4-Time WNBA Champion Sue Bird Talks Caitlin Clark & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2024
- Four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird and Rich Eisen discuss Caitlin Clark’s struggles in her first two games as a pro with the Indiana Fever, says why media focusing on Clark instead of other star players is actually good for the league, and more.
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#richeisenshow #wnba #caitlinclark - Sport
... the pro's went after Caitlin more than any other rookie... so it was an attack right away and Caitlin never provoked them... it was the media that set off the pros. Let that sink in.
No other rookie was said to be GREATEST EVER when we know she’s not even close to that…..
Watch more W games. The vets get roughed up too not just the rookies. It was always a rough league I doubt anyone is out to get Caitlin they just don't want her going off and are playing to win. Thomas just slammed Reese so they are all getting a little. Cait handles the ball so much more than the other rookies so she's getting more attention obviously. Other than guard screens the player with the ball is the target! 🏀🎯
Tired of the og shebeasts like bird pretending to b experts and friendly to cc. She knows better and so do a lot of us.
@@artistamistoI wish that was true but after that sky game it's obvious she is being targeted. That foul / assault was before the ball was even in play. It's unfortunate that the wnba players are this jealous and petty or just racist or woke that its coming down this kind of "play"
Best 'adult' conversation about the W and CC I've heard so far. So Refreshing!
I don't think Caitlin ever disagreed with Diana, right!? I can't find anywhere in social media where Caitlin disagreed with Diana. You find it, show me.
To her credit.Clark,has not said a word about it.
Her FANS have been insufferable about it.
Its the attitude, the way diana said it, there is something about it, with a laugh. Everybody knows there will be a transition.
Never happened
Caitlin doesn't do social media...she wants to play ball and stay away from the haters..
Sue Bird is such a classy person and great player !
If Sue Bird is so Classy why didn't she say "Yes it will be hard at first, but I Sue Bird welcome Caitlin to the WNBA. She will be our sister and she'll lift our game even higher. " Sue Bird is not Claay in my book because she does not stand up to Taurasi, Stewart, Parker and the rest of the Ckark haters
@@beckyspitzack4265 Because she's not a dang politician. You want her to give a lofty speech in the middle of a silly podcast lol
@@beckyspitzack4265same. I agree 100%
@@beckyspitzack4265 I have to agree it seemed like Rich was leading her to possibly correct some wrongs but she didn't go that direction and instead she decided to stay the course. I am glad Rich mentioned that Caitlin has been nothing but gracious and has not responded in a negative way about any of it.
In time CC will break all the scoring records in the WBNA.
and assists. 👍
Seems like a bunch of new fans just expected Caitlin to continue like it was her college season. She is playing against people that have been playing significantly longer than Caitlin. She will adjust, but it will take time.
you try playing for the worst team in the league who gives you 0 open looks…
@@WilkenWilkinsIt’s not just that. When you play in you play against college players, many who while very good, are never going to play professionally. Every player CC is playing against is bigger, faster, stronger and way more talented than CC played against in college. I think CC will play great as she adjusts to the speed of the game.
CC is good that's why teams are double or triple teaming her.
Clark is playing with a fat Boston, an elementary coach, and teammates who can't catch or pass.
@@mtadams2009 Speed of the game? her teammates are not keeping pace with CC?
Sue Bird such a wise woman. Thank you for being honest CC is special. Time is what she needs
Who is Sue Bird?
We don't who is or isn't special until they put the TIME in. Clark has barely arrived. So Sue doesn't know anymore then anyone else.
so more "time" will allow CC to have a 36" vertical and talent?
Losing money 28 years in a row and the older players are being disrespected?????? And she is giving them a chance to actually make money for the first time in 28 years. Come on.
Amen David!
“She’s not even really getting that many great looks… she’s played two of the top defensive teams in the league.”
I appreciate Sue adding more nuance to this. It’s more to sports than just a box score. If you watch the games anyone can see these teams have a target on her. Not many rookies come into the league being guarded like this.
Caitlin isn’t just adjusting to the league, she’s adjusting from winning at Iowa to being in a stagnant offense/defense and losing. Some people keep mentioning Candace Parker’s transition into the league as a rookie, but they fail to mention Candace was drafted to the LA Sparks in 2008 and had Lisa Leslie a 10 year vet, All-Star, MVP, DPOY in 2008 - as a teammate. They made it to the Conference Finals that year.
