During the Indiana Fever‘s August 12 game against the Dallas Wings, Sophie Cunningham expressed frustration over the way referees managed her defense against rookie star Paige Bueckers. Cunningham highlighted her irritation in an August 13 episode of her Show Me Something podcast, pointing out the generous fouls granted to Bueckers throughout the game.
In her words,
“
Like, you literally couldn’t touch her. Couldn’t touch her. And that s*** is so annoying to me. And if you’re gonna do that, give it to our guards. I just hate the inconsistency,
”
—Sophie Cunningham, Indiana Fever player.
Following this, Bueckers responded calmly when questioned about Cunningham’s remarks, stating,
“Everyone is entitled to their own unique personal opinion.”
—Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings player. Her cautious reply suggested that she might hold stronger feelings privately but chose to keep things diplomatic publicly.
Cunningham’s High Regard for Bueckers Amid Comparisons with Caitlin Clark
Despite her earlier criticism of officiating, Cunningham has shown respect for Bueckers as a player, especially regarding clutch shooting. On the August 19 Show Me Something podcast, Cunningham was asked by her co-host West Wilson whom she would trust to take a final shot with 10 seconds remaining, choosing between Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, or Paige Bueckers.
Cunningham acknowledged the tough choice, admitting,
“
I think it’s easy, because she’s my teammate. But I’m gonna get eaten alive regardless of the answer I choose. There’s no right answer here, so I want everyone to know that. But I’m going with CC. Because no one shoots like she shoots,
”
—Sophie Cunningham.
Wilson then posed a follow-up scenario, suggesting that if the shot was a midrange jumper with the game on the line, who would Cunningham prefer. She did not hesitate, confirming,
“
Yeah. Midrange, you go Bueckers. Yeah,
”
—Sophie Cunningham, demonstrating that Bueckers’ midrange ability stands out, even against a shooter as skilled as Clark.
Wilson himself agreed that Paige would be the go-to in a similar situation, illustrating the respect both players command when it comes to clutch shooting decisions.
Significance of Cunningham’s Choice and Its Impact on the Debate
Cunningham’s preference of Paige Bueckers for a clutch midrange shot sheds light on the young player’s distinctive skill present even among elite competitors like Caitlin Clark. While Cunningham chose Clark for her unique shooting in general, she emphasized Bueckers’ superiority in midrange under pressure, offering insight into specific strengths within their playing styles.
This distinction not only fuels ongoing discussions about the Paige Bueckers versus Caitlin Clark narrative but also highlights the pressure athletes face when making split-second decisions in critical moments. Cunningham’s openness to discussing these nuances reflects the intensity surrounding these comparisons.
As fans and analysts continue to debate their favorite players’ abilities, Cunningham’s candid points contribute to understanding individual skills beyond surface-level stats, focusing on decisive moments that can define games and seasons ahead.