Everyone knows that Caitlin Clark will trash-talk to you between the lines. However, many believe that the physicality she is facing in the league as a rookie is by far the worst. Trying to stop the ongoing debate of hating the Fever rookie, Chiney Ogwumike once again steps up to take the charge. However, her explanation of the league always being this competitive has got the fans divided.

In her latest episode on ESPN, Chiney Ogwumike slammed the “false narrative” making rounds in the basketball world surrounding Caitlin Clark’s hate. She said, “This is my State of the Union, WNBA Edition. For those who may be new to this, the WNBA has always been a physical league. Full of competitive fire and trash talk.”

Sharing her thoughts on how rookies have always been facing such fire, she said, “All rookies, especially number one picks, I know what it’s like, have been tested. Mentally, physically, emotionally. From Candace Parker to Sabrina Ionescu to Kelsey Plum to Skylar Diggins-Smith, and until a few days ago Alyssa Thomas was just ejected for a hard play on Angel Reese. Plays like this happen in sports. But now it’s being used to further agendas that don’t serve the game.” She also added, “Ones who grind through that type of grind, become beasts. This is not hate, this is hoops. Like any other game that is professional at the highest level. And I hope people truly get to understand that.”

The former Sparks power forward also said that this narrative only does a disservice to the league and Caitlin Clark. Ogwumike added that what Chennedy Carter did in the heat of the moment was not okay. However, the fans making one player’s approach as an indicator for the entire league is not correct. Nevertheless, the basketball world stands divided.

Fans split up as the narrative around Caitlin Clark takes a higher stand

Before the NCAA’s all-time rookie even became that, she had been facing some thrash from the WNBA elites. However, with her continuous pleas to the referees for not calling out fouls, the stage has taken another stage. Despite Chiney Ogwumike, who is a fan of Caitlin Clark, defending the league, the fans are not letting the subject go.

One fan commented how the University of Iowa alum does not need to go through anything to prove her worth. They called her a beast and tagged the rest for being afraid of her. In Fever’s first win against the LA Sparks, Aari McDonald forgot her second free throw. The fans quickly took notice of McDonald running to guard Caitlin Clark and called it the fear of being against the 6-foot guard.

“Caitlyn is an absolute beast and people are afraid of that”

At the same time, some NBA fans also joined the comment section to give their views. One said that Draymond Green, who is infamous for his physicality, would have liked having such a segment on ESPN. They were probably suggesting that the Golden State Warriors power forward would rather that he got a flagrant-1 call than a suspension.

“draymond green wishes they did the same for him”

One Caitlin Clark fan who seemed to believe that everyone in the league hates Caitlin Clark went against Ogwumike. They said that she cannot really be defending a foul play. However, the 2014 first-overall pick was not defending Carter. Instead, she mentioned how the Sky guard has faced trouble on this front and was still not okay.

“She’s really tryin to defend this?”

One more fan joined the group as they challenged Ogwumike’s words. They said that calling the non-basketball play a competitive hoop game is not correct. Since the weekend’s game, many such narratives have come up. While some defend Clark, some go against Carter, some also call out the Fever team and franchise.

“Flagrant “non basketball” hits are not hoops.”

An experienced basketball follower defended Ogwumike in the midst of the chaos. They said that ESPN’s decision to bring out an experienced, first pick to explain this situation was the best. Certainly, they are in complete agreement with the Stanford alum as she tries to defend her league.

“And this is why you need people who actually know what they’re talking about to speak on issues. Nailed it! “

This is a long debate that seems like it will continue until the end of time. While Caitlin Clark admitted that is was “not a basketball play” but accepted, “it is what it is,” thanks to the physicality of the game, fans remain divided. Hopefully, the Fever rookie continues to cope and shows her true potential.

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