Fans erupt in debate comparing Caitlin Clark’s docuseries gesture to Paige Bueckers’ ESPY speech

WNBA fans compared Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and her former collegiate basketball rival Paige Bueckers. The debate focused on the disregard of the Indiana Fever rookie’s efforts towards racism and lifting her colleagues compared to Bueckers.

One fan pointed out that the Indiana Fever rookie was not acknowledged for her efforts to uplift her colleagues, whereas the UConn star was still applauded for her speech that she made three years earlier.

Fan sparks debates comparing Clark and Beuckers. (Credits: @the_realami/X)

The post mentioned that Clark was supposed to appear alone on an ESPN docuseries titled “Full Court Press.” However, the Fever rookie advocated for the addition of Chicago Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA Bruins star Kiki Rice to the project.

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Another fan called out Bueckers to be brainwashed by the narratives prevalent in society.

“Enough Said! Go Woke go Broke! Paige Brainwashed. White Privilege syndrome Social Justice gone wrong.”

In her speech, Paige Bueckers used her platform as the 2021 ESPY to call out the racial bias in the media. The UConn star urged the media to impart equal coverage for great black athletes in the sport.

Another fan jumped in the debate highlighting that during an SNL broadcast, Caitlin Clark had shouted out Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley and Maya Moore for laying the foundation for today’s WNBA. However, she did not receive any appreciation for it.

The fan also attached another video, highlighting the time when Bueckers pointed at Swoopes sitting beside her when the camera showed her on the jumbotron during a basketball game and fans appreciated her for her gesture.

One fan said that people don’t want to acknowledge the efforts Clark puts into lifting others.

“They don’t wanna acknowledge it. Its one thing to be ignorant but those people WANT TO ACT IGNORANT as if CC is not doing anything,” @Sudharshan_AK10 said.

While some fans took Clark’s side others stood up to speak for Beuckers. One fan stood up for Paige and highlighted that her actions matched her words in her speech.

“Not even gonna list all the stuff Paige has outside of her speech, but at least her words+actions kept a bunch of racist from using her name/image to spew hatred & racism. + Yall are so damn insecure you find out she did 1 good deed & instantly need to try to bash Paige? Weird.”

Another fan stepped up defending Paige’s and highlighting that people still had problems with it years later.

“Paige’s speech is in 2021 and people still have problems with it,” @arya_heda said.

Another came forward and highlighted that Beuckers’ taking a stance at 19 years of age was a commendable job.

“Your a delulu black girl Paige spoke UP ABOUT THE RACISM AT 19 ON LIVE TELEVISION PAIGE IS 5 TIMES BETTER THEN CLARK IS.”

Fan steps up for Paige Beuckers. (Credits: @Samdawrestling/X)

The initial tweet that started the debate now has over 334K views, over 3K likes and 364 reposts.

Caitlin Clark urges the WNBA to give spot bonuses to away players

In a recent press conference, Allison Barber, the COO of the Indiana Fever revealed an incident showing the generosity and care that Caitlin Clark has for her colleagues.

Barber revealed that after noticing the increase in ticket sales and revenue even in away games the Fever rookie asked the league to provide spot bonuses for the away team players.

“After a few away games and all the sellouts, Caitlin asked the WNBA if they would pay spot bonuses to the away team players… so that’s the heart of Caitlin Clark,” Barber said.

Later on, Barber revealed that the league did not abide by Caitlin Clark’s request because of several different reasons at play.