Caitlin Clark Benching Sparks Backlash, Fans Shut Down Head Coach’s Critics With Facts

Caitlin Clark and Young N Turnts have been a revelation for USA Basketball during the FIBA World Cup in Germany.

Caitlin Clark Benching Sparks Backlash, Fans Shut Down Head Coach’s Critics With Facts

Kara Lawson and Caitlin Clark (Image via Correlation/X)

This may be the first few games Caitlin Clark and her band of Young N Turnts play against senior international opponents, but they seem to have made it look easy with their performance.

It may be early days since the Americans are yet to face tougher competition. But so far, the younger players have proven that their collective might is good enough to make mincemeat of lesser opponents.

But that has given fans the idea that players like Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Rhyne Howard, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron should get better opportunities as starters.

A mix of those seven proved to be efficient both in stretching leads against China and Czechia. That led reporter Jackson Thompson to ask head coach Kara Lawson whether she would start Caitlin Clark against Hungary.

I think that our starting group’s done a pretty good job of getting us off to good starts, and rotationally from game to game we could change things, but I like where we are right now.

Kara Lawso replied

Thompson tried to ask a follow-up question to see whether the head coach’s opinion was only for Caitlin Clark by asking whether Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers would get the nod. But Lawson stuck to her answer.

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Fans come to Kara Lawson’s defense after critics call her out for ignoring Caitlin Clark’s production

As soon as this interview reached social media, most of the fans quickly turned on Kara Lawson. They felt that the head coach was siding with the veterans even though Caitlin Clark has proven that she is possibly the best player on Team USA.

However, amidst that criticism were some fans who pointed out that the Indiana Fever superstar should only start if she is playing alongside her Young N Turnt crew. Their chemistry is great, and breaking it would be detrimental to the team’s playing rhythm. Check out examples of those reactions below.

In head coach Kara Lawson’s defense, the current veteran group of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart has playing experience. Breaking that would be catastrophic against well-knit teams such as Belgium or France.

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Caitlin Clark and Young N Turnts have to improve their chemistry by the next game

Kara Lawson and the think tank behind USA Basketball know a bit more than what fans on social media believe. Apart from the obvious factor that the veterans have better on-court chemistry, their experience in tough situations will be valuable in the later rounds.

Caitlin Clark and the Young N' Turnts
Caitlin Clark and the Young N’ Turnts (Image via USA Basketball/X)

On the other hand, Caitlin Clark and her Young N Turnts proved in the past two games that they are still a while away from playing with the understanding and rhythm of their older teammates.

The former did produce better numbers overall than their vets, but there were instances, such as the game against Italy, where it was clear that the seven need more time to understand each other’s tendencies.

After all, they have just played a few games together. Some might have experience playing together when they were younger. But times have changed, as have their abilities on the court.

Therefore, this next game against Hungary might be the best time for them to perfect their game plan. That is because of the fact that after the quarterfinal game, there won’t be any easy opportunities.

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