Stephen A's Take: WNBA is back and so is Ms. Box Office Caitlin Clark. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Episode Summary Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: WNBA is back and so is Ms. Box Office Caitlin Clark
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the resurgence of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) with a particular spotlight on the sensational Caitlin Clark. Smith offers his unfiltered analysis, celebrating Clark's achievements and discussing the broader implications for the WNBA's popularity and future.

Caitlin Clark's Stellar Performance and Impact

Stephen A. Smith opens the discussion by highlighting Caitlin Clark's remarkable performance in the recent WNBA preseason. He emphasizes Clark's pivotal role in the Indiana Fever's victory over the Brazilian national team, a game that marked a significant homecoming event.

Key Highlights:
- Game Performance: Clark scored an impressive 16 points, dished out five assists, and grabbed six rebounds.
- Clutch Moments: She hit a crucial 36-foot three-pointer, mirroring her NCAA Women's basketball career scoring record-breaking shot.

Notable Quote:
"Caitlyn Clark is the real deal. Let me get, let me get that out the way first. I got a lot of respect, a lot of love for this young, young lady. I think she's spectacular. I think she's box office."
[01:50]

Caitlin Clark's Achievements and Records

Smith provides an in-depth overview of Clark's historic rookie season, underscoring her dominance and the records she shattered:

Rookie of the Year: Unanimously selected as the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
All-WNBA First Team: Earned a spot on the prestigious All-WNBA First Team.
MVP Voting: Finished fourth in the league MVP voting, signaling her impact beyond just her team.
Statistical Milestones:
- Led rookies in scoring, field goals made, three-point field goals made, assists, steals, and minutes played.
- Set regular-season WNBA records with:
  - Assists: 337
  - Points Scored or Assisted On: 1,520
  - Three-Point Field Goals Made: 122

Notable Quote:
"She was the net, the unanimous rookie of the year. She was an All WNBA first teamer. She finished fourth in league MVP voting."
[02:45]

Impact on the WNBA and Future Prospects

Smith doesn't just stop at Clark's individual achievements; he explores her broader impact on the league's visibility and popularity. He attributes a significant increase in WNBA ratings to Clark's "box office" appeal and sold-out events.

League Visibility: Clark's presence has made the WNBA a topic of everyday conversation, challenging skeptics about its relevance.
Future Stars: Smith expresses excitement for upcoming talents like Paige Beckers and Juju Watkins, indicating a promising future for the league.

Notable Quote:
"WNBA is worthy of being talked about on an everyday basis to McGur Cheney Ogum from ESPN, Andrea Carter from ESPN. Are you happy now?"
[04:15]

Looking Ahead: Season Two Expectations

With a year of rest and extensive offseason preparation, Smith is optimistic about Clark's continued excellence in her sophomore season. He anticipates that Clark will surpass her rookie year, leveraging her experience and the lessons learned to elevate her game further.

Notable Quote:
"This time around she's got more rest and she got had an entire offseason to prepare for this full day WNBA season that's about to come on. She's special."
[03:30]

Conclusion

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the segment by reaffirming Caitlin Clark's pivotal role in the WNBA's resurgence. His passionate endorsement serves as both a celebration of Clark's achievements and a rallying call for increased recognition and support for women's basketball.

Key Takeaways:

Caitlin Clark has had a groundbreaking impact on the WNBA, setting multiple records in her rookie season.
Her "box office" appeal has significantly boosted the league's visibility and ratings.
Expectations are high for Clark's sophomore season, with anticipation of even greater achievements.
The WNBA is gaining traction as a mainstream sports conversation topic, thanks in part to standout players like Clark.

For listeners who missed the episode, Stephen A. Smith provides a comprehensive and enthusiastic analysis of Caitlin Clark's influence on the WNBA, painting a promising picture for the league's future.

Transcript

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Sports Commentator (1:13)

I want to give a quick shout out to Caitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever who hosted the Brazilian national team in Iowa yesterday. The event was a sold out homecoming for Clark as the WNBA preseason tipped off this weekend. The Indiana Fever beat the Brazilian team 108 to 44, capped off by Clark making a 36 foot three pointer. Okay, that was the same spot on the court that has her number 22 logo affixed in the same spot where she broke the NCAA Women's basketball career scoring record last year. She finished the exhibition game Sunday with 16 points, five assists and six rebounds. Caitlyn Clark is the real deal. Let me get, let me get that out the way first. I got a lot of respect, a lot of love for this young, young lady. I think she's spectacular. I think she's box office. I think she should have been easily, easily embraced. And that wasn't the case last year. Just to remind y'all who she is, I'm just going to read off some numbers because you see this. To me, this year she's going to be better. Last year as a rookie, fresh off of going to the national championship game and losing to South Carolina and then playing less than two months later, her first professional season as a WNBA rookie, she was the net, the unanimous rookie of the year. She was an All WNBA first teamer. She finished fourth in league MVP voting. She started all 40 regular season games for the Fever and had a groundbreaking year marked by numerous WNBA records. She finished the regular season leading rookies in Scoring field goals, made, three point field goals, made assist steals and minutes played. She ended up setting regular season WNBA records for assist in the season with 337, with 337 points scored or assisted on in a season with 1,520 points by a rookie with 769 and three point field goals by a rookie with 122. By the way, she was box office sold out more than anybody, helped massively increase WNBA ratings and the only thing stupid that happened with her is Team USA not putting on a damn team. She's that special ladies and gentlemen. And that was year one. This time around she's got more rest and she got had an entire offseason to prepare for this full day WNBA season that's about to come on. She's special. She's special. And oh by the way, Paige Beckers from Yukon who's now in Dallas, even though her team may not be that good, she's gonna be special too. And I can't wait until my girl juju Watkins comes out of college because when she gets herself healthy and she's on a pro level, look the hell out because cuz she is spectacular. I can't wait till she gets to the wnba. WNBA is it. It's it. It's worthy of being talked about on an everyday basis to McGur Cheney Ogum from ESPN, Andrea Carter from ESPN. Are you happy now? I'm talking about the end the wnba. Even though I've been talking about it, Janae, she keeps telling me, y'all, I gotta get the game. When you gonna get to the game, Steve? When you gonna get the game? Well, I need a course. I see. I was at a couple of NBA games over the last couple of weeks. I sat courtside for both games. How come I got. How come I'm having trouble getting a courtside seat to WNBA games, but I ain't got no trouble getting the courtside seat to NBA games. It's not like I'm looking for it for free. I'm willing to pay for it. I'm just saying. I'm just saying.