Carmelo Anthony identifies elite NBA playmakers like Haliburton and Dončić in Caitlin Clark's game, showcasing her unique offensive mastery and court vision.
The debate over how to define Caitlin Clark’s game isn’t going away anytime soon.
After Reggie Miller recently compared the Indiana Fever guard to Boston Celtics sharpshooter Payton Pritchard, Carmelo Anthony offered a very different perspective. And unlike the Pritchard comparison, Anthony’s evaluation leaned toward the NBA’s elite offensive architects.
Speaking on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Anthony addressed Miller’s comment head-on.
“I see what he was trying to do. He wasn’t completely tripping, but he was tripping,” Anthony said.
For Melo, Clark’s impact extends far beyond spot-up shooting or off-ball movement. He sees elements of Tyrese Haliburton and Luka Dončić in the way she controls games, and even traces of Stephen Curry in her range and confidence.
“Caitlin Clark, I like. She got like little Steph, she got Haliburton. To me, she plays like Haliburton. She plays a little like Luka, like she knows angles. She manipulates you on offense like Luka,” Anthony explained. “But Tyrese, ’cause you don’t know where he’s going to shoot that s—. He might just come across and act like he coming off a pitch and pull,” he added.
Considering the whole debate, while Pritchard is a reliable shooter and high-energy contributor, Clark operates as a primary engine. She dictates tempo, bends defenses, and commands attention well beyond the three-point line.
Like Haliburton, she elevates teammates through vision and pace. Like Dončić, she uses hesitation, footwork, and spatial awareness to create mismatches. And like Curry, her shooting range stretches defensive schemes to uncomfortable limits. It’s kind of like having the best features from the best players combined.
However, Clark’s rookie season only supports those comparisons. She not only captured Rookie of the Year honors but also quickly established herself as the face of the franchise and one of the league’s most-watched players.
Her presence has shifted national attention toward the WNBA in ways rarely seen before, forcing opponents to game-plan specifically around her gravity.
The discussion also highlights a broader point about Clark’s place in the sport. Comparisons are inevitable, especially for players who alter the game's aesthetic.
Curry redefined spacing in the NBA. Dončić and Haliburton reimagined modern guard play through pace and manipulation. Clark, in her own way, has done something similar in the women’s game.
Ultimately, the more meaningful takeaway may be this. The basketball community is no longer debating whether Clark belongs. The debate is now about which elite company she keeps.