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In the WNBA's version of the 'Chicken or the Egg' debate, Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy called out Fox Sports' Joy Taylor for her take on whether Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese helped boost the other's popularity.
Clark and Reese both became two of the biggest faces in women's college basketball around the time they faced off in the 2023 national championship game in Dallas.
Reese and the LSU Tigers ended up winning the title - their first in school history - by thoroughly dominating Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85.
It was in that game where Reese made a few taunts in Clark's direction - including mocking John Cena's 'You Can't See Me' celebration and pointing to her ring finger.
On a recent episode of the Joe Budden Podcast, Taylor spoke about the rivalry's transition from college to the pro ranks - and offered her thoughts on who's to thank for the intense nature of their matchups.
'This is the Magic Johnson, Larry Bird moment for the WNBA. This is great,' Taylor began. 'I'm a storyteller. I think storylines are so f***ing important.
Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy blasted Fox's Joy Taylor for her Angel Reese take
Taylor said on a podcast 'we would not be talking about Caitlin Clark the way that we do if it wasn't for that moment with Angel Reese'
The 'moment' Taylor was referring to was this photo from the 2023 national championship
'I think you need villains. I think you need heroes. You need s**t to sell. You got to sell a fight, brand all of this.
'It upset white men to watch this strong, winning, unapologetic Black woman be in Caitlin's face. They still cling to it. It's now spun to this whole thing where Caitlin's better than Angel and blah, blah, blah.
'I just said... we would not be talking about Caitlin Clark the way that we do if it wasn't for that moment with Angel Reese. I will die on this hill. I will die on this hill. I will fight this war.'
Almost right on queue, that 'war' began with Portnoy - one of Clark's most notable fans - slapping down Taylor's assessment.
'The dumbest most ridiculous rant of all time,' Portnoy said. 'Nobody outside hardcore WNBA fans and LSU fans would know who Angel was it weren’t for her riding Caitlin’s coattails. It’s made her a fortune so kudos to her but this is the dumbest take I’ve ever heard.'
Reese put up 15 rebounds and 10 assists en route to being named Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2023. Clark, meanwhile, was named alongside Reese on the all-tournament team that year.
The next season, the two met in the Elite Eight where Clark and Iowa eeked out a hard fought 94-87 win over Reese and LSU.
However, Iowa would once again be foiled in the title game against South Carolina - with Clark earning Final Four all-tournament team honors for a second year in a row.
Since that moment, Clark and Reese have clashed many times in the WNBA's biggest rivalry
Both players had stellar rookie seasons, with Clark taking home Rookie of the Year over Reese
Clark and Reese lead the W in statistical categories in 2025 - with Reese atop the rebound list
Accolades followed both players into the WNBA. Both were named All-Stars, both were named to the All-Rookie Team, and Reese led the league in rebounds.
Meanwhile, Clark took home some serious hardware by being named to the All-WNBA First Team, leading the league in assists, and winning the league's Rookie of the Year award.
This season, the rivals are both leading the league in statistical categories.
Reese is atop the leaderboard in rebounds while Clark is tied for first in assists at the time of publishing.
Reese's Chicago Sky will face off against Clark's Indiana Fever next on July 27 at the United Center - the home of the Chicago Bulls.
