After former NBA journeyman Matt Barnes made headlines for questioning why players on the Indiana Fever haven’t done a better job of protecting star rookie Caitlin Clark this season, WNBA agent Gina Paradiso posted a message on X that may have been directed at podcasters like Barnes.
Male podcasters and women’s basketball. I guess we’re here now.
— Gina Paradiso (@ginaparadiso) June 2, 2024
Later, Barnes responded with a tense message directed at Paradiso.
Humble yourself Gina. Don’t forget where you started. Nobody knew you b4 stak hired you & I got you a job at CAA.. You rep a couple big women in the W now & you think you doin something. #YouStillAintShit
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 3, 2024
Many users took issue with Barnes’ response, with some pointing out that he wasn’t even mentioned by name in Paradiso’s original post.
This is very LITTLE man energy. She didn’t even mention you. So idk why you felt so compelled to respond—especially when most of the WBB community was praising you, compared to Austin. But yeah, she needs to humble herself for repping big clients while you click a keyboard. 🥱
— Subria Whitaker (@SubriaWhitaker) June 3, 2024
This is nasty and unnecessary Matt. She didn’t mention YOU at all. And if you felt a way her comment, ok but what she said never warranted this type of response. You aren’t the only former NBA player with a podcast talking about the W.
— V (@VallyOMally) June 3, 2024
Oh you were drunk typing out this one.
— PJamma (@mspammajamma) June 3, 2024
Barnes then defended his actions.
For all of you that seems to have an issue with my tweet to @ginaparadiso know what you’re reacting too b4 you react.. She’s a snake that is very disrespectful & talks shit behind everyone’s back. pic.twitter.com/QcY9Ov4ajd
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 3, 2024
I’m never gonna come for someone for no reason. There’s a laundry list of her bullshit. That’s why she didn’t respond to my TEXTS or tweet.. I don’t subtweet or talk behind peoples backs. If I have an issue I will address people directly..
Enjoy your day 🙏🏽— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) June 3, 2024
The WNBA is gaining popularity, and it’s leading to more discourse about the league on a regular basis, with some of it being fiery in nature lately.
Over the weekend, Clark was checked to the ground by Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter.
The WNBA confirmed that Chennedy Carter’s foul on Caitlin Clark from yesterday’s game has been upgraded to a Flagrant 1, per @alexaphilippou.pic.twitter.com/o7QzaFRkL5
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 2, 2024
The play has led to lots of chatter, with Carter even doubling down after the fact and implying that Clark isn’t good for anything except 3-point shooting.
The Fever rookie is still trying to catch her footing in her debut season. While she’s averaging a respectable 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, she has struggled with shooting efficiency and ball security. She’s knocking down just 35.7 percent of her shots from the field, 29.7 percent of her shots from deep and is averaging 5.4 turnovers per game.
Indiana has struggled along the way and currently holds a record of 2-9 through 11 games. There is still plenty of season left, but the Fever will need to turn things around sooner than later if they want to salvage their campaign.
For Barnes’ part, he had a long NBA career as an “enforcer” and was able to win an NBA title in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors. He seems to think that the Fever need an enforcer of their own, something the team could try to address internally or by adding some outside help.
At the end of the day, the WNBA is making headlines, something that is good for exposure even if some of the stories are controversial in nature. The goal, of course, is that the league continues to gain popularity, hopefully for the right reasons.
