WNBA gamers hating on Caitlin Clark is precisely what the league wants — commentary

Rivalries are nice for sports activities. They could even be the most effective factor a sport or a league can have. Magic vs. Chicken. Ali vs. Frazier. Brady vs. Manning. what’s higher for the WNBA than Caitlin Clark having one rival? Caitlin Clark having 120 rivals. 

The WNBA is seeing unprecedented consideration from Individuals this yr, due to the arrival of Caitlin Clark. Clark’s Nationwide Championship loss in opposition to South Carolina drew a median of practically 19 million viewers, the most-watched ladies’s sporting occasion in historical past. 

Though the league is not fairly seeing these numbers, Clark continues to be drawing over 1,000,000 followers per sport to their TV units, one thing the WNBA hadn’t seen a single time in over a decade previous to the Indiana Fever drafting Clark. 

But it surely’s not as a result of Clark is dominating on the court docket, like she did at Iowa. Clark is the best scoring participant in NCAA basketball historical past, males or ladies. She averaged over 28 factors per sport in her profession in faculty, together with a ridiculous 31.6 factors in her ultimate season. 

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Her highest complete in any of her first 10 WNBA video games is 30 factors, which suggests she hasn’t but reached her faculty AVERAGE in a single sport. Clark is averaging below 17 factors in these 10 video games. 

This isn’t surprising; most rookies wrestle within the early levels of their transition from faculty or highschool into the skilled ranks. The sport is quicker, and the opponents are stronger. That is actually taking a toll on Clark, nevertheless it’s wager that she’ll determine it out ultimately. 

Till then, although, followers want extra causes to tune in. Clark’s dominance in faculty, significantly her potential to hit long-range three-point photographs, was a giant motive why followers tuned in and confirmed as much as the sector. She helped Iowa attain the Nationwide Championship sport, ending 34-5. 

However the Indiana Fever stink. They’re 2-8 and have the second-worst win proportion within the WNBA. The league permits the highest eight groups within the 12-team league to enter the postseason, and the Fever are at present three spots behind the ultimate playoff spot. 

Caitlin Clark has struggled in her first 10 video games within the WNBA, no less than relative to her profession at Iowa, however followers nonetheless have loads of causes to tune in.

It is laborious for followers to get too enthusiastic about Clark’s play or her crew’s play. However what they will get enthusiastic about is the truth that gamers within the WNBA actually appear to dislike Clark and that is led to some entertaining on-and-off-court antics. 

WNBA gamers appear jealous of Clark’s reputation and a part of the rationale for that’s her potential. It is easy to see why a WNBA participant, who’s taking part in higher on the court docket, is aggravated that Clark – who’s admittedly struggling – continues to be the principle draw. Clark is sixteenth within the league in points-per-game. 

Plus, Clark is a trash-talker. She was at Iowa and that has carried over into the WNBA. That has rubbed some gamers the improper approach. Take the incident that occurred Saturday afternoon, for instance. Previous to Chennedy Carter taking an affordable shot at Clark, Clark appeared to say one thing to Carter following an Indiana Fever basket. 

Does that warrant what occurred? No, it would not. Would the identical factor have occurred if one other participant stated one thing to Carter as an alternative of Clark? In all probability not. Is there a little bit further in that hit as a result of it is Caitlin Clark? More than likely. 

However everybody appears to suppose that is horrible for the WNBA. Why? The clip of Carter hip-checking Clark is being shared broadly throughout social media. Each sports activities media outlet is masking it. Hell, I am right here writing about it TWO DAYS LATER. 

CAITLIN CLARK HAS ALREADY FACED IMMENSE CRITICISM AT EVERY TURN 6 MONTHS INTO 2024

If the Fever had merely crushed the Sky, as they did, and this didn’t occur, would there be this a lot dialog and protection across the sport? Not even shut. We all know that as a result of Clark has performed 10 video games within the WNBA. The video games which have gotten probably the most protection are those that had some controversy. Controversy sells. Rivalries promote. WNBA gamers hating on Clark sells. 

Plus, everybody must cease pretending that these things is all model new to the WNBA. I do not know if that is how rookies normally get handled within the WNBA. why? As a result of I do not suppose I’ve ever watched a WNBA sport in my life previous to this yr. 

Based mostly on the tv rankings, most sports activities followers have not both. In reality, Angel Reese obtained grabbed by the throat and thrown to the bottom throughout a latest sport. She stated after the sport that is what occurs once you’re a rookie. The veterans let you already know that it is their court docket. 

I nonetheless overlook how any of that is dangerous for the WNBA. But, that is the prevailing opinion on social media. 

Possibly I am naive, but when all these gamers simply continuously praised Clark and by no means gave her a tough time on the court docket, it would not be practically as entertaining or draw the curiosity and a spotlight that the haters are drawing. Once more, rivalries are nice for sports activities. 

Simply have a look at the views of all of the posts on Clark. Kind “Clark” into the search bar on X (previously Twitter) and everyone seems to be speaking concerning the “hit.” What number of factors did Clark have? What was the ultimate rating of the sport? These are tougher to search out (the reply is 11, by the way in which, and the Fever received 71-70). 

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Some may argue that is a foul factor. If followers are extra within the extracurricular stuff than the precise sport, it is dangerous for the league. However is it? Nobody cared concerning the video games or the scores for the previous 28 years. Now, they care about Caitlin Clark.

All publicity is sweet publicity and the WNBA is getting a whole lot of publicity.