Klay Thompson's father Mychal Thompson presents 5 strong arguments for Caitlin Clark's MVP case

By Atishay Jain

Modified Sep 03, 2024 05:46 GMT

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has been unstoppable since the WNBA regular season resumed after the Olympic break. Her scorching performances have solidified her position as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and have thrust her into contention for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in several fans and pundits' eyes.

Former NBA player Mychal Thompson, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, is among those who believe Caitlin Clark should be seriously considered for the MVP award. Mychal, the father of four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson, presented five compelling reasons to support his argument for the 22-year-old's MVP candidacy.

The Lakers broadcaster emphasized Clark's records and milestones in her rookie season. He also pointed to her ability to draw massive crowds to arenas as a key factor behind his endorsement.

"Lemmy see if I got this strait…Best Gard in the WNBA…Leeds leeg in points scored/assisted…Has taken the WORST team in the leeg to solid PLAYOFF contender…Leeds leeg in assists…and then there’s this…Game attendance avrage WITH Caitlin?15,000…NO Caitlin? 8,000.Thats MVP 2 ME," Mychal wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Although Thompson admired Clark, it's unlikely she will clinch the MVP award. Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson remains the frontrunner, poised to win the prestigious honor unanimously, thanks to her unrivaled dominance.

Caitlin Clark's stock has skyrocketed in the second half of the season as she has led the Indiana Fever to sixth place in the league standings. The rookie is averaging 24.6 points across seven games since the Olympic break, with the Fever securing victories in six wins.

The former Iowa standout has been shooting an impressive 48% from the field, including 39% from beyond the arc, also contributing five rebounds and nine assists per game during this stretch.

A rookie season unlike any other

Caitlin Clark is posting historic numbers in her rookie season, averaging 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. She has not only raised the level of play among her teammates but also established herself as one of the premier playmakers with her jaw-dropping passes.

Clark has already made history as the first rookie to record a triple-double and has shattered several records this season. Now, she's on the brink of achieving a monumental milestone which has never happened in professional basketball.

Clark is poised to become the first player in WNBA or NBA history to lead the league in both assists and three-pointers made in a single season. The rookie currently tops the WNBA in both categories.