Sad news: Fever’s top rookie safety in questions.
Former NBA player Nancy Lieberman has sparked a heated debate in the basketball world with her controversial comments about the foul committed by Chennedy Carter on Caitlin Clark during Saturday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Lieberman stated that if she were Clark, she would have punched Carter in the face and told her to “f*** off.” She also criticized Clark’s teammates for not coming to her defense, drawing comparisons to how Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky had enforcers on their teams to protect them.
Carter’s flagrant foul on Clark has been a talking point in the sporting world, with many criticizing the physicality of the play. The play was initially called a common foul but was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after a league review. Lieberman’s comments have sparked a heated debate about the level of physicality in the WNBA and the need for better protection for players like Clark. While some have praised Lieberman for speaking her mind, others have criticized her for promoting violence.
The incident has also led to calls for greater protection for Clark, with some players like Angel McCoughtry offering to join Indiana to protect their superstar rookie. Clark has been the target of physical play all season, and her coach Christie Sides has been contacting the league about the dangerous plays. Clark understands that with her being the No. 1 overall pick, there is added pressure and a larger target on her back than any usual player.
NBA veteran Draymond Green has also weighed in on the situation, telling the Indiana Fever to get an enforcer to protect Clark. Green shared his thoughts on an X post from ESPNW, saying that the Fever should get someone on their roster who would stick up for each other. “Indiana better go invest in an enforcer… FAST!” he wrote on X.
The Fever are taking new steps to enhance security measures for their players, particularly for Clark. The Fever’s general manager Lin Dunn, alongside Clark and other team members, discussed these preparations during the team’s media day. The Fever organization is implementing robust security protocols as the team begins traveling, including their first preseason game in Dallas this Friday
The league’s increasing popularity, underscored by record-breaking TV viewership and heightened public interest, necessitates such enhanced security measures. The proactive approach aligns with broader discussions within the WNBA about player safety during travel, sparked by incidents involving other high-profile players, such as Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner’s confrontation at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport last season.
While the WNBA has introduced charter flights for all playoff games and select regular-season games on back-to-back days requiring air travel, the financial constraints of chartering flights regularly remain a challenge. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has cited cost concerns and potential competitive imbalances as reasons for the league’s reliance on commercial travel.
Clark also touched upon the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which sets travel parameters, noting the potential for renegotiation if players opt out after the 2025 season. “It will definitely be an adjustment,” she said. “I’m sure everybody would say that they would love to be flying charter all the time. That definitely would help a lot of problems.”
The situation has brought attention to the physicality of the WNBA and the need for greater protection for players. While some have criticized Lieberman’s comments as promoting violence, others have praised her for speaking out about the need for greater protection. The incident has also led to calls for greater security measures for players, with the Fever taking steps to enhance security protocols for their players.
