Candace Parker redefines Caitlin Clark's potential NBA parallels, linking her to Curry, Young, and Nash's elite skills.
A lighthearted comparison from Reggie Miller sparked one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend, but it didn’t take long for Candace Parker to step in with a more detailed breakdown of how she sees Caitlin Clark on an NBA scale.
Miller, an Indiana Pacers legend, went viral after comparing Clark to Payton Pritchard, a comment that drew a visibly amused reaction from Clark and quickly spread across social media. Clark later leaned into the moment, re-sharing a post featuring Pritchard and adding several smirking face emojis.
On the latest episode of the Post Moves podcast, Parker and Aliyah Boston discussed Miller’s remarks and Clark’s response. Parker made it clear she didn’t believe there was any ill intent behind the comparison, but she also didn’t agree with it.
“I want to preface this by saying that there's a three-pronged approach,” Parker said. “I think range like Steph (Curry). I think, in terms of operating out of pick and roll, like Trae (Young). And I think in terms of like secondary and getting up fast shots, like Steve Nash. I think all the great ones, there's not one player that you can compare them to.”
Parker’s comments shifted the focus away from one-to-one player analogies and toward skill archetypes. She cited the deep-shooting gravity of Stephen Curry, the pick-and-roll orchestration of Trae Young, and the quick-decision creativity of Steve Nash when describing the way Clark blends multiple traits into a single offensive engine.
The broader takeaway, Parker explained, is that elite players rarely fit neatly into one comparison. Clark’s scoring range, ability to create for teammates, and command of tempo pull pieces from several stars rather than mirroring any one of them outright.
That sentiment echoed comments recently shared by Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham, who said she didn’t think Miller meant harm by the remark but agreed it undersold what Clark represents as a generational talent.
Clark’s résumé already supports that framing. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of Iowa, she is a two-time All-Star and swept major honors during her rookie season, including Rookie of the Year, an All-WNBA selection and the league’s assists crown. Early in the 2025 campaign, she has averaged 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists through 13 games, continuing to function as the central organizer of Indiana’s offense while drawing defensive attention well beyond the arc.
Off the floor, Clark continues to expand her profile as well. She recently drew praise for a debut television appearance as an analyst for NBC, adding another layer to a growing public presence that now stretches far beyond the box score.
For now, Parker’s multi-player blueprint appears to have reframed the conversation. Rather than asking which single NBA guard Clark most resembles, the debate has shifted toward how many elite elements she combines — a reflection, Parker suggested, of what truly defines the game’s top-tier creators.