with that being said you big dumb is you getting paid now right can every I mean everybody now has an opportunity to pull up their chair and have a seat for the past year we’ve watched Cheryl swoops Target Caitlyn Clark with bizarre claims that she’s a 25-year-old playing against teenagers that her rookie season isn’t impressive that nobody wants to play with her the attack seemed endless well some of your peers they like they will recognize you know her game but they won’t recognize her impact right how can you separate the two it’s
kind of hard you know and I I used and and you know ja you’re absolutely right and I was like I was like come on you big dummies then Cheryl Miller stepped into the ring the basketball legend and former Clark coach just delivered a knockout blow on the all the smoke podcast calling swoops a big dummy and dismantling the false narratives Miller’s putting swoops in her place and her defense of Caitlyn Clark reveals something surprising about the future of the Indiana Fever that has fans buzzing with excitement are you ready let’s go
three-time Player of the Year two-time national championship two-time tournament MVP first woman to dunk in an organized game gold medalist thank you for making time welcome to the show Cheryl Miller before we break down everything Miller said have you ever wondered why one of basketball’s Legends seems so determined to tear down the wnba’s brightest new star let’s unpack the bizarre Crusade Cheryl swoops has waged against Caitlyn Clark from from her College days right through her rookie season let’s also talk about um how much more
experience that gives you over other players coming in right so people say dang like he or she’s killing them but you have a 25-year-old playing against a 20-year-old it all started with swoops making wildly inaccurate claims about Clark’s college career in perhaps her most outrageous statement swoops claimed Clark was a 25-year-old playing against 20-year-olds during her time at Iowa the reality Clark was just 22 and playing in her fourth year like countless other college seniors when called out on this falsehood swoops backpedal suggesting it
was just hyperbole related to covid eligibility rules a weak excuse that didn’t hold water Caitlyn Clark right now probably takes about 40 shots a game M here we I know you like that yeah I said that because when she comes to the league regardless of what team she goes to that has vets on that team she probably ain’t going to get 40 shots a game but swoops was just getting started she went on to claim that Clark took 40 shots a game painting her as a selfish volume shooter the actual number Clark averaged 22.7
shots per game what makes this claim particularly ironic is that swoops herself averaged 19.2 shots per game during during her senior year just three fewer than Clark talk about throwing stones from a glass house when Clark was closing in on the all-time NCAA scoring record swoops shifted tactics questioning the legitimacy of the achievement by suggesting Clark needed a fifth year to break it you asked me back Caitlyn if you’re going to break a record to me if it’s legitimate you have to break that record in the same amount
of time that that player said it right so if if Kelsey Plum set that record in four years mhm well Caitlyn should have broke that record in four years but because there’s a CO year and then there’s another year you know what I mean so she’s already had an extra year to break that record so is it truly a broken record this was completely false Clark shattered the record in four years the same amount of time as other college players swoops conveniently ignored that the covid eligibility rule would have allowed Clark a fifth year but she chose
not to use it as Clark entered the WNBA swoops boldly predicted she wouldn’t dominate in the league but as Clark began breaking rookie assist records and establishing herself as one of the League’s Premier Playmakers swoops mysteriously went quiet the numbers speak for themselves Clark finished her rookie campaign averaging 19.
2 points and a league leading 8.4 assists per game silencing the doubters and securing Rookie of the Year honors didn’t say she wouldn’t be good what I said was I didn’t think Caitlyn or Angel would come into the league and dominate immediately which I I don’t think either of them did respectfully there is absolutely no way even when we’re trying to sit here and play semantics about dominating there’s no way that anyone could ever leave this season and saying that both Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese didn’t dominate you would have to further explain what
dominance means for you to not sit here and say that a player who is leading the league and assist while averaging 19 to 20 points didn’t dominate That season perhaps most telling was swoops his appearance on Angel Reese’s podcast where she continued undermining Clark while insisting she doesn’t dislike her a classic case of saying one thing while doing another know Cheryl since she was in college I I helped do her shoe deal with Nike in 1993 took her to her first SBS I I’ve known Cheryl I’ve coached her have a lot of respect for her the I I
called her when Caitlyn was still playing at Iowa and she had just broken maravich’s record and it was all over the place as you and I have uh discussed that you know there was this quote by Cheryl that said you know Caitlyn was you know 25 years old she was however 24 years old she was a 50-year senior she was taking 40 shots a game her records were illegitimate the basketball World took notice of this pattern and eventually swoops was removed from broadcasting a fever game and replaced by Nancy liberman who didn’t hesitate to
call out the misinformation being spread about the rookie sensation I got off the treadmill and I called her as a friend and I said you know you can say whatever you want you can have your own opinion about anybody but you do have to get the statistics right I mean facts matter and if you just get ahead of this and just say hey I made a mistake on my numbers then this thing is over and everybody respects you for your opinion and you know you might like Boston I might like the Yankees you know it’s okay to have
