Caitlin Clark has solely performed 10 video games within the WNBA, however she’s already well-versed in how rather more bodily the professional sport is than school. Clark has been on the receiving finish of a number of onerous fouls to begin her rookie season, and it occurred once more in Saturday’s Indiana Fever win over the Chicago Sky, setting off one other dialog about her ‘remedy’ within the league.
On the finish of the third quarter, Sky guard Chennedy Carter knocked Clark to the bottom earlier than she obtained an in-bounds move. Carter was solely referred to as for a typical foul. It seems to be like a reckless and intentional play with Clark standing 92-feet from the basket. Watch the total sequence right here:
Carter has at all times been a fiery participant. Again when she was with the Atlanta Dream in 2021, she was suspended by the group for apparently attempting to combat teammate Courtney Williams. The Sky and Fever had been locked in a heated sport, and there was quite a lot of smack speak on each side. Carter misplaced her cool and will have been whistled for a flagrant foul, however it’s additionally not completely outdoors of the norm of what different gamers have handled within the WNBA. As a result of it’s Caitlin Clark, it will get a lot extra consideration.
The second solely received larger due to the response after the sport. Clark stated: “It wasn’t a basketball play.”
Carter refused to reply questions on Clark after the sport:
Chennedy Carter on the sequence with Caitlin Clark within the third quarter: “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions.”
Full clip: pic.twitter.com/4bRnyXgPjV
— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) June 1, 2024
There’s little doubt that opposing groups need to be bodily with Clark at first of her rookie season. Sure pundits have asserted that it’s because gamers across the league are jealous of the numerous media protection and endorsement cash Clark will get. In actuality, groups are being bodily with Clark as a result of that’s only a good basketball technique and likewise in all probability as a result of she talks quite a lot of trash.
Clark is 22 years outdated, and goes to want so as to add muscle to her body over time to play by means of contact. Groups are attempting to put on her down by hitting her on drives and with screens, and she or he must play by means of that. Carter’s low-cost shot clearly goes past a typical play, however speaks extra to the second level. Clark talks quite a lot of trash on the courtroom, and she or he performs a bodily sport in her personal proper. Right here’s Clark needling Carter earlier than the foul.
Here is an prolonged have a look at the Caitlin Clark – Chennedy Carter incident, there was extra to it than the shoulder verify and Clark was clearly speaking to her on the way in which again up the ground from the prior basket by Indiana pic.twitter.com/1XG1RyzTw4
— CJ Fogler account might or might not be notable (@cjzero) June 1, 2024
Clark has introduced among the further physicality she’s seeing on herself as a result of she’s a fiery competitor in her personal proper. Angel Reese has additionally handled this to this point in her rookie season.
Carter’s foul was removed from the primary time Clark took an enormous bump. She additionally received hit onerous within the head a number of video games in the past by Seattle Storm heart Ezi Magbegor.
WNBA refs traditionally don’t give out quite a lot of flagrant fouls. Whereas they don’t must “defend” Clark greater than another participant, they need to be extra keen at hand out flagrant fouls when it’s applicable. Carter’s foul is one instance.
To her credit score, Clark has dealt with the added physicality of the WNBA properly to this point each in her feedback and her play. The Fever are solely 2-8 general after the win over Chicago, however it’s a younger group nonetheless studying to play collectively. Clark is having a strong rookie season — 17 factors, 6.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds per sport — even when she’s struggling along with her scoring effectivity. She was by no means going to be the very best participant within the league as a rookie, however she’s nonetheless performing fairly properly regardless of the large expectations.
Enjoying by means of physicality is simply a part of the transition to the professionals for Clark. It isn’t going to cease anytime quickly.
