Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe Deliver Final Verdict for Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese Battle Weeks After Fierce Debate With Monica McNutt

Everyone knows that Stephen A. Smith is a true supporter of Caitlin Clark. Smith debated with Monica McNutt after the first game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, when Clark was shoved by the Sky player Chennedy Carter. Smith had then revealed that his loyalties lay with Clark. And nothing else mattered to him since he got into a fierce discussion with a fellow journalist. Weeks after the burning issue, Smith has once again come forward to declare who would win the Rookie of the Year between Clark and Angel Reese. 

Smith was present along with NFL star Shannon Sharpe on ESPN’s First Take when the two were asked to give individual answers on who could win the Rookie of the Year award. 

Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith share their take on Rookie of the Year

Sharpe like Smith was caught in a dilemma. “Angel Reese was sensational yesterday. Her desire not to lose was greater than the fever desire to win,” Sharpe said, via ESPN. The Sky had won their first game against the Fever on Sunday night by an 88-87 margin. 

Sharpe went ahead to state that Reese scored 25 points and 16 rebounds. This was a career-high for Reese in the WNBA. It was her eighth consecutive double-double. “It’s just a small, small sample size for me. It’s a toss up, but you know that’s not what we do here, Stephen. And you got to pick one of the other. So with that being said, I think I’m going to take Angel Reese right now because of those double-doubles,” Sharpe reckoned.

Sharpe acknowledged that the Sky has only played 15 games, but based on the double-doubles, he would choose Reese over Clark. Reese became the first rookie to have 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game since A’ja Wilson in 2018.

Smith agreed with Sharpe and said, “I don’t really disagree with what Shay Shay said.” He said, “Caitlin Clark is on the verge of becoming the first WNBA rookie ever to average 15, 5, and 5 so certainly she deserves to be in a run,” Smith continued.

He further stated that while he was inclined towards Reese at the moment, Clark too deserves the fame and popularity she has got. She too is in the race for the Rookie of the Year award. Clark currently averages 16.3 points per game with 5.4 rebounds per match and 6.6 assists per contest. However, Smith ultimately sided with Reese.

“Angel Reese with eight straight double-doubles. She was absolutely, absolutely sensational yesterday. She was big time, make no mistake about it. She showed up and showed out and being down by 15 and sparking her team back. I just can’t say enough about it,” Smith said while justifying his decision.

Reese had helped her team recover from a 15-point deficit and shown her exceptional skills in the fourth quarter to lead her team to a win. While the Fever added 15 points, Sky scored 24, and that was the game-changer. This came as a surprise for many since Smith had previously fought for Clark with McNutt.

Stephen A. Smith’s debate with Monica McNutt

When Carter had pushed Clark, Smith had come forward to support Clark opining that there was a level of “venom and hostility” towards the ‘golden girl,’ as per Daily Mail. He had further praised Clark against all the veteran athletes of the WNBA remarking that the 22-year-old had taken the league by storm and did the unthinkable. “Has accomplished in a short period of time what they haven’t been able to,” Smith had said back then. 

His opinion had led to a debate with McNutt who gave her perspective that Smith was outblowing the proportion of resistance faced by Clark when Carter had shoved her. For McNutt, it was a basketball play. Smith had commented that the First Take covers the WNBA more than any other platform. To which McNutt took a dig emphasizing that “Stephen A…respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted.”

Therefore, it comes off as a surprise that Smith is currently favoring Reese. Nonetheless, it is a good one for Reese’s fans. On the other hand, the Rookie of the Year debate will continue to enchant followers till the time there is a clear one in the WNBA. Hopefully, that too will happen soon.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.