Indiana Fever Postgame Media Availability (at Connecticut Sun) | May 14, 2024

Head Coach Christie Sides, Caitlin Clark and NaLyssa Smith speak to the media following the Fever's season opening loss in Connecticut on Tuesday.
0:00 - Head Coach Christie Sides
7:40 - Caitlin Clark
12:38 - NaLyssa Smith

[@srcurry10]

I'm honestly suprised that no one is talking about how her teammates didn't really help her out during those turnovers. Some of those turnovers were good passes but her teammates didn't go to the ball, instead the other team did. And there were plenty of times where CC needed help and all her teammates were just standing there, not moving around. It was super bizarre to watch

[@Juke582]

Yeah the veterans play holy horrible!! They suck bad compared to other games I watched last night!!

[@cola7ups823]

That coach needs to get that team in line with Caitlin's style of play or be fired. Caitlin would not have gotten her 20 points, if she had not made the decision to forget trying to get the team involved and start making plays on her own. In the second half, she was basically carrying the entire team.

[@elizabethdaniels-jones8893]

That's exactly what I saw happen too.

[@dannyjessup9978]

New coach needed

[@kingrambo519]

The Fever’s coach will be fired by next month she is the worst coach I’ve seen in my life I’m sorry 😭

[@casilatino]

Cc is very aware of how the overall team is playing and answers the questions much like a coach would.

[@1398go]

Clark is definitely equivalent to a coach when it comes to articulations. She should be a coach someday, that would be awesome to see.

[@mlouise1828]

She wants CC to play her old school game, it's a new era she has to change the play. Teach her players to move fast, cover, post, rebound.

[@jonbreevaart7406]

10 turnovers. Shocked she wasn't benched

[@jonbreevaart7406]

10 turnovers for Caitlin

[@petep5207]

@@jonbreevaart7406 we heard you the 1st time--but clearly you did not watch the game. some TOs were on CC, but others were on her teammates. They need to move around and play off the ball. They are way too slow. They make IOWA look like the Dream Team.

[@jonbreevaart7406]

@@petep5207 Keep making excuses for your beloved savior 😅10 turnovers and at least 8 of them were on Clark. She was shit! That's why they LOST. Maybe if she scored more than 2 points in the first half and wasn't fouling they could of won. She sucked. If she played great she'd get all the praise. But since she sucked we blame her teammates? It's soft and pathetic. Do BETTER

[@jbethwal]

THE TEAM can't is the REAL issue. Wheeler and Smith (to be seen her stamina beyond one great game with Clark) are up to par. The rest need to GO.

[@DilemmaGot29969]

Your days are numbered coach

[@gphillimo]

Let Caitlin be FREE!!!. She shouldn't be looking over her shoulder at the coach every time she wants to do something

[@shf4592]

Exactly! I felt like Clark made a 3 & looked over to the bench almost as if she thought she was going to get yanked.

[@mikeibit5891]

Indiana is post play team. They are not a running team like Iowa. Let the forward and Center NS AB iso and post. Let them dish out to the shooters lurking and cutting.

[@kozmiczian]

BS!

[@sunnyr5175]

She’s a terrible coach!

[@Alborrego2012]

13-27

[@robertbrown8911]

It is not all Caitlin, there were a lot of bad passes from other players, a lot of missed shots in the paint, rebounding sucked. Caitlin had several turnovers, the rest of the team also had several turnovers.

[@hdelano11]

Exactly. I watched and was like man this team isn't gonna do well. Clark was waiting for people to move but never happened.

[@snave59]

Allyah Boston was worthless.Can't believe she was rookie of the year,and an all star.

[@mpmikeb1290]

20 points is not shutting someone down. That was not an intelligent statement by that reporter!!

[@Nanette12181]

10 turnovers is BAD! Imagine how many more points assists etc she could have had or created absent of so many turnovers in limited mins

[@mpmikeb1290]

@@Nanette12181 Yes, we all agree that 10 turnovers is horrendous, but the girl wasn't shut down dropping 20 on a bad night!

[@snave59]

@@mpmikeb1290 Most of those 20 points,came in the 4th quarter.By then,the game was out of hand.

[@BradJames878]

@@mpmikeb1290 How can you people be so blind? Yes, 20 points is great, but how many points did she GIVE BACK by the unacceptable number of turnovers? She gave the ball back to the Sun when the Fever should have been scoring. Open your eyes, people, let's do the math. It's true that not all the turnovers resulted in points for the Sun, but probably many did. So what is the potential point loss? Caitlin turned over 10 times. If the Sun scored off every turnover, that would be 2 or 3 points per, and that's 20 - 30 points for the Sun. I haven't studied the tape so I don't know how many turnovers scored, but I'm sure some did, so that takes the luster off Caitlin's 20. It's mind-boggling to realize that Caitlin could have potentially COST her team points, once all is tolled.

[@Insertwittypunchlinehere]

Holding a player as dangerous as Caitlin is to 20 is quite the feat tbh. Are you not familiar with her shooting capabilities? Dropping 30 to 40 pts is another day in the office to her.

[@itsthecrimboss]

I thought Boston would of been better in her second year she didn't look good at all

[@gonzoaz3979]

She needs to lose 20 pounds.

[@superfit60]

needs conditioning and to be trimmer more mobile

[@Joe-dw1jn]

The coach needs to include her. CC creates so much space bc the D guards her so far out and the other players need to cut into the space. Drive and kick once they get it. Also call some set plays for AB and CC. I didn't see much play call execution.

[@petep5207]

@@superfit60 - True. She is carrying too much weight and looks very slow out there. Hate to say it, but I am not a fan of these players having such long hair aodrning their heads. I think it messes wit their speed and timing. Maybe I am wrong.

