Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty ImagesNBA figures continue to debate Caitlin Clarks welcome to professional basketball.Caitlin Clark didnt just enter the WNBA, she brought a tidal wave of eyeballs, sellout arenas, and drama.Every night, the Indiana Fever guard plays with a target on her back, absorbing physical contact and relentless double-teams from opponents eager to test her resolve. Yet, Clark keeps answering the noise.From picking up Rookie of the Year honors and breaking the leagues single-season assist record to putting up historic 45-point games, she treats the extra friction as pure fuel.However, that hasnt stopped it from being a topic of conversation off the court.Shaquille ONeal defends Caitlin Clark Speaking to CNBC Sport, Shaquille ONeal shared his opinions on the Caitlin Clark debate, where he claims that the intense physicality and targeted play she faces is simply a standard rite of passage that every game-changing player must go through before truly owning the league.All the greats have to go through what we call rites of passage. Shes a fabulous player, but were not giving you anything, ever. You have to earn it.So for her, she needs to toughen up, take those licks, and show them that, These licks dont bother me.On July 17, she scored a career-high 45 points against the Seattle Storm.Keep doing that, and the rites of passage will start to open up, and they will invite you in and give you the throne, ONeal said.Hes right. If she shows shes bothered by the physicality on the court then theyll keep on doing it. But if she rises above and lets her basketball do the talking, then shell elevate her game.Read more:Crazy snub Fans react as USA basketball announce womens FIBA World Cup teamCaitlin Clark and Angel Reese named in star-studded USA team for FIBA World Cup, but MVP-candidate omittedWhy Olivia Miles isnt in the USA team alongside Caitlin Clark for FIBA World Cup