Caitlin Clark is the most polarizing player in women's basketball, however with all the hype surrounding the star, some think she has fallen a bit short of the lofty expectations placed on her.
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The first pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has gotten some words of advice from the 2003 NBA Draft's No. 1 pick, as LeBron James said on his "Mind the Game" Podcast with JJ Reddick, that he feels for Clark.
"I'm rooting for Caitlin," James stated. "Because I've been in that seat before. I've walked that road before. I hope she kills!"
If anyone knows the pressure of having the weight of the basketball world on your shoulders, it's the kid from Akron, who at 17 already was on the front page of Sports Illustrated, being called "The Chosen One." To emphasize, LeBron was supposedly NBA ready before he was even 18, and there were rumors of him declaring for the NBA Draft after his junior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, if they would have let him.
With that being said, as Clark has also found out, with much talent comes much publicity, and with much media attention comes much criticism. By the same token, after LeBron was drafted into the NBA, even his own teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't fully support him.
James said, "I think for my advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone coming in with this level of notoriety, 'out of this world' expectation, be a horse."
Clark has started her career with the Indiana Fever, with an 0-4 record, averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, while shooting 41.2% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc.
To note, LeBron started his career on the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 0-5 record during the 2003-2004 season, and went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year, with averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists.
That being said, Clark has great support from LeBron, who at at 39 years old, in his 21-year career, has won four MVP's, four championships, and now has the most points scored all-time in NBA history (40,474).
"Don't get it twisted! Don't get it f***ed up," LeBron said. "Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is gonna happen for the WNBA."
The 22-year-old will look to not only reach the high expectations, but also possibly surpass them, as "The Chosen One" showed her is possible.
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