Is anyone else getting a little tired of hearing we — meaning people not cashing a WNBA paycheck — are the real reason behind the rocky launch of the Caitlin Clark era?
Now, Angel Reese would prefer if that previous sentence called it the Clark and Reese era. And you know what? She’s got a point there.
Because Clark, Reese and their compelling WNBA rookie class are trying to do something for their league that could perhaps draw some comparisons to the splashes Magic Johnson and Larry Bird made for the NBA back in 1979.
Fans seem plenty ready, looking at the spike in TV and ticket interest.
Media members seem plenty ready, considering they are giving the league a lot more attention than before. Granted, some of that long-desired media love spews from prominent four-letter network voices who didn’t know what the letters W, N, B and A stood for before this season. But that’s not unique to leagues not named the NFL and NBA. Ask hockey or even baseball.
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I’m not sure the WNBA was ready.
Its commissioner and coaches. Its players. Even the officials.
A league that got plenty of time to prepare for the arrival of a legitimate college superstar (Clark) and a headline-generating incoming class of players has failed, at least so far, to convert a surge of eyeballs and interest into any sort of collective feel-good win for the league at large.
Instead, much of the conversation is revolving around Clark getting roughed up on the court or about Reese getting roughed up on the court, or about why some people seem to care about Clark getting roughed up more than Reese — or vice versa — and wherever that kind of commentary unravels from there.
Here’s an idea: Maybe they should both be allowed to play without fear of cheap shots.
Meanwhile, no one’s talking about Clark dishing 6.4 assists per game (fourth-best in the league) while ranking third in 3-pointers made (27) or about Reese leading the league in rebounding rate (15.2%) or even about fellow rookie Cameron Brink ranking second in blocks per game (2.6).
No, the talk of the WNBA is about its notable rookie players getting pummeled and how people feel about it. Here’s how I feel about it: What a bummer.
“I mean, I want them to come at me every day,†Reese told reporters after Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas took the LSU-turned-Chicago-Sky lightning rod down with a move that rivaled a pro wrestling chokeslam.
“I want them to come at everybody,†Reese continued. “I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie.â€
It’s an admirable stance by Reese, but her having to adopt it should be unnecessary. The slam of her was the first second-degree flagrant foul of Thomas’ decade-plus career. Not a coincidence, folks.
And then came Reese teammate Chennedy Carter’s much-discussed shoulder shiver of Clark.
“I wasn’t expecting it,†Clark told reporters. “It is what it is. It’s a physical game.â€
Again, admirable by Clark. Again, should be unnecessary.
Like the slam of Reese, the takedown of Clark was not a basketball play. Unlike some breathless claims, it wasn’t assault, either. But it absolutely was this: another example of a veteran WNBA player trying to put a rookie in her place in a non-basketball way.
Great culture you are showcasing here, WNBA. Perhaps take a look around at other leagues. Even the stuffy sport of baseball has embraced a “let the kids play†mentality. And that campaign launched in — check notes — 2019.
Unfortunately, referees have done a poor job setting boundaries. The foul on Clark had to be upgraded after the fact. Reese, who recently had a technical rescinded after the fact, seems to be more closely watched than the players delivering damaging blows.
It’s ironic that much of the alleged beef between Clark and Reese ignores they’re both collecting bruises. Reese defending her teammate who drilled Clark doesn’t make her right, either. And speaking of teammates, Clark’s might want to consider, you know, defending her a little bit. Maybe that’s what the WNBA wants — a good, old-fashioned brawl.
Hey WNBA, there are good reasons you no longer see rookie baseball players getting hit for bat flips. The NBA didn’t attempt to rip Trae Young limb from limb because he made a lot of circus shots at Oklahoma. College football and basketball programs, unlike the fraternities on their campuses, see freshmen as important contributors, not pledges in need of hazing. You are years behind. Catch up.
Unfortunately, you could see this coming even before the season began, when WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi used her TV commentary during the women’s NCAA Tournament games to suggest Clark was going to be in for a rude awakening.
Taurasi has since distanced herself from some of those comments, but they will stick to her, and now the throwing of shade is leaving literal marks.
Here’s what Taurasi’s beloved UConn coach Geno Auriemma sees.
“Is she (Clark) facing the rookie challenge, the rookie hardships that are inherent with being a rookie? Yes,†Auriemma told reporters this week. “She’s also being targeted.â€
Gee, wonder why.
Taurasi either created the call or put her finger square on how many were feeling. The rookies needed humbling. Well, they’re getting it now. But beating them in the box score is where it should stop. Beating them up should be beneath the league.
That line being crossed is a bad look.