Caitlin Clark is one of the most efficient and prolific three-point shooters in the history of women’s basketball. But in a shocking turn of events, it sounds like she is now focusing on shooting more long two-point shots instead of three-pointers due to a decision from her coach.
“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.”
Sure enough, when the team practiced this week, Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star noted that Clark did seem to be emphasizing long two-point shots right off the bat.
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.
Needless to say, this shocking coaching decision led to a lot of reactions on social media as fans expressed their outrage.
"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
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
Oh my god they’re gonna ruin our glorious Queen. https://t.co/nzlEsmW8h7
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) May 25, 2024
The mid-range jumper is literally the least efficient shot in basketball. By a large margin. I'd rather CC try more logo 3s. This worries me. https://t.co/uy6WyxBmVF
— CJHoytNews (@CJHoytNews) May 24, 2024
The Indiana Fever – one of the worst teams in all of professional sports – drafted one of the greatest college basketball players of all-time. And their head coach sees her job as to … limit her 3-point shots? A dumpster fire in real-time. 🗑 🔥 https://t.co/A8wew1azaM
— Brad Porter (@bradkporter) May 24, 2024
It’s certainly not a popular coaching decision. We’ll have to see how this change works out for Clark and the Fever.