With a 10-34 record and in second to last place in the standings, the Chicago Sky was eliminated from the Playoffs and entered the WNBA offseason early.
This situation did not go unnoticed by Angel Reese herself, who did not hide her frustration in her interview with the Chicago Tribune, causing a great controversy in the team. Now, a WNBA legend has come to her defense.
Reese’s endorsement
“I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.” This phrase was one of the highlights of the 23-year-old forward’s interview, where she practically threatens to leave the team if she doesn’t change.
Although Reese has apologized for her comments, these remarks caused her to be suspended by Chicago in the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 7, as these comments were considered “detrimental” to the team and she was ruled out for the first half of the game.
However, a back injury prevented her from playing the second half and the final two games of the Sky’s schedule. Along with the game against Indiana Fever that she missed due to the automatic suspension she received for accumulating eight technical fouls on the season, Reese missed the final four games.
Despite this, who came to her defense and put a chill on the situation was the historic WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie:
“I think Angel’s young and she’s gonna learn to be able to ask those questions of people who are asking her questions,” explained Leslie in a new episode of the podcast “Between the Lines”. “Angel’s a truth teller, I’m a truth teller, sometimes we get ourselves in trouble… But a lot of times when you’re a passionate player and you’re goal is to win, you want to win by any means, but what you don’t realize is so does everybody else in the locker room” .
“When you look at the bigger picture, it’s not that Angel said things wrong… I think the timing was bad... I think a lot of things get misconstrued in a way where she’s not being protected,” Leslie added.
These words were well received not only by Reese but also by fans of the winger and Sky. In a post on X sharing Leslie’s words, fans praised the former LA Sparks center:
“Lisa always tells the truth!” wrote one of them. “Lisa Leslie is what a legend sounds like. speaking life into these ladies not sneak dissing on podcasts for clicks,” confirmed another user. “I see why teams won’t bring her in as a coach. She is about the players first. These teams are looking for someone who puts the organization 1st. Lisa is the truth!!!” added a third.
The truth is that this situation strained the relationship between Angel and Sky and, even though she has two years left on her rookie contract, the two-time All-Star has not come out to give updates on her future.
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