*****Official Caitlin Clark/Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream Game Thread*****

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

It is going to be more difficult for Clark to get open looks in the W. Opponents' perimeter defenders are better than almost everyone she saw in college. Getting Mitchell back should help.

Yeah, overall it seems like the defense is much better/stickier.

However, I also think a lot of these players that have been in the league have conditioned/spooked themselves into worse shooting/shot selection as a result (if that makes sense.....I'll try to explain)

I saw a lot of cases where players were rushing their shots like "whoa I'm open for a split second, I better get a shot up."

I just don't see that as much at the college level, probably because the defense isn't as confident at defending beyond the perimeter.

With that said, I'll explain in another post why that is still gonna inevitably work in a team like Indiana's favor in the long run.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

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That's where players like Smith are gonna hugely benefit from having Clark on the team. She's a vet so she ain't lying when she says that Clark drawing attention benefits everyone else, her included.

Tonight was just a glimpse of that, with Smith getting a game-high 21.

Indiana could honestly have 4 legit 15+ pt scorers between Boston, Clark, Mitchell and Smith. That's 60 pts right there on top of whatever else the rest of the team provides, plus whatever those 4 add on a given night.

They should be able to spread the wealth and be a balanced scoring team by season's end provided they all stay healthy.

Players like Smith and Mitchell will relish the opportunity to get more 1 on 1 advantages with the sticky defense Caitlin will draw simply because of the threat of her 3 pt shooting.

Once Indiana figures out how to properly spread the floor and distribute the ball off the help defense against their pick and roll, it will simply come down to making the makeables.

(i.e. make wide open f***ing shots please........)


P.S. a WNBA game typically equates to a higher-scoring men's CBB game (O/U is roughly in the 160s.......if that. A game that sees both teams in the 90s is actually uncommon in the WNBA.)

 

[Franisdaman]

Her teammates aren't used to her passing ability, so they aren't accustomed to the passes or don't go to spots CC can find them. She also though is learning that WNBA players are faster and better defensively than college players. She had a solid game. Only the second WNBA game she has ever played so she and her teammates will adjust.

With only 11 other teams that she will face in this 42 game schedule (plus, hopefully, playoffs):

* These are the best of the best players out there

* She's not playing teams like Purdue-Ft Wayne & Florida Gulf Coast any more

 

[Tenacious E]

I was ripped for commenting on her turnovers awhile back. She's gonna have to get that under control.

For me, I don’t need an echo chamber. But, if one is to make negative statements about someone’s game, at least watch the game. In the other thread he said he doesn’t watch the games, he won’t watch the games, and that his opinions are rendered solely on box scores.

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

However, I also think a lot of these players that have been in the league have conditioned/spooked themselves into worse shooting/shot selection as a result (if that makes sense.....I'll try to explain)

I saw a lot of cases where players were rushing their shots like "whoa I'm open for a split second, I better get a shot up."

I just don't see that as much at the college level, probably because the defense isn't as confident at defending beyond the perimeter.

With that said, I'll explain in another post why that is still gonna inevitably work in a team like Indiana's favor in the long run.

Well, there is that 24-second shot clock too 🤷‍♂️.

 

[hawkeye_wx]

Clark actually has not been shooting great, overall, for the last couple months. I don't remember a great shooting game since Michigan. In fact, she has had quite a few sub-par shooting games. There were two Big Ten tournament games in which I think she started a combined 0-20 from three. In the NCAA title game, she started well, but then went ice cold for the rest of the game. In two WNBA games so far, her % is low. Yes, she takes more difficult shots than many other players, but she needs to get that % up. Last night she was 2-9. It needs to be 4-9.

 

[SunzOutGunzOut]

Clark actually has not been shooting great, overall, for the last couple months. I don't remember a great shooting game since Michigan. In fact, she has had quite a few sub-par shooting games. There were two Big Ten tournament games in which I think she started a combined 0-20 from three. In the NCAA title game, she started well, but then went ice cold for the rest of the game. In two WNBA games so far, her % is low. Yes, she takes more difficult shots than many other players, but she needs to get that % up. Last night she was 2-9. It needs to be 4-9.

She was 5-12 in the 1st game before the having to force that last second shot at the buzzer. If the preseason is any indication, teams are going to press her full court with multiple defenders the entire game. A few more mid range shots instead of deep 3's would be helpful to her %'s. Mitchell and Smith should have monster years if that is how teams are going to play defense against them.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Well, there is that 24-second shot clock too 🤷‍♂️.

If the shot clock is dictating your shot selection, then you should rethink your offensive strategy.









..............or do what NBA superteams do and buy better players.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Clark actually has not been shooting great, overall, for the last couple months. I don't remember a great shooting game since Michigan. In fact, she has had quite a few sub-par shooting games. There were two Big Ten tournament games in which I think she started a combined 0-20 from three. In the NCAA title game, she started well, but then went ice cold for the rest of the game. In two WNBA games so far, her % is low. Yes, she takes more difficult shots than many other players, but she needs to get that % up. Last night she was 2-9. It needs to be 4-9.

I blame the the orange swirl ice cream ball..................

 

[ddeanHawk]

I blame the the orange swirl ice cream ball..................

