Christie Sides talks about Caitlin Clark’s turnover issue.

WNBA season set to resume after mid-season break

In the first half of her debut WNBA season, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has demonstrated her extraordinary potential.

Ahead of the start of the 2024 season, Christie Sides, head coach of Fever, praised the young star, noting Clark’s exceptional court vision and precise passing, which have contributed to her teammates’ opening shots.

In a recent interview on the podcast “Locked on Women’s Basketball,” Sides was questioned about Clark’s turnovers and how the 22-year-old could minimize her errors.

Clark’s repeated adjustment to her new teammates and her inexperience with their playing styles were the reasons for her turnovers, according to Sides.

On the Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast, Sides stated: “It’s the reps with her new teammates.”

“Understanding where Aliyah (Boston) is going to roll to or where Lyss (NaLyssa Smith) is going to pop to, and also the scheming part of it, where the defense is coming from and making those reads, and also where the defense is coming from.

“She is now making those reads against the world’s best players.”
In the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has the highest turnover average, with 5.6 per game-two; she is ahead of the second-placed Alyssa Thomas, who averages 3.6.

Given Clark’s playmaking skills and the difficulties she encounters against top-tier competitors, her assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.47.

Coach Sides also noted that one significant factor contributing to Clark’s high turnover rate is the intense defensive pressure from opponents.

Clark is experiencing defensive pressure at a degree that she has never experienced before, stressed Sides

“She is starting to figure that out. That is where we are going to see improvement.” Despite the turnover issues, Caitlin Clark continues to lead the WNBA in assists, averaging 8.2 per game. Her playmaking has been a crucial factor in the Indiana Fever’s 11-15 record in the first half of the season. Coach Sides expressed her admiration for Clark’s ability to make difficult passes and her exceptional court vision.

Sides expressed, “It’s just been so fun to be out on the court with Caitlin Clark and the things that she sees.”

“Her court vision and the passes that she makes… sometimes you just have to pause.” I turn around and think “wow.”