Caitlin Clark is nearing the end of what could be considered the greatest rookie season in WNBA history, although Sheryl Swoopes doesn’t believe she has completely dominated the league.
During a segment on Gilbert Arena’s podcast, Gil’s Arena, Swoopes and Arena discussed Clark’s rookie season, analyzing her impressive stats, the early struggles of the Indiana Fever, and the team’s strong finish with a 9-4 record. Swoopes mentioned that while Clark is performing well, she doesn’t see her as a dominant force just yet.
Clark is currently averaging 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.4 assists per game. She has already broken records for assists and rookie scoring in a single season, becoming the first rookie to achieve a triple-double and recording the most double-doubles by a guard in a season. Her performance in her debut season has been truly exceptional.
Swoopes, a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time champion, expressed her opinion on Clark’s season:
Swoopes does not consider Caitlin Clark’s 19.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 8.4 APG this season to be “dominant”
She is the only player in WNBA history to average those numbers or better pic.twitter.com/VM1i5CayNL
The conversation delved deeper into Swoopes’ perspective on Clark’s performance, recognizing her incredible skills while noting that she may not meet Swoopes’ particular criteria for dominance. Swoopes also acknowledged Clark’s growth and adaptation throughout the season, highlighting her impact on the court. It was a thought-provoking discussion.
Ultimately, opinions on Clark’s greatness vary depending on individual viewpoints and biases, as she has undeniably had a remarkable and trailblazing rookie year.
