Open season on Caitlin Clark

[Obliviax]

She definitely did her best Lebron imitation on that.

EDIT: to be clear, it was definitely a foul. It was intentional, and potentially flagrant, but CC also flopped.

It was clearly flagrant. Why? It had nothing to do with a basketball play. Caitlin is simply standing there. It is one thing to hit somebody in the course of the play. it is quite another to just walk up to someone and hip-check them when the ball isn't even in play while yelling "you bitch". At the same time, Angel Reese jumps up and cheers.



here's the real deal. The league and ESPN are trying to make sure this doesn't blow up into a race war. Steven A Smith and Monica McNutt had a blowout on this today.

Monica McNutt leaves Stephen A. Smith speechless with real talk about First Take's WNBA coverage

Monica McNutt really nailed Stephen A. Smith here.

ftw.usatoday.com

 

[heckmans]

I missed the part about Clark whining. What I saw was she said it was not a basketball play (which it wasn’t) and that she wasn’t going to retaliate since it was more important to win the game and went and made the free throws in a 1 point win for her team. Your claim that she flopped is the most ridiculous post I have seen on this board and that covers a LOT of territory.

respectfully, CC 100% flopped. It's not a binary however. The foul likely should have been called as flagrant, but it was obvious that the contact didn't knock her to the ground.

 

[indynittany]

Its sports.

And it's June! There's only so much football to discuss right now.

If a particular topic is inconsistent with someone's vision of board purity, they have the option of ignoring that thread.

I agree. This is a legitimate sports issue and worthy of discussion. And when it ceases to be worthy of discussion, it will fade into obscurity, just like every other thread.

 

[Obliviax]

And it's June! There's only so much football to discuss right now.

If a particular topic is inconsistent with someone's vision of board purity, they have the option of ignoring that thread.

I agree. This is a legitimate sports issue and worthy of discussion. And when it ceases to be worthy of discussion, it will fade into obscurity, just like every other thread.

it is an interesting story line. While the finals have been set up in both the NBA and NHL, this has become top shelf. Why?

1. NBA has been pushing the WNBA like crazy for years. They've given the league great exposure but the viewership has often been in the couple hundred thousand. Yet, women's soccer and college basketball have been highly watched even before Ciatlin (but she exploded it as the women's final was higher rated than any sporting event not call the super bowl.)
2. During the broadcast of the game and shortly after, ESPN made almost no reference of this being anything other than a foul. Why? It was clearly not a basketball play and a complete cheap shot. Even Charles Barkly is calling out the WNBA players as being "petty" before this play. Why didn't they cover it?
3. Then ESPN got called out by several social media names for not calling it what it was. That has now led to even more scrutiny.
4. Had ESPN called it out as a flagrant foul and the refs called it as such (pretty obvious, really) nobody would be talking about it. The fact that it happened, Angel Reese' reaction, the ref's lack of balls on the call, the announcers' lack of balls, ESPN's lack of balls have all contributed to now having a major league problem.

Wanna bet anyone breathing on her gets called a foul for the next several games?

 

[Marylovesthelions]

It was clearly flagrant. Why? It had nothing to do with a basketball play. Caitlin is simply standing there. It is one thing to hit somebody in the course of the play. it is quite another to just walk up to someone and hip-check them when the ball isn't even in play while yelling "you bitch". At the same time, Angel Reese jumps up and cheers.

View embedded media

here's the real deal. The league and ESPN are trying to make sure this doesn't blow up into a race war. Steven A Smith and Monica McNutt had a blowout on this today.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/06/monica-mcnutt-stephen-a-smith-first-take-wnba[/URL

They hate her twice, . She is whit...don't understand the refs letting this go on.

 

[Jerry]

It was clearly flagrant. Why? It had nothing to do with a basketball play. Caitlin is simply standing there. It is one thing to hit somebody in the course of the play. it is quite another to just walk up to someone and hip-check them when the ball isn't even in play while yelling "you bitch". At the same time, Angel Reese jumps up and cheers.

View embedded media

here's the real deal. The league and ESPN are trying to make sure this doesn't blow up into a race war. Steven A Smith and Monica McNutt had a blowout on this today.

