The Caitlin Clark effect in the WNBA has really been palpable and without doubt has increased the popularity of the league. However, the conversation about her impact has seemed to overshadow the contributions of other women who joined the league well before her.
Sharing in this sentiment is NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal who went on a rant in the recent episode on The Bill Simmons Podcast as he sought to rebut the comments made by his colleague Charles Barkley. In his rebuttal, he asserted that the league still has Diana Taurasi and A’Ja Wilson, two great hoopers, who have paved the way and deserve the hype as well.
I understand what everybody’s doing. Yeah you’re great, but you ain’t that great yet. Calm down. We still got Diana Taurasi, we still got A’ja Wilson, if you’re gonna give (Caitlin) props make sure our girls that are dominating in this league get the same props. Loudmouths like Chuck are talking about hating, it’s not hating. It’s like, you’re good but let’s slow it down a notch.
Shaquille O’Neal said on The Bill Simmons Podcast
Shaq says no one is hating on Caitlin Clark and that she needs to wait her turn
“I understand what everybody’s doing. Yeah you’re great, but you ain’t that great yet. Calm down. We still got Diana Taurasi, we still got A’ja Wilson, if you’re gonna give (Caitlin) props make sure… pic.twitter.com/o0nqkNFfiZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2024
The comments from the four-time NBA champion aren’t surprising to many fans as he is a well-known mentor of her fierce rival, Chicago Sky Angel Reese. Aside being a mentor, he has thrown his support for her in the WNBA Rookie of the Year battle with Clark.
Unfortunately, Caitlin Clark now remains the favorite for the award as Reese has been ruled out for the season with a wrist injury. Big Shaq only wants the new fans of the WNBA to understand that Clark’s effect is highly appreciative but she isn’t just as great as hyped.
Shaquille O’Neal recently compared Caitlin Clark to Stephen Curry
Shaquille O’Neal has a reputation of being an honest and fair analyst especially when it comes to judging the abilities of players. Not many, as expected, might agree with his style but as one of the legends of the game, his opinion carries weight in the industry.
He lauded her recent performances, which saw her win Rookie of the Month as well as Eastern Conference Player of the Month. He went as far as comparing her to Golden State Warriors legend, Steph Curry due to their signature three-point shooting style of play.
When I see stuff on TV I’m like, OK, I’d like to see it in person. Well, I saw it in person. She can play … from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the right plays, gets everybody involved and she has that Steph Curry (shooting) range.
Shaquille O’Neal said about Caitlin Clark
Clark during her college basketball days broke a record set by Curry in the NCAA, thus, the comparison is not surprising. She has also been good at her shooting and got heavy praise from Mavericks’ Luka Doncic.
