Angel Reese is never short on hot takes, and this time, she turned her attention to one of the WNBA’s brightest stars, Caitlin Clark. On her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” the Chicago Sky forward shared her thoughts on why Clark has become such a sensation. But when you’re talking women’s basketball with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, expect to get schooled — and that’s exactly what happened.
The discussion was going along smoothly, with Reese and Shaq chopping it up about the state of women’s basketball, until Reese tried to simplify Clark’s meteoric rise to stardom with a one-liner: “She can shoot 3s from the logo.”
While not technically wrong, Shaq wasn’t having it. The Big Diesel immediately stepped in with a response as epic as one of his old monster dunks.
Shaq’s “Steph Curry Moment” for Caitlin Clark
“Look, we’ve never seen that before,” Shaq said, pulling no punches. “That’s why I love Steph Curry — because I’ve never seen a guy do what he does. Sure, we’ve seen glimpses, like Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, but not someone who does it consistently.” And he’s not wrong. Clark’s ability to drain 3-pointers from absurd distances — with the same ease most of us might toss a crumpled paper into a trash can — is something else.
It’s no wonder Shaq compared her to Curry, the man who single-handedly changed the NBA’s style of play. If Caitlin Clark is the Steph Curry of the WNBA, then we’re all just living in her highlight reel.
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Season: A Cheat Code on the Court
Ever since she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever, Clark has been electrifying fans with her insane shooting range, flashy assists, and ability to rack up points like she’s playing a game of NBA 2K on “Rookie” mode. Sure, she had some rookie bumps along the way — like trying to adjust to the physicality of the league — but she adapted faster than you could say “deep three.”
By the end of the season, Clark wasn’t just a rookie standout; she was a full-blown superstar. And yes, it helps that she’s launching bombs from the logo with Steph-esque confidence. But, as Shaq pointed out, it’s that consistency that makes her a game-changer.
Angel Reese on Dunking: “Still Not Enough for Male Fans”
Reese, who’s known for speaking her mind, also pointed out that even if dunking became a regular occurrence in the WNBA, women’s basketball might still struggle to earn the same level of respect from male fans. And she’s got a point — the dunking debate has been going on forever, like that one friend who just won’t drop a bad argument at the dinner table.
Shaq, ever the basketball philosopher, shifted the conversation back to what really makes a player like Clark special. It’s not just about throwing down dunks or posterizing someone — it’s about doing something no one’s seen before. And Clark is doing exactly that.
Shaq: Mentor Mode Activated
In a surprising twist, Shaq revealed that he’s not just a fan of Clark — he’s a mentor of sorts. “Me and [Clark] are really good friends,” Shaq shared, adding that she reminds him of his own daughter. Apparently, he’s even given her some sage advice during a tricky situation with coach Kim Mulkey. Classic Shaq, always there with the wisdom when you need it most.
We can only imagine how that call went: “Hey, listen, take it like a soldier. Don’t talk back, don’t say anything. Just come back stronger.” And knowing Clark, she probably took those words to heart — and then proceeded to pull up from the logo for three.
The Future of Women’s Basketball? More of Clark, Please
As Reese and Shaq continued their chat, one thing became clear: Caitlin Clark is changing the game, just like Steph Curry did in the NBA. And no, it’s not just because she can shoot the lights out from distances that would make most players dizzy. It’s because she’s doing something new, something fresh — something we’ve never seen before.
So yeah, Reese might have tried to simplify Clark’s greatness, but Shaq was quick to remind everyone that Clark is rewriting the playbook, one logo 3-pointer at a time. The WNBA is on the rise, and with players like Clark leading the charge, the game’s about to get even more exciting.
