Charles Barkley Reveals Which NBA Legend He Compares to Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark has been nothing short of a massive superstar at the WNBA level thus far in her rookie season, and there are no expectations that this will change any time soon. But will she reach the level of WNBA legend before all is said and done?

The safe bet seems to be yes, and it's one that NBA legend Charles Barkley is making this week on the Bill Simmons Podcast.

When talking about Clark, Barkley discussed how impressed he has been with her game in the second half of this season, and he said that she reminds him of former NBA legend Jason Kidd for the way that she plays without the basketball in her hands.

"When I watched her play the last month, I think she's learning to play faster because I think she's learning to trust those girls more," Barkley said. "Now she's playing a lot without the ball, and she reminds me more and more of Jason Kidd. Jason Kidd is the best I've ever seen playing without the basketball."

That's certainly some high praise for Clark, and not a bad mention if you're Kidd, who is the current head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. During his playing career, Kidd won one NBA championship, was a 10-time All-Star, 5-time NBA First-Team player, 4-time NBA First-Team All-Defense, Four-time NBA Assist-Leader, and the Rookie of the Year.

More than just his accolades, though, it's the quickness that Kidd played with that allowed him to find so much success. Barkley says he is seeing that same type of fast play benefit Clark in the latter half of her rookie season.

"She's starting to see now that if I play faster and give it to them sooner...'" Barkley said. "That tells you that she's really smart."

So far this year, Clark is averaging 18.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, and is hands down the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. It may be too early to start saying that she will be the Jason Kidd of the WNBA, but she certainly is on a great trajectory.

Related: Charles Barkley Destroys WNBA Players For 'Petty Jealousness,' Poor Treatment of Caitlin Clark