Great Video on Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark!

[RSHERMVIKES]

Paige Bueckers Is Better Than Caitlin Clark!

 

[Bone Dog]

I’m usually the first one to champion Paige over Caitlin — and I have been critical of Caitlin on many occasions. But I am not persuaded by the case made here. Yes, Paige is playing better than ever… and so is Caitlin. Caitlin is not merely a 3 pt specialist. She can do everything Paige can do at least as well.

I prefer Paige’s game to Caitlin’s, and I don’t care for Caitlin’s on court persona — the constant whining about missed foul calls grates on me. I know, @The deacon, Paige jaws at the refs sometimes too.

And I want to say something in defense of Caitlin’s defensive skills. Paige’s defense is perhaps more noticeable than hers this season, but I’m sure Caitlin does what Lisa Bluder wants her to on defense, and she has made some spectacular defensive plays this season, including a game saving block. If her coach at the next level wanted more defensive intensity from her, I am sure she would not disappoint.

And just one ‘take notice’ play she made as a freshman has stuck with me. Playing against UConn in the tournament, not her shiniest offensive performance because Christyn (mainly) played tenacious defense on her — Caitlin picked Christyn’s pocket on transition defense. I can’t recall seeing anyone do that to Christyn, who had tremendous handles especially in traffic. But Caitlin just took the ball away from her. She’s made lots of plays like this.

I can see no flaws in Caitlin’s skill set. I prefer Paige as a talent and as a player. But it’s not because of something Caitlin lacks. It’s because of something extra Paige brings, her character and how that shows up in games for the team.

 

[oldude]

It’s a close call for me. But if I have to choose, I’m going with Paige because she makes better decisions than Clark, particularly in pressure situations, and she makes her teammates better as a result.

 

[Twelve]

Paige is great. Caitlin is great. Maybe we will be blessed to see both play in NCAA next season.

Both will draw media and fans to WNBA. They are great for the game. Hope the friendly debate over who is better will continue for 10+ years.

 

[diggerfoot]

I’m usually the first one to champion Paige over Caitlin — and I have been critical of Caitlin on many occasions. But I am not persuaded by the case made here. Yes, Paige is playing better than ever… and so is Caitlin. Caitlin is not merely a 3 pt specialist. She can do everything Paige can do at least as well.

I prefer Paige’s game to Caitlin’s, and I don’t care for Caitlin’s on court persona — the constant whining about missed foul calls grates on me. I know, @The deacon, Paige jaws at the refs sometimes too.

And I want to say something in defense of Caitlin’s defensive skills. Paige’s defense is perhaps more noticeable than hers this season, but I’m sure Caitlin does what Lisa Bluder wants her to on defense, and she has made some spectacular defensive plays this season, including a game saving block. If her coach at the next level wanted more defensive intensity from her, I am sure she would not disappoint.

And just one ‘take notice’ play she made as a freshman has stuck with me. Playing against UConn in the tournament, not her shiniest offensive performance because Christyn (mainly) played tenacious defense on her — Caitlin picked Christyn’s pocket on transition defense. I can’t recall seeing anyone do that to Christyn, who had tremendous handles especially in traffic. But Caitlin just took the ball away from her. She’s made lots of plays like this.

I can see no flaws in Caitlin’s skill set. I prefer Paige as a talent and as a player. But it’s not because of something Caitlin lacks. It’s because of something extra Paige brings, her character and how that shows up in games for the team.

I agree that the video is more “talk show” than “news reporting.” I also agree that there is not a significant difference in skills either offensively or defensively. I also concede I resorted to hyperbole once when I wrote the two were not even in the same league defensively. Finally, I agree some differences in defensive performances are due to playing in different systems.

Nevertheless, there is a significance difference in both productive and advanced metrics for defense between Clark and Bueckers. (I find her 5 steals per game average in high school particularly impressive). And while the skill sets may be similar there are physical differences between the two that contributes to Bueckers performing better on defense.

On the one hand Clark is likely stronger and an inch taller, also more durable to date, which may lead to a longer career. However, as a former track athlete Bueckers is both quicker and faster. She has very good hops, with a vertical similar to M. Moore. She also has a Stewart like wing span for her size at 6’5”, more than negating the inch Clark has on her in regards to height.