Monica McNutt leaves Stephen A. Smith speechless with real talk about First Take's WNBA coverage

Monica McNutt really nailed Stephen A. Smith here.

ftw.usatoday.com

I don't know how you can watch that tape and get "flop" out of it.

It was a foul. It was intentional. And it was flagrant...as the league finally ruled after the fact. The vulgar taunts only accentuated the obvious intent.

 

[19333lion]

There is no organization that creates more racial division in this country than the Democratic Party.

"...they're murderers, drug dealers, rapists, and SOME, I assume are good people". S-hole countries, poisoning the blood of our country, an ethnic/country specific virus, CoCo Chow McConnell, why can't we get more Nordic types to immigrate to this country, judges whose ethnic origins disqualify them to judge trials, Jewish space lasers, fluttering eyelashes, endless gerrymandering, Black poll workers cheating with thousands of ballots, Putin as savior of the White race,...WTF is your intellectual malfunction? Congenital or acquired? Dulled by repeated lies and witless cliches?

 

[GregInPitt]

it is an interesting story line. While the finals have been set up in both the NBA and NHL, this has become top shelf. Why?

1. NBA has been pushing the WNBA like crazy for years. They've given the league great exposure but the viewership has often been in the couple hundred thousand. Yet, women's soccer and college basketball have been highly watched even before Ciatlin (but she exploded it as the women's final was higher rated than any sporting event not call the super bowl.)
2. During the broadcast of the game and shortly after, ESPN made almost no reference of this being anything other than a foul. Why? It was clearly not a basketball play and a complete cheap shot. Even Charles Barkly is calling out the WNBA players as being "petty" before this play. Why didn't they cover it?
3. Then ESPN got called out by several social media names for not calling it what it was. That has now led to even more scrutiny.
4. Had ESPN called it out as a flagrant foul and the refs called it as such (pretty obvious, really) nobody would be talking about it. The fact that it happened, Angel Reese' reaction, the ref's lack of balls on the call, the announcers' lack of balls, ESPN's lack of balls have all contributed to now having a major league problem.

Wanna bet anyone breathing on her gets called a foul for the next several games?

And also because the NBA has become watered down BB and has lost lots of their previous fan base so there are less people that care to discuss it. Even the playoffs….

 

[voltz99]

They can always sign a male who claims that he’s really a woman to come in and play like Laimbeer and Mahorn. That actually may get me to watch one of those games for a few minutes.

In all seriousness, I think we all know what’s happening here.

https://www.recordnet.com/gcdn/auth...600&height=346&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

 

[Obliviax]

 

[NJPSU]

I read on social media today that the girl who leveled Clark makes $62k a year. Clark’s shoe deal was worth $28 million. Obviously jealously is playing a large role here.

 

[Op2]

It wouldn't surprise me if the WNBA is implicitly encouraging this. I mean, it gets them in the news. Would we be talking about that game otherwise? No. There has been a giant PR push around Caitlin Clark even back when she was playing in college and now she's in the WNBA and it's push, push, push. And the product itself isn't very interesting to most people so they've gotta find another angle to get attention.

 

[LionDeNittany]

It wouldn't surprise me if the WNBA is implicitly encouraging this. I mean, it gets them in the news. Would we be talking about that game otherwise? No. There has been a giant PR push around Caitlin Clark even back when she was playing in college and now she's in the WNBA and it's push, push, push. And the product itself isn't very interesting to most people so they've gotta find another angle to get attention.

Yep. While I doubt they are encouraging this I also doubt they are discouraging this as they typically would do.

The WNBA product is lousy and full of hate.

Let that hate channel at this girl and see what happens.

 

[LMTLION]

Leave it to the WNBA to jeopardize their biggest opportunity at additional public support and interest by these nasty hit jobs.

Yeah, no kidding. I am very disappointed. Who would have thought that watching sweaty lesbians getting rough with each other would be such a letdown.

 

[AWS1022]

respectfully, CC 100% flopped. It's not a binary however. The foul likely should have been called as flagrant, but it was obvious that the contact didn't knock her to the ground.

No she didn’t. Let’s see someone who weighs more than you hip check you from behind when you’re not expecting it and see if you fall down….bet you do.

 

[AWS1022]

This isn't a new thing across sports.

Young stars get the beat down and have to rise above.

