Monday’s “First Take” centered around Caitlin Clark, and it generated just as much controversy as any rookie game.
Discussing an action-packed weekend that included a hard hipcheck from Sky veteran Chennedy Carter on Saturday and a tough loss to Liberty on Sunday, the worst game of Clark’s young career, Monica McNutt accused Stephen A. Smith of not covering women’s sports, which left Smith rather upset.
“Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Smith asked on the show.
“With all due respect, Stephen A., with your platform, you could have done this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt responded, eliciting a brief response from Smith.
Host Molly Qerim estimated that “First Take” discussed Clark and the WNBA for 40 minutes on Monday, but the show became contentious toward the end.
On Monday’s show, there was a discussion about opposing teams bullying Clark, but the discussion intensified after Carter’s flagrant foul.
“We’re talking about maximizing their incredible potential,” Smith said, “and now because we bring that up and talk about things that might get in their way — as we do with men all the time — we have to sit here and watch every word. I resent it, but I’m not going to say any more.”
Then McNutt fired back.
“We need to take a break. Stephen A., welcome to the world of women, where we are bombarded with word choices and have to please everyone trying to lead us,” McNutt said. “We’re talking about the best athletes in the world…”
“What about being black?” Smith interjected.
Shannon Sharpe tried to say something before she was drowned out by screams that were a common theme.
“There are so many layers to how this issue is being discussed,” McNutt said.
Sharp tried to state his point again, but McNutt again blocked him.
“No, no, you guys will say you know and Stephen A… you just talked about the WNBA on your show, I wouldn’t say everybody, but the general feeling towards people who just got into the WNBA and started watching women’s sports is that it’s unfair to the women in this league who laid the foundation for Caitlin Clark to come in and take it to the next level,” McNutt said. “And that’s all I’m saying in this conversation.
“Chenedy Carter’s actions are not a league-wide issue. We’re still talking about competition. If you’re competing, it’s OK to elbow a little bit within the confines of the game. The game is physical. Kaitlyn is helping grow the league. These women understand that, but they shouldn’t be coddled just because they’re new. That’s all I’m saying.”
The segment then got awkward when McNutt fired back at Smith for using her platform to say things about the WNBA three years ago.
Mr. Smith looked stunned and took a second to reply.
“Wow,” he said in disbelief. “Wow, wow.”
Kerim was finally about to go to commercial break when the screaming began.
“Okay, guys we should go,” Kerim said.
Smith interjected: “And Shaw said…?”
“You know you’re my guy…” McNutt replied.
Smith interjected: “Who could do more than we could?”
“Stephen A., I’m talking to you, I’m talking to you,” McNutt responded.
“Amazing,” Smith said.
“Don’t do that,” McNutt continued, “I’m talking about the power you have.”
“Oh my lord,” Smith said, shook his head and said “OK” repeatedly.
It ended with an awkward exchange in which McNutt told Smith, “I’m her guy,” and Smith repeatedly replied, “I get it.”
Qerim again tried to end the segment, but Smith wasn’t going to let that happen.
“I’m so grateful to everyone, everyone, everyone…” Kerim said.
Smith interrupted her, telling McNutt, “You’re my girl, but I missed a lot of episodes of ‘First Take.’ I missed too many.”
McNutt didn’t let Smith have the last word.
“Stephen A., three years ago you weren’t talking about this level of the WNBA. Don’t do that,” she said.
Kerim again repeatedly used the word “everyone” (notice a pattern?), and then Sharp finally spoke.
“You’re stating Stephen A.’s opinion, Monica,” Sharp said. “Monica, you’re stating Stephen A.’s opinion.”
Kerim then clapped his hands to show he was serious and graciously ended the segment.
“Please, guys,” Kerim said, “let me do my job. Let me do my job. We’ve been talking for 40 minutes now, it’s been a very interesting discussion. We’ve got to go to commercial break.”
