Jemele Hill has joined the chorus of criticism over Angel Reese’s poor shooting in the aftermath of the Atlanta Dream’s Game 7 heartbreak against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday. The former ESPN anchor delivered a strong assessment of the way Reese played in the title-clinching game and was also quick to point out where she needs to improve.
“As for Angel Reese, Kiah Stokes deserves a lot of credit for how she defended her following Angel’s 30-point game, but Angel having 8 points and 12 rebounds in a Game 7 is subpar,” Hill wrote on Threads.
Hill said that while Reese isn’t the Dream’s go-to bucket-getter, she has undoubtedly become the heart and soul of the team. However, she stressed that Reese still has plenty of work to do offensively.
“But there is no question she took a major step this season. Knowing the competitor she is, this loss is going to stick in her bones all offseason,” she added.
This comment caught many fans off guard, as Hill has been quite vocal in her support of Angel throughout her career. However, her remarks right after the team’s finals exit didn’t sit well with some fans, who had plenty to say about them on social media.
“Angel Reese fans are about to annihilate Jemele Hill on Threads,” a fan said.
Here’s a look at how some Reese fans flooded Hill’s Threads comments section, with some even calling her remarks a “backhanded” compliment to the Dream star.
For much, if not most, of the season, Reese’s offense has been a flashpoint of controversy. We all know what the reigning DPOY can do defensively, but she also showcased that she has plenty to offer offensively throughout the playoffs. However, it’s hard to overlook the fact that Reese couldn’t maintain that same standard over the final four games of the series.
Reese’s average of 21.7 points per game on 56.4% shooting through the first three games inevitably made tongues wag about whether the Dream star had the mettle to take her team to a title. But her dramatic drop to 9.5 points per game on just 26.7% shooting over the next four games poured gasoline onto that spark.
Angel Reese Isn’t Done Yet
It’s fair to think Reese’s struggles got to her, and it’s fair to criticize her. But make no mistake, she is still a raw prospect at this stage of her development. In just three seasons, her game has grown by leaps and bounds, and her ability to do all of that while being a name that draws plenty of attention has certainly helped the Dream in her first year with the team.
She’s already a DPOY, a WNBA single-season rebounding record holder and a WNBA Finals runner-up. It’s hard to call this season a loss without seeing what Reese can do moving forward, but Atlanta fans should be happy with what they’ve seen from her, especially when she continues to improve each season.
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