Natasha Howard was one of the Fever’s prized offseason additions. She immediately brought veteran experience, size, defense, and another offensive threat to the team. While Howard hasn’t been as impressive offensively as she has been for most of her career and didn’t live up to her goal of making a case for MVP and DPOY, the veteran has stepped up at times. She recorded a double-double in a win over the Wings without Caitlin Clark and exploded for 26 points in a win over the Dream, for example.
She has also had a bunch of quiet games, though, scoring less than ten points in seven games. With Bonner gone and Clark dealing with a few injuries, the Fever need Howard to step up offensively to secure a playoff spot. The veteran definitely has the right mindset for helping the Fever, particularly Clark.
When Howard appeared on Sue Bird’s podcast, Bird’s Eye View, she spoke on her mindset concerning Clark and the heavy burden she shoulders in Indiana.
“Just letting her know that you don’t have to do everything like you had to do in Iowa,” Howard said on her approach to helping Clark thrive. “You have great teammates and phenomenal players around you that could take that weight off your shoulders. You don’t have to do everything.”
Clark needs teammates she can trust to carry the team at times
Caitlin Clark does a lot for the Fever. She is one of the team’s best scorers, orchestrates the offense, and is always in the crosshairs of opposing defenses. Because of how much Clark is asked to do, Howard’s mindset is the perfect approach to playing with the young star.
Clark can do a lot, but asking her to do everything is not a sustainable way for the Fever to win consistently and at the highest level. She needs teammates around her, who can help her split the burden and keep the team from falling apart in her absence. The Fever haven’t always been able to do that this season.
When they have, it has mainly been Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Lexie Hull who took their games to the next level. Hull, especially, has been impressive. She is the Fever’s best perimeter defenderw and is putting up career numbers all across the board. Boston has been able to take her playmaking to the next level, and Mitchell currently leads the Fever in scoring.
Howard has also had her moments and is capable of doing much more. With Bonner leaving the team, Sydney Colson sliding behind Aari McDonald in the rotation, and some fit issues, the Fever’s offseason additions largely seemed like misses. Howard and Sophie Cunningham still have a chance to turn that narrative around.