One game does not make a season, but last nights Fever win over Connecticut shows some VERY positive trends for the Fever. Here are some things to consider:
1- The Fever started the season a dismal 2-9 start to the season. In the Fever’s last 20 games, the Fever have gone 13-7
2- First time vs the Sun, the Fever lost 92-71, and the game was not that close. In their first three meetings, the Fever lost all of them by an average of 14 points.
3- In the first two meetings with the Liberty, the Fever lost by 102-66 and 104-68. The Fever looked so overmatched, they looked like a scrimmage between the JV team vs the Varsity team. The third meeting, the Fever won by 83-78.
4- Early in season i wondered if the Fever had made a mistake with Aliyah Boston. She looked like she was good and obviously had size. But she wasn’t rebounding with big numbers, and she could not finish inside vs size. In the first game vs the Sun several times she got her shots blocked- she could not finish vs their size. Last night there was a play where she got to basket, and leaned into the defender and powered up the ball for the score. Then you see how well she handles the short roll on ball screens with Clark. Her numbers are way up in rebounds, last night had a big night in assists too. She is showing that she can play with any of the posts in the W, she has become a real force.
5- Mitchell got a lot of early season scorn from some who felt there might be a fight for the ball between her and Clark. At some point, Clark clearly became the point guard, and Mitchell the off guard. The combination now doesn’t just work, it is one of the best in the league. Mitchell is clearly a great shooter, and seems to hit all the big shots.
6- Clark is comfortable in the Fever offense. Early in the season, it seemed as if Coach Sides took the approach, “This is the Fever offense, Clark you need to fit into it.” At some point, the Fever offense took a turn. Now it seems as if Clark has shown Coach Sides, ‘This is what I can do, create the offense to fit me.” By her always being the point guard, they run better. They work the high ball screen with Clark and Boston, who have both become great at it. Early in season, numerous times Clark turned it over on ball screens trying to float the pass over long arms. They have set up a couple sets (they need more) that are designed to set up Clark. In the last 20 games, Clark has emerged as being much more star and much less rookie.
7- Lexie Hull has made a huge difference. She seems to be so active on defense and can guard the other teams best scorers. At this point she doesn’t shut them down, but she makes them have to work hard. Offensively she takes the same energy and sprints the floor every game. It seems like she is a perfect fit for Clark who is looking up the floor. And it would seem she took advantage of the Olympic break to work on her shot- she now gives Clark two perimeter shooting options on the perimeter to look for.
8- Clark and the entire team have seemed to figure out the bizarre officiating of the WNBA, as much as anyone can. While they still get frustrated with the officiating as all WNBA player do, but they don’t lose focus, and Clark in particular knows how to get the calls much better than early in the year.
It has been fun to watch how much the Fever have grown during the season. When you have players who are smart, like to compete- they will figure out how to get better. The. Fever are not there by any means- but they are sure figuring out a lot of things.
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