What Makes Caitlin Clark So Good?

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Coach Nick went deep into the footage to explain what makes Caitlin Clark so good in the WNBA - and it's not her shooting off the dribble from downtown.
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ABOUT BBALLBREAKDOWN
BBallBreakdown is devoted to deep-dive analysis of NBA basketball gameplay. If you're a coach or a player, check out the MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP - filled with an ever growing library of on court demos designed to help you improve your play and your coaching! Giving fans a taste of a pro coach's film session, host Coach Nick breaks down fundamentals, play calling, offense, defense, shooting form, officiating, and everything else basketball. In addition, see exclusive interviews with NBA players and coaches, from active super stars to retired legends.

[@bballbreakdown]

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[@meekmeads]

Chinese spyware, no thanks.

[@rolandorobles6375]

Beautiful game. I coach HS girls basketball and I will say the skill level has been on a steady incline over the past 5 years. The game is growing so much and I love how young girls can keep pushing the threshold of what can be possible!

[@bballbreakdown]

Great to hear. The thing is: more and more coaches need to better understand how she’s doing this so they can teach it

[@jennifersmith7897]

It is becoming fun to watch because for a long time, the women's game seemed so awkward. However, the skill level has improved. I didn't watch the WNBA for some time, but I am now. The quality of the overall talent is obvious. It is fun to watch now. The women's game rules summer, and hopefully longer soon.

[@S-TierIguess]

More of them are developing their guard skills no matter the size now. More pace and space will provide more opportunities for beautiful passing to open 3’s and layups which is way more entertaining than post play

[@CoachVicTheLandInvestor]

i also coach HS girls basketball, and I agree...but the covid years had a bigger impact on the ladies than it did for the boys. They had 2 seasons taken from them while the guys just 1. Anyway, after covid lock downs, it took a while for the ladies to get back up to speed, but things are progressing nicely now.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

I think if we get more players like Caitlin Clark in the WNBA, more young girls will follow in her footsteps and try and emulate her game and her play. We saw the rise of the quick threepoint threats after Curry became popular. Lots of current NBA players are inspired by great (former) players. It might have taken a bit of time, but as the talent level for the WNBA increases, so will the enthousiasm with the younger girls, who will evolve and grow up and play themselves. We've seen this with the NBA and given enough time, the same can happen for the WNBA.

[@mrreonkadena]

Among all the videos that blah blah blah and waste viewer's time, this is the first (maybe the only) one with real analysis of strategy. Thank you for the effort.

[@jvit4245]

Some of those play show just how good Aliyah Boston is too in spacing and screens. I'm so glad her scoring has gone out of the slump and her confidence is back because that 1-2 punch with Clark is just so good.

[@theslapdash9814]

I love how Caitlyn actually plays good basketball and all the other players are saying she’s not that good… I think she may be raising the bar for the league in terms of play and they’re scared of that…

[@AndrewEvenstar]

Facts

[@BagavanSmokey]

She has good fundamentals. Alot of WNBA players lack that.

[@PAWGmoth]

@@BagavanSmokey she has modern fundamentals. (curry-esc). the wnba has reminded me of mid 2000s ball for a while. She has all the modern day fundamentals down. Shooting from 30+ feet so they can never go under a screen, excellent footwork while running through off-ball screens, always flaring or cutting with the right read, and she has really creative off-ball movement utilizing screens. It's been so cool to watch how fast womens ball evolves and progresses, due to the internet, the nba, and just how many skills there are that you can learn as a little kid that you'd never know about 30 years ago

[@nomercyinc6783]

since its existence. wnba play looks like fucking teenagers trying to play basketball. its pathetic. womens basketball is fucking pathetic. sports arent enhanced by women at all

[@1flash3571]

@@BagavanSmokey Angel Reese....(Cough)(Cough)

[@erikkdane8485]

Clark is absolutely phenomenal on every level. Her game has translated extremely well to the WNBA. By the end of the season she should win ROTY, make the WNBA All Rookie team, & make the All WNBA 1st team too.

[@berniekitts1786]

Geno couldn't have been more out of touch. Damn, that skinny college player is torching the Pros. Pride cometh before a fall.

[@Kidkinsey]

Caitlin Clarks passing is SOOO fun to watch, of course I love when she bombs 3s but those dimes are amazing If the fever make the playoffs and play the liberty, Sabrina ionescu vs caitlin clark will be a movie

[@pinobluevogel6458]

I think it is a little unfair to compare them now, as Caitlin clearly needs more development. Although watching Sabrina's in-game threepoint percentage doesn't reflect how well she shot in that 3 point contest with Steph at all. If this is the WNBA top 3 point shooter, why is her in game average this low?

