Shaq Shuts Down Ice Cube’s Wish to Lure Caitlin Clark to Big 3 League Citing Recent WNBA Horror as a Reason

Was ditching Ice Cube’s $15 million Big Three offer the best decision for Caitlin Clark? Seems so. Many believe that the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer has been at the receiving end of some hostile physicality in the WNBA. That notion got further validation by 4× NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal. Looking at Clark’s rookie WNBA season so far, Shaq opines that this endeavor would have been extremely challenging for the 6-foot-guard.

He provided evidence of this narrative in the recent episode of his podcast with Ice Cube. “She would get touched up. The WNBA girls are letting her know,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast. This response was after his fellow host Adam Lefkoe expressed his desire to see Caitlin Clark participate in the Big Three.

Lefkoe’s intention behind including Caitlin Clark in the Big Three was because of the huge marketing boost she brings with her. Anyhow, Shaquille O’Neal thinks that she’s not the only one who does that.

Disagreeing with what Charles Barkley and LeBron James said about the impact Clark’s popularity has in the WNBA, Shaq reckons that it is not a one-woman show. He added, “Let’s make something clear. Don’t say we’re getting new sponsorship because of Caitlin. No. What about Angel? What about Cardoso? What about my favorite Kelsey Plum, Cameron Brink, A’ja Wilson?” 

This chain of thought has been an ongoing discussion in recent times. Names like Diana Taurasi and Becky Hammon believe that the recent acknowledgment of women’s basketball was way before Caitlin Clark stepped foot inside the professional court.

The physicality against Caitlin Clark had divided the world

One of the major takeaways from Clark’s opening month as a pro has been the talks about the kind of physicality that the rookie is facing. She herself reflected on it soon after her debut by saying, “The physicality is definitely up there. I’m easily pushed off screens.” Since then, many eminent faces have weighed in providing their respective opinions in this regard, which tend to differ.

People close to Clark, like Christie Sides, Lin Dunn, tennis legend Martina Navratilova as well as WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo, think that she has a target on her back in the league. On the other hand, her WNBA peers like Chiney Ogwumike, A’ja Wilson, and ESPN analyst Andrea Carter have contrasting views about it.

The opinions continue to vary with anything related to Caitlin Clark. The diversity in these reactions will gain a lot of traction in the upcoming days. Fans, however, would just hope that all this noise doesn’t affect Clark’s game in any way.

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.