In a sports world often dominated by diplomatic answers and carefully curated public relations statements, Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller has decided to choose violence—or rather, the unvarnished truth.

For months, the narrative surrounding Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has been a turbulent mix of record-breaking highs and bizarre, criticism-filled lows. While fans have flocked to arenas in unprecedented numbers, a subset of the WNBA’s “old guard” has seemingly dedicated itself to minimizing Clark’s impact. From false statistical claims to dismissive commentary, the resistance to the “Clark Effect” has been palpable.

But the silence from the legends’ corner has officially been broken. Cheryl Miller, a woman whose name is synonymous with basketball royalty, recently entered the chat, and she brought receipts. In a blistering appearance on the “All the Smoke” podcast, Miller dismantled the critics, defended Clark’s honor, and delivered a reality check that has reverberated across the entire basketball landscape.

“You Big Dummies”

The headline-grabbing moment of Miller’s defense was as simple as it was devastating. Addressing the chorus of negativity that has followed Clark from the NCAA to the pros, Miller offered a blunt assessment of the critics’ intelligence.

“That being said, you big dummies, you getting paid now,” Miller declared.

It was a statement that cut through the noise of basketball analysis and struck at the economic heart of the matter. Miller’s argument is rooted in the undeniable financial revolution Clark has sparked. Since Clark’s arrival, the WNBA has seen charter flights become a reality, attendance records shatter, and viewership numbers rival those of major men’s sports. The rising tide is lifting all boats, yet some players and pundits seem intent on drilling holes in the hull.

Miller’s “big dummies” comment highlights the absurdity of biting the hand that feeds. In her view, the energy spent tearing down the league’s most marketable asset is not just petty; it is self-sabotage.

Dismantling the Swoopes Narrative

Miller’s defense was not just about economics; it was a direct rebuttal to specific, damaging narratives that have been allowed to fester. Most notably, she took aim at the claims propagated by fellow legend Sheryl Swoopes.

Earlier this year, Swoopes ignited a firestorm when she falsely claimed that Clark was a “25-year-old playing against teenagers” during her college career and asserted that she took “40 shots a game.” These statements were demonstrably false—Clark was 22 and averaged roughly 19 to 22 shots—but they painted a picture of a bully ball-hog rather than a generational talent.

Miller, who has never been one to mince words, expressed her frustration with these “bizarre and baseless charges.” She noted how the goalposts seemed to constantly move for Clark. First, it was that her scoring wouldn’t translate. Then, when she broke the rookie assist record, it was that she turned the ball over too much.

By calling out these inaccuracies, Miller aligned herself with Nancy Lieberman, another legend who reportedly severed her friendship with Swoopes over the refusal to correct these false statistics. The fracture within the alumni of the game is real, and Miller has clearly chosen the side of facts.

The “Best Coaching Job Ever”

What gives Miller’s defense such weight is that it isn’t based on distant observation. Miller had a front-row seat to the Caitlin Clark experience when she coached Team WNBA to a victory over Team USA in the 2024 All-Star Game.

Miller described the experience as the “best coaching job ever,” a glowing endorsement from a woman who has done it all. But it was her assessment of Clark’s game that truly turned heads. While critics have tried to pigeonhole Clark as a one-dimensional shooter, Miller saw something different.

“I didn’t know how talented she was and how well she sees the game in a 3D version,” Miller explained. She went on to praise Clark’s defensive instincts—an area often cited as a weakness—noting that the rookie was a “thinker defensively” and much better than she had been given credit for.

This technical validation from one of the greatest players in history serves as a shield against the “she’s just a shooter” narrative. Miller confirmed what many eyes have seen: Clark is a basketball savant.

“Finally, Someone Who’s On My Side”

Perhaps the most poignant moment of Miller’s commentary wasn’t about basketball at all, but about the human toll of the spotlight. Miller recounted a private moment shared with Clark after the Indiana Fever secured their first win of the season—a milestone that felt like a mountain climb after a brutal 0-5 start.

Miller approached Clark to offer her congratulations and a hug. What happened next revealed the depth of the rookie’s isolation.

“When she noticed me, I gave her the greatest hug I could manage,” Miller recalled. “And she exclaimed, ‘Oh man, finally someone who’s on my side.’”

That brief sentence is a devastating indictment of the environment Clark has walked into. For a rookie to feel so besieged that a hug from a legend elicits relief at “finally” having an ally speaks volumes about the hostility she has perceived.

Miller, who knows a thing or two about being a Black woman in the spotlight and facing scrutiny, offered Clark a lifeline. “I’m so proud of you,” she told the young star. “Use this as a formula, but keep being you. No matter what.”

Heavy is the Crown

Miller concluded her defense by contextualizing Clark’s stardom. She reminded the audience that Clark did not ask for the mania that surrounds her.

“It wasn’t something that she self-anointed herself,” Miller said. “It’s something that’s been placed on her head… heavy is the crown.”

This perspective is crucial. The media created the “Caitlin Clark Savior” narrative, but Clark is the one who has to live it, play through it, and face the resentment it generates in others. Miller’s empathy shifts the focus from Clark as a product to Clark as a person—a 22-year-old woman navigating unprecedented pressure.

A Shift in the Winds

Cheryl Miller’s intervention marks a turning point in the WNBA’s cultural conversation. For too long, the loudest voices from the past have been critical. Now, a voice that commands absolute authority has stepped in to correct the record.

By calling the critics “big dummies” and embracing Clark with open arms, Miller is bridging the gap between the pioneers of the game and its future. She is sending a message that the torch shouldn’t be used to burn the next generation, but to light their way.

As the WNBA heads into an offseason defined by expansion and negotiation, Miller’s words serve as a necessary guidepost. The league is changing, the money is flowing, and the talent is undeniable. It’s time for everyone to stop fighting the future and start cashing the checks.