Earlier this week, the discourse surrounding No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark and her impact on the WNBA reached a new level when LeBron James and Charles Barkley shared their views.
James, during an episode of his podcast with JJ Redick, gave Clark advice about handling the spotlight and praised her for elevating the league’s stature. “Don’t get it twisted, don’t get it f—ed up: Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things are going to happen for the WNBA.”
Barkley said on Inside the NBA that James was “100% right” and followed it up with some more direct criticism.
“You women out there, y’all petty, man,” Barkley said. “Y’all should be thanking that girl for getting y’all ass private charters. All the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA, don’t be petty like dudes. Listen, what she’s accomplished, give her her flowers.”
Barkley’s comments, in particular, have struck a nerve within the league, and many players made reference to them on social media. Perhaps the most direct response yet, however, came from Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon on Friday prior to the team’s matchup with Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday night.
“We love Caitlin Clark,” Hammon said. “I…
