Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson likened budding WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to his legendary rivalry with Larry Bird(Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: On Monday, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson created a stir in the sports world by drawing a bold comparison between budding WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and his legendary rivalry with Larry Bird, as reported by Fox News.
While Clark and Reese have both downplayed the idea of a rivalry, Johnson likened their dynamic to his iconic clashes with Bird in the late 1970s.
Magic Johnson draws parallels between Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese and Bird-Johnson rivalries
Johnson and Bird’s rivalry started in the 1979 National Championship game between Magic’s Michigan State and Larry’s Indiana State, setting an all-time viewership record for men’s basketball.
Their competition continued into the NBA, greatly enhancing the league’s popularity. Johnson sees a similar dynamic unfolding with Clark and Reese.
“When I think about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s impact on the game, they remind me a lot of Larry Bird and me. Our first meeting, Indiana State vs Michigan State, in the NCAA Championship set the all-time viewership record for men’s basketball,” Johnson wrote on X. “Caitlin and Angel’s 2023 NCAA Championship matchup and their 2024 Elite Eight games were the highest viewership records at the time.
Johnson emphasized that his rivalry with Bird led to sold-out arenas and boosted TV viewership, which in turn resulted in larger TV contracts and higher player salaries.
Magic Johnson emphasized that his rivalry with Larry Bird led to sold-out arenas and boosted TV viewership (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)He sees Clark and Reese having a similar effect on women’s basketball.
“Caitlin and Angel are now doing the same thing, selling out arenas and increasing the viewership. They have taken women’s basketball by storm and with expiring TV deals on the horizon, the WNBA is now in a position to negotiate higher TV contracts and increase salaries for all of the talented players,” Johnson explained.
Recently, Reese recorded her eighth consecutive double-double as the Chicago Sky narrowly defeated the Indiana Fever, 88-87. Meanwhile, Clark set a franchise record for the most assists in a game for the Fever, with 13.
Despite these standout performances, both players insist that there is no rivalry between them.
“I’m pretty sure that the only people who view this as a rivalry is all of you,” Clark told reporters after her Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream. “For us, it’s just a game of basketball. That’s what it is. If it’s going to help move the game forward, then absolutely. That’s amazing. That’s what it should be. People can talk about it.”
Magic Johnson’s Clark-Reese vs Bird-Johnson analogy sets social media ablaze
Magic Johnson’s analogy of Clark-Reese to Bird-Johnson rivalry sparks social media reactions (Getty Images)
Magic Johnson’s recent comparison of the budding rivalry between WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to his legendary battles with Larry Bird has ignited a firestorm on social media.
Fans and commentators alike have weighed in, drawing parallels and distinctions between these two iconic duos.
One user reminisced, “The intensity and competitive spirit of the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry definitely brings back memories of the legendary battles between Magic and Larry Bird. Exciting times for women’s basketball.” [sic]
Another user pointed out a key difference, stating, “Bird and Johnson didn’t take blatant cheap shots at one another. They just played the game to the best of their abilities and won championships with their teams.”
Many users lauded Clark’s exceptional skills. “I believe Caitlin Clark is good enough to play in the NBA since she is the best woman player of all times,” one fan asserted. [sic]
Another user added, “Clark is the best of the best; she draws the crowds. If the officials would step up and do their job and not allow the thugs to beat her down, it would be a lot better.”
However, some users questioned the comparison’s validity. “The difference is Magic and Larry were extremely talented. Clark is the lone superstar in this scenario,” one user said.
