I focus on football, I’m an expert on football. But as a sports fan, I have opinions on many different sports. In this edition of Mike On Sports, I talk about why someone should step up and become a mentor to Caitlin Clark.
This is kind of sad…
But it makes me think, someone has a chance to become infamous for becoming the mentor to Clark.
When I used the term infamous people tried to correct me. After all, it means “having a reputation of the worst kind” and is associated with “disgraceful”. And while the act of mentoring the biggest superstar in WNBA and women’s basketball history isn’t a bad thing or “disgraceful” at all, it will be deemed as such for the haters. And the person who does it will be loved by some and made a villain by others.
It’s clear that most of the players don’t like Clark. It’s clear her own teammates don’t have her back. The woman who brought chartered planes and worldwide attention to a league that loses money hand over fist is on an island. From hard fouls to being mocked to mass jealousy, Clark is dealing with it all. And she’s also the focus of a social and cultural battle even though she says and does all the right things. She can’t win.
A mentor could help. An experienced veteran from another team or someone on her own team who is older and wiser could step up and have her back, could take her under his wing. And this woman would be instantly famous as well. And likely hated more than loved. But in this attention seeking world, isn’t that what it’s all about?
When Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were NBA rookies, they weren’t universally hated. Magic had some issues as he befriended his owner and got a coach fired, but he was still supported by his team led by veterans like Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. Bird had savvy veterans like KC Jones helping him along. Even Michael Jordan and LeBron James had older players helping them along in a much more selfish NBA. Clark has no one.
I know what the haters will say Clark is full of herself. Mentors only want to help those who aren’t entitled. Her fans are annoying and this cult following makes everyone dislike her. And of course there is no way a player on another team is going to step in and help.
I get all of those counterpoints and many could be true. But this isn’t about what SHOULD happen. It’s about an opportunity for someone to ride along this wave of fame and become famous, or infamous, at a very crucial time in the WNBA. While everyone in the league hates on her, having someone come to her defense and help her along would be a marvelous strategy. This isn’t professional wrestling and things aren’t scripted, but we have a pretty interesting situation here in women’s basketball that could become more interesting if someone stepped up.
Angel Reese has become the villain in the minds of many. And she’s also become the hero in the minds of others. Clark play both roles as well. Adding a third into the mix, someone who defends Clark and brings her along in the national media would be epic. It’s a golden opportunity for one WNBA player. Who’s it gonna be?
Most Popular
Comments / 0