The Indiana Fever can win games but they need help.

[@JimHerbert-il9mp]

I am 73 years old , but I used to play ball. I got most of my points from put backs and garbage around the rim. Even though I was only six two they played me as center because I boxed out effectively and got my share of rebounds. I routinely played against centers that were 2-4 inches taller than me. But I tried to control what I could control. The coach did not see me as a jump shooter so he set up plays for the guards and forwards to get medium range jumpers, but we routinely shot a poor percentage of those shots. I was often open in the paint because the other teams defended our plays aggressively. It was very frustrating watching this pattern repeat itself. We lost a lot of games. Finally, in the second half of a game late in the season I started calling for the ball and the other players started passing to me. I went seven for seven shooting those short jumpers in the second half of that game. The coach kept waving at me trying to get my attention and get me to run the plays he was calling (which I had always done up till now). I ignored him and kept making (every) shot I took. Finally, toward the end of the fourth quarter the coach called a time out and told me to take a seat at the end of the bench (this was meant to send a message back in those days). As I write this, which I have never done before now, it looks like a fairy tale, but it occurred exactly as I have written it here. The point is that, if a coach cannot evaluate the capabilities of his/her players and know how to use those capabilities, morale gets flushed down the toilet and nothing seems to work. As I watch the Fever games, it seems like something similar is happening on this team.

[@profantalk]

Aaliyah Boston does not do a good job boxing out and getting position under the rim. IMO

[@SoCaliGuyHB394]

PASSING, Coach Sides has to train players to expect passes when dicing the defense. Too many are missed/bounce off of fingers. Coach Lisa Bluder trained Iowa players to expect CC's skilled passes. Coach Sides IS major Fever problem, needs replacement. Fever execs stick with her, she must be someone's girlfriend.

[@the_freedom_runner]

Your analysis of these players is spot on.

[@Mike-zc4qe]

The refs are obviously bias against Indiana!

[@profantalk]

IMO this is a league wide problem. IT just gets more attention because of Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese has been catching strays too!

[@KenPolsley]

I've watched all the Fever games. You are right on point with your analysis. Nalyssa should have been starting all along with Fagbenle. Everybody needs to make layups. CC hasn't had much time to practice short runners or jump shots in the paint; she didn't need them in college. That will come. I still think they will figure it out and make the playoffs, but barely. Caitlin should have shot as many free throws as she did in the last game against the Sparks (15). That was the only game that I saw where the refs called it fair; she was getting roughed up but the refs were calling it. CC was getting mugged a lot against Seattle without a call. At least Sides tried to defend her and got the T this time.

[@TheODLawson23]

They need to hire a Hall of Fame coach for the Indiana Fever. Can Reggie Miller be a coach? Tamika Catchings?

[@varj7]

Sexton and Taylor got 47 seconds on the floor, what’s the point of that?

[@roberthoneywell]

I agree with your take on Mitchell, but I would have added that she needs to keep her head up and know when that layup is not there. If she's driving, the D is gonna be collapsing and someone is gonna be open. She's real slow to give up the ball. I also agree that Clark needs to develop that mid range jumper, especially when her long shot isn't going. You didn't mention Berger, who is not that athletic, but seems to make good decisions. You are also right about Boston, she "settles" a lot for little jump shots instead of using her size to power up layups.

[@Flashyboo]

Team needs to get better Clark is probably tired of her team dropping passes and missing shots she should have a lot more assists

[@Lanier-ry5yy]

Caitlin Clark was 6 of 17

[@Flashyboo]

@@Lanier-ry5yy sky is blue

[@litgator66]

CC last 2 turnovers were one double team trap and one triple team trap. Her teammates have to move quickly toward her to help her out - the roller has to be more alert and roll quick and keep moving - that’s not happening. CC said in press conference that some of her passes are risk vs reward and she willing to take that risk … why - because this group getting buckets are at a premium … they don’t come easy. She should have had 15 assists in that game had they either finished the layup or caught the ball. But u are right she can’t make some of these passes to women who can’t handle them. She will learn.

[@profantalk]

Agreed

[@garymarks5044]

Good observations

[@rustythecat2163]

Respect your point of view!

[@profantalk]

Appreciated

[@JK-rq7yr]

I want Celeste to play in place of Wallace. Celeste was drafted for Defense. This is what they need.

[@profantalk]

As a player, to get less than 60 secs of play time is infuriating and demeaning. I hope Sides at least had a conversation with Taylor because that's an easy way to lose your players.

