The drama surrounding Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub continues to escalate, and who better to stoke the flames than the ever-controversial Skip Bayless? On the latest episode of “Undisputed,” Bayless fired shots not only at Clark’s three-point shooting but also at head coach Dawn Staley’s judgment, proving once again that he never misses an opportunity to ruffle some feathers.
In a plot twist worthy of a daytime soap opera, Staley, who had a hand in selecting the Olympic team, recently claimed that if the Indiana Fever rookie had showcased her current form a few months ago, she’d be packing her bags for Paris. This sudden about-face left many scratching their heads and others calling for popcorn as Bayless stepped into the ring.
“Look, I’m just calling it like I see it,” Bayless declared with his trademark smugness. “Clark’s three-point game has been abysmal. It’s like watching someone try to shoot a basketball while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Over her last few games, she’s gone from 0-for-7 to 3-for-8. That’s not Olympic material; that’s circus material.”
For context, Clark’s season stats aren’t exactly glittering. She’s shooting a lukewarm 32.7 percent from beyond the arc. But in July, her performance plummeted to a frosty 27.3 percent. To put it in Baylessian terms, her three-point attempts are as reliable as a politician’s promise.
Staley, ever the diplomat, defended the original decision like a knight guarding a dubious castle. She argued that Clark’s recent hot streak would have secured her a spot on the team if it had happened earlier. But Bayless was having none of it. “Staley must be seeing something we’re not,” he quipped. “Maybe she has some magical glasses that turn bricks into swishes.”
The Fever rookie’s supporters are understandably miffed, and Bayless’s incendiary comments only add fuel to the fire. Fans are left wondering if this is all just a ploy to boost ratings or if there’s some truth to the madness. Meanwhile, Clark is probably thinking, “Hey, can we stop talking about what could have been and focus on what will be?”
In the grand scheme of things, the debate over Clark’s Olympic snub might seem as trivial as a debate over pineapple on pizza. But for the world of women’s basketball, it’s a sizzling hot topic. Clark’s journey to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles now has an extra layer of intrigue, thanks to Bayless’s barbs and Staley’s selective hindsight.
So, what’s next for Caitlin Clark? Maybe a crash course in three-point shooting from Bayless himself? Now that would be a show worth watching. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see if Clark can turn her critics into believers, one shot at a time.