Arike Ogunbowale Shades Caitlin Clark at Point Guard! Jeff Teague Gets BRUTAL on Fever Phenom!

The spotlight shining on rookie Caitlin Clark has been blinding, but not everyone in the WNBA is basking in her glow. In a league filled with talent and established stars, respect has to be earned nightly—and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale made it crystal clear that she’s keeping receipts. The heated Point Guard debate erupted after Ogunbowale “shaded” Clark with a sly, pointed social media post, stirring up a sizzling discussion about hype, hierarchy, and who really runs the show at the 1 spot.

Shady Business: Ogunbowale Fires a Subtle Shot

Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA has been nothing short of seismic. The number one overall draft pick’s ability to pull up from the logo and tally double-doubles has generated headlines and sold-out arenas. Yet, after a highly anticipated Fever-Wings matchup, it was Arike Ogunbowale who reclaimed center stage—but not just with her scoring.

Postgame, Ogunbowale posted on X (formerly Twitter), “All these point guards in this league and y’all STILL know who to call when it’s time to win.” The message, cryptic but unmistakable, hit timelines with force. Fans and analysts quickly connected the dots: Ogunbowale, who posted a monster stat line and clinched the game with a signature clutch performance, wasn’t about to let Clark and the fevered media narrative erase her accomplishments or her place among the league’s elite guards.

Ogunbowale’s dig triggered an avalanche of commentary. The Dallas star, twice an All-Star and one of the league’s most electrifying closers, has long felt overlooked in point guard rankings and conversations—conversations now dominated by Clark’s hype. Although Ogunbowale congratulated Clark publicly for her achievements, the “shading” post made it clear: past receipts count, and she feels some people need reminding.

Jeff Teague Doesn’t Hold Back: Clark “Has Work to Do”

The drama spilled beyond the court as former NBA guard and current popular podcaster Jeff Teague jumped into the fray. On a recent episode of his show, Teague dissected Clark’s game—and he didn’t mince words.

“Caitlin Clark, she can shoot with the best of them… but right now, she isn’t close to being the best point guard in the league. Not even close,” Teague said, his comments echoing sentiments shared by a handful of WNBA veterans. “Arike [Ogunbowale] showed her what a professional point guard looks like… You can’t be the best until you beat the best, night in and night out, no matter how many cameras are in the building.”

Teague’s commentary hit hard. He pointed out Clark’s struggles against pressure, her turnover numbers, and her difficulties with some of the WNBA’s more physical defenders. “You can be the face for ESPN, but that don’t mean you run the league,” he said bluntly. “She’s gotta keep earning it.”

The former Hawks floor general even compared Clark’s situation to that of high-profile NBA rookies who receive overwhelming media attention—saying it can be a target as much as a blessing.

The “Point Guard” Debate: Who’s Really the Best?

Arike Ogunbowale’s social media shade and Jeff Teague’s brutal assessment both highlight a larger, brewing debate: Who really deserves the title of the league’s best point guard right now?

Clark’s shooting range, vision, and star power are undeniable. But statistics tell a more balanced story. Ogunbowale is a walking bucket, leading Dallas with nearly 25 points per game while carrying a heavy load as primary playmaker. Other veterans like Chelsea Gray and Courtney Vandersloot own championship rings and distribute with surgical precision. Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Natasha Cloud—they all want their say, too.

It’s easy to be enchanted by Clark’s hype, her viral NCAA heroics, and her ability to generate buzz. But in the words of longtime WNBA followers, “the league is not college basketball.” Pro defenders are stronger, smarter, and more experienced. Guards like Ogunbowale have built thick skins and thick résumés.

Ogunbowale’s clutch scoring—she leads the league in 4th quarter points over the last two seasons—cements her reputation as “the closer.” Her confidence, bordering on cocky, is matched only by her ability to back it up in the biggest moments.

Clark, meanwhile, is learning the ropes through adversity. The turnovers are mounting, the wins are hard to come by for the Fever, and every game feels like a referendum and a learning moment. Her shooting is streaky, but her court vision and ability to manipulate defenses are coming along rapidly.

Respect is Earned, Not Given

What can’t be argued is the attention Clark has brought to the league—not just with her play but with TV deals, ticket sales, and a new level of mainstream conversation. Teague, in his podcast, even conceded, “She’s damn good for the business. Every WNBA player should thank her for that.” But he doubled down: “That doesn’t mean you get crowned queen.”

For Ogunbowale, the message seems personal. She, like many WNBA All-Stars, knows the grind: proving yourself year after year, fighting for respect, defying doubters, and, more than anything, winning games when the heat is on. She’s emboldened by the challenge, ready to go toe-to-toe with the new phenom—and remind everyone why she’s WNBA royalty.

What’s Next? Rivalry and Redemption

Every meeting between Clark and Ogunbowale now comes with added spice. The next matchups are marked not just by highlight potential but by subtexts: Will Clark rise to the moment and match Ogunbowale’s clutch shot making? Will the rookie silence the critics and show she belongs at the top table? Will Ogunbowale keep making it clear that the league’s best point guard conversation is far from settled?

For fans, it’s the perfect blend: new blood, old grudges, and the kind of drama that only emerges from fierce competition.

One thing’s certain: Nobody’s handing out thrones in the WNBA. If Caitlin Clark is to claim the crown at point guard, she’ll have to do it the hard way—and Arike Ogunbowale, shades and all, is eager to make her prove it.

So buckle up—the battle for supremacy at the point guard spot is officially underway, with stars ready to shine and shade in equal measure. The league’s never been more watchable. And the best—on the scoreboard and on social media—may still be to come.