Fever head coach Christie Sides might’ve ruffled some feathers with her comments explaining why Caitlin Clark should be named this season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Sides understandably campaigned for Clark after the Fever point guard made WNBA history as the first rookie to record a triple-double in the Fever’s 83-78 win against the Liberty on Saturday — but she also reignited comparisons to veteran guard Diana Taurasi.
“I’m always going to make a case for my players. First and foremost, she is the most competitive human being I’ve ever met,” Sides said when asked if she wanted to make a case for Clark’s ROTY bid. “I really compare her to Diana Taurasi.
Fever head coach Christie Sides explains why Caitlin Clark is her pick for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award after a win over the Liberty on Saturday, July 6, 2024.X
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever is presented the game ball after becoming the first rookie to score a triple double against the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 6, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.Getty Images
“She’s always looking to find ways to get better. ‘How can I help the team? What can we do?’ … But she just wants to win. She just wants to win and to me, she’s going to be my [WNBA] Rookie of the Year every day — every day.”
Although there could be a case for Clark’s game resembling Taurasi’s prowess to an extent, some have grown frustrated with the rookie versus the veteran narrative.
Taurasi, a 21-year veteran and three-time WNBA champ, faced pushback when she said that “reality was coming” for Clark — who was still playing for Iowa in the NCAA Tournament in April — when she entered the league.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) laugh during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on June 30, 2024, in Phoenix.AP
Clark, 22, and Taurasi, 42, shared a few moments on the court during their first career matchup, when the Fever beat the Mercury at Footprint Center on June 30 — dubbed the “The GOAT” vs. “The Rook.”
Sides also explained that the Fever’s chemistry and pace have evolved this season as the team improved to 9-13 over the weekend.
“She found her rhythm tonight,” Sides said of Clark. “The timing for our players is getting better every game… now that chemistry is there, that timing is there and that’s going to keep getting better.”
Clark finished with 19 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes of play in Saturday’s win against the 17-4 Liberty, who are tied with the Sun for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots a 3-pointer against the Liberty on July 6, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Clark was modest when asked about her historic night.
“Honestly, I’m just happy we won,” she said in a postgame press conference. “I take a lot of pride in being able to do a lot of different things for this team… Obviously 13 assists, that means my teammates made 13 shots off my passes, so that goes to them. But I mean, I don’t know… I don’t know what to say. It’s great, I don’t know.”
Fever forward Aliyah Boston, who was the No. 1 pick by Indiana in the 2023 WNBA Draft, chimed in with: “She’s so humble isn’t she?
Clark currently leads all WNBA rookies in points this season with 16.1 per game, and she is the rookie leader in assists, averaging 7.4 per game.
Sky rookie Angel Reese is close behind, averaging 14.1 points.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.Getty Images
Clark and Reese were the only WNBA rookies to be named to the 2024 All-Star team.
Reese — the No. 7 overall pick by the Sky in the draft — made WNBA history with a record 13th consecutive double-double in Chicago’s 84-71 loss to the Storm on Sunday.
The former college basketball rivals helped increase attendance and television ratings after Reese and LSU beat Clark and the Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Women’s National Championship game.
Their celebrity carried over to the pro level and the WNBA has seen a massive spike in attendance and ratings — so much so, that multiple teams have moved venues for games to accommodate fans.
Clark and Reese will play on the same team for the first time when the 2024 WNBA All-Star game tips off in Phoenix on July 20.
