The dynamics between Indiana Fever’s rookie Caitlin Clark and the rest of the WNBA players are not overly complex to decipher. This scenario mirrors countless instances in the NBA, where an emerging talent is often met with a frosty reception from seasoned players as a form of initiation. This rite of passage serves to toughen the newcomers, and Caitlin Clark is no exception to this tradition. Veteran athletes will attest to this, as does NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Despite his formidable physique shielding him from much rookie harassment, even Shaq faced challenges during his inaugural season.
Shaq Stands with WNBA Players in Caitlin Clark Discussion
For Shaquille O’Neal, the situation is straightforward and clear-cut. He perceives that WNBA players are keen to remind Caitlin that her arrival alone isn’t the sole catalyst for attracting new sponsors to the league. This season has seen the influx of a remarkable cohort of players. Caitlin is merely one among several notable talents, including Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, whom Shaq highlighted along with others. Shaquille O’Neal shared his insights on ‘The Big Podcast’ with Shaquille O’Neal. It’s important to note his partiality, given his well-documented support for Angel Reese. This bias underscores his vested interest in the Caitlin Clark discussion.
Shaq commented: “The WNBA players are making it clear… one individual may get all the accolades, but it’s never about just one person. Don’t credit new sponsorships solely to Caitlin. What about Angel? What about [Kamilla] Cardoso? What about my favorite, Kelsey Plum? As players, no one wants to be overlooked. It’s professional envy. I believe the focus should broaden beyond just her, as she is undeniably talented, but let’s not forget the remarkable Cardoso and my girl, Angel.”