[@wemakecookie]

⁠@@pinobluevogel6458Looking at Sabrina's stats, she shot an absurd 45% from three last year on high volume. This year it is down to 35% on the same volume. I'm not sure why her 3 point percent varies that much year to year. You rarely see that big of a variation on high volume.

[@GrandmasterZen]

It's the highlights for me, no other WNBA player has soo many beautiful plays worth watching.

[@huckleberryharrison6248]

And it's all on the court. She is absent from social media's approach to her stardom, which is making drama. CC is here to ball. That is why her game is the future, and backing her matters to woman's sports.

[@GrandmasterZen]

​@@huckleberryharrison6248I like the fact shes a true pro off the court too, she shows great humility and self awareness. Something the league severely lacks.

[@malachistewart2947]

Diana turasi arike ogunbowale aja Wilson Maya Moore all have comparable highlights don't act there aren't better players.

[@S-TierIguess]

@@malachistewart2947maya Moore till this day is my favorite wnba player ever idk how she stack against the rest but whenever I saw her I seen a pure bucket

[@1flash3571]

@@malachistewart2947 You do realize that she is a Rookie who only played 26 games right now, riiiiiiiiight???? All those other players you mentioned ARE NOT Rookies, aaaaaaAAND They have been playing in the WNBA for multiple YEARS by now, or is retired. SHE IS A ROOKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

She had years to train her Iowa teammates, so it's impressive what she's been able to do in just half a season with Indiana. And if other teams start looking for the pass she should have more clear paths to the basket for herself. It's a Choose your poison situation for defenders.

[@ronmartinelli5772]

Caitlin's IQ is off the Chain!

[@instantlife]

She has been playing non stop since the start of her last year of college. If she can spend the off season improving her shooting % with a shot coach,, she could be in the picture for mvp next year.

[@CharlieBrown-qd8vc]

Nice to see an unbiased breakdown of Caitlin's skills and playstyle. 👍

[@scattau41]

She’s her

[@babyitsnatural]

You're you

[@mileshall9235]

​@@babyitsnatural I'm me.

[@rockysalvatore435]

We are family​@@mileshall9235

[@allrise3056]

“The Long-Awaited One”. 🎉

[@flipsolo]

Hell yeah! I was waiting for Coach Nick to a deep dive on WNBA! Did not disappoint.

[@ronmartinelli5772]

Magic Johnson baby.... For sure Triple double threat every game

[@S-TierIguess]

More like Steph if mark jackson got the chance to coach him longer

[@stephengrinkley9889]

I agree. She's a mirror image of Magic in so many ways.

[@wemakecookie]

Magic Johnson with Curry range from three.

[@rockysalvatore435]

​@@S-TierIguessno

[@rockysalvatore435]

​@@stephengrinkley9889no

[@stephengrinkley9889]

Caitlyn Clark vision, anticipation and ability to process movement quickly is like something of an elite NFL quarterback. I have never seen many NBA players morless WNBA players with the ability to throw a player open like she does.

[@tatumwebb1543]

Tyrese Haliburton...same kind of elite court sight when he runs the point. Also leads the NBA in assists, like Caitlin leads in the WNBA. Haliburton moved the defense that way too. If you watch his analytic breakdown from last season, it should look similar. The difference is, Caitlin is just beginning...and Haliburton has had a couple of seasons in that role under his belt.

[@johnny5735]

CC is manipulating these defenders with her eyes and mind like a QB, its extremely impressive.

[@stephengrinkley9889]

Exactly

[@ab-15188]

Her play style resembles of Steve Nash. A perimeter player and a passer!

[@rupertgordonii6623]

Beautiful comparison

[@kennethsmith6367]

She’s a much better rebounder. The actual comp is Bird.

[@stephengrinkley9889]

I hope they fire Christy Sides and get Steve Nash as her coach.

[@jaylucas8352]

Nash/ Curry/ Stockton/Kidd combo

[@stephengrinkley9889]

@@kennethsmith6367 or Magic

[@shibity]

She's ROTY without a doubt. It's not even close.

[@johnreesekl6249]

What do you mean? it's over. You're not impressed by Angel Reese rebounding all her missed layups? =P lol

[@saberplaytop]

​@@johnreesekl6249ahahaha Angel reese is a joke. Watching her play is like watching a toddler bumble around

[@jaylucas8352]

Closer to MVp now

[@luckygardeniasdashboardcon9214]

Great video i learned a lot thank you for highlighting Caitlin and her generational talent 🏀Caitlin is so exciting to watch!

[@bballbreakdown]

Thx so much!

