Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is introduced Saturday, May 24, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls Legend Blasts Controversial Caitlin Clark Narrative

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 24, 2025 3:35 PM ET

The WNBA has seen rapid growth over the last two years, but a large part of that has to be attributed to the success and popularity of Caitlin Clark. While names like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and even JuJu Watkins in the future have grown the sport, Clark's deep-range shooting abilities have transformed the league.

However, being a player as good as Clark doesn't come easily, especially with how her peers in the WNBA react to her. With her being the biggest name in the sport, it leads to opposing players playing extra hard when going against her. Clark recently got into an altercation with Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard, causing Outkick founder Clay Travis to share a statement.

The best Caitlin Clark analogy I can think of — new player who looks different than majority of the league & brings huge new ratings, attention & revenue — is two fold: Tiger to PGA & Venus/Serena to women’s tennis. Were any of them attacked like Clark? pic.twitter.com/fBJph53pjQ
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) May 23, 2025

In his post, Travis compared Clark's perception to the league like Tiger Woods with the PGA or Venus and Serena Williams to women's tennis. A controversial statement to many, Chicago Bulls legend Ron Harper chimed in to share his thoughts on the take.

"They will always test Caitlin Clark not because she’s white it’s because she’s one of the best players in the WNBA stop thinking that this is about color…," Harper posted to his X account.

They will always test Caitlin Clark not because she’s white it’s because she’s one of the best players in the WNBA stop thinking that this is about color…
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) May 24, 2025

Clark's perception by other players in the WNBA will be constantly debated, but according to Harper, the hate is derived from how good she is and players wanting to test her.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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