SKY'S THE LIMIT
ESPN viewers slam Monica McNutt for ‘insane logic’ after analyst makes surprising pick for WNBA Rookie of the Year
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have taken the WNBA by storm this season
MONICA McNutt has divided fans with a controversial pick for the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
The ESPN analyst appeared on Friday's edition of Get Up to debate between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for the award.
4
4
4
Clark arrived in the WNBA to a media frenzy after she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever.
The 22-year-old has lived up to the hype and is currently averaging 16 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds.
Reese, who plays for the Chicago Sky, has upped her performances in recent weeks and has recorded 12 straight double-doubles.
McNutt was asked which rookie she believed was the frontrunner for the prestigious gong.
READ MORE ON FIRST TAKE
And her method of deciding between Clark and Reese split WNBA fans.
"My Rookie of the Year is going to go based on the standings," McNutt argued.
"That is how you have the opportunity to measure impact.
"And the [Chicago] Sky right now are in the playoffs.
Most read in Basketball
"So, you’d have to give the nod in my mind to Angel Reese."
McNutt praised Reese for her double-double run, but added Clark had been "incredibly impressive."
Monica McNutt dubbed 'best on First Take' as ESPN analyst shines in absence of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim
The former college basketball star also pointed out that Clark is playing alongside last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick Aliyah Boston.
"This race is a lot closer than some people think," she concluded.
"It should be about basketball and their play," argued one ESPN viewer on X.
"This is absolutely insane logic. The Sky has a half-game lead over the Fever for one. For two, the Fever were literally the worst team in the league last year. For three, Angel Reese isn’t half the basketball player Caitlin Clark is," argued another.
"This is exactly how people treat Mike Trout [in MLB]. Clark is the MVP. Doesn’t matter the standings", said a third.
'We need male allies to grow'
By Isabelle Barker, The Sun sports reporter
I remember covering the women’s European Football Championship in 2022 and when England reached the final the media landscape totally changed.
What was once a press room filled with female reporters was soon overtaken by the senior male journalists.
It was great to see that media outlets had recognized the grip women’s football could have on England but it felt like they were sending in the big boys to show us how it was done.
And where are they now? There is still a huge gap between the men's and women's game. Nike couldn't even be bothered to have Mary Earps' shirt on sale after the latest Women's World Cup.
It’s great to see male reporters enthusiastic about women’s sport but please be enthusiastic all year round.
Don't just show up when it suits at a major tournament or when a superstar like Caitlin Clark is attracting attention.
Make sure you are consistently trying to cover women’s sport and promoting it because we need male allies for us to grow.
Ryan Clark is right when he says we need to give a platform and shout out to the female reporters who paved the way when no one cared.
"They just don't want Clark to win it. Clark's schedule is harder too," added a fourth.
"So by this logic, A’ja Wilson, the best player in the league, wouldn’t win MVP because the Aces are currently 5th in the standings?" complained a fifth.
Neither the Sky nor the Fever have enjoyed winning seasons so far despite Reese and Clark's excellent performances.
The Sky are currently 8-11 following an 88-84 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday.
Read More on The US Sun
Reese scored 28 points and added 10 rebounds to continue her double-double streak.
While Clark and the Fever are 8-15 and face the New York Liberty on Saturday night.
4