Even if we assume there skills are the same on defense, Bueckers physical attributes gives her an advantage which shows up in the metrics.

 

[Twelve]

Paige and Caitlin have done what was asked of them and what was needed from them by their head coaches. Paige would have been asked to score more at Iowa. Caitlin would have been asked to shoot less from 30+ feet at UConn.

UConn would not have made it to NC game without Paige. Iowa would not have made it to NC game without Caitlin. Both are great players and leaders. Both draw defensive attention away from their teammates.

Geno is GOAT HC. Taurasi, Maya, Stewie, Paige and their teammates have enjoyed an advantage over their competition. Geno's coaching is reflected in UConn players' decision making. Caitlin would have benefited from Geno as HC, no disrespect to Bluder.

Paige and Caitlin will be Olympic teammates in 2028. Maybe even 2024?

 

[Twelve]

I agree that the video is more “talk show” than “news reporting.” I also agree that there is not a significant difference in skills either offensively or defensively. I also concede I resorted to hyperbole once when I wrote the two were not even in the same league defensively. Finally, I agree some differences in defensive performances are due to playing in different systems.

Nevertheless, there is a significance difference in both productive and advanced metrics for defense between Clark and Bueckers. (I find her 5 steals per game average in high school particularly impressive). And while the skill sets may be similar there are physical differences between the two that contributes to Bueckers performing better on defense.

On the one hand Clark is likely stronger and an inch taller, also more durable to date, which may lead to a longer career. However, as a former track athlete Bueckers is both quicker and faster. She has very good hops, with a vertical similar to M. Moore. She also has a Stewart like wing span for her size at 6’5”, more than negating the inch Clark has on her in regards to height.

Even if we assume there skills are the same on defense, Bueckers physical attributes gives her an advantage which shows up in the metrics.

Do you have links detailing wing spans, verticals and quickness/speed for both Paige and Caitlin?

 

[Bone Dog]

On the one hand Clark is likely stronger and an inch taller, ... She also has a Stewart like wing span for her size...

I love your post, and would only add that both Caitlin and Paige were listed at 5'11" coming out of high school, and both have since been "promoted" (see my recent Star Trek comment) to 6'0" . Also, wasn't there a post a few weeks back for a humorous video the team made involving a tape measure and wing spans? As I recall, Paige's came up somewhat less than 5'11" and Amari's came up 6'9". My general rule of thumb is to believe nothing until it's expressed in Hartley units.

 

[JellyBean]

It is a Magic and Larry Bird comparison to me. They both are highly skilled players with high basketball IQ and highly competitive. The WNBA better be looking for the right owners of future teams and working on their marketing because this influx of incoming talent at the high school and college level players is coming and they are impressive.

 

[EricLA]

I get that comparisons are inevitable, but they play on totally different types of teams. Clark averages over 31 PPG and 2 others average double figures scoring, the next at 7.5 PPG.

Paige averages just under 20 PPG, but 2 others average over 10 PPG, and 2 are just under with Nika and Q close to 7 PPG. Point is, UConn seems to have many more scorers than Iowa.

And BTW over 7 rebounds per game and over 7 assists per game not to mention shooting 40% from 3 - Caitlin is amazing. I get that she has the ball in her hands 99% of the time, but she rebounds at a 3 RPG clip more than Paige. And she only plays 2 MPG more than Paige. Point is, Clark works hard.

BTW in fairness, Paige does not have the ball in her hands 99% of the time. It's usually either Nika or KK at this point.

Bottom line both are great. If I were a WNBA team, honestly I'd take Clark over Paige, even if it's super close. But hopefully Clark comes out this year and Paige comes out next year so kind of moot point. I wonder if Clark will still have eye-popping scoring stats in the W, or if she will share more when she's on a team with more talent and more scoring oomph...

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm not sure I agree that Paige "can not even come close" on rebounding, though there is a clear difference between them. I think she could rebound more if that's where she focused her attention. She has had a few high rebound games. This stat feels as situational as the rest. Still, she averages 4 over her career and Caitlin averages 7 (8 so far this season). Will it haunt UConn down the road? Maybe. I hope not.

