Joakim Noah: Indiana Fever Needs an Enforcer to Protect Caitlin Clark

Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah believes the Indiana Fever should sign a player who can dish out punishment against opponents who are overly physical with star rookie Caitlin Clark. Clark has been hit by three different players on three different flagrant fouls in four games against the Chicago Sky alone. Noah says, "If I was the owner of the Indiana Fever, I would get a real enforcer in there to protect her."

Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah believes the Indiana Fever should address the physical treatment star rookie Caitlin Clark has received this season by signing an enforcer-type player.

Joakim Noah: Indiana Fever Needs an Enforcer to Protect Caitlin Clark

Clark, the WNBA's leading scorer, has been hit by three different players on three different flagrant fouls in four games against the Chicago Sky alone. The 22-year-old has avoided major injuries but has expressed frustration over the hits she has taken.

Noah, who played in the NBA from 2007 to 2016, admitted that Clark may be getting hit because of her talent and the difference she makes on the court.

Joakim Noah: Indiana Fever Needs an Enforcer to Protect Caitlin Clark

"Sometimes I feel like she is getting hit because she is a very talented person," Noah told Fox News Digital during an interview at "NBA Night" in the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open in New York. "But at the end of the day, we’re in the business of winning games, so if I’m the owner [of the Indiana Fever], I’m getting a real enforcer in there."

Noah played with Derrick Rose, another transcendent talent who was often given rough treatment by opposing veterans. Noah would often come to Rose's defense, and he believes the Fever need a player like that to protect Clark.

Joakim Noah: Indiana Fever Needs an Enforcer to Protect Caitlin Clark

"I feel like people get mesmerized by that and knowing that he had fans on the court, so that is something that would just frustrate me. So if I saw one of my teammates have that energy toward him, I was the guy to kind of say, ‘You better stop that s--- right now. So that was my role, people thought that I was a hater for it," Noah said.

Noah's comments come as the Fever are heading to the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2016. Clark has played a major role in the team's success, averaging 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.

Joakim Noah: Indiana Fever Needs an Enforcer to Protect Caitlin Clark

The Fever will open their playoff series against the Connecticut Sun on Thursday. It remains to be seen if they will address the issue of protecting Clark by acquiring an enforcer-type player in the offseason.

Regardless, Noah believes the physical treatment Clark has received has been great for the WNBA.

"I think it’s great," Noah said when specifically asked about the fouls that have occurred against Chicago. "I think it’s all entertainment."

ESPN broadcaster Holly Rowe issued a similar sentiment to Noah’s in an interview with Fox News Digital last month.

"I think it's good for the game," Rowe said. "I kind of love it because it is supposed to be salty, that's why it's competitive, that's why it's sports."

But even with the entertainment value that comes with the hits, Noah insists the Fever should address the issue by getting an enforcer-type player as soon as they can. It’s a role that he himself is very familiar with.

When Noah was a second-year player for the Chicago Bulls in 2008, the team used their first overall pick on Rose. Like Clark, Rose was an ascendant rookie who stunned the league with his talent, and was often given rough treatment by opposing veterans. He was knocked to the floor dozens of times, especially on trips to the basket.

Noah, as one of Rose’s longtime teammates on the Bulls and when the duo joined the Knicks in 2016, would often come to the defense of his teammate.

But Noah has also been on the other end of physical play against transcendent talents.

Noah, as the team’s defensive anchor at center, progressively became one of Chicago's most confrontational players, particularly when playing against superstar LeBron James. During his tenure with the Bulls, Noah played in 21 playoff games against James’ Clevelan Cavaliers and Miami Heat teams, and became infamous for committing fouls and often getting up and yelling in James’ face. Many altercations required referees to intervene and separate the two players.

Not only that, but Noah tried to make it a priority to tell other teammates not to give James any special treatment because of his talent.

"I feel like people get mesmerized by that and knowing that he had fans on the court, so that is something that would just frustrate me. So if I saw one of my teammates have that energy toward him, I was the guy to kind of say, ‘You better stop that s--- right now. So that was my role, people thought that I was a hater for it," Noah said