Magic Johnson Cosigns Comparisons That Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark Are Rivals Like He And Larry Bird In The ’80s

Sports writer Jemele Hill likened the rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark to that between

former NBA players Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who developed a comparable rivalry throughout their college careers and intensified it upon their entry into the league in the 1980s. The legendary former Los Angeles Lakers player Jimmy Kimmel concurred with Hill’s assessment during a recent interview on talk program Jimmy Kimmel.

In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 6, Magic talked about the recent contrast between the two youthful WNBA newcomers. While acknowledging that Bird was picked by the Boston Celtics in 1978 and Magic by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 (as the first overall choice), he did concur that the competition between Reese and Clark is similar to the one he had with Bird when they first entered the league. When Bird went back to school, Indiana State was leading the country in wins, but Magic’s Michigan State squad beat them to win the national title. NBA titles Magic (five times) and Bird (three times) have contributed to the championship victories of their clubs.

As he and Bird discovered, veterans will be envious, particularly if the rookies arrive with great fanfare.

“You will face tests from veterans,” he informed Kimmel. “They get upset if they believe you’ve received more money or attention.”

Additionally, he restated what former NBA player Matt Barnes had said earlier: Clark’s teammates cannot permit her to be physically assaulted by opponents while the game is in progress.

Magic clarified, “Now Caitlin, her teammates gotta come to her defense.” “You must not let her engage in constant combat. However, we must recognize that Caitlin, Angel, and [Cameron] Brink—who plays for my Sparks—all contribute to the improvement of the WNBA, and these amazing ladies with much experience will put them to the test. Although Caitlin is the most well-known WNBA player right now, she is not the greatest. We weren’t the best when we first joined the league, just like Larry and I. We later rose to the top thanks to our play. To become the finest WNBA player, Caitlin still needs to play at a high level.