Playing with MVP caliber teammates and a coach that has won Championships makes the transition process a lot smoother. Caitlin needs grace not just because she’s adjusting to the league, but because the Fever are playing “super teams” with a defensive strategy to blitz, hammer, and pick her up at half court every possession. Teams can get away with this, because there are no other offensive threats on the Fever that they have to guard like that. This coach has to develop a system and draw up some plays to alleviate some of that pressure. They haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2016 and this may be another losing season for the Fever. This coach will def be on the hot seat if there aren’t any noticeable improvements by the end of the season.
it's accidental basketball. rarely see it produce a winning season, but this 4th game was better
Almost all of Caitlin's score are all by her effort, nobody picked for her, nobody assisted her, she's exerting a lot of effort just to be able to shoot. It would make a lot easier for Caitlin for her teammates to help her, easier to get a shot and probably get a higher shooting percentage.
@@garywright8457 Games 4 and 5 were way better. If they get stronger on the offensive rebounding… they probably win both of those close games.
@@rap3208 Adding Kelsey to the starting lineup is helping them put more points on the board, but AB needs to get stronger on the offensive boards. Temí and Nalyssa have been coming in clutch too, but some of the 4th qtr coaching decisions have been questionable. Sides sitting Caitlin on the bench after she helped lead an 8 point run in the 4th to tie the game just doesn’t seem like an effective coaching strategy.
Class act interview for both Eisen and and Bird discussing the impact of Clark and Clark's entrance into the WNBA
Only smart thing I heard was when Eisen said Clark went to the worst team THE INDIANA FEVER and instead of following up on that Bird just continued on how badly Clark was doing.
"I give it a chuckle and move on, it's about growing the game" Sue Bird is awesome.
This conversation is doing circles around the facts...the Fever is a crap team and Caitlin is an elite player..let her lead....the coach needs to find another profession
There is certainly credit due to the Sun and Liberty for defending Caitlin Clark. Yet one wonders if the Fever were more disjointed than any of the top college teams. It wasn’t a team but a group of individuals on their own trip.
No it was just you wondering.
@@user-li6zk2kh1j in your opinion they were a smooth cohesive unit?
@@EetsBackExplain ? And would my opinion matter or are you just going argue ?
I do want you to explain. I may argue my point. Maybe you know better than me.
I dont argue. You made up your mind before you even thought you had one. Bye Bye .
Sue Bird might be one of the nicest people on the planet. High Five Sue Bird! High Five!
Do you know her? Her comments are not rooted in reality. But if you know her personally to say she is a nice person than you know something I don't.?
@@beckyspitzack4265 Do YOU know her? How do YOU know her comments aren't aren't rooted in reality? I think you are just a weirdo hater. I have watched her during her whole career. I have seen her speak dozens of times. Her answers to questions hold a deliberate magnanimity that still speaks honestly. How do YOU know her so well there Trolly McTrollerson?
The WNBA has the Fever schedule starting w/7 games in 12 days w/all but 1 game against a top 4 team, so that the WNBA could use CC to get attention for the top teams in the league & the Fever are using CC for her assist & how she pulls so many defenders from other players. The WNBA & Fever are killing their golden goose.
Of course CC has to adjust to the stronger defenders she will meet in the WNBA, but I don't know how many rookies are getting full court coverage or double & triple teamed their first year either. And though she's a rookie, its just stupid for the Fever, a team that hasn't had more wins than losses since 2016, to get a player like CC & not let her be the main PG & run the plays. If they don't let her be the primary PG they will never figure out how to play to everyone's strengths. I don't care if they avg 20 TO a game while they figure out how to gel with her as PG. They're definitely not going to figure it out putting CC in the corner as a SG that no one ever passes to.
I think you are totally right.
About myself, I played basketball from the age of 13 until my mid 40s. I coached boys and girls youth basketball teams and coached a men's team.
Facts - 1. CC is Indiana's best player! 2. The team as a whole, including the coach, is not that good. Caitlin has to go through a learning and improvement stage but she is not the only one.
What happens to Indiana during the remainder of this season depends primarily on the coach. 1. Think about what you say to the press if you want to keep the player's morale up. 2. The Bigs on the team need more individual guidance on ball handling, faking moves around the basket, more conditioning and Boxing Out which goes for all players. 3. Build the offense around Caitlin!
The team has better players than she played with in college. She has The Rookie of the year from last season on her team Who had the most points on the team yesterday. I do think it's the coach but C Clark isn't an All around Great player especially when playing against Star caliber athletes. She's a Great Shooter and will be a major piece of a champion ship team like a Ray Allen or Klay Thompson.
