In the world of sports debates, some comparisons spark meaningful discussions. Others? Well, they set the internet ablaze with hot takes and secondhand embarrassment. The latest in the realm of fiery debates? Angel Reese versus Caitlin Clark—a comparison that sports analyst Jimmy Traina didn’t just reject; he torched it with the fiery intensity of a Stephen A. Smith monologue.
The drama unfolded on Thursday’s episode of the SI Media show. Traina, alongside co-hosts Andrew Perloff and Peter Schrager, was dissecting the 2024 sports landscape when Schrager posed a question: “Did y’all watch JuJu Watkins’ USC take on Paige Bueckers’ UConn?” A seemingly innocent query snowballed into a heated exchange when Perloff decided to name-drop Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in the same breath.
“She’s like Michael Jordan,” Perloff proclaimed, referring to Clark, as if this was the Last Dance of WNBA takes. “I watched so much more women’s basketball because of her. The college game, in particular, has been electric.”
So far, so good, right? Not for long. Perloff went on to claim that Angel Reese—who’s become synonymous with swagger and sold-out arenas—had a Jordan-esque influence on the pro game. That’s when Traina hit the metaphorical brakes and swerved hard.
“Let me stop you right there,” Traina interjected at the 19:10 mark. “That’s such bullst. It’s just bullst.”
Cue the sound of collective gasps from the virtual audience. Traina wasn’t buying the narrative that Reese’s influence matched Clark’s. His NSFW takedown had the internet scrambling to pick sides.
The Numbers Game
Traina doubled down, pointing out that Clark has consistently delivered TV ratings and attendance figures that would make even the most cynical execs at ESPN nod in approval.
“She’s responsible for a number no one else is getting,” he said. Translation: Caitlin Clark isn’t just filling seats; she’s filling spreadsheets.
Schrager, trying to play peacemaker, argued that the buzz around games like USC vs. UConn wouldn’t exist without Clark’s presence. But Traina wasn’t having it. If comparisons are to be made, they need to be airtight—and this one? It wasn’t.
Angel Reese: The Villain We Love to Hate
Not one to shy away from the spotlight, Angel Reese has leaned into her “bad guy” role since her LSU days. The rookie has declared herself an integral part of women’s basketball’s meteoric rise, much like a WWE heel hyping up their next match.
“People are pulling up to games,” Reese said recently. “Celebrities, sold-out arenas—just because of one single game. I’ll take that role. I’ll take the bad guy role.”
While some fans find Reese’s confidence infectious, others think she’s writing checks her rookie stats can’t cash. But Reese remains undeterred. “I know I’ll go down in history. It’s not just about one person. It’s because of me, too.”
The Real Winner
So, who’s the Michael Jordan of this narrative? Clark? Reese? The answer might be simpler than you think: it’s women’s basketball. The attention, the debates, and the passion these athletes ignite are proof that the sport is thriving.
As for Traina’s rant? Love it or hate it, he said what a lot of fans are thinking but too polite to tweet.
