Shaquille O’Neal praises Caitlin Clark, responds to Barkley’s remarks on pettiness
Shaquille O’Neal openly admires the achievements of Chicago Sky’s rookie Angel Reese. Having developed a close relationship, Reese considers him a father figure.
However, O’Neal also acknowledges the skills of Caitlin Clark, a player widely regarded as Reese’s top competitor: he described her as “the real deal.”
O’Neal visited Chicago on August 30 to watch Reese’s Sky face Clark’s Fever in their last game of the 2024 season. Reese unveiled Reebok’s latest basketball shoe at the event, with O’Neal there to support her. Unfortunately for the Sky, the Fever dominated, winning 100-81, thanks to a phenomenal performance from Clark, who scored 31 points and provided 12 assists. Reese contributed 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but O’Neal left the game impressed by Clark’s performance.
“Seeing it on TV made me eager to watch her play live. After attending the game, I can confirm—she’s a remarkable player. She orchestrates plays expertly, engages her teammates, and has shooting range reminiscent of Steph Curry,” O’Neal remarked.
O’Neal believes the Rookie of the Year battle will be held between Reese and Clark. Following their win against the Sky in three out of four meetings this season and securing a playoff spot recently, many speculate that Clark is the frontrunner for the award.
Adding to the drama, Reese announced over the weekend that she would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury that requires surgery. As the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft, Reese was leading the league with an average of 13.1 rebounds per game at the time of her announcement.
O’Neal expects discussions about Clark and Reese will continue for a while.
“This rivalry benefits the sport; it’s going to evolve continuously. In college, Angel has the edge with her national championship win. Now, Caitlin is in the playoffs—can Angel match that? There are always narratives to keep this rivalry alive. I’m happy for both players and for women’s sports as a whole,” O’Neal stated.
With their impressive performances boosting attendance, viewership, and overall spotlight on the league, O’Neal believes it’s time for progress regarding player pay.
“Equal pay is overdue,” he emphasized. “These athletes have consistently excelled, and given the current environment, it’s time for fair compensation. I would love to see one of them earning $10, $15, even $20 million annually—they absolutely deserve it. But fans need to back them by attending games and buying merchandise; that will lead to increased salaries.”
When asked about Charles Barkley’s recent comments regarding some WNBA players, which he labeled as “petty” and “jealous” towards Clark, O’Neal took a different stance.
“Envious feelings exist in the profession,” he remarked. “I’ll admit, I experience professional envy myself. I envy Steph (Curry) and his $60 million salary, but that’s just part of life.
“We need to keep in mind that respect and recognition aren’t handed out easily,” O’Neal pointed out. “It’s important to earn it. Chuck had to face this; I faced it too. While they are talented, there are still others like Diana Taurasi and A’ja Wilson who deserve equally strong recognition in this league,” he added.
Highlighting Wilson’s stellar performance, O’Neal mentioned she is currently the leading candidate for her third MVP title. Through 34 games, Wilson averages an impressive 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game, which leads the league.
“Comments from outspoken personalities like Chuck aren’t about negativity; it’s about pacing the recognition,” O’Neal clarified. “While Caitlin Clark impresses, we must remember there have been many talented young women before her who didn’t receive the same acknowledgment. Players want credit and appreciation for their contributions to the league. it’s a matter of timing.”
Credit to Lindsay Schnell, follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell