Paige Bueckers vs Caitlin Clark [merged thread]

[huskeynut]

This thread reminds me of the good old NBA days: Bird or Johnson, Russell or Chamberlain, There is no right answer.

Same with Paige vs Caitlin. Very talented players in different programs that have different philosophies.

I see Clark as a scorer first, on the verge of a gunner, because that is what her team needs. And Iowa will ride Clark's talent. Paige is not a scorer first. She is a passer first. Paige has a better cast around her. ,

It all boils down to how you, as a fan, and how you believe the game should be played.

My choices: Larry Bird, Bill Russell and Paige Bueckers.

 

[oldude]

This thread reminds me of the good old NBA days: Bird or Johnson, Russell or Chamberlain, There is no right answer.

Same with Paige vs Caitlin. Very talented players in different programs that have different philosophies.

I see Clark as a scorer first, on the verge of a gunner, because that is what her team needs. And Iowa will ride Clark's talent. Paige is not a scorer first. She is a passer first. Paige has a better cast around her. ,

It all boils down to how you, as a fan, and how you believe the game should be played.

My choices: Larry Bird, Bill Russell and Paige Bueckers.

Even though I’m a lifelong Celtic fan, my choices: Magic, Russell & Paige.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Maddy Seigrist over Clark? Interested in the point of view. I see Clark and Paige as our future Olympic backcourt.

Last season Seigrist averaged 29.2 ppg while Clark averaged 27.8. Paige missed last season.

 

[PhillyCoach]

It's simple - - they are exactly the same (special/elite)--but different! (Paige shoots better % and defends well-- -- -- Clark has more stamina/health and she is an all-around player who has many triple doubles.) Remember who was competing with Nika for the most assists last year. Clark was doing that & rebounding, while scoring at a top clip. Clark is a great player and so is Paige.
They are both great leaders taking their team to the NC game.
Change the criteria for the assessment and you will get different results.

As Old Dude mentioned---
Wilt Chamberlan was the greatest player of all time if we use single season stats as the criteria. He averaged 50pts. a game for the season. had 55 rebounds in one game, and won the assists title for another season. He did what he wanted.
However, Bill Russell was the greatest player if we use Championships as the criteria. He won 9 in a row and 10 total NBA titles or something in that realm.
.
In your opinion you can pick anyone as the best, because everybody has an opinion these days. Please spell out your criteria and the evidence/facts that goes with it.

Anyway, they are exactly the same; they are both great players.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Speaking as a fan of neither team, but a fan of both players (though admittedly more so a fan of Bueckers), this debate is so tedious. They both have made college WBB so much better, that in the grand scheme of things, the real debate is "Bueckers and Clark vs. Edey and Dickinson." I'll take Bueckers and Clark over Edey and Dickinson all day, every day, and twice on Sundays. I'm just grateful they both add so much value to my favorite sport.

 

[HuskyNan]

Speaking as a fan of neither team, but a fan of both players (though admittedly more so a fan of Bueckers), this debate is so tedious. They both have made college WBB so much better, that in the grand scheme of things, the real debate is "Bueckers and Clark vs. Edey and Dickinson." I'll take Bueckers and Clark over Edey and Dickinson all day, every day, and twice on Sundays. I'm just grateful they both add so much value to my favorite sport.

I’d take Donovan Clingan over Edey or Dickinson. You know, the guy that’s an integral piece of the reigning national champion

 

[hoopsfan22]

I'm taking Paige. She can do more things well. You saw her versatility in the Maryland game dropping dimes, blocking shots, stealing the ball, effortlessly knocking down 3s and mid-range shots. You won't see Paige chucking up 30 ft shots - she generally tries to complete the high percentage play.

 

[darkstar1]

Clark took a team full of non-All American recruits to the National Championship and were a Jasmine Carson Linsanity run away from winning a championship. She makes her teammates better.

I just don’t see it. She is a phenomenal player, no doubt. A great player that is the center of attention on a team that relies so heavily on her, is simply going to have great stats. But when that player has an off game against a good team, you know what happens. We just saw it against a decent but not exceptionally good team. If Clarke were on Uconn, would she be willing to not be the whole show?

 

[Linart]

I think Paige is much more exciting to watch. She has more holy-crap-how-did-she do-that shots. And she's faster and more emotional.

 

[Bigboote]

Clark took a team full of non-All American recruits to the National Championship and were a Jasmine Carson Linsanity run away from winning a championship. She makes her teammates better.

Morgan William took a team with no all-American recruits (including herself) to the National Championship. Two years in a row. Does that make William as good as Paige?

I'm not belittling (pun intended) the contributions of Itty Bitty -- she was a great floor general, but not in the same league as Paige or Caitlin.

 

[Scud49]

Very good breakdown of the last game vs Maryland. He does a very good job of highlighting Paige's overall contributions on both offense and defense. He also makes a keen observation of how Paige utilizes a "same foot, same hand" finish on many of her drives to the basket:

 

[pk1234]

Morgan William took a team with no all-American recruits (including herself) to the National Championship. Two years in a row. Does that make William as good as Paige?

I'm not belittling (pun intended) the contributions of Itty Bitty -- she was a great floor general, but not in the same league as Paige or Caitlin.

You think Kate Martin is as good as Victoria Vivians?

 

[SEbluebood]

Sunday results. 35 points, (64% shooting), 10 assists , 7 steals 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers for Clark.

12 points on 33% shooting, 4 assists , 0 steals , 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 turnovers for Bueckers.

Both will have good and not so good games! No way either player can be considered “better’ than the other.

Just for fun, Brink will give them both a run for their money this year !