It was 2016. The Los Angeles Sparks finally clinched that elusive championship after more than a decade. Their secret sauce? No, not just talent. It was friendship. That off-court magic between Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike was what sealed the deal. We’ve seen that time and time again…when teams click off the court, magic happens on it. So sure, the Indiana Fever have a generational star in Caitlin Clark. But you know, Stephanie White might just be sitting on an even bigger goldmine.
See, the Fever’s returning cast from last season is barely a handful—Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, Clark, and Damiris Dantas. That’s it. And their offseaosn moves were about perfect fits. DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard are defensive dynamos. Sydney Colson is the exact kind of backup PG you’d want mentoring and organizing. Then there’s Sophie Cunningham, the walking firecracker who matches Clark’s energy beat for beat.
But everyone was a little skeptical. You know, new team, barely any holdovers and doubt on the first-time chemistry. Could they actually put it together in time to chase a title? But turns out, they didn’t need time. They have been acting like long-lost friends reunited on the hardwood. The bond is already there. The culture is stronger than ever.
Somehow, ten new players and an overhauled coaching staff walked into Indiana and just clicked. National analyst Ashley Nicole Moss noticed and said it loud and clear on ‘We Need To Talk,’ this isn’t the Caitlin Clark Show. “And you built this team that has this great chemistry. They want to win coming out the gate and they support each other in every way. You see all of them on social media. They’re just really getting along in addition to having all of these threats.”
Sep 22, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) talks with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the fourth quarter during game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
This wasn’t a last-minute thing either. The groundwork started back in free agency, right after the draft, and in those early days of training camp. “You’ve got to go out of your way to build those [relationships],” Clark said. “Because when you need to hold someone accountable, it has to come from a place of respect.”
And it shows. From goofy TikToks to sideline banter, it is very much evident. Remember when mic’d-up Clark embraced her every teammate during that Iowa game? Or when Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull gladly enjoyed the internet calling them “twins?” Or those fun comments on each other’s Instagram posts?
Even vet Bonner made sure she connected early. She reached out to both Clark and Boston before even signing. “I was super excited to talk to DB,” Boston said. “We just told her how special this fanbase is.” And as Kelsey Mitchell put it, “When you respect your teammates as competitors, it makes for a better relationship.” She shared how it helped her and Clark last season.
Now, that’s what’s powering Indiana’s vibe right now as well. It even carried them to an OT win over the Mystics—without Clark. Sophie led the way and the team held strong. But the coach is still not very much impressed.
White’s still Not satisfied with Clark & Co.’s court chemistry
While off-court vibes are sky high, Coach Stephanie White isn’t exactly kicking her feet up. This offseason was all about plugging the holes that tripped them up last year. The biggest was not a single starter with playoff experience. That’s no longer an issue. But execution is still a work in progress.
In those first two preseason games, White didn’t sugarcoat it. She revealed exactly where they lacked, despite winning. Missed rotations, sloppy rebounding, and spacing that made half-court sets look like rush hour. “Sometimes we were on top of one another,” she admitted. Not great when you’re trying to move the ball.
The Fever did pull off a win in that preseason matchup against the Mystics, but they shot 30.3%. Boston held it down with 8 rebounds and 3 assists, but that offense was not smooth sailing. Game two, though, was better. Against Brazil, they looked far more in sync. Clark, Mitchell, Bonner, and Howard were attacking from all angles. Boston played dual roles—defender and distributor. The rhythm was better, the movement cleaner. But even then, White wasn’t throwing confetti.
Jun 10, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White watches from the sideline as they take on the Indiana Fever at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The truth is, it’s all part of the growing pains. Building chemistry is one thing. Translating it into action on the hardwood isthe real task. But if Clark’s sights are set on championships—and nothing less—Indiana knows they’ve got to sharpen up fast. But it’s still early and Caitlin Clark’s Fever squad is determined. Just after a day off, they were back at Salesforce Court. And we just know their first day back was all about boxing out and spacing.
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