Angel Reese – LSUIt’s true that even a strong stat line can’t protect you from being the topic of discussion. Angel Reese has been stacking double-doubles for the Chicago Sky, but the talk around her game took another turn during the game with Seattle Storm. This time it wasn’t online fans, it was the Storm’s own broadcast legend calling her out.

With under a minute left in the first quarter, longtime announcer Dick Fain went straight at Reese’s reputation for grabbing her own misses. “Angel Reese loves those missed shot offensive boards second opportunities,” he said.

After the first quarter was over, he added a sharper take. “If Chicago’s gonna beat you, that’s how they are going to do it. They’re gonna put it up, they’re gonna miss, they’re gonna put it up again,” he remarked. “They might miss again, but eventually they’re gonna get a bucket.”

Criticism had followed Reese in public before. Just a few days ago, cameras caught her in a tense exchange with a teammate over passing during a rough shooting stretch. The attention rarely shifts away from her, even when her numbers show real growth. She has raised her field-goal percentage to 53.3% in August, a big jump from the 39.1% which she managed as a rookie.

Reese Shines, Sky Struggle

Against Seattle, Reese did her part again. She put up 20 points and 10 rebounds for her 21st double-double of the season. But the Sky’s offensive struggles continued in the 79-69 loss, their fourth in a row and ninth in their last ten games.

Sky’s teammate supported Reese. Michaela Onyenwere scored 11 points, but Kamilla Cardoso couldn’t find the rhythm and finished with nine. The Storm, on the other hand, spread the load evenly. Six players scored in double figures, led by Nneka Ogwumike with 20 points. Skylar Diggins added 12 points and six assists to keep Seattle in control.

For Chicago, the defeat highlighted familiar issues. Without a true point guard, the Sky often look scattered on offense, forcing players like Reese into roles that don’t suit them which then results in physical plays. That lack of structure fuels the criticism, even as her individual play keeps improving.