“What Did You Expect?” – Reggie Miller Dismisses Caitlin Clark Sympathizers, Says Rookie Needs to Learn

When addressing the outrage regarding Chennedy Carter shoving Caitlin Clark to the floor, Reggie Miller said, “Finally, the women’s game is getting the well-earned news coverage that it’s always been…“. The former Indiana Pacers legend sided with Clark’s rival Angel Reese‘s attitude regarding the whole issue.

Reggie Miller along with his former teammate Mark Jackson spoke about Clark and the treatment she’s receiving from the rest of the WNBA. Bluu Jackson son of Mark asked Miller about the fans’ concerns regarding Fever rookie and other players getting roughed up.

The 58-year-old said he had grown up around women’s basketball since her elder sister Cheryl Miller also was a hooper. Also, Cheryl Miller later served as the head coach and general manager of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury during 1997-2000. Reggie Miller always knew the level of play and physicality of the league was of the highest level. He even described the women players as being “just straight ballers.” Further, Miller posed a question for the new fans of the W. 

“First of all, what did you expect was going to happen to her?,” asked Reggie Miller, via episode 57 of The Mark Jackson Show. Additionally, the 6-foot-7 guard clarified the mentality of the players against the rookies. He disagreed with the notion that the veterans of the league were jealous of Clark’s success. He even spoke regarding the adjustment time any rookie needs in the pro league. He also shared an analogy of his time in the NBA.

“You’re playing against grown women, the same thing happened to us as rookies.” Stating that veterans were and always tried to embarrass the rookies and that the players should not take it personally. “When you go to college and then from college when you go to the highest level it’s going to be a learning curve.” Miller also gave a strong reality check to the supposedly new fans of the WNBA.

Reggie Miller is impressed more by Angel Reese

Giving more perspective on the debate, Miller said only a few rookies have been successful and have dominated the league. From the top of the head, he named LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. But of course, she’s going to take her lumps, right? It’s a learning curve. However, for the so-called sympathizers and people who say ‘Oh my God I feel so bad’, Reggie Miller had an appropriate response.

“Feel so bad? These are grown women. This is the W. They’re professionals, they’re professionals, let them play.” The former University of California, Los Angeles graduate also approved of Angel Reese’s handling of the situation when she got knocked down by Alyssa Thomas. Two weeks ago, Chicago Sky faced Connecticut Sun when Thomas was ejected during the Suns’ 86-82 victory. Miller said. “That’s how Caitlin should be responding to all these things. It’s what Angel Reese said when Alyssa Thomas knocked her down, ‘They’re not gonna take it easy on me. I’m a rookie. They’re supposed to do that.‘” Plus, Miller also had a piece of friendly advice for Fever #22.

Reggie Miller said, “What I would love Caitlin to do is just get up one time and slap the s**t out of them.” However, Clark had responded to the situation in her own style. When asked whether Carter should issue a public apology towards the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, responding to this, the 6-foot guard gave a one-worded answer – No. Adding more, she said, “Basketball’s competitive. I get it. Sometimes your emotions get the best of you, happened to me multiple times throughout the course of my career. People are competitive. It is what it is.”

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.