If there’s one name that consistently pops up when you talk about Caitlin Clark’s loudest critic, it’s Sheryl Swoopes—without a doubt. The WNBA legend has made headlines more than once for her blunt takes on the rookie phenom. From throwing shade at Clark for taking six games instead of five to break the NCAA single tournament record, to downplaying her impact in key Fever wins, Swoopes hasn’t held back. In fact, many of Clark’s fans believe she’s practically built a personal brand around criticizing the former Iowa star. So, when Caitlin Clark was hit with a Flagrant 1 foul on Angel Reese during a heated matchup, it wasn’t surprising to see Swoopes once again having an opinion. Yes, fiery fans followed, too.

It all started during the highly anticipated Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky showdown on May 17. With just minutes left in the third quarter, Caitlin Clark delivered a hard swat to Angel Reese’s arms, sending her to the floor. It was upgraded to a flagrant foul after a review. And like many (Clark excluded), Swoopes agreed with the decision, but it was what happened after the foul that sparked debate.

During her May 19 appearance on Gil’s Arena, Swoopes didn’t sugarcoat her opinion. “I don’t have an issue with the foul. I thought it was a hard foul, yep, I thought the refs got it right,” she said. “My thing with that was—stand in it. Don’t walk away.”

But did Clark really walk away? Yes. According to video clips, Clark turns away and walks towards the bench just as Reese gets up and begins marching toward her. Within seconds, Aliyah Boston steps in to defuse the tension, but the moment still earned both Reese and Boston technicals.

“I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. That’s not the type of player I am,” Clark explained after the incident, calling it simply a “basketball play” — one where she’d rather send her opponent to the free throw line than give 2 easy points.

Still, that explanation wasn’t enough for Swoopes, who continued to criticize Clark for walking away, implying the rookie was dodging responsibility. So this time again, taking shots at Clark didn’t come easily for Swoopes. They are convinced the Houston Comets legend isn’t exactly a fan of the Indiana Fever star.

Agitated fans doubt Sheryl Swoopes’ intentions yet again!

To fans, Clark’s response seemed like the mature one — and Swoopes’ critique felt… personal. That’s when social media lit up. “Sheryl legit hates CC and the fact y’all have her on to talk about her is annoying,” one frustrated fan commented on Instagram.

While she might be making headlines these days for being Clark’s critic, Swoopes was once the face of the WNBA. She’s a 3× WNBA MVP and 3× Defensive Player of the Year — a legend known for dominating on both ends of the court. So, naturally, fans expected a bit more perspective from someone of her stature. But for many, that level-headedness never came.

“Queen, you too legendary to still do this lowkey hate train,” added another user. Of course, it’s not the first time Swoopes has come under fire for her comments about Clark, and fans are no rookies to the pattern. Every time Clark’s name is mentioned, it seems there’s a negative spin waiting.

Especially when Clark is on the receiving end of a foul. Take last year, for example — Swoopes remained silent when Chennedy Carter delivered a Flagrant 1 on Clark. However, she did address the broader conversation surrounding the physical play in W, particularly when it comes to CC. On the Gil’s Arena podcast, she pushed back on what she sees as an overreaction to fouls involving the Fever rookie. “My thing is, every time Caitlin gets fouled, we can’t make it seem like she was assaulted. Fouling is a part of basketball,” Swoopes said. But that wasn’t the end of it.

A few months later, she stirred controversy yet again by showing public support for Sky guard Diamond DeShields. It all came after DeShields was heavily criticized online for a flagrant foul on Clark during a blowout loss to the Fever. To everyone’s surprise, Swoopes came to her rescue. “@diamonddoesit1 head up kid! Hate will not win!! You are covered and ain’t nothing these evil people can do about that. All love for you!” Swoopes penned on X. As usual, her words left many fans confused.

“You can tell there’s something about Caitlin Clark she doesn’t like. I think the women’s game is being hurt by their OWN women,” another user replied. Swoopes has indeed built a reputation among CC’s fans. So much so that even her praises for the 2024 ROTY have gone unnoticed. “I’m going to give Caitlin her flowers because I think what she has done coming into this league absolutely has brought more eyes, whether you like them or not,” she had said on Unapologeticaly Angel. She’d also commend Clark’s game before she came into the league. But the fans are not buying it with the repeated instances of either criticising or not giving enough credits.

“You can just tell how much she dislikes CC,” one fan wrote.

But, what left many worried was Clark’s experience with Flagrant 1 fouls. Especially since the 23-year-old Iowa native drew five Flagrant 1s — the most of any player in the 2024 season. Even more telling? Four of them came from one team: the Chicago Sky, underscoring just how intense the rivalry between the Fever and Sky has become.

“Y’all mad but wasn’t mad last year when they was fouling Clark,” another fan pointed out.

Be it a shoulder-check from Chennedy Carter, the elbow to the head from Angel Reese during a layup attempt, Michaela Onyenwere’s reckless flagrant Or Diamond DeShields’ hard collision during a fast break. There was just one player at the centre of it: Caitlin Clark. But she dismissed it then, she dismisses it now, too.

For the Indiana Fever star, it was nothing more than a basketball play. She even asked the spectators to not make it what it wasn’t. But here we are, still having a discussion on the situation.