Sheryl Swoopes on Clark

[bbsamjj]

Doing a brief review of the WNBA Rookie of the Years (WNBA Rookie of the Year Award - Wikipedia) I'd actually say the number of people who were immediate all league players in their rookie seasons is very small:

• Catchings (she technically missed her first year out of college for injury, but this was still her first year in league)
• Diana
• Seimone [Cappie didn't win ROY but was REAL good her first season]
• Parker
• EDD
• B. Stewart

Lots of other really good players, but coming in and immediately dominating is rare.

 

[The deacon]

Doing a brief review of the WNBA Rookie of the Years (WNBA Rookie of the Year Award - Wikipedia) I'd actually say the number of people who were immediate all league players in their rookie seasons is very small:

• Catchings (she technically missed her first year out of college for injury, but this was still her first year in league)
• Diana
• Seimone [Cappie didn't win ROY but was REAL good her first season]
• Parker
• EDD
• B. Stewart

Lots of other really good players, but coming in and immediately dominating is rare.

Maya Moore was an all-star and helped the Lynx win the title in her rookie season of 2011. Thats's pretty close to being a really good player, at least to me.

 

[bbsamjj]

No doubt Maya was excellent her rookie season, but her stats actually pale in comparison to what she eventually became: 13.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.6apg. [And I'd argue Augustus and Whalen had better seasons].

A'ja Wilson is similar on that front.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

A take is one way to look at it. Some valid points, but I always cringe when I read comments stating that she's the best ever in women's college basketball. UConn fans would argue Stewart

Stewart and Clark are the two best of all time....No Caitlin has not won 4 championships BUT she has won the Dawn Staley award 3 years running and will win the fourth.

Can you imagine if Caitlin had played on the same team as Stewart? OH my goodness!!!

 

[The deacon]

Stewart and Clark are the two best of all time....No Caitlin has not won 4 championships BUT she has won the Dawn Staley award 3 years running and will win the fourth.

Can you imagine if Caitlin had played on the same team as Stewart? OH my goodness!!!

That could happen this summer in Paris, although more likely it'd need to wait 'til the WNBA all-star game in a year or two... whenever, it would be fun to see. In the meantime, Stewie has some pretty good teammates to rely on.

 

[TN-Gamecock]

I would also love to see Steward matchup with Cameron Brink from Stanford. That would be awesome to see those two battle. Does anyone else think Brink will be the 2nd player in the draft? I'm betting 2nd.

 

[TheFarmFan]

I would also love to see Steward matchup with Cameron Brink from Stanford. That would be awesome to see those two battle. Does anyone else think Brink will be the 2nd player in the draft? I'm betting 2nd.

I'm obviously a Brink homer, but even I can't argue Stewie and Brink should be in the same conversation right now. Stewie was a three-time collegiate POY and four time NCAA MOP. Brink hasn't even cracked first-team AA prior to this year (fingers crossed). And really, this isn't taking anything away from Brink: Stewie is and basically will always be the collegiate GOAT, and she's only gotten better in 8 years in the W. But as Brink develops into a pro player, I do think she'll grow into being an outstanding matchup with some of the more mobile, agile bigs in the league.

Also, I realize I'm part of the problem and not the solution, but wow, talk about thread drift...

 

[cancontent]

THIS.
Swoopes was a legend as a player and had incredible accomplishments, but that does not excuse what happened at Loyola (nor does it justify ESPN and other outlets giving her such a big platform).

After three seasons as Loyola's WBB head coach, the university began investigating Swoopes for alleged mistreatment, after it was reported that TEN of the team's players either transferred or wanted to be released from their scholarships.

One of my good friends from high school has a daughter who played for Swoopes at Loyola. Her response to me regarding the recent kerfuffle surrounding Swoopes was the following:
"I think she is going to be exposed soon. My daughter and many of her teammates and staff suffered and still have trauma because of that woman."

This is a valid point, however what's frustrating/confusing to me is how the standard of tolerance varies depending on who and the situation. For example, there are coaches in WBB/MBB who continue to be rehired and/or tolerated for the same or even worse behaviour. Or the fact former NBA players can make horrible takes and get a pass.

Swoopes has never been hired again, which is good to see, but it doesn't take away the fact she does know something about playing the game. Take away the inaccuracies, she made some valid points about Clark's transition to the WNBA. No different than Ionescu or Plum, where many thought they'd hit the ground running, when in reality it took time for the to get acclimated.

 

[oldude]

We are all fans. So a good-natured discussion of G.O.A.T. status is perfectly fine. I think Clark is great. But Paige is my first pick if I’m choosing up teams.

Where it starts to go off the rails is when so-called “pundits” start taking cheap shots, as Swoopes did, with the intent of tearing down someone’s accomplishments.

I have previously stated that I don’t think Clark’s scoring record, whatever it ends up being, should be compared to Pete Maravich’s record, because MBB & WBB are different games and it demeans both to compare records between the two.

Both Clark & Maravich are/were great basketball players. If I want to demean Clark I could point out that Pistol Pete’s records were set in only 3 seasons without the benefit of the 3-pt shot. If I want to demean Maravich I could point out that he averaged twice as many shots per game as Clark, while shooting a lower percentage from both the field and FT line.

As I said, both Clark and Maravich are/were great players who should both be praised for their incredible achievements. So too are Plum, DT, Stewie, Paige , Wilson and so many incredibly talented athletes who’ve entertained us with their spectacular play and incredible accomplishments.

 

[LETTERL]

So too are Plum, DT, Stewie, Paige , Wilson and so many incredibly talented athletes who’ve entertained us with their spectacular play and incredible accomplishments.

What I find refreshing is that Plum is actually excited for Clark to break her scoring record.

 

[cancontent]

What I find refreshing is that Plum is actually excited for Clark to break her scoring record.

Maybe a tad too excited based on her tweets? .