Caitlin Clark left off USA Roster

[DOT]

You would think they would want to increase the popularity of the sport they love. The WNBA isn't going go downhill because of this decision, but what i'm arguing and a lot of other people is that women's hoops is fumbling the bag, they were given a layup and they air balled it.

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

[Wingy]

I think the point is totally missing you. Nobody is mad, but you. Not watching the WNBA is the default, they’re the ones that need the eyes. We’re just laughing at their continued ineptness. But like I said, when you’re dealing with chronically stupid organizations you shouldn’t expect anything else. In a way, the ineptness becomes it’s own entertainment and you’re seeing that here

Like anyone and anything, you’re entitled to your take.

Yet if it’s worth so little, and not watching is the default, then why spend so much energy reiterating and repeating again and again and again?

I wasn’t aware that posting on a discussion forum was a significant source of energy expenditure for some of you guys. Maybe you should get some cardio in. Instead you’re burning your precious energy trying to derail by attacking me personally. Be better

It was an honest question. Not sure why that’s personal. If something’s so worthless, why do I want to spend energy on it, even if it’s only a little bit?

Time’s finite. Makes sense to spend it on something one enjoys.

You make it painfully clear lobbing insults and actually being the one to make it personal.

You’re mad because some are calling out what’s transparently obvious.

The opportunity to crap on women’s basketball is the joy for you.

[sikma42]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

This is the type of discourse I’ve seen surrounding CC. It’s very interesting bc it shines a light on America’s issues with race, gender and sexual orientation. Hopefully through this discussion, the general public can grow.

https://youtu.be/4NW44k3X05Q?si=LE5B01DWQz041JlH

Good interview with a WNBA player for those interested. And yes, they do ask her about CC.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[KembaWalker]

Like anyone and anything, you’re entitled to your take.

Yet if it’s worth so little, and not watching is the default, then why spend so much energy reiterating and repeating again and again and again?

I wasn’t aware that posting on a discussion forum was a significant source of energy expenditure for some of you guys. Maybe you should get some cardio in. Instead you’re burning your precious energy trying to derail by attacking me personally. Be better

It was an honest question. Not sure why that’s personal. If something’s so worthless, why do I want to spend energy on it, even if it’s only a little bit?

Time’s finite. Makes sense to spend it on something one enjoys.

You make it painfully clear lobbing insults and actually being the one to make it personal.

You’re mad because some are calling out what’s transparently obvious.

The opportunity to crap on women’s basketball is the joy for you.

Incorrect, I’ve stood up for women’s basketball plenty on the site, you’re just looking to start something personal by focusing on me instead of my posts about women’s basketball infrastructure and their decision making. I’m not gonna waste your precious, limited energy on it anymore, move along. You don’t need to be sweating my time

[Wingy]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

This is the type of racist discourse I’ve seen surrounding CC. It’s very interesting bc it shines a light on America’s issues with race, gender and sexual orientation.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

“violently checked” I can’t post enough

So many of social media people are saying “mocked” like Caitlin’s some helpless victim who’s uninvolved.

Caitlin’s trying to sell the foul. Not my favorite thing, but basketball players do that all the time.

Dijonai is calling out that she’s selling it. Players do that too.

So, it’s basketball. Yet too many are taking it as an opportunity to frame it as Clark being some targeted victim.

Insanity.

[shrink]

The league and Team USA Basketball are two separate, independent organizations. The W has nothing to do with this.

But you knew that, right?

Right????

Do you? Why is this discussion even on the WNBA board, except to give over-representation to the tiny minority of Olympics watchers who are WNBA fans. This is clearly a national story, all over the media.

Also, anyone who tries to win arguments by accusing Clark fans of racism should step back away from the keyboard. It is quite possible to not be a racist, and be a fan of her game and logo three’s, crafty passing and entire high school, FIBA, college and early WNBA career, and want her on the Olympic team.

Posts like these are the one of heaviest insults you can levy on people, and are highly offensive.

[cdubbz]

You would think they would want to increase the popularity of the sport they love. The WNBA isn't going go downhill because of this decision, but what i'm arguing and a lot of other people is that women's hoops is fumbling the bag, they were given a layup and they air balled it.

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

I mean there are a ton of internet trolls out there with the 'Clark only' takes. I don't pay attention to the trolls who say they won't watch if Clark isn't playing. I look at the little girls, high school girls, the adults who have paid tickets to watch Clark home or away. The fans like myself who never paid full attention to the game, but now am more interested than ever. The numbers prove it - attendance is up, jersey sales are up, and overall engagement are up for women's hoops at the college and pro levels.

