Shaquille O'Neal Says Caitlin Clark Needs To 'Toughen Up'

A Different Situation?

Plenty of fans agreed with Shaq's assessment that the Indiana Fever star needs to toughen up a bit. But others argued that Clark isn't dealing with the usual kind of physicality and that she's taking way more punishment than someone should have to - even as a rite of passage.

"Shaq is correct on this. CC flops whenever there is any contact and even often when there is NO contact. She needs to toughen up and get stronger and play through contact. Instead she's always making herself the victim," one user argued.

"There's a difference between playing physical basketball and playing prison ball. Caitlin Clark has faced prison ball throughout her WNBA career. She has absorbed more physical punishment than anyone else on her team. During her rookie season alone, 17% of all flagrant fouls in the WNBA were committed against Clark. Since entering the league, she has suffered a broken eardrum, a bone bruise, injuries to both groins, been punched in the head and back, poked in the eye twice, kicked, and knocked to the floor multiple times. So when is enough enough? At what point is her 'welcome to the league' initiation finally over?" another argued.

"How many years is this 'Ritual' and when will Miles get it. This is a crap take," a third declared.

"This used to be the standard."

"Detroit bullied MJ, then he hit the gym… the rest is history."

"Nothing wrong with what he said."

To her credit, Clark has remained excellent in spite of the fouls she's been taking. She's averaging a career-high 21.5 points per game along with 8.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per night. Her accuracy is at a career-high mark of 44.1-percent and 54.2-percent inside the paint.

Right now the Indiana Fever are 19-12 overall and tied for the fourth most wins in the league.

If this is how good Clark can play while getting the hell beaten out of her, she's on the right track.