As the WNBA continues to capture the nation's attention, the conversation around how the league should be covered is heating up—and basketball icons Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller believe that with bigger paychecks comes bigger scrutiny.

For years, players and media figures have debated the tone of WNBA commentary. First, it was the dynamic between rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and veteran players, some of whom pushed back on the outsized attention she received. Then, Angel Reese faced racially charged criticism and fabricated narratives as she transitioned to the pros. Most recently, the Dallas Wings found themselves at the center of unwanted attention over the romantic relationship between two of their young stars.

In nearly every instance, a vocal group of commentators quickly came to the players' defense. Many argued that the Wings story was irrelevant and off-limits for reporters. Earlier this week, several women's basketball media members defended the league's strict policy against postgame locker room access for journalists.

This pattern prompted longtime sports columnist and host Jemele Hill to call out a growing dynamic: WNBA fans, she said, "expect the journalists to be cheerleaders."

But as Bird and Miller transition from legendary players to analysts at NBC, they see this shift toward more critical coverage as a natural evolution for a league on the rise.

"I'm a big believer—just given my experience in the WNBA—that this is a league that's different from every other professional league we've seen," Bird said during a media conference call this week, ahead of NBC's first WNBA broadcasts of the season on Sunday. "What's never really worked for us is to try to be carbon copies of other leagues."

However, the Seattle Storm icon emphasized that players are more than ready to handle criticism. With the league's growing prominence and higher salaries, Bird and Miller agree that increased scrutiny is simply part of the game—a sign of progress for women's basketball.