Rebecca Lobo Speaks Out About Cheryl Reeve's Caitlin Clark Comments
The women's basketball community was turned upside down yesterday, once Minnesota Lynx and Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve changed her tune and praised rookie Caitlin Clark before the Lynx's game against the Indiana Fever.
Among what Reeve said was, "What I have seen, and coming into the season and watching her in college, I said the single best thing that she does (that young players don't do) is she plays with an incredible pace," per Chloe Peterson.
"Pace and passing I think are her two greatest things," Reeve continued of Clark. “I know the sexier part is the logo 3, but pace and passing is what makes her exceptional in my mind.”
Cheryl Reeve on CC pregame: “I know the sexier part is the logo 3, but pace and passing is what makes her exceptional.”
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) August 24, 2024
On CC and Maya Moore, whose jersey is being retired tonight, both being in the building: “I wish one was playing for us — either one.” pic.twitter.com/xj672YuVAb
Given how dismissive Reeve has been of Clark throughout 2024, Reeve switching up so drastically was a breath of fresh air for Clark's passionate fanbase.
It also caught the attention of WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo, who has been an outspoken advocate for the 22-year-old former Iowa Hawkeye.
Lobo wrote, "Glad to hear more talk about Clark’s pace recently (Cheryl Reeve below and @S10Bird on her podcast). Clark is 1 of 1 in terms of how consistently and quickly she gets the ball up the floor, both passing and dribbling," on X Sunday.
Glad to hear more talk about Clark’s pace recently (Cheryl Reeve below and @S10Bird on her podcast). Clark is 1 of 1 in terms of how consistently and quickly she gets the ball up the floor, both passing and dribbling. https://t.co/pdNcgMiPcL
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) August 25, 2024
Surprisingly enough, the WNBA's 'Pace' statistic doesn't convey what everybody who has watched Clark play this year seems certain of, the rookie is ranked No. 24 among all WNBA starting guards in Pace this season.
But this appears to be one of those instances where that stats don't tell the entire story.
Especially given the fact that Indiana ranks No. 1 in overall offensive rating (106.9) in their last 15 games, which Clark has orchestrated.
Sometimes the eye test is a much better measuring stick than a statistic; especially when women's basketball icons like Lobo and Reeve are in agreement about said eye test.
Regardless, it's great to see the women's basketball community giving Clark her flowers.
GRANT YOUNG
Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.