Angel Reese just made waves with her bold claim that she will “dethrone” Caitlin Clark, one of the greatest living basketball legends. But is it really possible? While Reese is confident about beating Clark, the reality is that the two players have a stark difference – both in their playing style and their accomplishments.
1. **Talent and accomplishments:**
Caitlin Clark is more than just a great player; she has reshaped the game of basketball. In her first season in the WNBA, Clark quickly dominated the league, averaging 19.2 points per game, leading rookies in assists (8.4 per game), and easily winning the “Rookie of the Year” award.
Reese, on the other hand, averaged just 13.6 points per game – nearly 6 points less than Clark – and didn’t really stand out. Instead of winning the title, Reese just stopped at the “finalist” position, which many people consider more symbolic than real.
### 2. **Difference in style and dedication:**
Reese tends to focus more on the off-court factors. From signing a shoe deal with Reebok to posting her lifestyle on Instagram, she seems to put more emphasis on the flashy factor than on the seriousness of improving her skills. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark is focused on her game – improving her shooting, her assists, and constantly breaking records.
Most notably, while Reese relies on working with David Alexander, LeBron James’ coach, to improve her “general movement patterns,” Clark continues to shine on the court, asserting her superiority. Training with a famous coach is no guarantee of success without talent and persistent effort.
### 3. **Attitude and Professionalism Issues:**
Angel Reese has drawn attention for her controversial actions, such as the “you can’t see me” gesture directed at Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA Finals. While Reese tried to make a splash with the drama, Clark focused on making history. Reese’s actions were not only seen as unprofessional, but also as a desperate attempt to attract attention.
In addition, Reese often complained about her salary and lifestyle in the WNBA, giving the impression that she cared more about money than basketball. Caitlin Clark, on the other hand, while not complaining publicly, quietly proved her worth through her achievements and dedication to the sport.
### 4. **The challenge of the new league:**
Reese is about to join the 3X3 League – a tournament that brings together 34 of the world’s top players – with a salary of $250,000, three times her current salary in the WNBA. However, this is not an easy playing field. This league will gather high-class talents, and Reese will have to face opponents who are much better than her. If she does not upgrade her skills, Reese may become the center of criticism, instead of shining as she expected.
### 5. **The gap is not easy to bridge:**
Finally, Angel Reese’s statement of “dethroning Caitlin Clark” is just big words without real proof. Clark has affirmed her position as “basketball royalty”, while Reese is still struggling to find a place in the professional league. If he doesn’t change his attitude and focus entirely on developing his skills, Reese may remain a “shadow” in Clark’s legendary journey.
