Has rookie Paige been better than rookie Caitlin?

[zimpy27]

Interested in what you think. Paige has been impressive as a rookie.

[Ice Man]

Statistically, i would say their rookie years have been roughly a wash. Similar point totals. Clark scored at a higher efficiency and of course had a lot more assists. But Paige has many fewer turnovers and plays better defense. In short, I'd take them both, in a heartbeat.

My gut tells me that Clark was more influential overall, due to the defensive attention that she attracted. Of the two players, she is the more unusual. Paige is a classically excellent all-around player, while Clark is a unique mix of super strengths plus a couple of weaknesses. But I can't prove that gut feeling, in part because Clark played so much when she was a rookie that there aren't meaningful on/off numbers for her.

[MrDollarBills]

I lean towards Clark because the Fever last year were way more competitive.

[Doctor MJ]

Interested in what you think. Paige has been impressive as a rookie.

No I'd say Clark was more impressive, sorry.

Now Paige is in a considerably worse situation imho, and that means we're perhaps not seeing here thrive on the level she could otherwise, but the fact that Paige is actually less efficient than Clark isn't great given that efficiency was always her thing at UConn.

I'm not down on Paige for the future, and I do think we probably won't get a sense for how Paige's Wings look until Arike is gone, but I'd still consider Clark the player more likely to go down as generational.

[Mephariel]

I think Clark was the better rookie. I like Paige, but I am disappointed how poorly she is shooting from 3. I expected close to 40% to be honest. But Paige can become a better all around player than Clark long term.

[zimpy27]

Interested in what you think. Paige has been impressive as a rookie.

No I'd say Clark was more impressive, sorry.

Now Paige is in a considerably worse situation imho, and that means we're perhaps not seeing here thrive on the level she could otherwise, but the fact that Paige is actually less efficient than Clark isn't great given that efficiency was always her thing at UConn.

I'm not down on Paige for the future, and I do think we probably won't get a sense for how Paige's Wings look until Arike is gone, but I'd still consider Clark the player more likely to go down as generational.

I think Clark is special and Paige is a year older but just been very impressed by Paige. I think her protection of the ball is a strong sign of elite level impact with where her usage is.

[MrDollarBills]

I would say that Year 1 Clark was in a better situation than Year 1 Paige is right now. However, that 44 point outburst isn't something to sleep on. Paige is right there with CC talent wise

[Ice Man]

Paige's mid-range game is a thing of beauty. It's a skillset that is sorely lacking even in the men's game and almost entirely absent in the women's game. But wow is it helpful. For example, defenders drop on Clark as soon as she moves past the 3 point line, because they know that her first, second, and third option at that point is a layup. Paige will take that all day and night. Pop, it's a 15 foot basket.

[rmontro]

I don't watch Wings games unless they're playing the Fever, but I hear Paige doesn't routinely get double teamed like Caitlin gets double and triple teamed.

[King Bugs]

Caitlin had a better rookie season because she got numbers and broke records while her team was competitive. Caitlin does have the luxury of playing with 2 other all-stars. But It's not her fault that she was drafted into a better situation with a more competent front office.

With that said, Paige is going to be special. I believe she ends up being the better player of the 2. Paige is a lot more efficient than Caitlin. Shooting 47% from the field as a rookie PG is very impressive. I like Paige's shot diet and shot selection better. Paige takes good care of the ball and she plays way better defense. An excellent point guard. It isn't flashy, but she doesn't hurt you anywhere. Now the Dallas FO just gotta put a squad around her.

[Ice Man]

I don't watch Wings games unless they're playing the Fever, but I hear Paige doesn't routinely get double teamed like Caitlin gets double and triple teamed.

No, she hasn't attracted the same amount of defensive attention. Presumably that will start to change, because she has clearly become the Wings' top option.

[Mephariel]

Caitlin had a better rookie season because she got numbers and broke records while her team was competitive. Caitlin does have the luxury of playing with 2 other all-stars. But It's not her fault that she was drafted into a better situation with a more competent front office.

With that said, Paige is going to be special. I believe she ends up being the better player of the 2. Paige is a lot more efficient than Caitlin. Shooting 47% from the field as a rookie PG is very impressive. I like Paige's shot diet and shot selection better. Paige takes good care of the ball and she plays way better defense. An excellent point guard. It isn't flashy, but she doesn't hurt you anywhere. Now the Dallas FO just gotta put a squad around her.

If Paige can get her 3 point shot close to her college level shooting percentages, she probably has a good shot of growing into the best offensive player in WNBA history.