WNBA icon Nancy Lieberman brands Caitlin Clark ‘the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball’ as she compares Fever rookie’s fans to ‘Swifties’
Caitlin Clark is already the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball after generating unprecedented attention for the WNBA in her debut season.
That’s the verdict of WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman, who even compared the Indiana Fever sensation’s fans to Swift’s loyal legion of “Swifties.”
Clark is coming off a breathtaking debut season in the big leagues after being the first overall pick by Indiana in this year’s draft.
The 22-year-old has not only broken numerous records on the court, but has also drawn the largest crowds ever in the WNBA, with several teams setting record attendances for games against the Fever and television ratings skyrocketing.
And Lieberman, who played and coached in the top division of women’s basketball for nearly 40 years, sometimes compares Clark to pop star Swift.
WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark (left) is being described as the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball
“It doesn’t matter who people like right now. It’s Caitlin Clark. She’s the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball right now,” the 66-year-old said on Sirius XM’s NBA radio station.
“Her fans are like ‘Swifties’, they’re extremely loyal. And every arena you go into, half the people there are her fans wearing her shirts.
“She’s a media superstar, but damn it… she backs it up every step of the way. Her numbers are unreal what she’s done, whether it’s the second triple-double, or leading the league in assists.”
Lieberman is also baffled by Caitlin’s critics in her rookie season, adding, “Everyone talks about Caitlin’s shooting, but she’s a great team player. When your teammates like you and love you, you know you’re doing something right.
“They adored her in Iowa, they really like her here in Indiana. So why pick her? Why do that? Just appreciate the greatness that she brings to the game.”
Lieberman was recently embroiled in a disagreement with Hall of Fame forward and defenseman Sheryl Swoope over Clark. He revealed that their friendship ended over a disagreement about the Fever rookie.
WNBA legend Nancy Lieberman is a huge fan of Clark and has fought her corner many times
She believes the Indiana Fever sensation has a legion of fans similar to ‘Swifties’
The former Detroit Shock head coach was a guest on Stephen A. Smith’s show this week to talk all things Clark and Swoopes after covering Indiana’s game against the Dallas Wings on Sunday.
According to Smith, Swoopes was removed from the broadcast team due to her previous controversy with Clark and replaced by Lieberman.
Lieberman did not deny the change and even said it was a phone call in which she tried to help Swoopes understand facts about Clark that drove the wedge between them.
“Well, she got mad at me on the phone,” she told Smith. “And I was like, ‘Sheryl, I’m not doing anything to hurt you. I’m just sharing.’ And so our relationship is basically nonexistent at this point.
“I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, but she wouldn’t talk to me.”