Why do many of the WNBA players have a problem with Caitlin Clark? Why do they seem to resent her? They should be welcoming her with open arms. They should realize that she will grow the league’s popularity. Based upon her popularity it is very likely she will put more fannies in the seats and increase tv ratings. She will attract more sponsors. She will likely be a boon to the league. All of that spells more money – that’s M O N E Y – not only for her, but for everyone, players, coaches and owners alike.
Fans that heretofore had not paid the least bit of attention to the WNBA are now becoming fans because of Clark. For example, every fan knows who Caitlin Clark is, but I maintain that only the most ardent fans can name as many as ten other players in the league. Who was the league MVP last year? What team won the title? See answers below. If you know, tell me, and I will be shocked and impressed. As has often been said, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” So, I repeat, what is their problem with her. Read on for my opinion on the matter.
Caitlin was born on January 22, 2002 in Des Moines, IA. She commenced playing basketball at the age five. She excelled from the very beginning. At first, due the dearth of girls’ recreational leagues she played against boys. By age 13 she had begun to play against other girls, but due to her outstanding ability she competed against older girls. As a sixth grader she joined a local AAU team for whom she competed until she graduated high school. She played four years of varsity high school ball for Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines where she earned various accolades including All-State, All-Iowa and McDonalds All-American. In her senior year ESPN ranked her as the fourth best player in her class in the country.
She was a superb all-around athlete, excelling in softball, tennis and volleyball before concentrating on basketball. Two of her childhood idols were Harrison Barnes, also from Iowa and an NBA star with the Sacramento Kings and Maya Moore, a star with the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.
Based upon that outstanding resume of achievement Caitlin could have attended any college she wanted. Yet, she chose Iowa University, which was not known as a college basketball power. Why? Her reason tells you a lot about her character. “It’s a program that has never won the national championship. I didn’t want to do something that everyone else was doing.” Indeed, she did raise the profile of Iowa’s program substantially, leading the school to the national championship game in her junior year.
Caitlin is generally regarded as one of the best women’s college basketball players ever. ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo, herself a former collegiate and professional star, characterized her as “the best offensive women’s college player since Diana Taurasi,” high praise if you’re familiar with the sport. She is one of if not the best long-range shooters ever. Her range is literally unlimited. Frequently, she would hit shots from the logo. The proficiency of her range is often compared to that of Stephen Curry, who is generally considered to be one of if not the best NBA shooters ever. According to USA Today Caitlin, like Curry, has “redefined what a good shot is in basketball.” Furthermore, she is an outstanding passer and leader. She does what a superstar is supposed to do, namely make her teammates better. Writing in the Wall Street Journal Jason Gay opined that Caitlin has [changed] the dimensionality of the game.”
Some of her college basketball achievements included:
- She is the all-time leading Division 1 scorer, men included.
- She was a four-time All-American.
- She was national player of the year twice.
- She was the first player to lead the country in both scoring and assists in the same year.
- She led a previously nondescript program to the title game.
- But her greatest achievement was to increase the popularity of the sport dramatically. Her games set attendance and tv viewership records. She attracted many new fans who had never deigned to pay attention to the sport. This phenomenon has been termed “the Caitlin Clark effect.”
- Last year as expected she was the first overall pick of the draft by the Indiana Fever.
She may not be the best player in the WNBA, at least not yet (after all, she is only a rookie), but she is arguably the most recognizable and most popular among the media and the fans. And therein lies the problem. In my opinion she is resented by many if not most of the WNBA players. They don’t think she deserves all the attention and praise she has been getting from the fans and the media. The league is predominantly African American, and some of the resentment can be attributed to the fact Clark is white. Unfortunately, most things in the country can be viewed through the prism of race.
This attitude toward Clark is not unique. For example, when Larry Bird entered the NBA in 1980 the league’s popularity was at a low point. Attendance and tv ratings were low. In fact, the NBA finals were not even shown live on tv. Bird had been a very popular player at Indiana State. In fact, his collegiate career had paralleled Caitlin’s to a large extent. He too had led a school with a historically pedestrian record to the NCAA Championship game and lost. His arrival was also much ballyhooed. He also was white in a predominantly black league. He too was resented by some players who thought he was overrated because he was white. But, in time, he and Magic Johnson brought the league to a higher level. Many observers credit him along with Magic and later Michael Jordan for making the league what it is today.
Another example would be Tiger Woods. He too arrived with much fanfare. He was a black man in a sport that was predominantly white. He too was resented by many players. However, in time his success and popularity brought golf to unforeseen levels. All golfers now earn money beyond their wildest dreams predominantly because of him. In the words of sportswriter Mark Cannizzaro Woods “paved the way for private jet travel to tournaments instead of seat 23D on Southwest Airlines.”
Clark has the chance to do the same for her sport as Bird, Magic, Jordan, and Woods have done for theirs. As I said, no one is saying she is the best player, although someday she might be. After all, she is only a rookie. She needs to work on her defense, build up her body and gain experience. But that doesn’t diminish what she can bring to the game right now.
In my view, Chennedy Carter’s roller derby-style hip check the other day was dirty, excessive, uncalled for and detrimental to the sport. It was not a basketball play. In fact, the ball was not even in play. Whereas I realize that all rookies in every sport are subjected to rough physical play as a form of initiation it appears that Clark is being targeted excessively. This view is shared by many observers including renowned UConn basketball coach Geno Auriemma. Former WNBA player and coach Nancy Lieberman reacted more forcefully. She said she would have “punched [Carter] in the face and told her to f**k off.” She also criticized Clark’s teammates for not coming to her defense. “Indiana has to be better. Somebody has to come to this kid’s [defense].” On the other hand, WNBA’s Breanna Stewart spoke for many current and former players whose view was that it was “physical play” and all players have to adjust to it.
CONCLUSION
I think the referee should have assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected Carter. In addition, the league should consider a fine and/or a suspension to send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated prospectively. I was also taken aback by the non-reaction of Clark’s teammates. In every other sport that cheap shot would have provoked a fight or at least a confrontation. None of them reacted. At least in the NBA and NHL stars have a protector to dissuade such thuggery. If the league won’t protect Clark, the other Fever players have to. Clark could have been seriously injured and no one wants to see that.
Quiz answers: 1) 2023 MVP – Breanna Stewart. 2) 2023 league champion – Las Vegas Aces.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 