This is starting to feel like the ‘1980s rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is having a wonderful first season as a rookie, she is struggling much less than Caitlin Clark to get adapted to the league. Reese has managed to get herself into the conversation for the Rookie of the Year Award as she has also cemented her place inside the Chicago Sky’s roster. Right now, many even consider sheis having a season in par with the legendary Candace Parker when she first arrived to the WNBA. But that doesn’t take her eye from the ball, Angel Reese confessed recently she doesn’t really care about personal accolades. Given how much attention she has been getting alongside Caitlin Clark, we can’t help but think about the early ‘1980s.

Angel Reese mocked in viral TikTok trend: “Hoop like Angel Reese”Parker Johnson

Is Reese vs Clark the new Magic vs Bird?

Although it’s still hard to say which of both rookies will make it to the WNBA Finals, it is pretty clear to see many similarities between these two rookies and the two rookies who single handedly revived the NBA back in the ‘1980s. They created the blueprint forhow to turn an entire league into one of the most profitable businesses in American sports history. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were the formula to follow. Both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are trying to replicate that but it’s not even on purpose. During that first season, Magic Johnson ended up winning his first NBA Championship with the Lakers while Bird won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Right now, Angel Reese seems better positioned to win the individual accolade. However, none of both rookies has their team in a great position. Currently, other teams like the New York Liberty, the Connecticut Sun, and two thirds of the Western Conference have better results than their teams. All Reese or Clark can consider winning is the ROY award. Here’s what Angel told reporters about this prize: “I’m not thinking about Rookie of the Year. I’m just thinking about being in the playoffs. Being able to be better than last year for this team. I came here just to win. Personal accolades are something I really don’t get into.”

Angel Reese doesn’t mind playing the “bad guy.” But what once was mutual beneficial — for the game and her branding — should now be abandoned.

She’s way too good of a player to need that shtick. Good enough to be WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Words: https://t.co/1Ou5HmXmIc

— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) July 10, 2024

There's a growing push for Angel Reese to win WNBA Rookie of the Year over Caitlin Clark. We dug into the data to see if that argument had any merit.

Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

READ: https://t.co/XzAsKheM0C pic.twitter.com/cPeclCqone

— OutKick (@Outkick) July 9, 2024