After a big victory over the New York Liberty, it seemed that Indiana fever was finally on the right track to achieve their potential. Then, the Golden State Valkyries showed some of the persistent problems of fever, and I obtained the 88-77 victory. Golden State played very well, but the fever should have beat a team of expansion by missing several of its best players.
The Valkyries were without Janelle Salaün, Temi Fagbenle, Cecilia Zandalasini and Julie Vanloo, who are all in competition in Eurobasket. The big games of the new signed Laeticcia Amihere and Chloé Bibby helped the Valkyries to compensate for their absences.
The fever had trouble with the defense of the Valkyries and the endless energy. Caitlin Clark, in particular, did not play a big game. She missed all of her seven attempts by 3 points and only converted three of her fourteen strokes in total. Clark’s defensive gaps were also fully exposed.
Caitlin Clark struggled to defend himself against the Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries started two fast guards against fever: Veronica Burton and Carla Leite. Clark struggled to keep them.
When Clark was the main ledian defender in the second quarter, the French recruit beat her on a stolen door cup, herself exceeded several times for a few easy lay-ups and created a three open to Bibby when Aliyah Boston had to help Clark. During the next quarter, Clark was twinned with striker Stephanie Talbot instead of Leite.
Clark also dirty Burton on the discs twice after the Valkyries goalkeeper exceeded him. It was not a great performance of Clark at this end of the ground. His difficulties in staying in front of the fast guards and keeping them on the ball were full.
The fever must help Clark become a better defender
Compared to last season, fever is already a Very improved defensive team. They are currently ranking fourth in a defensive note through the league behind the New York Liberty, the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.
Putting great defenders around Caitlin Clark is the easiest way to compensate for your defensive gaps and allow it to focus on its offensive production. The contribution of Sophie Cunningham, Dewanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson improved the defense of fever.
If the fever really wants to gain at the highest level, everyone around Clark must continue to defend themselves at the highest possible level. Clark, in turn, must work on his individual defense. No one should expect Clark to become a locking defender and haunt the opposing guards. It is not the kind of player she is.
However, Clark should be able to become at least one solid defender. It has a good size for a guard, large instincts and a high basketball Qi. It all starts by making the additional effort. Clark has a heavy offensive load for fever. However, it must also compete defensively and be willing to make an additional effort. Coach staff must challenge this process.
Until she can improve as a defender, her teammates will have to work very hard to compensate for his mistakes.
