Angel Reese is headed to her first WNBA Finals in just her third year in the league. It's her first season with the Atlanta Dream, and she helped the team make the playoffs and remain undefeated in postseason play. It's clear Reese found a more fitting home in Atlanta as opposed to the Chicago Sky, where she played her first two seasons.
She never reached the playoffs while in Chicago, and she left somewhat on tense terms from the team. Not only does Reese click better with her teammates in Atlanta, but a spark has been ignited from within her. Reese won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award this season thanks to her incredible performances on the court.
The Reese–Dream partnership is clearly working, and she could help deliver the franchise's first WNBA title here soon. WNBA legend Sue Bird and iconic former WNBA coach Cheryl Miller, who now serve as analysts for NBC Sports, spoke on Thursday about why Reese is such a perfect fit for the Dream. "Sometimes you just need to be teamed up with the right people and have the right mix, and Angel has found that in Atlanta, and it’s allowed her to thrive.” Thriving is a good word to use to describe Reese's first season in Atlanta.
She averaged 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. She even led the league in rebounds this season. Miller looked back to Reese's incredible rookie season two years ago and pointed out her strengths she carried over into every season since.
"I think she’s one of those players where the more you tell her who she’s not and try to set limits, she’s going to break those ceilings every time.” Reese is getting the attention she deserves on the court this year, especially this postseason. We'll see if she can add "WNBA champion" to her résumé soon when the Dream face the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Finals.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
