{"id":2330097,"date":"2024-08-23T14:49:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T18:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/its-official-caitlin-clarks-critics-no-longer-have-a-leg-to-stand-on\/"},"modified":"2024-08-23T14:56:16","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T18:56:16","slug":"its-official-caitlin-clarks-critics-no-longer-have-a-leg-to-stand-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/its-official-caitlin-clarks-critics-no-longer-have-a-leg-to-stand-on\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s Official: Caitlin Clark&#8217;s Critics No Longer Have a Leg to Stand on"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fits-official-caitlin-clarks-critics-no-longer-have-a-leg-to-stand-on%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2330097&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Caitlin Clark,\u2063 the No. 1 draft\u200b pick entering\u2063 the WNBA\u2062 from Iowa, has had a remarkable rookie season that has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tim-tebow-retiring-from-professional-baseball-i-feel-called-in-other-directions\/\" title=\"Tim Tebow Retiring From Professional Baseball: \u2018I Feel Called In Other Directions\u2019\">exceeded expectations<\/a>.\u200b Initially, she faced \u200cchallenges adapting to the professional\u200b level and struggled with turnovers \u200das the Indiana Fever started the season poorly, losing eight of their first nine \u2062games. However, after \u2062adjustments to practice \u200broutines and strategies during \u2062the Olympic break, Clark&#8217;s performance improved significantly. She developed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amber-heard-tells-jurors-people-want-to-kill-my-baby-in-the-microwave\/\" title=\"Amber Heard Tells Jurors: \u201cPeople Want to Kill My Baby in the Microwave\u201d\">strong chemistry<\/a> with her teammates, particularly Kelsey Mitchell, enhancing their gameplay. Since the rough start, Indiana has rebounded to a solid 12-7 record, securing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/antonio-brown-could-earn-1-million-in-incentives-after-returning-from-fake-vax-card-suspension\/\" title=\"Antonio Brown Could Earn  Million in Incentives After Returning from Fake Vax Card Suspension\">playoff position<\/a>. Clark&#8217;s ability to anticipate plays has led to\u2062 her setting assists records, showcasing her growth\u200c as both a player and a leader on the court.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section>\n<p>Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA amid a myriad of questions about how she would handle the transition to pro basketball.<\/p>\n<p>Three months into her professional career, the answer seems clear: Better than expected.<\/p>\n<p>It may have taken a little longer than Clark or the Indiana Fever would have liked, but she is having a record-setting rookie season and crafting a new image along the way.<\/p>\n<p>The No. 1 draft pick entered the league out of Iowa known for her record-breaking NCAA scoring &mdash; and particularly those long 3-pointers. Now, she has assists records.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always been able to see something happen before it happens,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/caitlin-clark-shines-wnba-pre-season-debut-front-sold-crowd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clark<\/a> said recently after the Fever defeated Phoenix and completed their first season sweep of any team since 2020. &ldquo;I think (Kelsey Mitchell) can tell (now) when I want her to go back door, when I want her to cut off the ball or anything like that. It&rsquo;s that chemistry you get when you&rsquo;re used to playing with one another.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s taken time, but I think we&rsquo;re really starting to get it down.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Anyone who has watched &mdash; and yes, millions of fans are continuing to tune in &mdash; can see the difference.<\/p>\n<p>After stumbling out of the gate &mdash; the Fever opened this season with nine games in 16 days, losing eight of them with Clark scrambling to learn the playbook and how to fit in. Her turnovers outnumbered her assists. And there were more questions than answers as frustration appeared to creep into the mix.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, Indiana has rebounded by going 12-7, solidifying its playoff position. And all the angst has been replaced by smiles and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-asst-coach-stripper-ex-girlfriend-sued-for-pet-monkey-bite-on-childs-hand\/\" title=\"Texas Asst. Coach, Stripper Ex-Girlfriend Sued for Pet Monkey Bite on Child&#039;s Hand\">high fives<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A compressed schedule between the end of Clark&rsquo;s college season and the start of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/caitlin-clark-smashes-wnba-record-gets-whistled-one-worst-technical-fouls-ever-big-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WNBA<\/a> season did not give Indiana much time to practice &mdash; or for the players to learn one another&rsquo;s nuances. So during the month-long Olympic break, coach Christie Sides changed the practice routine and challenged Clark.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There were a lot of times during drills where they were running certain offenses and I would tell (Clark), and only her, so she would have to tell the players what we&rsquo;re running or where to go,&rdquo; Sides said. &ldquo;I would throw some things out there, some sets we <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leaked-private-call-reveals-biden-questioning-trump-about-turning-his-head-during-assassination-attempt\/\" title=\"Leaked private call reveals Biden questioning Trump about turning his head during assassination attempt\">hadn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t run so she had to think it through and put people in the right position.