“For me to have that type of story and for people to continue to follow me and still believe in me, it just really means a lot.” While Paige Bueckers did not have a smooth rookie run, she brought about a cultural shift in the league. With more eyeballs entering the WNBA, fans could not help but praise Bueckers’ extraordinary accomplishments. After all, she was fresh out of Geno Auriemma’s system. While the Dallas Wings continually failed the athlete, Bueckers silently established her dominance and let her performances speak for themselves.

While Bueckers recently exploded on the scene with a massive 44 points in just one game against LA Sparks, people started comparing her rookie season with Caitlin Clark’s once again. After all, Bueckers achieved the feat in just her 29th game and tied the score with W legend Cynthia Cooper’s. Despite scoring 769 total points during her rookie season, Clark contributed a highest of 35 points in 2024.

Comparing the two rookie seasons, Front Office Sports journalists Baker Machado and Renee Washington could not help but witness a surge of fans last season that strongly discriminated between Clark and other players in the league. This issue cropped up after Indiana Fever’s dramatic season opener against the Chicago Sky. The game resulted in a discriminatory outrage against Angel Reese.

Joining the co-hosts in the latest episode of the podcast, Colin Salao practically addressed the underlying issue. “It’s just that kind of fans and potentially some media are pushing this narrative that’s making it r****l battle between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and all the other athletes,” Salao said. “Like for example, Diana Taurasi’s comments at the start of last year, you see she is so close to Caitlin Clark right now. Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi have a great relationship but people still think that veterans do not like Caitlin Clark. So, sometimes it might be a media thing.”

With veterans and fellow NBA athletes appreciated Caitlin Clark and her gameplay, it was the Fever fans and certain media houses that aggravated rivalry rumors between the athlete and Angel Reese. Just one college incident was enough to snowball into a rivalry conversation, and it hasn’t stopped since. Moreover, Reese was a victim of booing when the Sky stepped into the Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena on May 17. While this is a usual behavior whenever a rival enters the territory, will Bueckers face the same wrath?

Talking about Bueckers’ commanding influence in the league, Washington asked reporter Colin Salao regarding Bueckers’ efforts to bridge the negativity. “How much was the play like Paige Bueckers’ 44-point performance last night has restored rookie performance? How important they are when you have a player like Paige, who is loved by so many people, I don’t think anybody has a bad thing to say about Paige,” Washington started. “As a top 5 scorer can only a rookie help to really reduce the divide that we’re seeing in the WNBA created by these discriminatory claims?”

“It’s interesting because I think it’s very helpful especially because when you see it. The players themselves, they are very close to Paige,” Salao explained. “They’ve had relationships with Paige growing up but ultimately like Caitlin Clark, she has never said anything necessarily to spark these hatred comments… all these different kinds of hate that’s spewing up about the WNBA.” As a collegiate athlete progressing to the pros, Salao pointed out how Bueckers shares a cordial relationship with Clark and other players despite the manner in which the W, especially Clark’s fans are being portrayed.

Meanwhile, Clark has spoken about Bueckers this season, complimenting her skills. And though she has not fueled any rumors to incite negative feelings for the Wings guard, Bueckers might as well continue living through the hate that comes wrapped in rivalry jabs. Especially, when compared to one of the strongest athletes in the W. “I am kinda worried that if Paige Bueckers continues to rise up, yes it is positive in having a foil,” Salao added. “Or having another rival for a person like Caitlin Clark but does that end up pushing  potentially hatred towards Paige Bueckers? We don’t know. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen.”

Despite an individually strong season, Bueckers failed to proceed to the playoffs this season. This is another point of comparison between the rookie and Clark. The 2024 ROTY lifted her team out of the 8-year spell and into the playoffs after 2016. While these comparisons are a never-ending brutal reality for Bueckers, the Dallas Wings had a surprise in store for the athlete and her fans.

The Dallas Wings join hands with MLB Team

With every possible advantage to their aid, the Dallas Wings failed to capitalize on the last opportunity and were eliminated from playoff contention. As a rebuilding roster, the team together could not provide justice to Paige Bueckers or her extraordinary 44-points. The athlete made every desperate attempt to stay afloat this season, but in vain.

So, the franchise decided to reward the athlete and her fans in a unique way instead. The Wings teased fans by sharing a glimpse of the news on social media. The official Dallas Wings account took to X (former Twitter) and dropped a picture of a recent Texas Rangers jersey with a caption that read, “PBxRangers. We love supporting our Texas neighbors!” The merchandise update comes after Bueckers made a remarkable 44-point record against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Set to launch on Monday, August 25, around 7:05 PM, the Wings joined hands with the MLB team, Texas Rangers. Together, the teams came up with the latest design. Moreover, this dream cross-sports collaboration is enough to send Dallas natives and Bueckers fans into a frenzy. Well, fans went gaga when they spotted Paige in a customised Rangers jersey with her last name, “Bueckers” and jersey number 5 etched during a ceremonial first pitch in June 2025.