Jealousy, expectations and the high road

By Bruce Boyer Catlin Clark is on an exciting but very public ride. Her name is synonymous with women’s basketball – initially as the highest-scoring collegiate women’s basketball player ever, and now elevating the public interest in the WNBA. Her picture is everywhere and people’s expectations are off the chart. She was expected to single-handedly turn a weak professional team into a championship conversation. Easier said than done.  You only need to say the first name and everyone knows who you are talking about. Caitlin was anointed as the savior of the WNBA. Social media hype has led to haters just because of over-saturation. On the WNBA court, Clark has been physically roughed up to test her resolve and toughness.  The motivation of naysayers is all over the place. It may be jealousy, ego, doubt, unfulfilled expectations – whatever. Sportswriters play up any real or imagined controversy just to increase the hype. It is a “bandwagon,” and everyone wants on it. The WNBA tried to cash in on the sensation by scheduling her team with frequent early season games against the strongest teams in the league. It is a recipe for a big let down because of unrealistic expectations.  As...