As I mentioned in another thread, you'd never know it but the all time leading WNBA scorer is white.

Although she isn't straight.

Clark mostly has jealousy against her IMO. Not much else.

But the officials call the fouls. For example, Jordan averaged 9 free throws a game his rookie season….Caitlin Clark is averaging 4. I’m sure Clark and her coach would have no problem with the “physical” play if she was getting the deserved free throws from it.

 

[Ian]

Clark’s teammate did nothing and should have retaliated!

 

[AWS1022]

Clark’s teammate did nothing and should have retaliated!

Yep…how Chennedy Clark got through the rest of the game without at least getting an elbow to the throat is beyond me.

 

[jjw165]

You mentioned "Democratic Party," which is like waving a red flag in front of a bull and also a violation of the board rules.

I agree with you on most everything and enjoyed your posts on the other board, but this is not the place.

I guess I'm extra sensitive not only because of the weekend's demolition derby but also because several weeks ago I started an interesting, important, and strictly non-political OT thread on the topic of the deadly threat that fentanyl poses to our kids.

There was some good discussion, but a couple people proceeded to post political content, causing the whole thread to be shut down and me to receive an unjustified "warning." I'd prefer that not to happen again with this thread, especially after the craziness over the weekend.

I don't mean this as a shot at you. I'm just getting tired of the nonsense and would like a grown-up discussion with grown-ups....which you are by the way. Thanks for your understanding.

Forgive me, Jerry. For sometimes I do not understand what I do.

This guy is calling it assault. I just call it bush league stuff. Apparently, Carter has a reputation for this type of conduct.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Forgive me, Jerry. For sometimes I do not understand what I do.

This guy is calling it assault. I just call it bush league stuff. Apparently, Carter has a reputation for this type of conduct.

View embedded media

Hottie

 

[rll1957]

Before Clark they we’re flying commercial now they’re flying charter playing an unwatchable game. Kill her off and you will be riding buses between games

 

[heckmans]

No she didn’t. Let’s see someone who weighs more than you hip check you from behind when you’re not expecting it and see if you fall down….bet you do.

Ok👌👌

Kennedy is listed at 5'9" 140
Clark is 6'0" 154
....so she doesn't weigh more than her

2nd, watch it again. Clark did not go down hard and she was looking for the ref before she even hit the floor. She clearly was acting and looking for the foul. I don't care, but it's obvious

I've never considered this idea before, but the google machine doesn't lie. Flopping is not new for CC. Enjoy

 

[Jerry]

Forgive me, Jerry. For sometimes I do not understand what I do.

This guy is calling it assault. I just call it bush league stuff. Apparently, Carter has a reputation for this type of conduct.

View embedded media

You are forgiven, my son. Go in peace...

 

[MacNit2.0]

Ya that was a pretty cheap shot yesterday. She handled it fine. Jordan took a beating early in his career too.

Jordan was much better equipped to take care of the situation.

 

[Jerry]

I read on social media today that the girl who leveled Clark makes $62k a year. Clark’s shoe deal was worth $28 million. Obviously jealously is playing a large role here.

No question, that's factoring in. It's only human nature.

I mean, this straight-as-an-arrow, corn-fed, white-girl rookie shows up, lucrative endorsements in hand, and is billed as savior of the league. She's going to have a bullseye on her back.

That said, the shots being taken at her on the court may be explained...but not excused...or tolerated. Meanwhile, she really has handled the whole thing with class.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Clark is too damned nice for pro sports. She should have pick her spot in that game, take the ball, znd drive hard as hell right into that scumbag. Drove her elbow hard as hell right into her face znc break her nose or jaw or knock out a couple teeth.

Then post game say ‘if this bush league won’t protect me I have to protect myself. If they don’t have to play by the rules then neither will I.’

 

[knickslions]

Clark is too damned nice for pro sports. She should have pick her spot in that game, take the ball, znd drive hard as hell right into that scumbag. Drove her elbow hard as hell right into her face znc break her nose or jaw or knock out a couple teeth.

Then post game say ‘if this bush league won’t protect me I have to protect myself. If they don’t have to play by the rules then neither will I.’

