The tenor of the debate on First Take between Monica McNutt and Stephen A Smith left new fans of the WNBA on the edge of their seats, while those who have been following the sport for the past twenty-eight years saying thank you, someone, finally stood up for women’s basketball.
McNutt’s stance on Stephen A. Smith making accusations that the fouls WNBA players making on Caitlin Clark were more than what they seem, struck a nerve with McNutt during the debate on First Take. The biggest thing that resonated during the back and forth between the two was McNutt telling Stephen A Smith that he could have been talking about the WNBA three years ago because of the reach he has with his platform. Smith’s inability to have a witty comeback to McNutt’s statement showed what she said holds merit.
The conversations about A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces having the opportunity to become the second team in WNBA history to three-peat, alongside the Houston Comets who did it first, were able to four-peat with a team that consisted of Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, and Sheryl Swoops. There is no such discussion being had, instead conversations concerning A’ja Wilson not being marketable compared to Caitlin Clark seem to take precedence. Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark has gotten the attention of everyone, including her social media following with her ability to shoot the ball from the logo but has yet to make a mark as a WNBA player. The incoming rookie’s marketability through social media has translated to more fans watching to see what their favorite WNBA player is doing. We can honestly agree the NIL era of college sports has more individuals paying attention to the competition of the WNBA night in and night out.
The WNBA has everyone tuning in every opportunity they have because of their constant storylines to discuss new records being set by the 2024 recruiting class along with the veterans that have been in the WNBA for a substantial period of time. Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike eight-time all-star reached the 6,000-point plateau that only 14 other WNBA players have been able to achieve along with Jewel Loyd was able to reach the 5,000 points in her career that only 25 other WNBA players have been able to achieve. Currently, Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark is leading the WNBA in assists and Chicago Sky Angel Reese has an ongoing record of 8 straight double-doubles.
McNutt since the incident on First Take has increased her visibility allowing people to know who she is and what she brings to the game. McNutt isn’t a fly-by-night journalist, she’s put in the time and has shown the fans that she is well versed in discussing basketball, being a commentator for the New York Knicks. To be truthful McNutt checked every man who considers themselves an analyst to talk about sports to talk about the ladies of the WNBA. The time has come for everyone to understand that the WNBA has been here, and even more eyes are watching, so more commentary should be had concerning the WNBA because these ladies can ball.
Monica McNutt played collegiate basketball for Georgetown University, and being the true competitor she was while in the Hoyas program she became the all-time leader in games played. She was also named to the 2009 Big East Second team and led her Hoyas team to the Sweet 16. Currently ranked 9th all-time in made three-pointers, 6th in three-pointer attempts, 10th in True Shooting Percentage and 8th in win shares. Since her playing days at Georgetown, McNutt has blazed the journalism trail appearing on several media outlets like CBS Sports Network, ESPN, Turner/NBA TV, and she has worked as a game analyst for the New York Knicks. McNutt has done commentary for the Summer Olympics as well as the NBA Draft.
This was an opportunity to show that McNutt knows what she’s talking about because she’s a student of the game and provides insight into the game based on being a neutral analyst. McNutt is truly appreciated for all her hard work giving the facts and being honest about the play on the court. Thank you, Monica McNutt, for standing on truth and calling out everyone to provide more visibility to the WNBA.