Former NBA DPOY urges Fever to sign an 'enforcer' to shield Caitlin Clark: "She is getting hit"

Former NBA All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah urged the Indiana Fever's leadership to bring in an "enforcer" to protect rookie Caitlin Clark from the physical play she's been subjected to by opposing players. Clark has been outstanding in her first WNBA season, drawing heavy defensive pressure and physicality from opponents.

Noah emphasized the need for a strong, protective presence on the court alongside Clark, poised to dominate the league for the next decade.

"If I was the owner of the Indiana Fever, I would get a real enforcer in there to protect her," Noah told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

"Sometimes I feel like she is getting hit because she is a very talented person. 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," he added.

Clark has endured five flagrant fouls this season, four of them coming from the Chicago Sky. Despite facing intense physical play, the rookie has consistently delivered outstanding performances.

Clark, who leads the league in assists, averages 8.4 dimes per game along with 19 points. Her impressive contributions helped Indiana secure their first playoff berth in eight years.

Earlier in the season, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green made a similar remark about the Fever needing an enforcer after Caitlin Clark was hit with a hip-check from Chicago's Chennedy Carter.

"Indiana better go invest in an enforcer… FAST!" Green had commented.

Cheryl Reeve on Caitlin Clark's physicality

Team USA and Minnesota Lynx's coach Cheryl Reeve spoke highly about Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball on Friday. The veteran tactician also underlined the need for Clark to work on her physicality to excel against bigger and stronger defenders.

"But just sort of understanding the physicality of the pro game and likely the FIBA game; when she gets in that space, she will be very targeted towards," Reeve said in an interview with Khristina Williams.

"I believe growing her physical strength, and her ability to exist in spaces against bigger, stronger athletes than what she faced in college," she added.

Meanwhile, Clark is the frontrunner to win the Rookie of the Year award. With five regular season games remaining, Clark will aim to further bolster her accomplishments before leading her team on a deep playoff run.