NBA commissioner Adam Silver lately commented on the remedy of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who was on the receiving finish of a tough foul from Chicago’s Chennedy Carter throughout a 71-70 win for the Fever. The incident concerned Carter blindsiding Clark with a shoulder test on an inbound play, which was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 by the WNBA.
Silver addressed the scenario with out diving into specifics: “I do not need to make too large a problem on one explicit participant and one explicit name. However after all, I need to see Caitlin handled pretty and appropriately within the league.”
Acknowledging the foul as a “welcome to the league” second, Silver famous that such incidents are widespread for rookies. “As a fan, it is nothing new in basketball that there are ‘welcome to the league’ moments, particularly for heralded rookies… I’ll say it seems to be like she will be able to care for herself. She’s a troublesome player,” he stated.
Silver additionally hinted at bigger societal points at play, together with race, within the dynamics throughout the league. He remarked: “I believe in the end that is actually wholesome for ladies’s basketball and the WNBA. It is producing large further curiosity. In equity to the opposite gamers … this did not simply begin this 12 months. Definitely, we’re seeing an acceleration of it with Caitlin.”
Rivalries and difficult performs good for WNBA’s development
Carter’s foul has drawn criticism for its perceived intent, as she appeared to intentionally goal Clark, who was blindsided and fell to the bottom. Addressing this, Silver reiterated his assist for WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s dealing with of the scenario.
Clark, after the foul, maintained her composure, stating: “I believe at this level I do know I’ll take a few laborious photographs a sport and that is what it’s. I am making an attempt to not let it trouble me and simply keep within the sport and keep in what’s essential as a result of normally it is the second person who will get caught when you retaliate.”
Silver praised the curiosity in Clark and her rivalry with Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, calling it “very wholesome” for ladies’s basketball. He emphasised that rivalries, whether or not between golf equipment or particular person gamers, are in the end good for the game. Reflecting on the WNBA’s progress, he stated: “When you went again and checked out our authentic marketing strategy from 28 years in the past, we did not suppose it could be such an extended timeline to interrupt into the recognition we’re seeing now.”