Joy Taylor, a host on FS1's "Speak," recently sparked a significant debate by suggesting that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's fame is largely attributable to her rivalry with Chicago Sky's Angel Reese. Taylor voiced her opinion on "The Joe Budden Podcast," stating that the viral moment between Clark and Reese during the 2023 NCAA Women's National Championship game was a major turning point in Clark's career.
The moment Taylor refers to is when Reese, then playing for LSU, taunted Clark by waving her hand in front of her face and pointing to her ring finger in the closing seconds of LSU's victory over Iowa. This gesture ignited a firestorm of reactions, becoming a defining image of the Clark-Reese rivalry. While some criticized Reese's actions as unsportsmanlike, others defended it as mere trash talk.
Taylor insists that without this moment, Clark would not have achieved her current level of stardom. "[The Clark vs. Reese rivalry] has now spun into this thing where, like, Caitlin is better than Angel, and blah blah blah," Taylor said. "I just said that we would not be talking about Caitlin Clark the way that we do if it wasn't for that moment with Angel Reese. And I will die on this hill. I will die on this hill."
Taylor's argument rests on the idea that viral moments, particularly those involving rivalries, can significantly elevate an athlete's cultural relevance. She argues that Clark's talent alone wouldn't have been enough to push women's basketball into the mainstream sports conversation. She emphasized that her show wasn't dedicating substantial segments to the WNBA until after the viral moment between Clark and Reese.
However, many disagree with Taylor's perspective. Prior to the 2023 NCAA Championship game, Clark had already gained considerable recognition for her exceptional skills and record-breaking performances at Iowa. She broke tournament records and led the Hawkeyes to the title game, drawing a massive audience of 9.9 million viewers, which was the highest ever for a women's college basketball game at the time.
Clark's impact on women's college basketball is undeniable. She holds the NCAA record for career points, and her games consistently drew large crowds and television viewership. Her transition to the WNBA has only amplified her popularity, with the Indiana Fever setting a single-season home attendance record and opposing teams moving games to bigger arenas to accommodate the increased demand.
While the Clark-Reese rivalry has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to women's basketball, it's debatable whether it is the sole reason for Clark's success. Clark's skills, accomplishments, and marketability have all played a significant role in her rise to fame. Reese is also a popular name in the league, with Taylor describing her as more of a villain, which she says sports leagues need.
Notably, even with all the attention and hype surrounding Caitlin Clark, she has been struggling recently. In a game against the Seattle Storm on June 24, 2025, Clark had a night she’d like to forget, scoring only six points, shooting 3-for-13 from the field and 0-for-6 from the three-point line, and committing eight turnovers.
The debate surrounding Taylor's comments highlights the complex factors that contribute to an athlete's success and popularity. While rivalries can certainly boost an athlete's profile, talent, hard work, and marketability are also essential ingredients. Whether Clark would have reached the same level of fame without the Reese incident remains a topic of discussion, but her impact on women's basketball is undeniable.
