If you thought the WNBA offseason would be quiet, you’ve clearly never met Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. The dynamic duo, known for their banter and bold opinions, may have just added a new twist to Caitlin Clark’s narrative—and Bird is taking some of the blame!
In a surprising turn of events, Sue Bird recently opened up about how she and Taurasi may have unknowingly sparked a wildfire of ‘petty jealousy’ accusations against the Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation.
And where did this mess start? Apparently, it began with Bird and Taurasi, a camera, and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. The Seattle Storm legend finally addressed the viral moment that turned her words into a controversy and catapulted Clark into a social media maelstrom faster than you can say “Twitter troll.”
When a Podcast Gets You in Hot Water
During an episode of her “A Touch More” podcast with her fiancée and co-host Megan Rapinoe, Bird reflected on how a simple comment about Clark’s adjustment to the WNBA turned into a meme-fest of epic proportions. “In some ways, it started with me and Diana on our show getting interviewed by Scott Van Pelt,” Bird admitted, wincing at the memory.
The comment in question? Diana Taurasi casually (read: savagely) suggested that Clark’s pro career wouldn’t be as breezy as her college days. Cue the uproar, because in the land of sports media, context is a unicorn—rarely seen and often ignored.
“Once Diana’s comments went viral, it led to the Twitter trolls and bots taking over. What started there was this narrative of petty, jealous players hating on Caitlin,” Bird lamented.
Oh, and did they hate. Twitter exploded faster than a halftime buzzer, with fans claiming Bird and Taurasi were just envious of Clark’s media buzz. Forget about Caitlin’s killer jump shots—apparently, the real drama was happening off the court!
From Rookie Woes to Record Breaker
Let’s be real—Taurasi wasn’t completely off the mark when she hinted at a rough start for Clark. The Iowa standout didn’t exactly have a fairytale beginning in the WNBA. There were turnovers, missed shots, and moments where Clark looked more lost than a referee in a blackout. But that’s when she showed everyone why she’s not your average rookie.
Despite her early stumbles, Clark flipped the script, proving that setbacks are just setups for epic comebacks. She ended her rookie season with jaw-dropping performances and records that had analysts—and haters—eating their words like a soggy pretzel. Remember when Bird stood by her and publicly supported her for Rookie of the Year? Talk about a plot twist.
Sue Bird: Caitlin Clark’s Biggest Hype Woman?
So, is Sue Bird a hater, or is she secretly Clark’s No. 1 fan? The answer might surprise you. Despite the backlash, Bird has been a vocal advocate for Clark’s success long before she made headlines. Flashback to Clark’s college days at Iowa, when she named Bird as one of her biggest mentors. That’s right, people—before the WNBA drama, there was a dinner date between the two where Bird dropped wisdom like confetti.
Fast forward to 2024, and Bird was cheering from the sidelines as Clark did what she does best—making history. From her triple-doubles to her game-winning shots, Bird’s support has been steadfast. In fact, when the “Rookie of the Year” debate started heating up with some analysts backing Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, Bird doubled down and made it clear: Clark was the obvious choice.
When Legends Speak, People Listen… and Overreact
In a league where headlines are often dominated by drama, Bird and Taurasi’s slip-up could have been just another blip on the radar. But when legends speak, people listen—whether it’s on the court or on a podcast. Unfortunately, as Bird pointed out, it’s easy for people to take things out of context.
“I wish we’d been more careful with our words,” Bird reflected. “But at the end of the day, we want to uplift the next generation. And Caitlin is the future.”
And so, we’re left with the ultimate irony: two WNBA icons, accused of tearing down the very player they’ve been rooting for all along. Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of a poorly phrased podcast comment—or the internet’s ability to turn it into a full-blown scandal.
Sue Bird vs. the Trolls: 1-0
The good news? Bird isn’t backing down. In her typical no-nonsense style, she’s calling out the haters and setting the record straight. “Caitlin’s a beast, and she’s only getting started. Anyone who thinks we’re against her clearly hasn’t been paying attention.”
So, there you have it—Bird’s confession, a dollop of drama, and a hefty serving of sarcasm. As for Caitlin Clark, she’s busy doing what she does best: proving people wrong, one three-pointer at a time.
