Getty Image / Emilee Chinn / Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Time
LeBron James made it clear that he is a Caitlin Clark fan and is rooting for her to achieve great things in the WNBA. He sees what she’s going through with the weight of the sport placed firmly upon her shoulders like holding the globe. LeBron’s been there as heir-apparent to Michael Jordan when he entered the league the same year Jordan retired.
In a sit down discussion with J.J. Reddick, LeBron James didn’t dodge the discussion about Caitlin Clark for fear of angering WNBA veterans. Instead, he was crystal clear about how Caitlin Clark will be directly responsible for incredible things happening in the WNBA over the years to come.
The Caitlin Clark talk came 44 minutes into the latest episode of Mind the Game when charter flights / flying commercial got brought up. LeBron James didn’t hold back. James said “don’t get it twisted, don’t get it f—– up. Caitlin Clark is the reason a lot of great things are going to happen to the WNBA.” He had some interesting quotes immediately after as well:
Here’s what @KingJames has to say about @CaitlinClark22 and the hate that she has received during her time in the WNBA.
Watch the full episode with @jj_redick: https://t.co/5hyyY2bIhe pic.twitter.com/db4Jvj7OFD
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) May 22, 2024
As for the league veterans like Diana Taurasi who have been outspoken about Caitlin Clark’s role in the WNBA, LeBron thinks Clark shouldn’t involve herself in the war of words going on around her. LeBron said “I don’t think she should get involved in nothing that’s being said. Just go have fun and enjoy (the season).”
LeBron then put the Indiana Fever’s results into perspective. He astutely pointed out that this is the second year in a row Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever had the #1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Saying “you know what that means? That means they’re not that good.” Clark obviously needs some pieces around her and the Fever will get those as right now they have the biggest star the WNBA has ever seen.
LeBron James Makes It Crystal Clear He’s A Caitlin Clark Fan
After that, LeBron said “I hope (Caitlin Clark) kills. I hope Aliyah Boston does amazing. I hope they do great. I’m just kind of in this mode right now because I’m getting the same thing from watching my son who is a 19-year-old getting a lot of animosity and hatred toward him when he’s just a kid trying to live out his dream and there’s a very small number of men and women that actually get to live out their dream of playing professional sports.”
Evidently, LeBron James is listening to the discourse about how Bronny James “is not an NBA prospect” but is receiving a lot of attention as one.
The full video can be seen here on YouTube. It’s set to start at the 44-minute mark where they discuss Caitlin Clark: