That’s 7 losses in a row now for the Chicago Sky. Taylor Marsh may have demanded competitiveness “regardless of who we’re down with,” and Angel Reese may have assured there has been no lack of effort, but the roster has just failed to find its footing. The hopes are slipping, and fans are in no mood to hold on to them. They’d instead call for a focus on what’s left of the positives, but ESPN analysts aren’t completely on board.
For Tyler Marsh & Co., who came in with the hopes of building a culture and aiming for the playoffs, the first puzzle crumbled when the first piece fell– Courtney Vandersloot. But that was just the beginning stream rolling into a dreaded scenario for the Sky. As Ariel Atkins and Michaela Onyenwere followed Sloot out with injury concerns, playmaking duties fell on their star forward. You bet Reese rose to the challenge, improving her shooting efficiency while remaining consistent with double-doubles. But soon enough, she was joining her vets on the sidelines. including the most recent one against the Golden State Valkyries.
That’s the third one now, thanks to the back issues. 2024 Sky all over again? Looks like it. So, the Reese faithful had one clear suggestion.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it may be time for Chicago to shut down their star player for the rest of the season,” one of the fans suggested on ESPN’s newly introduced Dubmoix in the WNBA Hoops Streams podcast. “A spot in the playoffs is so far from reasonable, and injuries keep plaguing them… seriously, something needs to change, and it may be time for someone to go.“
The Chicago Sky are down 7-20 as the playoffs near, and their injury report is as far from positive as it could be. Apart from Sloot, Atkins, and Reese, they have also added rookie sensation, Hailey Van Lith due to an ankle injury. With timelines unclear, the team is hardly in any shape to make it to the postseason. So why not rest their star player instead of risking her an injury? Well, host Ari Chambers had a counter argument.
“Well, if you’re Angel Reese, I understand that the Chicago Sky aren’t in good standing right now, but you as the franchise player of that team are going to want to do, what you can do for your team when you’re healthy,” she began. “I’m not sitting out if I’m Angel and it’s time for her to go. Where’s she going? This is the future of their franchise. She’s a double-double machine, she had just made history as a sophomore in this league. No, you don’t get rid of her. Are y’all crazy!”
Angel Reese wouldn’t argue with that. In fact, during the post-game lesser after their 6th straight loss, the Chi-Town Barbie assured “I tried to push through as much as I could for my teammates because I know they need me out there.” Besides, the 23-year-old is having an excellent sophomore season, and we aren’t just talking about the 17 double-doubles. She has upped her playmaking, dishing 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field. In May that was 33.3%.
No way co-host Lachina Robinson was missing that part.
“One of the beauties of this season has literally been watching Angel Reese blossom as a player,” she stated. “The way she started out, she could have folded and said, “You know what? Maybe this isn’t for me.” She continued to fight. Show up every day at practice, show up at shoot-arounds.”
But while ESPN hosts strongly reasoned against Angel Reese’s exit from the hardwood for the season, the star forward is busy making headlines on social media. Known for her haute couture and fast fashion choices, this diva knows how to make heads turn.
Angel Reese teases fans in a new avatar
While the Chicago Sky was gearing up for a showdown against the Golden State Valkyries, Angel Reese had a surprise in store for her fans and social media family. Despite being sidelined during the Seattle Storm game, Reese turned heads in a fashionable red shirt, black wide-legged pants and yellow shades. And this time was a notch different.
Reese stepped out in a new avatar on June 10. She posted the look with caption, “All I do is go to work & mind my business.” It featured the player in long, blonde and golden hair, with a hint of coffee brown towards the crown. And while she rocked the long, golden tresses on the hardwood, complementing her Chicago Sky outfits, she switched up her hairstyle once again.
The Bayou Barbie posted a selfie on social media. Highlighting her latest avatar on Instagram, Reese tagged her stylist Dionte Gray. Well, Gray is a celebrity stylist who is known for working with Niki Minaj and Ari Fletcher among others. And guess what! Reese and Gray came up with a dramatic dual-toned straight and sleek look for the player.
She flaunted the half-and-half look as a story. But while her look was enough to earn praises, can Reese also help her team? With 7 consecutive losses in their belt, a playoff run looks like a far-fetched dream for HC Tyler Marsh & Co.
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