CBS Sports Analyst Gives Caitlin Clark Fans A Reality Check in Stephanie White Praise

Stephanie White entered the season with perfectly curated plans for her star player. As historical as Caitlin Clark’s rookie year may have been, the head coach chose to focus on the lapses. More physical strength, fewer technical fouls, and better lateral movement. Good coaches don’t just bank on one excellent skill; they develop the entire game. That is what White brought to the table, and that is what the fans cheered for. But as the season progressed, the rosy picture only kept drifting farther away.

Caitlin Clark exploded in her first game back for year 2. With 20 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, she recorded a third career triple-double. They called it the perfect preview of the season ahead. But little did they know. Not only did Clark go on to incur 4 soft tissue injuries, but the plays drawn by the head coach weren’t exactly fan favorites. You could start with the early July game against the Valkyries. Coach White had moved her star guard from the PG position to play more off the ball. As the offense slowed in the aftermath, the Fever ended up losing that game.

The criticisms have been loud ever since, and CBS Sports broadcaster Robin Lundberg understands. “There was a bit of a philosophical divide between Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark to start the season. Where they’re figuring it out, what’s the right balance between Clark ball and how Stephanie White wanted to play,” he started on his namesake show. And the answer to cut Coach White some slack lies right there. “They didn’t get enough time to actually figure it out.” 

In the 13 games that the reigning ROTY played, White might not have always had the best plays. Her usage of depth, multiple 4th quarter rotations where the team let up a good lead, or even monitoring Clark’s minutes, has had fans rallying against her. Moreover, you must remember the entire “buy into the we, not me,” statement that Coach White made earlier this year. It had come after Clark said the team needs to get her the ball in transition. There was some suggestive friction there, according to spectators.

However, the Clark faithful decided to take it a little too far. Or, as Lundberg put it, “They sort of declared Stephanie White the enemy.” But is the Indiana Fever head coach truly at fault? Her team is back in the playoffs, continuing last year’s brilliance, and that’s without playing their superstar for most of the season. Sure, a 24-20 record isn’t what fans envisioned for the season, but considering the extreme circumstances? The head coach has done her job. Lundberg, hence, doubled down on this train of thought, dismissing the White-Clark friction out of hand.

“Some folks didn’t let it go. And then some of the content creators just blamed everything on Stephanie White. So the people who are consuming that, are hearing that over and over everyday… there can be no nuance brought to the conversation. So when I defend Stephanie White, it’s for her overall job. We haven’t seen Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark work together enough to have a verdict on that… There’s not enough of a sample size,” he added.

But how has the Indiana Fever head coach adapted to losing CC for the season? Thoughts of potential conflict aside, the Fever always play better when Clark is on the floor, and to lose her at a critical juncture must be difficult. Let’s find out what White had to say about it.

Stephanie White gives encouraging Fever overview after Caitlin Clark’s untimely injury

Injuries robbed the Indiana Fever of a potential ring. Is that fair to say? Stephanie White’s team looked to be a heavy hitter heading into the season. They have a good young core, and the Fever front office made sure to surround them with solid veteran presences. However, following Clark’s left quad strain, things haven’t been great for Indiana.

After all, they’ve suffered through five season-ending injuries this year. Aari McDonald, Chloe Bibby, Sydney Colson, Sophie Cunningham, and most recently, Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever backcourt has suffered through the most! Aari McDonald was brought in as a replacement for CC, and Sydney Colson was getting some significant minutes before an unfortunate evening took both of them away.

Clark getting ruled out, however, was the last straw. Everyone still had hope that the six-foot-tall guard would return in time for the playoffs, but it was not to be. While talking about Clark’s injury, Stephanie White got candid. “It’s not easy,” she said. “There’s so many pieces of being injured that come into play. The hope is that when we look down the road… this is a little blurb for her, learning different kinds of adversity.”

But, it’s definitely not the Indiana Fever’s last dance yet! You can’t count out the young team and their desire to win. Even White said so! “They have the experience and have really held this group together. They’ve been able to play with all different kinds of lineups and players. They’ve got to continue to take it to another level.”

Itremains to be seen how Stephanie White’s team can fare in the playoffs without Caitlin Clark on the court. Can they prove the doubters wrong and make a deep postseason run? Or will CC’s injury continue to haunt the Indiana-based team?