In the history surrounding the game of basketball, no team has ever cared to be labeled soft by the opposing squad.
That image quickly gives an opponent a psychological edge and, more often than not, can lead to losing more games than they’ll win.
The Indiana Fever definitely have some talented players on their current roster, but they clearly lack the hard-nosed attitude and more importantly, a physical nature that is necessary to force their will on an opponent.
Before we go any further, let’s talk about the overhyped and well documented drama regarding Caitlin Clark and the overzealous manner in which she was roughed up recently by the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas, who intentionally pressed her fist against Clark’s throat as she was on her back in a position where she couldn’t fight back against such.
Clearly all the lines pertaining to sportsmanship and fair play were crossed and while all the officials apparently missed the call, the WNBA issued a fine along with a one game suspension upon Thomas after reviewing the replay video the following day, giving some resemblance of justice to the Fever who will undoubtedly be looking ahead to their next big opportunity against Phoenix on July 9 when they invade the Mercury’s home floor seeking a payback victory.
While Thomas’ actions continue to be denounced by the Fever faithful, one can argue that she was sending a reminder that a number of players throughout the entire WNBA have tired of Clark’s antics pertaining to alleged consistent poor officiating, and her tantrums have now reached a stale point with most of the referees as well.
While Clark and Sophie Cunningham are masters at standing behind those very officials and taunting the opponent with hand claps and pointed fingers, they really don’t understand that while that type of buffoonery may be enjoyable for those in attendance, it’s not viewed as such by your peers who have figured out some time ago how to remind the Fever that this a physical game and you are going to experience the contact that comes with it.
Simply put, the Fever must raise their own physicality and demonstrate a brand of basketball that doesn’t allow the opposition to simply waltz untouched to the rim, pluck uncontested rebounds, and then resort to looking for the referees to help them when hard fouls are being committed against them.
While there’s certainly no enforcers on their current roster, they must learn to do it collectively and strategically, within the confines of how the game is officiated today.
Don’t be bullied and get in someone’s face when you must. Again, you have to send a clear message.
Arriving at a home game or coming off the visitors’ bus dressed to the nines for what has become a mock fashion runway may be fun, it’s also sending the wrong message to your opponent, and while it may look good on social media, it doesn’t project the image that says we’re not backing down tonight.
Embrace a style on and off the court that says we are here to play a rather physical brand of basketball within the context of the rule book and take zero prisoners.
It will certainly cost you some personal fouls and maybe a few technicals to boot, but it will pay some big dividends come playoff time.
Danny Bridges, who thinks clean, physical play is a thing of beauty, can reached at (317) 370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
