An exclusive interview with the parents of Kate Martin sheds light on her impactful preseason performance for the defending WNBA champions. - News (2024)

Former coach Lisa Bluder stirred up controversy with bold statements targeting Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides, claiming that Caitlin Clark doesn't get to shoot as many threes in the WNBA as she did at lowa.

The remarks, made during a recent interview, have ignited a heated debate among basketball enthusiasts and fans of the rising star.

Bluder, who coached Clark during her tenure at lowa, expressed her views on Clark's playing style and the transition to the professional league. She suggested that the current coaching strategies in the WNBA might not fully utilize Clark's three-point shooting prowess, which was a significant part of her game in college.

Clark, known for her exceptional shooting ability and scoring prowess, gained widespread recognition for her impressive performances at lowa, where she consistently demonstrated her proficiency from beyond the arc.

However, since joining the WNBA, some observers have noted a shift in Clark's role on the court, with fewer opportunities to showcase her three-point shooting skills. Bluder's comments have reignited discussions about the adaptation process for collegiate athletes transitioning to the professional level and the challenges they may face in adjusting to different coaching philosophies and team dynamics.

The controversy surrounding Bluder's remarks underscores the ongoing scrutiny and expectations surrounding Clark as she navigates her career in the WNBA. Despite the differing opinions, one thing remains clear: Clark's talent and potential continue to captivate basketball fans, and her journey in the professional league will be closely followed by supporters and critics alike.

NBA Legend "Slams" Indiana's Rising Star, Saying: "I'm Getting Tired of Seeing (Caitlin Clark)"

To "dampen" her fame, he instead promotes Angel Reese

Angel Reese made waves on the internet after her bold appearance at the Met Gala. And again after winning against the New York Liberty within 24 hours of the fundraiser.

However, she is still overlooked for many opportunities in the world of basketball. On the other hand, Caitlin Clark just has to show up, and it makes headlines.

LSU's Angel Reese On Fame, NIL Success, Caitlin Clark Rivalry

With so much hype surrounding the two powerful names in the WNBA, who is really better than the other? Former 76ers forward Evan Turner has his mind made up as he chose the Chi-Town Barbie. But why is he not preferring NCAA’s all-time leading scorer?

Former Philadelphia 76ers teammates Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner had a lot to discuss on their ‘Point Forward’ podcast recently. Iguodala stated how Reese’s debut game, which was not broadcast, brought over 2 million views through a fan’s stream from the arena.

He also mentioned how Clark’s first regular season game will now also be live on Disney+, something the streaming giants have never done for any sport.

However, it looked like Turner was just done talking about the Indiana Fever’s golden goose. Although he gave her a shout-out, he said, “She getting so much, I’m getting tired of seeing her a**.”

In turn, he added more support for Chicago’s No. 5’s appearance at the Met Gala.

He said, “Angel showed up, she led with grace, she did her thing, she looked amazing. She put on for the WNBA and then once again it proved that it wasn’t too much for her. Because she came right back out the next night and had a hell of a performance.”

In her second preseason game, Angel Reese indeed had a display that put a lot of doubts to rest. Grabbing a W for the team with a little action in every aspect, she really maximized her 24 hours. Let us look at all the numbers surrounding the most-hyped preseason games ever in the WNBA history.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are transforming the WNBA

The NCAA’s assist and scoring queen has truly deserved the popularity she is getting.

Whether you talk about Stephen Curry complimenting her, LeBron James siding with her, or the Dallas Wings head coach, Latricia Trammell giving her the flowers, there is no denying that she is set to be the WNBA’s poster girl.

Her debut preseason game with the Fever against the Wings was a sold-out event. It brought almost 7000 spectators to Dallas’ home arena.

Her first home preseason game where Indiana hosted Atlanta brought 13,000 fans to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This also became the 13th-most attended game in franchise history.

Interestingly, they had the second-lowest average home attendance last season (4,067). At the same time, many teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Minnesota Lynx have shifted their games to bigger arenas to accommodate the increasing demand.

On the other hand, Reese too is making waves in the WNBA already. She almost grabbed a double-double in her debut game against Minnesota.

And while the game did not get televised, a fan’s live stream on X got over 200,000 views. The archived stream later garnered more views, currently adding up to 2 million.

Her home debut was also a success as the Sky completely demolished last year’s finalists and won by almost 50 points. Almost 3000 season ticket holders came to enjoy this game.

Clearly, both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have transformed the WNBA already. It will be interesting to see how the numbers vary as the season goes on.