In just her first WNBA season, Caitlin Clark has already become arguably the most recognized player the league has ever seen. With such a spotlight comes both positives and negatives, including the narrative that WNBA players have animosity toward Clark. However, Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird offers a different perspective on this sentiment.
Bird addressed the narrative about veterans supposedly targeting Caitlin Clark and expressed her perspective on the matter. The four-time WNBA champion pointed out that social media trolls often amplify comments made by other legends like Diana Taurasi, contributing to the controversy surrounding Clark.
“Obviously, I’m assuming Diana (Taurasi) saying that ‘rookies are going to need to adjust.’ Somehow, that got twisted and turned around and now has taken on a life of its own. And there’s this narrative that WNBA players are hating on Caitlin or don’t like her. That’s not the case. So I think things have gotten really twisted up,” Bird said in her recent appearance in FanDuel TV.
“There’s this narrative that WNBA players are hating on [Caitlin Clark]… That’s not the case. I just think things have gotten really twisted up.”
Sue Bird on Caitlin Clark 👀
(via @FanDuelTV)pic.twitter.com/CML96pJ5TC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 5, 2024
Bird played with the Storm from 2002 to 2022, leading the team to four WNBA titles and earning 14 All-Star selections during her illustrious career.
The Caitlin Clark hate narrative
The narrative of hate stems from incidents where some players have treated Clark poorly. A notable example occurred when Chennedy Carter elbow-checked Clark to the floor in a non-basketball play during the Indiana Fever’s first encounter with the Chicago Sky this season.
Taurasi caused a stir before the Indiana Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury game last week, showing little interest in providing a detailed answer about her first matchup with Caitlin Clark. However, after the game, Taurasi’s tone changed as she gave the rookie her flowers.
Clark leads all rookies in scoring (16.2 ppg) and assists (6.9 apg). The collegiate standout from Iowa and the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever in April, has made an immediate impact in her WNBA debut. The guard’s logo 3-pointers and sophisticated playmaking have attracted a wave of new fans, packing arenas across the US to record attendance numbers.
Caitlin Clark: All-Star
Caitlin Clark earned her first selection to the WNBA All-Star team this past week, becoming one of only two rookies to make the roster this season, alongside Sky forward Angel Reese.
The rookie Fever guard led the voting with an impressive 700,735 fan votes, while her teammate Aliyah Boston followed in second place with 618,680 votes. Reese secured fifth place with 381,518 votes. Ahead of Reese were A’ja Wilson in third with 607,300 votes and Breanna Stewart in fourth with 424,135 votes.
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game selection process combined fan votes (50%), votes from current WNBA players (25%), and input from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters (25%). The top 10 vote-getters not already on the USA Basketball Women’s National Team 5-on-5 roster were automatically assigned to Team WNBA.
The WNBA All-Star events will double as a farewell for players chosen to join Team USA in Paris. Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury will lead the Olympic team against the All-Star lineup in their home arena.
Taurasi, a future Hall-of-Famer, is on the quest for an unprecedented sixth Olympic gold medal, while Griner, who netted 30 points in Team USA’s 2020 gold medal game against Japan, is aiming for her fourth.
News
Caitlin Clark Strikes Back, Shoves Opponent In Chippy WNBA Game
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever entered Wednesday’s game against the Washington Mystics on a positive note following their win over the WNBA-leading New York Liberty on Saturday. But, their matchup with Washington ended on a sour note. The Mystics…
The Online Community Is Confused By Caitlin Clark’s “Unsportsmanlike” Action Towards Julie Vanloo Of The Mystics In An Exciting WNBA Match
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever entered Wednesday’s game against the Washington Mystics on a positive note following their win over the WNBA-leading New York Liberty on Saturday. But, their matchup with Washington ended on a sour note. The Mystics…
The Fever’s Caitlin Clark Shoved The Mystics’ Julie Vanloo In An Exciting WNBA Match – The Referee Judged Clark To Have Committed An Offensive Foul.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever entered Wednesday’s game against the Washington Mystics on a positive note following their win over the WNBA-leading New York Liberty on Saturday. But, their matchup with Washington ended on a sour note. The Mystics…
Nike Faces Trouble After Sha’Carri Richardson Controversy As Caitlin Clark’s Shoe Release Reflects Disrespect For A’ja Wilson
Nike has been in the spotlight recently due to the mixed reception of its new USA track and field uniform. Despite efforts to enhance the Olympic atmosphere, the brand has faced some disapproval. The brand is currently facing intense scrutiny…
The Online Community Is “Shocked” By Shaq’s Bold Statement – “I’d Rather Make No Money Than Work With LeBron—All He Does Is Whine And Cry!”
In an explosive revelation that’s set the sports world abuzz, Shaquille O’Neal has reportedly turned down a staggering $100 million opportunity to appear alongside LeBron James in a high-profile commercial. Shaq’s jaw-dropping refusal stems from his blunt criticism of LeBron’s…
Kim Mulkey Asked Brittney Griner To Keep Quiet About Her Sexuality So That Baylor’s Recruitment Wouldn’t Be Harmed. – The online community cannot sit still and demand that Kim Mulkey apologize for having “sexist” thoughts.
Baylor coach Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner discuss dunking, during a news… Baylor coach Kim Mulkey and Brittney Griner discuss dunking, during a news conference in Des Moines, lowa, Sunday, March 25, 2012, the day before the team’s NCAA women’s…
End of content
No more pages to load