"Sometimes it feels like the weight of WNBA is on her shoulders" - Sue Bird rallies to Caitlin Clark's defense amid criticism of rough debut on Fever

The struggle is real for WNBA's Caitlin Clark as she's had a hard time finding her rhythm after her first two professional games. Amid fans' criticism for her underwhelming start, WNBA legend Sue Bird has expressed support for the Indiana Fever star.

In her first game, against the Connecticut Sun, she scored 20 points. However, she wasn't as efficient, shooting 5-15 from the field, including a 4-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Clark also had 10 turnovers, thanks to the hounding defense of DiJonai Carrington, who stayed on her for the majority of the game.

In her home debut, the Indiana Fever hosted the New York Liberty. Many fans expected her to overcome the first-game jitters, but she did not fare much better. She had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists on 2-8 shooting from the field and 1-7 from three.

Fans are frustrated with Clark's poor start to life in the WNBA. But Bird isn't giving up on the Iowa standout that easily. Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, she said:

"Let's not forget that she probably has, arguably, the most pressure that any women's basketball player has ever had coming into the WNBA," Bird said. "Sometimes it feels like the weight of the WNBA is on her shoulders.

The former Seattle Storm star credited the defenses that both the Sun and Liberty executed against Clark. She expressed confidence that the top pick will soon find her groove on the court and that she needs time to find herself in the league.

"It takes time, too. We see it in every sport. A lot of times you have these teams put together and people want to see it click right away. It always takes time."

The Fever will play the Liberty for a second-straight game on Saturday.

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Phoenix Mercury star believes time will help Caitlin Clark

Before she entered the league, Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi had commented about how Clark could struggle in the WNBA. While that has slightly come to fruition with the recent struggles of the Fever guard, the veteran star is confident the tide will inevitably turn for a player of Clarke's calibre.

According to Taurasi, she believes that Clark needs time to get her footing in the league. The Mercury star also shared her support of the young guard.

In a radio interview on Arizona Sports 98.7, Taurasi said:

"How will it translate? It’s going to translate. Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time"

The first game between the two players will be on June 30 and most fans expect it to be a showdown.