If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or caught a segment of SportsCenter lately, you know the vibes. It’s loud. It’s polarized. And usually, Elle Duncan and Caitlin Clark are right at the center of the storm.
Honestly, the way people talk about these two, you’d think they were in a boxing ring. But the reality is a lot more nuanced than a 30-second viral clip of Elle "going off" on a fan base. There’s a massive gap between the headlines and the actual basketball being played, and frankly, it’s getting a little exhausting.
The Myth of the "Hater" Narrative
Let’s be real for a second. There is a very specific corner of the internet that has decided Elle Duncan hates Caitlin Clark. They see a clip of Elle praising A'ja Wilson or Napheesa Collier and immediately interpret it as a slight against the Indiana Fever’s star.
It’s a weird way to watch sports.
Elle Duncan has actually been one of the most vocal defenders of Clark’s impact. When Time named Clark the 2024 Athlete of the Year, a lot of people rolled their eyes. Not Elle. She hopped on social media and basically told everyone to pipe down, arguing that Clark’s "uncommon and transformational year" was exactly what the league needed. She’s called Clark a "nitro pack" on the back of the WNBA.
But here’s where the tension actually lives: Elle refuses to pretend that the WNBA didn’t exist before 2024.
That’s the rub. For many new fans—the "Clark-only" crowd—suggesting that anyone else is currently better than Caitlin is viewed as heresy. For Elle, who has covered this league for years, saying A’ja Wilson is the best player in the world isn't an insult to Clark. It’s just a fact.
Why the Discourse Feels So Disingenuous Right Now
During an appearance on Bomani Jones’ podcast, The Right Time, Elle didn’t hold back. She called the current state of WNBA media "disingenuous."
She’s right.
We’ve reached a point where you can’t even have a favorite player without it being a political statement. If you like Clark, you’re accused of "not protecting Black women." If you like Angel Reese, you’re "stifling Clark’s greatness." It’s a culture war masquerading as a box score.
The most frustrating part? Caitlin Clark probably hates it more than anyone.
As Elle pointed out, Clark is a basketball junkie. She wants to talk about Aliyah Boston’s footwork or Kelsey Mitchell’s speed. She doesn’t want to be a vessel for people’s grievances about "woke culture" or whatever else the "pearl-clutchers" (Elle’s words) are mad about today.
The 2025 Reality: Beyond the Rookie Hype
Now that we’re deep into the 2025 season, the "Rookie of the Year" debates of 2024 feel like a lifetime ago. Remember when people were arguing if Clark and Reese should share the award? Elle and her co-host Gary Striewski debated it endlessly on The Elle Duncan Show.
But the 2025 landscape is different. The data is in.
- Ratings are still astronomical.
- Attendance is holding steady.
- The "Caitlin Clark Effect" is a billion-dollar reality.
But the "issue" Elle keeps highlighting—most recently on The Stephen A. Smith Show—is the denigration of everyone else. You can celebrate the fact that Clark brought 19 million viewers to the NCAA Finals without saying the rest of the league "is nothing" without her.
That’s the nuance that gets lost in the TikTok edits.
What Really Happened with the "Technical" Drama
If you want to see where the rubber meets the road, look at the officiating. Clark has a temper. She’s competitive. She picks up technical fouls like they’re loyalty points at a coffee shop.
In early 2025, Clark caught a tech during a preseason game against the Atlanta Dream for yelling "No one cares!" at a ref. The internet exploded. People claimed she was being targeted. Others said she was a "brat."
Elle’s take? It’s just basketball.
🔗 Read more: C.F. Monterrey vs Inter Milan Matches: What Really Happened in Pasadena
She’s constantly trying to remind fans that these women are athletes. They shove. They talk trash. They get frustrated. When people "infantilize" Clark as if she’s a victim of the league, they’re ignoring the fact that she can dish it out just as well as she takes it.
Actionable Insights for the Modern WNBA Fan
If you actually want to enjoy the WNBA without getting caught in the Elle Duncan vs. Caitlin Clark fan-war crossfire, here’s how to do it:
- Watch the Fever as a team. Stop looking at Caitlin’s stats in a vacuum. Watch how she interacts with Aliyah Boston. Notice the way Sophie Cunningham plays the "enforcer" role. The Fever are legit contenders because of the chemistry, not just one logo three.
- Acknowledge the "Rising Tide." It’s okay to admit Clark is the primary driver of the new revenue. It’s also okay to admit that the league’s skill level was already elite. Both can be true at the same time.
- Check the source. Before you get mad at a 10-second clip of Elle Duncan, watch the whole segment. Nine times out of ten, she’s actually praising Clark’s play while criticizing the toxic nature of the conversation around her.
- Follow the 2025 CBA updates. As Elle mentioned, nearly 90% of the league is on the final year of their contracts. The movement we’re about to see is going to change the face of the sport.
The WNBA is in its "stratosphere" era. The "nitro pack" is attached. Whether you’re a longtime fan or you just followed Caitlin from Iowa, the goal should be the same: stop the culture war and start watching the game. The basketball is too good to spend all your time arguing on the internet.
Key Takeaways for 2026 and Beyond
The 2026 season is going to be even more chaotic with expansion teams and a new TV deal looming. To stay ahead, keep your eyes on the actual court performance. The rivalry between Clark and Reese will always sell tickets, but the real story is how the league handles this massive influx of cash and attention without losing its soul. Stay focused on the rosters, the cap space, and the actual wins—that's where the real value lies.