The Buzz: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson has taken a subtle jab at WNBA star Candace Parker after she mistakenly criticized his playoff performance against the Miami Heat last year. Fans were quick to pick up on the shade, and Parker has since attempted to address the situation with a lukewarm apology.

The Misfire: During an appearance on "Inside the NBA," Parker commented that Brunson had a "great first round" against the Cleveland Cavaliers but then "not so much" against the Heat. This sparked confusion and criticism, as the actual statistics tell a different story. In the six-game series against Miami, Brunson averaged a stellar 31.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, even recording three games with 30 or more points.

The Shade: Rather than directly confront Parker, Brunson responded with a seemingly sarcastic tweet: "What a lovely day we are having today." Fans interpreted this as a cheeky way of calling out the WNBA champion without engaging in a heated debate.

Parker's Attempt at Damage Control: Faced with backlash from fans, Parker took to social media to explain her perspective. She maintained that her comments weren't meant to attack Brunson but were part of a broader discussion about the challenges of "small stars" leading teams to championships. She even cited examples of legendary point guards who haven't achieved championship success.

Fan Discontent: However, Parker's explanation didn't sit well with many fans. They felt she was shifting the focus from her original, inaccurate comments about Brunson's specific performance. They also criticized the vagueness of her apology, which simply expressed hope that Brunson would "make me eat my words" rather than offering genuine remorse.

The Takeaway: This incident highlights the importance of accuracy and respect in sports commentary, especially when comparing players across different leagues. While Parker's broader point about the challenges faced by "small stars" may be valid, her inaccurate and seemingly dismissive remarks about Brunson's performance were unnecessary and disrespectful. Brunson's subtle shade, on the other hand, effectively conveyed his disagreement without escalating the situation.