Caitlin Clark has encountered a big, mixed bag of opinions this week on her performance and conduct on the court. While several analysts took a dig at her for her animated reaction to the Indiana Fever coach, Stephanie White, others supported the superstar guard during her difficult phase. Decorated college head coach and former national champion, Cori Close, backed the young star.
Clark had a decent game after a dismal offensive performance against the Portland Fire. She scored 17 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in the game, but her woes from deep are still ongoing. She shot 6-17 from the field, including 2-8 from deep.
The UCLA head coach featured on Women’s Sports Now on ESPN, where she highlighted Clark’s positive traits and stated that she was still far from being mature as a player.
Referring to how legendary Kobe Bryant tackled his difficult phase, Close said:
“When you look at Kobe and the Mamba mentality, that came with maturity, that came with experience, that came with ‘okay I’m gonna fail, but I’m gonna learn to fail forward.’ I think we need to understand that she’s got an unbelievable superpower. I coached Caitlin Clark for two summers in USA Basketball. She has got her confidence, it’s incredible. And her ability to take something on her back, to seize a moment, is unlike many things we’ve ever seen.”
Clark is surely going through a difficult phase with her defense, and it has impacted her offense as well. Teams are trying to pick her 1v1 on defense to exploit her and wear her down. Fans will hope that Steph and Clark soon find a solution to her woes before the more important part of the season approaches.
“A lot of self-reflection for everybody,” Caitlin Clark summarises a difficult week
Caitlin Clark was relieved after the Fever won the last game after back-to-back losses. In the post-media session, she highlighted how she felt after a difficult week, with her altercation with HC Stephanie White and media attention. She said:
“I think a lot of self-reflection for everybody. Like, you look at yourself in the mirror, and you find ways to get better. That’s certainly what I did. We can’t get too high. We have New York on Saturday, or whatever day that is. I don’t care about that. For us, it’s gonna take a day at a time.”
Caitlin Clark hopes to address all her woes as soon as possible, as the franchise looks towards a title-contending run this season. Several analysts and other sports personalities have talked highly of her and her abilities to coach a superstar like Clark.
READ MORE: Teaira McCowan Reveals What Makes Olivia Miles Different From Most Young Point Guards
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
