For Caitlin Clark, LeBron James isn’t just the GOAT; he’s the blueprint. “That’s like one of my idols, like LeBron is the GOAT to me,” she shared in a post-game interview after her 23rd birthday. From the very beginning, she’s looked up to him, admiring not just his greatness on the court but his fearless leadership and how he revolutionized the game. And all of that has reflected as the “Caitlin Clark effect” in the W. But as she follows in her idol’s footsteps, fans are now vying for more!
Well, it all came up after the 40-year-old dropped a cryptic 7-second teaser ad on X that mimicked a press conference. “Are the retirement rumors true?” asked the reporters. While he didn’t give any update, he left fans on edge by asking a counter-question in the caption, “I’ve been asking myself the same question…” Then? The shot cut to black – enough to set social media on fire.
So while LBJ hasn’t confirmed anything, sources suggest he still feels he has at least one more year left in the tank and may even consider a pay cut to help the Lakers build a more competitive roster. But what added fuel to the wildfire was the full video that Amazon’s “What’s Next?” ad campaign later dropped. This time, it didn’t cut to black, and LBJ said, “whatever it is, it’s gonna be a big deal”.
But there’s still a sense of finality in the air. He’s nursing a knee injury from the playoffs, and according to his agent Rich Paul, the real battle may not be physical – it’s about whether his mind and heart are still in it. However, offering some optimism, his Lakers rookie teammate, Dalton Knecht, chimed in: “He said he can play another five, 10 years. Me and ‘Bron could run it for another five, 10 years. Why not?” That might sound like wishful thinking, but it highlights just how rare and unreal LeBron’s longevity has been.
And yet, as the King toys with the idea of stepping away, social media is left with just one question: Who’s the face of basketball now? And, surprisingly – or perhaps not – much of that spotlight is now shifting to the WNBA, and more specifically, Caitlin Clark!
Fans make a unique demand from Caitlin Clark as LBJ teases retirement
As the news about LeBron James’ retirement went viral, spectators couldn’t help but turn their focus to just one name, Caitlin Clark, as the potential heir to the legacy the basketball GOAT will leave behind. “The ‘face of basketball’ is someone non-fans are well aware of… So it’s still LBJ. And then it’s Caitlin Clark,” penned a user.
Well, CC just returned from a three-week hiatus, and as she stepped on the court, she immediately put together a career-best first half, before tying her own WNBA record for most seven three-pointers made in a game. Even LBJ couldn’t hold himself back. He took to social media after the Fever’s 102-88 victory with a short and simple message, but one that spoke volumes.
“The CC EFFECT!!” James wrote on X, “WELCOME BACK! You were missed!” Nothing but respect from the NBA’s King to the WNBA’s Queen. Clark, who was averaging 19.0 points and a league-high 9.3 assists prior to her injury, quickly reminded her opponents just how difficult she is to guard, both on and off the ball. And since the GOAT himself is admiring her, it makes sense why people are speculating that CC could be the next one after LBJ.
And to be honest, we’ve seen Clark shoot an impressive 68.8% within eight feet, finishing at the rim with a level of dominance that mirrors James’ signature slashing style. Not just that, as a rookie, CC shattered WNBA records in media engagement, ticket sales, and TV ratings – earning her a spot among the most marketable athletes, comparable to LeBron’s early career pull. “These two, honestly! The NBA is marketing Clark as much as any of their own star players,” penned another spectator. And no doubts about that. CC’s No. 22 Fever jersey has become a cultural phenomenon. It sold out within an hour of her being drafted, ranked second overall behind only NBA MVP Stephen Curry, and became the best-selling rookie jersey in league history.
“Arguably Clark. Her college games have brought in more viewership than any men’s games in the last five years.” And it doesn’t stop there; her jersey sales, along with Angel Reese’s, drove a 1,000% jump in player-specific merchandise and a 500% surge in overall WNBA merch sales. So it makes sense why the league is marketing Clark more than any other player.
“We are in the transition from LeBron James to Caitlin Clark,” wrote another user. Even from a scoring standpoint, CC is no less than a phenom, averaging 19 points per game in her second season. But what truly puts the spotlight on her is her signature logo threes – literally from 33 feet! While James isn’t usually the first name associated with logo-range shooting, it’s become a key weapon in his later years. In fact, during the 2023-24 run, he knocked down over 40% of his shots from beyond 25 feet, and on a healthy volume, too.
“Caitlin Clark and LeBron James,” penned another User to make his choice clear. Well, considering how Clark has unlocked the James in her game in just her second season, not a surprise that their names are being taken together. The way she is finishing efficiently around the rim? Screams James. Also, Clark has long been compared to Jason Kidd, Steph Curry, and Steve Nash because of her knack for pushing the tempo with outlet passes, improvisational skills, elite court vision, and shooting range. And that is also James’ entire skillset now!
But is CC in just Year 2 enough to step ahead of already established legends at the WNBA and NBA? What do you think?
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