Women's Hoops Legend Nancy Lieberman On Players Targeting Caitlin Clark: 'I Would've Punched Back!'

In a very cogent delivery, women's basketball icon Nancy Lieberman declared that if she were Caitlin Clark, she would've punched Chicago's Chennedy Carter after getting hip-checked by the Sky player last week.

Fiery but logical, Lieberman presented a solid response to the conversation about Clark and the WNBA players foaming at the mouth to get a shot in on the Fever phenom. Lieberman was firm about her stance, which some may argue could be a solid deterrent for players like Carter.

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 2: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the New York Liberty during the 2024 Commissioner's Cup game on June 2, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images)

"If I were Caitlin Clark, I would’ve punched her in the face," Lieberman said, reacting to Saturday's late-game scene between the Sky and Indiana Fever. 

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She appeared on FanDuel's "Run It Back" to put her foot down on all the Caitlin Clark buzz stemming from the weekend.

"I’m from New York, and I would’ve told her to f**k off. That would actually cure the problem," Lieberman added.

Chennedy Carter, known for being a physical player, hit Clark with an apparent sense of jealousy. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever draw nearly triple the audience numbers that conventional WNBA games garnered last season. Clark is generally favored by the sports fans off the court. 

Lieberman continued, "That would actually cure the problem. I’ve known Chennedy since she was in high school here in Dallas. She’s a tough kid, she’s a really good basketball player, she’s going to come after you because she’s very physical — which is OK."

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 1:  Nancy Lieberman-Cline, head coach of the Detroit Shock, during a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics on August 1, 2000 at Verizon Center in Washington DC.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The Caitlin Clark Effect on the league boosts audience numbers and, as expected, total revenue for the WNBA. But the Caitlin Clark Effect on players turns them into petty opponents, looking to cash in on the fame and opportunities by being labeled a villain to Caitlin Clark.

Chicago's Angel Reese has already proudly announced that she will take on the villain role in order to hold a prominent place in WNBA history, rather than focus on her skill.

Due to Clark's sexuality (straight) and skin color (white), she's been a pariah in the WNBA — run by black female players who feel as if they're missing out on the spotlight that Clark brings. With that prevailing identity of pettiness for the WNBA, people watching the sport have encouraged Clark and the Fever to answer the vitriol.

NBA enforcers like Draymond Green and former player Matt Barnes even encouraged the Fever to bring on an enforcer-type player to defend Clark since her teammates have watched idly as the phenom gets pushed around.

Barnes and Lieberman both highlighted the lack of activity from Clark's teammates.

"But damn, where are Caitlin Clark’s teammates? I’d be pissed as s–t at my teammates if nobody came to my defense," Lieberman said.

(How should Caitlin Clark respond to all of the hate? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
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