Time for a Real Discussion About Caitlin Clark

[andybernard]

Funny story... my 5yo daughter randomly got into wrestling this year because of her friend. She has been extremely successful to the surprise of everyone that knows her (we are the farthest thing from a wrestling family). Because of this, the coach has her wrestling up in age and weight in practice, which has had a bit of a negative effect on her. Now every time she is slightly uncomfortable or in a little pain, she starts crying. We were discussing this on the way home from practice last week, about how we can't cry and give up just because something is hard or hurts a little bit. We walk in the door, my wife is watching UIWBB, and **** you not, Clark is writhing and crying on the floor in "pain".

5yo: Well she's crying and doesn't want to play anymore.

Clark immediately hops up, crocodile tears are gone, shoots FTs. So then we had to have another conversation about how some people pretend to be hurt, or whine and complain to trick the refs. 5 minutes of CC-watch and 500 questions later, the only response I could give was "just don't act like her".

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I did enjoy the one bit of yesterday’s game I saw where she was driving the lane and got fouled, as she’s dribbling. She immediately started gesturing that she was in the act of shooting and should get free throws. It didn’t work, lol.

I saw that, too. Rolled my eyes and waited for the announcers to comment on it. They did.

 

[carvers4math]

I did enjoy the one bit of yesterday’s game I saw where she was driving the lane and got fouled, as she’s dribbling. She immediately started gesturing that she was in the act of shooting and should get free throws. It didn’t work, lol.

I guess some people call it gamesmanship. To me it’s just trying to cheat or game the system. Berating the officials as she does is disrespect for authority, which doesn’t seem like a great thing to encourage your kids to do. The screeching at her opponent for a common foul is disrespectful as well. And what she did to that OSU fan and the dramatics afterwards, I don’t even know what that was. Anger? Poor sportsmanship? Immature? You aren’t doing that for competitive advantage when the game is already over.

 

[cytor]

Explains why Iowa threw the game at Nebraska before. Just proves 100000% that she chose to break the record at home vs. winning the game. Cost them a regular season Big 10 title too!

Agreed... that was pathetic too

 

[Clonefan32]

I wouldn’t want my boys whining at the refs at all, let alone over crazy crap. Where most people see her is on the court.

Ok fine. So you don't like how she plays basketball. Maybe you then don't want your kids to emulate her on the court. But you have to admit that's a far cry from saying "she's a horrible role model for girls". That's just an absurd thing to say about someone based on how she plays basketball. Again, she's been charitable with her time and money, she's never been in legal trouble, she's great in interviews, etc. No reason she can't be a positive role model for a young girl.

If are worried about your kids picking up a "whining at the refs" habit, you better keep them away from all televised basketball. Because I have news for you, it happens in every level, for every gender in every game.

 

[ClubCy]

Ok fine. So you don't like how she plays basketball. Maybe you then don't want your kids to emulate her on the court. But you have to admit that's a far cry from saying "she's a horrible role model for girls". That's just an absurd thing to say about someone based on how she plays basketball.

If are worried about your kids picking up a "whining at the refs" habit, you better keep them away from all televised basketball. Because I have news for you, it happens in every game.

Don’t just stop at basketball. It happens every game in every sport.

There are still MULTIPLE posts from different members in the thread calling her a b**** and that they couldn’t enjoy a night out because the Iowa game was on at a restaurant or bar. Which if there are Iowa State fans who truly do feel that way, then yes, they need to get a grip and touch some grass.

 

[Cyhig]

This is ridiculous.

A poor sport? Ok fine.

A selfish player? Fine.

A horrible role model for girls? C'mon now. Get a grip. She seems to be very charitable with her time and money. She's never been in trouble with the law. She says all the right thing in interviews. She's showing young girls that there is a place in the general sports landscape for a women's player. Saying she's a "horrible role model for girls" in asinine. I have 3 daughters and I'm a Cyclone to the bone, but I'd have zero issue if any of them looked up to Clark.

It's the fundamental issue of whining/complaining (again... this goes for any athlete, especially the athletes kids look up to). The vast, vast majority of kids will never play collegiately or beyond, including my kid. But I still encourage my kid to play sports as there are many skills they can learn which can be applied to their chosen career or life in general.

For example, something usually happens each day where a situation doesn't go as planned. How do you respond to the situation? Do you whine and complain or do you try to find a solution to the situation? Whining and complaining won't be the solution to the situation....

My company has hired quite a few 21-26 year olds at my workplace the last few years. When something adverse occurs, many of these people first inclination is to complain. These people usually don't last 12 months before we have to let them go. The people who can react and work to resolve the issue while working with others are the ones who are successful in their chosen career.

