Sue Bird Warns WNBA Teams: Caitlin Clark's 'Ramming It Down People's Throats' Makes Fever a Playoff Threat

WNBA legend Sue Bird believes Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is a major playoff threat due to her relentless pace and ability to overwhelm opponents with her aggressive style of play.

Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion and 13-time All-Star, recently issued a warning to other teams in the league on her podcast with Megan Rapinoe. She emphasized that Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever's first overall pick, is a formidable threat in the playoffs, citing her dominance in her rookie year.

"What I've learned in my WNBA experience is pace of play trumps physicality," Bird explained. "In 2018 and 2020, the years we won, that was our whole mantra – pace, pace, pace, pace. And what I see in Caitlin, what I see in Kelsey Mitchell, they're just ramming it down people's throats."

Sue Bird Warns WNBA Teams: Caitlin Clark's 'Ramming It Down People's Throats' Makes Fever a Playoff Threat

Bird praised Clark's ability to push the tempo and control the game, making her a headache for opposing teams. She believes that Clark's unwavering intensity sets her apart and makes her a constant threat to break records.

"She's gonna break records nonstop for the next couple of years. It's just going to be a constant record break," Bird predicted. "She's getting used to the physicality [of the WNBA] which is, you know, trouble for everybody else."

Sue Bird Warns WNBA Teams: Caitlin Clark's 'Ramming It Down People's Throats' Makes Fever a Playoff Threat

The former Iowa star recently broke the WNBA's rookie assists record and has been averaging impressive numbers throughout the season. Clark's adaptability and willingness to play smarter has allowed her to thrive in the WNBA's competitive environment.

"She continues to impress," Bird said. "And it's not something she expects to see trail off any time soon."

Sue Bird Warns WNBA Teams: Caitlin Clark's 'Ramming It Down People's Throats' Makes Fever a Playoff Threat

Bird believes that players in the league should expect Clark to continue to improve, becoming even more of a threat in the playoffs. She emphasized the importance of teams maintaining discipline to guard her effectively.

"Everybody had their panties in a twist over Caitlin getting picked up full court and Caitlin being denied," Bird recalled. "But during a WNBA season, teams and players start to get a little tired... it's hard to keep that discipline to guard a player like that."

Sue Bird Warns WNBA Teams: Caitlin Clark's 'Ramming It Down People's Throats' Makes Fever a Playoff Threat

Clark has scored at least 20 points in five of her last six games and is averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting from the field, along with 11.7 assists over that span. Indiana has one game remaining this week at Minnesota, where they will look to solidify their playoff spot.

The Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark's exceptional play, pose a significant threat to other WNBA teams in the playoffs. Their relentless pace and determination make them a formidable opponent, echoing the warnings issued by Sue Bird.