Women's Fastbreak On SI

Caitlin Clark Has Been Olympic Level Good for Fever

Robin Lundberg

Grace Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Watching LeBron James and Stephen Curry give a post game interview together following Team USA's win over Canada made me focus once again on the star power the women's Olympics squad will be missing in Paris. Because I would argue the three most famous basketball players in the world are James, Curry, and Caitlin Clark. In fact, the way I've come to put it when talking about just how big Clark is as a figure for hoops is that if there were to be a Space Jam 3, she would be the obvious choice as the lead.

Now fame is not enough to get one on the Olympic team, but the Indiana Fever rookie has proved to be deserving through her play, which is probably why Gus Johnson felt compelled to ask Grant Hill about her omission during the men's broadcast. Gus asked Grant, "How are you not gonna have your people throw Caitlin Clark on the United States National Team?" To which Hill replied, "I'm the managing director of the men's national team," before emphasizing he had nothing to do with the decision. Grant did make it a point to point out how talented the team remains without Clark but clearly wanted to distance himself from the conversation. While Johnson also made mention of Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, and it can certainly be argued that putting Reese on the squad would also be good for the growth of the game.

When it comes to Clark, it's only fair to note that she was struggling more than she is now when the roster was selected. However, it has always been clear the trajectory she was on. And I realize the easy retort is asking who would be removed from the squad in order to put her on. Well, one might make the case that could be Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, given where she is in her career. Or Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces since she was coming off injury. But I'd phrase the query another way, which guard in the WNBA is currently playing better than Clark? Because the argument CC is not one of the 12-best players in the world falls flat on its face.

Clark is leading the entire W in points generated. She also just put up a stat line no professional basketball player ever has before. That's while being top 20 in the league in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, and first overall when it comes to dimes. The truth is Clark is closer to the MVP conversation than she is to being in a real debate for Rookie of the Year. And seeing her play alongside the other Olympians is a tantalizing thought given the way she is able to dictate a game in transition.

This is all said while realizing the Olympic break is probably the best thing for Clark overall. It's only been three months since she was competing for the national championship with Iowa and she has already logged half of a professional season. Still, the showcase of star power for Team USA was a reminder that leaving her off the team was indeed a gold medal level miss.

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Robin Lundberg

ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

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