Basketball fans have been engrossed in the ongoing debate surrounding the recent altercation involving Caitlin Clark and Sky guard Chennedy Carter. However, amidst the heated discussion, former NBA player Matt Barnes raised an important question – where were the teammates of the Fever star during this incident?
During the victory against the Sky on Saturday, Clark experienced a rough foul while away from the ball. Carter hip-checked the WNBA rookie, causing her to fall to the ground, resulting in an instant foul.
Barnes took to Instagram to address the issue, focusing not on the play itself, but on the lack of support from Clark’s teammates following the shoulder check.
“I mean, she’s been taking a beating all season. Hard screens, elbows, getting knocked down,” Barnes expressed. “It’s a tough reality, and it’s not just her. She’s not the first, and certainly won’t be the last. What I don’t understand is, where are her teammates? Where is the support from the rest of the Indiana Fever?”
“I’ve witnessed a few girls smirking when she’s been knocked down, only making a half-hearted attempt to pick her up. It’s like they forgot that their role is to protect the asset, to protect the star. Even though we’re a team, you always prioritize the safety of your star player. I was always someone who protected the stars. If you mess with Kobe, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, or any other star player, there’s going to be consequences.”
During his NBA career, Barnes had the opportunity to showcase his skills on various teams, including the Clippers, Lakers, Knicks, Kings, and Warriors. He dedicated a total of 14 seasons to the sport, leaving a lasting impact wherever he played.
Chennedy Carter scores and gives a shoulder to Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/nQxkw1rvhH
The former player gained a reputation for his aggressive style of play on the court. He was fearless when it came to defending his team’s star players.
Barnes passionately expressed his disappointment with the team’s lack of unity, emphasizing the importance of a familial bond. He pointed out that their current position at the bottom of the league can be attributed to their failure to support and defend one another. Barnes criticized both the coach and the players for not taking action to address this issue, urging them to feel a sense of shame for their lack of cohesion.
“But the rest of the league will continue to challenge her. That’s their responsibility. It is your responsibility to support her and each other. We need to improve, ladies.”
This season, Clark has been subjected to a significant amount of physicality from opposing teams. As a result, the Fever have had a difficult start, only managing to win two games. Their next game is against the Liberty in Brooklyn on Sunday.
In a recent interview, the number one draft pick of this year expressed his dissatisfaction with the play, describing it as “just not a basketball play.” Furthermore, the general manager of the Fever, Lin Dunn, also criticized the foul in a post on X over the weekend.
“There is a clear distinction between playing tough defense and engaging in unnecessary and targeted actions,” Dunn expressed. “This behavior must come to an end! The league must take action to eradicate such unacceptable behavior. It goes against the values and principles of our league!”