They need to ditch that pos

 

[Franisdaman]

She was 5-12 in the 1st game before the having to force that last second shot at the buzzer. If the preseason is any indication, teams are going to press her full court with multiple defenders the entire game. A few more mid range shots instead of deep 3's would be helpful to her %'s. Mitchell and Smith should have monster years if that is how teams are going to play defense against them.

i liked when the Fever mixed it up & had CC playing off the ball; imagine her coming off a screen & firing with space....

they don't need her to put up 28 plus points a game and she sure opens up opportunities for others

it's kinda fun watching these extremely athletic 6'4 and 6'5 gals play; these are the best of the best

and when you play the same 11 teams over & over again, the scout on CC will be well known; the things she likes to do will be countered. CC will have to adapt accordingly

 

[Franisdaman]

I blame the the orange swirl ice cream ball..................

They need to ditch that pos

The ball the WNBA uses is similar to what is used in FIBA and Olympic play.

During NBA and FIBA play, men use a Size 7 basketball, with a circumference of 75 cm.

During WNBA and FIBA play, women use a Size 6 ball measuring 72.5 cm around.

Olympic basketball operates under rules and regulations set by FIBA, the governing body for international basketball. For the most part, international basketball resembles what you see in major American professional (NBA, WNBA) and collegiate (NCAA) games, though there are some notable differences.

From the Tokyo Olympics:

From the 2022 FIBA Women's BB World Cup

 

[EagleHawk]

Smith with 14 pts.

check out these 2 vids:

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"some" fans would claim this was a charge if CC did it.

 

[BioHawk]

She was 5-12 in the 1st game before the having to force that last second shot at the buzzer. If the preseason is any indication, teams are going to press her full court with multiple defenders the entire game. A few more mid range shots instead of deep 3's would be helpful to her %'s. Mitchell and Smith should have monster years if that is how teams are going to play defense against them.

When other players figure out how to put themselves into position to get passes from her teams won't be able to full court press her the entire game either. Also, those players need to actually make those shots once they get them. This stuff will get better over the course of the season. I think we are seeing just how much focus Iowa's players had to have to play with her. They had years to figure out. They've had like 3 weeks.

 

[Randon]

I blame the the orange swirl ice cream ball..................

No question, that goofy ball has to be a distraction, especially rookies fresh from the college game.

 

[kceasthawk]

i liked when the Fever mixed it up & had CC playing off the ball; imagine her coming off a screen & firing with space....

they don't need her to put up 28 plus points a game and she sure opens up opportunities for others

it's kinda fun watching these extremely athletic 6'4 and 6'5 gals play; these are the best of the best

and when you play the same 11 teams over & over again, the scout on CC will be well known; the things she likes to do will be countered. CC will have to adapt accordingly

The scout part of it is moot. Every team we played in college knew exactly what she was going to do, and we played a ton of top 20 teams with a lot of future pros. In the tourney LSU, UConn, and SC all in a row. NO one has ever played three teams of that caliber in a row in the tourney, and she still did fine. As for the pro's they all had the scout on her before she ever got in the draft. I still think when Mitchell returns and they play more together as a team, she'll be just fine.....

 

[kceasthawk]

When other players figure out how to put themselves into position to get passes from her teams won't be able to full court press her the entire game either. Also, those players need to actually make those shots once they get them. This stuff will get better over the course of the season. I think we are seeing just how much focus Iowa's players had to have to play with her. They had years to figure out. They've had like 3 weeks.

Exactly, and their still playing without Mitchell, probably their best scorer, and another player.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

This is what I thought. They may have wanted to see how Clark handles the offense on her own plus they are still evaluating the roster and needed to trim it down to 12 by Tuesday. Wheeler showed in the first game that she's ready to play.

Is there any chance CC is going to be cut from the team by Tuesday?








😉

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

If the shot clock is dictating your shot selection, then you should rethink your offensive strategy.









..............or do what NBA superteams do and buy better players.

Stop being a dork! 😉

Shorter shot clock means on average ... a quicker shot.

It's like science or something 🤷‍♂️

 

[kceasthawk]

Is there any chance CC is going to be cut from the team by Tuesday?








😉

Good Lord. This can't be a serious post, can it. Their fans would burn the arena down... 🥹

 

[cmhawks99]

Good Lord. This can't be a serious post, can it. Their fans would burn the arena down... 🥹

lol, can’t be, right?

 

[Tenacious E]

Good Lord. This can't be a serious post, can it. Their fans would burn the arena down... 🥹

I can’t tell if this is a joke, you don’t see the winky emoji, or you are hammered/high.

 

[ZachJump]

The ball the WNBA uses is similar to what is used in FIBA and Olympic play.

During NBA and FIBA play, men use a Size 7 basketball, with a circumference of 75 cm.

During WNBA and FIBA play, women use a Size 6 ball measuring 72.5 cm around.

Olympic basketball operates under rules and regulations set by FIBA, the governing body for international basketball. For the most part, international basketball resembles what you see in major American professional (NBA, WNBA) and collegiate (NCAA) games, though there are some notable differences.

From the Tokyo Olympics:

From the 2022 FIBA Women's BB World Cup

Um the NBA and WNBA do not use the FIBA size ball

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Stop being a dork! 😉

Shorter shot clock means on average ... a quicker shot.

It's like science or something 🤷‍♂️

No.

 

[Franisdaman]