Another week of the WNBA…
Looking for Frontcourt Depth- The other night when the Fever sat Boston out of the game vs the Sparks, the Fever lack of depth in the frontcourt became so obvious. It was a night for Sparks forwards to pad their stats and they did. Sadly, the Fever looked like a D3 (sorry to insult D3 schools) playing a WNBA team.
At different times this year I have thought it would be great if the Fever could find 6’2” shooter who might get some rebounds and knock down threes. Defensively rebound and offensively space the floor in the corner. With all the good European players and the quality of American college teams, surely there could be a big to try in that role.
The LV Aces just picked Justine Pissott this weekend. Pissott is 6’4” and last year shot over 40% from threes for Vanderbilt. Granted it was a blow out game, but in her first Ace game, Pissott played only 10 minutes but had 19 points on 5-6 shooting.
How can teams like the Aces be so lucky to land a player like that? Why couldn’t the Fever have a player like that land in their lap?
It is not called luck, it having staff from the GM down thru the coaches who can scout and evaluate players. The Aces took Pissott off the Fever roster. Pissott was one of the Fever player development players and they elected to let her go.
Time will tell how Pissott develops but I wish she was on the Fever roster developing.
Load Management- I recognize that maintaining the health of players is a priority. The NBA has players that they sit out regularly. The WNBA plays half the games of the NBA. There are numerous stars in the WNBA who have not missed a game.
I realize Clark has battled back issues and Boston lower leg issues, but I am puzzled by the Fever approach over the last two weeks.
Between June 27 thru July 8, the Fever played only one game. So over 11 days, they only played one game. Clark did not play in that one game, instead sat out 14 days. Boston played the one game, and then was held out the next game because it was part of a back to back games.
It is hard for me to understand holding players out to avoid “overuse” when you have played one in eleven days.
While on the topic, when Clark played, she was limited to late 16 minutes. And some of her shifts were only about two minutes. Tough to get in the flow.
Quit Experimenting- At this point in the season, let the players have a sense of their minutes, and their roles. The Fever are past the halfway mark of the season and would seem to not have a better idea about their roster than they did in week #1.
Fever the Perfect Fit But Not- There was little doubt that Indiana was a great fit for Caitlin Clark and a great fit for Indiana. I should clarify and say that Indiana fans were a geat fit for the Clark phenomenon. Smaller city, Midwest town, and great fans. Going to Indiana helped inflate both Clark and inflate the WNBA. Plus close drive for Iowa fans. Indiana fans have been great.
Maybe the second half of the season things will change, but for now Indiana management and coaches have not made for a good landing place for Clark. The Fever management and coaches have played a big role in turning a feel good story into a troubling story.
Cathy Engelbrets- The WNBA commissioner’s decision to cancel her interview with Dan Patrick showed an awareness on her part to be unable to be a leader in a time of turmoil. You can’t be an effective leader when you avoid the public.
The WNBA has joined the “big leagues” in terms of professional leagues. They need a “big league” commissioner.
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