After reflecting a statistic far from as the last season’s initial run, the Indiana Fever are back on the wrong side of the standings. They have accumulated five losses so far. With Caitlin Clark about to rejoin the roster any day from now, seems like she will have to dive head-first into correcting the errors of this season. But how can she fix something that was already broken? While her return will be a respite to the roster, can she correct the prevalent flaws in the locker room?
The Fever may have finished their last campaign with their best record since 2016, ranking 3rd offensively with a rating of 104.2, but execution wasn’t always to the Tee. They continued their tradition of ranking at the bottom in terms of their defence. So, the franchise made some massive moves, bringing in DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard. But has it been good enough to sustain the team without Clark holding up the offensive end?
On Locked on Women’s Basketball, host Chelsea Leite asked Fever beat reporter Tony East if this team was built to survive even without the 2024 ROTY’s presence. In short, it doesn’t seem like it.
“They have certainly built a team in a style that is what her strengths are,” he began. “But every player that doesn’t fit their offense perfectly that they added this free agency period, is a good defender. Or can add something on that end of the floor that could get them into transition and it just wasn’t there all the time for them.”
Bonner, Howard, Cunningham and Turner — successful defenders in the past. Plus, there was Stephanie White, known for her strength on this end of the floor, implementing her core defensive principles: activate, anticipate and be aware. So you hope that the Fever picked up their pieces; offence strong enough or not, the other end would help keep them afloat. But the ghost of the past doesn’t seem to have exactly let them off the hook.
So that’s the part I wondered if they would be able to survive more effectively than past seasons… But I wonder if their defence should be like the sixth or seventh best. They’ve been at bottom two defence every year for seven straight years. And so, if it was good enough could that be enough? And it kind of hasn’t been right, it’s been okay. But they need to be a little bit better on the defensive end,” East added.
Interestingly, with a rating of 95.2, the Fever only trail New York Liberty in defensive rating. That’s been their best since 2013 (96.8). But the execution hasn’t exactly translated into wins. Yes, their season-opener was a good statement, winning by 30+ points, but it hasn’t gotten them far in the past five games. Coach Briann January is putting in efforts to bring the team up on that front. “Bri has really challenged our group to be physical, to be up in their space,” Clark admits.
There’s certainly been an uptick for the Fever, but they need to do more. With increased physicality, something they have consistently struggled with, the team has got to push in to survive even without their star guard. For now, they have got their newest addition showing up when it matters.
Aari McDonald pushes Indiana Fever against all odds
As a free agent signed on a hardship contract, Aari McDonald absolutely lit up the Indiana Fever’s locker room when she stepped in. While the roster warmly welcomed the athlete and ensured not to pressurise her in the first game, Aari turned out to be the flame that the roster needed.
She almost immediately gelled into the locker room and stepped up to take on guard duties. Without any ifs and buts. She quickly jumped off the bench in the first game and has propelled the team into two spectacular wins so far.
So, naturally there were high expectations from the point guard as the Indiana Fever stepped on the Gateway Centre arena. Well, it is not easy going against team that boasts of athletic and power-packed players like Brittney Griner and Rhyne Howard. However, the Fever newcomer took the reins on the shoulders and rallied the team forward.
McDonald even managed to tally 9 points within 8 minutes of jumping off the bench in the first quarter. She put up a tough front against the Dream, thereby providing a much-needed momentum to the Fever. Moreover, she managed to garner a 33-33 tie entering the third quarter.
While she dished a total of 11 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists for the roster, her efforts fell flat as the team gave in to the Dream’s physicality. Will the losing streak continue as they face New York Liberty or will they give them a befitting reply for the previous game? That remains to be seen.
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