Why the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry is crucial for the WNBA

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are taking the WNBA by storm, and all eyes are on these two young stars as the season continues and chatter surrounding Rookie of the Year ramps up. 

Both USC star JuJu Watkins — who's widely regarded as the heir apparent to Clark after the former Iowa sensation went pro at the end of last season — and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley recently picked Reese as deserving of ROY honors over Clark, sparking even more debate online. 

FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd explained why this budding rivalry is crucial for the continued success of the WNBA, comparing it to one of the greatest NBA rivalries of all time on a recent edition of "The Herd."

"Angel Reese potentially winning Rookie of the Year, that would be the best thing in the world for Caitlin," he said. "It would also be the best thing in the world for the WNBA. Hear me out. It's a Magic [Johnson]-[Larry] Bird thing. What made Magic and Bird last is [that] neither truly won the [debate about] whose better. People chose sides for years. … It just went back and forth, back and forth. … The (Olympic) snub (of Clark) plus Angel Reese winning Rookie of the Year can really change the WNBA. It creates arguments, and arguments — they're great for sports."

Clark was left off the Team USA roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics, sending sports fans into a frenzy in recent weeks. Currently an alternate for the team, Clark might end up representing the U.S. after all if veterans Diana Taurasi (leg) and/or Brittney Griner (hip) can't return from injury soon. Clark averaged 15.6 points while shooting 35.7% from the floor and 29.7% from 3-point range in the 11 games she appeared in before the Olympic roster was revealed nearly five weeks ago.

Clark and Reese