Caitlin Clark’s impact on the game of basketball has found its way into the NBA All-Star Game discussion this weekend.
The NBA reportedly invited Clark to participate in a three-point shooting competition featuring Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and New York Liberty sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu.
Clark declined the invitation, and the event has since fallen through altogether.
“We weren’t able to land on a plan we thought would raise the bar off of last year’s special moment,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement on Thursday. “We all agreed not to proceed.”
Some, including Fox Sports radio host Rob Parker, are blaming Clark for “ruining” this exciting All-Star event.
“Caitlin Clark has ruined NBA All-Star Weekend. They invited her to be involved in the shooting contest with Steph, right? And they were gonna make this nice thing go and give people something to watch. She is television ratings gold, right? Everything she’s in, people are watching. That would have been the only reason to watch any of the festivities this weekend,” Parker said.
Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark (22), Lexie Hull (10) and Erica Wheeler
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
“So they have all these things, all these freaking gimmicks that the NBA has turned into. And she had the gall, the audacity, to say ‘no.’ How can she say no when the WNBA wouldn’t even be around if it wasn’t for the NBA?” he continued. “… Guess how much money the WNBA lost this past year: $50 million. Even with Caitlin Clark and her numbers.
“The least she could have done was done a solid for her brothers in the NBA. They aren’t earning their keep. Let’s just be honest. I’m being honest! The least she could have done was take part in that. And she has ruined NBA All-Star Weekend for me. I’m not watching one minute. Because of Caitlin Clark.”
Fans are rushing to Clark’s defense after this accusation from Parker.
“Yeah, let’s put the blame on the biggest WNBA star there is for ruining an already ruined and down bad event named All Star Weekend,” one wrote.
“Clark did not ruin NBA all star weekend. It was ruined when there was nothing to fight for. There’s zero reason to be competitive. The dunk contest is the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed and the all star game is unbearable to watch,” another said.
“If she went to NBA all star she would be criticized. If she doesn’t go to NBA all star she’s still criticized,” another added.
NBA All-Star Weekend festivities tipoff on Friday.
