There is currently no official FIBA transcript or reliable report confirming that Fam made those exact remarks. What is very real, however, is the competitive backdrop: Fam has emerged as one of Spain\u2019s most exciting young players, while Clark and Reese have accepted reserve roles and remained major contributors during Team USA\u2019s World Cup run. (El Pa\u00eds<\/a>)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If such a challenge were placed directly in front of Kara Lawson, there would be little reason for the American coach to defend her players apologetically.<\/p>\n The coldest answer would be to turn Fam\u2019s own argument against her.<\/p>\n \u201cAwa, if Caitlin is \u2018lucky\u2019 just to sit on our bench, maybe ask yourself why Spain is spending so much time talking about the players sitting on it. We don\u2019t have to choose between Caitlin and Angel. We have both \u2014 and you have to deal with both.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n That would already be enough to change the tone.<\/p>\n But Lawson could go even further.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if Caitlin is really as inconsistent as you say, stop worrying about her. Stop mentioning her. Let your defense prove it. Because talking about somebody you supposedly don\u2019t fear usually tells me exactly the opposite.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n That is the kind of response that does not require shouting.<\/p>\n It simply turns the pressure around.<\/p>\n Team USA has heard questions about its rotations throughout the tournament. Clark has come off the bench rather than starting, as has Reese, and Lawson has continued to trust a veteran-heavy opening lineup. Yet Clark is averaging 7.0 assists per game<\/strong>, the best mark on Team USA, while Reese has been one of the Americans\u2019 strongest rebounders at 6.0 per game<\/strong>. (FIBA<\/a>)<\/p>\n So the word \u201cbench\u201d does not carry the insult it normally might.<\/p>\n Not on this roster.<\/p>\n America\u2019s bench contains players who would be centerpiece stars for many national teams in the world.<\/p>\n That is the point Lawson would want Spain to understand.<\/p>\n Against Hungary in the quarterfinal, Clark came off the bench and produced 10 points and nine assists<\/strong>. Reese added nine points and six rebounds<\/strong>. Team USA did not merely survive the game \u2014 the Americans demolished Hungary 108\u201356<\/strong> and advanced to another World Cup semifinal. (CT Insider<\/a>)<\/p>\n That makes the attempted comparison between Reese and Clark even more dangerous.<\/p>\n Because inside Team USA, the two players are not being asked to compete against each other for headlines.<\/p>\n They are trying to win together.<\/p>\n Clark and Reese have publicly spoken about putting the endless rivalry narrative aside while representing their country, with Reese emphasizing that they can rely on each other and understand one another\u2019s games. (People.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n Lawson could therefore answer Fam with an even sharper reminder:<\/p>\n \u201cSpain can spend the night deciding which American player it respects more. We\u2019ll spend the night figuring out how to beat Spain.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n That one would sting.<\/p>\n Because it brings everything back to the only argument that ultimately matters in a semifinal.<\/p>\n The scoreboard.<\/p>\n None of this means Fam should be underestimated.<\/p>\n Far from it.<\/p>\n The Spanish forward has already demonstrated why she is considered one of Europe\u2019s brightest young talents. She scored 17 points in Spain\u2019s 83\u201353 opening victory over Germany<\/strong>, helping announce Spain\u2019s return to the World Cup stage after an eight-year absence. (El Pa\u00eds<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n