My Hot Take: Caitlin Clark Needs to Be More Aggressive for Team USA

I watched Team USA’s game against Italy, and honestly, I wasn’t surprised Italy presented a challenge. Italy has players who have been playing together and building chemistry with their national team for a much longer period of time.

A lot of times, the U.S. relies on talent, while other countries rely on a combination of talent and chemistry.

To me, one of the biggest issues in this game was shooting. The U.S. shot just 29% from three, while Italy shot 31%. The rebounding advantage was minimal, and Italy actually had more turnovers than the U.S. The biggest difference was simply who shot the ball better.

But I also think Team USA has to figure out the right starting lineup.

If Caitlin Clark is going to be out there, I believe she has to be more aggressive offensively. Clark is an excellent passer, but I felt like she passed up too many shots in this game. Maybe she’s second-guessing herself or trying so hard to make the right play that she’s becoming too passive.

At some point, you have to be willing to say, “I’m going to take this shot.”

Being selfless is important, but Team USA is going to need Clark to attack. If the three isn’t falling, get to the basket. Draw contact. Get to the free-throw line. Find another way to impact the game.

And I don’t buy the argument that Jackie Young or Chelsea Gray are stopping Caitlin Clark from being Caitlin Clark. Great players have to be able to find ways to impact the game regardless of who is around them.

Clark played 19 minutes, the same as Chelsea Gray and Paige Bueckers. Jackie Young played 24 minutes—only five more than Clark. Breanna Stewart played 27 minutes, while Angel Reese had the fewest minutes among that group despite finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer.

I personally think Angel Reese needs to start, and I want Paige Bueckers in the mix as well. A’ja Wilson obviously has to be considered, while I also like Napheesa Collier because of her efficiency.

Jewell Loyd is another player who can get buckets, even though she wasn’t hitting from three.

There are several combinations Team USA could use, but I think the bigger question is finding the lineup that gives them the right balance of scoring, rebounding, defense and chemistry.

And if Caitlin Clark is going to be the starting point guard, I need to see more aggression from her offensively.

You aren’t going to have a great shooting night every game. Everybody has bad games.

But when the three isn’t falling and the jump shot isn’t falling, you have to find another way to affect the game.

That’s my take. What should Team USA’s starting five be? And if Caitlin Clark starts, does she need to be more aggressive?