@@ashtraysghost4636 that a load of crap I'm sorry I agree with the comment above she is a great allround player give her time she is as capable as any one in the league
So you played and coached basketball but you still KNOW nothing about basketball. It's one thing to say CC might not be the right FIT for Indiana but to make DUMB claims that she is the best player after just 2 GAMES is insane. The FEVER are starting out playing some of the better Teams in the WNBA. Most of the TEAMS in the WNBA really aren't that good. If you were so darn good at coaching, either the WNBA or the NBA would hire you. Every time there key additions to a team, everyone has to adjust including Clark. The Biggest Problem is Clark started out taking wayyyy too many shots as opposed to everyone else. Indiana has plenty of YOUNG talent. Key Word being YOUNG. So your points are not FACTS.
@@natureredux1957 Your first sentence as well as some of your other comments exposes your level of intelligence. Maybe you are just an AI Bot that is still learning how to communicate with humans in a respectful fashion. At any rate, I am not going to waste anymore of my time by replying to your comments.
@@ronbrotu Thanks for not wasting my time. You clearly know little to nothing about basketball. Respect, you can't even RESPECT the paid PRO Coach. But you have the NERVE to talk about Respect.
In her first 3 seasons in the WNBA, Kelsey Plum averaged 8.9 pts, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Last game CC had 9 pts, 7 rebounds and 6 assists
Plum wasn’t supposed to be the great white hype of the wnba
Wishing that people stop declaring a single person as basketball champion. It’s a team sport, not one where individuals are competing like boxing, weight lifting, athletics, swimming, etc. In a team of twelve players, you have to give credit to everyone.
True but even more, I wish the older wnba players would stop hating on the Caitlin. Sure, there were great athletes in the wnba but nobody watched it. They should all be thanking Caitlin for the extra eyes on the game and for the new jets, CC.
💯 agree
Look at the stats for these WNBA greats’ first 10 games - Sue Bird, Kelsey Plum, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Briann January. Sue knows all about great talent adapting to the next level. It takes a minute, and will happen.
Facts. it's a reason Why only one person in the history of WNBA has ever set the league on fire their first day in the league & That's Candace Parker. She won MVP and Rookie of the year.
🙄
@@ashtraysghost4636Brianna Stewart, maya moore, Sheryl swooped, Cynthia cooper, there was plenty who came straight in and dominated. These excuses will continue. She will be avg at best and that’s no hate
@@jaystacks5249 Those names you listed are in the past. (Stewart wiil be gone soon) Curry says cc will be the best.
Who are you?????
Oh btw Caitlin signed a multi million dollar contract with Wilson Basketballs today
I want one of those basketballs and her Jersey and her shoes
Love sue bird
Kelsey Plum and her probably had the most logical and sincere conversation I've heard from any WNBA player about Caitlin Clark that didn't come off as shade or jealousy.
bogus fouls will make you angry too.
Please have Sue on more, she has a cool perspective
I am beginning to think the WNBA is a little like a sorority or fraternity there is hazing and an initiation rite. The NFL has had some of that in the past. That would explain some of how the first two games played out. Her team
mates did not really help her in any number of ways.
She has 70 points and 14 assists in 4 games how is she not doing good? 🙄🙄
CC has been with her team for a few weeks, she’s a rookie and it takes time to build chemistry. Fans decide who they like, I feel she’s treated unfairly and hated by some. Great white WNBA players like Bird, Bre Steward or Taurisi didn’t have a big fan base like CC so it’s not just a race issue, Jamelle Hill. CC was an underdog who played college for her state team rather loaded talent programs like SC and UConn. I think her achievement with her average Iowa team and her long ball, passing ability and winning attitude is what made her attractive. I love watching her games and I am a Black man.
Caitlin Clark is a rookie who is above average in skill, this is a fact. But so many "Non-hoopers" have no clue as to the skill level changes that happen from HS to college, and from college to pro. For Caitlin to put up numbers against players who are extremely more talented then NCAA players is an achievement that gets overlooked. To age myself, I still remember both Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the NCAA. Caitlin Clark is the real deal, she sacrifices so much in life due to her love of basketball. My hope is that she stays healthy and blocks out all the media BS while she develops. She was drafted by a team that needs work and a coach that needs replaced. That's enough on her shoulders.
Love Sue Bird!!!
I feel badly for you.
They going to make her a monster, she's young and intelligent 🎉🎉🎉
Some perspective: first season stats: Kelsey Plum 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists; Sue Bird 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists; Sabrina Ionescu 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists
But none of them were called saviors. None of them were called the best player in the WNBA before even playing against single game.
Is this for the season Sabrina only played 3 games?
