In the ever-evolving world of women's basketball, few stories have sparked as much debate and intrigue as the ongoing rivalry between Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky standout Angel Reese. This dynamic duo, both former college basketball icons, has transcended the sport, captivating fans and igniting conversations that stretch far beyond the hardwood.
At the center of recent controversy is FS1 host Joy Taylor, who has boldly claimed that Caitlin Clark's meteoric rise to superstardom would not have been possible without Angel Reese. Speaking on The Joe Budden Podcast, Taylor stated emphatically, "We would not be talking about Caitlin Clark the way that we do if it wasn’t for that moment with Angel Reese. And I will die on this hill. I will die on this hill." This "moment" refers to the unforgettable 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game where Reese taunted Clark in the closing seconds, a gesture that instantly went viral and became a defining moment for both players.
The 2023 NCAA final saw LSU, led by Reese, defeat Iowa 102-85. In the dying moments, Reese pointed to her ring finger and waved her hand in front of Clark's face—a move dubbed the "You Can't See Me" taunt. This sparked outrage and launched Reese into a "villain arc" that she has since embraced. According to Taylor, this incident was pivotal not just for the players’ individual narratives but for the entire women's basketball landscape. She argued that before this viral moment, the WNBA was not a regular topic on her show, and the league’s presence in mainstream sports media was limited.
Despite Taylor’s stance, many observers and fans strongly disagree. Caitlin Clark was already the face of women's basketball and a borderline household name before the 2023 championship game. Her elite skills and illustrious collegiate career at Iowa had already cemented her as a transcendent figure in the sport. Since transitioning to the WNBA just over a year ago, Clark has only grown bigger, inspiring a surge in popularity for the women’s game. Television viewership and fan attendance have reached unprecedented heights, with the Indiana Fever on the verge of a $500,000 payday after securing a spot in the Commissioner's Cup final.
Clark’s impact extends beyond just numbers. Her style of play has drawn comparisons to NBA superstar Steph Curry for its dazzling creativity and precision. She has become a generational talent, whose influence on and off the court has been likened to Tiger Woods’ revolutionary effect on golf at the turn of the century. Fans and analysts alike recognize that Clark’s skill set and charisma alone have propelled her to superstardom.
However, Clark’s rise has not been without challenges. Throughout her year and a half in the WNBA, she has frequently been the target of hard and unnecessary fouls. This has led to accusations from fans that some league players are jealous of her success, and criticisms that the league itself has failed to adequately protect its brightest star. These incidents have only fueled the conversation around Clark’s prominence and the dynamics within the league.
Angel Reese, meanwhile, has carved out her own niche as a fierce competitor and a polarizing figure. While Taylor credits Reese’s viral taunt as the catalyst for Clark’s fame, critics argue that Reese’s mainstream attention largely stems from her rivalry with Clark and her struggles with finishing around the basket. The comparison between the two players is often framed as a battle of contrasting styles and personalities, with Reese embracing her "villain" label and Clark embodying the role of the sport’s shining star.
Their rivalry has continued into the WNBA, where their face-offs are highly anticipated events. Fans eagerly watch these matchups, hoping for more iconic moments that could define the future of women's basketball. Both players have downplayed the tension publicly, but the intensity on the court tells a different story.
Joy Taylor’s controversial take has sparked eye-rolls and pushback from many in the sports community who view Clark’s rise as a product of her extraordinary talent rather than a byproduct of any single incident. One article noted, "How are we still doing this? The inherent ignorance of the talking point is astounding." It emphasized that Clark’s influence is undeniable, especially when considering the WNBA’s ratings plummeted by over half during her brief absence this year due to a left quad strain.
Moreover, Clark’s growing stature has attracted praise from some of the biggest names in sports, including LeBron James, underscoring her status as a transformative figure in women’s basketball. The surge in the WNBA’s popularity and the Fever’s success are testaments to her impact.
The debate over whether Angel Reese's taunt was the spark behind Caitlin Clark’s superstardom touches on larger themes about storytelling in sports and the media’s role in shaping narratives. Taylor insists that the rivalry and that viral moment helped elevate the WNBA into the daily sports news cycle, a feat that Clark’s talent alone supposedly could not achieve. Yet, others argue that Clark’s skills and charisma would have made her a household name regardless.
As the WNBA season unfolds, both Clark and Reese remain central figures in the league’s ongoing story. Their rivalry, filled with competitive fire and contrasting personas, continues to captivate fans and media alike. Whether one agrees with Taylor’s controversial viewpoint or not, there’s no denying that both players have played significant roles in advancing women’s basketball to new heights.
For now, the action on the court speaks loudest. With the Indiana Fever poised for a major payday and Clark’s star shining brighter than ever, the WNBA is riding a wave of excitement and attention. The debate around Clark and Reese adds an extra layer of drama, but ultimately, it’s the players’ performances that will define their legacies.
