FEVER

WNBA tells Fever coach Stephanie White to 'keep quiet' on officiating

David Woods
david.woods@indystar.com
  • Game 3: Lynx at Fever, 8 p.m. Friday, ESPN2
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White coaches in the second half in Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Minnesota Lynx, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Minneapolis.  (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Stephanie White has been a public figure long enough that she doesn’t need her 15 minutes of fame.

That’s what the coach received for outspoken criticism of officiating after the Indiana Fever’s 77-71 loss at Minnesota in Tuesday’s Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. Her comments were broadcast and discussed on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and “Around The Horn.”

It remains to be seen whether gamesmanship influences Friday’s Game 3 against the Lynx at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (8 p.m., ESPN2). White said a league official asked her not to complain publicly again, and she was not fined. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.

“The basic message is just to keep it quiet. But I couldn’t keep it quiet at that moment,” White said.

If rough play persists, it could be argued such a style benefits the Fever. White said the Fever were “mauled” while committing 14 second-half turnovers in Game 2. Often, it is the Fever doing the mauling.

During the regular season, the Lynx averaged the league's second-fewest fouls per game (15.8), compared with the Fever’s second-most (20.8).

WNBA Finals: Fever lose Game 2 'bloodbath'

“We like to play tough,” Fever guard Briann January said. “We’re a tough-nosed, down, dirty defensive team. However the refs are officiating, we have to adjust.”

That was White’s theme, too. She said she didn’t care how games are called, as long as it is the same both ways. She objected to calls that went against Tamika Catchings, who spent much of Game 2 in foul trouble.

“I wouldn’t say we’re intentional about being physical,” Catchings said. “But I do feel like, as a team, we frustrate a lot of people because of the way that we play. We’re all in, everyone’s in, everyone’s moving. Kind of like that string – we’re all connected."

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was an assistant under Bill Laimbeer with the Detroit Shock, who built a reputation for physical play.

Although the Fever have a reputation for stout defense, it is the Lynx who have better statistics. The Lynx were third in the league in scoring defense (71.7) during the season and are also third in the postseason (71.9). Opponents have shot .418 from the field against Minnesota in the playoffs, second-best of the eight qualifiers.

“Both teams want to be aggressive,” Reeve said. “So I think that’s a better word. Physical has such a negative connotation.”

At Thursday’s news conferences, the Fever elaborated more on their own ballhandling blunders and defensive breakdowns than on officiating. So perhaps referees won’t be an issue … until that first call goes against the Fever and a partisan crowd disapproves.

“The refs are human, too. They’re not going to make all the calls,” center Erlana Larkins said. “Some things are going to be missed. But that’s in the past. We’re just really looking forward to (Game 3).”

Shenise Johnson continues to surprise for Fever

Aiming at historic title

Besides aiming at a second championship – they won 3-1 over the Lynx in 2012  – the Fever can create WNBA history. The No. 3-seeded Fever could become the lowest-seeded champion ever (all others were Nos. 1 or 2). And they could tie 2004 Seattle as the champion with the worst regular-season record (20-14).

The Fever are in position to win a title despite playing six of eight playoff games on the road (3-3 road, 2-0 home.)

Oddly, the WNBA has had only three series go five games, and in each instance the champion trailed 2-1 after Game 3. The comeback champs were Detroit in 2006, and Phoenix in 2007 and 2009.

Catchings will set a league record Friday for playoff games (65). For the Fever, January leads these playoffs in assists (39), Marissa Coleman in 3s made (18) and Larkins in offensive rebounds (26).

Etc.

Sunday’s WNBA Finals telecast was the most-watched Game 1 ever on ABC and most-watched Game 1 on ABC/ESPN networks since 1998. There were 571,000 viewers, a 2 percent increase over 2014. … Catchings was on the All-WNBA second team announced Thursday. In her 14-year career, she has been on the first or second team every year except 2008 and 2014. MVP Elena Delle Donne (Chicago) was the only first-team pick to receive all 39 votes. Also on the first team are Maya Moore (Minnesota), Tina Charles (New York), DeWanna Bonner (Phoenix) and Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta).

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.