The basketball community was shocked when NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal suddenly spoke out about Caitlin Clark, one of the brightest stars of the WNBA today. Shaq’s comments not only stirred up fans but also sparked heated debates about the talent and future of this female player.
Since entering the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has continuously proven her outstanding ability with impressive performances. When asked about this young star, Shaq did not hesitate to express his deep admiration. He believes that Caitlin is not only one of the best players today but also has the potential to change the landscape of the entire tournament.
Shaq affirmed that Caitlin possesses excellent long-range shooting skills and rare ability to control the game. He even compared her to legendary NBA shooters and believed that she could usher in a new era for women’s basketball. Such a comment from an NBA legend is not only a recognition but also a A great motivation for Caitlin Clark to continue to develop
In addition to the compliments, Shaq also pointed out the challenges that Caitlin will face in the near future. He believes that opposing teams will soon find ways to counter her playing style, especially with more aggressive defensive tactics. Therefore, continuing to hone her skills and adapt to changes is extremely important
Shaq’s support for Caitlin Clark not only shows appreciation but also signals a change in the way women’s basketball is viewed. With the emergence of talents like Caitlin Clark, the WNBA is attracting more and more attention and has the opportunity to develop more strongly in the future.
Shaq on Caitlin Clark Having to Earn Her Respect
Shaquille O’Neal has spoken about the hype surrounding WNBA rookie sensation Caitin Clark and has conceded she is the real deal after watching her play in Chicago in late August.
“When I see stuff on TV I’m like, OK, I’d like to see it in person. Well, I saw it in person,” O’Neal said of Clark, via USA Today. “She can play … from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the right plays, gets everybody involved and she has that Steph Curry (shooting) range.”
Charles Barkley recently called out the NBA media for their ‘petty’ and ‘jealous’ behavior surrounding Clark.
But Shaq sees it differently.
“There’s envious jealousy, there’s professional jealousy,” O’Neal said. “Sure there’s a lot of people who are professionally jealous. I am. I’m professionally jealous of a lot of people. I’m professionally jealous of Steph [Curry], he makes $60 million. But hey, that’s life.
“You gotta also understand that we’re not just going to give it to you because everybody else is giving it to you. You still gotta earn it. Chuck had to go through that, I had to go through that, so I understand what everybody’s doing. Yeah you’re great, but you ain’t that great yet. Calm down. We still got Diana Taurasi, we still got A’ja Wilson, if you’re gonna give (Caitlin) props make sure our girls that are dominating in this league get the same props.”
O’Neal went on to speak about the dominance of Wilson, who is having a baller season for the Aces and looks the favorite to take home her third MVP.“Loudmouths like Chuck are talking about hating — it’s not hating,” O’Neal continued. “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.”