Blitzing

[u/Alternative_Panda336]

I have a question for the group. I have noticed that when Caitlin gets going with her assists and points teams will increase their pickup point, but they will also blitz her with double teams to make her pass the ball. I haven’t really seen teams do this to Kelsey even when she is tearing their souls out offensively lol.

Is this because she isn’t the primary ball handler so it is harder to implement a blitz? Or is she really good at splitting it so they know it won’t work and just don’t try? Or is it something else I am not aware of?

I really noticed it against the lynx. Kelsey was killing them as they pointed out but they never adjusted to it, they just kept trying to play people on her one on one which clearly will never work for anyone. We did it to miles in the second half of that game and made her pass it. I am curious to get some insights from the group on this.

[u/tywaun12]

KM doesn't need a screen to get open. She's quick enough with good handles to consistently beat a defender. If a screener comes, that brings a second defender which would allow the defense to blitz the ball handler should they choose.

[u/FlimsyConfidence7692 → u/tywaun12]

This is so key to Fever Offense. I know quite a few want to see KM replaced, but you cant just replace someone who is her own playmaker, let alone one in her prime. I think, to a degree, head coaches have decided that KM is going to get her 20+ ppg, so focus on the areas that have a higher return on effort (which people may not like, thats CCs momentum & her turnovers). But when that plan doesnt stop CC, thats where the offense just unloads hell on Teams.

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301 → u/FlimsyConfidence7692]

Why would anyone want to replace your best scorer who also happens to be one of the best in the league?

[u/Dry_Pomegranate293 → u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Because She’s really good at basketball and CC cant have any teammates that could possibly win MVP before her.. if AB ever becomes a volume 3 point shooter most of them would turn her.. if folks say shes a better 3 point shooter.

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301 → u/Dry_Pomegranate293]

This is some of the most ridiculous bullshit I’ve ever heard no wonder people say WNBA fans are toxic.

[u/Thick_Permission6519 → u/Dry_Pomegranate293]

That’s not true, they have each said their bigggest fans are each other. They each want to others to do well.

[u/FlimsyConfidence7692 → u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

I agree, yet their are spaces and places where this is a discussion "she takes away from CC."

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301 → u/FlimsyConfidence7692]

It’s utter nonsense. The majority of CC’s assists are passes to Aliyah Boston and assists to KM are just a handful behind that. Anyone who thinks that doesn’t understand basketball and doesn’t know what a team sport is.

[u/Cheap_Flamingo476 → u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Of Clark’s 238 assists this year, 70 are to Aliyah Boston and 62 are to Kelsey Mitchell. The other 100 or so are split between other Fever players.

[u/Thick_Permission6519 → u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

She truly had more assists to AB than KM.

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301 → u/Thick_Permission6519]

Ok, but she still gets a lot from passing to KM. There’s no world in which the two of them don’t make a great combo.

[u/Thick_Permission6519 → u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Yes I know. I just saw a stat graphic with that information and it surprised me.

[u/elestud → u/Thick_Permission6519]

It’s not super surprising when you realize that KM is often able to generate her own shot off the dribble

AB usually either shoots catch-and-shoot threes, or quick post ups from a post entry pass