WNBA YouTuber Alleges Caitlin Clark is at Center of Controversial Indiana Fever Selection

In a season where they were searching for answers, more questions arose for the Indiana Fever. Caitlin Clark couldn’t build on her all-time rookie season courtesy of her unexpected glass body. Clark was an iron woman till this season, but her earlier blows caught up. She has suffered one injury after another, leading to 27 games on the sideline this season. Her growth has been painfully slow from the fan’s perspective, and coach Stephanie White had no timeline regarding her comeback.  “I don’t have any specifics on it,” said White. 

While Clark comes back from her soft tissue injuries and her bone bruise, the team has coped fairly well. Aari McDonald was first signed on an emergency deal, but ended up being full-time courtesy of her performances. She was just getting into her own, but an injury took her away, along with backup Sydney Colson for the remainder of the season. Their replacements, Odyssey Sims and Shey Peddy, have continued to shine light on the impressive recruitment at Fever. While the squad has largely held its own, this YouTuber pointed out the one weak link that could have already been waived if not for the injury crisis.  

Larry Rhodes said on the Black and White Sports YouTube Channel, “I have a sneaking suspicion that if Caitlin Clark would have played this whole season, Natasha Howard might already be off this team because I don’t think she would have got nearly the opportunities, and she might have had a DeWanna Bonner kind of meltdown.”

Natasha Howard has admittedly regressed from her MVP form, including some ‘amateur’ mistakes in their loss against Valkyries. Turnovers, foul trouble on her way to 13 points, 6-rebound performance. Some of these mistakes have followed Howard around this season, frustrating the fans. Scoping out, Howard has started all of Fever’s 40 games while averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, which are her lowest numbers since becoming a regular starter in 2018. However, the transition to the Fever from Dallas has been tough. In Dallas, she had a defined role of being the primary scorer in the front court, while at the Fever, she had to mold according to what was needed. 

The adjustment has taken some time, and her consistency has been called into question. She shows flashes of her brilliance in one game, but cannot repeat that performance week in week out. Howard put up 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to help the Fever take down the Minnesota Lynx and win the Commissioner’s Cup, earning the MVP in the process. “I’m someone who puts high expectations on myself.” She wrote after the game. 

So, her drop in numbers would be something she would be working on. For the Fever, her experience and past resume are handy to have, especially in the big moments. In the case of Clark being fit all through the season, it could have unlocked Howard further, as opposed to replacing her in this starting lineup. 

Howard has had to play with multiple guards and through roster shuffles. While her post partner, Aliyah Boston, has more or less maintained her numbers, Howard might have helped with a more consistent cast around her. While Howard’s recent struggles with the Fever are very real, she can still turn up to give a game-winning performance. Could Howard have lost her place if not for the injuries? Likely not. Her veteran presence in the locker room has effects beyond statistics. As they gear up for the business end of the season, Howard revealed coach Stephanie White’s message. 

For the Indiana Fever, the postseason has come early

The Indiana Fever started the week with two consecutive wins over the Seattle Storm and the Sparks, adding some gap between them and the risk of falling out in the regular season. However, they saw their short winning streak come to an end after a 75-63 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. Kelsey Mitchell led the way for the Fever with 14 points and three assists, while Howard had 13 points and 6 rebounds. That loss puts them 7th in the points table, with the Mercury and the Lynx still to go. However, White and Co. are gearing up to take each game like it’s a knock-out. 

“That’s one thing Steph said in the locker room, every game we play from now on is a playoff game. We’re trying to stay in that playoff race and play in the postseason. Our main thing is that we focus on the scouting report of whoever we got next,” Howard said. 

Fortunately for the Fever, they control their destiny, but the Sparks are right behind them, while holding the 4-0 head-to-head tiebreaker. Clark is ramping up through individualized drills and non-contact work, targeting a late push to return before the regular season ends on September 9. So, they have to endure this final stretch still without their star guard. While lacking the firepower, Fever need to drill on the weaknesses of their opponents. Every player, regardless of their past performance or form, will need to step up.