Sabrina's first season?😂😂Yeah that's the perspective we needed
@@ad7711x lmao and neither was clark but in college different story
@@petercrisp8314I see ppl say it everyday, where have you been?
Listening to how people blame Caitlin for media hype is sad. She didn't ask for it. She just played her game. The disrespect from players and the outright abuse is awful.
Great conversation!
SUE BIRD SEEMS LIKE A REALLY GREAT PERSON!
Sue bird one of the best of all times, and so classy much respect to her
Sue Bird is a beautiful woman but she is not classy because she lives in a fantasy land if she thinks anyone was watching W before C.
No one else realized @16:10 sue bird was 100% talking about rich eisen 😂😂😂😂😂
Funny she needs Rich for publicity yet he doesn't nerd her, she only insulted herself and WNBA
Suzy with the A1 questions per usual
Kobe had humble beginnings as well
lol-- no, he didn't
Most intelligent conversation about Caitlin so far.thamks Sue
Clark played before 56,000+ for 1 game at Iowa.
WNBA is called totally different than college. I was shocked how many moving picks were not called. Lots of obvious reach in fouls not called . It’s gonna be a long tough season adjusting. Candace was my favorite!
And yet Clark has been getting called for several very minor ticky-tack fouls. They can beat the crap out of her but she gets rung up for nothing… the refs definitely aren’t on board with her being “the face of the league” 😅
Neither of you have noted the Fever's terrible coaching, the slowness and general lack of fitness of many Fever players, and the extreme anti-CC bias of some of the refs w. the ticky-tack fouls while ignoring other players' prison ball tactics. *Several* of CC's turnovers have been due to her teammates fumbling the ball. Naturally Sue doesn't want to put down any current players, but she's unloading a lot of waffle here, other than pointing out all the double-teaming on CC. *Lots* of knowledgeable commentators have said everything I have. At the time I'm writing this it's become even clearer that the coach needed to teach her players to work with CC, not against her -- and they're now starting to do it.
Rich lost his way in this interview. The fever coach does not know what she is doing. Playing CC out of position. The league itself does not know how to market their new star
the trend in the WNBA is stars get on one team creating super teams .The Fever dont have that and judging Clark off wins makes zero sense at all. When teams have other great players on one team, maybe the Fever will start getting great players and veterans that would help
Nobody set screens to get clark open: every one at the top of the key while she dribbled, shameful
She is ahead of Candace Parker in her 1st 8 games
Well said👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯 Thanks for the refreshing perspective.
TY Diane for keeping it real. 💯 No ones in the WNBA is hating. They all was just keeping it real. As they should 🙂
Sue Bird is knowledgeable enough to recognize that Indiana's team and coaching has been sub-par.
Bird is just throwing shade on the downlow.
LET CAITLIN BE THE LEADER WE KNOW SHE IS
Sue is a stellar person
I don’t get the victory lap by everyone. It’s the first game 2 games and she needs to work on improving. Everyone makes excuses for Lebron. Chill wnba fans. Chill
Sue Bird is awesome she should be coaching Indiana head coach !!❤❤❤
Caitlin has only 20 9 22 and 17 points in her first 4 games
It's weird that people think Diana Taurasi, who is the all-time WNBA scoring leader, has the highest ppg in a season in WNBA history, averaged 17 ppg as a rookie, and has played more overall minutes in the WNBA than anyone in the league besides Sue Bird, isn't qualified to give her opinion about adjusting to the WNBA from college. But they, somehow, are.
I could listen to Sue Bird ALL DAY! However if she really wants to blow up,, she should dump the 'T' in her show and either do it solo or have someone other than that hater troll.
LMAO, I sure would like to know where Bird got the notion that viewership of the WNBA was on the rise. The 2023 WNBA viewer results was actually 200k less than the year before.
Caitlin has won already. If you’re talking about a player struggling while averaging 19pts a game in her first 3 games, she different
Clark has more class than almost all of them
Nobody cares unless it is Caitlin Clark.
CC might have got me watching the WNBA but now that I am here I am super interested in Kia Nurse, Boston, and the other drafted rookies that I learned about while watching the NCAA finals this year. As a former female athlete I am having the time of my life watching the PWHL, NWSL and now the WNBA. Couldn't be more impressed with the level of play of these women and the entertainment factor they are providing on a nightly basis.
Good for Sue
BS. CC#22 fever don't let CC play her game and no good teammates. Stop it these ladies r playing hard as hell against 22. The hate is real
Sue Bird is a Class Act….. always has been❤️
Sue, you're awesome as always! Love you, you're one of the greatest ever ballers and speakers! And I'm from TN. 😊
CC deserves a better HC and better team mates. Fever needs to kick out Wheeler!