Do the athletes who whine/complain have a material impact on people's traits? That's up for debate. However, I think we can all agree it doesn't help kids learn to develop necessary skills to overcome aversity properly

 

[Cloned4Life]

Ok fine. So you don't like how she plays basketball. Maybe you then don't want your kids to emulate her on the court. But you have to admit that's a far cry from saying "she's a horrible role model for girls". That's just an absurd thing to say about someone based on how she plays basketball. Again, she's been charitable with her time and money, she's never been in legal trouble, she's great in interviews, etc. No reason she can't be a positive role model for a young girl.

If are worried about your kids picking up a "whining at the refs" habit, you better keep them away from all televised basketball. Because I have news for you, it happens in every level, for every gender in every game.

Frame it up any way you want - on the court, her behavior is not something I would want any of my kids to ever emulate.

Lebron gets pretty whiny, and has over his whole career. Lots (and lots) of players - male, female, etc - 'fake' getting hurt, lots of players b*tch at the refs and cry/whine/fake sh*t all game. Lots of players are over-the-top arrogant, easy to cheer against, lots of players have a very off-putting attitude about them, the way they carry themselves in competition, etc. None of those players are players I would want my family to model in-game behavior after. CC is absolutely in that camp, i.e. "this is how not to act on a basketball court." Being charitable off court does not make it OK to be a giant douche on court, regardless of status level, talent level, etc.

 

[Clonefan32]

It's the fundamental issue of whining/complaining (again... this goes for any athlete, especially the athletes kids look up to). The vast, vast majority of kids will never play collegiately or beyond, including my kid. But I still encourage my kid to play sports as there are many skills they can learn which can be applied to their chosen career or life in general.

For example, something usually happens each day where a situation doesn't go as planned. How do you respond to the situation? Do you whine and complain or do you try to find a solution to the situation? Whining and complaining won't be the solution to the situation....

My company has hired quite a few 21-26 year olds at my workplace the last few years. When something adverse occurs, many of these people first inclination is to complain. These people usually don't last 12 months before we have to let them go. The people who can react and work to resolve the issue while working with others are the ones who are successful in their chosen career.

Do the athletes who whine/complain have a material impact on people's traits? That's up for debate. However, I think we can all agree it doesn't help kids learn to develop necessary skills to overcome aversity properly

This may be the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen posted in CyFan. Frankly, it's embarrassing. Let's just ignore any societal factors that may be contributing to young people's "complaining" in the workplace. Parenting? Social media? Nah-- it's Caitlin Clark.

You really think there are people out there who are having workplace issues and complain about it because that's what they see CC do on a basketball floor? "My boss gave me a responsibility I don't like so I'm going to put because it works for Caitlin Clark." Please--that's insane.

I get it. We are Iowa State fans and we don't have to like her. We don't have to like the attention she gets. That's all fine. But disparaging her character like people are doing is absurd.

 

[Cyhig]

This may be the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen posted in CyFan. Frankly, it's embarrassing. Let's just ignore any societal factors that may be contributing to young people's "complaining" in the workplace. Parenting? Social media? Nah-- it's Caitlin Clark.

You really think there are people out there who are having workplace issues and complain about it because that's what they see CC do on a basketball floor? "My boss gave me a responsibility I don't like so I'm going to put because it works for Caitlin Clark." Please--that's insane.

I get it. We are Iowa State fans and we don't have to like her. We don't have to like the attention she gets. That's all fine. But disparaging her character like people are doing is absurd.

So you are suggesting kids don't learn any skills that can be applied to their future career from playing sports?

Edit: you clearly didn't interpret the underlining issue properly.

This seems appropriate

 

[qwerty]

It's gotten the better of me a few times, I wish I were a bigger person and could resist the urge to chime in, I just haven't been able to, lol. I seriously don't think I've ever seen a college athlete trigger a fanbase and attract more hate the way she has. It's just really funny. I'll try to be better.

Will you "Try Harder"?

 

[Clonefan32]

So you are suggesting kids don't learn any skills that can be applied to their future career from playing sports?

Edit: you clearly didn't interpret the underlining issue properly.

I'm saying it's an enormous logical leap to say that CC complaining to refs is going to lead to girls complaining to refs in basketball, that will then in-turn lead to them complaining in their workplace. It's nonsense.

I can tell you I've coached youth girls basketball every year CC has been in college. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt I have not seen any uptick in girls being rude to officials, complaining, etc. None. It doesn't exist.

If you don't like how she plays, that's fine. To be honest, I don't really either. But trying to suggest she's out here contributing to some generation of unemployable females who can't differentiate between how you act on a basketball court and how you act in a workplace is sad and it's painting our fanbase as obsessed loonies.

 

[Cyhig]

I'm saying it's an enormous logical leap to say that CC complaining to refs is going to lead to girls complaining to refs in basketball, that will then in-turn lead to them complaining in their workplace. It's nonsense.

