WNBA Icons Advocate for Better Protection of Players After Caitlin Clark Takes Hit to Throat

A number of WNBA legends suggested that the league should cut back on some of the physicality in the wake of Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas being suspended for hitting Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, sparking much debate about the league's style of play and how some of its stars are treated.

"The physicality has always been there," three-time WNBA champion and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Candace Parker told reporters Friday. "It's just now you're having more visibility and new fans and new opinions coming into the game. Because we went through [so much physicality], does not mean that I think that [it has to be that way]."

Elena Delle Donne said she would prefer to see a more fluid style of play and more offensive freedom for players.

"Trust me, my back wishes I had had a little more of that," she said. "It's more fun to watch, and there are such skilled players out there. We want to see them do what they can do. We don't want to just see them get beat up. Yeah, we're seeing a lot of free throws [this season], and we've got to get through this learning period of, 'OK, we can't crush each other anymore. Let's play good basketball.'"

Minnesota Lynx head coach and team president Cheryl Reeve—who blasted the officiating during last season's playoffs in September—did say she believes the WNBA is listening to feedback regarding the need to better protect players.

"We're definitely closer," she told reporters. "I don't think there's any doubt about the investment of time and money that's been made, and attention. The two years of frustration I felt that showed itself [last season] was that they were not listening to key stakeholders. It was not a collaboration. That has changed dramatically. There is a lot more transparency, at least with the teams. The next step is to be more transparent publicly."