difference of opinions well she she got a set with me on the phone and I was like Cheryl you know I’m not doing anything to hurt you I’m just sharing we’re talking and so our relationship it pretty much it is not happening at this point I tried to talk to her at the final four she didn’t want to talk to me my life’s going to be good or great with or without Sher swoops in my life the basketball world was desperately waiting for someone with credibility to step into the Caitlyn Clark conversation that moment finally arrived
when Cheryl Miller walked into the all the smoke podcast studio and absolutely lit up the critics what happens when a basketball legend who’s actually coached Clark decides she’s had enough of the nonsense you get one of the most authentic defenses we’ve seen in women’s basketball you know ja you’re absolutely right and I was like I was like come on you big dummies is she getting hyped yes um but she was in the backyard she was was putting in the same time sometimes maybe more than you were right I can’t fault
her for what she was given Miller didn’t just casually support Clark she came with fire and precision that only someone of her stature could deliver her now viral comment directed at critics like swoops said everything in just two words come on you big dummies the studio erupted but Miller was just getting started she defended Clark’s work ethic with the passion of someone who’s seen it firsthand this wasn’t just another talk head defending Clark this was Cheryl Miller one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball
directly calling out the hypocrisy that’s been swirling around the young star she pointed out something the haters conveniently ignore you know I mean look as much as she was given you can’t tell me if that door would have swung the other way where she didn’t live up to the height come on folks is still waiting for it to fall exactly exactly come on y so with that being said you big dumm is you getting paid now it’s the uncomfortable truth that Clark’s critics don’t want to admit her presence has elevated the entire league
including the paychecks of those criticizing her you recently coached a WNBA allstar game um you spent some time with K klin Clark best coaching job ever ever best coaching job ever best coaching job ever being around Caitlin Clark how was the experience with her she’s such a big star I mean the sky’s limit for her to be around her just talk about the type of person she is how much she loves the game I’m going to be honest because it needs to be said um I can relate to that that young lady and I felt for her mhm I know what it’s
like to be hated I know what it’s like to be a black woman and hated because of my color yeah what makes Miller’s defense so powerful is that she’s not speaking from speculation she’s speaking from direct experience after coaching Clark in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game Miller had a front row seat to evaluate Clark’s game beyond the highlight reels and what she discovered surprised even her I can’t imagine this young lady not I don’t want to use hate but despised MH and people just having I mean and look I mean she she brought some on herself a
little bit cuz she’s cocky for a good reason mhm confident um and I love that about her but to watch the Dynamics and the media they had their narrative mhm and I was pleased and proud to see the narrative wasn’t the truth I was pleased and proud to see the narrative wasn’t the truth Miller revealed effectively dismantling months of media spin in a single sentence she went deeper offering rare insight into what makes Clark Special watching her pass and I didn’t know how talented she was and how well she sees the game in a 3D
version thinker defensively a lot better than I thought and gave her credit for so watching her and just spending a little time and one thing guys that that I’ve learned is to step back and let these kids be themselves behind Miller’s technical breakdown of Clark’s skills lies something far more significant a genuine emotional bond formed in the trenches of Clark’s most difficult moments when the fever finally secured their first win of the 2024 season Miller didn’t just congratulate Clark she offered her some almost no one else
had unconditional support when the rookie needed it most he was getting hit with everything left and right and I just said um I hugged her I said I’m so proud of you um I go Savor this um use this as a as a formula I said but keep being you I said no matter what keep being you that Embrace between Miller and Clark after Indiana’s first Victory wasn’t just a casual interaction between basketball figures it was a pivotal moment that revealed just how isolated Clark had felt during the storm of criticism surrounding her
entry into the league Miller recalled the raw emotion of that interaction I gave her the biggest hug that I could when she saw me she was like oh man finally somebody who’s on my side she was getting hit with everything left and right heavy as a crown that that she’s wearing right now right um and it wasn’t something that she self anointed her self it’s something that’s been placed on her head and I hope people understand that um but it’s it’s it’s everything that she’s dealing with in that vulnerable moment
Miller didn’t just offer empty platitudes she provided the kind of guidance that only comes from someone who’s walked a similar path I’m so proud of you Savor this use this as a formula but keep being you no matter what keep being you these weren’t just comforting words they were a Lifeline to a rookie drown in expectations and scrutiny and I just I I I gave her the biggest hug that I could and when she saw me she’s like oh man finally somebody somebody I see that’s on my side right they could relate the one thing that I said to her and she was
heading into her senior year was um have fun no matter all the static um just make sure you find that quiet place when Cheryl Miller speaks the basketball World listens and for good reason her voice carries the weight of an extraordinary Legacy three nay Smith Player of the Year Awards two national championships Olympic gold and a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame but Miller’s support goes beyond her impressive resume she sees something in Clark that many critics miss the exceptional Court Vision that makes her
more than just a scorer you can set a screen for kayin kayin don’t need a screen kayn’s got great handles the one thing that I don’t think people really appreciate about that young lady’s game she can pass she can’t pass she got great assist she she bounce pass the bounce pass is powerful which is almost non-existent game the one thing that I think people don’t really appreciate about that young lady’s game she can pass the ball Miller emphasized highlighting an aspect of Clark’s play that transforms her from merely great to
