Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are two of the best guards to ever play in the WNBA. Even though Caitlin Clark has only played one season as a pro and has plenty of catching up to do to be on the same level as the two legends, it is easy to imagine hearing her mentioned in the same sentence. After all, Clark has already led the WNBA in assists in the 2024 season, something Sue Bird did three times in her career and Taurasi did once.
Clark’s new teammate Natasha Howard found another reason to compare the Fever star to Bird and Taurasi. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with her on-court production or basketball talent.
Instead, Howard was impressed with Clark’s leadership in training camp, praising her for talking to the team in huddles and appearing as a natural leader.
“I feel like she’s going to be in the category with the Sue Birds, the Diana Taurasis,” Howard said about Clark’s leadership during media availability.
Natasha Howard’s comments further prove that Caitlin Clark will be an all-time great
Although Clark is still young and just started her WNBA career, it is easy to imagine her going down as one of the best guards to ever step foot on a basketball court. Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are two of the players she is chasing. The two share seven WNBA championships, eleven Olympic gold medals, 24 All-Star appearances, one MVP award, two Finals MVPs, four WNBA seasons with the most assists in the league, and five scoring titles. Being mentioned in the same sentence as Bird and Taurasi is always a big accomplishment, but especially for a young player.
After just one season, Clark is still far away from that but she is on the right track. She already secured her first trip to the All-Star game as a rookie and put her name in the MVP conversation. Now, the Fever have also built a much improved team around her, giving her what should be the first of many chances to compete for a title.
Most legends of the game are not just great players, though. They are also great teammates and leaders. According to Natasha Howard, Clark is already excelling in that area as well. Howard should be considered a reliable source as well. After eleven years in the WNBA and playing with stars like Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, she can recognize greatness.
It is just a matter of time until Clark officially joins them.