M'VP ๐
D'POY ๐
WNBA Champion ๐
Finals M'VP ๐
Scoring Champ ๐
Of course she's the winner of the ESPY for Best WNBA Player ๐โจ
@_ajawilson22 // @ESPYS
Intense matchup โ๏ธ
The @valkyries and @IndianaFever are tied 1-1 in the regular season series. The Fever are hot off a 34-PT win on Sunday, however the Valks are on a 7 game win streak!
Who will emerge on top? Find out at 8pm/ET on USA Network
My take on Caitlin Clark and the current state of the WNBA:
We canโt sit here and say this conversation has never been about race, hate, or bias. Iโve been around womenโs basketball since I was young. The talent has always been there. In fact, I would argue the league was even more competitive in some of the earlier eras.
Since 2024, Iโve watched an unbelievable amount of hate directed toward players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. People have shown receipts, screenshots, and examples of the things said about Angel Reese, and that conversation matters. But why donโt we ask the same questions when it comes to Caitlin Clark?
Have we checked on Caitlin Clark?
Every single day, there are posts where people call her out of her name and say hateful things about her. Yet somehow, that part of the conversation is often ignored. Is it because she doesnโt publicly share every message she receives? Is it because she doesnโt post screenshots?
Iโm a Black man and a Caitlin Clark fan. Iโm not new to this game. Maya Moore is my GOAT, and I have nothing but respect for Tamika Catchings. I remember the Indiana and Atlanta rivalry, and todayโs league reminds me of those days. I still wish the WNBA would bring back conference playoffs.
What Iโve noticed is that some fans donโt treat every player equally.
Paige Bueckers is a great example. She is a talented player who came into this league with confidence, passion, and star power. But sometimes the conversation around her is less about basketball and more about her personal life. Some fans connect with her because she is openly gay and because of her family background, but at the end of the day, her basketball should be the main conversation. She deserves to be talked about for her game, just like every other player.
The same thing has happened with playersโ personal lives becoming bigger topics than their basketball. We have seen fans focus heavily on relationships and drama instead of the actual game. When did the WNBA become reality television?
Iโve watched fans turn on players like Aliyah Boston and Raven Johnson simply because they support or have a relationship with Caitlin Clark. Iโve seen hateful posts directed toward Black players on the Indiana Fever simply because they are teammates with her.
Did we check on Aliyah Boston when that edited photo circulated from the South Carolina reunion with Dawn Staley and her former players? Did we check on Raven Johnson?
Candace Parker is suddenly considered a โhaterโ by some people because she praises Caitlin Clark? We are talking about one of the greatest basketball players ever, a Hall of Famer, and someone whose basketball opinion should be respected even if people disagree.
There is clearly bullying taking place online. There are double standards. There are fans who allow their personal feelings about a player to influence how they view everything that player does.
Letโs be real. Sometimes it feels like certain players and fans already have their minds made up about Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. When incidents happen, such as situations involving threats or criticism toward Fever fans, we also have to be honest and look at the full picture. Not every situation can automatically be blamed on an entire fan base when there are different individuals involved.
If players want fans and the league to address hate and harassment, that standard should apply to everyone.
Olivia Miles is getting her job done. The @minnesotalynx have not even been a complete team yet without their best player. It has not mattered thus far. They are officially my pick to win the @WNBA Finals this season.
โก๏ธ FINAL SCORES AND TOP PERFORMERS โก๏ธ
Angel Reese was feeling it in the @AtlantaDream's win against the Sparks ๐
AR5 finished the game with 23 PTS, 13 REB, 3 STL & 2 AST to record her 16th double-double of the szn. She also reached 20+ PTS and 10+ REB for the 2nd time this season!
#WNBASeason30