Former Duke guard Jay Williams delivered a take over the weekend that had sports fans scratching their heads.
With College GameDay on hand in Auburn, Ala., counting the basketball world down to No. 12 Auburn versus No. 20 Kentucky, Williams had some words to say about Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.
For most, Clark setting the women’s college basketball all-time scoring record in No. 4 Iowa’s 106-89 romp over Michigan was the perfect moment to celebrate her greatness.
In patented fashion, Clark set the all-time scoring record with a logo 3-pointer. Then, in a fitting display, Clark went ahead and dropped an Iowa single-game scoring record with 49 points.
The 6-foot senior guard knocked down 9-of-18 3-pointers and 16-of-31 from the floor overall. Clark also dished out 13 assists.
It was the complete Clark masterclass.
But, apparently that wasn’t good enough for Jay Williams. In the perfect example of what’s wrong with sports commentary today, Williams said on Saturday that he isn’t willing to call Clark “great” because she hasn’t won a national championship.
“She’s probably the most prolific scorer the game of basketball has ever seen. I am unwilling … to say that she is great yet.”@RealJayWilliams on Caitlin Clark 👀 pic.twitter.com/M68YaA48sP
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) February 17, 2024
“I think she is the Stephen Curry of women’s college basketball. I think she has changed the dynamics of the way the game is played. I think the way she plays, the pizzazz, is like she’s probably the most prolific scorer the game of basketball has ever seen.
“I am unwilling, and maybe it’s the Kobe mentorship around me, to say that she is great yet. I think she is the most prolific scorer the game has ever seen. I hold great, or the levels of immortality or the pantheon to when you win championships. I’m just being (honest), that’s just me. So, Diana Taurasi, when you win three consecutive championships, two-time national player of the year, it has to culminate with a chip.
“It has to. I mean, Breanna Stewart, if we’re talking about GOAT, legends of the game, she’s won four chips. Four chips, multiple national players of the year. So, I’m not saying that she’s not at a high, high, high level, but for it to go to the stakes of immortality in my opinion, it has to culminate with your team winning a championship,” Williams said.
There’s so many examples within sports why “ring logic” is not and can’t be the end-all, be-all for how we judge athletes “greatness.” Clark is undeniably great.
Williams said it himself. Clark has reimagined the way the women’s game is played. Is that not “greatness” in and of itself?
The sports world wasn’t having it with Williams take on Clark.
I mean…c’mon Jay Will
Dude. She took Iowa to the NC game. Larry Bird apparently was also “not great” per Jay Will pic.twitter.com/BtUWZRk5BI
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 18, 2024
Congrats, Jay!
And the worst take of the day goes to…
Jay Williams 👏🏼 https://t.co/uEhzWDGgCM pic.twitter.com/A4qI8CS2e9
— Hawkeye Bernie (@HawkeyeBernie) February 17, 2024
PERIOD
Jay Williams lost the respect of A LOT of people yesterday, me included. Title or no title, scoring record or no scoring record. Great isn’t and shouldn’t be defined by wins and losses. Greatness is defined by how you’ve move the needle of your sport. PERIOD. #riseup #knowhername pic.twitter.com/ZMLizkZREC
— Rise Up Sports Media (@riseupsports1) February 18, 2024
Yeah, it’s rough
Jay Williams on Gameday saying Caitlin Clark is not “stamped as great” yet because her career hasn’t culminated in a championship. 😩😭
Egregious take lol.
— Kim Adams (@_kimadams) February 17, 2024
Add Jay to the list…
Off the List:
Shimmy
Dawn
SherylNew On the list:
Kevin Blackistone
Jay Williams https://t.co/lzz3hHZucB— Graham V. (@Graham_Valdes) February 18, 2024
Guess we can kiss Pistol Pete’s greatness goodbye!
Jay Williams' logic: Pete Maravich wasn't great because LSU didn't reach the Final Four. https://t.co/f8Zm3WwtMA
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) February 17, 2024
Yikes
Just embarrassing
These are not the same
Care even less today
Like a 7th grader
Fighting to stay in the headlines!
Unreal
Clown show
That kind of weekend I guess…
https://sports.yahoo.com/sports-fans-crush-jay-williams-022503707.html
