If the WNBA needed its very own version of Steph Curry vs. Kevin Durant, Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson have graciously filled the role. One rookie sensation, one reigning MVP, and enough intrigue to fuel sports talk for months. And yes, like any great basketball rivalry, it’s as much about perception as it is production.
During a recent stint on The Rich Eisen Show, former NBA forward Jim Jackson waded into the debate with a comparison that only the NBA’s most iconic pairings could justify. Jackson likened Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s dazzling rookie, to Steph Curry—explosive, marketable, and relatable. Meanwhile, Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces’ powerhouse, drew the Kevin Durant card—arguably the better player but not the bigger brand.
“It’s a reason why Steph Curry, who may not be the best player, draws differently,” Jackson explained. “A’ja Wilson is the best player in the WNBA, but Caitlin is more marketable because people tend to resonate.”
Ouch. That sound you hear? It’s the echo of every MVP trophy in Wilson’s cabinet shaking indignantly. But Jackson isn’t wrong—at least from a branding perspective. Clark’s rapid ascent to fame, punctuated by her historic collegiate run and Time Magazine’s “Athlete of the Year” honor, has thrust her into the mainstream spotlight faster than Wilson’s career stats can keep up.
Enter Draymond Green, Defender of A’ja’s Marketability
As if this debate wasn’t spicy enough, enter Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors’ unofficial debate-team captain. On his podcast, Green took a strong stance for Wilson’s marketability, pointing out that the league itself hasn’t figured out how to maximize her star power.
“I think A’ja Wilson is as marketable as anybody in the WNBA,” Green declared. “Y’all got a gold mine sitting right there. It ain’t A’ja’s fault they haven’t figured out how to make it go.”
Translation? If Wilson’s not the WNBA’s most marketable star, the fault lies in the league’s inability to polish the diamond they already have. Green wasn’t subtle about his frustration, and he might just have a point. Wilson, after all, isn’t exactly lacking in accolades: three MVPs in five years, an Olympic MVP, and a single-season scoring record that’ll be talked about for years.
The Tale of Two Titans
So, what makes Clark the WNBA’s golden child while Wilson still fights for broader recognition? It’s not just about stats—it’s about the story. Clark’s college heroics and her underdog charm are tailor-made for viral content and water-cooler chatter. She’s the kind of player who makes you text your friends, “Did you see that?” even if they don’t watch the WNBA.
Meanwhile, Wilson, who has dominated the league with surgical precision, faces the “KD dilemma.” She’s undeniably great, but greatness sometimes comes with an expectation that overshadows the wow factor.
A Rivalry for the Ages
Whether you’re Team Clark or Team Wilson, this burgeoning rivalry is exactly what the WNBA needs. It’s the kind of narrative that fuels debates, fills seats, and gets the league trending. Clark may be the marketable darling right now, but Wilson’s greatness is impossible to ignore.
And as the WNBA continues to grow, maybe it’s time to stop comparing the two stars and start appreciating them for what they are: the Curry and Durant of their generation. One sells jerseys; the other makes history. And both make the WNBA a whole lot more fun to watch.