We would like to think that we have much more important reasons to hate each other.
Wars. ElectionsWhich side of Chicago has the best beef sandwiches?
But no, nothing does so much harm to a mountain of combustibility as raising the subject of WNBA new sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Or, sorry, should I say Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark?
No matter. No matter what order you put their names in, it is already too late to stop the flames of righteous anger and absurdity from spreading.
One of the problems with our society is that we don’t know how to disagree on anything, not even a trivial issue like Reese versus Clark, Clark versus Reese. People get so excited about getting involved in the debate of the day that they start throwing rhetorical grenades at the other side without even reading, listening, or thinking. So the nastiness of the rhetoric—even about two 22-year-old basketball players who play like crazy—erupts almost instantly and irrevocably.
And everyone involved gets a little dumber every time.
The latest fire that’s crackling (and will inevitably become a conflagration) is which of the two new superstars deserves to be at the forefront of the WNBA Rookie of the Year race. It’s a two-player race, with the Sky’s Reese on a record-breaking 13-game double-double streak, the Fever’s Clark filling up the stat sheet despite all the perimeter defenders working their hearts out, and — to put it bluntly — no other rookie even deserves to be in the conversation.
It’s also the final reminder that any time one is foolish enough to intervene in a public debate about these two players, the experience is as instructive and illuminating as a lobotomy.
Last weekend, after Reese recorded her 12th straight double-double in a win over the Storm in Seattle, Sun-Times Sky reporter and chief WNBA expert Annie Costabile wrote about the rookie of the year race and opined that Reese had earned the midseason advantage.
“It’s hard to argue against it,” she writes.
Reese’s Sky teammate Chennedy Carter said in the article: “(Reese) is the rookie of the year. There’s no other way to say it.”
If only these sentiments were true, society might be a little more bearable. Alas, the arguments – whatever they may be – are irresistible, and far too many people are quick to find “other ways” to add things that immediately invite insults, slander, and other forms of downright ignorance.
Although I know that’s not the case, I looked at the comments under the Sun-Times’ Facebook post about this story. Like an idiot who smears tree sap on himself before opening a hornet’s nest, I got what I deserved — and that’s just from reading the comments, not even participating in them.
The first person to comment on the story couldn’t have been less provocative or inflammatory, pointing out Clark and Reese’s individual strengths and claiming that both will be fun to watch at the All-Star Game in Phoenix later this month. Yet that comment was enough to spark annoyance and hate.
The first to respond called Clark the “best teammate” and “best for the league.” In the blink of an eye, Reese was called “unsportsmanlike,” “shabby,” unhumbled, and worse. More than one idiot said or implied that Reese would win the award because she’s black and that fits the league’s social agenda.
But even some who supported Clark without criticizing Reese were labeled “haters.” Clark was mocked as a “savior.” One even compared her to former NBA player Sam Bowie, whom the Trail Blazers infamously drafted in 1984 before a talented youngster from North Carolina joined the Bulls. The implication being that Reese is Michael Jordan? Okay, sure.
I stopped reading the comments pretty quickly. Suffice it to say, they sounded too much like the rhetoric you hear every time Clark and Reese are mentioned in relation to each other.
You know what would be a breath of fresh air? If we could talk about these two, about basketball, without keeping an eye out for an incoming grenade. Is that really too much to ask?
I’m going to admit a few things here.
First, Clark is the overwhelming favorite on the betting sites to win Rookie of the Year. I’m not sure there’s even a debate about who will win. Debate the “should” if you want, but that’s kind of beside the point.
Second, the excitement and hype surrounding Reese’s double-doubles in WNBA circles is a bit disconcerting. No one has ever had 13 double-doubles in a row before, so it’s clearly a tremendous feat. On the other hand, hearing this much buzz about double-doubles is unusual, right? Reese is averaging 14.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in 31.5 minutes — solid production — but no one made a big fuss about the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis for his NBA-record 77 double-doubles last season. The Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic has averaged a double-double every season in Chicago and over his nine-year career — 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds in 31.4 minutes — but fans here can’t stand to see him underperform.
Third, Clark is averaging 16.1 points and missing over two-thirds of her three-pointers. She’s been very good but also very human, while Reese is the one who overdoes it. If Clark scored just one more basket per game, there might not be much debate at all, but The Caitlin Show hasn’t exactly been a never-ending thrill ride.
Wow, admitting all that felt good. Now, please excuse me while I go hide.
