***Official Caitlin/Fever/Kate/Meg Games Mega Thread***
- Thread starter Tenacious E
- Start date
I could make an argument the Fever have the best back court in the WNBA.
Right now, they absolutely do! The combination of talent, attitude, and chemistry is currently unmatched by any team. Just keep in mind, Clark or Mitchell will have their off days…but what’s so encouraging is whenever that happens, it seems the other guard picks up the slack. I’ll say this, Mitchell’s scoring numbers and efficiency since break have been astounding! And Clark just keeps doing Clark stuff. Those TOs will (hopefully) keep dropping with each year she’s in the league.
I was all over with that post…I guess my main point is that there is nobody else in the league I’d want along with Clark in the backcourt more than Mitchell as it currently stands.
Get some sleep Fran! I’m only up because I feel like garbage…😑
I’m really just playin though…you might not have work in the morning like I do. I hate this can’t sleep shit.
Going to Iowa was the move that unleashed her. Bluder and Jansen were geniuses for figuring out what they had. They let her do things that no coach - HS, college, or pro - would let anyone do.
Geno - Caitlin = Dean Smith - MJ
All good points.
As much of a control freak as Gino is, no way CC has the same college career.
It will be interesting how Bueckers does in the pros.
It will also be interesting if other W teams try to emulate the "show time" coming out of Indiana, pushing pace. Then again, it probably won't work for many teams due to a lack of someone of the ilk of Caitlin.
Geno has always been all in on Bueckers. If CC and she both went to UConn, I think CC is forced to play second fiddle to PB any time PB wasn't injured and that rightfully would drive a player like CC to extreme frustration. CC landed exactly where she needed to land.
Can you imagine Chicago trying to run and gun with AR15 and Cardoso? They are slow and basically unathletic. Good players in an offense that run sets, I don't see a team like the Sky playing up-tempo. That said, there are a slew of athletic guards on the way to the W so maybe the league will transition from whack-a-mole ball to up-tempo.
Teams also need to identify players like an A'ja Wilson and to a lesser extent Fagbenle, those forward types that CAN run the floor.
Bueckers will be just fine in the W, although she isn't necessarily a PG of CC22 caliber.
I see what you're saying with Cardoso, but AR did an nice job running the floor with CC in the all-star game. However, you need enough players who can run as well as the PG to make it all go.
You need a Magic Johnson or CC to be able to do it. And obviously your teams need to be in serious shape. Not sure you can just emulate it w/any point guard or team, which is why it's rarely done.
It really isn't possible at the pro level without the right skillset on your roster. The Showtime Lakers don't exist without Magic pushing the pace and runners like Wilkes, Cooper and Worthy running the floor to dish to. This Fever offense doesn't exist without CC and teammates willing to run like Mitchell, Temi, and Lexi. Then you pull in Boston when you have to go half-court similar to Kareem on the Lakers. One of the other keys of the Showtime Lakers was the break was often started on a rebound by Magic who could just take off on offense. Sound familiar when the Fever have the best rebounding guard in the game?
But, in terms of other teams trying to replicate the offense, look at how many turnovers CC is averaging when she's likely the most skilled passer in the game currently. Imagine a less skilled player trying to do what she does. That person would average 10-15 TOs or more per game and the offense wouldn't happen.
Paul Westhead coached the Mercury to a championship in 2007. Too bad he's 85 years old because the things he could do with this lineup could have been amazing. Although the lack of defensive coaching probably would bite this roster hard. But, if this team can figure out the PF position and get some better quality backups at guard so that CC and KM can get 5-8 minutes of bench time per game, watch out.
I'm seeing her at 6-0 140 lbs. CC did initially struggle with the physicality ( and also the schedule and everything else that went with it) but Bueckers is way skinnier and also has the injury problems. She's going to be fine eventually as well but she's going to get killed out there at the beginning in my opinion. Like CC she will adjust but she's not Caitlin.
It's also unlikely that PB is the offensive threat that CC is, so I doubt she's guarded as closely.
This pass was ridiculous. The anticipation, the vision, and the arm strength!
Also props to Mitchell for having the desire and ability to haul ass beating everyone down the floor.
Beuckers moves well off the ball. She'll be a very good point or 2d guard.
