Candace Parker has had enough of the constant comparisons between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. During a candid conversation on the Spolitics podcast with Jemele Hill, the three-time WNBA champion gave her unfiltered take on the so-called rivalry dominating headlines.
“Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, it’s like what are we doing?” Parker said. “They like doing the Magic and Bird comparison… I’m not falling into that.”
‘Apples and Oranges’: Parker Calls the Debate Misguided
Parker made it clear, comparing Clark and Reese doesn’t make much sense.
“It’s comparing apples and oranges,” she said. “They play different positions. They impact the game in different ways.”
While Clark is often hailed as the face of the WNBA, especially after leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth in eight years, Parker still sees room for growth. The same goes for Reese, who broke the WNBA rookie record for double-doubles last season with the Chicago Sky.
Clark averaged 19.2 points in her rookie campaign and has started this season strong with a similar scoring clip, though she’s only played in four games due to a quadriceps injury. Her assist and rebound numbers have also improved, but turnovers remain an issue. She logged 10 turnovers in her last game against the New York Liberty.
Parker, a former Rookie of the Year herself, didn’t sugarcoat the learning curve for young players like Clark.
“When you’re young, you turn the ball over—especially when you’re the focal point of the defense,” she said. “Sometimes it might be a highlight, but seven out of 10 times, it’s probably going to be a turnover.”
Meanwhile, Reese, who averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her rookie season, is off to a slower start in 2025 with 9.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game.
It’s About Improvement, Not Comparison
Rather than fuel the rivalry, Parker urged fans and analysts to focus on how both players are evolving.
“Angel can improve, and she will. Caitlin has already shown progress as a floor general,” Parker added. “Her connection with Aliyah Boston has gotten better.”
Although Clark missed the June 7 Fever vs. Sky rematch due to injury, fan interest remained high, highlighting how both stars bring massive attention to the WNBA. Still, as Parker puts it, it’s time to drop the constant back-and-forth.
Do you agree with Candace Parker that the Clark-Reese rivalry is overhyped? Let us know in the comments below!
Read More: Why Caitlin Clark Redefines The Men-Women Comparison Narrative
