ESPN's Elle Duncan Sends Heated Response to Charles Barkley Over Caitlin Clark Comments

ESPN's Elle Duncan sent a heated message to Charles Barkley this week in response to his controversial comments about Caitlin Clark.

Before Game 1 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals, Barkley criticized "petty" women for hating on Clark, the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick, and her meteoric rise to fame.

"You women out there, y'all petty, man... Y'all should be thanking (Caitlin Clark) for getting y'all (expletive) private charters," Barkley said on TNT.

Clark has undeniably elevated the league to new heights. However, some WNBA veterans, including Diana Taurasi, have made remarks suggesting they aren't entirely pleased with Clark's prominence.

In response, ESPN's Duncan fired back at Barkley and others who share the view that Clark is underappreciated. She passionately defended Clark and called out the rhetoric that pits women against each other in the sports industry.

"This is only women that get this s--t," Duncan said. "I'm tired of it. Here's my thing you guys: Who are these girls that are hating on Caitlin Clark? Are you just combing through Twitter? What else are these women supposed to do? Fawn over her? Fan girl over her? Bend the f---ing knee? Kiss the ring? Like what do we want from them?

"She's got 45 games. We are not every single game gonna revisit and retread this same tired a-- rhetoric that all these girls are hating on her and that they need to be grateful. They have been! They've said it time and time and time again!"

Duncan makes a strong point. These WNBA players don't owe Caitlin Clark anything and it's not their responsibility to bow at her feet every time Clark touches the court.

The WNBA is full of competitors. It'd be a disservice to the league if players were fan girling over Clark.

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