Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA – The 2024 WNBA season has gifted us with two rookie sensations who are tearing up the court like it’s nobody’s business. On one side, you’ve got Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, who’s racking up stats that would make a seasoned vet jealous. On the other, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, who’s rebounding like she’s got springs in her sneakers. In any normal year, either of these prodigies would be a lock for Rookie of the Year, but this season? Well, it’s got some people thinking, “Why not give it to both?”
Enter Lou Williams, a 17-year NBA veteran with a knack for speaking his mind—whether you like it or not. During a recent episode of his Underground Lounge podcast, Lou made it crystal clear that he’s not here for any participation trophy nonsense.
“I don’t want it to be [co-winners],” Williams declared, dropping a truth bomb. “Because I think that’s some b**** a** s***. For the women, stand on the decision. You don’t want everything to be cookie cutter… No, start standing on business. We represent the best of the best… I want to see that for the women’s game.”
Lou’s got a point. The man’s been around the block a few times—17 seasons worth, to be exact—and if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that greatness isn’t handed out like candy on Halloween. You’ve got to earn it, plain and simple.
Caitlin Clark is currently averaging 17.8 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game, which, in case you were wondering, has never been done in the history of the WNBA. Clark’s making defenders look like they’re stuck in quicksand while she’s casually dropping dimes and splashing threes from the parking lot.
On the flip side, Angel Reese is in her rookie season, and she’s already got her eyes set on smashing the WNBA’s single-season rebound record. Reese is out here vacuuming up boards like it’s her day job—and, well, it kinda is.
But Lou doesn’t want to see the WNBA hand out co-Rookie of the Year awards like it’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal at the local grocery store. “Stand on business,” Lou says, echoing the sentiments of every old-school hooper who thinks today’s athletes have it a little too easy.
Still, even Lou had to admit that this particular race is a tough one. “But I honestly feel like this is one of those scenarios where you explore that,” Williams added. “Because you don’t want to take away what Angel Reese has done.”
And there it is—Lou Williams, the man who made a career out of being the NBA’s ultimate sixth man, is suggesting that maybe, just maybe, this is the one time the WNBA should break its own rules. But if they do, they better know what they’re getting into. This ain’t no cookie-cutter award season, and Lou Williams is watching.
