As someone who played basketball, I’ve always believed one thing: You don’t have to hate one great player to appreciate another.
Somewhere along the way, sports changed. What used to be healthy debates about who was better, who had the better game, or who would win a matchup have turned into something completely different.
Today, it feels like fans are expected to pick a side and stay there no matter what.
If you like one athlete, you’re supposed to hate the other If you support one team, you’re supposed to disrespect everyone else. And nowhere is that more obvious right now than in the conversations surrounding Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Personally, I like both. I respect both. I appreciate what both have done for women’s basketball.
Caitlin Clark changed the visibility of the sport in a way we’ve never seen before. Her shooting range, confidence, and ability to attract new fans helped bring unprecedented attention to women’s basketball.
Angel Reese impacted the game differently. Her toughness, rebounding, personality, and ability to embrace pressure helped create storylines that kept people engaged. She brought a competitive edge that many fans love.
Both players have helped grow the game.
Both players have brought new eyes to women’s basketball.
Both players have value.
Yet every time they are discussed, social media turns it into a war. If you compliment Caitlin Clark, some people assume you’re attacking Angel Reese. If you compliment Angel Reese, some people assume you’re attacking Caitlin Clark. Why?
Why can’t two great players exist at the same time?
As basketball fans, we should be celebrating the fact that the sport is producing athletes who generate this much attention. Instead, we’ve become obsessed with picking sides. The reality is that sports have become a reflection of our culture. Everything today feels divided. Politics, Race, Social issues, Entertainment, and even sports.
People have become so attached to teams, opinions, and narratives that they feel uncomfortable simply appreciating greatness wherever they see it. As a basketball lover, that’s disappointing.
I grew up respecting great players regardless of where they came from, what school they attended, or what team they played for. I could appreciate Michael Jordan and still respect Magic Johnson. I could admire Kobe Bryant while appreciating Allen Iverson. I didn’t feel the need to tear one player down to elevate another.
That’s what true sports fans do. They appreciate greatness. Sports should be one of the few places where people can come together because of a shared love for competition, excellence, and achievement.
Instead, we’ve turned it into another battleground.
The truth is simple.
You can like Caitlin Clark.
You can like Angel Reese.
You can appreciate both.
And if you’re a true basketball fan, you should be able to recognize greatness without feeling pressured to pick a side. Because at the end of the day, good basketball is good basketball. And that’s something worth celebrating.