After Back to Back Defeats, Caitlin Clark Has a Message From Stephen A. Smith

Ever since her WNBA debut, the scrutiny around Caitlin Clark has only increased. The NCAA’s all-time leading scorer hasn’t been able to enjoy a victory since Indiana Fever locked horns with Connecticut Sun and faced a 92-71 defeat. Then came their next face-off with last season’s runners-up, the New York Liberty, who obliterated Indiana with a 102-66 win. While a lot of the blame has fallen on the young shoulders of the 22-year-old rookie, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith delivered an uplifting message for Clark.

On yesterday’s First Take episode on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Tim Legler, and Monica McNutt discussed Clark’s first two WNBA games. The deliberation was going on and amidst all that, Stephen A. Smith sent out a message to Caitlin Clark. He said, “We understand it’s going to be some rough patches along the way. But, you have to ask yourself, ‘Do Shooters lose their shot?’ Chances are, no. When you can shoot, you can shoot, and eventually, you’ll be just fine. You just got to figure everything else out.”

“I’m not worried about Caitlin Clark at all. I don’t give a damn if she has an off, if she doesn’t have a great season,” he added. However, he did emphasize Indiana Fever not being a strong team, “First of all, the Indiana Fever ain’t that good let’s get that out the way. At least when you compare them to the upper echelon of the WNBA, let’s just get that out the way. Indiana Fever, you’re just not that’s number one,” he asserted.

“There were two teams that were dubbed essentially super teams last year. One of them was the New York Liberty, so you’re going up against the Crème de la crème… Expect Saturday to be no better. She going up against them again. She getting ready to go up against them, again, okay! So, that’s another butt-whipping coming, okay! And this time it’s going to be in New York,” Smith talked about the Indiana Fever’s upcoming game against the New York Liberty on Saturday.

Speaking of which, how are things possibly going to be for both teams when they lock horns later today? Let’s find out.

Caitlin Clark vs. New York Liberty, a recurring showdown

The team spirits are flying high with the season running in full gear. However, since the last two matchups, Caitlin Clark hasn’t had the best time as she hasn’t gotten the upper hand in either of the games so far. The Fever’s recent encounter with the Liberty broke records as Indiana lost by a whopping 36 points.

Now, they are coming around for another face-off, at the Liberty’s home. Hence, Smith only hopes that Caitlin Clark does not register as many turnovers as she did in her first away game this season. The Iowa Hawkeyes alumnae had 10 turnovers on debut, the most in league history on debut.

As a result, it is also hoped that Clark and the Indiana Fever work with better synergy and chemistry on the court.