[@tuggboat4]

She didn’t have her best game.

[@johngurganus3348]

Clark should not be on the bench.

[@gnphillips5481]

maybe all the teams they play should ask a starter to sit out so they can play 5 on 4. that way CAITLIN can really shine! and all her fans can get what they want and be happy.

[@christiner.walker6485]

Oh stop. No matter how Clark plays, you are gonna bash her.

[@gnphillips5481]

@@christiner.walker6485 me? no, im quite the objective fan. of women's basketball. who didnt just start watching this sport in 2022 when espn got wind of this girl. DT is right. she will struggle in the beginning. which is fine. all the rookies do. who cares? the problem is her "fans" are illogical and uneducated about this league, and are quick to think everyone is "bashing" when the focus isnt on her. dijonai played a great game. her defense on caitlin was stellar. and imo, shes not even one of the better defenders in the league! but all im hearing is FIRE CHRISTIE SIDES! whyyy?? beause the connecticut defense forced caitlin to have 10 turnovers?? c'mon! caitlin (and her fans) have got to learn that yes, there is a very steep learning curve. she'll get there, but damn, yall need to relax!

[@Nipa10]

She needs rest time during a game. Plus, she had 2 fouls in the 1st quarter. The coach is trying to figure out different rotations. Which is a good thing in case someone gets hurt.They are just learning how to work with each other. I suggest many of you do basketball research not only on the game, but indidual players. Check out their stats and give the coach grace. It's a learning process on the highest level of competition.

[@Insertwittypunchlinehere]

@@gnphillips5481 Exactly! It’s the delusion that gets me. Objectively speaking; anyone with basketball acumen saw Caitlin’s weaknesses in university. She’s most comfortable left; what is a professional who’s getting paid to read offense going to do? Force her right and when she goes left, play face guard d! She gets frustrated with physicality and can’t handle decent defenders on her, so what am I going to do? Fluster her with defense. She’s not as confident in the mid range as she should be, I’m forcing her off of the arch! If I have bigs and she’s going in the paint, she’s going to have to go to the line and earn those points. All of that tires out a player and is great strategy in the game of ball. Every team that did that to her in college won, it’s even more amplified in the pros. Now Caitlin has to work on countering those obstacles that will be thrown at her on a professional level. That’s not hate! That’s understanding and being a student of the game. Even Caitlin understands this. Her fanatics need to stop putting unwarranted pressures on her as a rookie. You tell them that and they’ll deflect.

[@derrickswerld]

Boston finishing in single digits is STAGGERING

[@BenjWarrant]

The Sun defenders seemed to be able to keep her outside the paint for as long as they wanted. It was unreal.

[@BobArmstrong123]

The biggest let down for me was AB. A true star had almost a no show tonight

[@zealazax6287]

This coach doesn't have any play making ability. The whole team played awful. They were slow. They didn't try to break off the screens. Looked like they had no clue what to do on the floor. The coach did not contest the bad calls made by the refs. The whole game sucked. The vets were no help. No one has the winning mindset that CC has. They don't seem frustrated with the outcome. So bad.

[@lilikaramirez1848]

They really didn't have a clue..I watched the whole game and I'm like what is going on???? They couldn't figure out who was doing what , turnovers left and right, there was no energy...and then the foul calling is just horrible

[@amcra1]

um Clark sucked too

[@amcra1]

what winning mindset did she have with 1,000 turnovers

[@Nate-vf2js]

25 to cv had 10 damn near half of what the team had

[@user-rf6bq5tb7v]

@@lilikaramirez1848Caitlin’s confidence was the lowest I’ve ever seen it. Are they trying to break her down and rebuild her in the mold they want? They should let her play her game and teach the other players to support her. They will virtually kill all of this momentum about her if they don’t let her play her game.and there goes the money she brings with it. Sponsors are NOT going to be happy with this strategy.

[@shadthagod8033]

Caitlin Clark u played good in ur opener keep shining u will get better as time goes on

[@thelmaalmaden8131]

Referees horrible CC just 5 mins. on the floor got 2 fouls.

[@brittneyfarley9448]

What's even more horrible is that her coach did nothing to fight for her (or anyone on the team!) She has at least 1 contest, why didn't she contest ANY of those calls?

[@phenixalessandro3846]

That isn't on the refs, that's called childish frustration. Duh.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

So the face of the league plays her first game, and the refs call two quick fouls that send her to the bench. The first call was bogus. The WWNBA is clueless, which explains why it has no fan base after all these years.

[@phenixalessandro3846]

@@RayManzarekRockscry me a river. CC rarely had any foul calls on her in the NCAA, so we'll just call this comeuppance. 👌🏼

[@phenixalessandro3846]

@brittneyfarley9448 what's most horrible is people coming here commenting who don't really seem to understand pro basketball. 🙄

[@mpmikeb1290]

Remember. This is just the 1st game from a young team that will learn to play together.

[@ycoz5814]

Against one of the 3 top teams in the league, who have been playing together for a while. The fever as a unit with CC has been playing together for about 10 days. She's adjusting and they're adjusting. It's one game. And 20 points is 20 points.

[@Insertwittypunchlinehere]

@@ycoz5814 They are delusional. They expect a team that hasn’t been good since Tamika Catchings to go win the “SUPERBOWL.” 😂🫠

[@angelashort-french1199]

@@ycoz5814 I TOTALLY agree. They need to find their rhythm, each athlete’s best contribution so the Fever develops their own successful play. SO…why in the world would a Coach want to shut down attributes that proved the athlete was worthy of one spot of only 144 and to be paid for it?? The Coach was strong armed into the job she did not want. It shows.

[@mlouise1828]

The team need to adjust they are slow, Smith has good chemistry with CC, they need new coach.