potentially Transcendent this wasn’t just praise it was validation from someone who recognizes basketball Brilliance when she sees it I love what they done for the women’s game from a cleic level to now and um it’s working and it was only a matter of time and great narratives great story lines but now the bottom line comes down to one thing it’s about basketball and it’s about wins what makes Miller’s perspective especially valuable is her unique position at the intersection of Player Development and media narratives during the 2024 WNBA
All-Star Game she witnessed firsthand Clark’s greatness in real time in one straightforward observation she dismantled months of false narratives being created by the old guard about Clark what advice if any did you share in that meeting with kitlyn cuz I I know that she spoke very highly of you got great respect for you I’ve known Cheryl for a little while now I I think her energy that that’s what I love about her like it’s just contagious and um it’s fun the All-Star Game wasn’t just about busting myths it marked the beginning of
a relationship that could transform the entire trajectory of the Indiana Fever when Caitlyn Clark nervously called Cheryl Miller coach for the first time neither woman fully realized they were planting the seeds for what might become the wnba’s next championship Powerhouse I’ve known Cheryl for a little while now I think her energy that that’s what I love about her like it’s just contagious and um it’s fun long before stepping onto the court together Clark had been watching Miller from afar with unmistakable
admiration obviously Cheryl she’s like one of the pioneers of our game just an awesome individual her personality radiates Clark revealed her respect for the basketball legend evident in every word this wasn’t just polite acknowledgement it was genuine excitement from a young star who understood the significance of working with greatness the anticipation only Built as the All-Star coaching announcement approached for her to get to coach us it’s super exciting for me I was super excited when I heard that news Clark
shared revealing how meaningful this opportunity was to her but it was their first interaction that truly showcased the potential future of this partnership getting to be around those two two people that have done so much for the game um for me is super special like there’s still two people that I really look up to and and idolize and appreciate everything that they’ve done and for them to have this moment too and be a part of it like it’s just super cool Clark despite her confidence on the court approached Miller with the
deference of a student meeting their Idol I called her coach and she said I don’t know about that we’ll have to see how I do during the game Clark recalled with a laugh this small moment humility from both sides speaks volumes about the foundation they’re building together what makes this connection so intriguing for Indiana’s future is how clearly Miller sees the championship DNA already present in the fever after working closely with the team’s core Miller didn’t mince words Indiana has a very very bright future coming from someone with multiple
national championships and Olympic gold that assessment carries weight that basketball insiders immediately recognize holy smokes what an opportunity and I was excited like really really excited till I found out that the team I’m coaching wants to beat the brakes off are Olympic team I’m like okay the pressure’s on so now we got a game folks we’re going to have a game but it’s uh it’s been fantastic what impressed Miller most wasn’t just Clark’s individual Talent it was the collective fearlessness of the entire
fever roster this is not a team people want to play Miller observed not only are they getting better but they’re confident and they share No Fear they’re Fearless that psychological Edge the willingness to compete against anyone is exactly what championship teams need when facing adversity perhaps most surprisingly Miller found herself stunned by the basketball Intelligence on display from The Young fever Squad I did not count on their basketball IQ being that high she admitted I knew it was high obviously because they play at this level but it’s
one thing to no knowledge this cerebral Dimension the ability to not just execute but understand the game at its deepest levels is what separates good teams from great ones and people that came well before today’s game they were skilled they were incredible the spotlight is now enhanced and give these women credit they have certainly Elevate the game but there are some truly truly great players that could play today that played yesterday and you know what and and I love the way that you said piggyback because um in no way shape or
form um am I not appreciative of where the game is at and and the exposure because we get exposure um Everybody forgot Lynette Woodard until Caitlyn Clark broke her scoring record looking ahead to the 2025 season there’s something special brewing in Indiana that goes beyond just X’s and O’s the mutual respect between Caitlyn Clark and Cheryl Miller isn’t just for show it’s a foundation for something potentially Championship worthy Clark herself has acknowledged Miller as one of the pioneers of our game and praised how her
personality radiates what makes this connection so powerful is how genuine it feels from both sides Miller has been blown away by Clark’s abilities particularly her chord Vision which she describes as seeing the game in a 3D version this isn’t just empty praise it’s recognition from one of basketball’s greatest Minds when Miller told Clark I’m so proud of you Savor this use this as a formula but keep being you she wasn’t just offering encouragement she was passing the torch while certain critics continue their
tired campaign of misinformation this Clark Miller Alliance represents everything that’s right about basketball’s generational connections the future in Indiana isn’t just bright it’s Championship caliber with this kind of mentorship in place let us know in the comments how excited you are like subscribe and turn on all notifications so you never miss out click the video on the screen and we will see you in the next next one