Indiana Fever Need to Convert Caitlin Clark Passes Into Assists
Caitlin Clark set an Indiana Fever franchise record with 13 assists in the team's loss to the Chicago Sky. However, she could have threatened the mark for the WNBA as whole set by Courtney Vandersloot, who had 18 for the Sky, appropriately enough in a game against the Fever back in 2020. That is if her teammates converted some of her absurd dishes into assists.
Caitlin Clark with 7 ast at half. Crazy to think how many she'd have if her teammates could finish. These are just from the last few mins: pic.twitter.com/jHa9umEOkd
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) June 23, 2024
Clark had at least four possible assists not finished, just at the end of the first half alone. That's not to say she is without flaw and the rest of the Fever need to be perfect, but there were definitely points left off the board by Indiana.
Caitlin Clark’s teammates can’t catch this is why she leads the WNBA in turnovers 💀 pic.twitter.com/8S656dzk9d
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 23, 2024
For all the comparisons to Steph Curry, in many ways Clark is more Steve Nash, pushing the ball up the floor and keeping her dribble alive in the lane. She and Aliyah Boston have formed a spectacular pick and roll connection as a result, with Aliyah playing the role once occupied by Amare Stoudemire. Once the rest of the roster figures out how to play off CC, the Fever could hit another gear.
Caitlin Clark set the franchise record for most assists in a single game (13) with this dime to Aliyah Boston 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kdSlMqwZ03
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 23, 2024
While it is true Caitlin will need to learn to pick her spots when it comes to looking for her own shot versus trusting her teammates, the team needs to make the most of the star rookie's playmaking ability. The looming return of Temi Fagbenle should help in that department. Fagbenle has been out for several weeks with a foot injury, but prior to going down she and Clark had established a strong rapport. In large part due to Temi's talent for running the floor and catching the ball in transition.
Temi Fagbenle on the full-court pass connection with Caitlin Clark: “I’ve only had a few of those kind of point guards, who just know, sees the play before it’s happened… regular point guards I’m like they didn’t see it… but Caitlin saw that!”
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) May 27, 2024
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/9KEYxlNlIT
Fagbenle had previously credited Clark for seeing plays before they happen, the team as whole now needs to make those plays happen in order to assist Caitlin.
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!