Paige vs Caitlin

[HawkNorth]

A little context here: Jim Souhan is a columnist for the Star-Tribune. Paige Boeckers played her high school basketball at Hopkins HS in the metro area so he is writing from a home town perspective. The article’s title is “Who was a bigger deal?”, addressing the impact of each player on the national consciousness. They are both wonderful players but looking at it objectively, Boeckers was surrounded by some of the best talent in America. She was only the THIRD highest scorer on her team in the championship game. It’s an interesting take:

Souhan: Why was Caitlin Clark a bigger deal in college than Paige Bueckers?

Souhan: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark ... why didn't Bueckers reach the same level of stardom as Clark despite similar accolades?

Souhan: Even with a ring, why wasn't Paige Bueckers at the same level of stardom as Caitlin Clark?

www.startribune.com

 

[MitchLL]

Pretty accurate.

 

[Tenacious E]

A little context here: Jim Souhan is a columnist for the Star-Tribune. Paige Boeckers played her high school basketball at Hopkins HS in the metro area so he is writing from a home town perspective. The article’s title is “Who was a bigger deal?”, addressing the impact of each player on the national consciousness. They are both wonderful players but looking at it objectively, Boeckers was surrounded by some of the best talent in America. She was only the THIRD highest scorer on her team in the championship game. It’s an interesting take:

Souhan: Why was Caitlin Clark a bigger deal in college than Paige Bueckers?

Souhan: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark ... why didn't Bueckers reach the same level of stardom as Clark despite similar accolades?

Souhan: Even with a ring, why wasn't Paige Bueckers at the same level of stardom as Caitlin Clark?

www.startribune.com

The flashiness of Caitlin's passes and logo bombs were part of it, combined with her getting IOWA to the finals 2 years in a row. Iowa was/is good, but nowhere near a final 4 team without her. But at the end of the day, you don't need to look further than this chart:

 

[Franisdaman]

A little context here: Jim Souhan is a columnist for the Star-Tribune. Paige Boeckers played her high school basketball at Hopkins HS in the metro area so he is writing from a home town perspective. The article’s title is “Who was a bigger deal?”, addressing the impact of each player on the national consciousness. They are both wonderful players but looking at it objectively, Boeckers was surrounded by some of the best talent in America. She was only the THIRD highest scorer on her team in the championship game. It’s an interesting take:

Souhan: Why was Caitlin Clark a bigger deal in college than Paige Bueckers?

Souhan: Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark ... why didn't Bueckers reach the same level of stardom as Clark despite similar accolades?

Souhan: Even with a ring, why wasn't Paige Bueckers at the same level of stardom as Caitlin Clark?

www.startribune.com

People don't ask when Paige is playing; Paige is not must see TV.

Conversely, we all know people ask when CC is playing; CC is must see TV.

 

[kceasthawk]

Pretty accurate.

Well kind of, with a couple of really glaring exceptions, if you really know what happened, 1) He said, "Clark came in with little fanfare" Like she was an unknown. That one is total BS, basically he's saying because Geno didn't offer her they weren't on the same level as players. Pure nonsense. PB was the #1 recruit supposedly, but there were alot of people on the AAU circuit who thought Clark was the top player in the country. The rankings were PB#1, and the rest of the top 5 was Cardosa, Clark, Reese, and HVL I believe in what order depends on what site you looked at. 2) "She fueded with Angel Reese". Uh, NO she did not. Reese showed her ASS to the whole country and managed to gain some noteriety by wearing the black hat in this melodrama. Clark basically did her best to ignore Reese. Everything else was contrived by the media. We won't even get into the "PB stayed classy", like what Clark wasn't classy when the she's off the court? He doesn't know the young woman at all.....

 

[Herky T Hawk]

It is as simple as two reasons.

1. The hometown aspect. CC stayed home and carried Iowa to two title game losses. PB went to UConn and is just another player in their long line of great players while playing on a stacked roster that underachieved by not winning more than one title in her career.

2. The eyeball test. PB is a good player and well rounded. CC does things that nobody else has ever done in the women's game, and few men do in their game too.

That's all you need to consider. PB is just another great player in a long line of great UConn players. CC is something women's basketball has never seen before, and she did it at a place that has never been a national power and hadn't really been a dominant regional/conference power in 3 decades.

 

[WSC72]

Interesting question. Would Clark choose to have Bueckers career if she could switch her personal stats for the titles (high school, college, international play) Bueckers has won?

 

[Tenacious E]

Interesting question. Would Clark choose to have Bueckers career if she could switch her personal stats for the titles (high school, college, international play) Bueckers has won?

No way. She still has a future to write in terms of team accomplishments.

 

[nck24]

No way. She still has a future to write in terms of team accomplishments.

Paige ain't sharing a box seat with Taylor Swift.

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

CC is way more versatile IMO. Paige may play the point, but her passing skills aren't even in the same stratosphere as CC's. And all those physicality issues people were talking about with CC will definitely be a thing for PB, she's pretty scrawny.

Both amazing players. But as pointed out, CC is must-see TV for millions. Not sure if Paige will have that kind of draw.

