I’ve been a basketball junkie my entire life. I’ve watched more women’s basketbal in the past two years than I did in probably my previous 45 years of life combined. Part of that is the talent level in women’s basketball is off the charts good right now, all the way down through high school. Part of that is Caitlyn Clark. Her impact on the visibility for women’s basketball was immeasurable. A Pistol Pete like impact on the college game.
All that said, the petty jealousy (and that’s putting it kindly) of Clark from other WNBA players is off putting. It’s actually made me watch very little, and care less with each passing day, about the WNBA than I otherwise would have since every other headline is some nonsense about ___________ (insert player name *cough* Angel Reese *cough*) feeling disrespected that Clark has received so much attention when they deserve attention too. They need to all get over it already.
lol at saying "petty jealousy" put you off of the WNBA
do you watch literally any other sports at all?
Sure, plenty. I guess the roar of, yes “petty jealousy,” that’s being verbalized towards Clark by her (now) peers seems volumes more than any crying I’ve ever seen/heard from NBA/NFL/NHL/MLB veterans. And for the record I could give two ****s about players getting physical with her and “welcoming” her to the League. Cheap shots are another matter.
But surely, based upon your response, you’ve got some great recent examples of similar reactions to #1 overall picks being hated on by the entirety of the league they are entering. Wemby? Connor Bedard? Others?
any individual that enters a new arena touted as "this person is far & away the best/most important to ever do this" is going to get tested. people are going to hate them. people are going to doubt their skills. as a Packers fan i very vividly recall Terrell Buckley, drafted #5, was so brash that even Packers fans hated him. maybe more than any other fanbase. i know people that wouldn't watch Packers games because Buckley trash talked too much (or whatever they're rationale was).
whether sports or business. the new kid in HS with the good hair. doesn't matter. people don't want to be told that some rookie/newbie is better than they are and they're going to try to prove it.
Caitlin Clark isn't the first, nor last, to ever experience being tested.
the coverage of her prior to the WNBA was "this woman is the best to ever touch a basketball. she is going to absolutely torch the WNBA and vault it to heights unseen before."
and when .... Taurasi?? pushed back a little and said "she's in for a surprise" people went berserk that someone would dare challenge Clark's obvious basketball supremacy. just the mere idea that Caitlin Clark might run in to difficulty in a professional league sent people, who don't watch, in to a tizzy of upset.
now imagine the women who play in that league having to hear for 2 years "there's a woman coming in here that will dominate all of you so get ready to look like ****". you expect them to bow down and just let her run free? they aren't going to try proving everyone else wrong? they're just going to lay down?
Clark gets cheapshotted (a hip check) and, i believe it was, a Chicago paper said that the woman who checked her should be arrested for assault? i mean, come on. Angel Reese got roped down by her neck and slammed to the court but that didn't make any splash.
Clark is getting the treatment rookies get in every sport but because there are a million cameras following her every move people think every little micro-action that occurs is the first time anything like it has ever occurred to any athlete ever. it's ridiculous. she's big girl, she'll figure out the physicality, speed and chess of the WNBA and be just fine. everyone can stop trying to protect her from afar. she's gonna do just fine.
eta: and i forgot to add, since it's a dead period for sports and every sports media outlet is frantically covering Clark all day... every outlet i've heard talking about her has said Clark is a legendary, Larry Bird-level, non-stop, **** talker who gives more than she takes. so, decent chance she's stirring the pot and inviting some of this "petty jealousy" that you're concerned about.
