The Warriors legend admits more people would recognize Caitlin Clark than he does

Caitlin Clark’s popularity has increased manifold over the past 18 months. His limitless shooting range, incredible passing ability and stellar dribbling coupled with his otherworldly stats have made him a global sensation. The WNBA Rookie of the Year is so recognizable that Chris Mullin suggested fans wouldn’t notice him if he was standing next to her.

On SiriusXM NBA Radio, host Frank Isola asked the Warriors icon who fans would notice first if he, Mark Jackson and Clark walked into a Steak ‘n Shake in downtown Indianapolis. Mullin replied: “Caitlin Clark, and rightly so.”

A five-time Olympic gold medalist, Hall of Famer and former Pacers star, Mullin was a popular player in the 1990s and is fondly remembered by those who saw him in action. Mark Jackson has been in and around the NBA since 1987, first as a player, then as the head coach of the Warriors, and most recently as a commentator.

While both are quite recognizable, their fame pales in comparison to Clark, who has been the talk of the town since last summer. Mullin understands and doesn’t mind. Not only is he not bothered that the Fever star is more popular than him, he’s also impressed by the guard’s tenacity.

Clark received harsh treatment from WNBA veterans and was left off Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, sparking an uproar on social media. However, the base didn’t let any of it get to him and had an excellent second half of the season. Mullin praised her mental fortitude and said he enjoys watching her play. he said,

“After that first season, whatever was going on in the drama world, he showed a lot of toughness, I thought. Because he didn’t just fight, he showed a lot of toughness. His skill is amazing. I love shooting shots … I love his game, like Steph! He reminds me a lot of Steph Curry.”

Clark’s flawless range as a shooter since his days at Iowa earned him comparisons to Stephen Curry. However, the four-time NBA champion believes it is reductive.

Curry magnifies Clark’s impact by downplaying comparisons to him

During an interview with CBS Mornings in March, Curry acknowledged the comparisons between himself and Clark and admitted there are similarities in their playing styles. he said,

“I’ve been watching from afar and understanding the power he has on the court. The cool part is the way he plays, and his range and the level of difficulty of his shots is obviously a very close comparison to the way how I play.”

However, she quickly played them down, claiming they undermined her ability as a passer and rebounder. He explained that there is much more to his game than his incredible shooting ability. Curry said:

“But I think he almost steals it like the rest of his game because he’s a good (overall) floor, he’s got his overall floor game. He’s putting up close to triple-doubles every night. His shooting ability is the his superpower, but the rest of his game is just as polished as that, so this is must-see TV.

Clark finished his rookie season as the league leader in assists. She became just the second WNBA player behind Courtney Vandersloot to average eight assists per game in a campaign, proving Curry’s point that there’s more to her game than flashy three-point shots.