I think the biggest factor is her watchability.
The hype exploded when curious basketball fans tuned in to some of their first women’s basketball content and saw the hype was real. She looked like a female S Curry.
Her game was instantly recognizable as different than all others before her for traditional NBA fans, NBA players, and the media etc.
Contrast with those same fans watching an MVP A Williams highlight reel, and while admirable, is as exciting as watching paint dry.
As for skins on the wall? I disagree. She has plenty of college records and two finals appearances with an inferior squad.
Professionally, not only is she breaking multiple rookie records, she is also breaking all time records and will be taking last year’s worst team to the playoffs in a week. I don’t feel like a rookie winning a Championship is a reasonable barometer at the moment.
At this point in the history of the WNBA, if Clark hasn’t earned the hype, is it possible for anyone?
*The Curry doubt was just people thinking his size and crazy shooting were not sustainable in the NBA. They were wrong