LeBron James Dismisses Sheryl Swoopes’ Claims About Caitlin Clark Being a Locker Room Issue for the Fever
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has been one of Caitlin Clark’s harshest critics since the rookie’s debut with the Indiana Fever. While most media outlets have been celebrating Clark for her historic achievements on the court this season, Swoopes has remained skeptical of the Iowa alum’s dominance, despite Clark finishing fourth in the Associated Press’ WNBA MVP voting.
Swoopes recently stirred up controversy when she claimed during an appearance on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast that several Indiana Fever players were unhappy and wanted out of the team due to Clark’s presence in the locker room. This statement quickly gained traction, especially among Fever fans who were not pleased with the suggestion.
However, one prominent figure who isn’t buying Swoopes’ narrative is NBA superstar LeBron James. In an exclusive interview with Brian O’Keefe of *Esquire*, James dismissed the claims, expressing his belief in Clark’s impact and potential.
“[Clark] has the vision, she has the spirit, she’s infectious, and people want to play with her,” said James. “[The Fever are] going to be a really good team, and not too long from now.”
Although James didn’t directly address Swoopes’ comments, it’s clear that his praise of Clark can be seen as a counter to the criticism she has faced.
Swoopes, meanwhile, offered no concrete evidence to back up her allegations but seemed determined to paint Clark as a divisive figure in the Fever’s locker room. During the podcast, she said, “There’s a lot of other stuff going on, that other [Fever] players are like, ‘This ain’t where I want to be.’” She went on to suggest that some key players may be considering their future with the team because of Clark.
Despite these claims, fans and observers have learned to take Swoopes’ criticisms with skepticism. Earlier this year, during another appearance on the same podcast, Swoopes inaccurately criticized Clark after she broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA scoring record, claiming Clark did so in five seasons compared to Plum’s four. In reality, Clark only played four seasons at Iowa, highlighting that Swoopes’ critiques have been wrong before.
As the debate continues, it seems clear that Clark’s supporters, including LeBron James, see her as a rising star who will help elevate the Fever rather than divide it.
