Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise hasn’t just shaken up the WNBA—it’s forced some of the greatest names in basketball to take notice. But with fame comes friction, and Clark’s dominance on the court has been met with not only admiration but also criticism, and in some cases, outright bullying.
So why does one of the most talented players in women’s basketball today keep drawing so much heat?
According to NBA legends, the answer lies in the very qualities that make her great.
From her record-breaking run at Iowa to an explosive rookie season in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark highlights have been dominating social media feeds and news coverage alike. Her deep three-point shooting, elite court vision, and calm under pressure have turned her into a household name. She isn’t just a rising star—she’s transforming the game.
Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and one of the most vocal NBA commentators on WNBA performance, didn’t mince words. “She’s the best female collegiate player ever,” Shaq declared. That kind of praise isn’t handed out lightly—and it puts a target on your back.
Clark’s ability to generate more of her team’s points than almost any player in either the WNBA or NBA hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her rookie stats aren’t just impressive—they’re historic. In just 42 games, she tied Hall of Famer Candace Parker for third in all-time triple-doubles. That’s a number it took Parker 433 games to reach. When it comes to WNBA rookie stats, Caitlin is rewriting the record books.
But what really turns heads, according to former NBA greats, is her shot range.
“She’s the antidote to dunking,” said WNBA icon Sue Bird, referring to Clark’s jaw-dropping ability to sink threes from anywhere on the floor. Her average shooting distance in the 2025 season is farther than any other player in both the WNBA and NBA. When you talk about elite shooting skills, she’s not just competing—she’s leading.
Even Steph Curry comparisons have become common. NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and Isaiah Thomas both likened Clark’s deep-range abilities to Curry’s signature long-ball style. “She’s better than most guys in the league at long-distance shots,” Thomas said bluntly. “She should be in the three-point contest next to Steph and Sabrina Ionescu.”
In fact, Clark holds the NCAA record for the most three-pointers made in a season. She’s outpaced legends like Steph Curry in that category—making the Steph Curry comparison more than just hype.
And yet, with all that success, Clark remains a lightning rod for criticism. As her spotlight grows, so does the noise around her.
NBA legends believe the bullying Clark faces isn’t just personal—it’s systemic. “There’s a resistance to change,” said Celtics great Paul Pierce, who called her NCAA performance against LSU “the greatest tournament performance I’ve ever seen.” He added, “She didn’t do it against scrubs. She did it against defending champions—and owned them.”
Clark’s assertiveness, confidence, and dominance challenge the old image of what a female athlete should be. She’s unapologetically vocal, competitive, and self-assured—traits celebrated in male athletes, but often weaponized against women.
“She plays like a guy,” said one retired NBA coach. “And that throws people off. They’re not used to seeing a woman pull up from 30 feet with that kind of swagger and actually hit it.”
Kobe Bryant was one of the first major figures to recognize the untapped greatness in women’s basketball. Before his passing, he praised WNBA stars like Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, claiming they could hold their own in the NBA. Caitlin Clark, in many ways, is the realization of what Bryant believed the women’s game could become: faster, sharper, more visible, and just as thrilling as men’s basketball.
Her presence is also shifting the financial landscape. Ticket sales, jersey sales, and TV ratings have all spiked thanks to what fans are now calling the “Clark Effect.” In a league long battling for visibility, Caitlin Clark is becoming a brand of her own—a force so powerful it’s changing the economics of the WNBA.
But NBA legends agree: being a generational talent comes at a price.
“She’s under a microscope,” Kevin Garnett said. “When you’re that good, people will look for any reason to tear you down. They can’t outplay her, so they try to discredit her.”
Still, Clark isn’t backing down. Her response to the criticism? Let her game do the talking.
She’s already delivered two 40+ point triple-doubles in her career, a feat that eluded even Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in college. Magic himself tweeted that Clark’s college dominance exceeded his own and Larry Bird’s. “None of us ever did what she just did,” he wrote.
And while many are quick to jump on Clark for her confidence, she remains focused on lifting the women’s game.
“Every shot I take, every pass I make—it’s not just for me,” she said in a postgame interview. “It’s for every little girl who’s watching, thinking she can’t do this. I’m here to prove she can.”
The legends have spoken. Caitlin Clark isn’t just one of the best NCAA players ever—she’s one of the most impactful athletes of her generation. And if bullying is the cost of breaking barriers, she’s more than willing to pay it.
