Aliyah Boston faced criticism for playing an unimpactful role in the Indiana Fever’s 111-91 win over the Connecticut Sun on Friday. Boston finished with 14 points, two rebounds and two assists behind Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, who both scored 34 points.
At the start of the season, after the new CBA came into effect, the Fever signed Boston to a supermax contract. According to Spotrac, the former No. 1 pick has signed a 4-year $6,300,000 deal with Indiana. She is set to earn $1,000,000 this season.
Following the Fever’s win, an X user questioned Boston’s status as one of the most expensive players on the roster.
“Indiana just committed the largest total-value contract in WNBA history to Boston… and I’m sorry, her current impact does NOT justify tying up 20% of your salary cap every year,” the fan wrote.
“She’s a good player. This isn’t about whether she can play… Because if this offense consistently looks faster, more spaced and more dangerous without everything running through the post, Indiana may eventually have to consider the conversation nobody wants to have: TRADE HER.”
Other fans swarmed the comments section with their take.
“I hate to admit it, but she’s a below-average defender, doesn’t rebound at a higher rate, misses a lot of buckets. Lately, it seems like she’s unsure of herself on the perimeter and failing to shoot the three,” one fan said.
“Tonight, Boston was almost unnoticeable and ended the game with a massive 2 rebounds. Is she really worth it? Doubtful,” another fan said.
“She signed a big fat deal and then got fat and lazy,” another fan commented.
Here are more reactions:
“She seems to be running on fumes,” one fan commented.
“She is a defensive liability. She cannot rebound,” another fan commented.
“At best, she is the 4th, maybe third best player on the team. And her court vision is awful. They really should have traded her for someone who can defend and feed. Makes no sense,” another fan said.
Aliyah Boston is averaging 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 52.7% shooting.
Aliyah Boston’s slump continues as Fever prepare for the postseason
Aliyah Boston is going through a slump that doesn’t seem to end. According to Spotrac, the Fever center is the league’s highest-paid player. However, her output has been unimpressive in the last few weeks. Injuries have restricted Boston from playing at her best.
She has been decent at best on offense and terrible on defense. She is averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in her last five games. Boston has been ineffective in getting boards, one of the most important responsibilities of a big playing under the rim.
However, it appears that Aliyah Boston is not playing at her healthiest. She missed Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky due to a right lower leg injury. Boston has played only 36 games this season and is averaging a career-low 27.6 minutes per game.
Whatever the reason, Boston needs to get her act together before the playoffs begin. The Fever (26-14) have only four games left in their regular-season schedule. They currently are in fourth place in the standings.
Read More:
WNBA Fans Turn On Aliyah Boston After Ty Harris’ Caitlin Clark & Kelsey Mitchell Co-MVP Push
Edited by Avi Shravan
