NBA star LeBron James and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley created chaos when they emphatically defended WNBA player Caitlin Clark against what they perceive as “jealousy” of her enormous popularity.
Clark, the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball history, men’s and women’s, created a financial windfall and an exponential increase in attendance and TV viewership when the 22-year-old phenom was drafted into the WNBA.
However, many fans and players have decried the lack of attention paid to the established stars and legends (especially Black ones) who helped build the league. Clark supporters have hurled accusations of “jealousy” and reverse “racism” since Clark is the featured attraction in the league as a rookie.
LeBron James admonishes fans in defense of Caitlin Clark
King James told fans allegedly hating on Clark to cease and desist from the practice.
“The one thing that I love that she’s bringing to her sport? More people want to watch. More people want to tune in,” he said on the “Mind the Game” podcast he hosts with ESPN analyst J.J. Redick. “Don’t get it twisted. Don’t get it f—–d up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things are going to happen for the WNBA.”
The all-time leading scorer in the NBA continued with the stream of consciousness, saying, “But for her individually, I don’t think she should get involved on nothing that’s being said. Just go have fun. Enjoy. I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before. I’ve walked that road before. I hope she kills.”
Closing out the matter, James said he empathizes with Clark’s dilemma. He said he faced the same oppressive scrutiny when he came into the league as a ballyhooed juggernaut from Akron, Ohio, in 2003. Twenty years later, James said his son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., is being mercilessly subjected to similar levels of trolling as his father and Clark.
“There’s a very small number of men and women that actually get to live out their dream of playing a professional sport, and we have grown a– men and women doing whatever they can to try to make sure that does not happen,” the Lakers star said.
Here’s what @KingJames has to say about @CaitlinClark22 and the hate that she has received during her time in the WNBA.
Watch the full episode with @jj_redick: https://t.co/5hyyY2bIhe pic.twitter.com/db4Jvj7OFD
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) May 22, 2024
Charles Barkley echoes LeBron James’ sentiments regarding Caitlin Clark
Later on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, during the Western Conference Championship between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, “Inside the NBA” co-host Barkley weighed in on the matter with his famous Southern twang.
“You women out there, y’all petty, man,” Barkley said, seemingly addressing current and former WNBA players. “LeBron, you’re 100 percent right on these girls hating on Caitlin Clark. Y’all petty, girls.
“I expect men to be petty because we’re the most insecure group in the world,” Barkley continued. “Y’all should be thanking that girl [Clark] for getting y’all a– private charters, all the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA.”
