‘Inside the NBA’ star Charles Barkley defends Caitlin Clark from ‘petty women’ amid ‘pretty privilege’ claims over rookie’s meteoric WNBA rise

‘Inside The NBA’ analyst Charles Barkley took the time to call out those who have been critical of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark in recent days.

Barkley responded to a tweet from LeBron James, in which he advised Clark to “put your blinders on” when it comes to reactions or hate from the crowd.

The analyst agreed, taking time before tipping off Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks to clap back at Clark’s critics.

“You women out there, you’re all petty, man,” Barkley began.

“Hey, LeBron, you’re 100% right when you say these girls hate Caitlin Clark. You are all little girls.

Clark is still in her rookie season, but she is already drawing more attention to the WNBA

‘I expect men to be petty because we are the most insecure group in the world.

“You should think about that girl because she gave you all a** private charter. All the money in visibility she brings to the WNBA. Don’t be petty like guys.

‘Listen, what she has achieved, give her her flowers. Stop being petty, all you women out there. She gave you all charters.

“She brings all this money to the table. But you’re all petty, just like guys.

“Lebron, you are 100% right. All of you girls, stop being petted. Caitlin Clark, thank you for bringing all that money and shine to the WNBA.”

Draymond Green, who was on the desk, joked that Clark’s opponents are “going to hate you even more, Chuck.”

Barkley responded, “Listen, they can’t hurt me. They may hate me, but that mailman better be at my house on the 1st and the 15th, probably referring to a biweekly payment schedule.

Clark’s rise to popularity through college has also carried into the professional ranks, with WNBA attention widely credited to her.

But that’s what happened to a number of people who have criticized that increase because of Clark’s skin color and what some call “quite privilege.”

Jemele Hill said in an interview with the LA Times that some of Clark’s success is “problematic.”

Sunny Hostin insisted that Caitlin Clark’s popularity stems from ‘beautiful and white privilege’

On an episode of The View, Sunny Hostin said she believes Clark was much more marketable because she is more relatable — meaning she is white, straight and benefits from “quite a bit of privilege.”

“I really think there is such a thing as proper privilege,” Hostin said. ‘There is such a thing as white privilege. There is such a thing as great privilege, and we need to recognize that.”

“And so some of it is about race, because when you think about the Brittney Grinners of the world, why did she have to go play in Russia? Because they wouldn’t pay her,” she said of the WNBA.

She continued, “Now Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, this sponsorship, we hope, to the league, and other players will benefit from it. But I do think she’s relatable to more people because she’s white, because she’s attractive, and unfortunately there’s still a stigma attached to the LGBTQ+ community.”

Former SportsCenter host and current Atlantic writer Jemele Hill has a similar opinion, telling the LA Times, “We would all be very naive if we didn’t say that race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity.

“While so many people are happy with Caitlin’s success – including the players; this has had such a huge impact on the game – there’s some part of it that’s a bit problematic because of what it says about the value and marketability of the players that are already there.”

Hill continued, “It’s not jealousy. It’s just the fact that black women are often erased from the picture in our society.

“While Caitlin Clark’s success should be widely celebrated, there are several points where we have seen dynamic phenomena and how they could popularize the game. It’s just that, for whatever reason, it could be race, gender, and a host of factors. That same marketing muscle that seems very intentional to make sure Caitlin Clark is a superstar was missing for them.”

Two-time league MVP A’ja Wilson said Clark’s race is ‘a big thing’ for her marketability

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson expressed similar views about Clark in the wake of an announcement about his signature shoe.

‘I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people would say it’s not about black and white, but for me it is,” Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson said when asked about racing in an interview with the Associated Press element in Clark’s popularity and before. she recently signed two major endorsement deals.

“It’s really because as a black woman you can be at the top of what you are, but maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see.

‘They don’t think it’s marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. No matter what we do as black women, we still get swept under the rug. That’s why my blood boils when people say it’s not about race, because it is.’