NBA commissioner Adam Silver pleads for Caitlin Clark to be left alone amid WNBA and Olympic rows: ‘Take the pressure off’

While noting how there are no shortcuts for Caitlin Clark in the pros, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the rookie’s need space to grow.

Clark’s star power has been the driving force for a stampede of eyes watching the WNBA since she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever after a stellar collegiate career with Iowa.

While speaking about Clark’s growth and impact on the sport ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, Silver urged spectators to take the pressure off her young shoulders.

‘I think Caitlin [Clark] knows, she’s ultimately got to prove it on the floor, and you can’t anoint stars in this league,’ Silver said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

‘I believe she’s going to deliver. She seems to have the character, and the drive, and the will, and the talent. But let her evolve as a player. I want to take the pressure off her, not put more pressure on her.’

Adam Silver pleaded that fans should ‘take the pressure off’ Caitlin Clark to allow her to grow

The NBA commissioner also noted that Clark’s work on the court will do the talking

Silver’s comments came as Clark has not had the warmest of welcomes in the WNBA.

Though she has brought plenty of attention, Clark has received several welcome-to-the-league moments, including hard fouls and trash talk from her contemporaries on top of the mass coverage.

Fans and media members have argued Clark is being bullied or targeted by veteran players. Meanwhile, several WNBA vets and pundits insist that the physicality is something Clark should adjust to in the league.

Additionally, an outcry from fans erupted from Clark getting left out of the USA Women’s Basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.