If you've been scrolling through sports Twitter lately, you've probably stumbled upon a basketball take that's so bad, it's almost impressive. Yes, we're talking about that Caitlin Clark-Jeremy Lin comparison—and no, it doesn't get better the second time you read it.
Let's set the scene. Tyrone Johnson of The Craig Carton Show dropped what can only be described as a lava-hot take, comparing Clark's rising WNBA career to Jeremy Lin's legendary "Linsanity" run back in 2012. For those who need a refresher: Linsanity was a magical, two-week stretch where an undrafted point guard took the NBA by storm. Caitlin Clark, on the other hand, is a generational talent who shattered NCAA scoring records and entered the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick with sky-high expectations.
"The Caitlin Clark thing is over," Johnson said. "She's not the best player in the WNBA. She's not the best guard in the WNBA… She's not even the best guard from her college class. She's Jeremy Lin. This is just Linsanity."
Oof. With all due respect to the joy that Linsanity brought to basketball fans everywhere, comparing the two is like comparing a lightning strike to a steady, blazing fire. Lin's moment was a beautiful, fleeting surprise. Clark's career is being built for the long haul—and she's already proving it on the court.
We could spend all day punching Grand Canyon-sized holes in this take, but honestly, you probably already see them. Clark is leading her team, drawing record-breaking crowds, and redefining what it means to be a rookie in the WNBA. Lin's 2012 run was unforgettable, but it was a moment. Clark's trajectory points to a legacy.
If Johnson's goal was to go viral, mission accomplished. But for anyone who actually watches basketball, this hot take will haunt us for the rest of the season. Here's hoping the next comparison makes a little more sense—because Caitlin Clark is in a league of her own.