[@kathyshea2444]

Agree ..give Celeste a chance .she should be put in before Wallace or Wheeler

[@chevyyyyyyy]

WNBA broadcasts two games fridays OTA, ch 30, Los Angeles.

[@marymorris6897]

What a fine analyst you are! Thanks for the hard work.

[@profantalk]

Not sure if that was meant to be sarcastic but if it wasn't, THANX?!

[@marymorris6897]

@@profantalk Oh, not sarcastic at all!!!!!!! I meant it. You did a very good job of breaking down the players' situations. hugs and respect, Mary

[@cooliscool115]

her teammates need to make those open shots

[@profantalk]

Agreed

[@Lanier-ry5yy]

Caitlin Clark was 6 of 17

[@goodjobb24]

@@Lanier-ry5yy she can do no wrong in they eyes.

[@TickleMeElmo55]

​I see you CC haters showcasing why you're pathetic. ​@@goodjobb24

[@mandlclark]

Kelsey Mitchell dribbles the air out of the ball and then takes bad shots. How many missed layups are enough? I mean, she is a ball hog who takes the feed from CC but doesn't return the favor. As soon as she gets the ball she is head down, clowning with the ball and then puts up a terrible shot. 37'% from the field and only 73% from the free throw line. She is not helping this team, but looking out for herself.

[@profantalk]

You have to distinguish between missed layups and bad shots. If you have an open look, I'm OK with taking the shot (hit or miss) because that's what shooters do BUT you gotta finish those points in the paint! And yes, she does dribble a lot but I like that as opposed to some (even CC) that pick up their dribble to soon and get trapped.

[@ronsmac]

Mitchell is way too small. If she is contested even mildly she won’t score. She does occasionally get the nlow by and an uncontested layup but she’s a net negative on the court. Can’t get her teammates involved and is a defensive mismatch.

[@brucestevens4864]

4 seconds to go till half...the defensive player OTY in the ACC ,AND DPOY IN THE BigTen last year is sitting on the bench while they drive and pass down the court and f ING score! Unbelievable! GO AWAY CSides...please

[@profantalk]

🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

[@profantalk]

🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

[@roberthoneywell]

yeah, no duh. That was painful. Is she just too lazy to make that sub, or what? That shit gotta stop happening.

[@dandydon6049]

She played 40 minutes last night and guess what? They lost. Not even close. She was minus 13 with another 7 TOs. I think she leads the league in Ts, shot attempts, TOs and bitching to the refs.

[@TickleMeElmo55]

@@dandydon6049 What's your point? Do you expect Clark to win the game single handedly?

[@w.k.liggins2870]

Why Kristy Wallace only played 14 minutes in this game while she usually play more minutes than that in a game?

[@andrewchacone9497]

Yes, Sir, I agree with you about the status of the current team players. That said, the Coach landed a franchise Player Caitlin Clark, and has failed to build the Indiana team around her! No coach would ask the player to stay out on the floor the entire game unless to punish the player. The only way to save the Indiana Fever season is to "Firer the Coach!" Higher a Coach who knows how to re-build a team with all that talent to play together and stop grandstanding to prove they belong on the floor! I know that Caitlin Clark is a rookie and needs the help of pros to maneuver her way through the WNBA. (My opinion)

[@BenjWarrant]

Caitlin's perfectly capable of making her 3s when she's off balance. She did it often with Iowa. I can only suppose that the coach has told her, like, 'you can only have 10 3 attempts in a game'. So if she gets half a look she makes a different play. I was rocked - again - last night by how often Indiana did not make the layups, or the simple pop-ins. The missed over and over and over again. And it was nothing to do with Seattle's defence; they just could NOT finish. And since Seattle were scoring 9 times out of 10 when they were in Indiana's court, you pretty soon get your 10 point deficit.

[@profantalk]

I know she made them AT IOWA but she ain't making them in Indiana! Based on the tape that I've watched, she's moving off the screens so fast she floats 2-3 feet in the air from side to side. When that happens, she's missing MOST of those shots.