[@kidbokia1317]

She reminds me of Steve Nash.

[@yoda112358]

People keep comparing her to Steph Curry because of her shooting but it really does seem like Steve Nash is the better NBA comp--excellent shooter whose #1 skill was still playmaking.

[@jaylucas8352]

When her shot comes back w some rest the curry comp will return

[@rockysalvatore435]

​@jaylucas8352 she's better

[@Dear_9000]

And they say the ROTY is close... XD

[@jaylucas8352]

That’s a complete joke

[@tigerhoods7927]

lol she’s not even leading the race

[@thevoid99]

she's on another level that no one. not even those in the NBA right now can reach. yet, this is only the beginning. she is putting asses on the seat. i haven't felt something like this since the days of michael jordan. if they can get another player like that to rival clark. oh... the WNBA is going to be on fire! this could be the beginning of a golden age for women's basketball. NBA in the 1980s and 1990s was unlike anything as going to see the hawks back in the 1980s during the days of dominique wilkins were great times for me as a kid. my dad LOVED that team and we were lucky if we got to see them play the celtics or the lakers back then. this could be a great thing for every little girl out there as well as parents getting to see something beautiful.

[@EmeldaSanchez-fp3dh]

She's a starter on the all starter on the all star team as a rookie now that's impressive

[@jaylucas8352]

Clear leader..floor general. . No question.

[@JS-nk4tn]

Great analysis! I could watch CC's highlights all day long, but your breakdown put me in awe!

[@michaelhiggins2562]

Love Clark. Exciting! Fun to watch.

[@henrybustos6974]

That bounce pass at 2:55 looks like it went between the defenders legs. I thought it did watching it live. But super slow motion it’s still hard to tell from that angle. Either way 1 sick nasty, no respect for the defense pass, I love it!

[@anthonynorman7545]

A thing I've always like about watching women's basketball is how the difference in verticality changes the angles of passes and defense.

[@lllllliiillllll]

It’s always worse lmao

[@jaylucas8352]

@@lllllliiillllll men’s gotten boring. All iso and 3 pointers now. Yawn

[@berniekitts1786]

You mean Women don't dunk? It's bound to happen. Clark will master the alley- oop too.

[@pleiku887]

Two things: 1, she has basketball BRAIN. 2, she has put in hundreds and hundreds of hours of hard work. Not just putting in time, chatting with your friends, seeing who is calling you on your phone.

[@jaylucas8352]

She has instincts from playing and watching a lot of the game and soccer too. That’s a 90 min game w no timeouts.

[@victorforeman7056]

The great Magic Johnson had the same in his 1st nba season as well

[@thevoid99]

exactly. that's why magic was so special back then.

[@stephengrinkley9889]

Her game reminds me so much of Magic and that Showtime Lakers

[@Richxwolf]

I love the good music bro 🫡🫡🫡

[@Jellysfrickingstuff]

Once she gets the turnovers down a little and tightens up the handle a little more, she’s gonna be one of her most efficient play makers of all time I think. The offensive opportunities she creates kinda rivals Steph in my opinion

[@cola7ups823]

She will get them down, when she gets a good coach, who can surround her with real BB players who can catch passes and finish off the points.

[@samuel_heinz2649]

If you total them she should likely have 1-2 less turnovers per game. As well as 3-4 more assists per game. If you watch, you won't believe your eyes at some of the bricks her teammates put up and missed layups off of perfect dimes. She's being handcuffed by what she is surrounded with. The reason her assists are so up is because they faceguard her from halfcourt and the whole defense gravitates towards her.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Yea her handle and footwork needs to improve and more consistancy in her shot and she's a winner for sure. I shouldn't be the one saying this, as my handle is garbage and mostly onehanded, but I'm not playing in the best paid women's league of the world. It is still easy for an invested NBA fan to see what the flaws in her game are. We should celebrate her strengths though, she is a really capable passer and decisionmaker, not to mention a real shooting threat, especially if she keeps developing that.

[@Smido83]

I know most americans compare her to Steph... but her game is actually way more like Luka's. Yes, she takes even more 3's then Luka, same as Steph.. But playmaking, vision, how she attacks the paint, P&R navigation... thats more like Luka.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@Smido83 I'm missing the physicality, the subtle leaning in, the full stop after motion, the ridiculous misdirection and completely fooling the best NBA defense ever. Yes, I'm even missing the incessant yapping against the referees. Luka is a one of a kind person and nobody really looks like him on the court. I understand some of her smart decisionmaking and P&R stuff is influencing you to think this way, but I have seen a ton of Luka, basically every game he ever played in the NBA and almost all his international games, I just don't see it.

