Part of what makes Candace Parker one of the most incredible WNBA talents ever is that she knows the game and has always been unapologetically herself. She shouldn’t have to change that for Knicks fans.
In case you missed it, New York Knicks fans are unhappy with how media personalities have recently portrayed Jalen Brunson. Earlier this season, they took exception to comments made by Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. As a result, they created a new nickname for Brunson that reflects what they feel is top-tier talent.
Knicks fans are now dissatisfied with WNBA star Candace Parker for comments she made about Jalen Brunson’s stats in last season’s playoffs.
Candace Parker questions Jalen Brunson's playoff performances, saying he did a good job in the first round last year, but not the second.
2023 First Round: 24 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.2 RPG
2023 Second Round: 31 PPG, 6.3 APG, 5.5 RPG pic.twitter.com/rFFRBHySro— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 24, 2024
Candace Parker on Jalen Brunson’s 2023 postseason:
“Last year in the playoffs, great first round, second round not so much”
Jalen Brunson averaged 31.0 PTS, 6.3 AST, and 5.5 REB on 50% FG in the second round series vs the Miami Heat.pic.twitter.com/ku9330C3Fb
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) January 24, 2024
Parker’s comments led to her social media accounts being flooded by vitriol from Knicks fans, and it even got the attention of current Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart.
Shows you some of them don’t actually watch basketball https://t.co/WMNsr0CQWi
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) January 24, 2024
The backlash prompted Parker to clarify her comments on Wednesday.
The question was not can you win with a small player as your best player…. ?It's can you win a CHAMPIONSHIP with a small player as your best player? Everyone throwing me and tweeting me stats. You are missing the point. A.I. Was my absolute favorite player…. Despite avg 35.6…
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) January 24, 2024
But here’s the thing: Like Hammon, Parker shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to validate her opinion simply because Knicks fans disagree. She’s entitled to her opinion just like they are entitled to theirs – even if that opinion is incorrect.
What she’s not entitled to is having her resume and her basketball knowledge questioned. The disrespect is mystifying and incredibly dismissive. If the energy is not the same for other media personalities when they comment on basketball or Jalen Brunson, this is selective outrage, and fans should be ashamed.
Random shoutout to
3x WNBA Champion
2x MVP
2016 Finals MVP
2020 DPOY
7x All-Star
2013 All-Star Game MVP
& 2008 ROTY, Candace Parkerfor no reason at all. pic.twitter.com/414DQXWT6S
— WNBA (@WNBA) January 24, 2024
