Indiana Fever 2024

[Wizop]

I do think that Smith needs replacing at the #4 spot.

I think we need a taller 5 to push Boston to the 4.

[zimpy27]

I do think that Smith needs replacing at the #4 spot.

I think we need a taller 5 to push Boston to the 4.

Cardosa?

[MrDollarBills]

I don't know if moving Boston to PF is the answer either.

Getting a big wing at 4 that can be mobile, defend and space is what you'd want I think

[Ice Man]

I think we need a taller 5 to push Boston to the 4.

Not sure you need a taller #5, but an agile, hoppy, rim-protecting #5 with moving Boston to the #4 slot would work for me. A different version of my suggestion, but getting to much the same place.

[TheSuzerain]

It's going to be weird because all the FAs are going to be going for 1 year deals. It's really the following offseason under new CBA where things will get wild.

Magbegor is the perfect 5 for Indy imo. I hope Nike is in her ear a bit.

[jc23]

Read on Twitter

Humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Clark is as good as it gets on the podium. MJ'esque.

[rmontro]

The Lynx are just too much for the Fever at this point in time. Thing is, I'm not sure the Fever can get much better than what they've been recently, not without a personnel or coaching change. They may have peaked, at least for now.

What a crappy night of sports. My favorite NFL team, the Packers, got beat, and may have lost their starting quarterback to injury. Then I watched the Fever rerun, and the Lynx beat them convincingly. Not a good night.

[MrDollarBills]

The Lynx are just too much for the Fever at this point in time. Thing is, I'm not sure the Fever can get much better than what they've been recently, not without a personnel or coaching change. They may have peaked, at least for now.

What a crappy night of sports. My favorite NFL team, the Packers, got beat, and may have lost their starting quarterback to injury. Then I watched the Fever rerun, and the Lynx beat them convincingly. Not a good night.

Dude i have Love on my big $ fantasy team, when I saw that play I started spiraling. I hope he's alright

[rmontro]

Dude i have Love on my big $ fantasy team, when I saw that play I started spiraling. I hope he's alright

I'm sure you know by now 3-6 weeks for an MCL sprain, so maybe a month. Not sure what that does for you.

Gutsy win by the Fever tonight. Really needed it with the Aces coming Wednesday AND Friday. Sloppy, too many turnovers, not so sure about the defense, but yikes the Dream are pesky.

[jumpman28]

I don't know if moving Boston to PF is the answer either.

Getting a big wing at 4 that can be mobile, defend and space is what you'd want I think

In my opinion the 4/5 you need to pair with Boston is someone who is very mobile, who can cover a lot of space defensively, and stretch the floor a bit. I'm thinking of someone like Ezi Magbegor, Nneka, maybe even Satou. Or at least someone very similar to those players.

How I came to my conclusion is this:
1. Boston does a majority of her damage in the low post and on offensive rebounds, even though she can hit the jumper. So getting a stretch big would allow her extra room to work without as many double teams.

2. Boston is an Ok to Above Average post defender who can block shots, but compared to other Power Forwards in the league, she doesn't have the greatest footspeed or quickness. So, you would want someone mobile enough to cover the Stewie and Phee's of the world.

3. You would also want someone mobile so that they could get out quickly in transition offense for Caitlin, similar to how Temi does.

[tmorgan]

Yep, the Fever need athletes to run with CC and defend/get turnovers. You can still have a banger like Boston, but not many others. Mitchell (if she stays) and Hull are fine, but there’s a lot of room for upgrades elsewhere.

[RSCD3_]

First 11 games 97.9 ORTG 114.5 DRTG, -5.6 Offense, +11.0 Defense (at the time the worst in WNBA history), both 12th in the league
Last 25 games 109.6 ORTG 107.0 DRTG, +6.1 Offense, +3.5 Defense, 1st in the league in offense and 8th in defense

Comparing over the time the Four Factors

Offensively

EFG% went from 47.1 (-2.3%, 8th) to 54.3 (+4.9%, 1st)
TOV% went from 15.6 (+0.7%, 8th) to 15.9 (+1.0%, 10th)
ORB% went from 24.2 (+0.2%, 8th) to 25.7 (+1.9%, 3rd)
FTR% went from 19.3 (-1.75, 10th) to 19.5 (-.173, 9th)

Defensively

EFG% went from 53.2 (-3.8%, 12th) to 49.0 (-0.4%, 7th)
TOV% went from 14.1 (-0.8%, 7th) to 12.3 (-2.6%, 12th)
ORB% went from 73.6 (-2.4%, 11th) to 77.4 (+1.4%, t-4th)
FTR% went from 0.248 (+0.038, 12th) to 0.226 (+0.016, 9th)

Biggest changes were Offensive EFG%, Defensive EFG% and Winning the Board Battles a lot more, I guess they changed their defense into something more conservative because the fouls went down but them forcing turnovers really dropped off too