[@AndrewEvenstar]

Steve Nash esque

[@pinobluevogel6458]

She fits the player type for sure. A very strong shooter that can handle the ball well and is a great playmaker. Not really close in talent level, but Nash is one of the best at both. Probably the most efficient shooter after Curry and the best 'thread the needle' passer in the game, making him one of the best offensive players ever.

[@AndrewEvenstar]

@@pinobluevogel6458 agreed 💯

[@jaylucas8352]

@@pinobluevogel6458 I watched Nash for years..he was my favorite guard. I think her skill level is actually close to Nash, remember she is a rookie.

[@ssamcobalt4956]

Great take

[@mikkozon]

CC is a beast

[@iamjesuscolon]

She really is the REAL DEAL

[@purpleiceangel]

About time you finally dropped this Coach Nick, and with the classic music too! 🤙

[@robertharper9094]

She doesn't let any of the haters coming from one group of people mess with her game! They push her around she makes more 3pointers! Her own teammates play against her she still wins the game by herself

[@jamesanderson1179]

You sound ignorant saying her teammates playing against her. He showed a ton of 3's made, but she's shooting low 30's in 3's.

[@harolddaniels7883]

The more I watch, the more I see, that Sides problem, isn't with, point production, but defense. Annnd, they just waived, an NCAA defensive "specialist", that they "drafted", for that specific purpose? Why is Sides allowed to "throw" everyone under the bus?

[@jaylucas8352]

Sides. Isn’t clever

[@brooklynadezbaby]

Great job can we get a Chicago sky breakdown. And how the the 2 draft picks in 2025 can help make the team better around Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter and Kamilla Cardoso?

[@maurcrut6879]

Beautiful Conversation!

[@thuggwaffle8825]

Reminds me of Luka a bit. Such a ridiculously gifted passer and will punish defenses for the slightest mistake. While at the same time being fully capable of carrying a team by scoring if they put too much focus on guarding her teammates. Opposing teams kinda just have to pick their poison.

[@casilatino]

I just saw Ben Daniel use your breakdown of Caitlin Clark and so I just subscribed to you.

[@johnrichards7907]

She reminds a lot of us of Bird, Magic, MJ, etc. I would like to see her 3-4 times a game post-up like MJ did. Nobody seems to stop her fade shots, so why not be closer opposite Boston to enhance her points. It would also open up some new attack angles and give her lungs a break.

[@jaylucas8352]

They blitz less because she’s made the adjustment. She doesn’t pick up her dribble anymore and if they blitz she drives straight to the paint, or they foul her, or it’s a drop off pass for a layup

[@barbaraabels2325]

Thanks for your breakdown ! I learn so much from your videos

[@bobcat409]

Great analysis

[@larrytoole1476]

What a great teammate is Clark! Who wouldn't want to play with her, all you have to do is move and Clark will find you

[@TheSnookyputz]

Great video and analysis. Thanks

[@user-ex4vs5ji6y]

Hard work playing with guys and being determined!

[@cola7ups823]

She is a phenom because she is a hardworker and has love for the game.

[@berniekitts1786]

She's smarter and very competitive. Given time Caitlin will figure out a way to win. Double her and she will find the open teammate. Sag and she will send the artillery. She is deceptively quick with ball. I love it when she intercepts and just leaves everyone behind and lays it up.

[@crazychase443]

Clark changing the whole game. you love to see it!

[@chevyyyyyyy]

Entertaining compilation and excellent analysis.

[@stealthmaru]

this is eye opening. fever actually run plays for cc. great vid

[@LSB91]

Coach Nick, please do a video on Team USA and the game against South Sudan. Lots to explore in that one!

[@alking4153]

Being smart, hard work ethic and understanding the game and having the will to put it all together.

[@nono-mu9rw]

CC is basically the indiana fever's quarterback

[@nightwing4065]

YesHer!

[@therealist2000]

Coach, please do a video on the USA vs South Sudan game, incredible!

[@davidscarlett931]

Good job young man🎉

[@jessehare2790]

That transition to the sponsor was on point, it HAS to be acknowledged by someone lol

[@Struwwel2]

If someone on the Fever besides Aliyah Boston could catch CC's passes and finish those layups, she'd have had over 20 assists against the Wings.

[@QuesterLoyola-vx5um]

Great video! ogumbawale is also her. Make a deep dive on her too!

[@user-oi3rp4tt6s]

Don’t forget that CC has 6 30ft+ shots for the season so far and the entire WNBA has a total of 8 combined. We still got 1/2 a season to go

[@pinheadlarry3992]

CC's defense may be terrible but offensively she's like if Steph Curry could facilitate an offense like CP3. Her court vision and the way she runs the pick & roll is a masterclass.

