Amid the WNBA’s ongoing media tussle surrounding Caitlin Clark, TNT analyst Charles Barkley despatched a fiery message shaming WNBA personalities for the unfavorable narratives they’ve knowingly unfold this season.
Barkley, higher recognized for his NBA evaluation, doesn’t have a lot pores and skin within the recreation in the case of media protection of the Indiana Fever rookie. As somebody on the skin trying in, although, Barkley doesn’t like what he sees.
“These women—and I’m a WNBA fan—they can not have f—ed this Caitlin Clark factor up any worse in the event that they tried,” Barkley mentioned on The Invoice Simmons Podcast on Wednesday. “Individuals imagine what we are saying on tv. Simply because folks don’t such as you or your character, they’ll’t get on TV and slander you. It’s simply whole bulls—.
“This lady is unbelievable. The variety of consideration, eyeballs she’s introduced to varsity and the professionals, and for these girls to have this petty jealousness. You’re saying to your self, ‘Rattling, what’s going on right here?’ And the factor I like about her, she by no means says a phrase. However these women, who I like and respect their recreation, they couldn’t have f—ed this factor up any worse. There’s been a lot negativity.”
“They can not have f—ed this Caitlin Clark factor up any worse in the event that they tried.”
Charles Barkley sounds off in opposition to a number of the WNBA media’s unfavorable narratives which have surrounded Caitlin Clark this season.@BillSimmons pic.twitter.com/GrWbY5xiB4
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 4, 2024
Barkley notably declined to call any particular members of the media, however primarily based on the WNBA’s current viral discourse, one could assume he’s referring to the simmering feud between WNBA icons Sheryl Swoopes and Nancy Lieberman.
Earlier this week, Lieberman mentioned her fractured relationship with Swoopes courting again to February when Swoopes misstated a few crucial facts about Clark, who was in her senior season at Iowa. Swoopes incorrectly mentioned Clark, who had simply set the all-time Division I scoring file, benefitted from an additional yr of eligibility because of the pandemic.
“I known as [Swoopes] as a buddy, and I mentioned, ‘You possibly can say no matter you need, you possibly can have your individual opinion about anyone, however you do should get the statistics proper,’” Lieberman said. “Our relationship just about isn’t taking place at this level…My life goes to be good or nice with or with out Sheryl Swoopes.”
In response to the mounting criticism, Swoopes shared screenshots of a dialog she had with Clark through which Swoopes admitted she “made a mistake” and congratulated Clark for her accomplishments.
Although not formally members of the WNBA media, veteran Diana Taurasi and UConn coach Geno Auriemma have additionally made disparaging feedback about Clark’s rookie season inside the previous yr.
Following an unpleasant 0-5 begin, Clark and the Fever clinched their first playoff spot since 2016 with seven video games left within the common season.
