Fever head coach Christie Sides may have stirred up some controversy with her remarks advocating for Caitlin Clark as this season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Sides understandably supported Clark after the Fever point guard made history by recording a triple-double in the Fever’s win against the Liberty. However, her comments also brought back comparisons to veteran guard Diana Taurasi.
“I will always make a case for my players. She is the most competitive person I have ever met,” Sides said when asked about Clark’s ROTY bid. “I really see her in the same light as Diana Taurasi.”
“She is always trying to improve herself. ‘How can I contribute to the team? What can we do?’ But her main goal is to win. To me, she is my Rookie of the Year every day,” Sides added.
While some see similarities between Clark and Taurasi’s playing styles, others are growing tired of the rookie versus veteran narrative.
During their first career matchup, Clark, 22, and Taurasi, 42, shared the court when the Fever defeated the Mercury. This game was nicknamed “The GOAT” vs. “The Rook.”
Sides also mentioned the evolution of the Fever’s chemistry and pace this season as they improved their record to 9-13 over the weekend.
“Tonight, she found her rhythm,” Sides said of Clark. “The timing among our players is improving every game, and with the chemistry and timing in place, things will only get better.”
Clark’s historic night included 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes of play against the Liberty, who are tied for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Clark remained humble when discussing her achievements, giving credit to her teammates for their role in her success.
Aliyah Boston, the No. 1 pick by Indiana in the 2023 WNBA Draft, praised Clark’s humility, remarking, “She’s so humble, isn’t she?”
Clark currently leads all WNBA rookies in scoring with 16.1 points per game and in assists with an average of 7.4 per game.
Angel Reese of the Sky is close behind in points, averaging 14.1 per game.
Both Clark and Reese were selected to the 2024 All-Star team, making history as the only WNBA rookies to receive this honor.
Reese, the No. 7 overall pick by the Sky, set a new record with her 13th consecutive double-double in a game against the Storm on Sunday.
Following their rivalry in college basketball, Clark and Reese’s presence in the WNBA has boosted attendance and television ratings, leading to venue changes to accommodate fans.
They will play on the same team for the first time in the 2024 WNBA All-Star game in Phoenix on July 20.
