The first season of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA has concluded, and she faced a mix of admiration and criticism unlike many other athletes in her rookie year as a professional.
Sue Bird, former UConn star and WNBA legend, discussed Clark and the different stories surrounding her in both social and traditional media on her podcast, ‘A Touch More’ with Megan Rapinoe.
Bird suggested that the narrative of WNBA players being envious of Clark and targeting her may have originated from comments made by Diana Taurasi in response to a question from ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt after The Bird & Taurasi Show during the Women’s Final Four in April.
Clark was awarded the WNBA Rookie of the Year in a nearly unanimous vote, with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese receiving one vote. However, Bird believes that once Taurasi’s comments gained attention, it fueled the creation of negative narratives and hateful comments towards Clark.
Bird expressed her disagreement with the idea that players were intentionally going after Clark, despite instances like Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul and Diamond DeShields’ takedown on her during a fast break causing backlash from fans and media.
She emphasized that challenging Clark on the court was a strategic defensive move and not malicious targeting, comparing it to her own experiences as a rookie facing tough defenses.
Bird also pointed out a faction of fans criticizing WNBA players for their treatment of Clark, which she believes stemmed from misconstrued narratives amplified by social media and inexperienced media coverage.
The full episode of ‘A Touch More’ can be listened to here or on various podcast platforms.
Originally Published: October 3, 2024 at 11:41 a.m.