[@shf4592]

Agree, thought Taylor might get in, at least she has some speed. Most of the time, Clark would be past mid-court & there would be maybe 1 Fever teammate downcourt but 3-4 Sun defenders, & the rest of Clark’s teammates would be lagging behind. Kind of difficult to push the ball under those circumstances. In regards to Smith, she did tweet in support of Clark the other day after coach had made those comments about the logo 3’s.

[@BobArmstrong123]

Agree! CC and NS are excellent together. AB was a real disappointment Tuesday night.

[@__tonks__aba9398]

Sides needs to let CC play her game and stop suppressing her! Telling her not to throw 3’s but pass the ball and try to do 2’s, come on! Plus, Sides never helped with the bad calls from refs. Sides needs to stop putting CC down during a press conf, along with any other player, very unprofessional!! CC is a rookie and she will find her grove, if the negative coach gets out of her head!! SIDES NEEDS TO GO!!!!! CC we are behind you and you got this!! ❤🏀 20 pts for your first pro game is good!! 🏀 Go Fever!🏀

[@Juke582]

She can’t throw passes as the teammates are playing bad and missing every shot! All out of position and no good post player!

[@__tonks__aba9398]

@@Juke582EXACTLY!

[@wendy8739]

The offensive scheme is terrible. Too much standing around. Easy to defend someone standing still.

[@Boathole66]

Couple the lack of good off-ball movement with a complete lack of post scoring threat and the Sun have a very easy time on defense guarding long range prayer shots.

[@lilikaramirez1848]

Yea this coach has zero scheming ...it's like what's the plan

[@BobArmstrong123]

I saw that too. Extra passes can correct some of this if all players are moving and scorers towards the hoop.

[@xmen123ify]

CC can delivery the message better than this lady lol 😂. Iowas coach taught her well

[@arthurmalonell115]

Yes, CC Was taught well on how to lose with dignity. Now let’s see her play defense in the WNBA and win. ✌️

[@v2807]

The coach said “we’ve got to teach her (Caitlin)”. I think the coach needs to learn how to use the skills of the players on her team. Not force them into some cookie cutter offense that she is familiar with from past (losing) seasons.

[@Juke582]

There’s no teaching Clark! No need to focus there so much! The veterans played poorly and a lot more should have come from them! My God! 😡

[@BlueFawr]

This coach is annoying. Caitlin is a quick offensive player. It is how she was trained. Because you are a defensive coach. That is why your players are moving slow and cannot keep up with her. You should adjust your play around her but you are adamant to have her follow your mediocre style of coaching. Its like teaching a thoroughbred move like a donkey. All Indiana players are good. Only that the coach is incompetent.

[@v2807]

Good points!

[@kona883]

And her defense scheme sucks! And she doesn’t play Lexi Hull at all! A proven defender who can hit 3s

[@Juke582]

The veterans are not playing well at all! Where are the points??? wtf? None of them score! Just dribble a lot and do nothing! Geez 🙄 Clark had to take the game into her own hands and that sucks for a rookie! Should not be this way! Those 8 year veterans should be bullying the plays into the hoop like crazy but they are totally ineffective! I do t see that in other teams at all! This is a disaster!

[@petep5207]

Sorry, but CC's Fever teammates are making IOWA look like the Dream Team. They have youth but move like geriatric hoopers. Pick up the god damn pace. CC is used to playing 90 MPH.

[@bzq1988]

That ture, they move so slowly clark have to slow down speed waiting mates come to get the ball

[@bermudabengal]

they look so surprised when she gets the ball to them so quickly!

[@swgroove]

I've watched CC in college and it looks to me like you are limiting her instead of allowing her to run that offence and letting her eat. Look at how many times she pulled up and didn't go for the 3 pointers...that's because of YOU....not her. She can drop those all day, but you are not allowing her to play. No wonder she, and all the other girls, are frustrated. Bring in Bluder. She'll know how to coach her and she'll build a team dynamic. The culture of this organization does not look healthy.

[@Boathole66]

Iowa was a good offensive rebounding team. That allowed Clark the luxury of taking those long shots. The Fever not only are not a good offensive rebounding team but seriously lack any interior scoring threat. This makes it much easier to clamp down on the perimeter shooting and these pros are much faster and smarter than college players. It would be foolish to let Clark chuck prayers up that will be contested every time.

[@TimothyStidham]

The officiating seemed imbalanced. I hope the coach will consider defending her players. I also hope they don’t get bogged down watching video and trying to change Clark. Some of these errors will take care of themselves with more time playing together. Forget this game. Focus on the next opponent.

[@ddleee]

Aces, next use them as a team clinic

[@ClaritaMeck]

Caitlin answered the questions more better! Very talented on the court and off the court!❤

[@chhabrialowe9416]

They need to play the bench more, use those 2 defensive players that have to help generate offense. This team has generational talent but it’s not being managed right. Turnovers happen not all are solely on clark, at least 3 were from lack of hustle in teammates. They aren’t moving the ball fast enough and no one is rebounding. & spread the floor PLEASE!!!

[@mandygavin7890]

Caitlin seems to have a better positive attitude than coach sides gives off

[@phenixalessandro3846]

Sides is answering questions she's being asked. The media babies CC. Always have, and that's why she behaves so entitled.

[@disneyforthewin]

25 turnovers. Coach supposed to wave pom poms????

[@killzzzz_]

@@phenixalessandro3846 you sound overly obsessed with cc in the weirdest way. like ur stalking her every video

[@theredscollection9045]

@@phenixalessandro3846 HATER

[@kozmiczian]

. . . stop! raggin' coach Sides . . . 1st game STFU !

