Diana Taurasi retired in February 2025, ending an era. Her legacy was locked — three WNBA championships, six Olympic gold medals and 10,000-plus career points later, she was, and forever would be, a candidate for greatest basketball player of all time. But almost before the farewells were over, a new argument was raging online. Is Caitlin Clark the next GOAT? And the hot take: “Is she already?”
Retired NBA player Rashad McCants seems to think so, raising eyebrows in the hoops world as a result. McCants took to X (formerly Twitter) this week to declare, “THE FACE OF THE NBA IS CAITLIN CLARK!!! Yea I said it!!!! She has handled criticism better than the people you consider THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!!! @CaitlinClark22 your the GOAT!!!”
The timing—just days after Taurasi retired—has many speculating whether it was a slight to Taurasi’s legacy. McCants didn’t mention names, but his words have left fans to quibble over greatness and timing—seemingly taking a dig at Clark’s credentials.
Credit: Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark is easily one of the most sensational players to hit women’s basketball in years. From her historic numbers in college at Iowa to her incredible rookie season with the Indiana Fever, she’s already making history. But the GOAT? That’s rich—and fans called it out quickly.
While she has faced criticism before, such as this year in college during her rivalry with Angel Reese, it’s difficult to say Clark was subjected to the constant pressure Taurasi and others had to endure throughout their careers. Dealing with the outside noise is part of the job of being great, but it’s not the only reason for GOAT-level status.
Fans Clash Over McCants’ “GOAT” Comments on Caitlin Clark
Unsurprisingly, McCants’ tweet didn’t sit well with fans. Many questioned his logic and pointed out inconsistencies in his criteria for greatness. One fan wrote, “How she’s the goat when she hasn’t won anything? i’m one of her biggest fans but based how you judge Tatum etc. what you giving CC a pat on the back for? you gotta be consistent Shad..”
how she’s the goat when she hasn’t won anything? i’m one of her biggest fans but based how you judge Tatum etc. what you giving CC a pat on the back for? you gotta be consistent Shad..
— I’M BAAACK (@PapiDeNeive) March 1, 2025
Another fan sarcastically added that maybe they could have this convo if Clark wins an MVP this year. “If she wins an MVP this year then we’ll talk lol.” Others were not as polite in blasting here. “According to your logic she hasn’t accomplished anything, what we supposed to give her a pat on the back?” And finally some just poo-pooed on McCants all together. “It’s too early for you to have Bron meat in your mouth like this, way too early.” and one wrote, “Google: Who is Rashad McCants?”
Caitlin Clark is an amazing player full of potential, but it’s way too premature to crown her as the GOAT. What makes McCants’ take interesting is that it comes just a few days after Diana Taurasi announced that she would be retiring. So it’s hard not to think his tweet is a part of the growing buzz surrounding who will take the torch in women’s basketball.
Although McCants might not have directly pointed to Taurasi, it’s hard not to read between the lines when he decided to call Clark “the GOAT” just days after Taurasi, who’s arguably the greatest of all time, just announced her plans to retire. It’s one thing to hype up Clark for her legendary start, but it’s another to use that hype to stir the pot surrounding the women’s basketball legends who have already earned their stripes.
The post Relentless NBA Community Has No Heart for Caitlin Clark as Calls Mount Against Ex-National Player’s Bold Stance appeared first on EssentiallySports.