Magic Johnson has advised Caitlin Clark to seek the wisdom of a former NBA star amid the rivalry between the Fever rookie and Angel Reese.
Clark and Reese have been on-court rivals since their college days at Iowa and LSU, respectively, and Reese got things started last week when she cheered her teammate Chennedy Carter’s aggressive body check on Clark.
And while you continue talking Jimmy Kimmel Live On Thursday, Lakers legend Johnson said Clark should speak to a former rival of his.
“Let me give Caitlin some advice,” he began. “Call Larry Bird, ask him for advice… Indiana, he’s already here [, and he could give her great advice on how to handle this situation because he went through it himself.
‘So, it would be a perfect situation. He already lived there, grew up in Indiana, on and on and on. I think it would be great.’
Caitlin Clark has been advised by Magic Johnson to seek wisdom from his ex-rival Larry Bird
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson clashed in the ’80’s as the Celtics and Lakers battled for glory
Bird and Johnson, who both entered the NBA during the 1979-80 season, famously battled throughout the 80’s as Celtics and Lakers jostled for glory.
At a different point in the show, Kimmel put it to Johnson that Clark and Reese were the ‘Larry Bird and Magic Johnson of the WNBA. Do you like that when you hear that?’
‘I like it and they are,’ Johnson said.
‘Just like Larry and I, we [weren’t] the best when we came into the league. Our play later made us the best. Caitlin still needs to play great to become the best WNBA player.”
Just as Bird and Johnson clashed in their heyday, it appears there will continue to be some tension between Reese and Clark, who was taunted by Reese during the 2023 national championship game.
Clark and Reese have been since Reese taunted Clark during the 2023 national championship
Reese recently dismissed the idea of people watching WNBA games “for one person” and said she would embrace the role of “villain” after her encouragement of Carter’s push.
“People go to games, celebrities come to games, arenas sell out. Just because of one single game. And just looking at that, I will take on that role. I will take on the role of the villain and I will continue to do so. And so be it for my teammates.’
She added: “I know I will go down in history. I’ll look back in 20 years and say, ‘Yes, the reason we watch women’s basketball isn’t just because of one person. It’s also because of me’ and I want you to realize that… many of us have done so much for this game…’
On Friday, Clark had her best WNBA game yet when she dropped 30 points in a close Fever win over the Mystics.
However, it appears she will be left out of the US Olympic roster.