Caitlin Clark left off USA Roster

[azcatz11]

Despite what you laid out, some people are somehow confused and astounded that jealousy exists.

Like these players and elite-level competitors are supposed to be some super robots that can just cast aside the reality of natural emotion.

The nerve of the veteran players to be human.

These brand new WNBA/Clark fans have the audacity to say with a (I assume) straight face that these veteran players need to roll over and let Clark take over because it would be "good for the league". Like they literally said they should not guard her tough or double team her. How delusional of a take is that?

I've never seen anything like this. Of course there's going to be push back from the veteran players. Imagine getting hired on your job as an intern, working your way up for years just for the CEO's grandson to come in and get all of the money, perks and great parking spot. Of course you're going to hate it. It's called being a human being. It's natural.

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

[sikma42]

Despite what you laid out, some people are somehow confused and astounded that jealousy exists.

Like these players and elite-level competitors are supposed to be some super robots that can just cast aside the reality of natural emotion.

The nerve of the veteran players to be human.

These brand new WNBA/Clark fans have the audacity to say with a (I assume) straight face that these veteran players need to roll over and let Clark take over because it would be "good for the league". Like they literally said they should not guard her tough or double team her. How delusional of a take is that?

I've never seen anything like this. Of course there's going to be push back from the veteran players. Imagine getting hired on your job as an intern, working your way up for years just for the CEO's grandson to come in and get all of the money, perks and great parking spot. Of course you're going to hate it. It's called being a human being. It's natural.

Honestly, what it appears to be from a CC fan (me) is that the old guard fans like to preserve the niche sport that they have and don't want to grow the game in a meaningful way...they like having their own thing and don't want to let outsiders in.

The problem is the game has been stagnant for 25+ years...attendance from CC games are double vs. without her.

CC is bigger than the WNBA. They need her way more than she needs them...basically the Tiger Woods effect all over again. No one watches golf without Tiger and no one watches the WNBA with CC

My advice is to embrace CC and welcome the change or else the league is cooked

They would be fine without CC. It would hurt a bit temporarily but they were already trending up and Paige and Juju are coming. It will be fine with or without CC. I don’t think WNBA players got into basketball to get rich. I’m sitting next to my wife (former D1 college player) and had several convos with her and other former players. Its quite known from the jump there is no money there. I think it’s hard for some to get into the mindset of women’s hoopers.

I’m sure CC could go overseas, host bball camps or become a speaker. But I doubt anyone, including CC wants that.

And no, Tiger wasn’t bigger than the PGA. Without the PGA, Tiger wouldn’t have a stage to flourish.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[JustBuzzin]

My only question.

How is the WNBA growing when all the talk is about Clarke?

Best player in the WNBA is A'ja Wilson. Not a single topic has been made about her Nationally.

If you ask me this just feels like a player who should have went and created her own league. The WNBA is not growing it's growing for 1 player. She doesn't even have to be the best player to be the #1 topic.

Lost in all this her team sucks! That's the funny part. This has become a hate topic more than anything.

People are superfans for her and they want her to earn everything overnight.

Because their ticket sales/revenue/broadcasting rights value are all going up exponentially. That is how the WNBA is growing.

Ticket sales going up for her games.

Is every team selling out arenas or just Indiana?

The sport isn't growing when all you talk about is Clarke. I still can't name you the top 5 players.in that league off the top of my head.

LeBron has been the face of the NBA for 2 decades. The NBA still markets other players. We don't just get LeBron topics every day. They talk about the other great players in this league. That's how you grow the sport.

Of course people are going to go hard at her when she's the only player getting national attention.

This isn't hate. This is a narrative being painted by her fans. It's all political at this point. This topic is making local and world news. Just think about that a female basketball player is making world news because people supposedly hate her smh.

[JustBuzzin]

These brand new WNBA/Clark fans have the audacity to say with a (I assume) straight face that these veteran players need to roll over and let Clark take over because it would be "good for the league". Like they literally said they should not guard her tough or double team her. How delusional of a take is that?

I've never seen anything like this. Of course there's going to be push back from the veteran players. Imagine getting hired on your job as an intern, working your way up for years just for the CEO's grandson to come in and get all of the money, perks and great parking spot. Of course you're going to hate it. It's called being a human being. It's natural.

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

I like you azcatz, but you're showing you are a casual to the WNBA.

A'ja Wilson has been the best player for a few years now. Her team is being talked about as a potential dynasty. For you to flat out say Clarke will be the best player within a year is crazy.

