After trash-talking Breeze BC two weeks ago, Natasha Cloud has dropped an unexpected take on her competitor, Paige Bueckers

On Bleacher Report, Natasha Cloud analyzed a clip of Bueckers' play from the Phantom's recent game against the Breeze.

“I will give you a real rating on Paige’s play right now cuz it’s not against me. What I love about Paige so much and what I feel like translates really well to three-on-three is her ability to really just to pick the ball screen apart. She’s great in action off the space and being able to read whether she has the pass or her own shot."

The Phantom and Breeze showdown went with a 69-62 win for Breeze. Bueckers managed 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those numbers were similar to what we saw in her rookie season at the WNBA. Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game.

“I know people have been like joking on social media, but she definitely has put on some muscles. So she’s also being able to utilize her body in ways that I don’t really think that she tapped into in college.”

Ever since Bueckers joined Unrivaled, she found the physicality aspect of the league quite tough. In a format that has half the court and much faster action, physicality and endurance become key, just as Bueckers mentioned.

"The physicality on. We all know the W is physical, but in Unrivaled, I feel like it’s even more physical than that. And then not being able to have help side, you’re basically on an island. So at points, you’re going to have to be okay with getting cooked…"

At The Same Time, Natasha Cloud Addressed Trash Talk Controversy

After the game, Bueckers expressed, "The other team is talking trash, talking to the refs like, ‘These are kids man, they don’t need these calls.’"

Cloud addressed this as well, especially after Rickea Jackson dropped a video talking about the incident. Natasha Cloud warned:

"First of all, who called y'all kids? Second of all, when the free throws are 16-5... That's like, you know, when you take care of a baby, you hand them like food, you hand them wins, you hand them all that stuff. So, I don't know. We'll see you January 30th, Miss Rickea."

With Breeze scheduled to go against Vinyl this Saturday, we might see more of Bueckers utilising her new moves.

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar