Sophie Cunningham is joining the Indiana Fever and is expected to play a major role

She was traded from a different team where she was a huge part of there success

She played at the university of Missouri where she was a impact player for them

What y’all think about this situation?

Sophie Cunningham’s former teammate, Natasha Cloud, recently addressed criticisms surrounding the treatment of Caitlin Clark in basketball. Cloud emphasized that the physical play against Clark is simply part of the competitive nature of the game and is not an indication of targeted aggression or racial bias, as some have suggested. She dismissed these claims as exaggerated and stressed that such intensity is common for top players, particularly rookies striving to prove themselves.

Cloud pointed out that physicality is a standard aspect of competing against top-tier athletes, and it should not be viewed as personal. According to Cloud, every player, whether a rookie or a veteran, faces a certain level of aggression and physical play on the court. The focus, she argued, should be on the game itself, not on creating sensationalist narratives that misrepresent the reality of competitive sports.

She also rejected the notion of a “race war” in sports media, which some have linked to Clark’s experiences. Cloud argued that such claims are nothing more than harmful clickbait, which distracts from the actual challenges of the game and the sport’s inherent competitiveness.

Caitlin Clark, like many top rookies, has faced increased physicality from opponents, a challenge often seen when emerging players establish their presence in the league. This heightened level of competition is fueled by personal rivalries and the desire to prove oneself, as seen in matchups with players like Kennedy Carter and Skylar Diggins, who have been particularly aggressive toward Clark.

This kind of treatment is not new to elite athletes, and comparisons have been drawn to Michael Jordan’s experience with the “Jordan rules,” which saw the basketball legend subjected to tougher opposition as he solidified his place in the league. As Clark gains recognition as one of the best players in the game, opponents tend to approach her with a more personal intensity, reflecting the competitive nature of professional sports.