In the world of sports, there’s a name that you simply cannot escape: Caitlin Clark. Whether she’s lighting it up on the basketball court or even just breathing, this Indiana Fever rookie sensation has a following that rivals cults. Fans? Check. Critics? Double-check. And with each tweet, dribble, or sidelong glance, she manages to create more headlines than a celebrity meltdown.
But here’s the twist—while Clark’s presence dominates WNBA conversations, some fans, particularly Black women, are apparently choosing to keep their lips sealed. And it’s not because they don’t have an opinion. No, it’s a full-on mental health preservation strategy. A recent Twitter (or should we say X?) post from NBC Sports journalist Natalie Esquire sparked quite the debate. Esquire, who’s no stranger to both love and hate from social media, dropped this nugget of wisdom:
“A number of BW [Black Women] have been harassed incessantly over a certain player, even when speaking positively, so when you don’t see posts about said player, that’s likely b/c folks are trying to preserve their mental health. But you’d have to be in tune to know that.”
Boom. Twitter/X erupted like a volcano, and no, it wasn’t because of anything Clark did on the court. It’s the off-court drama that keeps her fans busy, creating heated online debates that burn brighter than Clark’s three-pointers. And let’s face it, social media doesn’t do calm and rational conversations.
Keep Her Name Out Your Mouth?
As expected, Clark’s legion of die-hard supporters responded to Esquire with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball. One particularly incensed fan fired back with, “Keep Caitlin Clark’s name out of your mouth!” You’d think Esquire would back down. Not a chance. The journalist clapped back in true social media warrior fashion:
“Oh see what you’re not gonna do is tell me how to post from my account. I actually don’t mention her much at all ON HERE. But I post what I want & y’all don’t dictate that. EYE do.”
Mic. Drop.
Esquire, who moonlights as a podcaster with the WNBA show “On Her Turf,” certainly doesn’t mince her words. Whether it’s discussing power rankings or just throwing shade, she’s got her own loyal following—and her fair share of haters. It’s the perfect recipe for social media drama, and the topic of Caitlin Clark is the gift that keeps on giving.
The Fever’s Fiery Playoff Run: Watch Out, Connecticut!
Now, while the Twitter wars rage on, let’s not forget that Clark is also making headlines for something truly outrageous—being ridiculously good at basketball. The Indiana Fever have been storming up the standings since the Olympic break, and now find themselves staring down a playoff spot. They’ve snagged the No. 6 seed, and it’s all thanks to Clark and her partner-in-crime, Kelsey Mitchell, who’ve been putting on a clinic in the Fever backcourt.
Esquire, never one to shy away from a bold prediction, had this to say about a potential Fever vs. Connecticut Sun postseason matchup on her podcast:
“Their [Fever] backcourt has been on a roll. Caitlin [Clark] and Kelsey [Mitchell] are just doing very ridiculous things right now. … I just don’t know if this is what you wanna see heading into the postseason.”
Translation: Beware of the Fever, Connecticut Sun. You’re about to face a one-woman wrecking crew with a very feisty sidekick. If the Fever manage to pull off an upset, you might hear even more silence from those Black women fans. Not out of fear this time, but because Clark is sucking all the air out of the conversation. Again.
Caitlin Clark: Can’t Live With Her, Can’t Stop Talking About Her
Whether she’s loved or loathed, Caitlin Clark is unavoidable, like the Wi-Fi signal you can never quite get strong enough. Her play, her fanbase, and even her haters dominate the conversation, leaving little room for anyone else. And let’s be honest, the noise won’t quiet down as the Fever make their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Esquire’s point about Black women fans staying quiet for mental health reasons might just be the smartest play in this whole circus. After all, social media is a battlefield where logic is the first casualty. But while some stay silent, Caitlin Clark’s game speaks volumes. Prepare for more debates, more drama, and a whole lot more basketball as the Fever head into the postseason.
Fasten your seatbelts—it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.