The All-Star Team pulled off a dazzling 117-109 victory over Team USA on Sunday. While the Associated Press couldn’t stop singing praises for Caitlin Clark and Arike Ogunbowale, ESPN’s Britni Danielle decided to rain on Clark’s parade, highlighting the Fever rookie’s meager four-point performance in her headline.
Sure, Clark only scored four points (on a tragic 2-of-9 shooting), but she also dished out 10 assists with just two turnovers against some of the league’s best players. Danielle, however, was more fixated on the shooting woes of the 2023 No. 1 pick, much to the chagrin of WNBA fans everywhere.
Fan Fury Unleashed
Social media, predictably, erupted. “You all are astoundingly miserable,” one fan tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, because why not rebrand just to confuse everyone? Another chimed in, “Nobody care about rebounds bro,” clearly having none of Danielle’s negativity.
A more analytical X user stepped in to defend Clark’s playmaking brilliance, tweeting, “I get what you are saying I really do and they do this all the time since 2023 but them 10 assists which was the most in game accounted for 20 points so maybe that’s what they mean.” The grammar may be shaky, but the logic is solid.
Another fan, perhaps a sage of the sport, tweeted, “Anyone who actually knows basketball understands it’s not always about scoring! Great game to all the women.” A rare voice of reason in the chaotic world of social media.
One particularly irked fan targeted Danielle directly: “Imagine getting so worked up over a headline.” Another added, “Caitlin was the focus of the defense. Took pressure off the others. You know nothing,” delivering a digital mic drop worthy of an All-Star performance.
Clark’s Classy Clap Back
After Team WNBA’s triumph, Clark was asked if the victory was a statement against the club that snubbed her from the roster. In true Clark fashion, she responded with grace: “No. They’re really good. They have plenty of talent on that team. Four years prior, Team WNBA beat Team USA — they were perfectly fine in the Olympics. If anything, it shows how good this league is. It shows how much talent is in this league…” Spoken like a true diplomat, with just a hint of a humble brag.
Despite her rockstar status in the basketball world, Clark remains the epitome of professionalism and respect towards her peers. Being selected for the Paris Olympics is a testament to one’s talent, but Clark chose to highlight the growth and depth of talent in the WNBA instead.
Final Thoughts
So, while ESPN’s Britni Danielle might be laser-focused on Clark’s shooting stats, WNBA fans and fellow players recognize the broader picture. It’s not just about who scores the most points, but who makes the game a masterpiece of teamwork and strategy. Clark’s 10 assists were poetry in motion, and if you don’t get that, well, maybe it’s time to brush up on your basketball basics.
