Well, the narrative has officially been changed. Well done, WNBA. Well done, Alyssa Thomas.
Well done, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.
One day after Alyssa Thomas played the predictable victim card — saying she's received death threats over the incident with Clark — White further fueled that narrative during her opening statement to the media on Wednesday.
SUSPENDED ALYSSA THOMAS RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM TEAMMATE & COACH AFTER CHEAP SHOT ON CAITLIN CLARK
And by "statement," I mean a three-minute lecture on how racist and homophobic people are being towards Thomas, and the WNBA.
That's right. Nothing on Clark. Nothing on the non-call. Nothing on the league's refusal to do anything about these incidents.
A statement, from the opposing team's coach, about inclusivity.
Amazing.
"Before we start with questions I just want to address what is going on with AT," she said, referring to Thomas. "It's absolutely unacceptable. As a league, as a whole, there's been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia. Straight out nonsense. Hate-nonsense. It's absolutely unacceptable. Most of this coming from the online community.
"Most of this, in my heart of hearts, I believe, not coming from WNBA fans, Indiana Fever fans, I believe it's coming from people using our league, using our players to further divisive agendas. It's not acceptable."
Goodness, gracious. Like I said, the story has completely changed. And it's so predictable.
This was always the path forward, right? Lord knows the WNBA couldn't allow the Caitlin Clark empathy to continue on for much longer. Nope. If the last few days have taught us anything, it's that we are the problem. The fans. The media. Not Alyssa Thomas. Not the refs. Not the WNBA turning a blind eye.
Us.
Or, as White put it, the "online community."
So, trolls. Internet trolls. That's what Alyssa Thomas and Stephanie White are focused on. Keyboard warriors who mean nothing, and have been around since the dawn of social media, are now the focus.
"It's crazy, you know, playing the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that's being painted out there," Thomas said earlier this week. "It's unfortunate that it's come to this over basketball. A lot of us, myself included, didn't even know the play took place until after the game and now we're being painted as thugs.
"And death threats out on us, so it's really unacceptable. It is something that needs to change in this league, and I'm just really sick and tired of it."
Give me a break. Internet trolls are a dime a dozen. Social media is a toxic place. I get it. I hate it. But playing the victim card and acting like the WNBA is the only place that deals with this behavior is absurd.
It's also, unfortunately, so predictable.
This was always where this story was going to go. First Alyssa Thomas puts it out there. Then, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert dusts off the boilerplate statement that every league has saved on their computer:
"The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate."
Right on cue, she put that out yesterday evening. And now today, Indiana head coach Stephanie White opens up her presser with a lecture on how America is racist and homophobic.
Perfect. Right on schedule.
Don't be surprised if we get an apology from Caitlin Clark next. Spoiler alert: That's how this movie always ends.
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