There is a reason the Fever picked 1st. She is on a weak team, give her time.
Sue is so Awesome for real !!
Bird like the rest of the WNBA doesn't want Clark to make an impact, they want to make an example of her.
She's going to get better. Not even the All Star break
Humble! Grateful! Why can't all of the other WNBA women be the same
Good for you Sue Bird…..completely ridiculous question from whoever the blond is. Sue doesn’t have frustration regarding Caitlin!
CClark is now playing against the BEST players in the world. She's not expected to logo shoot unguarded 🤔
Sue is part of the culture. WNBA needs AA culture change.
Agreed 100%
tied only 3 other players in history to reach over 138 points before 10 games look it up
fast forward 12 days and she puts up 30 points, 6 assist 3 blocks and 8 assist
Have no doubt-Caitlyn packed/packs the arenas-home and away.
Never heard of Sue Bird.
Such BS, no bounty on CC! How stupid do you think we are.
Some of the people who are saying they are Caitlin Clark fans are really fake accounts. If you look at where they are coming from on their accounts they are really living in Louisiana. Plus, this year a ton are coming from Arizona and have ties to Diana Taurasi and/or UConn. Then these fake accounts say they are Caitlin Clark fans but rip ger teammates apart to try to create resentment and hate against Caitlin. This year has gotten so viscous and weird.
Bird knows that Clark has a cash bounty on her, but refuses to say anything because it will expose what the WNBA is all about and then to defend all of the hatred Clark has received from players like Taurasi, Aja, and many others as well as from 9 head coaches including New York and Dallas by saying it's just a competitive thing between athletes is just utter bullshit. Aja is one of the most hateful racist players in the W, and would have never gotten that Nike deal if it wasn't for Clark.
The choreography of team basketball takes time-reading the nonverbal cues and rhythm of your team. But all these people want to excel. They will figure this out
Ticket sells? Rating? And $$ 4000butts in seats now 19000 sell out now? Stop it
Adjust to what being fouled all the time and the refs not calling the fouls. Her teammates standing around looking lost. Not setting screens for her or each other. A coach who sits there and does nothing to protect her players especially Clark. Some of her teammates not passing her the ball when she is wide open instead they pass to another teammate who is being double teamed or they take the shot themselves while being heavily covered.
❤ Sue Bird!!!!! True Champion!!!!!!
Let's remember 1 year ago neither you or I had ever heard of this woman.
That is not true.Caitlin won the Naismith award ,the last 2 years she was in college.That goes to the best player in college basketball.Also,Caitlin's Iowa team,played in the NCAA,championship game,the last 2 years.
What a terrible question the female host asked her frustration with being asked questions about Caitlin. Quit trying to make tension. Great answer Sue.
A great conversation 🏀🫶🏻 I appreciate Sue Bird’s perspective.
maybe you should listen again,,,,,this time with the sound on.
Nice job ignoring the illegal hits, even though this interview is out of date, the flagrants were there from the start.
Idk why people keep saying the comment about adjusting to the WNBA level was controversial, to me it appears that they want to downplay how former players reacted to the fame Caitlins received. What people reacted to was when she said she looks like a super star playing against 18 year olds or when another former player said it took her 5 years to break the record.
Swoopes said both
Rookies do not usually make the starting 5. That means that either Indiana is that terrible or Caitlin is that great.
Both.
Sue Bird is talking non-sense!! No rising trajectory at all!! Give Caitlin the full credit instead of showing your ignorance or in denial of the facts about the popularity or no popularity at all of the WNBA. Now attendance,?coverage & viewership are up the roofs👏👏👏
Caitlyn is just being Caitlyn. Diana Swoops and the rest of them are showing thier immaturity.
No one could pick Sue Bird out of a police lineup.
Sue is a lovely woman
She slow walking her retraction on CC.
She is much more mature than Diana. Diana is like a mean high school girl. If it wasn’t for Caitlin, I wouldn’t even so much as glance at a WNBA game. She made me interested in a league I never cared about.
You nailed that!
Ive been watching womens basketball for 10 years on and off. I have favorite players. Caitlin Clark is a new fave player. There are thousands of new fans. Stop hurting the golden goose
I was really disappointed with the UCONN coach making this all out to be the physicality of the WNBA and not addressing the illegal, cowardly hits on Clark. He really missed the boat, made everything else he said seem biased. Of course, some of his players in the WNBA are known to be dirty.
Blessings Sue
No women until Clark came to the league brought NEW FANs , Media and ticket sales! Bird never came close to what Clark has done!