It feels like we’ve reached the point in the Caitlin Clark discourse where she’s talked about so much that haters and/or Angel Reese fans think she’s overrated. To the point where, despite unprecedented hype, expectations, and being saddled with a far inferior team to where Reese landed in Chicago, Clark is somehow actually underrated.
Right on the heels of Reese matching the WNBA record with 12 straight double-doubles, Clark became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double in Saturday’s triumph over the now 17-4 New York Liberty.
The Fever were drafting first overall for a reason. Even last year’s No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston couldn’t elevate Indiana the way Clark has. It’s not like Boston is anywhere near the dynamic, complementary scoring option for Clark that Reese benefits from in cheap shot artist Chennedy Carter, who’s playing out of her mind this season.
Nevertheless, we’re already getting Caitlin Clark fatigue to the point where talking heads will just say anything to invent a way not to give Clark her deserved accolades.
One problem with going only by the standings is the fact that Clark is 2-1 against Reese this season, and the Fever have now improved to 9-13 — only a half-game behind the Sky’s 8-11 mark. Reese was the seventh overall pick, so there’s no question who’s in the better situation to succeed. Still, until a more efficient offensive run of late, Reese was shooting about the same percentage from the field as Clark — not to mention, her big edge on the boards is aided by an innate size advantage and her style of play.
In some ways, comparing Clark to Reese is admittedly apples to oranges. Everyone will still do it anyway, so here we are. Thankfully, Reese has backed off the lacking self-awareness hating on Clark nonsense of late to become more likable. But like, Clark’s degree of difficulty on shots is exponentially harder. Nobody else on her team can create clean looks for her on a consistent basis. The Fever insist on a relentless, fast pace of play, too, so Clark is in a dead sprint for much of the game to push the tempo.
Most of the pressure and negative, micro-criticism Reese faces was her own doing. No single women’s athlete has faced as much scrutiny, raging envy from her peers, or a brighter spotlight than Clark. And again, she’s somehow underrated if anything — in every way. Scoring, distributing, rebounding, leading. She can do it all.
All due respect to Angel Reese — and nowadays, I actually do mean that — Caitlin Clark is a shoo-in for WNBA Rookie of the Year. Numbers (and the ball) don’t lie.
