Clark keeps saying the right thing
Angel Reece from South Carolina University and Caitlin Clark from the University of Iowa have taken their famous college rivalry to the WNBA. And I cannot overstate that professional basketball has not seen the media frenzy they’re generating since Magic Johnson from Michigan State and Larry Bird from Indiana took their rivalry into the NBA in 1979.
Reece stoked their rivalry and triggered commensurate media coverage earlier this month. That was when she jumped off the bench to applaud teammate Chennedy Carter for bum-rushing Caitlin Clark, knocking her down on the court.
It was a thuggish move that reeked of jealousy. I remarked that Reece and other players should be thanking Clark for the media attention and benefits she’s bringing to the WNBA instead of bullying her.
More to the point, though, here’s what Clark said about Carter’s assault:
It is what it is. I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate. Just let them hit you, be what it is, don’t let it get inside your head and know it’s coming.
(CNN, June 3, 2024)
By contrast, Reece took matters into her own hands when her WNBA Chicago Sky played Clark’s Indiana Fever again on Sunday.
Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese called it ‘a basketball play.’ Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark said, ‘It’s just part of basketball.’ Fever coach Christie Sides said: ‘The right call was made in that moment.’… All of the comments above were regarding a play during Indiana’s 91-83 win over Chicago on Sunday in which Reese whacked Clark hard in the head while attempting to block a shot. …
Reese was initially called for a common foul, but after review the call was changed to a flagrant-1 violation.
(Los Angeles Times, June 17, 2024)
There was Clark, taking the bullying like a good sport again. But she’s getting little credit for it.
ESPN color commentator Doris Burke showed just how little when she reacted to a player getting a hard foul during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. She quipped:
If that were Caitlin Clark, it might spark a debate for a week.
(The New York Post, June 18, 2024)
Burke said that because the prevailing perception is that Clark is not only hailed as the golden goose of the WNBA but also treated like a sacred cow. However, I fear quips like that will only fuel and justify the resentment many (Black) players harbor against Clark. And, yes, race has lots to do with it…
Not to mention that many WNBA players might think roughing up Caitlin Clark is the best way to get media attention and NIL endorsements.
Clark’s Olympic snub
Meanwhile, Clark took her humbling rookie season to a whole new level after Team USA snubbed her for this summer’s Paris Olympics. But I was among the few commentators who thought the snub was justified.
There’s no denying that Clark is generating more media coverage, greater fan interest, and increased revenues. And I hope better player contracts and perks follow.
But her failure to make the US Olympic team is what happens when hype meets reality. Clark is the most famous female player in the US, but she’s not even in the top 20 best players. And, as crudely commercialized as the Olympics have become, winning is still the goal, not marketing.
But here, too, Clark rose about the viral condemnation Team USA got for not picking her. Here’s what she said on this occasion:
Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for.
(The New York Times, June 16, 2024)
Frankly, her unflappable sportsmanship makes what she says in these situations seem too good to be true. But say what you will about her, Clark is killing her “jealous” opponents with respect and kindness.
They may never treat her with kindness, but they will eventually respect and admire her.