The name Caitlin Clark attracts attention. At this point, that has become something of an unwritten rule. It’s not official, but everybody knows that it is a sure-shot factor for the WNBA to receive as much traction as it is getting. Unfortunately, there’s been a lot of unpleasantness. We’re sure you are all pretty well-versed in WNBA legends and their comments on the youngster. Clark is getting to know her rookie years aren’t all that fun, particularly when it comes with a target on her back. The most recent incident was that of the upgraded flagrant-1 foul by Chennedy Carter. A shoulder shot before an inbound pass saw the rook on the ground.

During the Chicago Sky vs Fever matchup, the hit was issued a common foul, but upon review, it was upgraded. Talking about it, Clark remained diplomatic in the post-game presser. “I wasn’t expecting it,” she admitted. “It is what it is. It’s a physical game. Go make the free throw and execute on offense.” And this made it to Gilbert Arenas’ show. Patrick Beverley joined the crew for this one. “Anything that happens with her [Caitlin Clark] is going to be magnified right, which is great for the WNBA,” Beverley pointed out.

But he also mentioned that the WNBA is just as, if not more, physical as the NBA. So, it kind of comes with the territory to expect physical and aggressive plays. “I like the bump. I don’t know if it caused the fallover. Probably caught her off guard. … But she knew this was going to happen. Everybody kind of knew it was going to happen. I did it with Lonzo Ball, people praised it. They do it with Caitlin Clark, and people want to go to the first extent to smother someone’s name for doing it,” Beverley expressed on Gil’s Arena.

That ‘someone’ in this case is Chicago Sky’s Carter. Patrick Beverley dubbed it “rookie hazing.” As such, everyone will remember Beverley’s dedication to the said tradition, won’t they?

Patrick Beverley was upfront in his hazing duties to Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball, the eldest of the Ball brothers, entered the NBA as a decorated UCLA recruit. All of them followed in their brother’s footsteps when it came to college. Lonzo’s NBA debut was the Lakers‘ season-opener against the LA Clippers and unfortunately for him, Patrick Beverley took on the job of welcoming him. The defensive pest that he is, the 6’2 guard was right on Lonzo Ball for the entirety of the night, without letup.

After the game, Beverley’s statement might make one wonder if it could have been more than rookie hazing, though. “Due to all the riff-raff that his dad brings, he’s going to get a lot of people coming at him. He has to be ready for that, and I let him know how this game works.”

Point noted! While it’s true LaVar’s kids ended up receiving the full attention for his big talk, rookie hazing is a very real and accepted on-court tradition. As to how far it can go or what the line is, is up for discussion. What are your thoughts on the same? Can the Chennedy-Caitlin stint be grouped under rookie hazing? Or was it personal? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.