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Clark has responded and her teammates seem to be taking the cue, too.<\/p>\n<p>In their first two games since the break, Indiana looked impressive in wins against Phoenix and Seattle. The Fever outscored the Storm 33-17 over the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Mitchell is 11 of 21 on 3s and has 55 points since the restart while Lexi Hull had a season-high 22 points and went 6 of 7 on 3s in her last game. Forward Aliyah Boston, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, also had nine assists against the Storm after outplaying Olympic gold medalist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-brittney-griner-misses-second-game-row\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brittney Griner<\/a> last Friday. Indiana plays at Minnesota on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You have to adjust,&rdquo; Mitchell said, describing the learning process with Clark. &ldquo;She had to transition as a pro, and we had to give her what she needs, be a resource and fill those gaps in. She&rsquo;s one of those players where her (basketball) IQ is going to take us a lot of places, so you&rsquo;ve got to figure out where you fit in, knowing how to read and adjust off of her.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s just been developing the chemistry with my teammates where they can see it and be on the same page,&rdquo; Clark said of the turnaround. &ldquo;Now you see people cutting in fast breaks or Kelsey making a backdoor cut. It&rsquo;s having that chemistry that&rsquo;s unspoken, like I&rsquo;m not telling them to do that, but they can just kind of read my eyes and understand.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Caitlin Clark joined the WNBA with many uncertainties surrounding her ability to adapt to professional basketball. Now, three months into her career, it\u2019s evident that she is performing even better than anticipated. Although it took some time for both Clark and the Indiana Fever to find their rhythm, she is enjoying a record-breaking rookie season and establishing a new reputation in the league. The top draft pick from Iowa was initially recognized for her remarkable NCAA scoring achievements, especially her long-range shooting. However, she has now also set records for assists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always been able to anticipate plays before they happen,\u201d Clark remarked after the Fever&#8217;s recent victory over Phoenix, which marked their first season sweep of any team since 2020. \u201cI think Kelsey Mitchell can now sense when I want her to make a backdoor cut or move off the ball; that\u2019s the chemistry you develop through playing together.\u201d She acknowledged that while it has taken time, they are starting to gel as a team.<\/p>\n<p>Viewers have noticed this improvement\u2014millions continue tuning in. After a rocky start where Indiana lost eight out of nine games in just 16 days while Clark adjusted to the playbook and team dynamics (with more turnovers than assists), things have turned around significantly with a record of 12-7 since then, securing their playoff spot and replacing earlier frustrations with joy.<\/p>\n<p>The tight schedule between Clark&#8217;s college season ending and WNBA training beginning left little room for practice or player bonding. During an Olympic break lasting about a month, coach Christie Sides revamped practice routines and pushed Clark by having her lead certain drills: \u201cI would give specific instructions only to Caitlin so she could direct others on what we were running,\u201d Sides explained.<\/p>\n<p>Clark has risen to this challenge alongside teammates who are also stepping up; in their first two games post-break against Phoenix and Seattle, they showcased impressive performances\u2014outscoring Seattle 33-17 in the last ten minutes alone. Mitchell has excelled with 55 points since returning from break while Lexi Hull scored a personal best of 22 points recently.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have to adapt,\u201d Mitchell said regarding working alongside Clark during this learning phase. \u201cShe had her own transition as a pro while we needed to support her by filling gaps.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Clark emphasized that building chemistry with teammates is crucial: \u201cNow you see players making quick cuts or Kelsey executing backdoor moves without me needing verbal cues; it&#8217;s like they can read my intentions just by looking at me.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2330098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1037ee43c10b49a8a8f85f342475da48-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[39109,32078,39110,39107,39108],"class_list":["post-2330097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-athlete-performance","tag-caitlin-clark","tag-sports-analysis","tag-sports-critics","tag-womens-basketball"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1037ee43c10b49a8a8f85f342475da48-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2330097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330097\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2330098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2330097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2330097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2330097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}