I can tell you I've coached youth girls basketball every year CC has been in college. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt I have not seen any uptick in girls being rude to officials, complaining, etc. None. It doesn't exist.

If you don't like how she plays, that's fine. To be honest, I don't really either. But trying to suggest she's out here contributing to some generation of unemployable females who can't differentiate between how you act on a basketball court and how you act in a workplace is sad and it's painting our fanbase as obsessed loonies.

It's not a leap at all. Kids emulate the people they look up to. And I am talking about KIDS, not young adults who are watching CC play.

It is a growing issue with how kids are learning to work with each other and problem solve. Whining and complaining doesn't solve anything! So if kids are looking up to CC, or whomever their role model may be, and want to emulate them, they will learn to act the way their role models act. That's also parenting. You watch these parents yell and complain to officials. What do you think they are teaching their own child?

So yes... this whining and complaining is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for kids to learn how to properly deal with adversity. That's why I have a fundamental issue with CC's on court behavior. My opinion of her wouldn't change if she played at Maryland, California, or even if she played in Germany. It just wouldn't likely be a huge talking point on this forum because CC wouldn't receive the local media press which makes her a talking point here.

 

[Gonzo]

It's not a leap at all. Kids emulate the people they look up to. And I am talking about KIDS, not young adults who are watching CC play.

It is a growing issue with how kids are learning to work with each other and problem solve. Whining and complaining doesn't solve anything! So if kids are looking up to CC, or whomever their role model may be, and want to emulate them, they will learn to act the way their role models act. That's also parenting. You watch these parents yell and complain to officials. What do you think they are teaching their own child?

So yes... this whining and complaining is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for kids to learn how to properly deal with adversity. That's why I have a fundamental issue with CC's on court behavior. My opinion of her wouldn't change if she played at Maryland, California, or even if she played in Germany. It just wouldn't likely be a huge talking point on this forum because CC wouldn't receive the local media press which makes her a talking point here.

You say you never watch her games. The highlights you might catch on local media or ESPN are almost entirely focused on her shooting and scoring, not her complaining to refs. So if you never watch Iowa's or CC's games, you're obviously not witnessing her on-court behavior. How can something you never see fill you with this much rage?

 

[ClubCy]

It's not a leap at all. Kids emulate the people they look up to. And I am talking about KIDS, not young adults who are watching CC play.

It is a growing issue with how kids are learning to work with each other and problem solve. Whining and complaining doesn't solve anything! So if kids are looking up to CC, or whomever their role model may be, and want to emulate them, they will learn to act the way their role models act. That's also parenting. You watch these parents yell and complain to officials. What do you think they are teaching their own child?

So yes... this whining and complaining is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for kids to learn how to properly deal with adversity. That's why I have a fundamental issue with CC's on court behavior. My opinion of her wouldn't change if she played at Maryland, California, or even if she played in Germany. It just wouldn't likely be a huge talking point on this forum because CC wouldn't receive the local media press which makes her a talking point here.

Complaining/whining/showboating have always been part of sports. This isn’t a new trend and it for sure it isn’t specific to Caitlin Clark.

You don’t think it’s ironic that people are complaining about her complaining?

 

[Cyhig]

You say you never watch her games. The highlights you might catch on local media or ESPN are almost entirely focused on her shooting and scoring, not her complaining to refs. So if you never watch Iowa's or CC's games, you're obviously not witnessing her on-court behavior. How can something you never see fill you with this much rage?

Have you seen this thread at all? There are plenty of clips with CC acting childish. And her behavior is catching the attention of other fans. Shall I post the pic of the gal holding her phone again?

 

[Cyhig]

Complaining/whining/showboating have always been part of sports. This isn’t a new trend and it for sure it isn’t specific to Caitlin Clark.

You don’t think it’s ironic that people are complaining about her complaining?

Exactly. It's not unique to CC. But more and more star athletes are behaving this way. My sport role model as a kid was Kirby Puckett. A HOF player whose first priority was doing what was best for the team and rarely ever complained.

This trend is getting worse and worse each year. It has been particularly bad in men's sports. It's a shame one of the biggest stars in women's sports in years is behaving in this manner. I guess it was only a matter of time before such actions would seep into the girls sports.

 

[carvers4math]

Fortunately we have the likes of Audi Crooks and Tyrese Halliburton. Not everyone treats people disrespectfully on the court.

 

[Jeremy]

My kids were born speaking complete sentences.

Poo poo is only a complete sentence when referring to the University of Iowa.

 

[Clonefan32]

Fortunately we have the likes of Audi Crooks and Tyrese Halliburton. Not everyone treats people disrespectfully on the court.

Our beloved Georges Niang is 13th in the NBA in technical fouls with 7 this year. I'm assuming we are out on him as a role model too? All these boys looking up to Georges wont know how to treat officials.