Clark doesn't need to be a bench warmer and she doesn't need to play even 20 minutes. Team USA usually blows their opponents out. They're facing Japan for one of the games - Clark would most definitely get to play some minutes. Does she play against Belgium or Germany? Maybe maybe not.

The fact is that Women's basketball hasn't embraced Clark and the exposure she has brought to the game. She doesn't need to be coddled, but welcomed. It's women's basketball chance to educate newer fans on their game.

Hell, I would have thrown Angel Reese on the team too.

I know this topic is a stalemate and beating a dead horse, but still fun to talk about imo.

[DOT]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

This is the type of racist discourse I’ve seen surrounding CC. It’s very interesting bc it shines a light on America’s issues with race, gender and sexual orientation.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

“violently checked” I can’t post enough

So many of social media people are saying “mocked” like Caitlin’s some helpless victim who’s uninvolved.

Caitlin’s trying to sell the foul. Not my favorite thing, but basketball players do that all the time.

Dijonai is calling out that she’s selling it. Players do that too.

So, it’s basketball. Yet too many are taking it as an opportunity to frame it as Clark being some targeted victim.

Insanity.

lol go on that dude's timeline

Dude is unhinged

If the pro-Clark people don't want to be associated with racism and misogyny, maybe they shouldn't use the same talking points as racists and misogynists.

[LouisLitt]

You would think they would want to increase the popularity of the sport they love. The WNBA isn't going go downhill because of this decision, but what i'm arguing and a lot of other people is that women's hoops is fumbling the bag, they were given a layup and they air balled it.

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

I mean there are a ton of internet trolls out there with the 'Clark only' takes. I don't pay attention to the trolls who say they won't watch if Clark isn't playing. I look at the little girls, high school girls, the adults who have paid tickets to watch Clark home or away. The fans like myself who never paid full attention to the game, but now am more interested than ever. The numbers prove it - attendance is up, jersey sales are up, and overall engagement are up for women's hoops at the college and pro levels.

Clark doesn't need to be a bench warmer and she doesn't need to play even 20 minutes. Team USA usually blows their opponents out. They're facing Japan for one of the games - Clark would most definitely get to play some minutes. Does she play against Belgium or Germany? Maybe maybe not.

The fact is that Women's basketball hasn't embraced Clark and the exposure she has brought to the game. She doesn't need to be coddled, but welcomed. It's women's basketball chance to educate newer fans on their game.

Hell, I would have thrown Angel Reese on the team too.

I know this topic is a stalemate and beating a dead horse, but still fun to talk about imo.

The issue is people factor in gender to this conversation for absolutely no reason.

The WNBA is a business, just the like the NBA is.

The entire goal of a business is to make money.

Putting CC on the Olympic team is the most generic business decision you can make. The fact that there was even a discussion about not putting her on (let alone not putting her on at all), reflects the terrible job the leaders of women's basketball have been doing.

[KembaWalker]

Just hard to believe men’s could find a spot for Keldon Johnson or James/Wade/Melo/Okafor but the women’s team just cant fit a developmental spot

[azcatz11]

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

I mean there are a ton of internet trolls out there with the 'Clark only' takes. I don't pay attention to the trolls who say they won't watch if Clark isn't playing. I look at the little girls, high school girls, the adults who have paid tickets to watch Clark home or away. The fans like myself who never paid full attention to the game, but now am more interested than ever. The numbers prove it - attendance is up, jersey sales are up, and overall engagement are up for women's hoops at the college and pro levels.

Clark doesn't need to be a bench warmer and she doesn't need to play even 20 minutes. Team USA usually blows their opponents out. They're facing Japan for one of the games - Clark would most definitely get to play some minutes. Does she play against Belgium or Germany? Maybe maybe not.

The fact is that Women's basketball hasn't embraced Clark and the exposure she has brought to the game. She doesn't need to be coddled, but welcomed. It's women's basketball chance to educate newer fans on their game.

Hell, I would have thrown Angel Reese on the team too.

I know this topic is a stalemate and beating a dead horse, but still fun to talk about imo.

The issue is people factor in gender to this conversation for absolutely no reason.

The WNBA is a business, just the like the NBA is.

The entire goal of a business is to make money.

Putting CC on the Olympic team is the most generic business decision you can make. The fact that there was even a discussion about not putting her on (let alone not putting her on at all), reflects the terrible job the leaders of women's basketball have been doing.

They would get a ton more views even if she doesn’t play a minute. Just the ability to promote her and use her to draw interest would be enormous. And guess what - open the door for folks who have no interest otherwise who may like what they see.