[zimpy27]

First 11 games 97.9 ORTG 114.5 DRTG, -5.6 Offense, +11.0 Defense (at the time the worst in WNBA history), both 12th in the league
Last 25 games 109.6 ORTG 107.0 DRTG, +6.1 Offense, +3.5 Defense, 1st in the league in offense and 8th in defense

Comparing over the time the Four Factors

Offensively

EFG% went from 47.1 (-2.3%, 8th) to 54.3 (+4.9%, 1st)
TOV% went from 15.6 (+0.7%, 8th) to 15.9 (+1.0%, 10th)
ORB% went from 24.2 (+0.2%, 8th) to 25.7 (+1.9%, 3rd)
FTR% went from 19.3 (-1.75, 10th) to 19.5 (-.173, 9th)

Defensively

EFG% went from 53.2 (-3.8%, 12th) to 49.0 (-0.4%, 7th)
TOV% went from 14.1 (-0.8%, 7th) to 12.3 (-2.6%, 12th)
ORB% went from 73.6 (-2.4%, 11th) to 77.4 (+1.4%, t-4th)
FTR% went from 0.248 (+0.038, 12th) to 0.226 (+0.016, 9th)

Biggest changes were Offensive EFG%, Defensive EFG% and Winning the Board Battles a lot more, I guess they changed their defense into something more conservative because the fouls went down but them forcing turnovers really dropped off too

Yeah they focus more on not fouling and getting boards. It's a good strategy for the team build.

I think it's possible that they need a 3+D SG rather than Mitchell. That's going to be unpopular but you have to wonder how much Kelsey adds with having Clark getting looks for everyone.

[jc23]

Bench was a big difference in the game. Aces bench more then doubled the Fevers. Remove that and this game is close.

Fever play the Aces again next. Its a good pre playoff test to see how well you can adjust from game to game.

[Ice Man]

I think it's possible that they need a 3+D SG rather than Mitchell. That's going to be unpopular but you have to wonder how much Kelsey adds with having Clark getting looks for everyone.

The Fever need at least one player besides Clark who can get her own shot. Right now, that only player is Mitchell. So for me it is essential that Indy keep her for next year, unless they can find a shot-creating replacement.

[rmontro]

The Fever need at least one player besides Clark who can get her own shot. Right now, that only player is Mitchell. So for me it is essential that Indy keep her for next year, unless they can find a shot-creating replacement.

Yeah, that's why I can't see letting Mitchell go, she's really the only one who can create her own shot, more so than Caitlin really.

I couldn't watch the Aces game, I have a rerun from NBA TV recorded though, I'll probably watch it later. I live in Indiana, and NBA TV always blacks out the Fever games, very irritating. Anyway, from what little I heard, it sounded like Sides went to the bench a lot, not sure what that was about. But it was an expected loss, and I wasn't disappointed

[jc23]

The Fever need at least one player besides Clark who can get her own shot. Right now, that only player is Mitchell. So for me it is essential that Indy keep her for next year, unless they can find a shot-creating replacement.

Yeah, that's why I can't see letting Mitchell go, she's really the only one who can create her own shot, more so than Caitlin really.

I couldn't watch the Aces game, I have a rerun from NBA TV recorded though, I'll probably watch it later. I live in Indiana, and NBA TV always blacks out the Fever games, very irritating. Anyway, from what little I heard, it sounded like Sides went to the bench a lot, not sure what that was about. But it was an expected loss, and I wasn't disappointed

if you did lose Mitchel, but in her place put in another Lexie Hull type; maybe with a bit more ball handling skills i think you could mitigate some of the offense you lose by becoming a more balanced team. Then do the same at the power forward position.

Aces, Liberty and the Lynx are teams that can spread you out and still defend at the other end. Not to mention have deeper benches then Indy. I sometimes wonder if Mitchell is Monta Ellis on the 2012 Warriors and although a great player just not the right fight next to the young star point guard.

[Ice Man]

I sometimes wonder if Mitchell is Monta Ellis on the 2012 Warriors and although a great player just not the right fight next to the young star point guard.

A fair point. That could be.

[rmontro]

if you did lose Mitchel, but in her place put in another Lexie Hull type; maybe with a bit more ball handling skills i think you could mitigate some of the offense you lose by becoming a more balanced team. Then do the same at the power forward position.

Mitchell's a guard though. I'm sure there's an argument for replacing MItchell with more defense, but I'm leery of it. When the Fever can't find a shot and the clock is winding down, seems like they often just give it to Mitchell and let her create something. I don't know, I'd try improvements elsewhere first. But we'll see what the front office is thinking come offseason. I'm not sure I have a lot of faith in them however.

[jc23]

Like to see Clark get to the line more. Usually something that you dont see for a rookie but what you need to take that next step.