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USA Today via Reuters
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against USA Women’s National Team during the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against USA Women’s National Team during the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
“I don’t give two sh*ts”. That’s USA head coach Cheryl Reeve for you when asked to spare a thought or two about the fandom of this year’s No.1 overall draft pick. Following this, she not only had to deal with her team’s loss but also was brutally trolled on social media for her alleged hostility towards the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer. Now, an eminent American basketball analyst has expressed equivalent emotions toward her.
“The Caitlin Clark effect is real”. This was the initial reaction of Fox Sports Radio’s Doug Gottlieb when he found that the viewership of this year’s WNBA game took a surge of around 2 million people. However, that wasn’t the only deduction from him during his recent podcast. Soon after, he shifted his attention toward the recent comments of the Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve which has, in some light, been perceived as negative towards the impact created by Caitlin Clark. He said on Fox Sports Radio, “I can’t stand Cheryl Reeve. I think she comes across as, well, I think you know what the word is.”
The quote of this year’s WNBA All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale, “Women’s basketball, in general, and a lot of things, in general, are political,” provides some grounds as to why Caitlin Clark’s snub for the Paris Olympics put a target on the back of Team USA’s head coach. As it turns out, she is now at the receiving end of constant flak on social media, which is based purely on the assumption that she holds some sense of enmity against the rookie. On top of that, a lot of it has to do with her cryptic response to the WNBA which included a hashtag “the W is more than one player”. This controversial turn of events took place during the preseason days of the WNBA this year.
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Apparently, this is not the only reason why Cheryl Reeve is in some bad books of passionate basketball followers. Evidently, a similar reaction was evoked out of Jackie Young’s supporters after Team USA’s exhibition clash against Germany. This is with reference to the limited time the veteran spent on the hardwood in spite of such an impactful contribution.
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Do you think Cheryl Reeve's comments about Caitlin Clark were justified?
Absolutely
Not at all
Somewhat
No opinion
Who will make the biggest impact as a Team USA commentator for the Paris Olympics?
Dwyane Wade
Bay Area Veteran
Other
Whats your Perspective on:
Cheryl Reeve ignoring Caitlin Clark—disrespect or just a strategic oversight?
Have an interesting take?
Do you think LeBron James' leadership will be the key to USA Basketball's success in Paris?
Absolutely
Maybe
Not at all
Only time will tell
Do you think Coco Gauff should have been chosen as the flag bearer for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Absolutely
No, LeBron James is a better choice
Both should share the honor
Neither
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Cheryl-Reeve-Getty.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Getty
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 28: Cheryl Reeve, head coach of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the game against the Dallas Wings on June 28, 2022 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
Later, Gottlieb also accused Reeve of holding some insecurities. He further added, “I don’t understand what her deal is other than some massive, massive insecurity. She is the embodiment of what’s wrong with, what’s hard with women in the workplace.”
However, it seemed like the water was under the bridge between Caitlin Clark and Cheryl Reeve after the Minnesota and Indiana Fever matchup.
Cheryl Reeve’s outlook on Caitlin Clark
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What’s your perspective on:
Cheryl Reeve ignoring Caitlin Clark—disrespect or just a strategic oversight?
Have an interesting take?
The Lynx road loss saw Reeve acknowledging Caitlin Clark. The 57-year-old didn’t mince her words while accepting her defeat, courtesy of another Clark special. Reeve expressed, “Everybody knows that the reason why our teams around the league are having sellouts is because Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are coming to town”.
Her statements are a result of the 18,978 fans turning up for the Lynx-Fever clash. Interestingly, these numbers show the support that Caitlin Clark and Co. garnered on a road game.
The negative opinions continue to come Cheryl Reeve’s way. And, Caitlin Clark is not the WNBA star whose fans are keeping her in the firing lines. It will be interesting to see her response to all this adversity.
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Stay tuned for more such updates. And, join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.
Debate
Cheryl Reeve ignoring Caitlin Clark—disrespect or just a strategic oversight?