[@TechTrainer230]

All I hear from Sides are we need to teach Clark.. we just need a real coach…Clark needs to teach Sides

[@user-rf6bq5tb7v]

She IS teaching her…lose all your confidence, do not shoot the long 3, don’t stand out, look at me for every play, become mediocre like everyone else.

[@torigabriel6025]

Clark's self-awareness will only make her better moving forward. Go Fever! Good luck on the next game. 🥳

[@KariBryant]

Boston looks really rusty, she needs to get back to playing her game.

[@hdelano11]

She was awful tonight

[@amcra1]

@@hdelano11then you get out there

[@BobArmstrong123]

This coach seems over her head. Can't practice between games. Can only watch tape. No mid-game corrections. I'm just depressed by her presser. This is the first game of the season. Players were coming back after injuries. The Sun are a tough defensive team. You are not going to win every game coach. Find the good, try to eliminate the errors (mental and physical) one by one, praise your team, it's a long season and move on. We all saw the errors in this game. You need to stay upbeat. Your pressers are really negative. Just saying.

[@01NATHAN10]

We drafted a generational talent for the team to revolve around her and NOT Kelsey

[@brittneyfarley9448]

Kelsey is also a good player.

[@gintorino4616]

​@@brittneyfarley9448Yes but she's not Clark.

[@phenixalessandro3846]

Uh, no. Haha. That ridiculousness never works.

[@amanrush7722]

Praised Kelsey and criticising CC. smh

[@tanyawilliams1887]

​@@phenixalessandro3846Um the Fever were #9 with Mitchell and Wheeler last year. So you do the same things and expect a better result? Build the offense around CC's game. SHE is the PG for this team. LET HER COOK!!

[@bandislife2004]

20 POINTS CAITLIN CLARK!!! ❤❤❤💪💪🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[@Davelove.]

And she had 10 turn overs and they still lost the game. There is no I in team. Points don't mean nothing if you lose.

[@blackcrowvol2281]

​@@Davelove. It's just the first game. They will figure it out.

[@martellparks1450]

@@Davelove.the coach literally just explained how those turnovers happened. Sht wasn’t mostly on Clark.

[@MaryMartinez-ob2mk]

🏀⛹️Caitlin proved herself to those other WNBA haters, she did score her 20points, they said she wouldn't. Goooo Caitlin!🏀⛹️( 👊✌👊)

[@snave59]

@@blackcrowvol2281 The coach needs to figure it out!

[@greglumho4125]

Connecticut has a better Coach.

[@the_freedom_runner]

Moronic comment #1.

[@jdneely9939]

They have veteran players too, it's one game RELAX

[@briangoodner8680]

Connecticut has a WAY better team and no coach could make Fever competitive with their current roster. Gonna take a season or two of additional talent infusion.

[@bobby12348]

They are pros they been playing for years. Boy you people are a trip. Why are you putting all this pressure on this girl? It could lead up to her doing something to herself. Let her play ball and she figure it out it out.

[@EetsBack]

Connecticut has a top coach. I wish the Fever had Stephanie White. Sides needs a firing real bad.

[@RogerPilcher]

This coach is lost, over her head

[@the_freedom_runner]

And another dumb comment.

[@jamestwiford8984]

I think the coach is drifting towards the obvious conclusion to get the players thinking deeper and to support Clark. I think Clark will after about five games start to rock. She'll get better support and the team will start to get confident. It seemed that the training for the past few weeks may have really tired this team and the sign of it is the earnest coach's voice. She is hoarse from exhorting.

[@cathymason3004]

I listen to my gut feelings about this coach… and my gut says… her focus is off and isn’t a great communicator.

[@the_freedom_runner]

Moronic comment again...

[@Joe-dw1jn]

Agreed. She seems a bit emotional

[@__tonks__aba9398]

Unprofessional

[@user-rf6bq5tb7v]

She’s trying to break a wild stallion and it shows.

[@timwyland4887]

Fire the coach, and let Caitlin do her thing, that's why people pack in to watch her

[@MsRotorwings]

“Coach” Sides has turned this into a power struggle when it should be a collaboration between coach and player.

[@user-dg5vz5jy2o]

i agree 100%

[@lizhricik]

I think the Fever needs a different coach. The team is disjointed, that’s a coaching problem.

[@Insertwittypunchlinehere]

Or this is a young group who got the #1 draft pick because they suck and need time to develop chemistry and understand their roles. Stop deflecting from what practical people knew all along, it’s growing pains. The coach has done nothing YET to lead me to believe that she’s inapt. Fair weather fanatics are exhausting. 🥱

[@bermudabengal]

yes! they played like they all just met each other right before the game!

[@TaiyouArt]

@@Insertwittypunchlinehere she isn’t elite. We are used to watching elite nba coaches, this ain’t it

[@Insertwittypunchlinehere]

@@TaiyouArt Who made the proclamation that she was elite? People love to cherry pick and deflect. It’s easier to throw the coach under the bus than it is to acknowledge that the individuals on the court just did not play well, I get it. People are jumping the gun on Coach Sides. She hasn’t even gotten an opportunity to show what she’s capable of. She inherited a bad team with that is in the process of rebuilding. It is only fools who think that Coach K or Phil Jackson could coach Fever into a championship this year. The ELITE coaches you referenced had to prove they were able to not only develop individuals but teams. Caitlin Clark fanatics are very unreasonable and unrealistic; this coach needs atleast a season, really 2 or 3 so we can determine a baseline for her work but you all don’t want to hear that. lol. Miami Heat had all the talent in the world with LeBron, D Wade and Bosh and still didn’t win, they lost to a team that was developed and had chemistry. They had to develop chemistry and LeBron had to learn how to win. That process is where Coach Erik cut his teeth, same with Phil Jackson.

