Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides has taken a lot of criticism from fans as the team has struggled mightily even after adding superstar Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. And one of her recent decisions has only added to that criticism.
During a recent press conference, Christie Sides indicated that she wanted Caitlin Clark to focus more on deep two-point shots instead of always looking to shoot a three-pointer.
“I think she’s used to some shots that she’s taken in the last few years that are just those deep shots,” Sides said according to Marca.com. “There’s times she comes off ball screens where she’s open in that long 2 area, and we’ve got to get her comfortable taking that long 2.”
When the Fever practiced this week, Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star noted that Clark and the team did seem to be emphasizing long two-point shots during their shooting drills.
But of a change to the shooting drills, emphasizing long 2-pointers first.
Christie Sides has said she wants her team, specifically Caitlin Clark, to get more comfortable in the mid-range. pic.twitter.com/LcnMRkMPtH
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) May 24, 2024
“[Bit] of a change to the shooting drills, emphasizing long 2-pointers first. Christie Sides has said she wants her team, specifically Caitlin Clark, to get more comfortable in the mid-range,” Peterson said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
The problem with emphasizing this shot is that it is analytically the least efficient shot in basketball and most basketball coaches and players go out of their ways to avoid it while defenses try to force their opponents to take this shot.
Needless to say, Sides got a lot of criticism for what many thought was a horrible coaching decision.
"Hey team, we're 0-5. Let's work on the worst shot in basketball."
– Christie Sides, probably 😬 https://t.co/ClN0TWEmjB
— Trent Condon (@trentcondon) May 24, 2024
Literally the worst basketball coach in the history of mankind https://t.co/7bAFZOjz5q
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 24, 2024
Every coach in basketball “long 2’s are the worst shot in basketball. Do not take them”
Christie Sides: https://t.co/zb5pTpsJZC
— Future Of The Retro (@TraeK_) May 24, 2024
The worst basketball coach in the history of the sport. https://t.co/ezEW60bgU3
— OmaHawkeye (@OmaHawkeye03) May 24, 2024
This coach is hilarious. She cracks me up bc this shot is what a defense wants https://t.co/vVUozkgaFz
— year 22 (@johnrivers131) May 24, 2024
Continuing to put the pedal down on emphasizing the most inefficient shot in the sport while actively not playing a player on the roster where the biggest portion of her game is making this shot is amazing. https://t.co/bDwaQ47md8
— Drew Benedict (@drewbenedict03) May 24, 2024
I’m not sure which move is funnier from the head coach of the 0-5 Indiana Fever:
– Having her players work on the worst shot in basketball
– Making professionals count out loud to 10 makes like 3rd grade kids
– Encouraging the Steph Curry of women’s hoops to take more long 2s https://t.co/0vruauYElo
— Ohio’s Tate (@BarstoolTate) May 25, 2024
Clearly, people are not a fan of this decision.