 

[diggerfoot]

I love your post, and would only add that both Caitlin and Paige were listed at 5'11" coming out of high school, and both have since been "promoted" (see my recent Star Trek comment) to 6'0" . Also, wasn't there a post a few weeks back for a humorous video the team made involving a tape measure and wing spans? As I recall, Paige's came up somewhat less than 5'11" and Amari's came up 6'9". My general rule of thumb is to believe nothing until it's expressed in Hartley units.

You are correct. It was Edwards with a 6’5” wing span. I interchanged them as UConn’s two stars. It nagged at me a little later, after the edit window, that I had messed up. I know, poor excuse.

Her steals is accurate though, I double checked. Actually, as a senior she averaged 5.4 steals per game. Impressive!

In reference to @EricLA post I would add that in addition to different scoring roles, so do their other roles differ. Bueckers is not the main PG (notice who brings up the ball the most on entry passes). She likely is not going to have as many assists as one of her own teammates, so of course she is not going to have as many as PGs who are the main facilitators of their teams.

I recall Taurasi not having impressive rebounding statistics, but one day Auriemma challenged her to get ten in a game and she got eleven. Bueckers has shown she can box out, out quick and jump higher than opposing posts for rebounds. If that was a point of emphasis for her in this system she could do it, but she is also very good at on ball defense and superb in defending passing lanes. Those have been the points of emphasis for her which will draw her away from rebounding duties.

 

[diggerfoot]

Um, well, if Clark can be as efficient as Bueckers with scoring and passing, or defend passing lanes as well. she has yet to prove it.

You could chalk that up to their different roles and expectations for their respective teams. That very well could be true, but then that argument would also apply to why their rebounding roles are different.

 

[PacoSwede]

kudos to caitlin for staying home and rejecting ND

 

[Twelve]

It is a Magic and Larry Bird comparison to me. They both are highly skilled players with high basketball IQ and highly competitive. The WNBA better be looking for the right owners of future teams and working on their marketing because this influx of incoming talent at the high school and college level players is coming and they are impressive.

E-x-p-a-n-s-i-o-n

 

[Twelve]

Um, well, if Clark can be as efficient as Bueckers with scoring and passing, or defend passing lanes as well. she has yet to prove it.

You could chalk that up to their different roles and expectations for their respective teams. That very well could be true, but then that argument would also apply to why their rebounding roles are different.

Paige benefits from the GOAT HC. She has more talent around her - despite the injuries - than Caitlin has.

If Paige and Caitlin had switched teams for 4 years, their roles would have been reversed.

UConn fans would have welcomed and supported Caitlin as much as they have for Paige.

 

[Twelve]

You are correct. It was Edwards with a 6’5” wing span. I interchanged them as UConn’s two stars. It nagged at me a little later, after the edit window, that I had messed up. I know, poor excuse.

Her steals is accurate though, I double checked. Actually, as a senior she averaged 5.4 steals per game. Impressive!

In reference to @EricLA post I would add that in addition to different scoring roles, so do their other roles differ. Bueckers is not the main PG (notice who brings up the ball the most on entry passes). She likely is not going to have as many assists as one of her own teammates, so of course she is not going to have as many as PGs who are the main facilitators of their teams.

I recall Taurasi not having impressive rebounding statistics, but one day Auriemma challenged her to get ten in a game and she got eleven. Bueckers has shown she can box out, out quick and jump higher than opposing posts for rebounds. If that was a point of emphasis for her in this system she could do it, but she is also very good at on ball defense and superb in defending passing lanes. Those have been the points of emphasis for her which will draw her away from rebounding duties.

1. Coaches determine the roles and points of emphasis.
2. Players execute to the best of their abilities.
3. Statistics are the results of roles, emphasis, and execution.


Nika is a perfect example. Set season assist record last year with Paige injured. This year Geno said [paraphrasing] "we took the ball out of her hands." (see the CT Insider website.)


Maya was not a guard like Paige, Taurasi, or Nika. But her role apparently was do everything exceptionally well.

#1 scoring.
#2 rebounding.
#4 steals.
#4 three point field goals made.
#8 free throws made.
#9 assists.
#9 rebounds.

Source: page 85 of 2022-3 UConn media guide.