Angel Reese could win Defensive Player of the Year, rewrite the WNBA record book and help lead the Atlanta Dream to the Finals — and somehow, the conversation would still find a way to criticize her.
At some point, the basketball has to matter more than the discourse.
Reese just completed a historic regular season. She led the WNBA with 12.1 rebounds per game, recorded a league-record 32 double-doubles and became the first player in league history to collect 500 rebounds in a single season.
She also earned Defensive Player of the Year and All-WNBA Second Team honors.
And yet, the debate around her game never seems to stop.
THE NUMBERS ARE GETTING IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE
Reese’s impact goes far beyond highlight clips and social media arguments.
She set single-season WNBA records for total rebounds and offensive rebounds. Her relentless work on the glass creates extra possessions, gives Atlanta second chances and forces opposing defenses to account for her every time a shot goes up.
She also helped the Dream reach their first Finals since 2013.
That is not a small accomplishment. It is the result of a player whose production, rebounding and defensive presence have become central to a championship contender.
Atlanta did not trade for Reese to generate headlines. The Dream brought her in because she could help them win basketball games.
She has done exactly that.
REMEMBER WHAT SHE DID IN GAMES 2 AND 3
The Finals have already shown both sides of Reese’s game.
She exploded for 30 points and 16 rebounds in Atlanta’s Game 2 victory. Two nights later, she posted 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Dream routed Golden State 97-71.
Those performances helped put Atlanta ahead in the series and showed what happens when Reese finds her rhythm around the basket.
She was not simply collecting rebounds. She was scoring efficiently, finishing through contact and making life miserable for the opposing defense.
Golden State deserves credit for adjusting. But Reese has already demonstrated that she can take over a Finals game.
One difficult stretch does not erase that.
THE CRITICISM IS PART OF THE STORY — BUT IT ISN’T THE WHOLE STORY
Reese has never been a perfect player. Her finishing, shot selection and turnovers can become problems, particularly against a disciplined defense.
She acknowledged that herself after Game 4, when she scored eight points on 2-of-12 shooting in Atlanta’s loss.
That honesty matters. Great players have to identify weaknesses and improve them.
But criticism becomes lazy when it ignores everything a player does well. Reese is an elite rebounder, an award-winning defender and a key piece of a team playing for a championship.
She does not need to be flawless to deserve recognition.
And she does not need to win every argument online to prove her value on the court.
ANGEL REESE IS ALREADY A STAR
Here is the uncomfortable truth for people who insist on treating Reese as a walking debate topic: Her résumé is growing regardless of what anyone posts about her.
She is a three-time All-Star, a Defensive Player of the Year and an All-WNBA selection. She has helped transform Atlanta into a legitimate championship contender.
At 24, she still has plenty of room to develop her offensive game and become an even more complete player.
That should excite basketball fans, not give them another excuse to dismiss what she has accomplished.
The Dream now trail Golden State 3-2 in the Finals after Monday’s 64-55 loss. Reese scored seven points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Atlanta faces elimination in Game 6.
The challenge is enormous. But if the Dream are going to force a deciding game, they need the version of Reese who dominates the glass and changes the game on both ends.
Angel Reese is not above criticism. She is above being reduced to it.
Give her credit for the historic season, acknowledge where she must improve and let the basketball tell the story.
Is Angel Reese already one of the most influential players in the WNBA — or will she have to win a championship before everyone finally gives her the respect she deserves?
