The narrative around Angel Reese has always been polarizing. Though her player profile warrants her strong rebounding skills and physicality, the noise around her doesn’t seem to be fading. This has been the case since her college days and that same scrutiny from fans have media has now followed her to the WNBA as well. Reese’s mentor Shaquille O’Neal isn’t a fan of any of this noise and has now issued a strong response for the same.

Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, O’Neal lashed out at the amateurs who try to give their expert opinion on Reese, remarking that they are deemed pros who use their space to start a demeaning narrative.

“I wish I could punch some of these guys in the face that just pick on my Angel and pick on my Lauren (Betts). But I have to be professional,” Shaq said. Because enough is enough. Like, you know, the problem with your guys’ profession now is you’re letting amateurs come in, and amateurs think they have the same rights as you guys have.”

“You know what I’m saying? So, you’re letting all these guys come in, and they just say stuff off the wall, and they keep going. And then a lot of guys, when they get off air, they want to go to their page. So, what do they do to go to their page? They’ll take a hot topic and promote it on their page to get their followers up.”

Social media has never been a kind space to Reese. We all remember how the she was perceived as a villain on social media after her feud with Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA Championship game. And who can forget the ‘Mebounds’ episode – a coined term that emphasizes Reese just rebounds on a basketball court.

Similarly, in the last few weeks, there has been chatter about Reese’s all-around development as a player. It largely stems from the Atlanta-Las Vegas game, where the ATL Barbie went 1-for-8 from the field and turned the ball over 8 times.

Analyst Jason Whitlock was one of many to rally against Reese after this outing. “The most unskilled alleged star we’ve ever seen,” Whitclok said on his podcast. “She shoots the ball from her waist. She’s not trying to get better as an offensive player or a skilled basketball player.”

Now, there’s no doubt that Reese’s performance was a letdown. But the flip is that Reese managed to score two double-doubles since that game against Phoenix and with Minnesota she finished the game with a well-rounded 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. At the moment, it feels like the Las Vegas game was a rare one-off night for Reese. But the outcry was massive and, in certain contexts, a bit extreme.

These instances are even recurring on social media. These circumstantial claims and harsh negative takes, which fuel reactions and gain popularity, are what Shaq is leaning against. And this isn’t the first time the 4-time NBA champion has spoken about the negativity surrounding Reese. As a mentor to Reese, Shaq has warned ChiBarbie about the ugly side of the sport time and again.

“A lot of times, they, if they don’t understand who you are, they misconceive. But I tell her all the time, ‘Don’t worry about that, ‘” Shaq said during a conversation with Sports Illustrated.

Besides the negativity around Reese, Shaquille O’Neal has also shared his two cents on the former’s recent basketball endeavors.

Shaquille O’Neal Speaks of Angel Reese’s Fit at Atlanta Dream

As a Reebok Basketball President, Shaquille O’Neal takes a close interest in players like Angel Reese and Lauren Betts, who are among the few WNBA athletes to sign with the brand. In his conversation with The Rich Eisen Show, Shaq doubled down on how these players are progressing in the WNBA.

“They (Angel Reese and Lauren Betts) are having fun, and they are playing fabulous,” Shaq said. “They are both determined to do great things, and I just stay out of their way. You know, they have my number. They know if they need me, they can call me. Another role of being a mentor is not to micromanage. You know, sometimes you just have to let people figure it out on their own.”

Shaq’s assessment is backed to the hilt. In these initial stretches of the season, Reese has showcased her mettle perfectly. In the six games she has played for Atlanta, Reese has recorded four double-doubles, as per ESPN. She is leading the team in rebounds (averaging over 10.8 RPG).

Her frontcourt presence has helped Atlanta to a 4-2 record so far this season. Reese’s shooting can be laid back at times as she’s shooting just over 40% from the field. But given Reese’s skill set, it’s certain that she will improve her production as the season progresses and silence her critics.