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Retired WNBA star and current ESPN broadcaster Rebecca Lobo pushed back against the growing narrative that veteran players in the league are jealous of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
Lobo firmly denied that experienced WNBA players are motivated by jealousy towards Clark's immediate success and popularity.
“It's a false narrative,” Lobo said on ESPN, via ClutchPoints. “I don't think there's any jealousy or pettiness that is fueling dirty play.”
The notion of veteran resentment towards Clark gained steam after Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter leveled the Indiana Fever rookie with a flagrant hip check during their recent matchup last Saturday. Many pundits viewed Carter's aggressive foul as evidence that Clark is receiving excessive physicality due to jealousy over her stardom.
"I don't think there's any jealousy or pettiness… Are veterans being physical with [her]?… But I have not seen anything excessive or anything dirty until that Chennedy Carter hit."
Rebecca Lobo on the narratives around Caitlin Clark 👀
(via @espnW)pic.twitter.com/TzdCz2UjvE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2024
However, Lobo downplayed the theory, acknowledging that while Clark is facing unprecedented defensive attention for a rookie, the extra physicality is typical for any new, high-profile player entering the league.
“Are veterans being physical with her? They are. But I have not seen anything excessive or anything dirty until that Chennedy Carter hit,” Lobo said.
Lobo suggested Carter's reckless foul, which she called “unfortunate,” unfairly added credibility to the jealousy claims.
“Chennedy gave a previously toothless argument some fangs,” she said.
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Chiney Ogwumike echoes Rebecca Lobo's thoughts on Caitlin Clark
The Carter incident reignited discussion around whether Clark is disliked by teammates and rivals in the WNBA. However, former player Chiney Ogwumike disputed this notion, noting the league has always been intensely physical with regular trash talk between competitors.
“One player's approach is not indicative of an entire league,” Ogwumike said. “All rookies, especially No. 1 picks … have been tested mentally, physically, emotionally.”
Ogwumike argued that expecting WNBA veterans to be deferential towards Clark is an unrealistic double standard not applied to other professional sports leagues. She emphasized the grind that all rookies face in proving themselves in a professional league like the WNBA.
“Plays like this happen in sports. But now it's being used to further agendas that don't serve the game. So when it comes to women's athletes there's this expectation that players in the heat of the game should constantly stop what they're doing and be appreciative of Caitlin. They should bow down instead of being the competitors that they are. These women are elite basketball players who are competitors who show up every night before the eyes were there on the game … This is not hate. This is hoops. Like any other sport that is professional at the highest level,” Ogwumike said, adding she is actually Clark's “biggest fan.”
While Carter's comments questioning what Clark “brings to the table” aside from shooting exacerbated the jealousy claims, most analysts agree her views do not represent the entire WNBA. Clark's undeniable talent and impact have been widely praised by coaches and players, evidenced by the league naming her May's Rookie of the Month.
