Sheryl Swoopes’ Caitlin Clark coverage blasted by Nancy Lieberman

WNBA legends Sheryl Swoopes and Nancy Lieberman have covered Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark in a different way to say the least. Swoopes has preferred to not discuss Clark’s incredible talent in the past, something that Lieberman recently called out during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

“I think she (Swoopes) created this firestorm,” Lieberman said. “She can put it out… Your ego is not your amigo. Your ego is not your friend. We have to humble ourselves and do our job… Caitlin may not be her cup of tea. She’s not doing anything to hurt Sheryl Swoopes. She admires Sheryl Swoopes… and the legends that came before her. I would dare say you can’t find a soundbite, this season, of Caitlin Clark saying anything derogatory about anybody.”

Clark sometimes talks trash on the court. Swoopes said that doesn’t bother her and mentioned that NBA legends such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird also talked trash during their playing careers.

However, Lieberman made it clear that there is no reason Clark should be “maligned.”

“For this woman to be maligned, you shouldn’t. You don’t have to buy the No. 22 jersey if you don’t want it. But what you should do is applaud her for helping grow this sport that we busted our a** for for the last 50 years. My Olympic team back in ’76 just got inducted. Some of my teammates thought they were going to die and never get recognized for being the first Olympics women’s team… The pioneers (of the WNBA) should be saying to Angel Reese, A’ja (Wilson), Jackie Young and all these great players thank you… We stand and support you.

“But if you have a legend who is coming at a young player on the rise, it’s not a good look.”

Nancy Lieberman’s Caitlin Clark message

Swoopes is one of the best women’s basketball players of all-time. The same can be said for Lieberman of course. Their approaches to discussing Caitlin Clark are incredibly different to say the least.

Lieberman is thankful that the game is beginning to receive far more attention. The WNBA is trending in an encouraging direction and Clark has unquestionably played a pivotal role in its popularity. There are plenty of talented players in the WNBA. Clark is one of them, as she is likely going to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. However, Clark and Angel Reese are already two of the most popular players in the game and Lieberman is making the point that their popularity should not be criticized.

Clark, though, has learned how to tune out the noise. The Fever star’s primary focus is on leading the team to the WNBA playoffs.

“Caitlin didn’t start this, and I know Caitlin, she won’t finish it,” Lieberman continued. “She will just play ball. That’s who she is.”