Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark Rivalry At Risk According To Nick Wright

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's rivalry started from the 2023 NCAA National Championship game and still is the hottest topic in women's basketball.

Angel Reese vs Caitlin Clark Rivalry At Risk According To Nick Wright

Nick Wright believes Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark's rivalry is at stake (Image via FirstSportz)

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are not technically rivals. But fans and members of the media believe the duo have become rivals since their time in college. Now, that rivalry has developed into becoming the main storyline in the WNBA.

Magic Johnson believes the discourse surrounding the two women is similar to how it was between him and Larry Bird. In that instance, too, they were technically not similar players, but were pitted against each other ever since their college battles started.

Clark and Reese have both tried to put a stop to this supposed rivalry, but the WNBA proved they want to milk every bit of this rivalry when they scheduled an unheard-of five games between the two teams. But FS1 analyst Nick Wright believes the rivalry is at risk.

Angel Reese needs to be better at basketball. She needs to be better if we want this rivalry to have some staying power. Right now, Angel Reese, she is a wildly famous rebounder. I love the idea of this being a real rivalry, cause they clearly don’t like each other. But, both parties got to hold up their end of the bargain, as far as them both being awesome.

Nick Wright said on his podcast

The First Things First host added that trolls on social media believe Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese‘s rivalry is akin to Kobe Bryant and Marcin Gortat. Even if it was a joke, Wright believes it shows how fans and media members see the Chicago Sky star. Wright hopes Reese improves her game if she wants to stay in this rivalry.

Nick Wright’s criticism is directed at Angel Reese’s lack of development

When Nick Wright was making his point, he argued that Angel Reese spent most of her offseason doing things that would help grow her brand. Appearances at fashion shows, comedy shows, clubs, etc. have all helped her become a household name.

But Wright believes that it has come at the expense of her growth as a basketball player. She did work out with Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie when they met at the Unrivaled League. Those workouts led to some improvements, which were evident in the closing stretch of Unrivaled’s debut season.

But it is still far behind the leap Caitlin Clark took this offseason. Wright and others have witnessed how the Indiana Fever star was working out on her birthday and on the morning when she was to watch the Kansas City Chiefs play football along with Taylor Swift.

The analyst has not seen a similar growth to Reese’s game, and wants her to improve. If her numbers do not help her Sky win games, he believes that the fans and the media will eventually replace her with someone else.

Angel Reese needs to put in double the work to be better

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark had the same number of days available in this past offseason. Clark used that time to rest and then start working out with the Indiana Fever’s new coaching staff. Reese, on the other hand, used up most of her time to promote her brand.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via FanDuel/X)

Then she took part in the Unrivaled League, and then while recovering from an injury she sustained, she worked out with the Sky’s coaching staff. The Chicago Sky hired Tyler Marsh after his work helping A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Dearica Hamby turn into superstars.

Reese could have improved her game had she spent time with him in the offseason. He was available and could have helped her develop her game. Now she is on the clock. With no Olympic break this season, Reese will be hard pressed to find time to get some individual workouts.

She will either need to schedule such sessions before or after practice, or work on her game on rest days. It might not be possible, but any improvements will help her stay in the race to make it to her second All-Star game. If she misses that, her status as a good basketball player will be in doubt.

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