Paige Bueckers is no stranger to getting praise from experts and analysts. But Candace Parker is keeping it real for the rookie.

When Renee Montgomery said, "I think it's hard, though, when people are so good at one thing, to put them over to the two-way player [distinction], you know? Like, that's an elite group... She can be in the two-way conversation."

While Montgomery praised Bueckers, Parker gave a different perspective.

“Okay, calm down! Not a two-way player yet! She’s playing a little defense... I didn't say she can't be in the two-way conversation. It's one game, Renee. You threw her into the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George conversation. I'm like, slow your roll.”

Compared to Kawhi Leonard's 5.2 defensive rebound average and 0.6 average blocks, Bueckers' 3.3 defensive rebounds fall flat. In Unrivaled, however, Bueckers helped out defensively. She had 5 rebounds, and all of them came defensively. She also recorded 2 blocks.

On the offense, Bueckers went all out, scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists.

Paige Bueckers acknowledges the reality of Unrivaled

Speaking about her debut Unrivaled experience, she admitted, “We all know that the [WNBA] is physical, but Unrivaled I feel is even more physical than that. You’re basically on an island… at points, you’re gonna have to be okay with getting cooked.”

With a smaller court and 3-on-3 action, Unrivaled is different from the traditional WNBA style of play.

Although Candace Parker may not be convinced yet, Bueckers still has enough chances to make her case as Unrivaled is just getting started.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar