Class of 2024 WNBA rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are having strong starts to their careers. Reese has been a double-double machine for the Chicago Sky, while Clark is finding her groove as a go-to scorer and playmaker for the Indiana Fever. Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy dropped a fiery rant on the two stars amid their polarizing rivalry.
Portnoy revealed his thoughts on a podcast episode with Patrick Beverley.
“Angel Reese is a very good player… she's great on the offensive glass, rebounding. The reason people are captivated by Clark is because of the way she plays, like Steph Curry. The one thing I don't like is people making [the rivalry racially charged],” Portnoy said via Pat Bev Pod.
“I would like Angel more if she just ate it. If she was just like, ‘I f*****g hate [Caitlin Clark], and I'm going to go at her and make her life miserable. But she doesn't do that. She acts that way, and then she acts like people are making it up,” Portnoy added.
Dave Portnoy highlighted Reese's championship ring gesture to Clark after LSU won the 2023 NCAA Tournament against Iowa. He also noted when Reese stood up and clapped after Chennedy Carter knocked Clark to the floor during June 1st's Sky-Fever game. Nevertheless, Reese has publicly stated that she has no ill will against Clark. For example, officials called a flagrant 1 on Reese after she inadvertently swiped Clark's head during a block attempt during the June 16th matchup. Reese emphasized that the incident resulted from a basketball play, which Clark later supported.
Portnoy wants Reese to embrace the rivalry more and own a disliking for Caitlin Clark, but the rookie forward is focused on the big picture.
Angel Reese wants the Sky to be great, just as Caitlin Clark does the Fever
Despite being 22 years old, Reese has already etched her name in the WNBA record books. The former LSU women's basketball star has amassed seventh straight double-doubles, the most ever for a rookie. Through 14 games, Reese averages 12.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. Reese gave reporters motivational insight after her historical June 20th game against the Dallas Wings.
“I just want to win. I came to Chicago to win. Luckily, I was drafted No. 7 and came to Chicago and [have been] able to thrive with great teammates, great coaches. There's a great atmosphere and culture here that really loves me, so that's what's important to me,” Reese said during the post-game press conference.
Similarly, Caitlin Clark is focused on being the best she can to help the Fever be successful. She dropped a truth bomb on the growing buzz between her and Reese.
“I'm pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you (media),” Clark said after Indiana's June 21st win over the Atlanta Dream, per ClutchPoints' Fever Reporter Matthew Byrne. “For us, it's just a game of basketball. That's what it is. And if it's going to help move the game forward, absolutely. That's amazing. That's what it should be.”
Clark and Reese will face off in another intense matchup at Wintrust Arena on June 23rd. It will be interesting to whose team comes out on top following Dave Portnoy's intriguing thoughts.
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