Fans are realizing that Diana Taurasi probably knew what she was talking about when she warned of Caitlin Clark needing time to adjust to the WNBA.
Taurasi faced some backlash after predicting last month that “reality is coming” for Clark. The No. 1 pick has indeed faced early adversity, committing 10 turnovers in her WNBA debut and scoring nine points in Thursday’s 102-66 loss to the New York Liberty.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles around Bree Hall #23 of the S.C. Gamecocks during the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse April 07, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jason Miller/Getty Images
However, Taurasi isn’t taking a victory lap. Speaking to Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta radio show on Friday, Taurasi said her point got misconstrued.
The three-time champion expects Clark to succeed, but the Indiana Fever rookie must first experience some growing pains.
“Look, I only said it because when I watch games — and I’m sure when you talk to any professional athlete — you just look at what they’ll look like as a pro. … How will it translate? It’s going to translate,” Taurasi said. “Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time.”
Although the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer is entering her 21st year with the Phoenix Mercury, Taurasi still struggles to handle the league’s physicality at times.
“I still don’t feel comfortable,” Taurasi said. “I mean, It’s an uncomfortable league. It’s physical, it’s a grind. You never feel comfortable. You just get used to the things around you.”
Iowa’s offense ran through Clark, but Taurasi wondered if a tweaked role would help ease the two-time Player of the Year into her new surroundings.
“At the same time, she’s in an interesting position where she’s played on the ball her whole career,” Taurasi noted. “Sometimes you have to play off the ball. Sometimes that’s the solution.”
Clark and the Fever will get another crack at the Liberty on Saturday. ABC will air the matchup from Barclays Center at 1 p.m. ET.
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