basket during the Liberty's preseason game May 12.
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'Everybody knows if you're here, you know what we're trying to do. We're not trying to do anything else except win,' Stewart said. 'And at the same time, knowing that doesn't happen overnight. Taking it one game at a time, not looking ahead to October but staying here in May.'
The Liberty's first step in their title defense comes Saturday when they host the Las Vegas Aces in their season opener.
But before they take the court, New York will celebrate the 2024 champions one last time in a pregame ceremony.
5 Sandy Brondello addresses reporters after practice May 8.
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A banner will be unveiled and the winners will receive their ring boxes.
But once that's over, it likely will be the last you'll see of the Liberty basking in championship glory.
5 The Post staff predictions for the 2025 WNBA season.
'It's important for us to come out, throw the first punch as a message to the league,' Natasha Cloud said. 'That target is on our backs as the New York Liberty as the returning finalists, the winners of last year, so we're excited for that.'
The Liberty return plenty of familiar faces, but they also look different than the team that won last year's Finals against the Lynx by the skin of its teeth.
Stewart, Ionescu, Jones, Nyara Sabally, Kennedy Burke, Marquesha Davis and Jaylyn Sherrod are all back.
So is the breakout star of last year's playoff run, Leonie Fiebich.
Rebekah Gardner is finally healthy, and Marine Johannès is back in the mix after taking last season off to focus on the Olympics.
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Newcomers include Cloud, who instantly bolsters the Liberty's perimeter defense and adds another exciting piece to the team's offense, and Isabelle Harrison, who provides additional frontcourt depth.
5 Breanna Stewart is pictured during the Liberty's practice May 8.
NBAE via Getty Images
The Liberty have had 12 practices and two preseason games to prepare for this season.
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They're integrating a more five-out, read-and-react offense and have made some tweaks defensively.
They're still building chemistry with one another and finding their flow.
5 Natasha Cloud is pictured during the Liberty's preseason game May 12.
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'Are we where we need to be? No,' Brondello said. 'We know we got so much more room for improvement and we just got to come out and be really intentional about how we want to play and making sure that we're playing hard.'
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The Liberty's opening stretch is no easy task.
After opening their season against the championship-contending Aces, the Liberty hit the road to play at Chicago and Indiana late next week.
Cloud welcomes the test and is eager for what's to come.
'It's not how you start the season, it's where you get to the middle and when you want to start hitting your strides, it's towards the end and in the playoffs,' Cloud said. 'We're ready for [Saturday.] When that ball goes up, you're going to see the New York Liberty, and we're just going to keep chipping away and trying to get 1 percent better.'
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