For months, Caitlin Clark has endured a relentless storm of criticism—from her stats to her age to her very presence in the league. And at the center of it all? Former WNBA star Cheryl Swoopes, launching accusation after accusation, questioning everything from Clark’s college legacy to her fit in the pros.

But this week, the tide turned.

Basketball Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller stepped into the ring, and she didn’t just defend Clark—she demolished every false narrative surrounding the WNBA’s newest sensation. Appearing on the All The Smoke podcast, Miller delivered what many are calling the most honest, unfiltered defense of Clark to date. And she did it with the fire only a true legend could bring.

Her message? Simple. “You big dummies…”

Miller’s words instantly echoed across social media. In those three words, she did what no analyst, commentator, or league rep had yet managed—she cut straight through the noise.

Let’s rewind.

The strange feud began when Cheryl Swoopes—once a WNBA icon herself—accused Clark of being a 25-year-old playing against teenagers in college. In reality, Clark was 22—just like most four-year seniors. But the facts didn’t stop Swoopes. She claimed Clark took 40 shots a game (false: Clark averaged 22.7), that her scoring record was invalid (false: she broke it in four years), and even suggested no one wanted to play with her.

Despite mounting evidence proving otherwise, the narrative kept spinning—until Miller spoke up.

“You’re getting paid now, right? Everybody has an opportunity to pull up their chair,” Miller shot back, pointing to the obvious: Caitlin Clark’s presence in the WNBA is raising everyone’s paycheck. And still, some insist on tearing her down.

But Miller wasn’t done.

She broke it down piece by piece. How Clark’s court vision is in “3D.” How she’s a better defender than people give her credit for. How her passes—bounce passes, no less—are nearly extinct in today’s game, but Clark keeps them alive. “The one thing I don’t think people really appreciate about that young lady’s game—she can pass the ball,” Miller emphasized.

This wasn’t secondhand praise. It came from someone who coached Clark directly at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. Miller saw the rookie up close—under pressure, under fire—and witnessed her poise, resilience, and sheer basketball IQ.

And then came a moment that changed everything.

After Indiana’s first win of the season, Clark—battered by criticism—locked eyes with Miller. “Oh man, finally, someone on my side,” she whispered. Miller responded not just with encouragement, but with something Clark desperately needed: belief.

“I hugged her. I said, ‘I’m so proud of you. Savor this. Use this as a formula. But keep being you.’”

That moment wasn’t about stats or wins. It was about survival. About what it means to be the most talked-about player in a league that isn’t sure how to handle your stardom.

And Miller knows what that feels like.

“I know what it’s like to be hated,” she said. “I know what it’s like to be a Black woman and hated because of my color.” That’s what makes Miller’s defense so powerful—it’s born from experience. From empathy. From watching another player carry a weight far heavier than just expectations.

Beyond the defense, Miller also gave fans something to look forward to: a championship-caliber future in Indiana. She’s seen the team up close, coached its young core, and her verdict is crystal clear: “This is not a team people want to play.”

Fearless. Smart. Unified.

Those were the words Miller used to describe the Fever—and especially Caitlin Clark.

And as for the critics still clinging to their tired narratives?

Miller has three words for them.

“You. Big. Dummies.”

The message couldn’t be clearer: the old guard’s era of gatekeeping is over. A new wave is rising, led by Clark—and backed by legends like Cheryl Miller who recognize greatness when they see it.

The future isn’t just bright—it’s already here.

And the next chapter starts now.