Caitlin Clark didn’t just play for Iowa – she was Iowa. Her shot chart became a highlight reel, and her stat lines turned into headlines. So when the Indiana Fever landed her, it was more than just a draft pick – it was the beginning of a new era.
But even a generational talent has to learn how to evolve.
Enter Natasha Howard, a three-time WNBA champ and one of the steadiest vets in the league. She’s been around long enough to recognize when someone’s still playing like they’re the only option on the floor. And when asked about Clark on the Bird’s Eye View show, Howard didn’t mince words.
“Just letting her know she doesn’t have to do everything like she did in Iowa.” That was it. Just 12 seconds, and yet it told you everything.
Learning to Let Go of the Hero Ball
Clark’s reputation as a do-it-all guard wasn’t just earned – it was necessary. At Iowa, her role demanded it. She averaged nearly 30 a game, carried the offense, and shattered NCAA records while doing it.
But in Indiana? She’s got options. Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Aari McDonald, and Howard herself – this is a team built for more than one star. And for Clark, who’s been wired to take over, that kind of adjustment takes time.
“She’s like a little sister,” Howard said later in the same interview.“We’ve got phenomenal players on this roster. She doesn’t have to carry that weight alone.”
It’s not criticism – it’s a reminder. Clark is still putting up big numbers (18.4 points, 8.8 assists per game), but this is the WNBA. Efficiency, chemistry, and trust matter just as much as highlights.
Meanwhile, Clark missed her seventh game of the season Thursday due to a groin injury, and the Fever felt every bit of it. Since her absence, Indiana’s 2-4, and her replacement, Sydney Colson, was held scoreless in a recent loss to the Sparks.
With DeWanna Bonner recently waived and the team battling depth issues, Clark’s return can’t come soon enough. But when she does come back, it won’t just be about scoring.
It’ll be about growing into the teammate her new vets know she can be. And if she listens to Howard? That ceiling might be even higher than Iowa ever saw.
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