ESPN's Basketball analysts Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck focused on Caitlin Clark and the playoff-bound Indiana Fever in their latest segment. The duo, who were earlier slammed by Shannon Sharpe for their lack of acknowledgment towards the Fever rookie's meteoric rise in the WNBA now believed that Indiana and their young guard was a legitimate threat in the playoffs.
Peck believed that among the teams placed between seeds five and eight, the Fever should be the one to watch out for and were a more dangerous unit. Both McNutt and Peck admitted that the Fever was not to be taken lightly. McNutt, in particular, minced no words.
"Going to be a problem."
Caitlin Clark and the Fever are currently seeded sixth with a 19-17 record. They are two wins below the Seattle Storm and two wins over the Phoenix Mercury. Much of their success came in the second half of the season winning eight of their ten games and going on a sharp rise in the standings. Clark's efforts also ensured that the Fever made the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
The rookie has been enjoying a stellar season averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a league-high 8.5 assists. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star has been shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.7% from the deep. Following her is Kelsey Mitchell (19.1 points) and Aliyah Boston with 14.3 points per contest.
Shannon Sharpe lambasts Monica McNutt, Carolyn Peck for their Caitlin Clark WNBA ROY snub
Shannon Sharpe has been vocal about his support for Caitlin Clark, and the former NFL superstar called out ESPN's duo Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck for their cold takes on the Fever rookie. Speaking on his 'Nightcap' podcast, he blasted the analysts.
"There's a lot of women that was on ESPN that had a lot to say earlier about it," They've gone quiet now... Y'all quiet now. Now I want somebody to send that to you because you know who I'm talking about. I ain't gonna call your name, but you know who you are. Y'all had a lot to say early. If you think I'm talking to you, I am. Make no mistake about it, I'm talking to you. You know who you are. One of you was a former coach."
Sharpe's words appeared to be directed at Peck who served as a basketball coach for the WNBA's Orlando Miracle. The analyst had picked Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark for the Rookie of the Year honor, as did McNutt.
Now, with the two acknowledging that Clark would be a problem in the playoffs, there appears to be a change in mindset about their take on the Fever's young star.