After Former NFL Star Labels Caitlin Clark a ‘Distraction’ to WNBA, Analyst Wants New Fans to Calm Down

Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is in the spotlight after Alyssa Thomas' fist to her throat became a matter of public interest.

After Former NFL Star Labels Caitlin Clark a ‘Distraction’ to WNBA, Analyst Wants New Fans to Calm Down

Fever point guard Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

The Caitlin Clark discourse has reached a point where fans and analysts are debating what is right for the WNBA and its players, officials, and personnel.

Many felt that the era of the Iowa native facing situations where fans wanted harsh punishment was over. After Chennedy Carter body-slammed Clark during her rookie campaign, the league essentially black-balled her.

The guard did not get a contract offer from anywhere and had to go play in Mexico to pay her bills. Thankfully, that indirect suspension lasted just a year.

Now, the situation is the same again, but the characters are different. Instead of Carter, it is Alyssa Thomas who is now firmly in the crosshairs of Clark’s and Indiana Fever fans.

The discourse reached its height when the league imposed a one-game suspension on Thomas, but fans demanded that a fist to the throat was inexcusable and should have led to a longer suspension. All of this led former NFL star Emmanuel Acho to say this:

The W, at this junction in time, would be better without Caitlin Clark, because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive… Caitlin got the necessary eyes there. But now that the eyes are there, we don’t necessarily need her anymore.

Emmanuel Acho said

Acho is no stranger to wild takes. But he felt that the unnecessary ‘coddling’ and special treatment fans are demanding for Caitlin Clark makes it seem as if the league would be better without her.

He believes that the 24-year-old has done her job of bringing eyes to the league. But with all of these unnecessary narratives, it is better that she steps away.

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Former All-Star believes new WNBA fans need to calm down

Emmanuel Acho’s opinion reached far and wide, with fans mostly condemning him for not talking about the actual problem.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who has generally been in favor of Caitlin Clark, used this clip to ask Chiney Ogwumike if there was any resentment towards the Fever guard or if these were isolated instances.

All of us want to focus on the game at hand and move on. Having the historical experience of knowing these instances where people have been challenged makes me realize that this is not necessarily foreign. But a lot of new fans probably don’t understand that.

Chiney Ogwumike replied

The former two-time All-Star drew on her seven years of experience to reveal that this sort of physical play is not uncommon in the WNBA.

It is just that the new fans who followed Caitlin Clark into the league are not used to it. Therefore, they should just calm down over something that is normal in the league.

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Five-day gap might do Caitlin Clark and Fever some good

There are five days until the Indiana Fever play again. Now that Caitlin Clark is getting treatment for her back injury, it might be a good break to give not just the team, but also its fans and the league a breather.

Caitlin Clark is struggling with a back injury
Caitlin Clark is struggling with a back injury (Image via Chris/X)

These days mean that none of the Fever players or personnel will appear in front of a mic or camera until reporters are allowed to catch up with them during practice before the game.

That should give the entire league enough time to allow this discourse to cool off. They might have to thank the NBA to some degree, as their free agency is dominating everything related to basketball.

It is not that Caitlin Clark or her coach will not have to respond to questions. But if the narrative dies down, journalists may not pressure the two-time All-Star or anyone from the Fever to say something. That could be the best way for this storm to disappear.

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