Strickly as basketball players, I think the glaring differences between Paige and Caitlin are - passing (assists) and leadership instinct. These are big, big differences. There are other minor differences, e.g. 30 foot bombs, quickness, strength, etc.
Strickly as basketball players, I think the glaring differences between Paige and Caitlin are - passing (assists) and leadership instinct. These are big, big differences. There are other minor differences, e.g. 30 foot bombs, quickness, strength, etc.
I don't think that PB is going to face the same obstacles that CC faced for a number of reasons. First, she's not the same threat as CC as pointed out, so there isn't a need to double team and blitz her early on. She's not likely to face that once in a decade killer schedule to start her season either. Then there is the fact that she's from one of the blue blood schools so she comes with some immediate acceptance, at least from the UConn players, and probably from other blue blood graduates. There is also the angle that players that resented CC may accept PB in hoping that she's just as good and that CC wasn't all that and a bag of chips. Lastly, CC has kicked down the door and is bringing massive change to the wnba. PB and others get to start in a changed league.
Kelsey is so damn fast, too. They are really gelling as a backcourt and as a team
The Sparks have the inside track to the #1 pick so Paige has the chance of being an LA darling, as well.
My bad. This was incorrect. They play the Dream in TWO weeks, and in the second-to-last regular season game for each. INTERESTING!
If they get her, they'll have a hell of good start to their roster with Hamby and the young trio of Brink, Jackson and PB.
There are 7 reg season games left for YOUR 17-16 Indiana Fever.
The next 6 games are at home. The last reg season game is at Washington.
I think YOUR Fever go at least 5-2 and finish the reg season at 22-18. Last season they finished at 13-27.
The last 7 reg season games:
vs LA Sparks.............(7-25)
vs Minnesota............(24-9)
vs Atlanta...................(11-21)
vs Las Vegas............(20-12)
vs Las Vegas............(20-12)
vs Dallas......................(9-23)
at Washington...........(9-23)
The next 6 games are at home. The last reg season game is at Washington.
I think YOUR Fever go at least 5-2 and finish the reg season at 22-18. Last season they finished at 13-27.
The last 7 reg season games:
vs LA Sparks.............(7-25)
vs Minnesota............(24-9)
vs Atlanta...................(11-21)
vs Las Vegas............(20-12)
vs Las Vegas............(20-12)
vs Dallas......................(9-23)
at Washington...........(9-23)
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I think one of the main reasons why the team has improved so much is the chemistry between Clark and Mitchell.
I've thought from almost day one that Mitchell was jealous of Clark just like many other women in the WNBA.
That has now since faded. Their relationship has grown 1,000X since the beginning of the season.
They are now celebrating with each other and having fun. Completely different now.
I could be wrong but I don't think so.
I've thought from almost day one that Mitchell was jealous of Clark just like many other women in the WNBA.
That has now since faded. Their relationship has grown 1,000X since the beginning of the season.
They are now celebrating with each other and having fun. Completely different now.
I could be wrong but I don't think so.
A rising tide lifts all boats. Clark is the tide.I think one of the main reasons why the team has improved so much is the chemistry between Clark and Mitchell.
I've thought from almost day one that Mitchell was jealous of Clark just like many other women in the WNBA.
That has now since faded. Their relationship has grown 1,000X since the beginning of the season.
They are now celebrating with each other and having fun. Completely different now.
I could be wrong but I don't think so.
I'd agree with that. Was checking to see if there was a chance to maybe catch Seattle but probably not possible. They're probably going to end up at 23-24 wins. So it looks like it's probably Minnesota in the playoffs. 3 vs 6 matchup.
Right now, it’s all in Indy’s hands.
If they go 7-0 (unlikely) they could end up as #4 seed.
If Indy beats LV both games, there is good chance Vegas ends up 23-17 (3-5 in last 8 with the other losses being Conx2 & NY)
Seattle, could go 5-3 easily to tie at 24 wins.
It’s not likely, but possible.
So IF that were to happen, Caitlin would get some 1st place MVP votes over Wilson bringing a much worse team higher vs returning champs not getting home court.
However, I think Indy stumbles and “only” goes 5-2 for a 9 game improvement vs last year.
