Candace Parker exposes the truth about Caitlin Clark’s treatment
Candace Parker gave her two cents on how star players are perceived.
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There’s been much discussion around the league about officiating in the WNBA recently, especially for one player in particular. Caitlin Clark has made headlines often this season and not just because of her skills on the court. She is often seen chatting it up with officials after a play or missed call. One WNBA legend didn’t mince words when asked about her thoughts surrounding Clark’s treatment from officials.
Candace Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, isn’t giving Clark much sympathy in regards to the rough play she receives from other players in the league. When asked by TMZ what her exact thoughts were on this topic, she was direct, stating:
“Star players aren’t ever treated fairly,”
Parker, however, would go on to praise Clark on her game and what she brings to the sport,
“It’s great. I think she has so many more years to come of greatness. So it’s been good watching her play,” she added.
Candace Parker isn’t alone on her thoughts regarding officiating
The WNBA has seen a huge spike in viewership since last season and the overall fan base has grown significantly. With several new eyes comes more criticism from several different angles, but perhaps that is because these new fans aren’t used to seeing a different type of basketball: a more physical game.
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu spoke on officiating when asked about it in an interview on Sue Bird’s show, Bird’s Eye View. She had a similar response to Parker in term’s of the overall nature of the WNBA and even commented on how it differs from the NBA.
“When you watch NBA or men’s college, star players get any call. In the W, they don’t care. There are no hand check calls. Freedom of movement is different,” she said.
sabrina ionescu on officiating in the wnba:
“when you watch nba or men’s college, star players get any call. you can touch them with a fingernail, they’re going to the free throw line. in the W, they don’t care—there are no handcheck calls—freedom of movement is different…” pic.twitter.com/qGEXRDrC6V
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) May 26, 2025
Officiating this season in particular, has caused many social media uproars. Many fans expressed their frustrations on a no-foul call on Natasha Cloud while defending Caitlin Clark on the last play, which ended the game on Saturday. Drama and high-intensity games equate to ratings. People are talking more about the WNBA now than ever before in the league’s history… good or bad.
The pace at which the WNBA plays at and the level of physicality that takes place is nothing new to those who have both been in the league for an extended length of time or have been a long-time spectator.
Players adjust over different lengths of time when making the transition into the league and until they successfully make that transition, the game is going to appear differently. Clark got beat around in her first season and never allowed it to derail her overall performance.
Viewership ratings have blown through the roof since Clark entered the league last season and an increase in drama is a drawing point for increased views. Physical play and ‘rivalries’ between good competition are all part of what makes the WNBA appealing to watch and it doesn’t look as though the league plans to make any changes to how the game is played anytime soon.