This proves my point the WNBA is not growing when you don't even know the best player in that sport.

Please make it make sense to me?

[Wingy]

The fact that this thread exists and is nearing 300 posts shows that most of you all don't give a crap about the WNBA and it's couple hundred players all of a sudden. You're just a member of the Caitlin Clark cult where it's all her all the time.

There are some that are legit CC fans and are disappointed.

There are some that just don’t get it from the business impact perspective and are kinda baffled there, and I can understand that.

Then there are too many who are the 2nd, but where they’re not just here to express their surprise. They’re here happy to have a chance to take a crap on the WNBA.

[BigGargamel]

These brand new WNBA/Clark fans have the audacity to say with a (I assume) straight face that these veteran players need to roll over and let Clark take over because it would be "good for the league". Like they literally said they should not guard her tough or double team her. How delusional of a take is that?

I've never seen anything like this. Of course there's going to be push back from the veteran players. Imagine getting hired on your job as an intern, working your way up for years just for the CEO's grandson to come in and get all of the money, perks and great parking spot. Of course you're going to hate it. It's called being a human being. It's natural.

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

This is the embarrassing stuff I'm talking about and completely proves my point that CC fans basically run a cult and has absolutely nothing to do with growing the WNBA as a whole. I really hope this is a purposefully troll post and not something serious.

A'Ja Wilson accomplishments


Drafted: No. 1 in 2018 by the Las Vegas Aces.
WNBA Title: 2022, 2023
WNBA MVP: 2020, 2022
WNBA Finals MVP: 2023
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title: 2022
All-WNBA first team: 2020, 2022, 2023
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2022, 2023
WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team: 2018.
WNBA All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

CC best player in the league in one year.

I get why the media pushes CC so hard. It's beyond just basketball and it's good business for them. The great white hope generates clicks. But as fans? You all are embarrassing yourselves, for real. Being a fan of someone is cool. Going to the extremes like this is just silly. Why?

[JustBuzzin]

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

This is the embarrassing stuff I'm talking about and completely proves my point that CC fans basically run a cult. I really hope this is a purposefully troll post and not something serious.

A'Ja Wilson accomplishments


Drafted: No. 1 in 2018 by the Las Vegas Aces.
WNBA Title: 2022, 2023
WNBA MVP: 2020, 2022
WNBA Finals MVP: 2023
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title: 2022
All-WNBA first team: 2020, 2022, 2023
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2022, 2023
WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team: 2018.
WNBA All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

CC best player in the league in one year.

I get why the media pushes CC so hard. It's beyond just basketball and it's good business for them. But as fans? You all are embarrassing yourselves, for real. Being a fan of someone is cool. Going to the extremes like this is just silly. Why?

Yeah I'm definitely getting cult vibes.

Anytime you are making world news on a regular basis something is not normal. I read somewhere one of her fans tried to attack the young lady who cheap shotted her at the team bus. People obviously feel some type of way for this young lady. It's scary the following she is getting right now for basically something that happens in basketball on a daily basis.

Clarke was not the first player to get cheap shotted, she won't be the last either.

Clarke was not the first player to get snubbed for the Olympics, she won't be the last.

These 2 topics are making headline news as if was criminal acts. We have seen this before people chill out!

[cdubbz]

Read on Twitter

Stephen A Smith came with the straight facts for why Team USA should have had Clark on the roster.

[MrDollarBills]

^Stephen A doesn't know sh*t about women's hoops. That's why Monica McNutt isn't appearing on First Take anymore because she exposed him for talking out of his ass.

This trash thread is 15 pages of people arguing for Clark to be named to a roster, where she would be sitting bench throughout the entire tournament because she isn't better than any of the guards on the roster and that includes a 42 year old Diana Taurasi.

Yall can stay mad about it, but those are facts. If you want to argue that Clark is better than Ionescu, Plum, Loyd, Gray, Taurasi, and Young right now, you might as well just admit that you don't watch women's hoops, because she isn't and that's why she isn't on the team.

[cdubbz]

My only question.

How is the WNBA growing when all the talk is about Clarke?

Best player in the WNBA is A'ja Wilson. Not a single topic has been made about her Nationally.

If you ask me this just feels like a player who should have went and created her own league. The WNBA is not growing it's growing for 1 player. She doesn't even have to be the best player to be the #1 topic.

Lost in all this her team sucks! That's the funny part. This has become a hate topic more than anything.

People are superfans for her and they want her to earn everything overnight.

