Charles Barkley sounds off against WNBA media’s negative narratives that have surrounded Caitlin Clark…..
Breaking landmark WNBA records in each of her last four games and leading the Indiana Fever to its first playoff berth in eight years hasn’t closed the WNBA Rookie of the Year debate for everyone.
Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah told Fox News Digital he would vote for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese over Clark for Rookie of the Year if he had a say, during an interview at NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
“I would say Angel Reese,” Noah said.
Noah’s reasoning for Reese is not rooted in any statistical argument, however. The 6-foot-11 Noah likes the fact that the 6-foot-3 Reese plays more similarly to him than the 6-foot-0 Clark plays.
But Reese does have a drastic advantage in terms of rebounds. With 13.2 rebounds per game, Reese is more than doubling Clark’s current 5.8 per game.
In head-to-head matchups this year, the Fever have beaten the Sky three out of four times. In two of those matchups, Reese put up more points than Clark while putting up more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings. Clark put up more assists in all four meetings.
Reese’s height advantage over Clark has resulted in the Sky rookie having stronger finishes in the paint, and a few very physical blocks and block attempts. Some instances have also resulted in some hard fouls being called against Reese for her defense on Clark. In a game on June 16, Clark was going in for a layup, Reese didn’t quite have the wingspan to block the shot, but got a flagrant 1 when she hit Clark in the head from above instead.
But Reese does have a drastic advantage in terms of rebounds. With 13.2 rebounds per game, Reese is more than doubling Clark’s current 5.8 per game.
In head-to-head matchups this year, the Fever have beaten the Sky three out of four times. In two of those matchups, Reese put up more points than Clark while putting up more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings. Clark put up more assists in all four meetings.
Reese’s height advantage over Clark has resulted in the Sky rookie having stronger finishes in the paint, and a few very physical blocks and block attempts. Some instances have also resulted in some hard fouls being called against Reese for her defense on Clark. In a game on June 16, Clark was going in for a layup, Reese didn’t quite have the wingspan to block the shot, but got a flagrant 1 when she hit Clark in the head from above instead.
In the most famous meeting between the two players – the 2023 NCAA women’s title game – Reese used her superior size to out-duel Clark putting up 15 points with 10 rebounds, while Clark shot 30 points. Reese led LSU to a convincing 102-85 victory of Clark and Iowa.
Now, as pros engaged in a Rookie of the Year race, Clark’s superior offensive numbers and team success has put her in pole position to win the award with just six games left in the season.
