Frontrunners in the battle for the Rookie of the Year award
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have emerged as the frontrunners in the battle for the Rookie of the Year award, each making a strong case for the honor. Yet, according to Dave Portnoy, the contest is already decided. For Portnoy, Reese’s skills are primarily centered around rebounding, while Caitlin Clark’s abilities extend across the entire game.
“They are not in the same sentence,” Portnoy wrote on X. “Not everyone is Steph Curry… Some people are a poor man’s Dennis Rodman.”
Lisa Leslie’s take
Portnoy’s comments were sparked by recent discussions from WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, who had voiced her opinion on the close competition between the two rookies.
Leslie suggested that both Reese and Clark were deserving of the Rookie of the Year title, acknowledging the unique strengths each player brings to the court.
“I don’t care what comparisons you make; both @Reese10Angel and @CaitlinClark22 deserve the Rookie of the Year Award,” Leslie noted.
However, Portnoy pointed to Clark’s recent performance in the Sky vs. Fever game as definitive proof of her superiority.
Clark delivered a standout performance with 31 points, 12 assists and four rebounds. This game not only added to her impressive rookie season stats but also made WNBA history as the first to feature 30 points, 12 assists and five three-pointers by a player in a single game.
The crowd in Chicago responded with a standing ovation, and Clark’s popularity was evident as fans lined up for autographs on the pink towels distributed at the game.
Meanwhile, Reese continued to solidify her credentials with another strong showing. Her 10 points and 11 rebounds in that game set a new WNBA record for the most double-doubles by a rookie, and she continues to lead the league with an average of 12.9 rebounds per game-the highest ever recorded.
In her next game, Reese broke the record for the most rebounds in a single season, further showcasing her dominance on the boards.
source:marca.com