[DOT]

Y'all already don't watch her lol you just go off of what First Take says

You ain't gonna tune into the Olympics even if she's on the roster

[LouisLitt]

Y'all already don't watch her lol you just go off of what First Take says

You ain't gonna tune into the Olympics even if she's on the roster :lol:

This goes against every single viewership metric since CC has been in the league, but go off.

[cdubbz]

:lol: I am not a Caitlin Clark hater. I am a hater of what her extreme, borderline scary popularity has caused. Read any Facebook or Twitter comment section to see what all of these "new, great" WNBA fans that the Clark hype has brought in and what they have to say about Angel Reese for example. You really want that scum of the earth white-bred trash to be the face your league fanbase?

The whole "growing the league" thing is complete hogwash. It's lines that you all have been fed and you believe it. This short term gain will not be sustainable. It's not helping the other players and teams all that much. Yeah, they get a few more fans, but those fans don't care about any of the other 200 players in the league. They aren't all of a sudden coming in to watch anyone other than the golden child. There's going to be a tipping point eventually. It's not sustainable, like when the LeBron hype took over the sports world 20 years ago. The NBA was strong enough to support that. The WNBA and it's new suddenly extremely hateful and racist fanbase is not.

But hey...charter flights.

This is not on Caitlin Clark herself. She's going to be one of the best WNBA players one day, but everything that has been manufactured by ESPN and whatnot is pretty dangerous. It doesn't need to be a freaking national story that she doesn't make the Olympic team as a rookie.

Letting her popularity, game and presence grow naturally would have been a lot better for everyone involved. Instead it's taken on a life of its own and it's a monster that is too big to be slain.

Edit: I am not calling one person in this thread or this forum racist. I'm not that kind of person. I don't know any of you all and wouldn't throw around serious accusations like that. But..the general social media public. Her hype is absolutely race initiated. The things her fans say about Brittney Griner, Angel Reese and others...I would never repeat to my worst enemy. People are vile.

Disagree with 'growing the league' is hogwash I think if you believe the league won't grow is hogwash. The Caitlin Clark lore won't sustain its current levels, it might get cut in half by next season - i don't know. Clark is not going to be the sole reason the league grows - she is definitely a big part of it though. Cameron Brink & Angel Reese have done a solid job as well - they're all over social media on podcasts, promoting brands and talking about the WNBA. They have the younger generations attention.

Cameron Brink, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark all have over 1-2.5Million followers on social media. NCAA women hoopers Paige Bueckers has almost 2million, and JuJu Watkins has almost 1m. Bueckers should be in the league next season and JuJu in a few - both are great and exciting hoopers and they both bring eyeballs and fans.

I posted in the GS Valkyrie thread that they already have over 12,000 deposits for next season. Women's hoops is pretty popular out here so i'm surprised we didn't get a team earlier - but also don't know the politics behind it all.

Toronto is coming 2026. This is the best time to grow the game and interest i would say. Promote the hell out of the league feature players that are bringing in viewership.

We had Sabrina vs Steph 3point contest last All-Star weekend - Caitlin Clark should definitely be in this years. In a few years we will see more women hoopers bombing threes.

[sikma42]

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

I mean there are a ton of internet trolls out there with the 'Clark only' takes. I don't pay attention to the trolls who say they won't watch if Clark isn't playing. I look at the little girls, high school girls, the adults who have paid tickets to watch Clark home or away. The fans like myself who never paid full attention to the game, but now am more interested than ever. The numbers prove it - attendance is up, jersey sales are up, and overall engagement are up for women's hoops at the college and pro levels.

Clark doesn't need to be a bench warmer and she doesn't need to play even 20 minutes. Team USA usually blows their opponents out. They're facing Japan for one of the games - Clark would most definitely get to play some minutes. Does she play against Belgium or Germany? Maybe maybe not.

The fact is that Women's basketball hasn't embraced Clark and the exposure she has brought to the game. She doesn't need to be coddled, but welcomed. It's women's basketball chance to educate newer fans on their game.

Hell, I would have thrown Angel Reese on the team too.

I know this topic is a stalemate and beating a dead horse, but still fun to talk about imo.

The issue is people factor in gender to this conversation for absolutely no reason.

The WNBA is a business, just the like the NBA is.

The entire goal of a business is to make money.

Putting CC on the Olympic team is the most generic business decision you can make. The fact that there was even a discussion about not putting her on (let alone not putting her on at all), reflects the terrible job the leaders of women's basketball have been doing.

