WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes recently engaged in a spirited defense of Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, countering former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas’s characterization of Reese as a “bully” on the court.
During a discussion on Arenas’s podcast, “Gil’s Arena,” the topic arose in light of Reese’s flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark during a game where the Chicago Sky fell to the Indiana Fever 91-83.
Arenas, while absolving Reese of being a dirty player, posited that her “rugged style” of play and physicality are indicative of a bullying approach to the game.
He also suggested that Clark, the player on the receiving end of Reese’s flagrant foul, tends to exaggerate contact, a behavior he described as flopping. “She physically can handle herself,” Arenas remarked, likening Reese to NBA player Draymond Green, known for his intense and aggressive style of play. “She’s built for let’s combat, put our hard hats on. I don’t care who it is,” he added.
Swoopes, however, took a strong stance against these accusations, defending Reese’s approach to the game. “She’s not a bully,” asserted Swoopes, a three-time WNBA MVP. She countered by pointing out the physical nature inherent in basketball, “I mean, if you want to talk about bullies, we can talk about every time Caitlin [Clark] has the ball she pushes off. I’m just saying.”
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The conversation delved into the nature of fouling in basketball, emphasizing that it is an integral part of the sport.
Swoopes highlighted the disparity in reactions to physical play depending on the player involved.
She referenced an earlier game where Sun star Alyssa Thomas was ejected for a hard foul on Reese, which did not incite the same level of uproar as when Sky guard Chennedy Carter fouled Clark.
Swoopes expressed frustration over the one-sided criticism that often targets players like Reese and Carter, suggesting that such views come from a lack of deep understanding of basketball. “Basketball is a physical sport,” she reiterated. “It just is and I think what people are doing or saying when it comes to Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter, when it comes to the Chicago Sky, I think it’s coming from people that really don’t know the game and understand basketball.”
Moreover, Swoopes praised Reese’s tenacity and commitment on the court, especially highlighting her prowess in rebounding which she described as stemming from effort and desire, “Rebound is about effort and I want it more than you … that is the best part of Angel’s game right now.”
She even predicted Reese as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year based on her performance.
This robust exchange on “Gil’s Arena” not only tackled the specific incident involving Reese and Clark but also broader themes about physicality, perception, and the essence of competitiveness in basketball.
As both the Fever and the Sky continue their campaigns, the scrutiny and debates around their players’ conduct are likely to persist, underscoring the ongoing dialogue about the nature of aggression and fairness in sports.
