The sign of a good post player is knowing when to pass the ball. Look at players like Alyssa Thomas in the WNBA, or Nikola Jokić in the NBA; they have eyes in the back of their heads! You’re supposed to find the open man, the cutter, or the wide-open shooter. We’ve seen some incredible progress from Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso on this front this season. Because of Chicago playing a double-big lineup, teams aren’t able to protect drop coverage as well when one of the bigs drives into the paint, and it turns into easy buckets for the Skyscrapers.

Head coach Tyler Marsh has been openly proud about how his post players have developed this year in terms of moving the ball around. “Our bigs have been great all year long at facilitating, and it’s just been about our ability to get it to them in spaces where they’re able to create for each other.” He said during pre-game media availability, and we can see it in the stats as well! Reese’s APG spiked up to about 3.7 this year, while Cardoso is also complementing her post dominance with about 2 and a half assists per game.

However, the recent loss against the Phoenix Mercury exposed this newly emerging frontcourt dynamic for the Chicago Sky. Neither Cardoso nor Reese was able to call plays or create opportunities like they normally do. The one time that they did, however, it seemed like someone restored Angel Reese to factory settings. After all of her progress this year, no one expected the six-foot-two center to fumble during crunch time.

With about 40 seconds left in the game, and Chicago down 2, no one expected Angel Reese to throw up a prayer. The six-foot-two center backed down Alyssa Thomas from the top of the key, drawing a double-team from Natasha Mack inside the paint. Kamilla Cardoso was wide open for the jumper, but AR decided to go up for a hook shot… That she ended up airballing. The Phoenix Mercury ended up winning the game by 4 points, and we can’t help but wonder what might have been if Reese passed the rock.

It wasn’t like the season was on the line for Chicago, but it hurt to see all the progress wash away. A simple ten-foot jumper from Cardoso could’ve forced the game into overtime, or even a win for the Sky. But how did Angel Reese react to her 29th loss of this season? Did she have anything to say about the last possession of the game? Let’s find out.

“Sometimes we get a little comfortable,”: Angel Reese’s troubled final possession overshadowed by error-filled approach

After losing a closely contested game, it’s important to look at how the players, the stars, and the coaches react. It tells us a lot about their mentality, their thought process, and their approach towards improving. Especially for a team like Chicago, which is looking to learn as much as possible in the remaining 7 games of the year, so that their next season is more fruitful.

Even simple observations can be the turning point in a team’s journey, and there’s one that nobody could miss–Chicago’s 21 turnovers. Simply put, the Sky turned the ball over way too much, allowing their opponents to create rhythm and get second-chance points. They weren’t vigilant enough to shield the ball during drive-ins, because how else would the Mercury rack up 17 steals? It’s clear that Phoenix’s defense got a little too much for the Chi-Town Sky, and they need to step up their game.

However, Angel Reese attributed the loss to something else. “I think sometimes we get a little comfortable. We’re not, a lot of times, used to being up starting the game. And I said even when we got the first time out, I was like that’s a great start. We have to continue to do that.” The Chicago Sky center said, referencing the mammoth 22-17 first-quarter in favor of the Sky, and the 8-20 disappointment that followed. AR’s words were a direct callout to the rest of her teammates for becoming complacent before the game was even halfway through.

However, even though Reese’s arguments are valid, they might not be well-received because of her fourth-quarter blunder. After all, airballing a four-footer in the WNBA as a post player is always going to get her flak. Still, Chicago has a lot on their plate as it gets close to the end of the year. Can they build some much-needed momentum before the end of the season? Only time will tell.