Caitlin Clark responds strongly to criticism that once plagued LeBron James

Clark‘s Fever collapsed in a road loss to the Chicago Sky

Caitlin Clark responds strongly to criticism that once plagued LeBron James

Lapresse

 

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever had a big lead over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Sunday. The two rookie stars — whose NCAA rivalry has carried over to the WNBA — were showing out in an important regular season game at Wintrust Arena, and Clark was dishing dimes left and right as Indiana took a 15-point lead in the third quarter.

Caitlin Clark Scream into Opponent's Face on Court after Blatant Action - EssentiallySports

But Clark was quieter in the fourth, attempting just two shots over the final seven minutes as the Sky mounted a comeback and stunned the Fever. Reese‘s monster day (25 points, 16 rebounds) led Chicago to a one-point win, 88-87, and Clark was criticized after the game for being too deferential to her teammates in crunch time.

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Clark makes it clear: She will keep trusting her teammates

Early in his NBA career, LeBron James was often denigrated by fans and media members for being “too passive” late in games when his team needed something close to a guaranteed bucket. James has always been a willing passer, and fans usually found fault with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer when it was perceived that he had shifted to a “pass-first” mindset in order to get his teammates going.

Clark is dealing with much of the same criticism, 18 games into her WNBA career. She scored efficiently against the Sky on Sunday, drilling five 3-pointers and scoring 17 points on 11 shots. She also racked up 13 assists — a new personal best — despite the loss, but turnovers and miscommunication with her teammates sparked the Sky’s comeback.

“I’m sure there was an opportunity or two for me to probably attempt another shot there at the end, but I trust my teammates,” Clark told reporters after Sunday’s game. “I’m going to give them the ball every time.”

For James, much of the criticism about his mentality went away after he won his first two championships with the Miami Heat. He is now a four-time NBA champion, and widely regarded as one of the very best basketball players in history. Only time will tell whether Clark’s path will be similar, but individually, she is improving and understanding her team’s needs better with each passing game (no pun intended).

Zaccharie Risacher Scouting Report: Potential Contenders Eyeing Young Frenchman Ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft

Franchises are keeping an eyes on Zaccharie RisacherZaccharie Risacher (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
When everyone tuned into TV to watch the 2024 NBA Draft, it was common knowledge that Victor Wembanyama would be the first pick. But this year, things are different. While there is no doubt that the top pick will again be a Frenchman, there’s doubt about who it will actually be. Is it Alex Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher? Sarr had been the projected top pick for a while before Risacher displaced him a few days ago.

In his shoes, Risacher stands at 6’9″ and a half with a wing span of 6’10” and half an inch. His weight of 193 lbs indicates a solid build with room for a further few pounds. Risacher has already secured a workout with the Hawks, the owner of the first pick this year. On the other hand, Sarr has rejected multiple workouts with the Atlanta side, which is a probable indication of who will be the top pick.

Risacher made his pro debut in 2021 with the French Pro A League team ASVEL. After spending two seasons with the Lyon-based side, Risacher moved to JL Bourg. With La Jeu, the small forward averaged 10.1 points per game coupled with 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists.


His offensive style involves bursts in the paint. Although he is seen mostly as a catch-and-shoot player, his 43.9% floor shooting and 35.2% 3-point shooting show promise as an offensive threat.

His robust coverage in defensive areas makes him a two-way asset, but aggression is a key part of his game that can be refined with experience and coaching.