Caitlin Clark is unstoppable — if the Fever would just let her be

The Indiana Fever must have an elite offense to be a serious title contender, and letting Caitlin Clark play her preferred up-tempo style is the only way that happens. They need to embrace running and attacking an unsettled defense. It is their only path from going from 6-6 to deep playoff run.

The Fever are fifth in the W in pace this season at 96.15. Last year, they finished second. Their tempo increased after the Olympic break to 98.68 as Indiana won nine of their final 14 games. They had the best offense in the league during that stretch with a 109.6 offensive rating. This season, the Fever are down to 104.2 as their pace has decreased.

Clark has missed five games, but her team won two of those contests. The new coaching staff has not found a way to maximize their 23-year-old superstar. She is already having a massive impact on recruiting, but letting her shine on the court is the Fever’s key.

Caitlin Clark should be the offense for the Fever

With Clark on the floor, the Fever’s offensive rating is 109.1, or just slightly below last season’s post-Olympic break mark. She is not without flaws, but CC is the best offensive engine in the W right now. The Fever are literally unstoppable when Clark is cooking, but the team is not maximizing her chances to make it happen.

Indiana should look to create transition opportunities, hunt early shots, and give Clark more chances to break down the defense. Teams want to force her off the ball and make someone else beat them.

The Fever are too content to let that happen, especially in a game like Thursday’s loss to the Valkyries. It was not Clark’s best game, but Indiana did a poor job getting her an easy bucket to open the floodgates. There was too much walking the ball up and letting someone else run the point.

The Fever should play like the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton has his team one win away from an NBA title by playing up-tempo and creating easy buckets in transition. Clark struggles on defense like Hali, but both are exceptional playmakers who can pilot the best offense in the league. Indiana should embrace that style and ride an elite offense to title contention.

Now is the time for the Indiana Fever to make a change. Give Caitlin Clark the keys whenever she is on the floor and let her cook. If Clark can immediately push the ball up and create an open look, that is a win for her team. Let her dictate the pace and tempo. Clark proved she could run the top offense in the W last season. It is time to get back to that, especially if the Fever want to make a deep playoff run.

Things will fall into place. The Fever have a new coaching staff, and Clark has missed time. Ultimately, Indiana wants to win. Letting CC cook gives them the best chance, so expect the offense to shift that way as the season progresses. Fans should be on alert because the Fever will instantly take off once they figure things out.