Indiana Fever created waves through the electrifying performance on Sunday. And while the team is riding the 108-44 victory wave ahead of their final showdown, one player stood out from the rest. Just when the team needed a revival during the crucial third quarter against the Brazilian national team, Caitlin Clark entered all-guns blazing. With a 36-foot score from well beyond the arc, Clark also averaged 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists in just 19 minutes.
This was all it took for the Fever forward to send the crowd into a frenzy! With nearly 14,998 spectators waiting on Clark’s return to Iowa, she didn’t just take advantage of the scenario. She absolutely ravished her opponents on the Carver-Haweye court! And amidst that house-full arena, was her father, who closely watched her daughter outshine.
So, when ESPN hoops reporter, Holly Rowe, asked Caitlin’s father, regarding what he learnt of Clark’s rookie season, dad Brent Clark was quick to respond, “Well, I think there’s a lot of room for improvement there, I think particularly in the officiating. I’ve kind of noticed a little bit of a difference, it looks like they’re really officiating the game like it should be officiated.”
Coldly calling out the WNBA referees, Brent said that the officials could make the game a better place, if they choose to stop letting the match get heated, and focus on the necessary fouls. “If you make the game more fluid, people are going to like the product even more than it is right now,” he added.
The fact that he feels that refereeing have improved during the last two preseasons, shows a positive outlook for the family who has always had issues with the refs. Not to forget the obvious referee issues faced by Clark in the past. The statement by Brent only cements how the entire Clark family is not fond of the manner in which referees guide the game.
On the other hand, national reporter Rachel Annamarie DeMita agrees with what Brent shared and added her two cents on the issue. She feels that the referees often let the physicality of the players translate on the curt instead of keeping a check and not letting the WNBA games get more free-flowing.
Sharing her experience during Fever’s preseason opener against Washington Mystics, Rachel pointed out on the latest episode of YouTube podcast, “The refs were missing a lot of calls in my personal opinion. They let the game get a bit too physical. And there are some fouls that you just have to be so strict on and you have to set the precedence moving forward.” Hinting at aggressive gameplay by Mystics rookies like Kiki Iriafen, Rachel mentioned that the physicality should be checked on-court. Despite putting up a tough fight against Fever’s pros, the referees should stop putting up with aggressive outrages and also refrain players from doing so.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 95-86.
Emphasising on how the whistle-blowers should maintain the decorum while protecting the integrity of the players, Rachel further said that it is referees who need to set the standards of the WNBA games. “With the women’s game, they don’t play above the rim. There’s really only like one level that they are playing at. So, there will be more plays where players are on the floor than in the men’s game,” comparing the two professional basketball associations, Rachel said.
“But at the same time, you have to protect your players. Especially with the WNBA growing as fast as it is, you have to protect your players. That should be priority number one. And priority number two should be the entertainment value of the game the physicality of the game is not a selling point in the WNBA.” Though female players like Clark are often compared to counterparts like Stephen Curry, there is a significant difference in the styles and approaches between WNBA and NBA games. And the referees should try and protect this aspect of WNBA.
Is Caitlin Clark the Stephen Curry of Women’s Basketball?
As someone looking to grab more wins and a strong overall poise on court, Stephanie White was proud of Clark’s performance on Sunday. As the former overall number one pick turned heads, grabbed eyeballs, and made just enough points to propel the Fever to a victorious run, White compared her performance with that of her NBA counterpart.
Often called the ‘Stephen Curry of Women’s Basketball’, White referred to Clark’s Golden State Warriors counterpart and said, “That’s just who she is. I mean, nobody tells Steph Curry not to take good shots, right?” This statement outlines the HC’s undying faith in their star player after her Sunday’s miraculous performance. Moreover, White has often praised Clark and her gameplay.
Even as a college-athlete, all eyes were on Clark. Remember, she scored from the very basket that made her NCAA’s all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s categories? So, it only made sense when not just Iowa natives, but even legends and stars like Maya Moore and Travis Scott wanted to watch her dominance in person.
Add in Stephen Curry, who cannot help but watch when she plays. And he is almost always reminded of himself, thanks to her release time. Maybe that is why she has been called the ‘Stephen Curry of Women’s Basketball’ so often. But does her recent preseason game determine the stance or is it too early? With players like Luka Doncic and veteran LeBron James recognizing Clark as one of the star players in the league, Steph of W or not, Caitlin is undoubtedly the one of the biggest rising stars of American basketball.
The post Walls Are Closing In on WNBA Officials as Caitlin Clark’s Father’s Stance Echoed by National Analyst’s Unapologetic Take appeared first on EssentiallySports.