What’s going on my flag family, it’s your boy Izzy back with another take, and if you’re new here, welcome! Today we’re diving into some major media buzz around Caitlin Clark. ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and even SportsCenter have all chimed in, giving some high-level praise to the young superstar. But not everyone is happy about it. From national broadcasts to Twitter chaos, it’s clear Caitlin Clark is the epicenter of attention right now. Let’s talk about what happened, what was said, and why this matters.

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Alright, let’s get into it.

So Caitlin Clark put on an absolute show in Iowa during an exhibition match against Brazil. She knocked down a three-pointer from so far out it was beyond the spot where she previously broke the all-time NCAA scoring record. It was pure electricity. The roar of the crowd was unreal, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

Big Perk (Kendrick Perkins) was on First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith, and they couldn’t hold back the compliments. Perkins said she’s just different. She’s special. He talked about the crowd’s reaction while that deep three was still in the air and called it the kind of moment that cements someone as a true superstar. He expects her to be in MVP conversations this season, and honestly, so do I.

Stephen A. took it a step further, reminding everyone that Caitlin Clark just wrapped up her rookie season after a historic college run. She didn’t just play—she started and played all 40 games. She was the unanimous Rookie of the Year, made All-WNBA First Team, and finished fourth in MVP voting. Fourth. As a rookie.

She led all rookies in scoring, field goals made, threes made, assists, steals, and minutes. What more do you want? She’s not just holding her own, she’s dominating.

What really made waves was a graphic ESPN showed before the game with Monica McNutt and Chiney Ogwumike on the panel. The graphic listed Caitlin Clark as having the best odds to win MVP. Now, this was surprising because some of those same panelists have not been the biggest supporters of Clark in the past. So, the question becomes: Is this a genuine shift in perspective, or is it the setup for a takedown?

Because let’s be real, just last year they were handing the MVP crown to A’ja Wilson like it was a done deal. And now suddenly Caitlin Clark is the frontrunner? Something about that feels off. Either way, it’s a huge moment of recognition.

Naturally, when SportsCenter posted the highlight of Caitlin’s deep three, the comment section lit up—and not all of it was positive. Some people complained that it wasn’t a smart shot. Others questioned why she was still in the game. One even took a cheap shot about her appearance, which is not only irrelevant but also disgusting. It just shows you how deep the hate runs when someone’s at the top.

Let’s address the criticism. The shot wasn’t just a random heat check. It was showmanship. It was for the Iowa crowd that came out to see their hometown hero. It was an exhibition game. That shot wasn’t about analytics—it was about giving the fans a moment to remember.

Some people even tried to diminish her skillset, saying outside of logo threes and assists, she doesn’t do much else. Seriously? She leads in scoring, assists, and steals. She impacts every facet of the game. People just don’t want to give her the credit she deserves.

Others questioned why ESPN would even post the clip. Would they do the same for an NBA player? Absolutely. Have you seen the coverage Steph Curry gets for logo threes? This is no different. Caitlin Clark is that kind of player. She draws attention because she is elite and because she connects with fans in a way few athletes can.

Let me give you a quick example from real life. My mom and dad were over at my place while the game was on. Now, they don’t know basketball. They couldn’t name one WNBA team. But they saw Caitlin Clark play and instantly asked, “Is that the girl you always talk about?” When I said yes, they were locked in. My mom said, “She can hoop.” And just like that, they became fans.

This isn’t hype. This is real. Caitlin Clark is the needle. She moves culture, she brings new eyes to the game, and she backs it up with elite play. This isn’t manufactured popularity. This is earned.

With all that being said, I truly believe Caitlin has a legitimate shot at MVP this season. She’s looked smooth and confident in preseason, and while the competition hasn’t always been top-tier, her poise and star power are undeniable. People who spent last year doubting her will be scrambling this season trying to downplay her success.

So yeah, let the haters talk. Let the media shift narratives. The facts are simple: Caitlin Clark is the most talked-about player in the WNBA. She’s the one moving the needle. She’s the one getting national attention. And if she keeps playing like this, she’s going to force everyone to put respect on her name.

Let me know in the comments how y’all feel about all this. Do you think Caitlin Clark really has the best shot at MVP? What do you make of ESPN and First Take finally giving her some major love? Is it genuine or is it just setting her up for backlash?

I love y’all. Keep it smooth, and I’ll catch you in the next one.