Shaq on Caitlin Clark Having to Earn Her Respect

Shaquille O’Neal has spoken in regards to the hype surrounding WNBA rookie sensation Caitin Clark and has conceded she is the actual deal after watching her play in Chicago in late August.

“Once I see stuff on TV I’m like, OK, I’d wish to see it in individual. Nicely, I noticed it in individual,” O’Neal stated of Clark, by way of USA Today. “She will be able to play … from a basketball standpoint, she makes all the correct performs, will get all people concerned and she or he has that Steph Curry (taking pictures) vary.”

Charles Barkley recently called out the NBA media for their ‘petty’ and ‘jealous’ behavior surrounding Clark.

However Shaq sees it in another way.

“There’s envious jealousy, there’s skilled jealousy,” O’Neal stated. “Positive there’s lots of people who’re professionally jealous. I’m. I’m professionally jealous of lots of people. I’m professionally jealous of Steph [Curry], he makes $60 million. However hey, that’s life.

“You gotta additionally perceive that we’re not simply going to present it to you as a result of all people else is giving it to you. You continue to gotta earn it. Chuck needed to undergo that, I needed to undergo that, so I perceive what all people’s doing. Yeah you’re nice, however you ain’t that nice but. Settle down. We nonetheless received Diana Taurasi, we nonetheless received A’ja Wilson, in the event you’re gonna give (Caitlin) props be sure that our women which might be dominating on this league get the identical props.”

O’Neal went on to talk about the dominance of Wilson, who’s having a baller season for the Aces and appears the favourite to take residence her third MVP.

“Loudmouths like Chuck are speaking about hating — it’s not hating,” O’Neal continued. “It’s like, you’re good however let’s sluggish it down a notch. Nearly as good as Caitlin Clark is, we’ve had loads of younger girls who’ve been doing good (earlier than) and never getting props. Individuals like props they usually need to really feel good while you’re speaking about (their league) … it’s not hating. Everyone has to attend their flip.”