Candace Parker’s iconic basketball career shouldn’t be discredited to appease Knicks fans

The light on Candace Parker’s basketball career shouldn’t be dimmed to satisfy Knicks fans.

Part of what makes Candace Parker one of the most incredible WNBA talents ever is that she knows the game and has always been unapologetically herself. She shouldn’t have to change that for Knicks fans.

In case you missed it, New York Knicks fans are unhappy with how media personalities have recently portrayed Jalen Brunson. Earlier this season, they took exception to comments made by Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. As a result, they created a new nickname for Brunson that reflects what they feel is top-tier talent.

Knicks fans are now dissatisfied with WNBA star Candace Parker for comments she made about Jalen Brunson’s stats in last season’s playoffs.

Parker’s comments led to her social media accounts being flooded by vitriol from Knicks fans, and it even got the attention of current Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart.

The backlash prompted Parker to clarify her comments on Wednesday.

But here’s the thing: Like Hammon, Parker shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to validate her opinion simply because Knicks fans disagree. She’s entitled to her opinion just like they are entitled to theirs – even if that opinion is incorrect.

What she’s not entitled to is having her resume and her basketball knowledge questioned. The disrespect is mystifying and incredibly dismissive. If the energy is not the same for other media personalities when they comment on basketball or Jalen Brunson, this is selective outrage, and fans should be ashamed.