Sue Bird, the WNBA’s very own Oracle of Hoops, recently offered some sage advice for any team daring to face off against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. And let’s just say, it’s not for the faint of heart. Bird, who practically has a PhD in basketball strategy, thinks teams should bring back the full-court press to reign in the unstoppable force that is Clark. You know, because guarding her like she’s Kevin Durant on a freebie shooting spree seems like a no-brainer, right?
In a chat on the “A Touch More” podcast, Bird reminisced about the good ol’ days when teams had the energy to tail Clark like she was the last piece of cake at a party. “Remember when everyone was losing their minds over Caitlin getting picked up full court? Yeah, that was fun,” Bird quipped, her voice practically dripping with sarcasm. But like all good things, that tactic faded as the WNBA season wore on, with players realizing that chasing Clark around was a surefire way to make sure they’d be napping through the fourth quarter.
Bird, who might as well have written the book on WNBA greatness, also didn’t hold back in praising Clark’s all-around game. According to Bird, Caitlin Clark is like that one overachiever in class who aces every subject, even gym class. “She’s leading in assists, shooting from anywhere, and generally making defenses look silly. I’d hate to face her,” Bird admitted, before probably thanking her lucky stars she’s retired.
But Sue didn’t stop there. Oh no. She threw in a bit of a warning for any playoff team that thinks they can take it easy against the Fever. “Indiana’s young, fast, and they play like they’ve had three Red Bulls before every game,” Bird said, barely masking her admiration. “You can be the biggest, baddest veteran team around, but if you’re slow, they’re going to run circles around you.”
And speaking of running circles, Bird shared some insight that might sting a little for the WNBA’s more “experienced” players: pace beats physicality every time. “Experience is great and all, but sometimes it’s just code for ‘we’re old and slow.’ Caitlin and Kelsey Mitchell? They’re like Energizer bunnies out there,” Bird teased, making it clear that the Fever could very well shock the league in the playoffs.
So, what’s the takeaway from Sue Bird’s basketball sermon? If you’re playing the Fever, you better lace up your running shoes and maybe consider some extra conditioning drills. Because if you don’t bring the energy, Caitlin Clark and her squad might just run you out of the gym—and straight out of the playoffs.
But hey, no pressure. After all, it’s just the future of your season on the line.