[@lilikaramirez1848]

​@@Insertwittypunchlineheredude she was the coach last year and they were trash... there's a reason they got the number one draft pick

[@windi6]

However to put turnovers in perspective the Aces had 9 and the mercury had 15 tonight. First games of the season can be a struggle for any team at any level.

[@Tr991]

Thanks for that perspective. Watching it looked like JV ball. Seems to be a learning curve for both the audience and the players.

[@dylanloveskellytaylor4774]

The suns also had 15

[@windi6]

NBA Rookies have 7 months to prepare and train physically. WNBA has less than two weeks to go from college draft to playing season games. With teammates they’re trying to get to know. It’s inevitable there are turnovers at the beginning of every season etc.

[@heathercummins1644]

Sides spends too much time "what if-ing" to justify poor game management. Wheeler didn't wake up until the 3rd quarter. Tully needs to take a larger role in the coaching. It was only one game, but the Sun exposed EVERY weakness this team has. Now everyone else has a blueprint to beat this team.

[@ArmandoMorales325]

I do not think she needs to be fired. But she has to understand what team she has. Clark should not play the SG position with Wheeler at point. Clark is too much of a playmaker for that. They need to rotate. And they need to create plays around Clark. I saw absolutely none of that. Clark had to work for every point she scored. And good coaching does that. Without Clark nobody on the Fever would have scored. Did any other Fever player have a good game? Everybody was struggling. Blaming Clark is insane.

[@deanraynor99]

Nobody was blaming Clark other than Clark. She had 10 turnovers...this coach is actually really good and coaching for the whole team

[@ArmandoMorales325]

@@deanraynor99 All the coach is saying is how Clark has to improve and change for the team it doesn't make sense. Clark should change the team for the better. Not the other way around. This games a perfect example that this team sucks and has sucked! There's no reason to try and put Clark around her system when it has not even been successful.

[@deanraynor99]

@ArmandoMorales325 Clark has played one...one legitimate wnba game. One freaking game....and the team sucks, fire the coach, all of this is extremely premature bullshit

[@ArmandoMorales325]

@@deanraynor99 the team has sucked tho. Thats why they have had the #1 pick 2 years straight. What I am saying is they need to play to Clarks strengths.

[@deanraynor99]

@ArmandoMorales325 ...the strength of the other players have to be considered also and still....it is the 1st game

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Caitlin's confidence is quite there yet. The pro game is a lot faster with a much more athletic players than in at the Uni level. Her confidence stepped up a little in the 4th. She is not going to get the easy shots she got in college. The starting group hasn't had much time together at all - young team.

[@BenjWarrant]

At the moment her confidence is, I think, somewhat diminished by her teammates inability to convert her assists into buckets. But she's clearly under instructions not to try 3s too often. I could see times when she was open but she passed instead.

[@kbr6783]

The best thing with this coach is that the Fever will continue to get the #1 pick. She is in over her head.

[@faflafaflev3899]

Christie Sides has to go.They need better coach

[@WaldoHaraldoFaldo]

It's been one game😂

[@faflafaflev3899]

@@WaldoHaraldoFaldoits 2024, anlytics exist, her saying CC has to take more long 2's make no sense, alot of stuff she say make no sense.

[@lilikaramirez1848]

​@@WaldoHaraldoFaldowho was the coach last year? What was their record? Pls shutup

[@jonathonpalbicke6122]

Regardless of how long it takes, Sides is very green, so I really don’t think she will last long term. This game is not all on Caitlin, her team did not help her out much, maybe she cuts 10 in half. She has been crazy careless before, especially a long time ago, with Team USA, got pulled out. Got a second chance played better. This kid learns, and gets better, every level. To the haters, if you feel vindicated, no worries, won’t argue, but as the data sets increase, we…. shall…. see…. 👌🙃😎

[@jihyotwice3159]

I had hoped to see more CC at the point. Putting her at SG defeats her other weapon as a facilitator. I know this might be a form of protecting CC but putting her at SG won't allow her to learn as she grows. Let her learn from teams blitzing her and find the open player. Teams won't double team Wheeler but CC and deny her from getting the pass. That is why you allow CC to bring up the ball and set high screens for her. Force opponents to rotate towards her and have her find the open team mate. That is what happened in the second pre-season game and we won. We predicted that CC would get more assists while she adjusts to find the open shot. Putting CC at SG defeats this whole purpose. If Kelsey isn't ready then put Berger or Hull in at SG. Even if teams double or triple team CC she will find the open man, like she did with Katie Lou. I don't know why people are hating Sides but hopefully Sides can also learn from this. The whole team including the coaches need to grow together.

[@jeffg1524]

Huge CC fan but she should NOT have to carry the team like in college, not with the talent around her. Her teammates need to step up, not Clark. And the coach didn't commit all the turnovers, the players did. All this talk of replacing the head coach this early in the season is ridiculous. Yeah, the fire the head coach, which usually means all the assistants, too. So Clark and her teammates will not only have to contend with getting to know each other (still an ongoing process) but an entirely new coaching staff and system. How will that help the team?? Think, people.

[@meganharmon2923]

I don’t think Coach Sides was ready for the pressure. Yes, it’s going to take time for CC to adjust. Yes, they are a relatively newish squad with not a lot of time to be a well-oiled, cohesive unit yet. It can’t all fall on Boston and CC. There needs to be more ancillary teammate contribution. They need to give more help to CC. They need more strong players in the paint helping Boston chase after rebounds. More chemistry to be built between CC and Smith. We need more help when CC gets double teamed. The team just stayed stationary when she was being doubled. No one came to the ball to help out.

