June 24th 2024.
In a recent episode of his podcast, The Wine Down, former NBA champion Dwyane Wade shared his thoughts on the WNBA's rise in popularity this season, thanks in part to the impressive performances of rookies like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. However, Wade also warned that with more attention comes more scrutiny, as the league will now be under a larger spotlight.
As a minority owner of the Chicago Sky and a native of Chicago himself, Wade has a personal connection to the WNBA and is excited to see the league gaining more recognition. He acknowledged that this newfound attention may bring some challenges for the players, who just want to play the game they love and provide for their families.
Wade also addressed the recent controversy surrounding Clark's treatment by the media and other players. While it's not uncommon for rookies to face some tough love when entering the professional level, some have raised concerns about racial bias in the coverage of Clark. Wade, however, believes that the extra attention on Clark is ultimately a positive thing for the league, as it brings more exposure and awareness to the WNBA.
The two standout rookies faced off against each other on June 23, with Reese and the Sky coming out on top with a close 88-87 victory over Clark and the Fever. Reese, who is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award, put on an impressive performance with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Wade even showed his support for Reese by posting a photo of her on his social media, accompanied by a crown and fire emoji.
The rise of Reese and Clark has also drawn comparisons to the iconic rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 1980s. Even Magic himself has cosigned these comparisons, further highlighting the impact these rookies are making in the WNBA.
As the league continues to gain more attention and exposure, Wade believes that it will bring both positive and negative aspects to light. But ultimately, he sees it as a necessary step to showcase the talents and athleticism of the players in the WNBA.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