She just needs to keep doing what’s she’s doing. In no time she’ll be shooting 15 ft/game just like old Mike did

 

[Obliviax]

She just needs to keep doing what’s she’s doing. In no time she’ll be shooting 15 ft/game just like old Mike did

Yeah. She's, first and foremost, got to protect her image for sponsorships. She's making millions but only about $100k playing basketball. If the league lets this persist, they are lonely. They can't. They finally have a legit fan draw and they are going to let thugs take her out of her game? No way and no how.

 

[Cowbell Man]

No question, that's factoring in. It's only human nature.

I mean, this straight-as-an-arrow, corn-fed, white-girl rookie shows up, lucrative endorsements in hand, and is billed as savior of the league. She's going to have a bullseye on her back.

That said, the shots being taken at her on the court may be explained...but not excused...or tolerated. Meanwhile, she really has handled the whole thing with class.

That jealousy would be misplaced. Maybe they should take a peek at the boom in NBA interest that occurred when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson showed up. That 62k minimum salary will take a leap if more people’s eyeballs are on the TV m, butts in seats and jerseys are sold. Clark has done what the game was begging to happen. Play hard, be physical. But bite that hand that is gonna feed you?

And ESPN is trying…..Clark and Reese could be Bird and Magic if those girls and coaches get their heads on straight.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Yeah. She's, first and foremost, got to protect her image for sponsorships. She's making millions but only about $100k playing basketball. If the league lets this persist, they are lonely. They can't. They finally have a legit fan draw and they are going to let thugs take her out of her game? No way and no how.

If she smashed the nose of that idiot that slammed her she would gain a massive following. People admire athletes with a fighting spirit.

 

[Obliviax]

If she smashed the nose of that idiot that slammed her she would gain a massive following. People admire athletes with a fighting spirit.

I don't really agree. She is the centerpiece of that team and has a rep that is making her money. I think she was smart as any retribution would have invited more retribution. Now, she put it on the league. "WNBA, I am making my money. I am going to be a millionaire. You want me to drag your shitty league into the mainstream or not? If so, get your shit together."

 

[Obliviax]

Pretty good discussion on Pardon the Interruption. However, if they think the NBA doesn't have any white stars, they haven't been watching the NBA the last two years. Luka and Nikola are two of the five best in the league right now.

 

[The Spin Meister]

I don't really agree. She is the centerpiece of that team and has a rep that is making her money. I think she was smart as any retribution would have invited more retribution. Now, she put it on the league. "WNBA, I am making my money. I am going to be a millionaire. You want me to drag your shitty league into the mainstream or not? If so, get your shit together."

The league already knows that and didn’t do squat. Been a couple blatant incidents, several games later and no one suspended.

Also, no one on her team stood up for her. She needs to absolutely plow over one of those that cheap shorted her and elbow her on the way.

After the game say. ‘I have always loved basketball. Great game with great athletes, exciting to watch. Always been a dream to play in the WNBA, the very best league any woman can aspire to play in. But if they continue to allow this bull💩 then I have no choice but to protect myself if the league won’t do it. Wish it wasn’t that way but that is my reality.’

Then walk away…..

 

[Jerry]

Pretty good discussion on Pardon the Interruption. However, if they think the NBA doesn't have any white stars, they haven't been watching the NBA the last two years. Luka and Nikola are two of the five best in the league right now.

View embedded media

Interesting discussion. Wilbon is right of course: race is an elephant in the room. But if you mention that, people like 19333 go into hysterics.

But Wilbon is wrong to compare Caitlin to Larry Bird's situation. There are some key differences. I think he's also offbase to think the only effective solution is "on the court." That can only work if Caitlin's teammates have her back, which so far they haven't. It's also mystifying that Wilbon doesn't seem to know about the white superstars in today's NBA.

Meanwhile, Kornheiser is on target with his assessment that Caitlin has been the target of a head-hunting campaign. He's actually watched some or all of most of her games, so he's not speaking out of his hat.

It will be interesting to see where this goes, but it wouldn't shock me if Caitlin's WNBA tenure is not terribly long. She's a long way from Iowa.

 

[12345q]

du!! you think!
racist bleep going on!!

 

[jjw165]

The league already knows that and didn’t do squat. Been a couple blatant incidents, several games later and no one suspended.

Also, no one on her team stood up for her. She needs to absolutely plow over one of those that cheap shorted her and elbow her on the way.

