There’s no doubt that Caitlin Clark has been in the spotlight ever since she made her WNBA debut, as the rookie guard has phenomenally boosted the viewership and the league’s popularity. While it’s true that this year’s ROTY contender has been a constant topic of discussion, be it criticism from Sheryl Swoopes or appreciation from Stephen A. Smith, the famous ESPN analyst Elle Duncan has made an important point about this subject.

Recently, the analyst discussed Caitlin Clark and the coverage surrounding her. “Specifically, the Caitlin Clark topic is, is such a lightning rod topic that it can be hard to figure out how you’re going to navigate it, and some people who have been on the receiving end of racism and threats and nastiness, you could understand, might want to avoid the topic altogether,” Elle Duncan said, on ESPN. However, this is Duncan’s take on the issue. Additionally, there have been many instances in the past where discussions about Caitlin Clark have led to major backlash for the involved personalities.

Exhibits of this backlash can be seen with Sheryl Swoopes, who regularly finds herself in controversies for criticizing Clark.  Similarly, admirers like Stephen A. Smith have also been called out for not covering women’s basketball enough before Clark came into the scene. Duncan also stated, “We’ve got so-called “journalists” just like laying in weight ready to pounce on anyone who has any perceived hate. Ready to attack them, ready to send their missives to attack you. And it can, to some people, feel incredibly daunting.” 

This comes shortly after Stephen A. Smith’s remarks where he dismissed WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes for not giving due credit to Caitlin Clark for the league’s success and growing popularity. Let’s have a look at what this was about.

“I think that what she [Clark] has done for women’s basketball, especially in this country has been phenomenal,” stated Stephen A. Smith, as the rookie has been a game-changer for the WNBA. Clark’s games have attracted 1.184 million viewers, a stark contrast to the 428,000 who typically tune in for other games. However, when Sheryl Swoopes recently talked about the Indiana Fever’s progress, she praised Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull, but noticeably, left Clark out of the conversation.

Smith noticed this and he didn’t hold back from calling out the WNBA veteran. He said, “Sheryl Swoopes, take notes. You ain’t playing no more. You’re a Hall of Famer and a champion and a basketball savant. You know good and damn well, you had no business talking about the Indiana Fever without mentioning Caitlin Clark. Come on, Sheryl Swoopes, come on, you are so much better than that.”

Coming back in action post the Olympic break, Clark not only led the team on a winning streak, but she also set a new rookie assists record.

Well, Swoopes had a quick response to Smith’s tough remarks on her as she tweeted, “You talk about whomever and whatever you want to on your podcast. Correct? So why can’t I?” As the league navigates this spotlight, ongoing debates and Elle Duncan’s statement highlight the complexities and intense scrutiny surrounding Caitlin Clark’s impact and stardom.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.