[@jaylucas8352]

Her bad defense is a myth

[@cibida1]

didn’t watch her much in Iowa aside from the tourney. besides her vision and passing ability her speed is really what makes her go. also, deceptively strong for her size. sorry for no caps i’m being lazy.

[@michaelhiggins2562]

Love Caitlin!

[@hunterhenryk]

As a John Stockton fan, I love how the mass media was hyping Clark as the female Jordan (historic scorer) and wound up having to hype the female Stockton instead.

[@bballbreakdown]

Nash/Curry!

[@4clubs232]

Can you breakdown more caitlin clark games?

[@fv_.564]

I think the turnover issue is more of chemistry as they're not expecting that someone could make tose passes, but over time it has improved a lot

[@ilrichard]

A loyal fanbase willing to ignore and dismiss all your flaws also helps. She is definitely on her way to greatness, but the current discourse is more about fandom than overall player ability ability compared to existing players.

[@richrumbaugh7235]

Her FATHER letting her PLAY with the BOYS Growing UP .......... HELP a lot with Talent to make HER SO GOOD Passing and Shooting

[@mariohostios]

Yes girl Nash. Very active hands on defense.

[@ChitoDelacruz-n6z]

Just love the CAITLIN FEVER...

[@dmytroskrypka]

We have started watching WNBA. She deserves a ROTY just for that

[@3101home]

She is such a well rounded skill player

[@sevynlayne5365]

Ok. I am soooo tired of the hate. I am a huge Angel Reese fan but when are we going to admit she is that girl. Did you not see her floating passes like Aaron Rogers? It's sad to see vets like Diana Tarusi and Sue Bird coming for her like that.

[@erix4erix]

thanks

[@rolandovasquez5542]

CC, incredible. Go CC.

[@IKnowHuh731]

Shes outsmarting all the bums, idiots, and make a wish kids in the wnba.

[@theoavg]

Finally a woman that knows basketball. This one I can watch

[@misterscottintheway]

Wtf are you for real

[@theoavg]

Yeah, I don’t like wnba because their capabilities are very limited. Either they are not dedicated enough or they are less talented than men. This lady though seems to be very well rounded and smart

[@sm00v00]

it's not how well she played ,It's her teammates able to read her plays and help her out.

[@Jjhawkk]

Hey Coach longtime fan. You should make a video on the Celtics championship. It was very interesting. How they smoked the Mavs make a championship video already. You’re not a Boston hater are you?

[@heathhall3662]

Coach - I don’t follow the WNBA and that is why I’m asking this question… What is a typical 3 pt shooting percentage in this league? You mentioned Caitlin is below average, but what is the average? Thanks!

[@stephengrinkley9889]

Like mid 30's. 34-36%. CC is currently at 32%, so slightly below average for a WNBA shooter.

[@BallinVlogs]

THE GOAT 🐐

[@ktkingster]

The ad in the middle of this video was … a choice.

[@manongb]

"Let's not forget who sparked this whole thing in the first place" - SC30

[@JSR80]

I gotta say, the WNBA might be more skilled than the Australian NBL, at least it's more entertaining. Her passes are fire! And her inbound passes remind me of Josh Giddey (if only he could shoot a 3ball).

[@bballbreakdown]

If only!! And it wouldn’t be hard to help him

[@JSR80]

@@bballbreakdown True coach. Maybe Lonzo Ball can help him reinvent his 3ball.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Please take a look at the Australian international team, Giddey shot very well in his first game. It could be a prediction of things to come in the next season. I certainly would like him to be a little better, it was awful to see him left open all the time.

[@coachlk9330]

Coach Nick, I see a travel at 6:43. What do you think ?

[@shawnmercado2219]

She looks like prime Nash with a modern shooting profile (the deep step-back wasn't considered a shot worth practicing in Nash's time)

[@Aeon2K23]

she is already the GOAT

[@daveberuh5570]

There has been no one in the history of the WNBA who has averaged 8 assists and 14 per game .. EVER let alone as a rookie.

[@raytehbum]

Some of those turnovers are actually given to the teammates, too many people saying they're all on Clark when the play-by-play says otherwise

[@isfanr]

I see so many similarities between her and Lonzo Ball. A healthy Lonzo is the most equivalent to CC, both skillset and potential.

[@user-ri5zf5po4p]

She's really good ❤❤❤❤

[@AHMAD-2324]

So when will we get the Angel Reese video?...

[@saywhat83]

Her game is so fluid, seems effortless