Former Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder gave an interview on Monday at the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards. But her comment about Caitlin Clark and Maya Moore is getting all of the attention.

Bluder was there to support Clark, who was awarded the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award for the second straight year. She became the fourth woman to win the award twice, a list that includes Maya Moore.

Clark has talked openly in the past about her admiration for Moore, including meeting her after a game.

Clark said that Moore was very gracious to Clark when she was a kid, taking a picture and signing an autograph and that’s something that stuck with her.

Former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder compared Caitlin Clark to Maya Moore and social media users got angry because no one understands context.

Former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder compared Caitlin Clark to Maya Moore and social media users got angry because no one understands context.

So, when Bluder was asked about Clark doing similar things – always taking time to sign autographs and meet the little girls who come to watch her play – she made the obvious (and in-context) comparison.

“For her, Maya Moore was a huge role model growing up. So now she’s the Maya Moore of this generation. And she understands that,” Bluder said.

Clearly, Bluder is referring to the idea that Moore taking the time for young Caitlin Clark meant so much to Clark that she makes sure she does the same thing for the young girls who come to see her.

But social media users often lack comprehension skills, so all hell broke loose.

People are mad at Lisa Bluder for comparing Caitlin Clark and Maya Moore, but context matters

The USA Today site “For The Win” even ran an article titled, “Fans roasted Lisa Bluder for calling Caitlin Clark ‘the Maya Moore of her generation'” in which they delivered the full context but STILL chose to say Bluder shouldn’t have said it.

“Bluder was trying to convey that what Maya Moore gave to Caitlin by stopping for photos and autographs when she was young was impactful. Now, Caitlin gets to do that for young hoops fans who idolize her similarly,” the piece reads.

“But that’s not quite how she explained it. Of course, hoops fans are having a field day with the comparison.” 

What do they mean that’s “not quite how she explained it”? That’s EXACTLY how she explained it. Here’s the rest of Bluder’s quote:

“[Clark] understands how important that was to her — to get that autograph after the game, to get that hug, to take that picture with,” Bluder said.

“I just think it’s off the court, she’s so genuine. She’s so giving of her time, and she’s really honest — and just the passion and the joy she plays with is so special.”

How is this being misinterpreted so badly? It’s clear what Bluder was trying to say, and she conveyed the message incredibly clearly. But people want to get mad about everything, especially when it comes to Caitlin Clark.

So, here we are. Again.