After the game say. ‘I have always loved basketball. Great game with great athletes, exciting to watch. Always been a dream to play in the WNBA, the very best league any woman can aspire to play in. But if they continue to allow this bull💩 then I have no choice but to protect myself if the league won’t do it. Wish it wasn’t that way but that is my reality.’

Then walk away…..

Caitlin doesn’t need the WNBA. The WNBA needs her. The league can’t stand on its own two feet. It doesn’t turn a profit and exists because the NBA has chosen to subsidize it. She can start her own entrepreneurial endeavors, have more control over how she earns a living and make a fortune doing it.

 

[Obliviax]

Interesting discussion. Wilbon is right of course: race is an elephant in the room. But if you mention that, people like 19333 go into hysterics.

But Wilbon is wrong to compare Caitlin to Larry Bird's situation. There are some key differences. I think he's also offbase to think the only effective solution is "on the court." That can only work if Caitlin's teammates have her back, which so far they haven't. It's also mystifying that Wilbon doesn't seem to know about the white superstars in today's NBA.

Meanwhile, Kornheiser is on target with his assessment that Caitlin has been the target of a head-hunting campaign. He's actually watched some or all of most of her games, so he's not speaking out of his hat.

It will be interesting to see where this goes, but it wouldn't shock me if Caitlin's WNBA tenure is not terribly long. She's a long way from Iowa.

Agreed. There were lots of stars and the NBA was very popular when Bird hit the scene. And, of course, Magic was just as, if not more, popular. Clark was a lightning bolt for women's college ball. She's breathed life into the WNBA but that needs to be sustained. The league has a big part in sustaining that but may not have the balls (no pun intended).

 

[The Spin Meister]

Caitlin doesn’t need the WNBA. The WNBA needs her. The league can’t stand on its own two feet. It doesn’t turn a profit and exists because the NBA has chosen to subsidize it. She can start her own entrepreneurial endeavors, have more control over how she earns a living and make a fortune doing it.

Spot on. Which is why she needs to defend herself. What they gonna do….suspend the one person that doubled ticket sales and viewership?

Perplexing that the league hasn’t disciplined the offenders. Clark gets injured in one of these at the league just might collapse as people will be very anger.

 

[Jerry]

Spot on. Which is why she needs to defend herself. What they gonna do….suspend the one person that doubled ticket sales and viewership?

Perplexing that the league hasn’t disciplined the offenders. Clark gets injured in one of these at the league just might collapse as people will be very anger.

Spin, she'd get her ass kicked in a physical fight with one of the muggers, but the refs would step in before it came to that and meanwhile she'd show the heart to stick up for herself, which is important.

It's one of the rules of male prison life (not that I know from experience of course): you have to fight back even if you lose; if you don't fight back, you get the label of bitch, and then things get really ugly.

That said, the better answer is for her teammates to send a message. It's pretty pathetic this hasn't happened already.

In the end, of course, the hard reality is that nobody cares about the WNBA...regardless.

 

[tboyer]

I disagree. the woman yelled at her "you bitch" and came at her from the blind side She didn't know it was coming. She's only 6' 150lbs. And it wasn't just that play.

WNBA has to fix this. Their legitimacy as a league is on the line. If she suffers a major injury, the optics are going to be horrible.

FWIW very good column in the Wapo on this today by Candace Buckner wondering why fans are coddling Clark. Nothing is happening that doesn't happen to every hot shot rookie entering the NBA or WNBA but, maybe because Clark is white in a mostly non-white league, every time she someone puts a finger on her, her fans scream bloody murder.

For sure if she suffers a major injury that would be bad -- but getting hip-checked on an inbounds and losing her balance? That's the worst thing that's happened to her?

And a player called her a "bitch" -- I'm shocked, so shocked, this poor flower who screamed at a ref to "call a f----ing foul" the other day, who leads the league in technicals because she is very mouthy.

She's going to be fine. She's tough and can look after herself, but she'll be a lot better when she adds 10-15 pounds of upper body muscle. She was rookie of the month her first month because she can shoot and pass. It's highly likely she is going to wear down this season not because of cheap shots but because no rookie is prepared for the unbelievable grind of pro BB. It's all part of the process. But if she's this good now, she will be something next year.