[@MCCintron]

Was weird how Caitlin looked at the bench after every play. I think she did good for her first game in the W, but she needs to improve her defense. She needs to avoid helping others on defense while she adapts to the league. Also, the players over all need to stop the hate on her. This girl will be the face of the league in no time, she is bringing a lot to the W and the players should embrace that not to hate her (specially you DT), all of you will get better exposure and benefits because of what she brings. When did you see Jordan talking trash about Kobe? Also, refs you need to be fair too, although they are better than NBA refs😊.

[@andrewkibedi1484]

It was interesting watching Kelsey Plum and Diana Taurasi playing ...neither was being denied the ball from the opposing defense like Caitlin was tonight.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

If I'm the GM, I fire Sides and hire Lisa Bluder. Like one month ago. #JustDoIt

[@snave59]

She retired.

[@davideaton7855]

I agree Sides should be fired

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@snave59 My point exactly. Bluder is very available at the moment.

[@amcra1]

Hire Bluder to do what exactly…lose in championship games?

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@amcra1 Yeah, the WWNBA Finals would be a great start.

[@elizabethdaniels-jones8893]

Anyone watch the Aces play? I saw a lot of open floor because they were shooting the three's. Long 2's tighten the floor and make so that double teaming is easier and and passes are harder to complete. Also, why isnt the point player getting to her spots sooner ao that quick passes and transition can happen??

[@bevjohnson7345]

Why did you draft CC to try to stop her from doing what she does so well. You could tell she was hesitating because of what you were telling them to do. Let her play herself. That is why she is so good. You are making excuses. Maybe you need to do some reflections.

[@tenzindawa1052]

Caitlin will only play well if they get rid of this coach.

[@the_freedom_runner]

Another moronic comment...

[@phenixalessandro3846]

So you obviously don't believe in the reality of building resilience and humility. CC has been inflated. This is the pros. Either CC elevates her game, or she will sit.

[@bricklyny]

If she sits, the wnbba will go back to what it was, casual fans will leave and thats not good for the league. This is an entertainment business. The crowd look dead and unentertained when she wasnt in the game. ​@phenixalessandro3846

[@phenixalessandro3846]

@bricklyny the W will never go back to what it was. The league has been steadily building up steam before the horde came along and the interest is beyond one player. Only a complete stranger to women's sports would believe the crazy narrative the media has been hanging on #22 . Hello stranger 👋🏼

[@kozmiczian]

STFU with stupid Clark fantasy! She can only do so much, coach can only do so much m . . 1st game! STFU about coach SIDES!

[@OnwardSoldier]

Its only 1 game, so of course growing pains. If they lose like this night in and night out. Then this coach will need to go.

[@bobjacksob]

This coach is counting her days.

[@brutusbarnabus8098]

I know that this is the first game, but mark my words, Indiana’s playoff drought will continue under this bad coach. She did not have her team ready to play. No offensive scheme to give Clark some free looks, no adjustments, and the defense was atrocious. Compare this to Conn whose coach devised a great scheme to limit Clark and Boston, and then look at how well they executed their offense. This coach doesn’t know how to leverage the strengths of her team. I picked up on this during preseason. Like I said, mark my words. She is bad.

[@BigGainer98]

It was fucking Luke Walton bad. Too much standing around. No ball movement. No strategy. No pacing. Just nothing. I have seen this shit so many times. While I blame 6 of the 10 TOs on Clark, at the same time, her teammates did nothing to help. The fact she dropped 20 on her debut says it all. She cannot do anything to set up plays on a team like this. It sucks. I hate this kind of basketball and I have seen a lot of it as a Kings fan. Painful to the eyes.

[@mwzoot1]

Lots of dead passes, but the team doesn’t seem ready to catch the ball from Kaitlyn when she makes those amazing passes and it seems to me you gotta work harder to get screens for her so you can get the ball in her hands more. I’ve seen her miss her for six threes in a game and then come back and score 30 some points hitting three after three but you got to give her some open luxe it’ll make a huge difference in what you guys can do just my opinion

[@kwollrab9527]

the vets CANNOT hit free throws for pete sake!!!! THEY need to work on that!!!!

[@phillippeterman1051]

Coach Sides - I’m not impressed with your coaching!

[@user-rf6bq5tb7v]

Right? Stay in the paint where you get slaughtered and foul. Make Caitlin be afraid to shoot the long 3. I saw her open, but she didn’t shoot the 3 on several occasions. Heck, they weren’t even giving her the ball at the 3 point line. This was a complete disaster. I really feel bad for Caitlin. Her Debut game was the worst team play ever. When the whole team plays like that there is only one person to blame.

[@BobArmstrong123]

So far, I've heard negativity after all three games. Don't tell us every problem you see coach, fix it! Every scorer needs to have plays specifically for them. When CC's triple teamed, AB and NaLyssa should be shining.

[@abphoto]

again I am seeing CC carry a Team just like college. this should not be. The coach does not seam to know the game and how to coach. If they loose the next two games Fire the coach.

[@jacobbuscato8992]

Coach, your coaching style is not what spectators want to see - it's disappointing. You are supposed to fight for your team and stand up for them when the referee makes bad calls. Spectators have noticed that you don't seem to care when your players are mistreated on the court. Sadly, it appears that you allow this to happen to make a point that they must follow you or face consequences. Are you a practitioner of 'WOKE' ideology, coach? Your actions suggest that this team is driven by political motives and that you are trying to undermine Caitlin Clark. You criticize Caitlin Clark's deep three-point shooting and fail to recognize her impressive ball-handling and blind passes, which elevate her teammates' performance. Remember, this is what makes her a phenomenon. For her fans, she is the greatest. No one else in the history of the WNBA can do what she does. Take note: you are not the face of the WNBA-Caitlin Clark is. She is the brand of the WNBA. Without her incredible abilities on the court, no one would know you or even WNBA athletes. Caitlin Clark is the reason crowds are drawn to the WNBA like never before. Stop saying you need to "teach her" because she doesn't need it. Providing guidance, understanding her abilities, and strongly supporting her unique but proven effective style and her teammates is what you should do. It's not about asserting that you are a good coach. While you may be a great coach, you need great athletes to succeed and should support their exceptional abilities, not act as if you are their only source of success. That's absurd!

