Indiana Fever’s Offseason Addition of Natasha Howard May Not Complement Caitlin Clark’s Style of Play
The Indiana Fever made headlines during the offseason by signing veteran forward Natasha Howard. While the acquisition was initially met with enthusiasm due to Howard’s experience and accolades, it’s becoming increasingly clear that her addition may not be the best fit alongside rising superstar Caitlin Clark. The stylistic mismatch between Howard’s traditional frontcourt style and Clark’s high-speed, modern brand of basketball is beginning to raise concerns about the Fever’s long-term on-court chemistry and performance trajectory.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and one of the most electrifying young players in women’s basketball, has made it known that she thrives in a fast-paced, up-tempo offensive system. Her college career at Iowa was built around speed, quick ball movement, and spacing that allowed her to shoot from deep or distribute to open teammates. The hope in Indiana was to build a system around her dynamic strengths — a system that emphasized pace, spacing, and fluid offensive flow.
Unfortunately, Howard’s game doesn’t appear to align with that vision. Known for her physical presence, rebounding ability, and interior defense, Howard is more of a traditional frontcourt player. She’s at her best when operating closer to the basket and is not particularly known for stretching the floor or excelling in transition. Her skill set has served her well in the WNBA, where she’s earned All-Star nods and helped teams win championships, but it clashes with the Fever’s evolving identity centered on Clark’s offensive tempo.
One of the main issues is spacing. In today’s WNBA, floor spacing is critical, especially when a team is built around a playmaker like Clark, who needs open lanes to drive or find shooters. Howard, however, does not have a reliable three-point shot, which allows opposing defenses to sag off her and clog the paint. This restricts the driving and passing lanes that Clark typically exploits. It also places more pressure on Indiana’s guards and wings to compensate by creating offense and maintaining spacing — a tall order given the youth and development stage of the roster.
Another problem arises with tempo. Clark wants to push the pace, capitalize on fast breaks, and keep defenders constantly reacting. While Howard is a solid defender and can rim-run in stretches, she doesn’t naturally fit the mold of a mobile, fast-paced big who can consistently keep up with the tempo Clark wants to dictate. This discrepancy leads to a disjointed offense where some players are pushing for quick scores while others lag behind or disrupt spacing due to slower decision-making or movement.
After a recent win over the New York Liberty — one of the league’s top teams — Clark addressed the team’s playing style, hinting at what she believes is the Fever’s true identity. “I thought we played a good game,” she told ESPN. “Thought there was a lot we could still improve on, which is positive for us, but that’s how the Fever are supposed to play basketball. Up-tempo, unselfish, working for your teammates. So really proud of our group.”
Her comments subtly emphasize the type of basketball she envisions — fast, team-oriented, and selfless. Although she didn’t mention Howard by name, it’s not hard to read between the lines and recognize that the current roster, particularly in the frontcourt, might not yet fully support that vision. It’s not about Howard’s talent or work ethic — both are undeniable — but rather about whether her strengths complement the new direction Indiana seems poised to take.
In Howard’s defense, she brings veteran leadership and playoff experience, both of which are invaluable for a young team like the Fever. Her defensive presence in the post can’t be overstated, especially in a league where versatile forwards dominate. She provides a level of toughness and maturity that can benefit younger players and stabilize the locker room. However, leadership off the court does not always translate to fluidity on it, particularly when play styles contrast so sharply.
This signing highlights a broader challenge for the Fever: balancing experience with stylistic cohesion. As the franchise builds around Clark, they must consider not just the talent they add, but how that talent fits into the system they want to implement. Every decision going forward needs to align with that vision — whether it’s roster moves, coaching strategies, or in-game rotations.
Looking ahead, the Fever coaching staff faces a complex task. They must either find a way to better incorporate Howard into a system that favors speed and spacing or consider adjusting their lineups and rotations to maximize Clark’s strengths. It may even mean limiting Howard’s minutes in certain matchups to favor quicker, more versatile lineups — a delicate balancing act for any coach trying to maintain chemistry and competitiveness.
Ultimately, Natasha Howard is still a valuable asset. But if Indiana truly wants to maximize Caitlin Clark’s generational talent and fast-paced playmaking ability, they may need to re-evaluate whether Howard is the best on-court fit for the Fever’s future.
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