***CC22 and the Fever mega thread***

[SoonerBeAHawk]

Oh, zero free throw attempts for Caitlin. Shocking.

Caitlin tries to run past or around the opponent. This league rewards running into people.

If Caitlin can stay in the line up long enough I think she'll round into form quickly enough despite the officiating and, unfortunately, her coach.

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

The Valks are just a better team and especially their bench.

Yes we are. Such a fun team to watch. This is what I imagine our men’s team will be like this year. Everyone bought in, scrappy on defense and shares the ball well. A “servant mentality”.

 

[Franisdaman]

Thank god I'm at work and did not watch this garbage. Will not need to watch it when I get home. Box score says the fever scored 10 points in the 4th quarter. Yikes.

and 9 in the 2nd qtr

 

[Franisdaman]

The announced attendance (total tickets sold & distributed) was 16,798

 

[Randon]

Is the Fever/ CC hype over?

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

 

[Franisdaman]

Kate's stats:

19 minutes (she started the game)

1-4 (25%) from three
1-3 (33%) from inside the arc
..............................................................
2-7 (29%) Overall Shooting

0-0 FTs

5 Points
0 Assists (1 Turnover)
2 Rebounds (0 Offensive)
0 Steals
0 Blocks

 

[The Big Z]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

She was an absolute superstar last year, especially after the break. Look at her numbers. I also don’t understand this playing her off the ball more. She has never done it in her entire life. As @Kceasthawk@77 said she was in a great rhythm at the beginning of the game and next thing she’s in and out and also in and out of positions. How often does Chris Paul rotate to the 2? Or John Stockton? Did they ever move him to the 2? This is ridiculous.

 

[Franisdaman]

The Fever shot 31% overall and 22% from three in today's 80-61 loss to Golden State.

The Fever leading scorers:

12 pts: Kelsey Mitchell..........(3-13 shooting; 23%)
10 pts: Caitlin Clark................(4-12 shooting; 33%)
10 pts: Makayla Timpson.......(5-9 shooting; 56%)

Caitlin's stats:

25 minutes (she started the game)

2-5 (40%) from three
2-7 (29%) from inside the arc
..............................................................
4-12 (33%) Overall Shooting

0-0 FTs

10 Points
6 Assists (4 Turnovers)
5 Rebounds (0 Offensive)
1 Steal
0 Blocks

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

 

[pablow]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

What? She was rookie of the year and first tean all-WNBA last year. Not a good take.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

?????What? Not in the pro's? As a rookie she broke several WNBA records (and led the league in assists, while having one of highest ever scoring averages for a rookie), and is on the cusp of a couple of ALL time CAREER records half way through her 2nd season for players who played two decades. She's been injured most of this year, and teams are selling out to stop her unlike any other player. That alone makes her a phenom. If some of her team mates could make an occasional shot when two or three players are guarding Clark they could fix this. Boston and Mitchell had been playing great, but today not so much. AB played like crap all day, so much so that White had Timson in her minutes for much of the 2nd half. Its pretty obvious that there is a disconnect with how White wants to play and what Clark is used to thriving in.

 

[pablow]

?????What? Not in the pro's? As a rookie she broke several WNBA records (and led the league in assists, while having one of highest ever scoring averages for a rookie), and is on the cusp of a couple of ALL time CAREER records half way through her 2nd season for players who played two decades. She's been injured most of this year, and teams are selling out to stop her unlike any other player. That alone makes her a phenom. If some of her team mates could make an occasional shot when two or three players are guarding Clark they could fix this. Boston and Mitchell had been playing great, but today not so much. AB played like crap all day, so much so that White had Timson in her minutes for much of the 2nd half. Its pretty obvious that there is a disconnect with how White wants to play and what Clark is used to thriving in.

This is Stephanie White's team and Caitlin's just along for the ride - down the toilet.

 

[nu2u]

This is turning into a lost season.

The Fever are horribly constructed, just a mediocre roster that doesn’t fit or compliment each other other.

they need to blow it up and start over. Or CC needs to prepare for a change of scenery.

“turning into a lost season”? They haven’t even reached the half way point It’s one fvcking game.

I didn’t see your “lost season” post after the Fever beat 17-2 Minnesota by 15 points at MPLS July 1st. I missed your post when they trounced Las Vegas by 27 the next game.

The Fever definitely need to figure some things out but it’s far from a lost season. Don’t be an idiot. If the season ended today, the Fever would make the playoffs.

