Letters to Sports: WNBA must protect Caitlin Clark or suffer the consequences

Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark, left, drives to the basket in front of New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton during a game on May 18.

The brain trust at the WNBA has to have its head examined. The brand of basketball they have offered since its inception has had virtually zero appeal to fans. The Sparks averaged under 6,500 fans per game last season and just as important there was basically zero TV revenue. Thus there is no money to pay even great players like Candace Parker or A’ja Wilson very well.

Now Caitlin Clark, a generational talent, comes along who fans actually want to watch and rather than adapting to a new more fan-friendly style of play, two-bit hacks like Chennedy Carter take runs at her with impunity and we’re told its “just a more physical league.” After all the whining about women not getting paid enough, they finally have the player to lift the entire league and all they have to do is call some fouls. They are one cheap-shot injury away from killing the goose that is trying to lay the golden eggs.

I’m watching these cheap shots on Caitlin Clark, and I’m getting flashbacks to Bill Laimbeer and the Bad Boy Pistons. The assault on Clark must end now before someone gets hurt.

No double standard here! Al Campanis was fired for a racist statement, which was just an ignorant opinion and not profane. Pat McAfee (whoever he is) uses a racist/sexist slur intentionally about Caitlin Clark, and he is allowed to walk it back while ESPN has “no comment.” Wow!

Think twice, Lakers fans

Lakers fans who cannot wait to see their favorite team bulldoze opponents by double digits in the manner of Dan Hurley’s UConn teams should take a deep breath. The performance of highly successful college coaches who made the leap to the NBA (and who did not play pro ball) is modest at best. Witness Rick Pitino with a record of 192-220 (.466), John Calipari’s 72-112 (.391) and Jerry Tarkanian’s 9-11 (.450). It is no surprise that their exceptional ability to recruit at the college level resulting in a consistent talent advantage did not translate to the NBA. Moreover, not having “played in the league” makes it doubly demanding for a coach to retain credibility in a locker room full of highly paid NBA All-Stars.

On the eve of the NBA Finals, the Lakers shocked the sports world with news of an imminent offer to be presented to UConn coaching legend Dan Hurley. Hopefully, Hurley is fully aware that coaches moving from the NCAA to the NBA often crash faster than you can say “Jerry Tarkanian.”

Dodgers remain a mystery

Dylan Hernández’s take on the Dodgers season seems about right. Yes, it is nice to win games in the regular season, but as we have found out, painfully I might add, that those wins mean nothing when you get blown out in the playoffs. And with record win-loss records in the regular season, they are even more embarrassing. It is a team game and there are many people who have contributed to that dismal record. Dave Roberts is not 100% to blame, although some of his mystifying moves sure haven’t helped.

I know this is hopelessly antiquated thinking, but maybe the Dodgers brain trust might want to consider playing some situational small ball. When they have the likes of Tyler Glasnow or Gavin Stone putting up zeroes inning after inning, and can’t seem to find a hit to drive in a runner from second base, maybe a sacrifice bunt and a productive out could do the trick. Worth considering?

After reading that the Dodgers have not scored a run in Tyler Glasnow’s last five starts, I have a solution. The Dodgers should have a bullpen game and when they score a run, bring in Glasnow to complete the game.