“Magic Johnson compared Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark to him and Larry Bird”: When Kim Mulkey commented on Lakers legend’s analogy

Kim Mulkey had a front-row seat to the battles Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark waged during their illustrious college basketball careers. The LSU Tigers coach once recalled how Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson compared Reese vs. Clark to the rivalry he once had with Boston Celtics great Larry Bird.

Mulkey discussed Johnson's analogy during the Aspen Ideas Festival on June 27, where she shared the stage with UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma. The two icons talked about the state of women's basketball with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle, highlighting Reese and Clark's role in growing the sport.

Ruhle asked Mulkey what the WNBA might look like in the 2024 season with Reese, Clark and other NCAA stars turning professional. Mulkey predicted they would bring the same excitement to the WNBA that they had generated in college, referencing Johnson's analogy to underscore her point.

"I read something the other day that Magic Johnson compared Reese and Clark to him and Bird," Mulkey said (Timestamp 23:10). "That’s my era, so I got excited. You know, I was Celtics-Lakers. I was glued to the TV. And I thought his analogy was spot on."

Mulkey noted that Johnson left one important thing out in his analogy.

"But here’s where he didn’t continue. It’s exciting now. It was exciting during the Bird era and the Magic Johnson era, and everybody was glued in. But along came another player called Michael Jordan," Mulkey said.

Kim Mulkey added that other women's college basketball players must step up to maintain the sport's momentum.

"That’s not going to last forever, so you’re going to have to continue to have those good players," Mulkey said. "Maybe not a rivalry like Clark and Reese, but you’re going to have those players who continue to bring attention. We have the talent."

LSU Tigers star Flau'jae Johnson delivers for Kim Mulkey in win over Arkansas

LSU Tigers star Flau'jae Johnson is another player expected to do great things in the WNBA in the near future.

She has led the Tigers to a perfect 16-0 start this season, averaging 20.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. On the defensive end, she has also made an impact, averaging 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks through 16 games.

LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey talks with guard Flau'jae Johnson (#4) in the first quarter of their game against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Photo: Imagn

Kim Mulkey leaned on Johnson in LSU's latest win over Arkansas on Thursday night. She recorded her fourth double-double of the season in the Tigers' 98-64 victory, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against the Razorbacks. She also had three assists, three steals and one block in 26 minutes of action.