Shaquille O’Neal shuts down ‘loudmouth’ Charles Barkley’s rant on WNBA players ‘hating’ Caitlin Clark

Charles Barkley calling out WNBA players for hating on Caitlin Clark does not sit well with colleague Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaquille O’Neal shuts down ‘loudmouth’ Charles Barkley’s rant on WNBA players ‘hating’ Caitlin Clark

Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark has brought an incredible number of viewers to the WNBA. In the midst of all this, current and former WNBA players are not covered as much. This led to some unwanted reactions from some of them. As such, Charles Barkley called them out on numerous occasions. But colleague Shaquille O’Neal thinks his close friend is wrong in his judgment.

Mackenzie Salmon of USA Today Sports was speaking with the Big Aristotle. When asked about hate Clark is receiving, the 4-time NBA champion said this, as quoted by Lindsay Schnell:

Loudmouths like Chuck are talking about hating — it’s not hating. It’s like, you’re good but let’s slow it down a notch.  As good as Caitlin Clark is, we’ve had a lot of young ladies who have been doing good (before) and not getting props. People like props and they want to feel good when you’re talking about (their league) … it’s not hating. Everybody has to wait their turn.
Shaquille O’ Neal on USA Today Sports

He seems to think that Charles Barkley does not realize what the other WNBA players are feeling. The hate part Barkley talks about has more to do with the current stars wanting their props.

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Shaquille O’Neal believes that the current players who have done their bit to elevate the standard of the WNBA feel they should also receive some attention the way Caitlin Clark is showered. He feels it is a matter of wanting to feel good that their hard work is getting noticed. However, Shaq is extremely close with Clark’s rival, Angel Reese. As such, is his position toward her biased? Only Shaq really knows.

Charles Barkley has openly stated that WNBA players are wrong to hate on the Indiana Fever rookie. That is considering the eyeballs she brings to the league that will help everyone grow. O’Neal feels his colleague and fellow Hall of Famer does not understand that the players are not receiving their due.

Shaquille O’Neal has high praise for Caitlin Clark’s play

The 4-time NBA champion spoke with Sports Illustrated recently after he watched rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese battle in the WNBA. When asked about Clark’s play, he said:

(Clark) does everything right. I’m watching her play and I'm trying to be upset but she makes the right pass, makes the right play. Girls try to beat her up and she doesn’t really complain. She’s a great one, even early on (in her career). She’s the real deal.
Shaquille O’ Neal on Sports Illustrated

O’Neal was clear that watching her play live has helped him change his perception. He now knows that the hype surrounding the Indiana Fever rookie is true. Moreover, he even admitted that Clark is so good that he couldn’t hate on her even when he wanted to.

Shaquille O’Neal was at hand in Chicago to watch Angel Reese and Clark play their final regular season game against each other. Reese did get her double-double. However, it was her ROTY rival’s 31-point, 12-assist performance that made the real impact.

DJ Diesel knows that these two rookies are going to be staples of elite basketball for years to come. With them leading the way, the WNBA will reach new heights. That will eventually pave the way for the women to overtake the men in popularity.

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