Shaq: WNBA Players 'Professionally Jealous' Of Caitlin Clark
Shaquille O'Neal agrees with his Inside the NBA co-host, Charles Barkley, on the underlying jealousy in the WNBA concerning Caitlin Clark.
Big Diesel chimed in on the Clark discourse in the WNBA as players (and even coaches) target the Indiana Fever phenom on and off the court. Many have pointed to Clark's image as a white player as the crux of the unfair treatment in a predominantly black league.
BOSTON - Shaquille O'Neal smiles after the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics during Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 9 at the TD Garden. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
On "The Big Podcast with Shaq," O'Neal discussed the WNBA players' dislike for Clark, as they felt overshadowed by her popularity.
"So I think where people get upset is, as a player you don't want to be forgotten,' Shaq commented. "You know what I call it, I call it stealing props. It's professional jealousy."
Early in the WNBA season, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve threw a subtle jab at Clark and the league for highlighting a Fever game on social media.
People are evidently jealous of Clark's appeal.
INDIANAPOLIS - Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter guards Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark on June 1 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"I just think people should focus more on not just her, cause she is a great player, but don't forget about the beautiful [Kamilla] Cardoso and my girl Angel [Reese]," Shaq added.
Even after Clark's popularity in the league won the players free charter flights for the next two years, WNBA players are still bitter over the rookie's booming appeal.
READ: USA Basketball: 'Irresponsible' To Put Caitlin Clark On Olympics Roster Just For Exposure
Chennedy Carter of the Chicago Sky infamously hip-checked Clark during a game and WNBA players are refusing to answer questions about Clark, despite her positive effects on the WNBA.
Rather than capitalizing on "The Caitlin Clark Effect," players are deliberately chiding the rookie, not realizing it hurts their own star appeal.
"Let's make something clear, one person may have all the props, but it's never one person," Shaq noted.
Clark's responses to the outside noise surrounding her popularity have been dismissive of any controversy, opting to focus on her game instead. The rookie is keen on helping the Fever rebound from a slow start this year. They improved to 4-10 on Thursday after a close win over the Atlanta Dream, 91-84. Indiana nearly surrendered a 20-point lead against Atlanta.
OutKick founder Clay Travis commented on the WNBA spoiling its opportunity to build a generational star's appeal.
"The WNBA was given an absolute gift, relevance, money and attention on a silver platter, and they tripped and knocked themselves out on the platter. It’s honestly staggering how incompetent they’ve been," Travis posted on X
WASHINGTON - Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever talks to the media before the game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 7. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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