“blow it up” is a sure sign that you’re clueless ..and a drama queen to boot.

 

[HawksRule25]

Kate's stats:

19 minutes (she started the game)

1-4 (25%) from three
1-3 (33%) from inside the arc
..............................................................
2-7 (29%) Overall Shooting

0-0 FTs

5 Points
0 Assists (1 Turnover)
2 Rebounds (0 Offensive)
0 Steals
0 Blocks

 

[chipackhawk]

Christie Sides doesn't look so bad now?

 

[SoonerBeAHawk]

Quite a stretch coming up for the Fever before the All-Star break, 4 games in 6 days.

At this point I just want Caitlin to stay healthy and hopefully put the leg issue behind her. Think she'll be fine then.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Christie Sides doesn't look so bad now?

It is baffling that the Fever has taken a step back after getting rid of Smith and replacing her with Howard, adding Sophie, and adding a couple of actual backup point guards. There has been some bad luck with injuries and then the Bonner debacle, but maybe all Sides needed was an assistant who could make them play better defense? The offense was certainly better last year, after the all-star break.

 

[JayDeeSC]

This will sound "fair-weathery," and it probably is, but the league is in trouble if CC doesn't get healthy and find her game again soon. She must become consistent for the WNBA to continue enjoying the momentum from the last year or so. Sloppy Caitlin turnover ball without her explosive offense is not going to keep bringing eyeballs, unfortunately. She is the one player capable of playing an electric type of basketball that is entertaining to watch. There is talent throughout the league, but I have doubts that even the best non-CC players can offer something that will keep fans engaged at a meaningful scale.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

and 9 in the 2nd qtr

They could do a WNBA "That's offensive" commercial highlighting those two quarters.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

How'd she ever accomplish what she did in year 1?

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

This will sound "fair-weathery," and it probably is, but the league is in trouble if CC doesn't get healthy and find her game again soon. She must become consistent for the WNBA to continue enjoying the momentum from the last year or so. Sloppy Caitlin turnover ball without her explosive offense is not going to keep bringing eyeballs, unfortunately. She is the one player capable of playing an electric type of basketball that is entertaining to watch. There is talent throughout the league, but I have doubts that even the best non-CC players can offer something that will keep fans engaged at a meaningful scale.

I pretty much agree. It's not the turnovers per se which are the problem - it is that they are occurring without as much electric full court show time. Part of that is injuries, part of that is White hitching a plow to a race horse. I'm no basketball coach but from where I sit, they need to keep the ball her hands, have her push pace, have others set better screens, and have Caitlin use screens better. It is weird they can play up in her grill on defense and not be susceptible to being effectively screened more regularly.

 

[Denmar]

CC isn’t an off ball player. Making her into something she’s not is coaching malpractice. Let her run the offense and find her shots. Sitting in the corner isn’t her game. Moving around the perimeter is.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

Give Larry Brown a call.

 

[Laker3588]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

Ignore him he's a hater

 

[WDSMHawk]

It is baffling that the Fever has taken a step back after getting rid of Smith and replacing her with Howard, adding Sophie, and adding a couple of actual backup point guards. There has been some bad luck with injuries and then the Bonner debacle, but maybe all Sides needed was an assistant who could make them play better defense? The offense was certainly better last year, after the all-star break.

They tried to find an upgrade for Lexi in free agency and they whiffed on Bonner and Sophie.

I don't think it matters who the coach is, this offense is going to stink until Caitlin gets healthy. So I'm willing to cut White some slack with that.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

They tried to find an upgrade for Lexi in free agency and they whiffed on Bonner and Sophie.

I don't think it matters who the coach is, this offense is going to stink until Caitlin gets healthy. So I'm willing to cut White some slack with that.

Absolutely with Bonner, but I wouldn't call Sophie a whiff. White just needs to turn Caitlin loose and let her do her thing. If she gets hurt she gets hurt. As others have pointed out, you don't take Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Magic, etc. and put them in a corner.

 

[nu2u]

They tried to find an upgrade for Lexi in free agency and they whiffed on Bonner and Sophie.

I’ll give you the Bonner whiff but way too early to make conclusions about Sophie

Cunningham has missed several games to an ankle injury (and re- injury). When healthy, she has provided some strong rebounding. She can score. At the very least, credit to Fever management for bringing in the blatantly obvious need for a player willing to protect Clark.

 

[nu2u]

Absolutely with Bonner, but I wouldn't call Sophie a whiff. White just needs to turn Caitlin loose and let her do her thing. If she gets hurt she gets hurt. As others have pointed out, you don't take Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Magic, etc. and put them in a corner.

