Could Fever beat the Pacers?

It’s a strong possibility

Steve Hammer

With the Indiana Fever set to open its seventh season in the WNBA this week, the real question isn’t whether the team can win the championship. They were two games away from the WNBA Finals last year and only strengthened their team in the off-season.

The question arises whether the Fever have become the best pro basketball team in the state. With the Indiana Pacers in freefall, and the Fever on the rise, have the two teams achieved parity? Could the Pacers actually be beaten by the women?

It’s a possibility, because this year’s Fever team is the strongest in franchise history. With a league superstar in Tamika Catchings, a valuable veteran point guard in Tully Bevilaqua and enough bench depth to stock another team, the Fever might be able to defeat their male counterparts based on skill alone.

A look at the matchups in this hypothetical contest proves the point.

Point guard: Tully Bevilaqua (Fever) and Anthony Johnson (Pacers)

While Johnson, a longtime journeyman, proved his worth in the playoff series against the Nets, the fact remains that the Pacers are in need of a field general at the point. In a matchup against Bevilaqua, a crafty leader, the Fever have the advantage. With the agility of a kangaroo, the Australia native can shimmy, shake and pivot around all competitors, ensuring an open look for one of her teammates more often than not. Johnson’s height advantage wouldn’t count for much, considering he’d be chasing Bevilaqua down the floor the entire game.
Advantage: Fever

Shooting guard: Anna DeForge (Fever) vs. Stephen Jackson (Pacers)

Jackson is a notoriously streaky shooter whose attitude was questioned over and over again during the 2005-’06 season. DeForge, however, has never had her winning attitude questioned. Averaging 11.5 points per game over four WNBA seasons, DeForge was acquired by the Fever in the off-season. Like Jackson, DeForge likes to hoist up the three-point shot. The difference is that DeForge doesn’t fire wildly, like Jackson, but takes shots in the context of the game. However, in a head-to-head competition, Jackson’s experience and savvy would probably dominate.
Advantage: Pacers

Small forward: Tamika Catchings (Fever) vs. Peja Stojakovic (Pacers)

Probably the most recognizable player on the Fever, Catchings is on course for a Hall of Fame career. Always a contender for Most Valuable Player, Catchings is the heart and soul of the Fever. When she’s up, the team is up. When she struggles, so does the team. She’s an asset on both ends of the court. Her strong perimeter game forces teams to guard her both inside and outside. Her rebounding ability is incomparable and so is her leadership. Stojakovic is on the downside of a fairly distinguished NBA career. His outside shooting touch was less apparent this year. Defensively, he’s as big a liability as any player in the league. Even though he’s much taller than Catchings, he wouldn’t be able to defend her because he likely wouldn’t be able to catch her.
Advantage: Fever

Power forward: Tamika Whitmore (Fever) vs. Jermaine O’Neal (Pacers)

Whitmore, who wears number 91, grew up as a fan of Dennis Rodman and her play in the WNBA, for both the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks, has shown this. She’s a fighter who never gives up an inch on the floor. She bangs and bumps and disrupts the offense. Coming off a disastrous season, O’Neal is nevertheless the best player on the Pacers. He’s become more consistent in his midrange shot and still has plenty of power in the post.
Advantage: PACERS

Center: Olympia Scott (Fever) vs. Jeff Foster (Pacers)

This is probably the most even matchup on the two squads. Scott and Foster have similar styles of play. Both are aggressive on the defensive end, fighting for every rebound and loose ball. Both are marginal offensive players at best. On an even playing field, the two would likely fight to a stalemate.
Advantage: EVEN

Of course, the differences between the two leagues, not to mention the relative height and physical strength of the players, make an exact comparison impossible. It’s unlikely that any WNBA team could beat an NBA team using the NBA’s rules. The point here is that this is the best Fever team ever, and potentially the best team in the WNBA.

Their future is bright, while the Pacers face a long rebuilding process and appear unlikely to contend for a championship anytime soon. If a banner is going to be raised at Conseco Fieldhouse anytime soon, it’s going to be an Indiana Fever banner.

Fever notes: The team will host a rally on Monument Circle from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday. Fever players will sign autographs and the team will give away merchandise and tickets at the rally.

The Fever’s opening game is at 7 p.m. Saturday against the 2004 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock. After games in San Antonio and Chicago, the Fever will return home on Tuesday, May 30, to play the New York Liberty. That game will be televised on ESPN 2.