[@jmf5246]

CC should focus on developing her game this season for the wnba and not worry about wins or listen that much from sides who is someones pet in the GM office. Asking for a trade at years end to a less dis functional team. CC should have pulled a Manning and said she was not going to Indiana

[@briangoodner8680]

Lack of defenders is the gaping hole in this roster, not scoring. 88 pts is plenty of scoring. 🤔 Fans and pundits need to chill (they won’t!) because it’s going to take a minimum of a couple of seasons before the Fever have the roster to compete with the top teams

[@mmm-mt6jk]

the Fever needs a small forward that can run the floor and hit the 3 pointer from the corner. Gabby Marshall would be the perfect short term answer.

[@profantalk]

Kristie Wallace can shoot deep but her opps are limited.

[@user_0400-v6k]

No, they will be fine. No help needed at all, it's just the rotation. Look how confident the owner is, no words at all. Did we hear any? None! Did we hear any words from GM Lin Dunn? None! No help needed.

[@virginfitness]

However you do it, and there are multiple ways, the Fever must get CC 20-25 open looks, stop and pop, drive and finish or kick out, sidestep and 3, whatever, but 20-25 shots for CC or it’s a team/coach fail.

[@zoomlenz]

As you say, Kelsie Mitchell is fast but reckless. Her scoop layup attempts are not effective and almost always lead to defensive rebounds. She also has "ball hoggish" tendancies. If they could reign her in it would be helpful but she seems to know no boundaries.

[@profantalk]

I will push back on the ball hog part because she creates space for everyone else. If she makes MOST of those runners in the paint we're not having this conversation and IMO the Fever have at least one or two more wins. BUT, I understand why some would say that.

[@daisyhenry332]

I get what you're saying but I'm not sure it's "ball hogging"..I'm thinking she drives to lane hoping everyone will collapse on her and then she can feed the ball to someone else...but it's not happening. ..idk...but if she is gonna drive to the basket. ..she needs to make those shots...otherwise "don't hog the ball"...lol

[@ClutchHoopers]

Mitchell dribbles with her head down, so the idea that shes trying to do it to get other players in better spots doesn’t make sense. As soon as she gets the ball, the defense knows exactly what she’s going to do. So now, she’s driving to the paint with 3 defenders and tossing up a layup praying it’ll go in. The rare occasions she does kick out, she’s taken too much time off the clock dribbling that it results in a rushed shot to whoever she passes it to. Defensively, she can’t keep a player in front of her-they get to the paint every time. The team played better when she was out preseason. Any other coach would bench her after tossing out the playbook just to miss open layups- consistently. Last year I thought she was doing it on purpose to get a good draft for the team but clearly I was wrong. Only good news- she’s a free agent in 2024.

[@daisyhenry332]

@HERwoodworks Valid points...but instead of her leaving...how bout work on the players they have or have them leave..js

[@kathyshea2444]

She is a selfish player..

[@timothytaylor9835]

They got to Trade Boston for Angel Reese when Cardoso gets back. Reese would set Clark screen's and won't take I'll advised shots.

[@profantalk]

Why on Earth would Chicago do that?

[@timothytaylor9835]

@@profantalk That trade is only a option of Angel Reese and Cardoso have bad chemistry. Cardoso and Boston are both South Carolina alumni and has the same basketball knowledge, style taught to them from Coach Dawn Staley . Putting Reese with Clark the only way to turn down the temperature of Clark and Reese fans hating on Clark or Reese.

[@coreyford9561]

​@@timothytaylor9835ain't no way in hell Chicago trading Angel Reese she fit their style of play perfectly for that team and plus why the hell would Angel Reese dem her light and go to a losing team like the Fever when Angel is a Star in her own right in Chicago they got billboard of Angel Reese in Chicago.

[@timothytaylor9835]

@@coreyford9561 Reese and Clark would be box office and a winning combination. Any top lottery pick power forward, center available in next year's draft going to be a 20 to 25 points a game scorer and not fit with Clark.

[@aprylnicole2518]

Wait i missed it! When Temi got hurt! And what's the injury to keep her out that long

[@profantalk]

Just says "ankle injury"

[@fry5family]

That was a good analysis. The Fever is taking hits on both sides of the ball. They can't seem to stop good shooters on defense and they almost never get second chance offensive rebounds. It is the classic scenario for your opposition to get runs and light up the scoreboard quickly. IMO Clark needs to drive into the paint and take more shots than pass. Her passes are resulting in missed perimeter shots by teammates. What is causing all the misses on open looks and layups?

[@profantalk]

Missed shots are going to happen, regardless of how good of shooters you have. Last night, Jewell Lloyd was "on fire" and Seattle was killing it shooting 56% as a team and more specifically was 8 for 13 in that 3rd quarter.

