We saw a different version of Caitlin Clark on Sunday night. The Indiana Fever star made her broadcasting debut as a special contributor for NBC. And while the pre-game show was largely well-received by fans, one moment in particular, in which Reggie Miller compared the 2024 WNBA ROTY to a Boston Celtics player, has gone viral. While the NBA legend\u2019s take was shocking enough, Clark\u2019s deadpan reaction told a different story.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like Payton Pritchard from Boston, the way he\u2019s able to handle the basketball,\u201d Miller explained when asked which active NBA player reminds him of Clark. \u201cHe makes big shots when the shot clock is running down, a lot like this young lady right here. Isn\u2019t afraid of the big moment and is a champion like she\u2019s soon to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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It was a comparison that no one saw coming. Very few would compare the Fever star to the Celtics guard, and this is no disrespect toward Pritchard, who remains one of the league\u2019s better three-point shooters. But when you look at Clark as a shooter relative to her peers, the comparison simply does not do her justice.<\/p>\n
And that was enough for fans to call out Miller on social media. Here are some of the reactions that followed.<\/p>\n
Reggie Miller faces backlash over Caitlin Clark comparison<\/p>\n
\u201cPrime example that old heads delusional to the new talent in this Era!\u201d one fan said, while another piled on with, \u201cLmaooooo that\u2019s disrespectful.\u201d You could see the confusion on Clark\u2019s face in the video, and that was what fans immediately latched onto.<\/p>\n
Such reactions were bound to come, given that the comparison never made sense to begin with. Both Caitlin Clark and Payton Pritchard play very different games. The undersized Celtics guard relies more on physicality and control, while Clark thrives with pace, creativity, and a pass-first mindset.<\/p>\n
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Miller also said the word \u201cchampion.\u201d But when the Celtics won their 18th NBA title in 2024, Pritchard averaged 6.4 points in 18.7 minutes per game (no starts) in the postseason.<\/p>\n
Another observer jumped in to say, \u201cPut some respect on CC bro, what.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given the impact she has had on women\u2019s basketball, she was probably expecting a comparison closer to someone like Stephen Curry, for at least her vision, if not her shooting. After all, Clark has helped change how women\u2019s basketball is perceived, much like the Golden State Warriors veteran did for the NBA.<\/p>\n
As one fan rightly put it, \u201cThe damn disrespect lol. In terms of ticket sales, skill, and popularity. She\u2019s in the Steph convo.\u201d<\/p>\n
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