"Why do they even need Caitlin?": Fans aghast as Stephanie White compliments Fever's ball movement without Caitlin Clark

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White faces a big challenge as she attempts to guide the team without Caitlin Clark. The All-Star captain will miss her fourth consecutive game when the Fever visit the Chicago Sky on Sunday. Clark has been limited to only 13 games because of quad and groin injuries.

When asked how the Fever would function without Clark, White said the team would rely on more off-ball actions, which would prompt faster ball movements. White added that without Clark, the team would give up size on defense, but would have more speed with Aari McDonald taking her place.

Fans promptly reacted to White’s analysis:

Kris

@KrisDay1999

She needs a nickname. The babbler, the saboteur, the bottler, Steph umh White. It’s night and day with CC on the floor. With CC they are exciting without dull.

"So ball moves quicker and we're better on defense!! Nice why do they even need Caitlin?" one fan questioned.

Michelle

@michelles2cool

So ball moves quicker and we're better on defense!! Nice why do they even need Caitlin??🙄😭​

Andre33

@andresoucy33

I won't be listening to her willingly anymore.​

scheduling conflict

@sagepalmer3658

sides is that you? 😭​

Its_Just_Basketball

@Fever_Rising_

I mean this is all true- Caitlin has the ability to maintain her dribble while scouting plays and will have the ball more. She also is defended before half court so less free range of movement. ​When she isn’t there they need to pass out of coverage more (ie the ball moves from hand to hand faster) because there isn’t a ring leader setting up the play

juls side

@sidelpm

they can’t be good defenders and willing passers when she’s on the floor too? fck ts bum a** coach using her as decoy and accepting mediocre performances from the other players because knows cc will pick up the slack? nah she should be fired just for saying ts​

White said the Indiana Fever have more on-ball plays when Caitlin Clark handles playmaking duties. The coach gives Clark the leeway to evaluate defenses and set up teammates or look for shots. According to White, the attention opponents give the superstar point guard gives the Fever a different dimension.

The Fever (13-12) stunned the Las Vegas Aces 80-70 with a come-from-behind win on Thursday. However, White’s team is 5-7 without Clark and 8-5 with her on the floor.

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Stephanie White says Fever can’t have “breakdowns” or “lapses” without Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever are below .500 when Caitlin Clark is unavailable, and White knows that the only way they can stay afloat in the former Iowa guard's absence is by remaining consistently focused.

“We just have to understand the urgency and attention to detail it takes," she said. (5:39 mark). "We don’t have the luxury of having breakdowns, of having lapses. We have to understand the sense of urgency that it takes with each possession.”

With Clark having no fixed timetable for a return, the Fever have little room for error as they chase a playoff spot. Per Tankathon, the Fever have the fifth-toughest remaining schedule in the WNBA.