Now that the WNBA is back from its Olympic break and headed for the playoffs, we’re also back to non-stop discourse about Caitlin Clark’s impact on the league and its popularity this season.
One of the leading voices in the Clark conversation has been ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. Anytime someone mentions the WNBA’s success without mentioning Clark, he pops up to criticize them. One of his frequent targets this season has been basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes.
Their latest internet confrontation came when the four-time WNBA Champion had the nerve to discuss the Indiana Fever’s rise this year without giving the rookie guard all the credit. On a recent episode of her podcast, “Queens of the Court,” she talked about the contributions of Clark’s teammates Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
The “First Take” host didn’t appreciate Swoopes’ opinion on the Fever and called her “insane” on his podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” He also suggested that someone with her championship resume was ignoring Clark’s contributions on purpose.
“You know basketball,” Smith said. “There is no way in hell you just accidentally left Caitlin Clark’s name out of that soliloquy you dropped about the Indiana Fever.”
So what if she did avoid talking about Clark on purpose? As the former Houston Comets star pointed out, it’s her show and she gets to decide what she talks about. Swoopes also noted that she had personal reasons for singling out those three players.
“You talk about whomever and whatever you want to on your podcast. Correct? So why can’t I?,” the Naismith Hall of Famer responded on X. “Also, did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NOPE! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition as well.”
She went on to reference his tense debate with ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt, writing on X, “Not sure what he thought he was doing? He still in his feelings about MM putting him in his place. I’m ready to go on his show!! Coward.”
Smith took offense with being called a “coward,” telling his audience “Sheryl Swoopes engages in levels of immaturity, there’s no way to slice it,” He also once again questioned her choice to not include Clark in her analysis of Indiana’s recent success.