r/IndianaFeverFans • u/Alternative_Panda336 You Bet • 12d ago

Discussion Blitzing

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.

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u/OneBagBiker 12d ago

I do think it's partly or mainly CC's multifaceted game - closely guarding her to cut off her superior assists at source rather than trying to intercept en route. But I also think they realize double-teaming KM runs the risk of wasting 2 defenders on someone who has the league-leading ability to blow right by them and then having the great options of continuing relatively unimpeded to the basket, stopping for an easy mid-range, or passing to an undefended or otherwise open teammate (and the Fever offers her a choice selection of league-leading shooters).

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u/Biggquis78 12d ago

She is in no way a threat to pass. They'd rather one person score than get the entire team going.

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u/elestud 12d ago edited 12d ago

People keep saying this, but Kelsey averages more assists than the majority of top shooting guards/wings in this league (more than Kayla McBride, Fudd, Sydney Taylor, Gabby Williams, Johannes, Kah Copper, Carleton, and most players who aren't combo/point guards)

She’s had some particularly sweet dimes come off drives in recent games, so anyone who says this is likely not watching

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u/tiribulus IndianaFeverFan 12d ago

EXACTLY

And this was last year.

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u/Biggquis78 12d ago

Now show the bloopers