[@divingwithsully6222]

We are all fans of CC. But this is not the Indiana Caitlin Clark’s. Someone should remind the media for the Indiana “FEVER” you can tell CC was frustrated with it all being directed towards her. You can tell she is trying to not hog the mic. But the media won’t let it happen. She is trying to acclimate to the team and not make it about her.

[@vibesmom]

Good lord it’s game 1, everyone is losing their collective mind. Adversity now is better than at the end of the season. They did have some nice moments, but they aren’t gelled as a team yet, and the Sun has been playing together for years. They will get there, they have tons of weapons, lots of talent, and great work ethic.

[@ycoz5814]

Fan expectations are so far off - Connecticut is a top team, so is NY. The Fever is rebuilding with a player who has unique skills. How to implement a system to suit those skills is the challenge. It's one game. People need to relax.

[@alfrancisco3053]

​@@ycoz5814Totally agree and it takes time for the new young players to gel with the team. They will get there, clean up a few things and they will get better.

[@hdelano11]

Clark did pretty good. Her first game. But the team needs a ton of work. They won 13 games last year for example. Clarke on a better team would have probably dropped 35 last night. I just don't think this team will benefit clark at all

[@graymanner007]

We need a better coach who isn’t jealous of Clark. You can here it in her criticism towards Clark. Fire her

[@ycoz5814]

You're delusional.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Paging Christie Sides, your pink slip is ready . . . #Overmatched

[@graymanner007]

Fever Coach is hella jealous of clark

[@xmen123ify]

Hire the formal Iowa coach

[@tenzindawa1052]

Man this coach is a hater..

[@the_freedom_runner]

And another moronic comment...

[@True-ob4lq]

You people are crazy. The team has been together like 2 weeks. Good god. Give it some time

[@clarencejackson8165]

For real

[@gnphillips5481]

@@True-ob4lq right? everybody on the damn internet wants christie's head on a stick!🤣😂 guess you people dont realize that connecticut finished 3rd last year in the league and 2nd the year before that. theyre a great ass team!! with seasoned players! of course fever were gonna get their ass kicked. heads up, they're prolly gonna lose to NY this thursday!

[@progressiveoverload-my6iz]

I saw CC's highlights, and on 3 out of 4 out of 15 shots she made, she had to push off or carry the ball (travel) to create space to score. Her coach realizes she's going to have to run an offense and come off screens in the WNBA until her dribbling gets better and she has better teammates to pass to

[@nigeltufnel775]

The one yuge problem I have with WNBA players is too much dribbling without a purpose. About 1/4 of Clark’s turnovers were because teammates did not come to or go after the ball. Making the pass needs to be coupled with catching the pass. Some were terrible but others not so much.

[@Boathole66]

A glaring problem is that the Fever seriously lack any offensive threat in the post. Boston was terrible. Slow, telegraphing her shots, inaccurate, etc. She’s not a good fit with Clark and hinders an up-tempo style of play. Boston may be a shot-blocker but that is highly outweighed by her complete lack of scoring threat on offense. Very disappointing for such a potentially great player.

[@snave59]

Agree about Boston.She did nothing.

[@amcra1]

man stfu. This is Aliyah’s team,dip. Now when she breaks out don’t hop on the bandwagon

[@Juke582]

@@snave59I am sad and angry about Boston as she was rookie of the year last year! Just horrible now! She doesn’t care! Out of shape and slow and can’t shoot! Doesn’t get position well. I am so disappointed 😫🥺😢😢

[@Boathole66]

@@amcra1 sorry you are BH but the facts are all on the replay if you want to watch again. I get it you love AB but you have to admit truth when it’s right in your face. Boston has been terrible since the preseason started. Obviously something is awry. She has the potential to be GREAT! So what is holding her back? Is it ego? It seems she’s regressed since Clark was drafted.

[@amcra1]

@@Boathole66 she’s already great,dip.Y’all really are dragging it. She’ll be fine and be back to her former self. When have you ever seen AB have ego,dip. I would say don’t be stupid but it’s too late.

[@lgronewold1962]

Hey Christie why didn’t you tell the refs I want to challenge the call you did not do anything to help your team at all no wonder Caitlin is frustrated and pissed off. If you don’t help her she could leave and it would be your fault. Caitlin is an awesome player hands down Erica Wheeler has to sit down Caitlin was opened and they ignored her bullshit. Help your team people won’t watch it anymore and goodbye your ratings

[@tedperea1817]

Christe Sides is not ready to be a head coach on any level. She has been an assistant coach her entire career and it is showing right now! She is way over her head and cannot be trusted in developing Caitlin Clark. A bad coach can ruin a star players career just as easy as a devastating injury!

[@MandyBerg-yi4oc]

Some of these comments come on guys cc is 22 she has alot to learn yes she is a goat in college but pros are a different beast she will figure it out cause she is a athlete and a generational one at that....

[@belindamillswright3208]

This WAS NOT a coaching issue. Coach did not turn the ball over.

[@TechTrainer230]

Many bad fouls and no challenges from Side!! Why doesn’t Coach say anything about teaching Boston

[@jonathonpalbicke6122]

Easy to put it all on one player, bet she has 10 turnovers a game, make you happy? JP

[@amcra1]

@@TechTrainer230cuz Boston doesn’t need to be taught,dip

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Clark made a yuge mistake not to play in the Big3. Could have made $5M for one season then signed with a WWNBA contender as a free agent. Instead, she's stuck with a team that sucks in a lousy league. And gets paid chump change to do it.

