Clark this. Reese that.
In case you’re living under Patrick Star’s rock, I’m talking about Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
(Please tell me you know who Patrick Star is. He’s a walking, talking starfish who wears green pants and lives two doors down from SpongeBob. Duh.)
Back to Clark and Reese.
I’m no expert on the WNBA. I watch hockey, boxing, University of Tennessee football, and Boston sports teams.
All I know is this: When it comes to Clark vs. Reese, it seems to be about one player initiating confrontation with the other, then becoming bitter when she loses and going way over the line of unprofessionalism.
I have nothing against Reese. She’s a heck of a rebounder and hustler who has established herself as a good – not great – basketball player.
Plus, my favorite hockey player is ex-Bruin Brad Marchand – who’s basically just a more-skilled Reese, but on skates.
He’s nicknamed “The Rat,” and I love it.
But facts are facts. Reese started it when she taunted Clark – in front of millions watching the national championship game – with her soon-to-be ring finger for everyone to see.
Actions have consequences.
“Angel has been nothing but an instigator, agitator . . . for the last couple of years,” said Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, Swampscott High Class of ’95, in a video on X. “The jealousy – or the hatred – that, yes, Angel Reese has towards her, and has consistently shown, makes Caitlin fans hate her.”
I’m aware Clark has done some taunting and showboating, too, but I’m strictly talking about her and Reese.
What happened after Reese’s excessively long taunt?
Clark became one of the best women’s basketball players on the planet (she’s already third all-time in triple-doubles and was a first-team WNBA player as a rookie) – and immediately the face of the WNBA – while Reese was a good player on an average team.
Again, I’m not chirping Reese. She’s a hard-working, professional athlete who possesses skills and makes a living from those skills.
What’s not to love?
Funny you ask. Here’s what’s not to love . . .
Let’s start with Clark, who has done absolutely nothing wrong in all of this.
I’ll argue that with anyone. Just like I’m arguing with myself right now . . .
Clark is a basketball player who wants to play basketball. She rarely gets involved with things bigger than the game and isn’t as outspoken as she probably could be. From the outside looking in, it seems ridiculous that Reese and others begrudge Clark the unprecedented fame she has earned, even though they are all benefiting from it with increased salaries, better travel, higher TV ratings, etc.
Reese, on the other hand, has crossed several lines that go beyond a good sports rivalry. She has gotten off the bench to cheer for a cheap shot a teammate landed on Clark; shared a social media post that mocked “white girl” Clark, which has since been deleted; and her whack to Clark’s head during a game last season was 10 times worse than Clark’s “flagrant” foul last weekend.
That’s not Larry Bird and Magic Johnson fighting for a loose ball. That’s Clark acting like an adult, and Reese the opposite.
I actually think Reese is good for the WNBA. Every league needs its villains, and Reese knows she’s exactly that. Good for her.
But two things can be true at the same time.
1) Clark vs. Reese is good for the WNBA.
2) Reese has acted unprofessionally compared to Clark.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
