A recent WNBA incident where Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter checked Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark so hard that she hit the ground has sparked a conversation about rough play in women’s basketball. While some have criticized the aggression shown on the court, others, such as The View’s Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg, have defended it.
It is not uncommon to see physicality in sports, and basketball is no exception. In fact, many fans appreciate a good, competitive game with physicality. The WNBA is no different, these women are fierce athletes and play to win. The recent incident between Carter and Clark may have been ruled a “flagrant foul,” but it is important to understand the context in which this play occurred.
Chennedy Carter clearly yelled “You bitch” at Caitlin Clark before throwing a flagrant foul. Dear gosh these #WNBA veterans remain bitter at the reason why they will all get paid more and get private planes this season. pic.twitter.com/Z4SHt6cYn6
— Caitlin Oishi (@caitlinerin) June 1, 2024
Goldberg pointed out on The View that this level of physicality is not exclusive to women’s basketball. She said it is simply part of the game and a result of players’ intense drive to win. To categorize it as a “confrontation” or an act of “confrontation” because it involves women is not only unfair but also takes away from the athleticism and skill these women possess.
“Let’s be realistic, OK? This is basketball, OK? This happens in basketball all the time. Angel Reese got clotheslined the other day,” Goldberg said as she downplayed the incident.
“This is, ‘Get out the way, or I’ma move you.’ That’s what the game is … A lot of people, however, are reading this as confrontation. But this is not confrontation. They’re not playing on the court. They’re there to win. And just because they’re women, get over yourselves, they’re athletes,” she added.
Also for someone who has had the off field issues Shannon has had…you’d think he’d show more empathy for young players who may not want to deal with the media. Caitlin Clark herself has shoved players in a dirty way. It happens, we just give grace to some athletes and not others pic.twitter.com/M6xrE1CqQv
— Cloud (@maestroxv_) June 3, 2024
Hostin believes that this type of play will only make the league and its players better. Just like any other sport, players must adapt to the physicality of the game to succeed.
“It’s not dainty play. When you’re sitting there [and] you’re watching, sometimes when that happens, you think, ‘Ooh, wow. I couldn’t take it,’” she said. “It’s gonna make them better. It’s gonna make Caitlin better. It’s gonna make Angel better. It’s gonna make the league better.”
However, others called this move unprofessional and unnecessary, with many bringing into play the women’s race. Hostin pointed out that Clark has received attention primarily because she is a “white” and “pretty” player. Clark is a record-breaking athlete, and her abilities on the court should be the focus, not her appearance as the actions of Carter should be viewed in a professional light and not because of her race.
As Indiana Fever GM Lin Dunn said, “There’s a difference between tough defense and unnecessary— targeting actions! It needs to stop! The league needs to ‘clean up’ the crap! That’s NOT who this league is!!”
“Let’s be realistic.”
After whining about new attention being given to the WNBC because Caitlin Clark was “white” and “pretty,” The View’s Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg now defend the on-court, physical attacks she’s been receiving. pic.twitter.com/IevkKTpD3D— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) June 3, 2024
The recent incident in the WNBA has sparked a conversation about rough play in women’s basketball. While some have criticized it, others, including Hostin and Goldberg, have defended it as an integral part of the game.
