Skip Bayless is no stranger to controversy, and his latest remarks about Indiana Fever rookie Caitlyn Clark have sparked significant backlash. After Clark recorded her second triple-double of the season, Bayless tweeted that she was the “best No. 22” since Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith. The comment quickly went viral, but many fans found the comparison tone-deaf.
Fans took to social media to criticize Bayless for ignoring other high-profile athletes who also wore the number 22. Some pointed out that A’ja Wilson, one of the WNBA’s top players, currently wears No. 22. Other athletes like Clayton Kershaw, Derrick Henry, Roger Clemens, Ricky Henderson, Brett Hull, Clyde Drexler, and Moses Malone were also mentioned as deserving more recognition for wearing the number.
While Bayless was widely roasted for his take, he did make a valid point in one of his follow-up tweets, acknowledging that the Fever are currently the hottest team in the WNBA, having won five games in a row and seven out of eight since the Olympic break. Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, it’s clear that Caitlyn Clark’s impact on the court is undeniable, and her future in the league looks incredibly bright.