“Don’t need her GF drama”: Fans don’t hold back as NaLyssa Smith addresses the ups and downs of her 3rd year in the WNBA
Fans don’t hold back as NaLyssa Smith addresses the ups and downs of her 3rd year (Credits: Getty)
Indiana Fever’s official X handle posted a video of NaLyssa Smith doing an interview where she talked about the great comeback of her team from a terrible 1-8 start and her future at the franchise. However, the fans were not pleased with Smith’s conviction and expressed their thoughts in the post’s comment section.
One fan asked NaLyssa Smith to accomplish her objectives in China as he did not want to see her girlfriend drama.
“Accomplish it in China, dont need her gf drama. sign and trade, get max value.”
Other fans joined the bandwagon and expressed similar sentiments in their comments.
“Not on this team, she don’t,” another fan said.
“Shoutout to her the person, but we ain’t beating Conn with her the hooper,” one fan said.
Another fan asked the Fever to trade Smith to the Connecticut Sun where her girlfriend DiJonai Carrington plays.
“Time to trade Smith to the Sun. #FeverRising,” a fan said.
“She doesn’t want to be here and she could not have made that any more clear.”
NaLyssa Smith had a decent run with the Fever last season. She averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists helping her team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“I didn’t get to contribute”: NaLyssa Smith comments on her contribution to Fever’s squad last season
NaLyssa Smith attended the Fever exit interviews, where the second pick from the 2022 WNBA draft talked about her season and contribution to the squad. Smith said that she did not get the chance to contribute as much as she wanted to.
“Everybody comes into the season thinking they are going to have this outstanding accolade, achievement, you know, season,” Smith said. “I feel like I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to do. I didn’t get to contribute as much as I want to contribute.”
Smith was a mainstay in the starting lineup as the season started, however, later, coach Christie Sides shifted her to play a bench role. Even Sun’s guard DiJonai Carrington tried to cheer up her girlfriend on social media after the Fever forward saw reduced game time in matches.
On the other hand, coach Christie Sides also spoke about Smith’s importance in the current Fever squad.
“Lys is an incredible player, and she had great moments for us throughout the year,” Sides said. “I mean, she is one of the key pieces that we were able to have such a successful year.”
Sides also said she had conversations about Smith’s growth in the franchise’s exit meeting and loved the forward’s hunger for growth. If she can grow herself in the offseason, the fans can expect NaLyssa Smith to a play bigger role for the Fever next season.