You beat me to it re: Sophie.

 

[JayDeeSC]

I pretty much agree. It's not the turnovers per se which are the problem - it is that they are occurring without as much electric full court show time. Part of that is injuries, part of that is White hitching a plow to a race horse. I'm no basketball coach but from where I sit, they need to keep the ball her hands, have her push pace, have others set better screens, and have Caitlin use screens better. It is weird they can play up in her grill on defense and not be susceptible to being effectively screened more regularly.

Agree 100%. Those mocking her for 6-8 turnovers in an explosive offensive game just do not understand how her pace (when given freedom to play) is very difficult for other players to keep up with, which leads to a lot of turnovers. However, if they are going to keep her reined in, then she needs to be really efficient with the ball.

 

[JayDeeSC]

CC isn’t an off ball player. Making her into something she’s not is coaching malpractice. Let her run the offense and find her shots. Sitting in the corner isn’t her game. Moving around the perimeter is.

I wonder if part of this has had to do with satisfying the egos of the other players. The thing is, when you let CC do her thing, everyone else enjoys a hotter spotlight (more points, more exposure, etc).

 

[WDSMHawk]

I’ll give you the Bonner whiff but way too early to make conclusions about Sophie

Cunningham has missed several games to an ankle injury (and re- injury). When healthy, she has provided some strong rebounding. She can score. At the very least, credit to Fever management for bringing in the blatantly obvious need for a player willing to protect Clark.

I forgot she had the ankle injury, so I'll give her a bit of a break, but we're nearly half way through the season she's averaging 5/4 and her big highlight is tackling Jacy Sheldon.

I mean Bonner put up slightly better averages in her handful of games with the Fever this year.

Hopefully Sophie can turn it around but right now the results have been pretty disappointing.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Howard, the last 6 games. Clark out except today. Starting with today's matchup and going backward. I think it's interesting. Boston's numbers were really good before today as well. Hers was 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. I hope I don't see a drop off like this again, especially from both of them in the same game. SMH.

Howard:

4 points
2 rebounds
2 assists

21 points
9 rebounds
3 assists

11 points
10 rebounds
3 assists

16 points
12 rebounds
4 assists

15 points
13 rebounds
4 assists

13 points
3 rebounds
0 assists

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

Jumbo gigantic fart noise coach.......

 

[pablow]

Coach K was asked how he'd coach a team with Caitlin. He said get the ball in her hands, she's an amazing passer, she'll make her teammates better. It's not clear from this snippet, but Coach K said he'd run the same offense as Bluder even though he never did at Duke.

Stephanie White is taking a lot of heat. And, she deserves it.

 

[pablow]

Mick is kinda a doink, but nails it here - 100%.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Jumbo gigantic fart noise coach.......

Well, we saw the experiment today, and it was awful. Put the ball back in Clark's hands.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Here's Ben with the game breakdown. Things need to change quickly. White's "Let's wait and see...approach" isn't helping.

 

[pablow]

Here's Ben with the game breakdown. Things need to change quickly. White's "Let's wait and see...approach" isn't helping.

Love Ben - "The opposing teams - their game plan is 'take the ball out of Clark's hands.' That shouldn't be our game play."

 

[IowaMuse5]

In all fairness to CC and through no fault of her own, I think she's been over-hyped. There's no way she can possibly live up to the press or fan base expectations. CC was a phenomenon in the college game but not so much in the pro's. Indeed, she's an excellent player but certainly not a superstar. The Fever/CC hype will gradually diminish.

She won rookie of the year, was top 5 MVP as a rookie, and set the all time season assist record as a rookie. You’re an idiot. But thanks for outing yourself/

 

[IowaMuse5]

“turning into a lost season”? They haven’t even reached the half way point It’s one fvcking game.

I didn’t see your “lost season” post after the Fever beat 17-2 Minnesota by 15 points at MPLS July 1st. I missed your post when they trounced Las Vegas by 27 the next game.

The Fever definitely need to figure some things out but it’s far from a lost season. Don’t be an idiot. If the season ended today, the Fever would make the playoffs.

“blow it up” is a sure sign that you’re clueless ..and a drama queen to boot.

You haven’t paid attention to the Fever or the WNBA. You’re an idiot and someone who is a drive by CC fan.

This team was horrible before CC got there. With KM and AB as the core. Their limitations are significant on both sides/

You have to pay attention to more than CC.