Section 415

The Golden State Valkyries don’t have an MVP candidate, a dominant post player, or a lineup filled with All-Stars. But coach Natalie Nakase didn’t need a traditional roster to guide her team to the WNBA Finals. Led by Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, and the league’s deepest rotation, the Valkyries have exceeded expectations and open the best-of-seven series with a chance to win a title in just their second season. On this episode of the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss the Valkyries’ unlikely ascent, their semifinal sweep of the Las Vegas Aces, and how they match up against the Atlanta Dream. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Valkyries sweep the Aces 1:57 Valkyries fans take over Vegas 3:08 WNBA Finals preview: The red-hot Atlanta Dream 5:19 Which reserves will Nakase lean on? 8:15 How the Valkyries have won by relying on their depth 10:44 Gabby Williams vs. Angel Reese: The DPOY matchup 13:32 The Valks' improvement from last year 18:48 Kaila Charles, the under-the-radar weapon 19:49 Natalie Nakase, the real Coach of the Year? 22:55 Outro and credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After throwing two touchdown passes in the 49ers’ 24-14 win Sunday over the Broncos, Brock Purdy leads the NFL in touchdown passes, passer rating, and Total QBR. Purdy is the first NFL quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2005 to go the first four games of a season without being sacked. He has used his legs to escape pressure in the backfield and scramble for first downs. Now Purdy faces his toughest test yet. On the “Section 415” podcast, The Standard’s David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley to break down the 49ers’ matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks, whose defense allows the fewest yards per game in the NFL. The two discuss how Seattle will challenge Purdy, what fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s injury means for the 49ers’ offense, and what to expect in Sunday’s NFC West showdown. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: 49ers start 4-0, Seahawks up next 1:27 Efficient, mistake-free offense fueling 49ers hot start 2:52 Week 5 preview: Purdy vs. Seattle's top-ranked defense 6:31 How Brock Purdy hasn't been sacked all season 10:06 Kyle Juszczyk's injury and how Kyle Shanahan will adjust without him 14:01 Mike Evans' effectiveness despite battling injury 18:19 Shanahan vs. McDonald: the NFL's best chess match 20:57 Wrap-up and credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA playoff game in dominant fashion. Spurred by a 37-point second quarter, the Valks set a franchise record for points in a 104-80 win Sunday over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center. Six players hit multiple 3-pointers, including reserves Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen, who were among five Valkyries to finish with at least 10 points. Golden State’s 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series means coach Natalie Nakase’s team can advance to the WNBA semifinals with a road win Wednesday. What does the Valkyries’ Game 1 dominance mean for their playoff outlook? The Standard’s Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley on the “Section 415” podcast to share her takeaways from Sunday’s postseason opener and to preview Game 2. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Valkyries win their first-ever playoff game 0:30 The Chase Center environment 1:23 What sparked the historic 37-11 second quarter 3:20 Tiffany Hayes' bench spark 5:03 Ceci Zandalasini's breakout performance 9:13 Kaitlyn Chen's crucial contributions 11:59 Why was Natalie Nakase critical of the Valks in her postgame presser? 14:20 How will Paige Bueckers and the Wings adjust for Game 2? 16:55 Cheryl Reeve wins Coach of the Year over Nakase. Was it deserved? 21:02 Outro & credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After quarterback Brock Purdy exited a press conference following the 49ers’ 35-13 win Sunday over the Dolphins, Fred Warner stepped up to the podium and said, “MVP.” Running back Christian McCaffrey described Purdy as “special” and said he’s tired of answering questions about whether he’s surprised by his teammate’s excellence.On the “Section 415” podcast, David Lombardi joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how Purdy has evolved, how the quarterback impressed teammates during training camp, and what a slew of injuries at wide receiver means for Purdy’s operations moving forward. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:48 From training camp, Purdy looks improved this season 2:10 The three weaknesses Purdy has fixed 5:02 PhD-level football: How has Purdy improved his play? 11:09 Can the 49ers overcome WR injuries? 14:34 Who steps up at wide receiver? 17:30 Kyle Juszczyk, the wild card to the 49ers offense 19:09 Wrap-up and credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WNBA playoffs haven’t started yet, but Natalie Nakase is already a champion. The Valkyries coach spent the last two weeks in Berlin as an assistant under Kara Lawson as the U.S. beat France to win the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Nakase returns to a Valkyries team that was split up during the FIBA break, as several players — including Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun, and Cecilia Zandalasini — had starring roles with national teams, while others — including Veronica Burton, Kaila Charles, and Kiah Stokes — stayed in the Bay Area and practiced. On the “Section 415” podcast, reporter Jane Kenny joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss the Valkyries’ playoff outlook, how Nakase’s rotation will change during the postseason, and how recent practices differed without the coach. 00:00 Intro 01:20 Gabby Williams' impressive FIBA run and her Valkyries return 05:01 Playoff schedule, rotations, and possible opponents 09:11 Is this Valkyries season more impressive than last year? 11:36 Inside Valkyries practices while Nakase was away in Berlin 14:53 Chase Center playoff anticipation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buster Posey hasn’t come close to building a winning team. But the Giants’ president of baseball operations has successfully traded major league players off disappointing clubs for promising prospects who could play pivotal roles in the future. Posey’s dramatic deadline selloff Monday made a bad 2026 team even worse, but it also helped the Giants stockpile pitching prospects who should be able to contribute when the team is better positioned to contend. On the “Section 415” podcast, John Shea joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss Posey’s dizzying deadline and how the sacrifices the organization made in trading Luis Arráez, Robbie Ray, Heliot Ramos, and others could pay off in 2027 and beyond. 0:00 Intro 0:51 Inside the Giants clubhouse as trades went down 4:14 Marcelo Mayer: The most intriguing deadline pickup 9:06 Buster Posey refuses to call this a rebuild. But it's a rebuild. 13:11 Should the Giants trade Logan Webb? Kerry and John debate. 17:54 Kent and Bonds reunite in the farm system 20:06 Credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Buster Posey prepares for Monday’s trade deadline, it’s fascinating to think how different next summer could look for the Giants’ president of baseball operations. Instead of calling executives around the league to talk through trade possibilities, Posey might have to put the phone down for a few days so he can enjoy a weekend in Cooperstown. Assuming that Posey, who led the Giants to three World Series titles, is elected, there’s a possibility he’ll be joined by former San Francisco managers Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, who will be on the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot for the first time. On “Section 415,” The Standard’s John Shea explains how the Giants handled Jeff Kent’s induction and how the organization is preparing for a much bigger celebration next summer in upstate New York. 00:00 Intro: Jeff Kent's Hall of Fame induction & the scene in Cooperstown 03:44 Jeff Kent's evolution since his playing days 06:41 Next year's Giants HOF class: Bochy, Buster, and Baker 09:40 Dusty Baker, most popular man in Cooperstown 13:02 Buster Posey's Hall of Fame case 16:59 Giants trade deadline outlook: who stays, who goes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices