The Fever look away from Caitlin Clark

Chasing royalty

Caitlin Clark has been crowned as the queen of the WNBA. However, when it came time to take the crown, the Indiana Fever appeared to have some reservations.

Nailbiter

The Fever lost a close battle with the Atlanta Dream in mid-May, falling 91-90. Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard made two free throws with just over nine seconds left to give the Dream a lead they would not relinquish. Indiana had their chances to win the game, and that is what is being discussed after the tight contest.

Portnoy puzzled

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy took to social media after the game. He posted, “Somebody needs to explain to me why Caitlin Clark inbounded that ball at the end of the game.”

Clark’s counting stats

The Fever star was having a strong game as the game entered its waning moments. She had 27 points, 11 assists and five rebounds in 38 minutes. Clark’s performance leading up to that moment made it all the more confusing why she didn’t have the ball in her hands as a scorer to win it for Indiana.

Black and White scenario

Fever head coach Stephanie White told Fever reporter Scott Agness on YouTube, “Initially, we tried to get the ball to Aliyah Boston, but she was being chucked, so she couldn’t get there. Natasha was open.”

Further explanation

White continued, “We probably should have called timeout in that situation. But I felt like Tash was due. She had a good look. She had two good looks, and that’s really all you can ask for in that situation.”

Open questions

Based on White’s postgame comments, Boston seemed like the primary option. She had a strong game as well, finishing up with 24 points and 10 rebounds. We may never know whether the play was designed to have Boston create a shot for herself, or execute a possible dribble hand off with Caitlin Clark.

Overthinking?

Everyone would expect Clark to take the final shot given her profile and the strong game that she had been having. It’s possible that White was worried that the Dream would send a double-team her way or shade the defense to her if she was on the floor. That would be more difficult to accomplish if she was the inbounder.

Bad execution

Still, the possibility of taking a timeout still loomed over the situation. Did Clark not have the wherewithal to call one, or was coach White too nervous to step on her star player’s toes? Either way, if Indiana didn’t get the look they wanted coming into the play, it doesn’t make a ton of sense as to why they didn’t stop the game.

Missing out on Mitchell

We’ve already touched on the strong scoring nights Boston and Clark had, but guard Kelsey Mitchell was also putting the ball in the basket. She scored 24 points of her own, and has the ability to create her own shot on the perimeter.

Notches in Natasha’s belt

Natasha Howard was one of the Fever’s key offseason acquisitions. She’s had a solid career, winning three WNBA titles and being named to two WNBA All-Defensive Teams. Howard is going to be a big reason why the Fever get to where they want to go.

Politics

Given Howard’s resume, it’s understandable why coach White and Caitlin Clark felt comfortable going to her with the game on the line. Clark is only in her second year, and virtually all of her teammates will have more experience than she does.

Creativity

With that said, great players at least attempt shots in high leverage situations like that one. Even if coach White wanted to do something surprising, she’s going to need to come up with ways to get Clark open when her opponents and the world knows the ball is going to her.