Caitlyn Clark's harsh reception by the WNBA is good for the game ESPN's Holly row says Caitlyn Clark's ruie season has seemingly been defined by historic offensive numbers highly physical defense from opposing players and a snub from the US Olympic team many of the new fans that Clark brought over to the WNBA this season from her record-breaking ncble a career at Iowa quickly picked up on some of the more bruising defensive moments against her Clark endured a handful of controversial fouls from opponents this year year including an Infamous illegal hip check from Chicago Sky forward chennedy Carter on June 1 and a hit in the head from Sky rookie and her longtime College rival Angel ree on June 16 there have been more subtle moments of physical intensity that didn't cross over into being a foul but straddled the line when Clark has been on the floor then there is plenty of Trash Talk both from her on the court and then against her both on and off the court by opponents Sky coach Theresa Witherspoon said nobody talks more crap than Caitlyn to reporters on June 27 ESPN women's basketball commentator Holly row who has been a staunch supporter of Clark since her career at Iowa believes that this reception by the lead is a positive for both Caitlyn and the WNBA as a whole I love it because it's supposed to be competitive I love that people are kind of talking smack and saying Hy you need to prove yourself roow told Fox News digital I kind of love it because it is supposed to be salty that's why it's competitive that's why it's Sports I think it's good for the game R added the adversity hasn't stopped Clark from putting up record-breaking numbers in her rookie season Ro broadcasted the moment Clark broke the rookie Mark for assists in the season passing ticka pinero's record set in 1998 by dishing out her 225th assist in a win against the Seattle Storm on August 18 Clark has also broken the records for becoming the fastest player to 400 points and 200 assists most assists in a game with 19 most combined points scored or assisted in a game becoming the first rookie to record a triple double and most All-Star votes with 700,000 when she has proven herself and has played well then those same veterans are the ones that come up and congratulate her R said roow even compared Clark directly to Rees and highlighted how Rees has publicly expressed a desire for veterans to be physical with her she said I don't want them to be easy on me I want it to be hard R said shek only going to be the best version of herself if those veterans are coming at her making it hard