As Angel Reese prepares for her second WNBA season, a wave of scrutiny has already emerged-despite the games not yet counting.
The Chicago Sky forward had a quiet showing in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, finishing with 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting in a 92-87 loss.
But it was a headline, not the box score, that caused the most backlash.
Following the game, Bleacher Report published a recap titled: “Angel Reese Disappoints WNBA Fans as Van Lith, Sky Lose to Collier, Lynx in Preseason.”
Though the headline was later updated, it didn’t go unnoticed-and Etan Thomas, a former NBA player turned commentator, took particular issue with how Reese was being portrayed.
“Dear Bleacher Report,” Thomas wrote on X, “1. It’s a little early to return back to the demonization of Angel Reese isn’t it? 2. We’re talking about Pre Season (Allen Iverson Voice) 3. Pre season is mostly utilized so teams can assess their cuts, it’s not about wins and losses but y’all know that.”
Thomas, a former first-round pick in the 2000 NBA Draft who spent over a decade in the league, is no stranger to speaking out on sports media narratives. His comments sparked immediate reaction-both in support and opposition.
Social media divides over fairness in criticism of Angel Reese
Not everyone agreed with Thomas’ defense. Several users pushed back against the idea that the coverage of Reese was unfair or too harsh, with many arguing that performance analysis, even in the preseason, is part of professional sports.
“It’s not demonization. It’s statistics,” one user replied, pointing to Reese’s shooting line. Another added, “People can’t say anything negative about black folks anymore huh? Angel Reese shouldn’t have been so cocky her rookie year. This comes with the territory.”
Others were even more blunt, mocking both Thomas and Reese. “It’s sports dude. It ain’t that serious. Ain’t nobody demonizing the rebound merchant,” another user posted.
Reese, who gained national fame during her time at LSU, became one of the most talked-about figures in women’s basketball following her now-famous finger-pointing gesture during the 2023 NCAA title game against Iowa. Rather than backtrack, Reese has leaned into her villain status, embracing the controversy that followed her rise.
That very posture-outspoken, confident, and unapologetic-has turned Reese into a lightning rod. Her critics often say she invites the criticism; her defenders argue that the standards applied to her are harsher than those used for others.
As the 2024 WNBA season approaches, Reese will have the opportunity to respond the only way that matters in the end: on the court. Her preseason stats may not have turned heads, but with the regular season set to begin, she’ll have every chance to silence the noise and prove her growth.
In the meantime, the debate over how women athletes, particularly outspoken ones like Reese, are covered in the media isn’t going away. And voices like Etan Thomas‘ are making sure that conversation continues.
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