Stephen A. Smith Knows Why WNBA Players 'Resent' Caitlin Clark
Stephen A. Smith Knows Why WNBA Players 'Resent' Caitlin Clark originally appeared on The Spun.
Last night's chippiness in the Fever-Sun game received national attention in and around the basketball world. But Stephen A. Smith doesn't believe it's one-sided.
Advertisement
Tuesday night's Commissioner's Cup matchup saw WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark poked in the eye and shoved to the floor midway through the third quarter of Indiana's 17-point victory in a game that was testy throughout.
And while many have taken aim at Connecticut's players and their coach, Stephen A. points out that Caitlin hasn't minded playing the role of instigator throughout her career.
"Clearly, when it comes to Caitlin Clark, there's some resentment, as I've articulated before. What people are missing ... is that I have no problem with it whatsoever," Smith said on Wednesday's "First Take."
"Yes, there's resentment... this is much ado about nothing! In the heat of competition, tempers flare! Last time I checked, women got tempers just like men do. It ain't a problem! It ain't a problem at all! It ain't no big deal at all! I love it, personally."
Advertisement
"Caitlin Clark being that golden goose, that rising tide that's lifting all boats, I stand by my past proclamations that there's resentment towards her because of that. But I want to take it a step further: There's also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment towards her sometimes. ... The whole Angel Reese thing with her started because when Caitlin [Clark] was giving it to everybody else, she was the one waving her in their face."
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 17: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jacy Sheldon #4 of the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by)Not everyone agrees with Stephen A.'s assessment — as evidenced by some people calling for Connecticut's Marina Mabrey to be "banned."
But at the end of the day, these are women athletes competing at the highest level. And much like it's happened in many other eras of basketball, when you can't do anything else to stop you a player you try getting physical.
Advertisement
The Sun clearly crossed a line and were penalized for it. And Caitlin kept draining threes while giving them their ninth L of the season.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Sends Telling Message After Getting Ejected
Stephen A. Smith Knows Why WNBA Players 'Resent' Caitlin Clark first appeared on The Spun on Jun 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Alex Pereira: Focus on Magomed Ankalaev rematch, not heavyweight move
NEW YORK—Fans clamoring for Alex Pereira to move to heavyweight are going to have to wait a bit longer. Pereira dropped the UFC light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 in March. With the heavyweight division up in the air, Jon Jones saying multiple times he's not interested in fighting right now, and interim champ Tom Aspinall looking for an opponent, 'Poatan' would be a popular choice to flip one of the UFC's thinner divisions upside down. Advertisement That time is not now, however, as Pereira has his sights set on a fall return to avenge his loss to Ankalaev. 'Anywhere around the timeframe [of] September, October, November, for me it makes no difference, I want to fight,' Pereira told MMA Fighting at Fanatics Fest. 'My focus right now is fighting Ankalaev... get my belt back, and then we see what happens after.' Pereira has accomplished so much in so little time that the opportunity to win a third divisional title seems like a reasonable goal and request. Right now, Pereira hopes the heavyweight division can get moving again in an entertaining way, but he has his own boxes to check. Advertisement 'Let those guys kill each other in that weight class,' Pereira said. 'Right now I'm just focusing on light heavyweight.' More from
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
⭐️ A wild finish: MVP shines in LAFC-ES Tunis clash
With a lack of a win in the Club World Cup, Los Angeles FC are mathematically eliminated from the tournament. Espérance Sportive de Tunis achieved an agonizing victory over the Angelinos and will play for their pass to the next round against Chelsea. Register on DAZN to watch ALL Club World Cup FIFA matches for FREE Advertisement The match had two great figures. The first was Youcef Belaïli, scorer of the goal in the 69th minute, who took advantage of a series of rebounds inside the rival area and was able to defeat the goalkeeper. In added time, LAFC had the opportunity to tie the match, but goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said became a hero, stopping Denis Bouanga's shot. It was a heart-stopping finish at Geodis Park. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 PAUL ELLIS - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
George Kittle Reacts to Sam LaPorta's Major Personal Announcement
George Kittle Reacts to Sam LaPorta's Major Personal Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Sam LaPorta is heading into his third season as a star tight end for the Detroit Lions, looking to build off two impressive campaigns to begin his NFL career. Advertisement In 33 regular-season game appearances for the Lions, LaPorta reeled in 146 catches for 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns. The former second-round draft pick will now look to continue that impressive production in Detroit's upcoming 2025 season. Off the field, LaPorta has had a busy offseason following Year 2 in the NFL. This past Saturday, the 24-year-old tight end married his longtime partner Callahan Dellinger. LaPorta and his newly-wed wife shared the news of their wedding ceremony with a joint Instagram post on Sunday. "A house built on rock.6/14/25," the couple wrote. Friends flooded the comments section with reactions to this news. One of the most notable reactions was from San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. Advertisement "Congrats !!" Kittle wrote in the comments. LaPorta and Kittle both famously played their college football careers as standout tight ends for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrates a play against Tennessee Titans with offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'LaPorta is going to be fantastic. I think Laporta's the best tight end in the draft class. I think the Lions got a complete steal," Kittle said after Detroit selected LaPorta with the No. 34 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. "I like the other tight ends too, but I spent two weeks training with Sam LaPorta, and the way he moves -- oh yeah, he's got the dog in him. He's kind of quirky, he's kind of goofy, too. He's going to fit in well.' LaPorta and the Lions will kickoff their 2025 regular-season schedule with a Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sep. 7. Advertisement Related: Broncos React to Notable Peyton Manning Announcement on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
