WNBA star Caitlin Clark is building momentum as she strives to help the Indiana Fever climb the standings following the All-Star break.
Clark remains under the microscope and a lightning rod for constant debates over matters both within and beyond her control. Clark’s on-court body language is a frequent talking point, and a notable sports analyst believes she’s being treated unfairly.
Sports Analyst Argues Caitlin Clark Is Treated Differently Than Other Great Athletes
Prominent pundit Linda Cohn contends Clark is essentially held to a double standard.
While discussing Clark on her show, Cohn said, “My whole thinking is like, the people that rip her because she’s whiny, hello! Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Sidney Crosby … they’re all great, elite, amazing, GOATs, right? They all complain to the refs! … Why does she get blamed for it? Why do they pile on her?”
Clark’s frequent confrontations with referees have been making headlines ever since she was breaking records at the University of Iowa. Her father infamously told her from the stands to stop complaining and play basketball during a game, which was when her behavior began to generate even more scrutiny.
Clark is self-aware, but generally believes she’s justified when confronting WNBA officials. The refs think otherwise, though, as Clark has already received seven technical fouls this season. Some of the three-time All-Star’s most vocal supporters have spoken out regarding how difficult it is to root for her when she’s constantly voicing her frustration.
Cohn argued that Clark’s behavior isn’t different from greats from other sports, so people shouldn’t be outraged. Cohn mentioned NBA legend Michael Jordan and NFL icon Tom Brady, who were similarly polarizing figures during their playing careers for their on-court behavior.
Critics of Clark may have an issue with Cohn even comparing her to Jordan and Brady due to her lack of championships. They are two of the greatest winners in sports history, while Clark didn’t win a championship in high school or college, and hasn’t done so in her professional career so far. That Clark is even mentioned alongside Jordan and Brady may prompt some critics to claim that she continues to receive special treatment.
Clark has delivered strong performances since the All-Star break, scoring 32 points in a 105-95 win over the Seattle Storm. She’s averaging 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game this season, while shooting a career-high 44.3% from the field.
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However, the stat that likely matters most to Clark is the Fever’s 18-10 record. They’re currently fifth in the standings, as they look to secure a top seed heading into the playoffs. The intensity will ramp up over the next few weeks, and Cohn believes Clark shouldn’t be treated any differently than other greats who competed at the highest level and gave officials an earful.
