Dan Patrick doesn’t protect Caitlin Clark from WNBA’s harshness because she’s not the only victim

Some fans felt Clark wasn’t protected by the league

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin ClarkLAPRESSE

Don’t include Dan Patrick as one of those people who believe the WNBA didn’t do enough to protect Caitlin Clark during her rookie season.

The Indiana Fever star was a revelation for the league during her first campaign, dazzling on the court and helping the league achieve record ratings and attendance.

However, there were a few instances where fans believed other players were overly physical with the former Iowa Hawkeye due to her popularity.

During the recent episode of ESPN’s ‘The Sports Reporters’, Patrick sat alongside Adam Schefter, Tracy Wolfson and Bill Rhoden and discussed Clark’s impact on the WNBA.

That’s when he took a shot at casual fans for being critical of the physicality. He also took a shot at the WNBA, as he believes they weren’t ready for Clark and the increase in popularity she generated.

“It almost felt like the WNBA wasn’t ready for what Caitlin Clark was going to bring with her, and that meant you were going to have people not familiar with the WNBA,” said Patrick.

“I was shocked that fans were shocked, so-called fans, with the physicality of the WNBA. You clearly haven’t watched the WNBA. They are physical, and all of a sudden, it’s Caitlyn Clark’s getting roughed up. Well, there’s a variety of players who get roughed up.”

Patrick doesn’t believe Clark was targeted

While some fans believe Clark was targeted because of her popularity, Patrick doesn’t think that was the case.

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“Watch the games, watch other games,” said Patrick. “It felt like they were zeroing in on our little Caitlin Clark and she’s getting roughed up. Was she? Yes, but that’s the physicality of this.

“She’s a wonderful player. She brought a lot of eyeballs, and because of that, she brought a lot of opinions. It’s almost be careful what you asked for, and I don’t think the WNBA was truly ready for what was going to happen with the casual fan coming in.”