“Call Larry Bird”: After Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Struggles, Magic Johnson Spills Some Valuable Advice

11 games into the WNBA season and Caitlin Clark is still finding it a little difficult to adjust to the pro league. She had previously admitted to problems with the increased physicality in the league. In her young professional career so far, she is averaging 15.6 points per game with 5.1 rebounds per match and 6.4 assists per contest. This is significantly lower than her NCAA performances where she was a queen, and fans who are coming in to watch her games are also disappointed seeing her performances. Amid such a situation, NBA legend Magic Johnson has now come forward to share some advice for the 22-year-old.

Johnson recently appeared on Jimmy Kennel Live when he was informed that Clark and her rival Angel Reese were being called the Johnson and Larry Bird of the WNBA. Hearing this, the 5x NBA champion was extremely happy and gave valuable advice to Clark.

Caitlin Clark can gain valuable knowledge from an Indiana icon

Johnson did not hesitate in speaking his mind and was extremely welcoming if Clark wanted to call him. He also mentioned the next steps for Clark that will help her grow her game. “Yeah, call Larry Bird. Yeah, call Larry Bird. Ask him for advice. I mean Indiana. He’s already there. And I think that he could give her great advice on how to handle these situations because he went through it himself. So it would be a perfect sit… a situation. He already lived there, grew up in Indiana, and on and on. I think it would be great,” Magic Johnson remarked.

As Magic stated, Larry Bird grew up in Orange County, Indiana and Clark now plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. As per his current residence, Bird would be closer to Clark, which might help them both in following up with basketball advice.

Another reason that Johnson mentioned Bird’s name could be because the West Baden Springs-born NBA icon was drafted 6th overall in 1978 by the Boston Celtics. The Celtics weren’t having a great season back then and it was Bird’s inclusion in the team that changed things for them. 

Similar parallels could be drawn to Clark, who is on her way to transforming the Fever. Furthermore, Clark & Co. are having a horrific time in the WNBA. Along with Clark’s declining stats mentioned before, the team has won just 2 games out of 11, which was sort of unexpected since Clark had single-handedly taken her NCAA team to 2 back-to-back Championship Finals in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, Johnson also empathized with Clark’s difficulties.

Magic Johnson gives Caitlin Clark a shoulder during tough times

Johnson agreed with his and Bird’s comparison to Reese and Clark. He stated, “I like it and they are.” He further explained that he was treated as “roughly” by the veterans as Clark is being handled right now. Johnson’s kindness and empathy proved once again that though Clark is not performing up to the mark, still she has a lot of potential.

“Veterans are going to test you right, and if they feel that you’ve gotten more money or more publicity, you know they… they’re upset about that,” Johnson exclaimed.

Now that Magic Johnson has given solid advice to Clark, she knows what to do next. And during her upcoming games, it will be clear if Clark called Bird as instructed. Till then fans would be hoping that Clark works on her skills and does not take the WNBA veterans seriously. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.