DeWanna Bonner’s return to Indianapolis last week wasn’t received well, as fans booed the forward who departed the Indiana Fever back in June. Bonner, who stepped away from the Fever nine games into the season, joined the Phoenix Mercury after she was waived by Indiana.
Mercury star Kahleah Copper spoke out about the incident after the game, calling the booing “disrespectful” to the “legend” that Bonner is. However, another WNBA legend has now stepped into the conversation, as Candace Parker provides her two cents.
What Did Candace Parker Make of the Boos?
Discussing the matter on “Post Moves with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston,” Parker didn’t believe the incident was a “big shocker” and thought it could be a positive sign for the women’s game.
🎥Candace Parker KEEPS IT REAL on Fans BOOING Dewanna Bonner:
“What Did you expect?”
Via @PostMovesShow pic.twitter.com/U1nRoMr9MH
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“What did you expect? I think this puts women’s basketball on the map, I’m not going to lie. Because when KD [left], everybody waited for KD to go back to OKC. They booed him, Big shocker,” the legend said sarcastically.
Parker went on to mention how the treatment, while unfair, is a privilege and reserved for the stars of the game.
“Everybody waited for Bron to go back to Cleveland. Booed him. Everybody waited for Kyrie to go back to whatever team he went back to, because like, he went back to several. Luka, same thing,” Parker said. “Like, we can go down the line. It’s a privilege. It’s a privilege. And that was expected. To me, I love being booed.”
Parker might be out of line to some, but she isn’t wrong. Although some fans take it too far by hurling inappropriate comments at the stars, harmless heckling is a widely accepted part of the game. Additionally, legends of the game have even mentioned how the crowd’s booing can provide added motivation.
However, while Parker agreed the behavior was to be expected, she also opined Copper was in the right to defend her teammate.
“To be honest with you, I feel like as a teammate, it’s Kahleah Copper’s job to stick up for her. But to be honest with you, like, DB had to expect this. When you make a conscious decision to leave somewhere and go somewhere else, it’s difficult. But you have to take what comes with it.”
Whether she gets booed or cheered, Bonner is an undisputed legend of the game. And while Bonner and her teammates aren’t wrong to ask for more respect to be paid to the Mercury forward’s name, in professional sports, that comes in more ways than one.
