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Monica McNutt, former WNBA player and current analyst, pushed back against the idea that Caitlin Clark is facing widespread jealousy and resentment from fellow WNBA players. McNutt believes the media has overblown this storyline in an “unfair” manner that oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play.
“I get that we're at a special place when it comes to women's basketball and the growth of the game,” McNutt said on the Nightcap podcast Monday, via ClutchPoints. “I think what I was frustrated with is that we can hold more than one truth. The idea of some players being jealous (of Clark)? Yes, that probably exists. But I think since Caitlin's debut, there has been a large and loud push that it's Caitlin versus the (WNBA). And that is unfair.”
“There’s been a loud & large push that is [Caitlin Clark] against the [WNBA]… Would you be jealous if somebody got $20 million for a shoe deal or whatever the deal was before you stepped foot in the pros?”
— Monica McNutt 🗣️
(via @NightcapShow_)pic.twitter.com/YVXTaUPV3Q
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 4, 2024
Her comments come in the wake of the recent on-court incident between Clark and Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter. Carter committed a hard foul against the rookie sensation during Saturday's game, which the WNBA later upgraded to a flagrant-1 violation. This sparked debates about potential jealousy or resentment towards Clark's meteoric rise and lucrative endorsement deals before even turning pro.
However, McNutt believes this controversy has been overblown by media outlets clamoring to cover the league's new biggest star.
“I just need all of us to do a better job holding room for multiple truths,” she said. “The prevailing idea that it is the WNBA versus Caitlin and that these women don't understand the power of the eyeball she's brought to the league. That's just unfair.”
McNutt argued that while jealousy may exist in isolated cases, framing the entire WNBA as resentful of Clark's success is disrespectful to the league's veteran players who have paved the way. She pointed out that many stars like Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi previously faced similar skepticism as rookies before going on to Hall of Fame careers after adjusting to the professional level.
Caitlin Clark jealousy narrative overlooks competitive nature of WNBA
The notion of intense anti-Clark sentiment, McNutt said, ignores the competitive drive and professionalism of WNBA players who simply want to compete at the highest level, not target one individual. She said Carter's hard foul, while unacceptable, has been sensationalized beyond a single on-court incident typically seen in competitive sports.
McNutt's pushback highlights the challenge for media in covering the league's new star attraction after previously paying little attention to the WNBA. While Clark's arrival has put more eyes on the sport, framing narratives through an oversimplified “heroes vs villains” lens risks reducing the sport's complexities and discrediting its elite players' achievements over decades.
As debates swirl around Clark's immediate impact and perceived treatment from opponents, McNutt insists there is room to appreciate her drawing new fans while respecting the competitive integrity of the WNBA's established stars and up-and-coming talents. Balancing these “multiple truths” will be an ongoing challenge as the rookie phenom's stardom continues rising.
Players like Angel Reese and Parker have openly discussed the “rookie learning curve” most players face when transitioning to the professional ranks, including adjusting to increased physicality and defensive intensity. McNutt argues this context is being overlooked amid the clamor around Clark's celebrity status.
