The debate around Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark has been going on as one of the most recurring conversations in the league right now. While some may already believe Clark’s rookie records hold her to a certain stage, others think Bueckers is on her way to knock Clark off that perch.
This is exactly what analysts Mark Zanetto and Tee Baker sat to discuss on the latest episode of “The Hoops Cap Pod” podcast. Zanetto asked Baker if he believes Paige Bueckers is already ahead of Caitlin Clark.
In response, the analyst took into account several metrics to conclude Bueckers as a ‘more rounded basketball player.’
“I’ve always thought Paige Bueckers has been the more rounded basketball player throughout college as well,” Baker said. (1:45)
Baker explained that Bueckers’ numbers, efficiency, and contributions on the floor clearly indicate the kind of ‘well-rounded’ basketball that she is. He further added:
“That signals she is the better basketball player. She’s the one who has the innate skills that of course caitlin Clark also has. But, I think what differentiates. What differentiates Paige for me is the ways she can score all over the court but also her defensive intensity. She is a better two-way player than Caitlin Clark.”
It’s true that Caitlin Clark indeed isn’t as reliable on both ends of the floor as much as Paige Bueckers. In her rookie season, she averaged 1.3 steals per game but also amounted to 5.6 turnovers.
On the other hand, Bueckers is showing impressive defensive prowess, especially with her off-ball instincts and positioning in her rookie season so far. This season, she is averaging 1.8 steals per game while recording only 2.1 turnovers.
Is Paige Bueckers close to breaking Caitlin Clark’s rookie records?
Caitlin Clark had broken numerous records in her rookie year. But Paige Bueckers isn’t that far either. So far in her rookie season, she has broken six WNBA records, making her come close to Clark’s historic season. But, is Bueckers close enough to break, or even match, Clark’s rookie records?
Based on the pace she’s been playing with, Bueckers might be well on the verge of it. She reached the 250-point mark in her 13 games, when Clark needed 16 games to reach that mark. This made Bueckers the fastest player to get to 250 since 2006. And more so, she is also shooting a league-high 58.2 percent of her mid-range shots, which is a far better statline than Clark’s.
One of Caitlin Clark’s rookie records that Bueckers recently broke was to receive the most fan votes as a rookie for the All-Star game. The Dallas Wings guard received 805,471 votes as compared to the previous record set by Clark last season at 700,735.
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