The New York Liberty has made headlines by dismissing the possibility of trading for Chicago Sky star Angel Reese…

The New York Liberty has made headlines by dismissing the possibility of trading for Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, citing a need for players with consistent fundamental skills. The decision has sparked conversations within the basketball community about the Liberty’s priorities and the expectations for professional athletes.

In a recent press statement, a spokesperson for the Liberty explained their rationale behind bypassing the opportunity to acquire Reese. “While Angel Reese is undeniably a talented and high-profile player, we’re focused on building a team that excels in all aspects of the game. Right now, we need someone who can perform a layup under pressure with consistency. That’s where our attention is,” the spokesperson said.

The comment has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as Reese has been a dominant force in women’s basketball since her collegiate days at LSU, where she led the team to a national championship. Known for her rebounding prowess, scoring ability, and larger-than-life personality, Reese quickly became one of the most marketable athletes in the sport. However, critics have occasionally pointed to inconsistencies in her game, including missed opportunities on simpler plays.

This public dismissal of Reese’s potential fit with the Liberty has ignited debates on social media. Some fans feel the comment about her layup skills was unnecessarily harsh, while others agree that the Liberty’s focus on fundamentals is a prudent strategy as they aim to secure their first WNBA championship. “It’s not just about star power. It’s about finding the right pieces that fit together,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Reese’s supporters have been quick to defend her abilities. “Angel Reese is more than capable of performing under pressure. This feels like a slight,” a Chicago Sky fan tweeted. Others highlighted her impressive statistics, which include double-doubles in most games, as evidence that she’s a well-rounded and impactful player.

The Liberty, led by stars like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, had an impressive 2023 season but fell short of the championship. With their roster already loaded with talent, the team appears to be looking for players who complement their existing core rather than adding another marquee name.

For her part, Reese has not publicly commented on the Liberty’s remarks. The Chicago Sky star has been focused on preparing for the upcoming season and continuing her off-court ventures, which include endorsements and a growing presence in pop culture.

As the WNBA continues to grow, decisions like this highlight the balancing act teams face between building a competitive roster and managing public perceptions. Whether or not the Liberty’s decision to pass on Reese will pay off remains to be seen, but it’s clear that their approach to team building prioritizes fit and fundamentals over star power alone.

Angel Reese’s double-double streak came to an end Saturday afternoon against the New York Liberty, as she shot just 3/13 from the field, scoring only eight points on the day.

However, late in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, Reese had the ball in her hands with a chance to score two more points to ensure the streak rolled on.

Instead, the Liberty made sure that wasn’t going to happen, as they triple-teamed Reese, forcing her to kick the ball back out to the perimeter.

This quickly caught a lot of attention from fans since the game was already out of reach. Reese certainly was trying to statpad in a sense, but the Liberty triple-teaming her in a game that was out of reach saw them get roasted pretty hard on social media.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) shoots against the New York Liberty during the second half of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

While the Liberty sending the house at Reese may not have been totally necessary, fans were quick to roast the Chicago Sky rookie for how she handled the situation as well.

Whatever your stance on this controversial ending of Reese’s streak may be, given how solid her play has been for the Sky as of late, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her start a new double-double streak when they take the court next against the Las Vegas Aces.