WNBA rookie of the year Caitlin Clark is respected by former LSU standout and NBA Hall of Famer  Shaquille O’Neal, who said she improved women’s basketball. He discussed his thoughts on the Indiana Fever star’s skill set and influence on the game during his appearance on this week’s Unapologetically Angel podcast with Angel Reese.
When O’Neal commented, “She’s doing stuff we’ve never seen before,” “No one has ever done it consistently that we have seen. Although many WNBA women have experienced success in spurts, I’m like, “Damn,” when I watch LSU vs. Iowa in the Final Four. O’Neal said that he wasn’t always a fan of Clark.
“And I was a hater, because you know I went to LSU” stated O’Neal. ‘She’s not going to hit that shot,’ I thought. And then, boom. She will not make that shot. Bam. Should I say ten times, ‘You’re not going to hit that shot,’ and you do, then you are the truth.”
This season, whenever Clark and Reese faced off on the floor or spoke to the national media, they were the WNBA’s two lightning poles. Last month, Reese remarked that Clark’s fan group was frightening in their constant support against a perceived rival like Reese, but also borderline crazy in their love and devotion for her.
“I believe that only the fans are involved. Reese stated, “I respectfully respect that her fans, the Iowa fans and now the Indiana fans, are like, they ride for her.” However, it may be extremely insulting at times. When it comes to death threats, I believe there is a lot of racism involved, but I’m referring to instances when people have physically visited my home, followed me, and created artificial intelligence (AI) images of me nude.
During the summer, Clark retaliated against Reese by claiming that the rivalry was a product of the media.
“I’m pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you,” Clark said to a reporter simply prior to a game. “Like, to us it’s just a game of basketball.” Prior to both players being selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft, Clark previously expressed regret over how her on-court arguments with Reese distracted from Lisa Bluder’s teams’ successful seasons in the previous two years and caused them to miss out on consecutive deep runs to the national championship game. Reese concurred.
“For me, I don’t think people realize it’s not personal,” Reese stated in June. “I believe that people simply assume that we despise one another. Caitlin Clark and I don’t despise one another. That’s what I want everyone to realize. Simply put, the game is extremely competitive. All I want is for people to understand that. There are no friends once I cross those lines. “We’re not friends. I will speak negatively about you. We can kick it after the game, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get inside your thoughts for the entire game. People probably aren’t aware of that.
