Video: Sue Bird Explains Caitlin Clark WNBA Rookie of the Year Pick Over Angel Reese

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: Caitlin Clark #22 of Team WNBA and Sue Bird embrace after the game against the USA Basketball Women's National Team during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game on July 20, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA legend Sue Bird has a straightforward formula when it comes to picking the Rookie of the Year.

Bird said she leans more on the “eye test” over individual stats or team record, and that’s leading her to pick the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark over the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese this year.

Reese arguably built an early lead on Clark in the Rookie of the Year race after recording a WNBA record of 15 straight double-doubles. The Sky’s 6-9 start exceeded expectations, with Reese playing a significant role in that success.

However, Clark has closed the gap and potentially pulled ahead as she and the Fever have found their stride. In her last 10 games before the midseason break, Clark averaged 18.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 11.4 assists, including a game where she dished out 19 assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings.

The Fever have moved ahead of the Sky by one game in the standings, further boosting Clark’s Rookie of the Year candidacy.

Individual awards are always subjective, especially Rookie of the Year, which can be judged by many different criteria. One downside to Bird’s metric is that any “eye test” tends to favor a dynamic high-volume scorer and playmaker over a power forward who excels at doing the dirty work inside.

However, several factors currently point to Clark as the slight favorite for the award.