You understand the WNBA can’t put CC on the Olympic team?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[DimesandKnicks]

"Many people are saying it"

You people aren't considering what would happen if Clark were a benchwarmer for the team. You think those fans are gonna still watch? The people who openly say they don't like women's basketball and don't intend to ever watch it?

You're talking about pandering to a group of people you'll never reach. The only way for what you're proposing to work would be if Clark plays and plays great, cause if she doesn't play well, then it's either bench her (unpopular with the Clark fans) or continue to play her regardless and make the team look like a joke for not playing to win. She could come in and play well enough to justify minutes, but that's a big gamble with massive downsides

I just don't think you guys are serious when you talk about how it would increase popularity or whatever, cause it's far from guaranteed it would. It just seems like you want an excuse to attack the WNBA for whatever reason.

I mean there are a ton of internet trolls out there with the 'Clark only' takes. I don't pay attention to the trolls who say they won't watch if Clark isn't playing. I look at the little girls, high school girls, the adults who have paid tickets to watch Clark home or away. The fans like myself who never paid full attention to the game, but now am more interested than ever. The numbers prove it - attendance is up, jersey sales are up, and overall engagement are up for women's hoops at the college and pro levels.

Clark doesn't need to be a bench warmer and she doesn't need to play even 20 minutes. Team USA usually blows their opponents out. They're facing Japan for one of the games - Clark would most definitely get to play some minutes. Does she play against Belgium or Germany? Maybe maybe not.

The fact is that Women's basketball hasn't embraced Clark and the exposure she has brought to the game. She doesn't need to be coddled, but welcomed. It's women's basketball chance to educate newer fans on their game.

Hell, I would have thrown Angel Reese on the team too.

I know this topic is a stalemate and beating a dead horse, but still fun to talk about imo.

The issue is people factor in gender to this conversation for absolutely no reason.

The WNBA is a business, just the like the NBA is.

The entire goal of a business is to make money.

Putting CC on the Olympic team is the most generic business decision you can make. The fact that there was even a discussion about not putting her on (let alone not putting her on at all), reflects the terrible job the leaders of women's basketball have been doing.

There job is to win gold medals. They’ve good at that. The Men’s team stopped trying to field its best players after no longer dominating for a team building approach.

And again, she
Did
Not
Attend
Training
Camp

[shrink]

If the pro-Clark people don't want to be associated with racism and misogyny, maybe they shouldn't use the same talking points as racists and misogynists.

Or maybe the anti-Clark people shouldn’t simplistically lump all Clark fans under this offensive banner?

Is that really too much to ask of you?

[DOT]

If the pro-Clark people don't want to be associated with racism and misogyny, maybe they shouldn't use the same talking points as racists and misogynists.

Or maybe the anti-Clark people shouldn’t simplistically lump all Clark fans under this offensive banner?

Is that really too much to ask of you?

You're more mad at me for pointing out racism and misogyny than you are at actual racists and misogynists being on your side and echoing their talking points

Sounds about right

It's really not that much to ask for y'all to distance yourselves from those types of people. If you can't be bothered to do that, I can't be bothered to try and differentiate.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

This is the type of discourse I’ve seen surrounding CC. It’s very interesting bc it shines a light on America’s issues with race, gender and sexual orientation. Hopefully through this discussion, the general public can grow.

https://youtu.be/4NW44k3X05Q?si=LE5B01DWQz041JlH

Good interview with a WNBA player for those interested. And yes, they do ask her about CC.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Shout out to Paul George, he's been doing a great job of giving W players a platform to speak openly

[shrink]

If the pro-Clark people don't want to be associated with racism and misogyny, maybe they shouldn't use the same talking points as racists and misogynists.

Or maybe the anti-Clark people shouldn’t simplistically lump all Clark fans under this offensive banner?

Is that really too much to ask of you?

You're more mad at me for pointing out racism and misogyny than you are at actual racists and misogynists being on your side and echoing their talking points

Sounds about right

It's really not that much to ask for y'all to distance yourselves from those types of people. If you can't be bothered to do that, I can't be bothered to try and differentiate.

You aren’t pointing out racism and misogyny, you are labeling broad swathes of people as racists and misogynists. Racism and misogyny are too serious a crime to point at people who are not racists or misogynists. This Szpula guy, who I’ve never heard of, made it about race, and he’s wrong. You generalizing in many posts that if someone a a Clark fan, she shares Szpula’s views, is incorrect and dangerous.

Worse, if you aren’t bothering to try to tell the difference, you are more problem than solution, watering down the label when you apply to people who aren’t.