Diana Taurasi alters Caitlin Clark comments after WNBA rookie’s debut week

What did Diana Taurasi say about Caitlin Clark? Looking at 3X WNBA Champion's words of caution for the Iowa star

“Reality is coming,” Taurasi said on ESPN during Iowa’s run to a Final Four this season. “You look superhuman playing against some 18-year-olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time. There is gonna be a transition period where you’re going to have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.”

Clark struggled through her first two games before Saturday’s stat line during a loss to the New York Liberty was a vintage star performance — 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting with eight assists.

“You know these days, everything takes a life of their own,” Taurasi said last week on Arizona Sports 98.7. “Every little snippet, every little comment, any quote taken out of context. Look, I only said it because when I watch games — and I’m sure when you talk to any professional athlete — you think about what they’ll look like as a pro.vHow will it translate? It’s going to translate. Like any college quarterback, it’s going to take time.”

Clark faced criticism for her early struggles in a quick transition to the WNBA in May after the Fever took her at the top of the draft. But now, WNBA are coming to the defense of Clark.

“I think the media needs to give her a little bit of grace and time to develop into a player,” Liberty veteran Jonquel Jones said postgame. “She’s learning every game as she’s out there. Obviously her impact on this league is going to be tremendous and only grow as she matures. But just give her some time, man. Look at Kelsey Plum and how it was for her when she first came into the league and the player that she is now. Just give her some grace.”

Taurasi received widespread criticism in early April for her blunt warning directed at Clark. Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and three-time NCAA champion, mentioned “reality is coming” for Clark, after a record-setting college career with the Hawkeyes.

“The new fans are really sensitive these days. You can’t say anything,” Taurasi said, via Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic. “It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade there’s a learning adjustment; when you go from high school to college there’s a learning adjustment. I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct. Like anything, greatness is going to translate and [Clark has] proven that at every level. I don’t see it being any different in the WNBA.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hbc_xcc_fU&ab_channel=HoopReports