NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed a mixed reaction to Caitlin Clark not being selected for the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team for the upcoming Paris Games. As a basketball enthusiast, Silver shared that he would have enjoyed seeing Clark, a standout rookie for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, compete in the Olympics. However, he acknowledged the different priorities and objectives held by USA Basketball in their team selection process.
Caitlin Clark has been one of the most closely watched players in the WNBA this season, garnering significant attention and becoming a fan favorite due to her impressive performances. Silver noted her popularity and influence on the sport’s viewership. She is without a doubt one of the most well-liked players in the world right now. The ratings show that,” Silver said on Thursday in a conversation.
NBA commissioner says ‘it would have been nice’ if Caitlin Clark was on the Olympics roster
Clark was not selected for the team that was announced by USA Basketball earlier this week, a decision that has sparked conversations within the game. pic.twitter.com/pE9a80knhU— Simo saadi🇲🇦🇵🇸🇺🇸 (@Simo7809957085) June 14, 2024
Despite his personal hopes, Silver, respecting his professional boundaries as NBA Commissioner, stated that he understood the decision-making framework of USA Basketball. The organization’s primary goal is to assemble the best team possible to continue their dominance in Olympic basketball, focusing purely on the competitive aspect of the game. “My mandate differs slightly from USA Basketball’s,” Silver clarified. “I work to increase the number of individuals who watch and enjoy basketball. I acknowledge that they all carried out their duties as directed by USA Basketball, which has a very clear mandate to field the strongest team possible in terms of competition.
In her debut WNBA season, Clark has been performing exceptionally well. She was named the league’s rookie of the month for May and has been maintaining high averages across multiple statistics. Specifically, she has been averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds over her first 13 games. These statistics place her alongside Las Vegas’ Jackie Young as one of only two players maintaining such averages this season, with Young recording slightly higher numbers.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said fans of WNBA player Caitlin Clark should not be so quick to place such high hopes on the young player.https://t.co/LkVHC2XhZF
— FOX Illinois (@foxillinois) June 14, 2024
Silver remains optimistic about Clark’s future, both in the WNBA and potentially on the international stage. He emphasized his confidence in her abilities and prospects, stating, “I’m sure there’ll be lots of opportunities for her to intercede on behalf of our country.” He believes that Clark will have a significant and impactful career ahead of her, suggesting that her time to shine on the Olympic stage may come in the future.
Overall, while the absence of Caitlin Clark from the U.S. Olympic team may have disappointed some fans and observers, it highlights the differing objectives between professional leagues and national teams in sports. For Silver, it’s a balance between appreciating the strategic decisions of USA Basketball and his broader goal of promoting the sport globally.
Key Points:
i. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed mixed feelings about Caitlin Clark not being selected for the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team for the Paris Games.
ii. As a basketball enthusiast, Silver was disappointed but understood the selection criteria focused on competitive excellence by USA Basketball.
iii. Caitlyn Clark, a standout rookie for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, has shown impressive early performance stats, averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in her first 13 games.
iv. Silver highlighted Clark’s popularity and potential to draw viewers to the sport, noting her significant impact on WNBA ratings.
v. Despite her non-selection for the Olympics, Silver is optimistic about Clark’s future opportunities to represent the U.S. and her promising career ahead.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
