Dave Portnoy tells NBA icon to ‘bow down’ to | Sports News

Caitlin Clark did not have to reply to latest criticism with phrases after her career-high 45-point recreation had Dave Portnoy throw on his cape because the Indiana Fever star’s greatest unauthorized mouthpiece in opposition to any of her critics, together with NBA icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Portnoy shared his pleasure on X after Clark’s massive evening for the Indiana Fever of their 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm. She grew to become the quickest participant in WNBA historical past to attain 200 profession three-pointers.

Clark completed with 10 assists and hit 6 of 10 three-pointers, all whereas taking part in simply 29 minutes on a minutes restriction. She grew to become the primary WNBA or NBA participant to file 45 factors and 10 assists in beneath half-hour.

Portnoy celebrated her achievement with a message to Abdul-Jabbar and Englebert. He advised each basketball figures and all of Clark’s detractors to bow down in awe of her recreation.

“Caitlin the great with 45!!! 10 dimes!! 6 of 10 from 3! The game of the year,” he wrote. “She is box office! She is the league! She is the moment! They hate her cause they ain’t her!”

Portnoy stored celebrating whereas tagging each of his targets. He typed “Bow Down to her,” twice, tagging every of them whereas including, “She is the queen of the WNBA. If you disagree, you have no brains.”

Portnoy tagged Abdul-Jabbar after the Los Angeles Lakers legend and basketball Hall of Famer replied to a letter from Rep. August Pfluger and 10 different GOP lawmakers that requested Engelbert to handle the bodily play Clark has confronted.

Abdul-Jabbar wrote that Clark is “a very good, possibly even a great, player,” however argued that naming one participant because the face of the league, with out the dominance of a Michael Jordan or LeBron James, was unfair to different WNBA stars.

Portnoy responded by saying Clark by no means requested to be the face of the WNBA. He identified that Clark has advocated for greater pay for all gamers and proven respect to those that got here earlier than her.

Englebert was as soon as rumored to have stated that Clark ought to be “on her knees and thanking her fortunate stars” for the platform the WNBA gives, which helped grow Clark’s superstardom.

Clark just lately confronted criticism after scoring 13 factors in opposition to the Golden State Valkyries and reacting strongly to a call she disagreed with from referee Gerda Gatling.

Some followers on social media stated she was powerful to watch, and ESPN commentators recommended she was changing into much less likable.”I just thought I was aggressive from the start. Missed a shot, came back and made the next,” stated Clark after her historic evening.

“I knew my team needed me to step up with AB (Aliyah Boston) out, but I’m just proud of this group. We were down by eight with four minutes to play, so just some true resiliency. But we got another one tomorrow, so it’s just great, but move on.”