The Fever have been a team of consistency. Led by talented veterans, they have hung around the top pack but have been unable to win it all. The Fever open training camp Sunday seeking their eight-straight straight playoff appearance, and with the franchise’s first championship in mind.
Katie Douglas, Jessica Davenport and Erin Phillips are the only three players not in town, each still finishing their seasons overseas.
Time is running out on the core players — Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas and Tammy Sutton-Brown. This will probably be the final go for all three together, especially with Sutton-Brown possibly retiring at season’s end.
In 2008, the team made a big franchise move, acquiring Douglas, the hometown gal. After a season, Catchings and Douglas gelled and played nicely with each other. The trouble is all of them are receiving max-deals, estimated around $100,000 each. Soon, it will be time for new blood and young legs but back for another year, this may be it.
Staying healthy is always important, especially with the WNBA limiting rosters to 11. Last season, they were without starting point guard Briann January most of the season after she tore her ACL. She is excited and ready to resume her role.
Catchings body can’t keep up with her heart and desire to play a high level. She has battled injuries to her ACL’s, ankles, face, shoulders, etc. At the end of last season, she tore her plantar fascia (heel) and it certainly irritated her. She refused to miss the last game, wearing special insoles and shoes. I had the honor of being the test-dummy against her and she was sharp, just not 100-percent sharp.
Catch, the reigning WNBA MVP, skipped playing overseas this year to recover and be prepared for another WNBA season, plus the Olympics.
In hopes to staying on the floor and remaining effective, the Fever will utilize Catchings in the power forward position, allowing her to remain fresh and to hopefully not put as much wear and tear on her body. She can still play every position, and will be needed elsewhere at times, but I like this move to slide her inside and allow her to go to work.
Center Jessica Davenport is coming off a much-improved season and will be a critical threat inside for the Fever. She has the length and skills to battle, block shots, and control the boards. She, along with Sutton-Brown, will have the duties of helping first-round pick Sasha Goodlett transition to the pros. The team is hoping the 6-5 center out of Georgia Tech can provide depth in the post and eventually replace Sutton-Brown.
The Fever did trade away Tangela Smith in the offseason, in a deal with San Antonio for Roneeka Hodges. She’s a quick, active wing player that will allow Catchings to slide down to the four-spot.
It will be interesting to see how this season shakes out. I think they are still missing a young, vibrant new star that could put them over the edge. Regardless, this is an extremely close and fun group, that plays very hard and leaves it all on the floor. How can you not want to get behind this team…
Indiana has preseason games against San Antonio on the road May 5th and at home May 9th, before opening the regular season May 19th against Atlanta.
——–
In addition to their draft picks, there are a couple changes to the staff. Assistant coach Gary Kloppenburg was named head coach of the Tulsa Shock and was replaced by Mickie DeMoss, a longtime assistant for Pat Summit at Tennessee. Todd Champlin replaces Craig Stull as the team trainer.
[Photo credit: Jessica Hoffman / Indiana Fever]