Kara Lawson on Leading Team USA to Gold, Iconic Locker Room Speeches, and Favorite Players to Coach

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.  

Kara then dives into the league’s progress overall, Team USA’s path to FIBA World Cup gold, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a coach. Kara reflects on her own WNBA Finals run with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005; the challenges of managing rosters stacked with elite players like Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers; and how coaching 3x3 informed her coaching style the most. Plus, Kara revisits some of her most memorable locker room speeches, including telling Team USA “Let this be the last time” at this year’s World Cup.

Bird’s Eye View is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA and TOGETHXR.

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