Charles Barkley didn’t mince phrases whereas speaking about Indiana Fever stars Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and the WNBA.
“Those girls do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham,” Barkley mentioned, referring to the opposite players within the WNBA and their emotions towards two of the league’s hottest players. But Barkley didn’t assume it was all about race.
“Without regard for race, they just don’t like them,” Barkley added.
Charles Barkley says WNBA players dislike Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, blaming a mixture of jealousy, race, and sexuality for the hostility. (Getty Images)
Barkley made these feedback on “The Michael Smerconish Program” whereas the 2 mentioned what Barkley referred to as the WNBA’s “awful year.” One of the incidents the pair talked about was DiJonai Carrington’s Flagrant 2 foul on Cunningham in the course of the Aug. 8 sport between the Fever and Chicago Sky.
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Carrington delivered a vicious blow to Cunningham’s head because the Fever guard tried a fast-break layup. Cunningham was left with a bloody mouth following the contact. Referees reviewed the play, upgraded the decision from a Flagrant 1 to a Flagrant 2 and ejected Carrington.
Shortly after her ejection, Carrington posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on social media and tagged the Fever. She later mentioned she by no means claimed the Flagrant 2 itself was the results of white privilege, although she did not clarify what prompted the submit.
Cunningham referred to as the foul “unnecessary,” mentioned she had “no beef” with Carrington, then referred to as it intentional and accused Carrington of looking for consideration.
Barkley says Carrington’s submit turned the foul right into a racial debate
Smerconish mentioned he went in search of knowledge on whether or not hard fouls between Black and White WNBA players happen extra usually than they need to. He mentioned he discovered a peer-reviewed examine suggesting they occur on the price one would count on, which led him to argue that the media is what turns these incidents into racial controversies.
Barkley didn’t purchase it.
“No, no, you’re wrong, though,” Barkley mentioned. “The reason they made it black and white [was] when that girl tweeted ‘white privilege.’ That was stupid on her part.”
Barkley referred to as it “a dirty play. Period.” He mentioned Carrington’s submit turned it right into a racial argument.
“When you turn stuff to the internet, all the race hustlers start coming out. We have a ton of race hustlers out there, White and Black. Let me repeat that. White and Black,” Barkley mentioned.
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected after delivering a vicious shot to the pinnacle of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. (IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect)
Smerconish then introduced up Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, whose rivalry got here with apparent racial undertones however helped flip the NBA into an enormous nationwide product. Barkley agreed these undertones existed. He mentioned the distinction was that Bird and Johnson revered one another.
“There was always respect,” Barkley mentioned, earlier than repeating himself for emphasis. “There was always respect.”
Barkley says WNBA resentment towards Clark and Cunningham goes past race
Barkley did not accuse Carrington, or some other WNBA participant, of racism. He did, nevertheless, supply his personal concept for the hostility towards Clark and Cunningham.
“I’m not gonna get on here and call somebody a racist because I don’t have any proof,” Barkley mentioned. “Whether it’s race, sexuality, or whatever, there’s something going on there.”
He mentioned Clark and Cunningham are merely good players, however he believes the resentment towards them comes from a mixture of elements.
“She’s just a really good basketball player. Same thing with Sophie. She’s a good player,” Barkley mentioned. “I think it has something to do with sexuality, race, and jealousy. I think it’s all three of them. I don’t know how you break up the percentages.”
Charles Barkley says that players within the WNBA “do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham.” (Kamil Krzaczynski)
Barkley mentioned the WNBA’s bad publicity bothers him as a result of he believes the league has quite a bit going for it. The WNBA is increasing, players are making extra money beneath a brand new CBA, and the league has younger stars who needs to be driving the dialog.
Instead, Barkley mentioned, the WNBA retains discovering itself wrapped up in onerous fouls, social-media posts and arguments which have little to do with basketball.
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Smerconish recommended the WNBA may benefit from the eye, invoking the outdated perception that there isn’t any such factor as unhealthy publicity. Barkley didn’t agree.
“I don’t think it works like that anymore, Michael,” Barkley mentioned. “When’s the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can’t even remember.”