After a rough week for the Indiana Fever, sports talker Jason Whitlock has targeted WNBA star Caitlin Clark, saying her bad in-game performances come from a big fight called the “Barbie Brawl.”
The mess came up during the game against rivals Connecticut Sun, where Clark got hit in the eye by Jacy Sheldon during a counter attack. The situation got worse and escalated when Marina Mabrey pushed Clark away without her seeing, and later, Fever mate Sophie Cunningham hit Sheldon back with a strong foul that looked similar to what we see every now and then in UFC fight nights.
This led to a little browl that ended with many players being thrown out and a lot of criticism as most people did not like how the game was called.
Disappointment towards the league
Fever’s head coach, Stephanie White, slammed the WNBA for not being fair in calling the game.
Since the fight, it looks like Clark has not been at her level. In two losses to the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces, she had good numbers that back her up but did not do as good in shooting and lost possession a couple of times.
Against the Valkyries, she scored just 11 points, missed all her three-point tries, and lost the ball six times. It is true that Clark made us used to see more of her. In the next game against the Aces, she achieved 19 points and 10 helps but lost possession eight times and only made one long shot out of ten tries.
The Barbie Brawl
Whitlock, known for saying what he thinks with no filters, used social media to talk down on Clark’s performances. “She’s shook since the Barbie Brawl,” he said, pointing to her recent bad games. His words made fans and experts talk a lot, with some backing Clark’s tough play and others thinking she may be too stressed.
“7 turnovers for Clark again. Awful performance today. 1 of 7 from three. She’s shook since the Barbie Brawl,” Whitlock tweeted.
Despite the talk, Clark is still key for the Fever, making about 20 points, 9 helps, and 6 grabs per game this season. Incredible numbers. She deals with tough times will be watched as Indiana tries to get better.
The “Barbie Brawl” has shown how strong and electrifying WNBA games can be but also brought up issues about keeping players safe and how games are called. As the league gets more known, the way it deals with such big issues may change how people see it as much as how well the players do on the court.
Media responsability
Even though this words may be a bit too crazy, the halo that exists around superstars like Clark and others like Angel Reese, makes them to always be at the aim of the critics. Their fame and influence is hard to control in this still growing sport, so they are the pioneers of this kind of media management in the WNBA.
Clark now has to remain calm as the team needs her more than ever. She is the reference for fans and teammates, therefore, the way she deals with this kind of stress is crucial for other players to see and learn.
Until then, we have to get used to hearing this kind of ‘arguable‘ comments.
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