In what could easily be described as one of the most dramatic and bizarre episodes in the basketball world, the Atlanta Hawks franchise and its social media team have found themselves embroiled in controversy after their posts seemingly aimed at undermining Caitlin Clark while unfairly promoting Trae Young. The backlash has been nothing short of explosive, with fans accusing the Hawks of total disrespect toward one of the most electrifying players in women’s basketball and an attempt to push a dishonest narrative on social media that pits her against the NBA star.

The Disrespectful Social Media Post

It all started when the Atlanta Hawks’ official Twitter account posted a message that raised eyebrows across the basketball world. The tweet, which quickly went viral, was intended to highlight Trae Young’s skills, but it took a bizarre turn by subtly trying to diminish Caitlin Clark’s rise in the world of basketball.

The tweet read, “When you can make shots from anywhere on the court, you’re not just a player, you’re a game-changer. Trae Young continues to dominate just like someone else we know.” Alongside the post was an image of Young taking a deep three-pointer.

The problem? Many interpreted this as a direct swipe at Caitlin Clark, who has been redefining long-range shooting in women’s college basketball with her historic performances. To make matters worse, the message’s tone came off as dismissive of Clark’s abilities, implying that Young’s performance somehow overshadowed the incredible things Clark is doing on the women’s side of the sport.

Fans Outraged: “This is Pure Disrespect”

Fans of Caitlin Clark were quick to call out the Atlanta Hawks for what they saw as outright disrespect. In the days following the tweet, backlash flooded social media. Fans began sharing their thoughts under the hashtag #RespectCaitlinClark, demanding that the Hawks publicly acknowledge the impact Clark has had on women’s basketball, particularly her ability to change the game with her deep shooting range, just as Trae Young has done for the NBA.

“Caitlin Clark is rewriting what it means to shoot deep in women’s basketball,” one fan tweeted. “Why is it that every time a male athlete does something similar, we diminish the accomplishments of women? Trae Young isn’t the only one making ‘deep threes.’ #RespectCaitlinClark”

The response was unanimous: Clark has earned her place as one of the game’s brightest stars, and for the Hawks to compare her to Young in a way that undermines her accomplishments was seen as an attempt to pit them against each other.

Was This a Case of Dishonesty?

As the backlash grew, a deeper question began to emerge: was this tweet dishonest? The Hawks seemed to completely ignore the historic nature of Clark’s rise, focusing solely on what was seen as an unfair comparison to Young. Clark, who has consistently dazzled fans with her deep range, elite passing, and clutch performances, was being written off as “just another shooter” when she’s clearly much more than that.

On the other hand, Trae Young, while undoubtedly an incredible talent in the NBA, has yet to lead his team to the kind of sustained success that would elevate him into the category of all-time greats. Yet, the Hawks’ social media seemed to imply that Young’s accomplishments somehow surpassed those of Clark, ignoring the historical context that Clark is carving out for herself in women’s basketball. Fans began to wonder if the Atlanta Hawks were simply using dishonest rhetoric to make their star player seem like a bigger deal than he actually is when compared to Clark’s undeniable impact on the sport.

The Growing Divide Between Men’s and Women’s Sports Coverage

This incident also highlights a larger issue in the world of sports coverage: the gender disparity in how women’s basketball is covered versus men’s basketball. While Trae Young is constantly in the spotlight, his female counterparts, like Caitlin Clark, often face uphill battles to get the same recognition for their achievements.

Clark has already achieved something monumental: she has led Iowa to national prominence, redefined the standard for shooters in the game, and is well on her way to becoming one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time. Yet, there seems to be a concerted effort in some circles to downplay her achievements in favor of pushing the idea that men’s sports are inherently more exciting or “legitimate.” The tweet from the Atlanta Hawks felt like just another example of this ingrained bias in sports media, where male players get a pass for showcasing similar skills that are recognized and celebrated, while female athletes face unnecessary comparisons or outright erasure of their accomplishments.

A Statement of Apology from the Hawks?

As the backlash reached its peak, many began to demand an apology from the Atlanta Hawks for their inappropriate and disrespectful actions. Sports analysts, commentators, and even WNBA players came to Caitlin Clark’s defense, urging the Hawks to clarify their intentions behind the tweet. Eventually, the Hawks did release a statement acknowledging the misunderstanding.

“We sincerely apologize for any misinterpretation of our recent social media post. The intent was never to diminish Caitlin Clark’s incredible impact on women’s basketball. We recognize her remarkable talent, and we celebrate her place in the sport. Our focus was on Trae Young’s performance, but we understand how the message could have been perceived as disrespectful, and we deeply regret that.”

While this statement may have been an attempt at damage control, many fans felt it was too little, too late. The damage had already been done, and the Hawks’ lack of sensitivity toward women’s sports had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many.

The Bigger Picture: Supporting Women’s Basketball

This controversy isn’t just about a social media post gone wrong—it’s part of a larger, ongoing conversation about how women’s sports are treated in comparison to their male counterparts. In a world where women’s basketball is finally getting the attention and recognition it deserves, incidents like this highlight how much work still needs to be done to achieve true equality.

Caitlin Clark has proven time and time again that she’s more than capable of carrying the torch for women’s basketball into the future. Her performances, her leadership, and her unmatched ability to shoot from anywhere on the court should be celebrated, not diminished. The Atlanta Hawks’ tweet may have been a minor blip, but the larger issue remains: the fight for respect and recognition for women athletes is far from over.

What’s Next?

The Atlanta Hawks will likely move past this controversy, but the women’s sports community has been reminded once again that the path to true recognition for female athletes is still littered with obstacles. The support for Caitlin Clark continues to grow, and with every game, she inches closer to being a generational talent in women’s basketball. It’s time for everyone—especially sports teams and media outlets—to catch up and start giving women athletes the respect they’ve long deserved.

Caitlin Clark, for her part, continues to focus on her game, knowing that her legacy is being built through her talent and determination—not through tweets or comparisons. But the fight for equity in sports media goes on. Fans, coaches, and athletes alike must demand that female athletes get the respect, recognition, and fair treatment they’ve earned—on and off the court.