Caitlin Clark fans react to coach suggesting Indiana Fever star must stop arguments with refs Uncategorized chien2 — June 1, 2024 · 0 Comment Caitlin Clark has received two technical fouls so far this WNBA season. ( Image: 2024 Dylan Buell) Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides has been heavily criticized by fans following her recent comments aimed at players “spending too much time” complaining about cals to officials – with Caitlin Clark seemingly among the targets of her statement. Clark received her second technical foul of the season on Tuesday night as the Fever lost 88-82 against the Los Angeles Sparks. She’d protested a foul called on teammate Lexie Hull. The No. 1 pick from the 2024 WNBA Draft was whistled after making a comment to officials, and Sparks guard Aari McDonald scored the resulting free throw. The incident occurred in the final seconds of the first quarter, but Clark went on to score 30 points in that game, her career-high in the WNBA. Her attitude was completely different from when she was handed her first technical earlier in the season, this time laughing it off and staying locked in rather than appearing visibly upset. Clark has shown her leadership qualities despite being a rookie, but Sides isn’t tolerating any misconduct toward officials. “We’re spending too much time talking to the officials. We’ve got to leave that alone,” The Fever coach said. “We’ve got to just play our game and let them do their job and not put it in their hands… We shouldn’t get technicals. Let me get the technicals.” Clark has amassed a huge fanbase since rising to fame at Iowa and becoming an inspiration for women’s sports, and her supporters were quick to defend her online. “I’ve heard her throw players under the bus too many times. That’s not it,” one fan wrote on social media. “Well then get them techs. You never fight for your players. You don’t even use your challenges,” another added. Clark is being defended by her loyal fans. ( Image: Getty Images) Indiana fans have blamed Sides for resisting the urge to use challenges, and with Clark eager to win following a poor 1-7 start for the Fever, she’s keen to question controversial decisions. “Has she taken accountability once this season?” One fan asked of Sides. “Caitlin does better talking to the press than her own coach. Why would she even say something like that to the media,” another said. “Let’s publicly toss the rookie that just put up 30 under the bus. That seems like a good strategy,” one supporter said sarcastically. Sides was also blamed for her rotation of Clark, as the Fever were leading in the third quarter when the No. 1 rookie was benched. Clark had 18 of her 30 points at this stage, and Los Angeles then went on an 11-0 run as the Hawkeyes product watched on. The team went scoreless in the final 2:34 of that quarter, and Clark returned to score 12 more points in the fourth. It’s not been the dream start that Clark was looking for as a collective, but her statement performance on Tuesday suggests that the future could be bright.
