As the most touted rookies in recent WNBA history, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have received their fair share of praise as the proclaimed driving forces of women's basketball right now. The pair's storied rivalry from their days in college has brought the league a ton of attention, a ton of fans, and helped grow the game tenfold. It's no wonder that comparisons for the adversaries have been made to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and the Lakers legend seems to agree with the sentiment.
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Johnson Agrees with Clark vs. Reese Comparisons to Bird vs. Magic
Johnson said as much himself during a recent episode of FS1's Speak after host Joy Taylor asked him about his feelings on the subject.
"I love it because to your point, they dominated in college...and then they brought it over to the WNBA, just like we brought it to the NBA," said Magic. "We changed the NBA. They changed the WNBA. And now everything that these young ladies have been fighting for, they're about to get, right?
Johnson added that Reese and Clark's being drafted into the WNBA brought a lot of positive change for the league and that the effects will be felt for generations to come.
"It's just amazing the way they were able to go around arenas across the country and sell 'em out, and little girls are now dreamin' about being like Caitlin, like Angel and others," Johnson said.
Reese and Clark Have Been Going At It for a While
Cailtin Clark and Angel Reese had their share of battles in the collegiate level as members of the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers, respectively. Reese and the Tigers got the better of Clark and the Hawkeyes when the two met in the national title game in 2023. But when the two programs met in the NCAA Tournament again the following year, Clark got her revenge and went off for 41 points including nine 3s.
Both would be selected in the top 10 of the 2024 WNBA Draft - Clark was selected by the Indiana Fever with the No. 1 pick, and Reese went to the Chicago Sky with the No. 7 pick.
Inquiring minds can argue that the two have helped shift the conversation around women's basketball especially with the traction they've brought to the WNBA. The league recently signed a major deal with Reebok and fans were quick to point to Chicago's newest acquisition as a key factor.
Nevertheless, it will be exciting to witness their careers and future matchups.
