A former radio host in Philadelphia has stirred debate by comparing Caitlin Clark’s career trajectory to Jeremy Lin’s “Linsanity” era rather than Michael Jordan’s dominance, arguing that Clark isn’t even the top guard in the WNBA.
Speaking on The Craig Carton Show, host Tyrone Johnson explained why he believes Clark’s hype is fading. “The Caitlin Clark thing is over because she’s not the best player in the WNBA,” Johnson said. “She’s not the best guard in the WNBA. She’s not even the best guard from her college class—that’s Paige Bueckers, who plays for Dallas and beat them in the season opener. We look back on CC, and we’re not gonna look back on her like she’s Michael Jordan. She’s Jeremy Lin. This is just Linsanity.”
Johnson cited two main reasons for his assessment: Clark’s association with country singer Morgan Wallen, who faced backlash in 2021 for using racial slurs, and her frequent arguments with referees. “She decided to roll up with Morgan Wallen. Wallen says the N word liberally… And her bitching and moaning to the refs nonstop. But when we look back, we’ll go: this girl had the world by the you-know-what. She had everybody loving her. People who hate women’s sports were tuning in just for her,” Johnson added.
The comparison to Jordan has followed Clark since her college days at Iowa, where her coach Lisa Bluder even drew parallels. However, Johnson’s comments reflect a growing skepticism about Clark’s long-term standing in the league. An ESPN ranking placed Clark 10th in the WNBA, and a recent GM survey gave her just over 20% of votes for best point guard, down from 50% last season. Boardroom also ranked her third among the league’s most marketable players.
Johnson’s view is partly shaped by Clark’s injury struggles. Last season, she played only 13 games due to various injuries, and even in the 2026 season opener against the Wings, she hinted at back stiffness. Clark recorded 20 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in that game—impressive given her layoff, but not enough to silence critics.
Yet Clark’s off-court impact remains undeniable. The Fever-Wings season opener drew 2.49 million viewers, largely driven by her return. While that number dipped compared to last year’s Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever matchup featuring Clark and Angel Reese, it still showcases her immense draw. Earlier, a preseason game against the Liberty averaged 743,000 viewers.
For now, Clark is far from Jordan’s legacy. But her influence on women’s basketball is clear, and if she can manage her health, her ceiling remains high. The Jeremy Lin comparison may sting, but it also highlights how quickly stardom can shift in professional sports.