Sheryl Swoopes and Stephen A. Smith exchange words about Caitlin Clark

Now that the WNBA is back from the Olympic break and heading into the playoffs, we’re back to the non-stop talk about Caitlin Clark’s Impact on the Competition and its popularity this season.

One of the key voices in the Clark conversation is ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. Whenever anyone mentions the success of the WNBA without mentioning Clark, he pops up to criticize them. One of his frequent targets this season is basketball legend Sheryl dives.

Their latest confrontation on the Internet came when the four-time WNBA champion had the audacity to discuss the Indiana Fever’s rise this year without giving full credit to the rookie guard. In a recent episode of her podcast, “Queens of the Court,” she addressed the contributions of Clark’s teammates Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

The “First Take” host didn’t appreciate Swoopes’ take on the Fever, calling her “insane” on his podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” He also suggested that someone with her championship resume was deliberately ignoring Clark’s contributions.

“You know how basketball works,” Smith said. “There’s no way you accidentally left Caitlin Clark’s name out of that monologue you dropped about the Indiana Fever.”

So what if she purposely didn’t talk about Clark? As the former Houston Comets star pointed out, it’s her show and she gets to decide what she talks about. Swoopes also noted that she had personal reasons for singling out those three players.

“You talk about whoever and whatever you want on your podcast. Is that right? Why can’t I?”, the Naismith Hall of Famer replied to X. “By the way, did you listen to the ENTIRE episode? NO! I have a personal relationship with these players and they deserve recognition too.”

She then referred to his tense debate with ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt, write on X“I’m not sure what he thought he was doing? He still has feelings about MM putting him in his place. I’m ready to go on his show!! Coward.”

Smith took offense at being called a “coward” and told his audience, “Sheryl Swoopes is on a level of immaturity, there’s no way to cut it.” He also said: once again called into question her choice not to involve Clark in her analysis of Indiana’s recent success.