Caitlin Clark fans revisit Dawn Staley’s controversial referees tweet on its anniversary [Picture Credit: Getty]
In January 2023, Caitlin Clark drained one of the best shots of her college career. A year after, WNBA fans revisited the controversial tweet by USC Gamecocks’ coach Dawn Staley after that game.
Before Caitlin Clark hit a buzzer-beater game-winning shot against Michigan State, Iowa Hawkeyes’ Molly Davis made two of three free throws after a controversial foul call in her favor. Staley posted a tweet questioning the foul call.
“Heckava shot but give the game ball to the ref for the shooting foul call. 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️,” Staley wrote.
Here are several fans’ reactions to the tweet’s anniversary.
“Staley is the OG op and I will never be persuaded otherwise–she is not the good person she pretends to be,” a fan wrote.
“She’s very unlikable and her eventual fall will be enjoyable….” another fan wrote.
One of the fans wrote that there was nothing serious about Staley’s tweet.
“😂😂 it’s not that serious. she just giving her thoughts on games that she watch like she always does,” a fan said.
Several fans wrote that while the call was terrible, Staley had no reason to comment on that while hailing Clark’s shot.
“That was a trash call though. The only thing that made me forgive it as unbiased observer was Caitlin’s shot being filthy,” another fan wrote.
“The call was terrible but I have no idea why she would even touch that,” a fan commented.
One of the fans wrote that given the fact that there was a chance that Staley could be fined for her comments, the tweet was insane.
“Nah it was insane. Especially since publicly criticizing officials is a $25,000 fine and she doing it in a game she not involved in,” another fan uttered.
Caitlin Clark gives her take on the declining NBA rating
There has been a sharp decline in the overall NBA rating in the last few years. Since the 2018-19 season, the season rating of the league has consistently downgraded, sending alarms across the league.
From the lack of physicality and the alleged lack of competition among players to the surplus 3-point shooting in the game, many factors could be pointed out in the diagnosis. For Caitlin Clark, the lack of physicality and the surplus talent in the league might be the reason behind it.
“Honestly, I feel like the average basketball fan doesn’t understand how good NBA players are,” Clark said. “And they think it looks like they’re not trying. I promise you, they’re trying. They’re just, like, so good. That’s why it looks like they’re not trying.”
“The physicality of the league has changed a lot,” Clark added. “I wasn’t around when it was much more physical and maybe people want more beef and physicality, and people think it’s gone soft. But I think that’s also because the skill has just changed.” (1:01:18)
The NBA rating has been a big point of conversation, especially this season. However, not everything might be as gloomy as it might be represented everywhere.
This year’s Christmas games’ viewership increased by 84% compared to 2023. Moreover, the viewership increased despite heavy competition from the NFL, with Beyonce performing at halftime in the Houston Texan vs Baltimore Ravens game.
