Is LeBron James the best ever? Caitlin Clark gives her take amid uproar over her ‘white privilege’ comments

Caitlin Clark’s recent comment about “white privilege” isn’t the only controversial topic Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year has tackled since winning the annual award.

When asked about the public support she has received from LeBron James, Clark told Time that she considers the Los Angeles Lakers star to be the best baller of all time.

“He’s the best basketball player of all time, so I think that’s pretty cool,” Clark said.

James has been vocal in his support of Clark, stating on social media that her critics are simply “haters.”

His status among the greatest NBA players of all time remains one of the more controversial issues in American sports. Yes, James has scored more points than any player in NBA history, but the four-time MVP has received the league’s top award fewer times than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five) and Bill Russell (five).

Moreover, James’ four NBA titles are also fewer than those of Abdul-Jabbar (five), Jordan (six) and of course the 11-time champion Russell.

James has been outspoken in his support of Clark, stating that her critics are simply haters

While many in the James camp point to his versatility, durability and ability, Clark has made no such arguments. Instead, the Indiana Fever phenom casually mentioned that opinion when asked about positive statements James has made about her, dating back to her days at Iowa.

“LeBron never messaged me directly, but it was cool to see his support for myself and the [WNBA] In general,” she told Time. “You can tell he’s really looking at it and turning it on, and yeah, he’s been kind of a big fan of mine since college and now at the W.”

Clark was also asked about any good and bad habits she has.

While she admits to biting her nails too much, she also bragged about her healthy sleep regimen.

“A good habit I have is sleeping,” she said. ‘I like to sleep. Um, maybe I sleep too much, but if I don’t sleep, you can see how much it affects your life and I think as an athlete, sleep is the most important thing for you.”

Clark has become one of the biggest stars in women’s sports, but after winning the award she said the WNBA is “built on” black players and that “being a white person has privilege.”

Her comments caused an uproar among conservatives, most notably from commentator and podcaster Megyn Kelly, who complained about Clark’s “self-flagellation.”

“She’s down on her knee and almost apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation,” Kelly, an outspoken Roman Catholic, wrote on social media.

‘The’ ‘oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALLY the ones you want to celebrate. ”Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.’

Kelly has long made race a central topic in her various shows over the years. She once insisted that Jesus of Nazareth was “white,” only to later admit that his race was “far from established.”

James (seen between Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook) is a longtime WNBA fan. In this shot from 2019, he and his fellow All-Stars watch Kelsey Plum (right) and the Aces

Clark found herself at the center of a racing firestorm during her first season in the WNBA, amid accusations that she was the victim of jealousy and bullying.

In one moment that turned heads across the country, the Fever star was pushed to the ground by Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter, who became the subject of much vitriol on social media.

Meanwhile, some figures also claim that black players are not getting the recognition they deserve.

“It doesn’t matter how hard I work,” A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces said in May.

“No matter what we do as black women, we still get swept under the rug.”

Clark said this week that “the more we can elevate Black women, that will be a beautiful thing.”

“I want to say that I have earned everything, but as a white person I have privileges,” she emphasized.

“A lot of the players in the league who have been really good have been black players. This league is kind of built on them.”