Brastool Sports founder and president Dave Portnoy took a dig at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after Caitlin Clark’s career night on Friday against the Seattle Storm. Clark made history by scoring 45 points and tallying 10 assists, becoming the first WNBA player to record such a double-double. She also broke the Indiana Fever’s franchise record for most points in a game.
Portnoy was ecstatic after Clark’s extraordinary effort. He believed the Fever superstar’s massive night was a “Game of the Year” contender. Portnoy didn’t hesitate to tag Abdul-Jabbar and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on X, while calling Clark the “queen” of the league.
‘CAITLIN THE GREAT WITH 45!!!!!!10 dimes! 6 of 10 from 3!” Portnoy wrote on X. “THE GAME OF THE YEAR! SHE IS BOX OFFICE! SHE IS THE LEAGUE! SHE IS THE MOMENT! THEY HATE HER CAUSE THEY AIN’T HER! BOW DOWN TO HER @kaj33 BOW DOWN TO HER @CathyEngelbert SHE IS THE QUEEN OF THE @wnba IF YOU DISAGREE YOU HAVE NO BRAINS!”
CAITLIN THE GREAT WITH 45!!!!!!10 dimes! 6 of 10 from 3! THE GAME OF THE YEAR! SHE IS BOX OFFICE! SHE IS THE LEAGUE! SHE IS THE MOMENT! THEY HATE HER CAUSE THEY AIN’T HER! BOW DOWN TO HER @kaj33 BOW DOWN TO HER @CathyEngelbert SHE IS THE QUEEN OF THE @wnba IF YOU…
Dave Portnoy seemingly took a shot at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for pushing back on narratives that Caitlin Clark is the face of the WNBA. The NBA legend wrote in his Substack that it was disrespectful to put Clark on that pedestal, noting the players who paved the way for her and the newer generation of women’s basketball players.
“Don’t get me wrong: Clark is a very good, possibly even a great, player,” he wrote. “But calling any one player the face of the league, absent the sort of on-court and cross-platform dominance of a Michael Jordan or a LeBron James, is an insult to an awful lot of great players.”
Portnoy had called out Abdul-Jabbar’s remark then as well. He said the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s comment “made zero sense” and was “steeped in jealousy and stupidity.”
Dave Portnoy was fuming after Caitlin Clark complained about a leg contusion vs. the Valkyries
Dave Portnoy is a staunch Caitlin Clark fan. The Barstool Sports founder and president has advocated in favor of the Indiana Fever star for the past three years. Before his shout out on Friday, Portnoy came to her defense on Wednesday after Clark complained of being kneed by Kiah Stokes and the referees missing that call.
As the majority of the WNBA fans and media turned on Clark for lashing out at referee Gerda Gatling, Portnoy called out the officiating after the Fever star defended her outburst.
“Are we just gonna keep letting players ASSAULT Caitlin?” Portnoy wrote on X. “I mean, when is enough enough? This is borderline manslaughter in some states! Cathy will not be happy till she’s crippled and outta the league! Have fun flying commercial again”
At first glance, many felt Caitlin Clark had flopped and complained for no good reason. However, after the Fever superstar said she was kneed, video replays showed Clark had a case. After playing only 13 games last year due to multiple injuries and dealing with a lingering back issue this season, Clark has been cautious with her approach.
She’s addressed the mental hurdle of dealing with injuries after going through it for the first time in her college and pro career, so it’s no surprise that she was outraged at the missed call in Wednesday’s game.
Read more:
- “I Know What I’m Capable Of”: Caitlin Clark Delivers Defiant Statement After Career-High 45 Points
- Caitlin Clark’s Highest Scoring Game Sees Her Create One of One WNBA and Fever History
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