"You can't f*ck with them": Caitlin Clark's rookie 'hate' treatment compared to LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama by Ex-NBA star 

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star - Source: Imagn
Gilbert Arenas compares Caitlin Clark's "rookie hate" to LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama (Image credits: Imagn)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark went to the WNBA and was surrounded by fan support, but she was also met with hate from some of the veteran players in the league. Despite being a rookie, however, Clark held her own.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas claimed Clark is one of the rookies that other players cannot mess with. The former 31st pick talked about the rookie hate that Clark has received on his show, "Gil's Arena," on Wednesday.

"99% of all rookies get the same treatment," Arenas said. "There's a few that's coming through history, you can't f**k with them. When LeBron [James] came, they got the yapping... [Victor] Wemby right now? Off limits."

His co-host, Rashad McCants, agreed with him and shared his take on how Clark has handled herself in her first year in the league.

"When you build from that, you gotta wave that s**t off. She bumped--she could've turned around and be like, 'Yo, what's going on?' But [she went], 'This my house. We just beat y'all a**, oh thank you for the little kiss you just gave me. Take that a** to the f**king jet and think about what I just did to you as a rookie.'"

McCants added that the players who have shown hate to Clark will likely have a difficult time in the WNBA. The former NBA player also predicted that the former Iowa star won't take it easy on the players who have expressed hate to her.

Also read: Caitlin Clark silencing critics like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, says veteran analyst: "Great players, they figure it out"


WNBA legend refuses to give credit to Caitlin Clark

After the Olympic break, the Indiana Fever started to get their rhythm on the court. One of the catalysts of this was Caitlin Clark, who's had back-to-back 20-point games since the season resumed. However, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes is still holding back on giving the rookie her due credit.

During a recent "Queens of the Court" episode, Swoopes spoke highly of Fever players. However, she didn't mention Clark as one of the players who played a significant role in the team's recent success.

"I think the Olympic break really helped Indiana," Swoopes said. "I’m going to shout out to Lexie Hull. I’m a big Lexie Hull fan. Lexie Hull shot the leather off the ball in their game against Seattle. Kelsey Mitchell is just stroking; she is just shooting the basketball. Aliyah Boston, almost a triple-double. … If Indiana continues to play the way they’re playing, like this, they too are going to move up in the standings."

Caitlin Clark has averaged 26 points, five rebounds and 9.5 assists for the Fever. Even though the former All-Star has made 48.6% of her shots from the field, Swoopes wasn't impressed enough to commend her.

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Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann
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