[@cherylsmith3291]

I like your insights

[@profantalk]

Appreciated

[@kenswift12345]

Get AB involved and need to get so: defense. I love CC but they going to get smoked by the Sky because the Sky is scrappy on D

[@profantalk]

Agreed

[@mrbodawg]

The coach is to enamored with the "culture" of the team. Nobody is buying into it. She need to pick players that understand Clark is the dominant player and then support that. To many on the team are ball hogs. Mitchell will bring the ball down the entire court, pass to no one, shoot, miss and walk back to defend. She has one rebound a game. She supports no one but herself. How's that "culture" working for ya? The Fever would be better cutting her and picking up someone that understands what her role is. Boston has always played in the paint. Asking her to do something else is becoming painful. I hope she can finally "get it" but I don't have my hopes up. The underlying problem is the lack of skill the coach has to put together a team around Clark and have a team that supports Clark and each other. She and her staff also lack the skills necessary to teach new skills. Speed and technique will help Clark and the others to get cleaner looks and a better Defense. Right now they have neither. They need to start at the top and work down.

[@shawnwilt7196]

Her teammates are ready for the passes, man. if it its your hands, which they ALL did, then the teammates should be catching them. Seriously, if they can't catch a basketball thrown to them, that's on them, not her. A few of her own teammates are sandbagging their own team. All you gotta do is watch how they play.

[@profantalk]

I've watched every game. The rule is, if it touches your hands you're supposed to catch it.

[@lyndim6926]

They need a new coach and GM. Both Sides and Lin Dunn are ruining a team because they both don't know how to do there jobs!!!!! Also the players need to stop being jealous of others and just play basketball like they can.

[@Max-kn9yi]

Ive been saying thier front 3 stink. But dont know alot about basketball

[@BenjWarrant]

Can't see Fever winning against anyone unless LeBron stops in to play a few games for them.

[@profantalk]

If they get better at scoring in the paint they will win some games.

[@wendy8739]

Skylar is aa quick as Kelsey

[@profantalk]

Agreed. So is Plumb, Arike, Lloyd and others. My point is she is in the conversation as ONE of the quickest.

[@josewilliedediosi]

CC 22 solid 🏀🤘💪❤️

[@lorifortier190]

you're wrong

[@profantalk]

About?

[@alphasports3743]

The fever is worst with CC than they were with with AB last season and why is that? The Fever record was 3-6 in 2023 after their first 9 games. They were building an identity, the curse for having the #1 overall pick again is that identity might have to change. Drafting CC means they are no longer dependent on their Biggs play but guard play. The defensive rating was 2nd to last in 2023 but instead of drafting a need they drafted the best player available as I would say an EYE-CANDY and player who will put people in the seats. So far the Fever is ranked last on defense. They have to remake themselves.

[@profantalk]

We'll agree to disagree. I will go back and watch the tapes. IMO Boston HAS NOT been good down low and I thought it was a mistake limiting Nalyssa Smith. Boston is a bigger body but Nalyssa Smith is way more athletic.

[@ronsmac]

I’m sorry but they can’t win games. Defensively they can’t stop anyone. You can’t have Clark and Mitchell out there together defensively when you don’t have a rim protector once they invariably get beat.

[@profantalk]

They've had games when they make stops. IMO it's points in the paint that's killing them.

[@dandydon6049]

They’re hopeless 👎🏻

[@goodjobb24]

How are you a good passer avg more than 3 turnovers a game? This was a problem in college. She shouldn't play pg. Shes in over her head.

[@profantalk]

I wouldn't say she's over her head but I do agree that Kelsey Mitchell should run the PG. She's a better ball handler than CC and more explosive off the dribble.

[@windi6]

She was the points and Assist holder in collage… she has always average 5 turnovers. Not uncommon with other assist leaders

[@windi6]

@@profantalk please show me the number of times Mitchell has had an assist or throw to Clark. Yes Mitchell is a better handler but plays to much “me” ball

[@goodjobb24]

@@windi6 it's uncommon with winners/ champions but not record holders .

[@windi6]

The top assist leader average per game with the least turnovers is Jackie Young. 8.2 AST and 1.6 TO. Caitlin is 4th with 6.6AST 5.7TO. Caitlin has the most total assists but has the most games currently. She also has most turnovers but she is slowly adjusting with the 5.7 per. As a Rookie against Vets