Los Angeles Sparks v Indiana Fever – Source: Getty
Veteran analyst Jason Whitlock didn’t mince his words when reacting to rookie Caitlin Clark’s nine turnovers during the Indiana Fever’s thrilling 104-100 overtime win against the Atlanta Dream. Clark, who leads the league in turnovers, gave the ball away on too many occasions at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday as she recorded 12 assists.
The former Iowa standout committed six turnovers in the first half alone, which contributed to the Fever trailing the Dream at halftime.
In a series of tweets on X (formerly Twitter), Whitlock was critical of Clark’s struggle to control her turnovers. He even drew comparisons between Clark and LeBron James and acknowledged the “unprecedented” defensive pressure she has faced as a rookie.
Despite this, Whitlock emphasized ways the 22-year-old could avoid being “sloppy” and reduce mistakes during games.
“For his career, LeBron averages 3.5 turnovers. His worst season is 4.2. The NBA is a 48-minute game,” wrote Whitlock. “The WNBA is a 40-minute game. Caitlin averages 5.6 turnovers. We’ve never seen a superstar basketball player turn the ball over at this rate. It’s unprecedented.”
“The defensive pressure and overall pressure on Clark are also unprecedented. So there’s that. She has to learn the energy, focus, and emotion she gives the refs are contributing to her sloppiness,” he added.
Jason Whitlock sheds light on possible reasons behind Clark’s turnovers
Caitlin Clark is among the best point guards in women’s basketball. The rookie leads the WNBA in assists with 8.5 assists per game but it has come at a price. She averages 5.7 turnovers per game, significantly more than any other player in the league.
Whitlock delved into the possible reasons behind Clark’s high rate of turnovers.
“She gets her pocket picked at least once a game (20 percent),” the veteran analyst continued. “She throws into traffic as often as 2019 James Winston (30 percent).”
“About 30 percent of her turnovers are from defensive pressure and blitzes. Another 15 percent are offensive fouls, traveling or lazy passes. Then you have 4 to 6 percent of her turnovers are a byproduct of teammates mishandling,” he added.
With the playoffs approaching, Whitlock stressed the importance of Clark minimizing her mistakes, warning that any top-level team would capitalize on them.
“She had 9 turnovers. That won’t work against high-level competition. Too many turnovers and too many logo threes that missed. Shot 4 of 13 from three. She has to play smarter. She can play smarter,” Whitlock said in another tweet.
Meanwhile, Clark had another huge game as she helped Indiana improve to a 19-17 record. The one-time WNBA All-Star recorded 26 points, 12 assists and five rebounds after playing the entire 45 minutes. She shot 7-of-17 from the floor, including 4-of-13 from beyond the arc.
News
The photos recreate Ed Sheeran’s exciting journey
Ed Sheeran recently had a vibrant and unforgettable experience on his latest adventure! While exploring bustling street food scenes with his close friend @gaggan_anand, Ed embarked on a unique culinary journey, sampling delicious street food and making memories that are…
Michael Jordan’s daughter Jasmine roots for VP Kamala Harris after 2024 presidential debate
Michael Jordan’s daughter Jasmine roots for VP Kamala Harris after 2024 Presidential Debate vs Donald Trump (Image Credit: Kamala Harris and Jasmine Jordan’s Instagram) On Tuesday, US Vice President Kamala Harris faced Donald Trump in a presidential debate. Michael Jordan‘s daughter…
WWE Pays Tribute To The Gaudreau’s on WWE RAW
The WWE rode into Calgary where Monday Night Raw was hosted, and as legendary wrestler Bret Hart starred on the episode, the Gaudreau’s were mentioned on the broadcast. He would be honored by wrestler Sami Zayn, coming out to the…
SHOCKING NEWS: JK Rowling admits to being sexually abused
Great Britain – She is said to have been abused and beaten by her first husband. For the first time, “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling (54) speaks about the years of violence she had to endure. Rowling (54) is currently facing…
MLB NEWS: Following the horrific injury to Cincinnati Reds franchise Star Outfielder, the Cincinnati Reds Officially Acquired the New York Yankees elite Top class outfielder. The trade was unexpected and shocking As the incredible outfielder Inked a three-year, $76.3 million contract,with the Cincinnati Reds,But..
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 12: Alex Verdugo of the New York Yankees jogs off the field in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)…
Viktor Arvidsson addition further proof Oilers’ culture has flipped
EDMONTON — After years of tormenting the Edmonton Oilers from afar, Viktor Arvidsson wormed his way into a pre-camp scrimmage and found himself skating against Connor McDavid. What happened next? What do you think? Arvidsson tried to slow down the Oilers’…
End of content
No more pages to load