How is the WNBA growing?
- Charter flights for all teams in the regular season and post season (heard theres been some issues at times or to start)
- Viewership is up.
- The players can opt out of current CBA after this year to renegotiate.
- The current rookie class has visibility: Clark, Reece, Cardoso, Cameron Brink etc.

Everything isn't going to happen for the league as a whole 'overnight' or in one season. Caitlin Clark is the start.
- Paige Bueckers is next years top prize potentially
- The new WNBA team in the Bay Area stated they have passed 12,000 season ticket deposits for 2025.

It's up to the WNBA and players to either embrace it or hate it.

[___Rand___]

Read on Twitter

Stephen A Smith came with the straight facts for why Team USA should have had Clark on the roster.

The full clip with others speaking for current selection.

Watch on YouTube

[shrink]

You all realize players can have accomplishments outside of the WNBA, right?

All these WNBA players played college, right? Are any as accomplished individually as Clark at age 22?

When LeBron was selected for Team USA at age 19, no one was dismissing him for his lack of NBA awards.

[sikma42]

You all realize players can have accomplishments outside of the WNBA, right?

All these WNBA players played college, right? Are any as accomplished as Clark at age 22?

The rookies that make the Olympic team were better at basketball and/or fit better than CC at 22.

Taurasi: 3rd in MVP voting as a rookie
Parker: MVP
Stewie: 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in DPOY
Fowles: First team all defensive team center


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[azcatz11]

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

This is the embarrassing stuff I'm talking about and completely proves my point that CC fans basically run a cult and has absolutely nothing to do with growing the WNBA as a whole. I really hope this is a purposefully troll post and not something serious.

A'Ja Wilson accomplishments


Drafted: No. 1 in 2018 by the Las Vegas Aces.
WNBA Title: 2022, 2023
WNBA MVP: 2020, 2022
WNBA Finals MVP: 2023
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title: 2022
All-WNBA first team: 2020, 2022, 2023
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2022, 2023
WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team: 2018.
WNBA All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

CC best player in the league in one year.

I get why the media pushes CC so hard. It's beyond just basketball and it's good business for them. The great white hope generates clicks. But as fans? You all are embarrassing yourselves, for real. Being a fan of someone is cool. Going to the extremes like this is just silly. Why?

No one cares about Aja Wilson besides the core fans who are already fans…she doesn’t move the needle.

The point is that CC is the only one capable of growing the game. Have you seen attendance numbers and ticket prices for CC vs non CC games? Tickets are 3-4x more expensive. Attendance is literally double. You can call it a cult but she is a needle mover who needs to be embraced. She will open the doors for the other players to be more well known.

Just my opinion. I’m not a passionate wnba fan or anything. I’ve tried watching and it doesn’t do it for me

[shrink]

You all realize players can have accomplishments outside of the WNBA, right?

All these WNBA players played college, right? Are any as accomplished as Clark at age 22?

The rookies that make the Olympic team were better at basketball and/or fit better than CC at 22.

Taurasi: 3rd in MVP voting as a rookie
Parker: MVP
Stewie: 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in DPOY
Fowles: First team all defensive team center

Your post proves my point - many of these posters are blinded by WNBA, and WNBA only. Re-read my very short post again. Tell me which of them had more college awards? Which collegiate records do they carry?

So far this year, the WNBA has given out exactly two awards. Clark won one of them - Rookie of the Month.

[azcatz11]

What gets me is they say Clarke is growing the game and yet the only thing they discuss is Clarke.

I have not seen a single topic about A'ja Wilson who is the clear cut best player in the WNBA. Not a single word.


This is just the media putting Clarke on a pedestal and making her this untouchable public figure. It's kind of sad tbh.

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

I like you azcatz, but you're showing you are a casual to the WNBA.

A'ja Wilson has been the best player for a few years now. Her team is being talked about as a potential dynasty. For you to flat out say Clarke will be the best player within a year is crazy.

This proves my point the WNBA is not growing when you don't even know the best player in that sport.

Please make it make sense to me?

All good man you can correct me on the best player. I thought she was on her way but I guess not.

Tiger opened the door for Phil mickelson and countless others. CC will do the same…

[JustBuzzin]

That’s marketing. I have no idea what Aja Wilson looks like for example or even what team she plays for. She doesn’t generate the interest like CC does. As far as I’ve heard, CC will likely be the best player within a year regardless.

