Stephen A. Smith and Caitlin Clark (Image Source: GettyImages)
Ever since arriving in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has gained massive popularity, which acted against her. Despite increasing the league’s viewership, the Indiana guard has been the center of unnecessary altercations, criticism, and bias. While her teammates couldn’t come to her defense, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith extended his support.
On a recent episode of the “Stephen A. Smith Show”, the host stated three stats to answer the ones who claim that Clark is being hyped for no reason. Smith started off by saying, “WNBA draft 2024 drew 2.46 million viewers to ESPN on Monday night, making it the most watched draft in WNBA history.”
The 56-year-old ESPN analyst boldly continued, “ABC announced it had its most-viewed opening weekend doubleheader ever with two games combined in an average of 1.5 million viewers. That marks a 143% increase from a WNBA doubleheader from ABC a year ago.”
Calling the Fever “the second worst team” in the WNBA, Smith further added, “Did you know that the Fever has been involved in three out of the four TV games that have garnered 1.3 million average viewers this season?”
The topic came up after Clark was pushed to the floor by opponent Chennedy Carter in a game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, which caught the eyes of many, even beyond the basketball court.
Tennis icon sends clear message about Caitlin Clark
There have been multiple instances when Caitlin Clark got physically outplayed by the big ladies in the league. However, her recent clash with the Sky shooting guard stunned the hoop enthusiasts, one of them being tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova said, “The players in the WNBA need to realize that Caitlin Clark is helping all of them, now and in the long run. Caitlyn is the tide that will raise all boats.” She further mentioned that she didn’t consider the Indiana rookie to be a “saint” but called out the “dirty play” by Carter.
The 67-year-old genius believes the best way to get back at others is by performing well on the hardwood. However, Clark and her teammates need a lot of such motivation as they have a 2-9 record and will be facing the Washington Mystics on Saturday, who have not secured a single win in the 8 games they have played till now.
CONFUSED Refs Don’t Know What’s Going On After Angel Reese Fouled! Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever WNBA.
WNBA star Caitlin Clark blasted for ‘flop’ complaint against Chicago Sky
Many fans were unimpressed by Caitlin Clark trying to claim that the Chicago Sky flopped after she committed a third-quarter offensive foul, with TV commentators also disagreeing
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark mimed a flopping motion to referees after committing an offensive foul with 8:21 on the clock in the third quarter of Sunday’s one-point loss against the Chicago Sky. But ESPN’s TV commentary team immediately called it a “clear” violation and joked that she should instead use her arms as an air-circulating fan in an overheating arena.
Viewers online also felt Clark made a misstep by accusing the Sky of flopping, particularly as it’s something she’s been called out for in the past.
“Maybe it’s just me, but, if I’m Clark, im not doing the flop signal arms,” wrote one fan. “No reason to fan those flames. Take your whistle and get back on defense.”
Another added: “No Caitlin Clark did NOT try and call out a flop the way she been flying all over the court all season……….”
Clark isn’t shy toward referees, picking up a series of technical fouls earlier this campaign for jawing at officials and getting into several back-and-forths during the last NCAA Tournament.
On Sunday, the first-year pro didn’t pick up any fouls in the first half but briefly found herself in a sticky situation when she was whistled for three personals in a short period of time in the second half.
Caitlin Clark set a career-high in assists against the Chicago Sky on Sunday. (
Image:
Getty Images)
Otherwise, though, the Iowa product contributed at a high level for the Fever as she continued to adjust to the way WNBA defenses approach her. She surpassed 10 assists for the first time in her WNBA career – a mark that the 22-year-old regularly hit in college basketball.
Meanwhile, Clark continued to play a more efficient floor game than she did last month, shooting 5-of-11 from the field to keep her season percentage trending in a positive direction.
But after the Fever built a double-digit advantage early in the fourth quarter, Chicago fought back to tie the game inside the final three minutes behind Angel Reese’s ferocious offensive rebounding and inside scoring.
The Sky then took the lead as Reese and Chennedy Carter made clutch shots down the stretch. Despite missing several late free-throws, they held on to defeat Clark and Co., 88-87.
Clark finished with 17 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and four steals, playing every single minute of the game. Reese countered with a 25-point, 16-rebound effort that took her double-double streak to a rookie record eight consecutive outings.
“I’m a dawg, you can’t teach that,” Reese told ESPN on the court in a postgame interview. “I’m gonna go out and do whatever it takes to win every single night.
