“You’re a Jealous Idiot”: Dave Portnoy Lambasts Lynette Woodard for Downplaying Caitlin Clark Effect

Caitlin Clark has her focus on the all-important NCAA Tournament Final for the Iowa Hawkeyes. While she has been tearing it up on the court with her performances, Basketball Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard suddenly decided to take a dig at her on Saturday. Clark broke Woodard’s all-time women’s college scoring record earlier this season but the 64-year-old doesn’t seem to agree with that. Many fans have criticized her statement, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. A month ago, Lynette Woodard’s stance was different, though.

Iowa invited her for Caitlin Clark’s senior day, where the fans gave her a standing ovation and shared their appreciation for the legend. She even said this moment wouldn’t have been possible without Clark breaking her record. But things have turned for the worse now and Portnoy’s words were extremely critical.

He said, “Hey Lynette I’ll help spread the word. You’re a jealous idiot. Also I don’t think you know what the saying “an elephant in the room” means since nobody even knows you existed. It’s crazy how jealous other women are of Caitlin for making the world care about women’s hoop.”

During the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association convention on Saturday, Woodard had said, “I don’t think my record has been broken because you can’t duplicate what you’re not duplicating. So unless you come with a men’s basketball and a two-point shot…” Woodard previously praised Clark for breaking her record. And acknowledged that Caitlin Clark was at the forefront of the change.

Change of tunes towards Caitlin Clark

During the game against Ohio State last month, Woodard said it was a great time for the entire women’s basketball community. Even saying records are meant to be broken. “Every walk of life, everybody knows Caitlin Clark, the University of Iowa, and what she’s done, and they deserve it.”

Woodard averaged 29 points per game with the Kansas Jayhawks women’s basketball. Scoring 3,649 points in total during her four-year career. However, the Jayhawks were competing under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women at the time, so she did not hold the official NCAA mark.

Suddenly Woodard doesn’t feel the same about Clark breaking her record. Calling herself the hidden figure, she said for more than 43 years her record was hidden. But now since people know about it, she addressed that Clark does not break her record due to different circumstances around her time. Taking a gibe that seems to be aimed at Clark calling the use of smaller basketball and three-pointer mark questionable.

It’s not the first time Clark’s achievements have been questioned. During her Final Four game Sue Bird & Diana Taurasi, the celebrated WNBA names, overlooked her in favor of Paige Bueckers while answering a fan question. Bueckers had an amazing season with the Huskies. But she is in no way near Clark in terms of numbers.

Scoring 1,183 points this season, an NCAA single-season record, she has 270 rebounds, and 334 assists as well. Having broken individual records and claimed personal honors, Clark will go all guns blazing to add team championship to her name.

Read More: Exploring NCAA Star Caitlin Clark’s Little Known Soccer Career