[@bermudabengal]

Coach! you have to get them to run around and move when they dont have ball in their hands! thats why your always double up on whoever has the ball!!! the defenders never have to move more than 5 ft to cover your players! everyone is just standing there on offense!

[@roee78]

Connecticut played a good game.

[@PhilipAnderson-bi5re]

There's nothing more constant than change. This means the coach. Bluder is available and CC runs a fast paced green light offense and this is far from that

[@angelashort-french1199]

There’s a REASON the Indiana Fever are dead LAST in the WNBA! At the end of the day, blame lies at the feet of the coach. There’s a REASON that women’s basketball, collegiate & professional, has become ASTRONOMICALLY popular. Attribute that to the fantastic athletic talent and charisma of the incoming rookies. Caitlin deserves a period of adjustment in finding her place that’s comfortable and learning how to mesh with her teammates who are professionals. Change her game?? What, to fit your failing abilities as a coach?? No way. Leave the team to find their own way to succeed together. Let them find the best way to gel on the court. Coach Sides, how’s YOUR way of doing things been working for you? Get out of the way for the professionals on the court…or GET GONE!

[@ClubCommonSense]

Fire Christie Sides before she ruins 2024. She doesn't have what it take to bring the best out the team's talents. Her negativity is already sinking the season.

[@Nate-vf2js]

If fans ran a team there be a coach every season

[@deryckcharran3917]

It's extremely disappointing to hear coach Christie , speak of Catlin Clark the way she does , it's even more disturbing the way coach Christie describes her game , several high profile international coaches have expressed their personal disbelief and concern on how coach Christie is treating Catlin Clark . Clearly, owner and senior management of the Indiana fever needs to seriously intervene and speak with coach Christie. Catlin Clark is a rare quality of talent that comes along once in a generation, this coach needs to pay attention to history , MJ , Curry , Labron, Kobe, watch how their coaches build the teams around these superstars , and allowed them to play their game .. When u hear coach Christie speaks , it's actually like a jealous unprofessional inexperienced individual creating a beef with Catlin Clark......

[@tyfunk6643]

With each game the fever will improve. They are young and with that will come growing pains. There all trying to learn a new offensive system and you can practice all you want but the best way to learn is in actual games. The biggest thing I have seen in the first 3 games is when a guard get trapped on the perimeter some one needs to come to the ball to many times there was a trap and no one came to get the ball so the guards were forced to make a long pass which will end in a turnover ever time. Caitlin will settle in and cut down the turnovers as she becomes more comfortable with the offense, same with her shooting percentages will improve. The sun were a really hard team to see first cause of there length and defense but it will help the fever going forward. Just remember it's a process and they will get better with each game they play, success does not happen overnight.

[@randymonster4105]

I don't know if Christie is the right coach for the job. Cause frankly the whole offense should be overhauled with the entrance of Caitlin. Christe seems like an old school coach who has set plays in the low post for Boston. Pick and roll sets etc. What Indiana needs is a coach like Mike D'Antoni or Ime Udoka. Just fast transition, run and gun offense. Frankly, I don't think Aaiyah Boston is a good fit for Caitlin. If you observe the game, the offense pauses when they low post to Boston. Indiana needs a big like Alyssa Thomas who runs during transition. Aaliyah must retool her game and I don't know if that's fair to ask that of her. The thing is Caitllin is such a powerful weapon but can only be fully realized when she has the right players surrounding her.

[@BobArmstrong123]

Turnovers killed us tonight big time. CC is NOT THE ONLY PLAYER on the court though. It seemed that no one else was involved in the offense NaLyssa is an awesome piece and played well. Where was AB? Totally absent. Not anywhere near the ball? Coach did mention, no one coming back to the ball to help CC. More scoring and less turnovers could have made this game much closer. That's a coaching problem. Is Christie Sides up for this turnaround challenge? I'm really not impressed. And the key to the turnaround is watch tape, and make corrections mid-game! Where was Sides in this?

[@invisibleman53]

Hey reporters! Ask the other girl questions!

[@theredscollection9045]

LET CLARK BE CLARK! STEP A-SIDE!

[@anhonestman1234]

Suns dominated with their veterans. Coach Christie is right. The wbna schedule does not leave a lot of time to view tapes and practice. And heal in between games

[@rickikammerer9729]

Connecticut ran the same defense the entire game and no adjustments were made. The entire defense shifted with CC and doubled her on every pick and roll. Indiana did nothing to use that to their advantage. This was bad coaching. The turnovers were horrible but the offense they were running was just as bad.

[@tingmei884]

that said this coach need to go away

[@jdneely9939]

EVERYONE RELAX!!!! It's the first game n it was against one of the better teams. Clark will only get better which will make the get the team better

[@CHATGPTSPORTS]

Fire the coach. Bring in a coach and allow Clark to cook

[@mlouise1828]

Fire the coach! Get Coach Bluder Czinano, Mckenna, they are fast, will help Clark, they shoot better too.

[@superfit60]

Great thought, Monica would help the post situation a lot!

[@kona883]

McKenna is in dental school so that’s not happening But Czinano would help she is just not that tall

[@jbethwal]

There is no "learning" how not to be a bad coach and crush the epic game of one of the greatest WBB of all time.

[@laroyedwards9200]

The franchise should look for another coach someone who could flourish with this team this coach probably would be good for college, but something is not connecting with this team i dont see it working long term...

[@mag101vlog]

Figure out? Let your scorer do the scoring not keeping or not letting her do her thing…. CC22 🎉

[@kevindecoteau3186]

We need to remember that she is young with lots to learn yet, give her a break, she'll figure it out.