Stephen A Smith, co-host of ESPN’s “First Take,” suggested that a racial factor may be contributing to the disparate reactions to Angel Reese’s taunt against Caitlin Clark during the national championship game. Reese’s LSU squad defeated Clark’s Iowa team in the game, and Reese delivered a John Cena “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture towards Clark. Smith acknowledged that he is a fan of Clark and believes she has the potential to become the greatest women’s basketball player of all time, but he could not overlook her role in instigating the taunting.
Smith argued that Clark was waving her hand and acting disrespectfully towards her opponents during the tournament, citing her behavior towards Raven Johnson in the semifinals against South Carolina. Smith believes that the inconsistent reactions to Reese’s taunt compared to Clark’s behavior may be due to a racial component in the commentary.
The media person believes that there is a white/black issue at play, with some people celebrating Clark’s actions while criticizing Reese’s. He argued that Reese’s actions were justified, as she was responding to Clark’s earlier disrespect towards her opponents. Smith criticized those who have criticized Reese but not Clark, suggesting that their critiques were being applied inconsistently.
Reese also referenced the incident with South Carolina in her postgame interview, stating that she was not going to allow disrespect towards her team and Alexis Morris. Smith suggested that the fact that Clark’s behavior had not been brought up more frequently indicated a larger societal issue.
Stephen A. Smith on Caitlin Clark: The Steph Curry of Women’s College Basketball
Caitlin Clark is making waves in the world of women’s college basketball with her impressive range and 3-point ability, much like NBA superstar Steph Curry. Clark has been a standout player for the past three seasons, earning multiple accolades, including being a three-time AP All-American, two-time Big 12 Player of the Year, and The Athletic’s National Player of the Year.
Stephen A Smith, a well-known sports analyst, recently gave Clark high praise on ESPN’s “First Take,” comparing her to Curry: “She’s the Steph Curry of women’s college basketball. She has unlimited range, she’s got a handle, she can get to the basket, she’s aggressive with it – she averaged 27 a game this season – she’s just a sniper. She is lethal, and I love watching her.”
Clark’s impressive performances have drawn national attention, and her ability to pull up from anywhere on the court has made her a top attraction in college basketball. With her talent and skill, Clark is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the court and has cemented herself as one of the best players in the game.