This is the embarrassing stuff I'm talking about and completely proves my point that CC fans basically run a cult and has absolutely nothing to do with growing the WNBA as a whole. I really hope this is a purposefully troll post and not something serious.

A'Ja Wilson accomplishments


Drafted: No. 1 in 2018 by the Las Vegas Aces.
WNBA Title: 2022, 2023
WNBA MVP: 2020, 2022
WNBA Finals MVP: 2023
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title: 2022
All-WNBA first team: 2020, 2022, 2023
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2022, 2023
WNBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team: 2018.
WNBA All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

CC best player in the league in one year.

I get why the media pushes CC so hard. It's beyond just basketball and it's good business for them. The great white hope generates clicks. But as fans? You all are embarrassing yourselves, for real. Being a fan of someone is cool. Going to the extremes like this is just silly. Why?

No one cares about Aja Wilson besides the core fans who are already fans…she doesn’t move the needle.

The point is that CC is the only one capable of growing the game. Have you seen attendance numbers and ticket prices for CC vs non CC games? Tickets are 3-4x more expensive. Attendance is literally double. You can call it a cult but she is a needle mover who needs to be embraced. She will open the doors for the other players to be more well known.

Just my opinion. I’m not a passionate wnba fan or anything. I’ve tried watching and it doesn’t do it for me

So you care nothing about the best player in the game yet you wonder why players are playing her extra hard.

Clarke should have just created her own league tbh. That way she can make her own rules and dominate that sport. Shame on those players for not taking it easy on her.

[sikma42]

You all realize players can have accomplishments outside of the WNBA, right?

All these WNBA players played college, right? Are any as accomplished as Clark at age 22?

The rookies that make the Olympic team were better at basketball and/or fit better than CC at 22.

Taurasi: 3rd in MVP voting as a rookie
Parker: MVP
Stewie: 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in DPOY
Fowles: First team all defensive team center

Your post proves my point - many of these posters are blinded by WNBA, and WNBA only. Re-read my very short post again. Tell me which of them had more college awards? Which collegiate records do they carry?

So far this year, the WNBA has given out exactly two awards. Clark won one of them - Rookie of the Month.

I’m not engaging there bc it’s not relevant. Also, are you asking because you honestly don’t know?

She isn’t on track to be an MVP candidate or top defensive player. The selection is based on their current ability, which you can best ascertain against the level competition she has played against.

Just basketball-wise, Parker, Stewie and Taurasi were better basketball players at 22. It’s obvious right now. I’m sure you can recognize that? Or do you think CC is a top 5 player this year


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[Ice Man]

You all realize players can have accomplishments outside of the WNBA, right?

All these WNBA players played college, right? Are any as accomplished as Clark at age 22?

The rookies that make the Olympic team were better at basketball and/or fit better than CC at 22.

Taurasi: 3rd in MVP voting as a rookie
Parker: MVP
Stewie: 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in DPOY
Fowles: First team all defensive team center


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Per game, Clark has more points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots than Taurasi had during her rookie year, while also having a higher TS %, and while also being blitzed more than any other player in the WNBA. Taurasi did take care of the ball a lot better, which is important, but otherwise there's no case for saying she was a better rookie than Clark.

In short, you don't want to bring up Taurasi if you are defending the decision to leave Clark off the team.

[shrink]

The rookies that make the Olympic team were better at basketball and/or fit better than CC at 22.

Taurasi: 3rd in MVP voting as a rookie
Parker: MVP
Stewie: 6th in MVP voting, 2nd in DPOY
Fowles: First team all defensive team center

Your post proves my point - many of these posters are blinded by WNBA, and WNBA only. Re-read my very short post again. Tell me which of them had more college awards? Which collegiate records do they carry?

So far this year, the WNBA has given out exactly two awards. Clark won one of them - Rookie of the Month.

I’m not engaging there bc it’s not relevant. Also, are you asking because you honestly don’t know?

She isn’t on track to be an MVP candidate or top defensive player. The selection is based on their current ability, which you can best ascertain against the level competition she has played against.

Just basketball-wise, Parker, Stewie and Taurasi were better basketball players at 22. It’s obvious right now. I’m sure you can recognize that? Or do you think CC is a top 5 player this year

At the time of selection for Teams USA, no one knew what WNBA rookies Clark, Parker, Stewie and Taurasi would get.

What they did know was what collegiate awards they had received.

Somehow, in your myopic “only WNBA awards matters-college basketball is “irrelevant” approach, you are choosing to ignore the actual information selectors had when they made their choices!