Caitlin Clark is the name on everyone’s lips, and for good reason. Mentally, she’s an absolute beast. Her playing style is so unique that even her misses look good. This is what WNBA players and legends have to say about the league’s newest superstar, Caitlin Clark. Some people think she’s already a superstar, while others? Well, they’re just jealous.

When Diana Taurasi said she’d take Paige Bueckers over Clark, the world went crazy.

“I’m taking Paige, next question,” Taurasi said when asked who she’d pick. “If you had the number one pick this year, you would take Paige over Caitlin?” “Absolutely,” she replied without hesitation.

At the time, Clark had been lighting up college hoops for a year, so Taurasi caught some heat for saying Clark would have to adjust to the WNBA. However, Taurasi stood firm on her take.

“Yeah, you know, new fans are really sensitive these days. You can’t say anything. It’s kind of like when you go from kindergarten to first grade. There’s a learning adjustment. When you go from high school to college, there’s a learning adjustment. I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t factually correct.”

But did Taurasi think Clark would make it as a good pro? “Like anything, greatness is going to translate, and she’s proven that at every level. I don’t see it being any different in the WNBA.”

Clark’s greatness is undeniable. So much so that some are already giving her MVP hype this season.

“Caitlin Clark is starting to push A’ja Wilson for MVP of this league, and I am not exaggerating,” one commentator said. “I think she should be up for MVP. Rookie of the Year is a foregone conclusion, but I think MVP should be in the conversation. Look at Clark’s game-to-win ratio—she’s coming in and being the MVP. We don’t need to wait four or five years.”

Of course, this might seem disrespectful to two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who’s aiming for a three-peat. But Wilson isn’t bothered by the noise.

“I’m off social media, so my reaction is a bit late. Honestly, I have other things to worry about than what people have to say.”

Clark being considered for MVP might seem ridiculous to some, especially when you consider that Wilson just had one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport. She set records in scoring, total rebounds, and blocks—becoming the first player to lead the league in all these categories. Wilson was also the first unanimous MVP. Yet, the fact that Clark is even in the MVP conversation speaks to how impressive she has been.

But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Just ask A’ja Wilson’s teammate, Kelsey Plum, what she thinks of Caitlin Clark.

“I think people don’t talk enough about Caitlin’s mental toughness. She’s an absolute beast. That mental strength is going to help her more than anything because it’s not about if you fail, but when you fail and how you bounce back.”

Plum and Wilson both seem happy with the Caitlin Clark effect.

“I feel like the energy is good. It’s a good vibe. People are coming to see the product on the floor. Things were a little too gossipy in the beginning, but that’s started to fizzle out as people realized we’re elite at what we do.”

It might be too early for Clark to truly compete with Wilson for MVP, but that’s just the narrative that follows when you’re the number one pick. And if anyone knows what it’s like to be in Clark’s shoes, it’s Nneka Ogwumike. The 2012 number-one pick has high praise for Clark.

“Of course, the next level is always more difficult, but you can tell from how she plays that she has the pro mentality,” Ogwumike said. She predicted Clark’s struggles even before her 1-8 start with the Fever.

“Everyone struggles. I had a hard time adjusting, and I think everyone has that transitional period.”

But Ogwumike also saw Clark’s eventual rise.

“The difference-maker with people who make it in the WNBA is discipline. I don’t have to see Caitlin work in the gym to know she has the discipline to be a pro.”

Not everyone’s on board with the Caitlin hype, though. Lexie Brown had some pretty wild things to say.

“She didn’t play like that in the WNBA. In college, yeah, but what is her style? Is it just threes? The WNBA isn’t like that.”

Brown’s comments seem bitter. What’s her style, Lexie? Averaging six points a game and riding the bench? It’s almost as embarrassing as this argument from Sheryl Swoopes.

“If you’re going to break a record, it has to be in the same amount of time that player set it. If Kelsey Plum set a record in four years, then Caitlin should break it in four years.”

Swoopes might be a legend, but she’s either bitter about Clark’s fame or just can’t count. It’s not the first time Swoopes has said something questionable about Clark, and it won’t be the last. But most Hall of Famers know Clark is legit.

“She’s very talented,” said one Hall of Famer. “She’s the number one pick, and number one picks grow and develop in this league. For her to handle everything on and off the court and still stay locked in with her team is impressive.”

While people like Swoopes remain bitter, current superstars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart—arguably the two best players in the league—are giving Clark her props. Despite the negativity, a lot of hoopers are excited about what Clark is bringing to the league.

Candace Parker even compared her to Steph Curry.

“At the biggest stage, where you’re the key player to stop, for her to do what she’s doing is Steph-like. She made me a believer yesterday, and I don’t do this often, but what she’s doing is special.”

It’s not a crazy comparison. Clark and Curry have similar playing styles, gravity on the court, and the same impact on their teammates. But Lisa Leslie thinks Clark’s game is a mix of her critics.

“She’s phenomenal. She’s a little bit of both Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. Diana’s a bucket at all times, and Caitlin’s a bucket, too. Even her misses look good. And then there’s Sue, who’s a great passer, just like Caitlin.”

Being compared to both Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi is a huge compliment. It’s like calling an NBA player a mix of Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. Even Bird recognizes the talent.

“Everybody’s defensive game plan is built around her, which is a compliment.”

Just like Steph Curry.

But beyond style of play, Clark’s impact is something even bigger. Candace Parker put it perfectly.

“Her game speaks for itself. But my favorite part is what she’s done for women’s basketball. It’s kind of like what Magic and Bird did for men’s basketball. This is that moment. And Caitlin’s that moment.”

Caitlin Clark is that moment. For all her skill, her biggest accomplishment might just be getting an entire nation to tune into a sport they’ve ignored for decades. As one player put it, “What Caitlin Clark has done for the game is generational, and from one baller to another, I just want to say thank you.”

What do you think was Caitlin Clark’s most impressive game in her rookie year? Let us know in the comments! Then check out one of these videos next. Listen to “The Wrong Opinion: Useless NBA Trivia and Garbage Rankings” for more NBA content.