 

[Tenacious E]

CC is way more versatile IMO. Paige may play the point, but her passing skills aren't even in the same stratosphere as CC's. And all those physicality issues people were talking about with CC will definitely be a thing for PB, she's pretty scrawny.

Both amazing players. But as pointed out, CC is must-see TV for millions. Not sure if Paige will have that kind of draw.

Watching Caitlin over the last few years, there has probably been 100 “HOLY SHIT did you see that???” moments. Kind of like bo Jackson when he was doing his thing. Just always excited to see what awesome shit you will next. It’s not an insult to Paige that she isn’t in the same stratosphere, no other woman is.

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

Watching Caitlin over the last few years, there has probably been 100 “HOLY SHIT did you see that???” moments. Kind of like bo Jackson when he was doing his thing. Just always excited to see what awesome shit you will next. It’s not an insult to Paige that she isn’t in the same stratosphere, no other woman is.

It's not an insult. And to this day CC's sniper passing abilities are STILL the least talked about thing with regards to her game. Obviously the logo 3s get the crowd's blood pumping. But if there were a video posted showing her best passes/assists on the year it would be more exciting than most players' scoring highlights.

 

[AEG82]

I don't even understand the need to write this article honestly. Nobody asked him why one was above the other. Everybody already knows the answer if they're honest with themselves.

Paige is a great player. Caitlin is a legendary one. Even non-Iowa fans can see that.

 

[nck24]

I don't even understand the need to write this article honestly. Nobody asked him why one was above the other. Everybody already knows the answer if they're honest with themselves.

Paige is a great player. Caitlin is a legendary one. Even non-Iowa fans can see that.

But but but ..Paige has a ring! Only a matter of time before we start hearing this.

 

[pablow]

Here's why people watch Caitlin -

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

CC was the best PG in the WNBA as a rookie.

PB is a great player but I don't know that I see her having that impact.

 

[spiderland]

He doesn't know the young woman at all.....

This. Ole Jim wins my “Write an Article Saying You Don’t Know a Thing About Caitlin Clark Without Saying You Don’t Know a Thing About Caitlin Clark” award, hands down.

If he had really been serious, he could have saved a ton of effort and just followed up his headline “Why Was Caitlin Clark a Bigger Deal in College than Paige Bueckers?” quite simply with:

1. Clark was more spectacular.

End of story.

Any further explanation necessary would really just be elaboration on point number one above.

Ten year old girls (as well as grown freaking men) would line up virtually anywhere/anytime with programs, t-shirts, shoes in hand for her autograph because CC would scream on the court?

Rural Midwesterners waited for hours outside arenas in Evanston, Madison, and Lincoln because all of a sudden they realized how great women’s college basketball was?

You are going to seriously contrast Paige’s 0.8 blocks per game with CC’s 0.5 as part of your analysis into this “conundrum” and you’re going to keep a straight face in doing it?

Boy, do I feel like a fool now after spending all that time watching Caitlin and her career 46% FG percentage when I could have been watching Paige and her 52%.

GMAFB

 

[kceasthawk]

It's not an insult. And to this day CC's sniper passing abilities are STILL the least talked about thing with regards to her game. Obviously the logo 3s get the crowd's blood pumping. But if there were a video posted showing her best passes/assists on the year it would be more exciting than most players' scoring highlights.

There are A LOT of videos posted. Just go on youtube...

 

[millah_22]

People desperately want to put PB over Clark.

It's insanity imo.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Here is the difference.

I was on vacation in Santa Fe, New Mexico last year. Found a random bar with a bunch old dudes - for the Elite 8 game vs LSU and the entire bar was cheering for Caitlin Clark and Iowa.

 

[Gary-Waterloo]

One thing that bothers me in this discussion is that Clark blew up her sophomore year after a 46 point performance against Michigan when NBA players started tweeting about her. The NBA players really blew her up in the national scene. It wasn't white midwesterners but NBA players that started the national conversation. Then, CC backed it up with her play. The number of layups that CC got for her teammates EVERY game was unbelievable.

Like mentioned in other posts, Souhan overstated the controversial side. Clark complained and was brash but was always classy in her comments. Souhan also mention PB's clutch shots without mentioning the huge shots CC hit. The physical fitness that CC showed while getting followed the length of the court and staying healthy is a huge plus for CC.

 

[kceasthawk]

One thing that bothers me in this discussion is that Clark blew up her sophomore year after a 46 point performance against Michigan when NBA players started tweeting about her. The NBA players really blew her up in the national scene. It wasn't white midwesterners but NBA players that started the national conversation. Then, CC backed it up with her play. The number of layups that CC got for her teammates EVERY game was unbelievable.

Like mentioned in other posts, Souhan overstated the controversial side. Clark complained and was brash but was always classy in her comments. Souhan also mention PB's clutch shots without mentioning the huge shots CC hit. The physical fitness that CC showed while getting followed the length of the court and staying healthy is a huge plus for CC.

Just typical lazy journalism.

