After DiJonai Carrington’s Outburst, Stephen A. Smith Opposes to Caitlin Clark’s Reply

Caitlin Clark has inadvertently been involved in drama. Recently, when the fans and commentators were using her name to criticize other players, there were issues of racism and misogyny staring wide into the eyes of other WNBA players. Clark in her defense came forward to uphold the sport and revealed that she didn’t care much about her name being used since the only thing she concentrates on is basketball. “I don’t put too much thought and time into thinking about things like that, and to be honest, I don’t see a lot of it. Basketball is my job. Everything on the outside, I can’t control that, so I’m not going to spend time thinking about that,” Clark stated.

Post her statement, Connecticut Sun star DiJonai Carrington came forward on the social media networking platform X and tweeted her thoughts. “Dawg. How one can not be bothered by their name being used to justify racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia & the intersectionalities of them all is nuts. We all see the s*it. We all have a platform. We all have a voice & they all hold weight. Silence is a luxury,” Carrington stated.

Post this, Clark came to the fore to slam those who were using her name for negative issues and expressed her disappointment at the same. She lent her voice to all the women players in the league and expressed being upset over the same. “People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable. Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect, I think, it’s just a basic human thing that everybody should do.” While Clark tried to close the issue, a lot of fans believed Carrington was trying to target the 22-year-old. And hence celebrated journalist Stephen A. Smith has taken matters into his own hands and has sided with Carrington.

According to Smith, Carrington wasn’t targeting Clark and instead expressing their point of view for everyone who chooses to be silent even when their voice can make a difference in the world. He claims that she was trying to promote an environment where respect as a basic etiquette is followed. “I love the fact that Caitlin Clark came back and commented on it. DiJonai Carrington was very piercing in her rebuke of what Caitlin Clark had to say. But for those that are willing to get on Carrington, I will, I will come to Carrington’s defense… And most people who are silent when clear activism is needed if not downright required,” Smith stated, via his official YouTube channel. 

“You’re going to get called on it, particularly in this day and age where everybody has a voice, and what Carrington was saying is that it wasn’t on she was not implying that…that it was on Caitlin Clark to speak up alone. What she specifically said is that all of us have a voice and all of us have an obligation to use that voice. In other words, none of us should be silent. Silence is a luxury, but one none of us should have. That’s what Carrington was saying in my opinion and I don’t disagree with her as long as you’re somewhat knowledgeable about what you’re talking about in the case of Caitlin Clark,” he continued.

Therefore, in his opinion, Carrington’s step was justified since she came to speak for what was right and also pushed Clark to have her say on the same so that none of the athletes has to go through a tough ordeal online or through commentators. However, the problems for Clark do not end here.

Caitlin Clark’s issues continue

Meanwhile, Clark has been having a tough season both on the court and off the court. She was displaced by Angel Reese recently in the New York Times WNBA rookie rankings. Clark was also trumped by Aaliyah Edwards and stood third in it. Many people opine that it is due to the Fever which is currently one of the worst placed teams. Others say the issues could be due to an increased physicality in the game, something that Clark had previously spoken of as her weak point. Furthermore, she was snubbed from the Paris Olympic team.

As for her off-court matters, Clark is under a lot of scrutiny. Her fans as well as her haters gather around to create some or other controversy for the 22-year-old. The most recent of which was seen when the Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter had pushed her to the ground. And after that issue, this new problem involving Carrington popped up.

Hopefully, Clark will be able to come out of the off-court matters that are diverting her attention. And once again prove herself to be the player she is, and have a successful WNBA season.

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.