Lebron James earlier went on a long rant about how some critics, professionals, and non-pros tend to overreact to what Caitlin Clark is doing for women's basketball.
Charles Barkley agreed with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and had his own monologue on "Inside the NBA," calling some detractors of the Indian Fever rookie "petty."
"Hey, LeBron, you're 100% right on these girls hating on Caitlin Clark.
"Ya'll petty, girls. I expect men to be petty, because we're the most insecure group in the world."
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Barkley doubled down on his call, saying instead of getting jealous about the attention Clark is getting, they should be more thankful for the way the league has changed since her arrival.
"Y'all should be thanking that girl for getting y'all a** private charters, all the money and visibility she's bringing to the WNBA.
"Don't be petty like dudes!"
Clark has gravity, whether it is on the court or off the court.
She attracts defenses whether she is holding the ball or not because of her shiftiness and out-of-this-world outside shooting.
She also attracts media attention and endorsements. Clark's fame is translating to better visibility for the WNBA and women's sports in general.
Clark is capable of elevating the game. This is why LeBron James understands her situation.
"I'm rooting for Caitlin because I've been in that seat before. I've walked that road before. I hope she kills. I hope Aliyah Boston does amazing. I hope they do great."
Two NBA greats were forced to call out people for their treatment of Clark.
The question now is, who could they be referring to?
It is hard to pinpoint which names should be mentioned on this, but over the past two months, people have heard former and current WNBA players make out-of-pocket comments on the 2024 No. 1 pick.
Here are some suspects:
1. Diana Taurasi
The Phoenix Mercury star's name is the first one that comes to mind since she is a superstar.
It must be noted, though, that her words were not that ruthless. She just had a tempered expectation of Clark.
"Not saying (Clark's skills) are not gonna translate, because when you're great at what you do, you're just gonna get better," Taurasi said in April.
"But there is gonna be a transition period where you're gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie."
To some, this sounds like a belittling of Clark's skills.
2. Breanna Stewart
New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart refused to call Caitlin Clark the greatest college basketball player of all time for her lack of an NCAA title.
The two finally met on the court when the Fever visited Liberty.
It should have been a showdown between two household names, but instead, people remembered Stewart's hit on Clark as a screener.
Clark fell after bumping into the taller Stewart, leaving her fans worried.
Fever coach Christie Sides does not see anything malicious from the play.
"I think she just got caught up between two really, really, strong, tall, physical players. I mean, they were standing still, they didn't do anything out of the way," Sides explained.
Clark's fans have a different take, especially with how the WNBA veteran talked about the rookie.
3. Chiney Ogwumike
Former Los Angeles Sparks center Chiney Ogwumike, now an analyst, has the same answer to the question on Clark's college basketball GOAT status.
Some fans did not find her answer amusing either.
She was also the first to respond and debunk Barkley's rant that they owe the WNBA's acceleration to Clark.
"All of this was the perfect storm for women's basketball. The W is rooting for Caitlin and the rising generation bc when they win... we win! Rising tide lifts all boats. BUT these women are pros & also have a job to do. This will bring out the best in em. Just keep watching," Ogwumike said in a long X thread.
Related article: Caitlin Clark Heats Up for Fever as Nika Muhl Debuts for the Storm
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