 

[BrewHawk]

Paige won't get the defensive attention that Caitlin did because she doesn't command it.

I still think Paige will be just another player in the W. She is solid, but not spectacular.

Think about how teams had to divide their attention when playing UConn. Caitlin got 100% of that in college and last year and still succeeded to the extent she did.

I respect Paige's game, but we're dealing with apples and oranges here.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

If Paige was making logo 3s AND pinpoint passes AND taking the MN Gophers to the NCAA championship....

Then she'd be on the same level.

It's pretty easy to see the difference here.

 

[danny14]

Tier 1
Caitlin

Tier 2
JuJu
Paige

Tier 3
Angel Reese

Only one I would pay to see play would be Caitlin and I'm tight with my money!

 

[ZachJump]

Only one I would pay to see play would be Caitlin and I'm tight with my money!

Not sure why you had to restate the same thing twice in one sentence.

 

[twindman]

Tier 1
Caitlin

Tier 2
JuJu
Paige

Tier 3
Angel Reese

Only one I would pay to see play would be Caitlin and I'm tight with my money!

I think the last one is wrong. Tier 99 - Angel Reese.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

WHen you choose to go to uconn or south carolina and surround yourself with 10 other 5 stars, I'm not putting you in the greatest ever category. You did what you should have done.
CC taking those Iowa rosters to the national championship game two years in a row may actually dwarf her scoring record. I say that with all due thought and respect That might be one of the greatest accomplishments in college sports.
That would be a great list.....

 

[Hawkaholic18]

I love that both girls are humble, and they let their basketball do the talking. They each make their teammates better, I hope both stay injury free.

 

[WSC72]

WHen you choose to go to uconn or south carolina and surround yourself with 10 other 5 stars, I'm not putting you in the greatest ever category. You did what you should have done.
CC taking those Iowa rosters to the national championship game two years in a row may actually dwarf her scoring record. I say that with all due thought and respect That might be one of the greatest accomplishments in college sports.
That would be a great list.....

Wouldn't that rule out Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton on the men's side? As well as Michael Jordan.

 

[Tenacious E]

Wouldn't that rule out Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton on the men's side? As well as Michael Jordan.

For me, overall team depth and quality, or lack thereof, skews someone's greatness but is not definitive. If some one can take an otherwise good, but not great, team to the championship game two years in a row, that a HUGE plus. If someone is a star player on a loaded team that wins a national championship game, it is not really factor one way or the other.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

To be fair, Angel is now must-see YouTube for the "BANG!" site that makes crap of her. It's pure comedy gold!!!

 

[WSC72]

For me, overall team depth and quality, or lack thereof, skews someone's greatness but is not definitive. If some one can take an otherwise good, but not great, team to the championship game two years in a row, that a HUGE plus. If someone is a star player on a loaded team that wins a national championship game, it is not really factor one way or the other.

I'm not sure if that means that Alcindor, Jordan and Walton are ruled out of the conversation of the greatest ever or if we can still consider them according to the criteria set by Bulldogs. Of course I'm not very bright.

 

[Chuck C]

I’m surprised he didn’t mention another big factor. Clark breaking both the women’s and Maravich’s career scoring records. The ramp up to those brought in a ton of hype and eyes.

 

[Tenacious E]

I'm not sure if that means that Alcindor, Jordan and Walton are ruled out of the conversation of the greatest ever or if we can still consider them according to the criteria set by Bulldogs. Of course I'm not very bright.

I don't speak for bulldogs, but I don't know if we would consider Jordan the best college player of all time. For me, it just means that I am not assigning weight to their championships in determining GOAT status.

 

[WSC72]

I don't speak for bulldogs, but I don't know if we would consider Jordan the best college player of all time. For me, it just means that I am not assigning weight to their championships in determining GOAT status.

Thanks, appreciate the clarification. I would agree that Jordan would not be in the running for greatest college player of all time.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

I'm not sure if that means that Alcindor, Jordan and Walton are ruled out of the conversation of the greatest ever or if we can still consider them according to the criteria set by Bulldogs. Of course I'm not very bright.

the mens side is not the same as women. The are more great players and the talent level is high overall.
The womens game: There is nowhere near the talent pool and they tend to congregate at a few school, which is why predicting the final four and champion is/has been pretty easy.

 

[WSC72]

the mens side is not the same as women. The are more great players and the talent level is high overall.
The womens game: There is nowhere near the talent pool and they tend to congregate at a few school, which is why predicting the final four and champion is/has been pretty easy.

Thanks Bulldogs, very true on all counts.

 

[ichawk24]

I don't think you can make any hard and fast rules on whether or not to consider a player, but their school and teammates and coaches are all important context.

I think Caitlin and Paige are both winners. Caitlin's team accomplishments are more impressive to me.

 

[ZachJump]

The womens game: There is nowhere near the talent pool

400,000 high school girls playing basketball versus 524,000 boys is not some overly significant difference in the talent pool.

Easy to agree that there is more parity in the men’s game, just looking at the Naismith it is more likely someone not ranked in the top 50 wins than a Cooper Flagg.