Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has long been known for speaking his mind. He went in on the WNBA-NBA debate. “They had me playing on the scout team, and they had a few WNBA players on their team, like Sophie Cunningham and a couple others. I was in the 7th or 8th grade going crazy,” he said. Now, a 5-time All-Star who last played for the Minnesota Lynx, Angel McCoughtry has fired back at Porter’s claims.

The conversation was ignited with the ongoing CBA battle, with WNBA stars asking for the same share as the NBA. In August, Porter claimed the WNBA stars don’t deserve the same pay because it’s a “different sport”. Well, since then, the WNBA has offered a significant pay increase that includes a revenue-sharing component. The most recent debate, however, remains on the qualitative difference in men’s and women’s basketball. The contreversial comments have caught fire on social media, and McCoughtry has given a solid rebuttal to the Brooklyn Nets star. 

“You was dominating against a woman in the eighth grade. What does he want? Does he want a cookie? You want a medal for that? The only thing that should be coming out of a man’s mouth about a woman is uplifting her,” McCoughtry said on the “Higher Learning” podcast with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay. The legend further pointed out the anatomical differences that affect women and their basketball. 

“When I got to come and drop 40 and I’m on my f—— period and I’m bleeding and my stomach hurts and my back hurts… Let’s talk about how awesome it is that women we have these babies and we come back and still dominate sports… Guess what? We are wives. So, it’s not easy to take care of a husband and kids and come and dominate a sport. Let’s talk about how strong and awesome that is,” She said. McCoughtry did not stop there, emphasising that the most elite NBA players support the WNBA and women’s basketball, instead of putting it down. 

“If you notice real quick, the elites: Kobe don’t say this kind of stuff about us. He never did. He only uplifted us and supported us. Bron don’t talk that kind of stuff. Why the elites don’t talk like that?” She said. There was a plethora of fans appreciating McCoughtry for her solid stand. 

Fans Applaud Angel McCoughtry For A Solid Rebuttal To Michael Porter Jr

“YESSSSSSS. This is the side of women’s sport we don’t talk about. Having to deal with our anatomy while being told to act right at home/on the court/in the press room, SMILE, and push our body to the limit is something men like MPJ just don’t or won’t understand,” wrote a fan.

There are distinct sociological and physiological differences between men’s and women’s sports. “She ain’t lying!” Affirmed another fan. Even Sophie Cunningham, whom MPJ mentioned to have beaten as an 8th grader, affirmed that an elite men’s professional sportsman “should” beat girls. She further said that it shouldn’t be brought up.

McCoughtry played 13 seasons in the W while averaging 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game across 311 games. She was a five-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champion, a two-time steals leader, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a member of the WNBA’s 25th Anniversary team. She has the accolades and the experience to speak with.

“The elites only uplift because it’s the correct thing to do. Both have amazing athletes and amazing entertainment,” agreed a fan. LeBron James has long been an advocate for the WNBA and women’s basketball. In an interview with ESPN in 2024, he described stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark as ‘icons’. However, he has also been live-tweeting WNBA games since the 2010s. If you looked at Kobe Bryant, he was a massive supporter of the women’s game, mainly due to his daughter Gigi, who also played basketball. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg explained that he will continue supporting Paige Bueckers and the Wings.

Shaquille O’Neal took over Reebok and signed Angel Reese to become the face of the brand. Steph Curry has long supported the WNBA and the growth in women’s basketball. “She cooking, cant even lie,” applauded a fan. The Brooklyn Nets star has made multiple contreversial opinions on his podcast appearances, drawing his employer’s ire. MPJ’s franchise has informed him to keep off such topics in the near future. Angel McCoughtry has made an open invitation for Porter Jr to practice with them and understand what it is all about. So far, Porter has not responded to McCoughtry’s challenge. What do you think? Will Michael Porter Jr. accept it?