Caitlin Clark has been receiving a slew of unrequested advice from top stars not only in the WNBA but also in the NBA. The latest to weigh in is Dwyane Wade, one of the Miami Heat’s all-time greats. However, Wade’s perspective comes with a bit of bias as he is a part-owner of the Chicago Sky. For those who might not recall, Angel Reese, who plays for the Chicago Sky, was involved in a recent incident. In a game against the Indiana Fever, Reese received a flagrant 1 after getting an elbow to the head, an incident that did not sit well with Wade. On his podcast, because it seems everyone has one these days, Wade delved into the rookie controversy involving Caitlin Clark.
Wade echoed the sentiments of other NBA stars, urging Caitlin Clark to develop toughness as a rookie to achieve future success. However, considering his affiliations, it’s hard to dismiss his potential bias. On his podcast, Wade stated: “This discussion around Caitlin Clark is getting hazy. Reflecting on my rookie year, it’s all part of showing you’re built for this league. That play with Angel was a basketball move, aiming for the ball and the block. It’s just part of the game.”
Should Caitlin Clark Toughen Up as Wade Suggests?
Setting aside the obvious, one could argue that Caitlin Clark must endure a challenging rookie phase in the WNBA, and perhaps even through the initial years, to build resilience. If her trajectory is as remarkable as projected, she could potentially become a Hall-of-Famer, but she must overcome the best to be the best. There seems to be a notable resistance against her that is somewhat perplexing, though that’s a discussion for another time.