Jeff Teague has changed his view on the Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles debate after watching the two rookies handle the WNBA playoffs. On the latest episode of the Club 520 Podcast, the former NBA guard watched Clark’s 27-point, 15-assist performance against the Las Vegas Aces and said, “Olivia Miles is not better than Caitlin Clark.” Teague had sounded different before the playoffs, when he praised Miles while watching Clark. The change comes after Miles struggled against the New York Liberty, while Clark delivered a big Game 2 performance to keep the Indiana Fever alive.
Jeff Teague changes his Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles view
Teague’s latest comments came while he was breaking down Clark’s Game 2 performance against the Aces. Clark finished with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds as the Fever won 99-89 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.While watching Clark’s plays, Teague said:“Olivia Miles is not better than Caitlin Clark.”That was different from what Teague said last month. While watching Clark highlights at the time, he compared her with Miles and said:“Even the way she play, it don’t look like Olivia Miles, but she’s still cold.”The timing of Teague’s latest comment is important because the playoffs have given both players a very different setting from the regular season.Miles had a standout rookie campaign with the Minnesota Lynx. She broke Clark’s previous single-season rookie scoring record of 769 points, finishing with 790. Miles averaged 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting close to 50% from the field.She also became an All-Star starter and won all four Rookie of the Month awards. But her first playoff series did not go the same way.
Olivia Miles struggles as Caitlin Clark steps up for Fever
The Lynx were swept by the New York Liberty in the first round. Miles had 11 points and eight rebounds in Game 1 before scoring only five points on 1-of-8 shooting in Game 2. She played 17 minutes and was not on the floor at the end of the game.Clark also had a difficult start to the playoffs. In Game 1 against the Aces, she posted 15 points and 10 assists despite the Fever’s loss.Game 2 was a different story. With Indiana facing elimination, Clark took control and helped the Fever force another game with her 27-point, 15-assist and seven-rebound performance.The difference is also understandable given their experience. Clark is in her third WNBA season and has already played in the postseason. Miles is a rookie and was experiencing playoff basketball for the first time.Miles did not hide her disappointment after the Lynx were eliminated. Speaking about her performance, she said:“Losing games is a part of it. Having games like I had is a part of it… Everyone wants to win all the time, but that’s not how it works… I have to remind myself that I’m a rookie, I’m not a 10-year vet. I have to remind myself I don’t know what I’m doing… Now, there’s no excuse… I’m ready to get it back.”The comments showed that Miles understands the gap between a strong regular season and the demands of the playoffs. Her rookie season has already put her in the Clark comparison, but her first postseason has given her a different challenge to work through.
