Cheryl Swoopes has been displaying a remarkable level of jealousy toward Caitlyn Clark throughout the season, but her recent actions have truly crossed the line.
Diana Shields has now joined the ranks of players who seem intent on targeting Caitlyn Clark on the court. In a recent game, Shields took down Clark at half-court while the Fever were advancing. This wasn’t a routine foul—it was clearly an act of frustration against Clark.
The fallout was swift and intense. Fans and analysts have condemned Shields for playing dirty, with some even sending her racist threats in response to Clark’s foul. Amid the controversy, Cheryl Swoopes emerged as Shields’ unexpected defender. Swoopes tweeted, “Head up, kid. Hate will not win. You are covered, and there’s nothing these evil people can do about that. All love for you.”
However, this show of support came with consequences. Swoopes was removed from her analyst role for the Fever vs. Dallas Wings game, where she was supposed to provide commentary. When an ex-user commented about their anticipation to hear Swoopes during the game, she responded, “Not today, Satan.”
It’s troubling to see Swoopes supporting players who engage in violent play that could lead to career-threatening injuries. It almost feels like she’s working against the integrity of the sport.
This isn’t the first time Swoopes has shown her disdain for Caitlyn Clark. During Clark’s college days, Swoopes expressed skepticism about Clark’s potential in the WNBA, favoring Angel Reese’s game instead. She even questioned the legitimacy of Clark’s NCAA scoring record, suggesting it was merely the result of volume shooting.
Swoopes’ criticism extended to Clark’s WNBA career, where she claimed Caitlyn’s accomplishments were exaggerated. She argued that Clark should have broken records within the same timeframe as previous record holders, despite Caitlyn achieving her milestones in fewer games. Swoopes also misrepresented Clark’s shooting statistics, inflating the number of shots she took per game.
Caitlyn Clark’s impact on women’s basketball is undeniable. She has shattered records and redefined the game with her impressive performances. Her achievements include breaking the single-game assist record, recording the most consecutive point-assist double-doubles in a rookie season, and becoming the youngest player to record back-to-back double-doubles in points and assists.
Despite her remarkable achievements, some, like Cheryl Swoopes, continue to downplay Clark’s contributions. Swoopes has even neglected to mention Clark’s significant impact while praising other players. This kind of dismissive attitude towards Clark’s accomplishments seems more like jealousy than genuine critique.
Stephen A. Smith has called out Swoopes for her biased opinions, highlighting how her criticism of Clark seems rooted in personal bias rather than objective analysis. The ongoing disdain from some figures in the league reflects poorly on them and undermines the progress Clark is making.
Caitlyn Clark’s performance has led to record-breaking attendance and viewership for the Fever, and her presence has energized the WNBA. It’s crucial to recognize and support players like Clark who are elevating the sport. Despite the negativity, Clark continues to excel, demonstrating that greatness is about persevering through adversity and continuing to push the boundaries.
Cheryl Swoopes’ actions might tarnish her legacy as a Hall of Famer if she continues to exhibit bias against one of the sport’s brightest stars. The focus should be on celebrating and supporting players who are transforming the game, like Caitlyn Clark, rather than tearing them down.
