- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,384
- Reaction score
- 59
Longtime UConn coach Geno Auriemma had a lot to say about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and her place in the WNBA, including that hard fouls on her should not be seen as a "referendum on America."
Auriemma appeared on the podcast "Sports Media with Richard Deitsch" on July 7, and said he doesn’t blame Clark for her narrative but blames her fans for being at the heart of everything.
"Because the bandwagon and the fandom became so obsessed with the whole thing, it turned into a cause," Auriemma said. "(Clark) became the reason why White players get beat up in the WNBA and she became the reason why Black players don't get the endorsements and don't get the adulation that White players get.
“Not every foul is a good foul. Not every foul's a bad foul, but there are fouls that are flagrant – but that's all they are. They are not a referendum on America, which is what the whole (expletive) thing has become.”
The debate surrounding the treatment that Clark has received has ramped up since Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Clark's throat. The play wasn't called at first, prompting Fever coach Stephanie White to berate the officiating for not protecting a generational talent from "cheap shots."
According to Thomas, the play was a "complete accident," and the team didn’t realize she put her fist to Clark’s throat until after the game when fans shared clips of the incident. The Fever players also didn't see the play happen in real time.
Auriemma agreed with Mercury legend Diana Taurasi’s 2024 comments about Clark, which warned her that “reality is coming” in the WNBA.
Taurasi took a lot of flak for that comment, but Auriemma said that "every first-round draft pick gets fouled hard." He also criticized her fans for unfairly comparing her to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Tiger Woods and the effect they had on the NBA and golf, respectively.
"It's that whole (expletive) storm of, 'This is Jesus coming down to save the WNBA,'" Auriemma said. "Now, I hope people listening can differentiate here. She never stood up and said, 'I'm Jesus and I'm coming.'
"This was not something created by her. It was created about her by all the people in America who are delusional that think one player who's not Wemby is going to come in and transform the league."
Auriemma did add that he believes several players do have issues with Clark and will "take a shot at her unfairly."
"But yes, it shouldn't be a national referendum — and yes, there are players in that league that would love to kick her (expletive) every minute of every day," Auriemma added.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at [email protected], as well as @jennarortiz on X.
Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: UConn coach Geno Auriemma unloads on major Caitlin Clark issues
Continue reading...
Auriemma appeared on the podcast "Sports Media with Richard Deitsch" on July 7, and said he doesn’t blame Clark for her narrative but blames her fans for being at the heart of everything.
"Because the bandwagon and the fandom became so obsessed with the whole thing, it turned into a cause," Auriemma said. "(Clark) became the reason why White players get beat up in the WNBA and she became the reason why Black players don't get the endorsements and don't get the adulation that White players get.
“Not every foul is a good foul. Not every foul's a bad foul, but there are fouls that are flagrant – but that's all they are. They are not a referendum on America, which is what the whole (expletive) thing has become.”
The debate surrounding the treatment that Clark has received has ramped up since Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Clark's throat. The play wasn't called at first, prompting Fever coach Stephanie White to berate the officiating for not protecting a generational talent from "cheap shots."
According to Thomas, the play was a "complete accident," and the team didn’t realize she put her fist to Clark’s throat until after the game when fans shared clips of the incident. The Fever players also didn't see the play happen in real time.
Auriemma agreed with Mercury legend Diana Taurasi’s 2024 comments about Clark, which warned her that “reality is coming” in the WNBA.
Taurasi took a lot of flak for that comment, but Auriemma said that "every first-round draft pick gets fouled hard." He also criticized her fans for unfairly comparing her to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Tiger Woods and the effect they had on the NBA and golf, respectively.
"It's that whole (expletive) storm of, 'This is Jesus coming down to save the WNBA,'" Auriemma said. "Now, I hope people listening can differentiate here. She never stood up and said, 'I'm Jesus and I'm coming.'
"This was not something created by her. It was created about her by all the people in America who are delusional that think one player who's not Wemby is going to come in and transform the league."
Auriemma did add that he believes several players do have issues with Clark and will "take a shot at her unfairly."
"But yes, it shouldn't be a national referendum — and yes, there are players in that league that would love to kick her (expletive) every minute of every day," Auriemma added.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at [email protected], as well as @jennarortiz on X.
Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: UConn coach Geno Auriemma unloads on major Caitlin Clark issues
Continue reading...
