{"id":72395,"date":"2024-04-08T23:16:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T03:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=72395"},"modified":"2024-04-08T23:16:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T03:16:03","slug":"lebron-james-dawn-staley-speak-out-future-no-1-pick-caitlin-clark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/08\/lebron-james-dawn-staley-speak-out-future-no-1-pick-caitlin-clark\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James, Dawn Staley Speak Out About Future No. 1 Pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday, the South Carolina women\u2019s basketball team defeated Iowa to secure their third national championship in Dawn Staley\u2019s tenure as head coach. In the aftermath, there was a massive outpouring of support. Of course, the Gamecocks deserved it for their victory amid an undefeated (38-0) season. However, their reception also reflected their status as a symbol of women\u2019s empowerment, particularly in the sports world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many basketball fans have taken it upon themselves to make Caitlin Clark a villain. At the collegiate level, Clark has been the face of women\u2019s basketball for the past two seasons.<\/p>\n

LeBron James, Dawn Staley Speak Out About Future No. 1 Pick<\/h2>\n

On the positive side, she\u2019s earned comparisons to Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Averaging 28.4 points per game for her career, she has a penchant for 3-point shooting and high-scoring games. Indeed, her style and production are so magnetic that she\u2019s currently the biggest individual needle-mover<\/a> in women\u2019s basketball. As a result, much of sports coverage is centered on her.<\/p>\n

The negative side of Clark\u2019s popularity is the pushback against her critical acclaim.<\/p>\n

WNBA pros \u2014past and present \u2014have taken offense to the idea that she could be the greatest women\u2019s college basketball player of all-time. They\u2019ve even gone so far as to downplay<\/a> her breaking the NCAA\u2019s all-time scoring record.<\/p>\n

Fans \u2014primarily those of South Carolina and LSU \u2014have taken those discussions to a different level, often tying race into the equation. These gripes have a historical basis and biased media coverage<\/a> is still present today. However, when considering the popularity of players like JuJu Watkins, it\u2019s fair to question if those arguments are always being made in good faith.<\/p>\n

Not only is this a toxic atmosphere, it undermines the very essence of women\u2019s empowerment. Fans, pros, and everyone in between should be celebrating her generational talent. Instead, she\u2019s either being torn down or thrown into divisive conversations.<\/p>\n

For that reason, the words of Staley and LeBron James<\/a> carry more weight than usual.<\/p>\n

Haters and GOATs<\/h3>\n

James took to Twitter to deliver a cut-and-dry message, saying \u201cif you don\u2019t rock with Caitlin Clark game, you\u2019re just a flat out hater!\u201d<\/p>\n

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If you don\u2019t rock with Caitlin Clark game you\u2019re just a FLAT OUT HATER!!!!! Stay far away from them people!! PLEASE<\/p>\n

\u2014 LeBron James (@KingJames) April 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n