The Fever might just bring in Lisa Bluder to rescue Caitlin Clark from Christie Sides’ influence!

In this video, we’re diving into some intriguing coaching dynamics surrounding the Indiana Fever and their star player Caitlyn Clark. If you enjoy the content, please subscribe to the channel and give the video a like.

After my last video on Lisa Bluder’s retirement, someone commented that Bluder might eventually take over the Indiana Fever and coach Caitlyn Clark. I initially dismissed this because it’s rare for a college coach to move to the WNBA—it’s usually the other way around, like when Nikki Collen left Atlanta to coach at Baylor. However, with Bluder retiring at 63 and current Fever coach Christy Sides making questionable comments about Clark, I’m starting to reconsider.

In a recent press conference, Sides critiqued Clark, saying she has bad habits from college, like dancing around without cutting or picking off the ball after passing. Sides emphasized that Clark needs to take more long two-pointers, a comment that seems out of touch with modern basketball analytics.

When asked about Clark’s shot selection, Sides said, “I think she’s used to some shots that she’s taken in the last few years that are just those deep shots… we’ve got to get her comfortable taking that long two.” She also mentioned giving Clark a rule to make a decision within 0.5 seconds of passing the ball and criticized her for taking certain transition threes.

This kind of public critique is problematic. It reminds me of the famous Jim Mora “playoffs” rant after a Colts game, where he criticized his star player, Peyton Manning, leading to his eventual firing. Sides’ comments about Clark could similarly undermine the relationship with her star player.

Clark, a generational talent, is crucial for the Fever’s success and marketability. Even if she struggles initially, she represents a significant revenue opportunity. Therefore, the coach should support and promote her, not publicly criticize her.

Sides’ approach contrasts sharply with what might be expected from Bluder, who maximized Clark’s potential at Iowa. Bluder’s system allowed Clark to excel, much like the Houston Rockets did with James Harden, focusing on their star player’s strengths.

If Sides continues with her current coaching style, emphasizing long twos and publicly criticizing Clark, her tenure might be short-lived. Bluder, with her success in developing Clark at Iowa, could be a prime candidate to replace Sides and continue nurturing Clark’s talent in the WNBA.

In summary, the situation with Christy Sides and Caitlyn Clark is precarious. Sides’ current coaching philosophy and public criticisms could backfire, potentially paving the way for Lisa Bluder to step in as the new head coach of the Indiana Fever, leveraging her proven ability to maximize Clark’s performance.

Thanks for watching! If you found this interesting, don’t forget to subscribe and give the video a like. Have a good night!