NBA Legend Isiah Thomas Makes Strong Caitlin Clark Statement
But beyond the accolades, it's how she plays that truly sets her apart. Clark has brought a level of shooting to the women's game that few have ever seen.
Advertisement
In college, she shattered the Division I record for career three-pointers with 548. In the WNBA, she became the Fever's all-time single-season leader in made threes, was the fastest player in league history to hit 100 (34 games), and broke the rookie single-season record for most three-pointers made.
Clark's ability to control the tempo, space the floor and get her teammates involved are also strengths of hers.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22)Jeffrey Becker
After Tuesday night's NBA playoff game between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA legend Isiah Thomas said on NBA TV's "GameTime" that Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has been playing like Clark lately.
Advertisement
"His intellect for the game is on another level," Thomas said of Haliburton. "At the start of the game, when he walked in, I said, 'He's walking in like Caitlin Clark.' Right? Now, real talk, right? The way he played the game tonight, this is a Caitlin Clark-type of game — spreading the floor, right? He knocked down the 3, he kept the pace, and not only did he keep the pace, he controlled the tempo, he got everybody involved... he had the floor spread out, you know, he's shooting it from way, way, way, way, way, way, way, waaaay out there…"
Thomas went on to say that Haliburton likely picked up parts of his game from watching Clark, just as all players do when they watch others. That wouldn't be a surprise, as Clark and Haliburton have formed a friendship since her arrival in Indiana and often show support by attending each other's games.
"I say this in all sincerity," Thomas added. "We all steal a little from each other when we play against each other, when we watch somebody play, right? … I think Haliburton watching Caitlin, and their relationship, you know being fans of each other, I see a lot of her game in his game, right now.'
In Game 5 of the Pacers-Cavaliers series, Haliburton shot 6-of-10 from three and finished with 31 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Related: ESPN Predicts When Caitlin Clark Will Make Her 'Biggest Leap'
Related: Tyrese Haliburton's Parting Gesture to Cavaliers Fans
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who is the best rim protector in Nets franchise history?
The Brooklyn Nets have had plenty of players play for the franchise in the 59-year history of the organization that began its days in the ABA as the New Jersey Americans. Since the franchise has moved to Brooklyn, there hasn't been much playoff success to speak of, but that doesn't mean that there weren't great players that have played for the team. In terms of blocks per game, center Shawn Bradley was the best rim protector in the history of the franchise as he has the highest blocks-per-game average of 3.8 rejections per game. After Bradley, it's center George Johnson (2.8 blocks per game), center Billy Paultz (2.1), forward Julius "Dr. J" Erving (2.1), and center Chris Dudley (1.9) to round out the top-5 players in franchise history for blocks per game. Bradley played for the Nets, then in New Jersey, for parts of two seasons from the 1995-96 season to the 1996-97 campaign, which would explain why he has the highest blocks-per-game average in franchise history without ranking high on the total blocks leaderboards. In the 107 games that Bradley played for the Nets, he averaged 3.8 blocks per game, amounting to 410 total blocks. For context, Dudley and wing Chris Morris are tied for the ninth-most blocks (468) in the history of the franchise, meaning that Dudley was just 58 blocks away from entering the top-9 on the list. Assuming that Bradley's blocks-per-game average would have stayed the same, he would have needed just 16 games to amass at least 468 blocks, showing just how much of a force he was at the rim. In terms of total blocks over the course of a player's tenure with the Nets, Brook Lopez is the leader in that category with 972 blocks, equating to 1.7 blocks per contest over his 562 games with the franchise. While Lopez is considered one of the best players in the history of the Nets, Bradley seems to be the best rim protector due to his gaudy numbers. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Who is the best rim protector in Nets franchise history?
USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
Caitlin Clark injury update: Fever guard reportedly tweaked ankle during workout
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is working her way back from a right groin injury that has sidelined her for 13 consecutive games, but it was revealed Wednesday she suffered another injury during her recovery. Clark, who last suited up for the Fever on July 15, suffered a mild bone bruise in her left ankle during an individual workout session in Phoenix on Aug. 7, according to The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network. Clark tweaked her ankle the same day the team lost guards Sydney Colson (left ACL tear) and Aari McDonald (broken right foot) to season-ending injuries in the Fever's 95-60 loss to the Mercury. Ten days later, the Fever also lost guard Sophie Cunningham (MCL tear) for the season on Aug. 17, further depleting the team's backcourt. There's no timeline for Clark's return. Fieldhouse Files was the first to report the news of Clark's ankle injury. On Wednesday, head coach Stephanie White confirmed Clark has not returned to practice, which would mark a crucial step in her ramp-up process. "Until (Clark) can get into practice and until you guys see her in practice, we're really status quo," White said. "You never wanna see injuries happen, first and foremost," White added, referring to Cunningham. "You hate it when it's anyone, let alone the third season-ending injury that we've seen this year. But like I told our team ... yes, we've been dealt a crappy hand, but we have to play it." Clark, who previously missed time with a left quad and a left groin injury, has been sidelined 22 of the Fever's 35 games this season. Indiana is 8-5 with Clark in the lineup and 11-11 without her on the floor. The 2024 Rookie of the Year is averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and a career-high 8.8 assists in 13 games this season. Her assists average is the second-highest in the league, behind Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas (9.0). Caitlin Clark injury timeline The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bucks trade pitch sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Pistons for rising stars, draft capital
Bucks trade pitch sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to Pistons for rising stars, draft capital originally appeared on The Sporting News The Milwaukee Bucks have worked tirelessly this offseason to stay in title contention and keep Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied following their recent postseason struggles. After losing in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, trade speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo began to swirl rapidly. A report from Shams Charania of ESPN on Aug. 4 indicated that the superstar forward will continue to weigh his options, although it still appears unlikely Milwaukee will move its franchise cornerstone. The club made a series of desperate moves this summer to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, including waiving and stretching the remaining $113 million on Damian Lillard's contract over the next five years to create cap space for Myles Turner. The Bucks could flip Antetokounmpo for future assets If the retooled Bucks are unable to make any significant noise this season — or if Antetokounmpo requests a trade before the deadline — Milwaukee could look to move him for future assets and begin a rebuild. MORE: Bucks' 12 million guard named key 'wild card' for 2025-26 season Dave Holcomb of recently put together a mock trade that would send the two-time MVP to one of the Bucks' fiercest rivals, the Detroit Pistons. Here's Holcomb's proposed trade: Bucks receive: Tobias Harris, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, four first-round picks Pistons receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo The Bucks would almost certainly have several suitors if they chose to part with the nine-time All-Star. The San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat are all among the teams who have previously been linked to Antetokounmpo. The Pistons, meanwhile, are a rising team who are expected to build around Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson. Adding Antetokounmpo at power forward would be a massive upgrade over Harris, though the club would have to rely on Isaiah Stewart at center. Milwaukee would acquire intriguing pieces in return. Ivey is set to become a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 campaign, but Milwaukee could look to lock him into a long-term deal as part of its rebuild. The Bucks would also land a promising young big man in Duren, who is also set to become a restricted free agent after this season and has averaged a double-double on 65.5 percent shooting over the past two seasons. Antetokounmpo isn't expected to go anywhere for now, but things can change quickly in the NBA — especially if his desire to win another title outweighs his loyalty to Milwaukee. MORE NBA NEWS: Warriors predicted to sign 5-time All-Star to $11.7 million deal Knicks fans call for big change to starting lineup in recent poll NBA reveals Cooper Flagg, Mavericks' marquee matchups with Celtics NBA writer makes bold prediction for Bulls' rising star Matas Buzelis Proposed 76ers trade lands Lakers' 20.2 PPG rising star for Quentin Grimes
