Caitlin Clark has done the impossible: she’s converted Skip Bayless into a believer. Yes, the same Skip Bayless who typically reserves his compliments for scathing roasts. During a candid chat on the All The Smoke podcast, Bayless admitted that Clark’s jaw-dropping performances in her rookie WNBA season have him hooked.
“I wasn’t a big Caitlin Clark fan when she was at Iowa,” Skip confessed, practically whispering as if the Iowa Hawkeye faithful might storm the studio. “I thought she was just a three-point shooter. Then, boom—here she is in the WNBA, dropping dimes like LeBron and seeing the floor like Magic. I didn’t see that coming.”
Skip Bayless. Caitlin Clark. LeBron comparisons. Are we in an alternate universe?
Passing Like Picasso, But with a Touch of Chaos
Clark’s numbers this season back up the hype. The reigning Rookie of the Year led the league in assists with an eye-popping 8.4 per game. Her 337 total assists not only bested league vets like Alyssa Thomas but also added a few extra stars to Skip’s metaphorical Caitlin Clark fan club jersey.
However, even masterpieces have their messy brushstrokes. Clark also smashed the all-time turnover record with a jaw-dropping 223. For context, her closest rival, Alyssa Thomas, committed a mere 145. Skip, never one to shy away from pointing out a flaw, quipped, “She tries to thread the needle where it doesn’t exist. She’s playing 5D chess with a basketball while everyone else is stuck on checkers.”
Skip continued, his voice oscillating between awe and critique: “Sometimes she’ll attempt a pass that would make your high school coach pull their hair out, and then, bam—it’s a perfect touchdown. She’s chaos personified, but it’s beautiful chaos.”
The Records Keep Falling, Along with Jaws
Clark’s rookie season has been nothing short of historic. She played all 40 games, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Her shooting splits—41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three—weren’t mind-blowing, but her sheer impact on the game was undeniable. Oh, and let’s not forget, she carried the Indiana Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years.
For those keeping score at home, that’s one WNBA franchise revived, countless fans converted, and one Skip Bayless floored.
Skip’s Final Word (For Now)
By the end of the podcast, Skip seemed almost wistful about his initial reluctance to embrace Clark’s game. “She captivated me in the Final Four, but this version of her? This LeBron-esque passer who might also be the best chaotic playmaker in the league? I’m all in.”
Well, there you have it. Caitlin Clark, the young phenom who not only turns defenders into spectators but also transforms critics into fans. Maybe next season, she’ll start shattering another record: the number of Skip Bayless compliments in a year.
