ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe went on a rant against Caitlin Clark’s critics on First Take. Specifically, Sharpe attacked the media personalities who wouldn’t give Clark the credit she deserved because they felt that doing so diminished the impact of the WNBA legends who came before her.

Sharpe pointed out that praising Clark and giving her credit could not minimize what those who pioneered the game have done. However, he added that Clark deserves credit for the attention she’s brought to the WNBA.

He cited the increased attendance and viewership since Clark became a pro and heaped praise on her for what she’s done in her rookie season.

“Caitlin Clark is box office,” Sharpe said. “Instead of giving her credit, y’all tried to make it ‘oh y’all poo-pooin the old guard, y’all never talked about the old guard like this.’ Nah! I ain’t gonna let it slide, Caitlin Clark, unanimous Rookie of the Year but what’s even more impressive, she’s first team WNBA.”

Clark finished her rookie season with an average of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. She earned an All-Star nod and was also instrumental in helping her team make the playoffs.

Clark’s contributions landed her fourth in the MVP voting and she was named as the unanimous Associated Press Rookie of the Year.

Caitlin Clark struggles against the Connecticut Sun in playoff debut
The Indiana Fever are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016, which is an accomplishment in itself considering how they started the regular season. This also marks the first-ever postseason series in Caitlin Clark’s career.

However, it seemed like the lights were too bright for Clark and the Fever, at least in the first game of the series.

Clark struggled against the Sun, scoring only 11 points on a 4-for-17 shooting clip (2-for-13 from behind the three-point line) and was a -20 in the +/- in 36 minutes of action.

She specifically struggled when being guarded by Sun star DeWanna Bonner. Bonner, who is 6-foot-4, utilized her size advantage to make things difficult for the Fever rookie. The Sun capitalized on Clark’s struggles and took the 1-0 lead in their series with a 24-point victory (93-69).

Aside from having a tough night from the field, Clark also got hurt in the middle of the game. This happened when she attempted a pass to Aliyah Boston. DiJonai Carrington, who was defending Clark, tried to get in the way of the pass but inadvertently hit Clark in the eye instead.

Clark continued to play but it was clear that she got a black eye from the incident.

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The Fever have struggled to defeat the Sun in the regular season, too. In four games, Caitlin Clark and co. only bagged one win against them.

In fact, two of the Fever’s first five losses to start the 2024 regular season came at the hands of the Sun, including the season opener.