Nancy Lieberman Challenges Fans Over Caitlin Clark’s Dominance
Following a hard-fought 100-93 victory over the Dallas Wings, the Indiana Fever have climbed to a 17-16 record, marking their first winning season in five years. The Fever also hold the best record in the WNBA since the Olympic break, with an impressive 6-1 run. A key factor in this turnaround has been the exceptional play of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, who once again showcased her talent on Sunday with 28 points and 12 assists.
During the game, former women’s basketball star and commentator Nancy Lieberman, who was calling the Fever vs. Wings matchup on NBA TV, made a bold declaration about Clark’s future. Lieberman confidently asserted that Clark would be this season’s Rookie of the Year and even dared fans to challenge her opinion on social media.
“By far, she’s going to be Rookie of the Year,” Lieberman stated emphatically. “If anybody thinks she’s not, feel free to call me or hit me up on Instagram or Twitter… She’s in the MVP conversation too.”
“by far, she’s going to be rookie of the year, if anybody thinks she’s not feel free to call me or hit me on instagram or twitter. (…) she’s in the mvp conversation” Nancy really said @ me if you want to lmaoooooo
— vi ✰ (@ccloveoml) September 1, 2024
The race for Rookie of the Year has largely narrowed down to Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, both of whom have had outstanding seasons. However, with Clark’s recent surge and the Fever’s success, she has emerged as the frontrunner for the award.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star has been nothing short of spectacular in her debut WNBA season, averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 8.3 assists per game. Clark has also made history by becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double in the WNBA, adding to her growing list of accomplishments.
Lieberman, a pioneer in women’s basketball, has an extensive resume of her own. She spent three seasons with the Dallas Diamonds, the first-ever professional women’s basketball team in the U.S., and won the Women’s American Basketball Association (WABA) championship and league MVP in 1984. Lieberman also played in the WNBA, where she made history as the oldest player in the league after signing with the Detroit Shock at age 50 in 2008.
With her wealth of experience and knowledge, Lieberman’s endorsement of Clark as both Rookie of the Year and an MVP candidate carries significant weight. As the Fever continue their push towards the playoffs, Clark’s star power is shining brighter than ever, and it’s clear she’s already leaving a lasting impact on the league.
