Stephen A. Smith raves about Caitlin Clark's impact on Fever after agreeing with Sheryl Swoopes' viral take

Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith showered praise on WNBA young star Caitlin Clark after her great performance against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday. The veteran analyst agreed with the idea that Clark could become the greatest shooter the W has seen in 27 years of history.

"She clearly has a chance. She's hit more 3s than any rookie in WNBA history," Smith said on Thursday's edition of First Take. "I'll remind you, over the last 10 games or so, this game was averaging 22.2 points, 10.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals. The Fever were 15-16 and in the seventh playoffs spot right now. 4-1 since the Olympic break and won six of the last eight dating back to mid-July."

He then referred to Sheryl Swoopes' comments about Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell, agreeing that they have been important for the Fever's season turnaround. But he made it clear that Clark is the difference-maker.

"There are people, as the great Sheryl Swoopes articulated, that are obviously making incredible contributions in helping the Indiana Fever win. Again, it's a collective effort, it's not one individual. But the fact is, this success is not something they would enjoy last year. Caitlin Clark has arrived. And she's something special," he added.

As the days go by, Clark keeps improving her numbers from 17.1 ppg in the first half to 22.6 in the post-All-Star game period. She's averaging 7.6 field goals made, 1.7 more than before the All-Star break.

Her field goal percentage went from 40.5% to 45.2%; her 3-point percentage from 32.7% to 34% and her percentage at the line went from 89.1% to 95.2%.

In the process, the Fever has shown off a much better game and the most recent testament to that was the first win of the season against the Connecticut Sun last night.

Stephen A. Smith called out Sheryl Swoopes for shading Caitlin Clark

Stephen A. Smith wasn't happy that the four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes exclusively praised Boston, Hull and Mitchell and ignored Clark's contributions.

"So no Caitlin Clark?" Smith said after reading Swoopes' comments. "Sheryl Swoopes... no Caitlin Clark? Respectfully, Sheryl Swoopes, do you have any idea how that makes you look? Do you have any idea how that serves to stain any kind of critique of Caitlin Clark because that gives fodder to those who believe she's being hated on and ostracized to some degree?

"Do you realize that, Sheryl Swoopes, you're insane to do that?" Smith continued.

While Swoopes keeps stirring controversy, including an awkward silence after the guard broke the 3-point made record for a WNBA rookie, Clark is reaching new heights.