Big Blue Huddle

Clark set a new NCAA Division One record for scoring not just for women, but for men and women.  So why are we crediting her skin tone and sexual orientation instead of the amazing accomplishment she earned for her popularity?

The Williams sisters were the darlings of women's tennis not because they were black but because they were so dominant. The same goes for Tiger Woods in golf and Michael Jordon in basketball.  It seems a bit disrespectful not to give an athlete their due for what they accomplished in their sport.

Quote from: MightyGiants on June 17, 2024, 11:58:28 AMClark set a new NCAA Division One record for scoring not just for women, but for men and women.  So why are we crediting her skin tone and sexual orientation instead of the amazing accomplishment she earned for her popularity?

The Williams sisters were the darlings of women's tennis not because they were black but because they were so dominant. The same goes for Tiger Woods in golf and Michael Jordon in basketball.  It seems a bit disrespectful not to give an athlete their due for what they accomplished in their sport.

Well said PSU.

Rich - look at what you wrote.  Clark's accomplishments were in college.

The Williams sisters, Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan's were in the pros.  Much, much different as pro athletes across all sports are much better so to dominate against much better competition is much harder and more noteworthy.  Those athletes are among the greatest athletes of all time across all sports.  Clark is not remotely close to that - just a darn great college player.  Clark has yet to do that.

Also nobody is saying her college accomplishments are due to race.  It's the attention she is getting (not her fault at all) that I am saying is partly driven by race (along with her accomplishments).

There is racial prejudice and preference within many places and people in this country. 

Ive changed my mind....put her on the team, let her play garbage time just to see those wonderful 3 pointers

If fans only flock in droves to stars of their own race, how did Tiger Woods manage to be such an overnight global megastar phenom in a sport that is about 10 million times more white than basketball? Could it maybe just be because he was an unbelievable talent and was incredibly fun to watch?

Race is a huge issue in this country for sure. Both presently and historically. Nobody in their right mind would disagree with that. But sometimes I think we go overboard trying to find a race issue in literally every nook and cranny of every aspect of American society 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maybe Clark is just a great talent and people love watching her play.

I think both race and talent can be, and are, the reasons behind the surge in popularity for a superstar player (Jordan, Woods, Ohtani, Clark) in a sport predominantly played by other races.

I've never been much of a fan of women's basketball. It just seems like it's lacking something. The WNBA has had viewership issues since its inception and will continue to have them because it's not the NBA. The women ballers are indeed great in their own right. But the product on the court is just... different.

It's why the numbers are way lower. It's why the ticket sales are way lower. It's why the salaries are way lower. Caitlin Clark, on whatever team (WNBA or USA Olympic) in whatever market ain't gon' change that.

Putting her on the Olympic team this year is the same as putting Christian Laettner on the OG Dream Team. Yes, I know Laettner didn't break any NCAA scoring records but my point is that he's not getting significant playing time over any of those guys and Clark isn't going to get it over these ladies either. Not this year.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on June 17, 2024, 07:51:29 PMIf fans only flock in droves to stars of their own race, how did Tiger Woods manage to be such an overnight global megastar phenom in a sport that is about 10 million times more white than basketball? Could it maybe just be because he was an unbelievable talent and was incredibly fun to watch?

Race is a huge issue in this country for sure. Both presently and historically. Nobody in their right mind would disagree with that. But sometimes I think we go overboard trying to find a race issue in literally every nook and cranny of every aspect of American society 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maybe Clark is just a great talent and people love watching her play.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that fans only watch players of their own race.  Tiger was a phenom. People love to see an uber-talented young player burst onto the scene regardless of race. You cannot deny the increased viewership among the Black community. And not just viewership, but participation as well. I can tell you from experience, the top three reasons Black folks, by and large, didn't play golf:

1) It's too damn hot!
2) How much???
3) Walk where??? Maaaaan, ain't nobody trynna do all that walking. 

Tiger changed all of that.

Basketball has been dominated by Black players with a sprinkling of non-Blacks here and there making their mark. Clark was one of those in college. She'll probably be one in the pros. She isn't yet. But the spotlight on her is because she's the best college player in history. And she's white, in a sport dominated by Black players.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on June 17, 2024, 07:51:29 PMIf fans only flock in droves to stars of their own race, how did Tiger Woods manage to be such an overnight global megastar phenom in a sport that is about 10 million times more white than basketball? Could it maybe just be because he was an unbelievable talent and was incredibly fun to watch?

Race is a huge issue in this country for sure. Both presently and historically. Nobody in their right mind would disagree with that. But sometimes I think we go overboard trying to find a race issue in literally every nook and cranny of every aspect of American society 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maybe Clark is just a great talent and people love watching her play.

Friend of mine has been a golf pro for over 30 years.  Said he definitely saw an increase in the number of black kids picking up golf after Tiger first won the Masters. 

Anyone who doesnt think race plays a factor in the Caitlin Clark attention is fooling themselves.  The questions is the amount of the attention.  If Clark was black, she is Chamique Holdsclaw.  Great player, known to those who follow women's basketball closely, but the attention she is getting outside of it.  Not drawing eyes to watch just her.

Quote from: coggs on June 18, 2024, 10:50:42 AMFriend of mine has been a golf pro for over 30 years.  Said he definitely saw an increase in the number of black kids picking up golf after Tiger first won the Masters. 

Anyone who doesnt think race plays a factor in the Caitlin Clark attention is fooling themselves.  The questions is the amount of the attention.  If Clark was black, she is Chamique Holdsclaw.  Great player, known to those who follow women's basketball closely, but the attention she is getting outside of it.  Not drawing eyes to watch just her.

When you compare college careers, you claim doesn't hold up

Catlin Clark (leading all-time Division 1 scorer for both women and men)  3951 pts in 139 games 28.42 per game another record

Chamique Holdsclaw (14th among only women) 3025 points in 146 games 20.4 per game


You are comparing a very good college player in Holdsclaw against the best college player of all time in Clark.   

Wow, Chamique Holdsclaw was merely a very good college player? No one would have said that back in the 90s. She was the only player UConn fans feared.

Quote from: MightyGiants on June 18, 2024, 11:56:52 AMWhen you compare college careers, you claim doesn't hold up

Catlin Clark (leading all-time Division 1 scorer for both women and men)  3951 pts in 139 games 28.42 per game another record

Chamique Holdsclaw (14th among only women) 3025 points in 146 games 20.4 per game


You are comparing a very good college player in Holdsclaw against the best college player of all time in Clark.   

Uhm, wrong.  At the time, Holdsclaw was considered one of the best if not the best women's players when she was at Tenn.   Records doesnt necessarily make you the best of all-time.  See: Pete Rose or Nolan Ryan.

Clark is much closer to Holdsclaw (college to college achievements) than she is to Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan (college to pro achievements).  That comp is ridiculous.

Caitlin Clark with a triple double today against the Liberty. No WNBA rookie has ever gotten one before.

This athlete just continues to dazzle. Shame we very likely won't see her in Paris (there's a slim chance she could get in as an alternate due to injury).

Angel Reese 12 consecutive doubles most in WNBA history tying Candace Parker.

Quote from: Philosophers on July 06, 2024, 04:44:48 PMAngel Reese 12 consecutive doubles most in WNBA history tying Candace Parker.

13 now, and counting. She might be the best Offensive rebounder the WNBA has seen. As good as Clark has been since game 10, I don't even want to think where the Sky would be without Reese's second chance points. It has been 15 years or so since anyone averaged over 4.0 ORB per game in the WNBA. Reese is at 4.9. The record is 5.1 (Yolanda Griffith).

The two high profile rookies are living up to the hype.