Candace Parker Puts Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry Discussions into Proper Perspective

Candace Parker does not think that people should group Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Candace Parker Puts Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry Discussions into Proper Perspective

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese during their college years was contrived and one-sided at best. Clark was drawn into the whole hullaballoo due to Reese chasing her around during the national championship game. She never entertained any discussions around a rivalry between the two of them, even at the time. The discussion looks even more pointless after the two have made a mark on the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark is clearly the higher-profile athlete and the better player. The two players are not in the same zip code of talent or performance. While Angel Reese has, to a certain extent, hitched her wagon to Clark’s, the two of them have no on-court or off-court rivalry. Clark never guards Reese, nor does Reese take up the Caitlin Clark assignment when the Indiana Fever play Chicago.

The two play different positions, and what Caitlin Clark is good at, Reese is terrible at. And the things Reese excels at, Caitlin Clark can’t quite fathom doing. There has been a push by basketball fans to view this as a reincarnation of the Larry Bird–Magic Johnson rivalry. But this is an inauthentic attempt to prop up two players in conjunction with one another when one clearly outstrips the other in all regards.

WNBA legend Candace Parker spoke about this phenomenon on a recent podcast appearance. Talking to Jemele Hill, formerly of ESPN, Parker spoke about how the two of them are on different planes as players. She lavished praise on Clark, but also had some kind words for Reese at the same time:

It’s like comparing apples and oranges… What are we doing? They like doing the Magic and Bird comparison, well they played similar positions. Larry Bird played the point forward position. I’m not falling into that, I’m not into that comparison. I think there are a number of things that Angel Reese can improve on, will improve on in the situation that she’s in. And I think Caitlin Clark has done that in her first year, her and Aliyah Boston’s connection has really improved. The thing about Caitlin, yes, she can shoot from the logo, but she makes her team better.

The WNBA will lose steam with the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese narrative soon

For a true sporting rivalry to blossom, it require both parties to turn up and rise to the occasion. If one player or team is unable to bring the ruckus and be a true challenger, there is no rivalry to speak of. Currently, the Chicago Sky are in this position. Angel Reese has lost six of her seven games facing Caitlin Clark since LSU’s national championship win in 2023.

Despite injury to Caitlin Clark, the Fever are able to withstand her absence, and have won their last two games. Even if Clark is out of action for a month, the Fever will only miss her for nine games before a return to action. They blew the Chicago Sky out, 79-52 at the United Center in her absence.

The hope for WNBA fans will be that someone gets to Angel Reese and explains her how urgently she needs to work on her offense. There are a lot of great attributes to her game, but without a consistent offensive display, she won’t be a superstar in the near future.

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