Kelsey Plum TAUNTS Angel Reese In ANOTHER Sky Blowout Loss…
.
.
.
play video:
Kelsey Plum Taunts Angel Reese as Chicago Sky Suffer Another Embarrassing Blowout: What’s Really Going Wrong in the Windy City?
By [Your Name], May 2024
The Chicago Sky’s 2024 WNBA season is quickly spiraling into meme territory, and their latest blowout loss—this time at the hands of the Los Angeles Sparks—has only added fuel to the fire. But it wasn’t just the lopsided scoreline that caught the attention of fans and analysts. It was a moment of pure basketball bravado: Kelsey Plum, never one to shy away from the spotlight, taunted Angel Reese with the infamous “too small” gesture after a bucket, encapsulating the Sky’s ongoing struggles and the mounting frustration surrounding their star rookie.
This game, and the reactions it sparked, highlight deeper issues within the Sky organization and raise important questions about Angel Reese’s development, the team’s identity, and the state of the WNBA’s most talked-about rookie class.
The Sparks’ Injury-Plagued Lineup Still Handles the Sky
Let’s set the scene: The Los Angeles Sparks entered the game battered and depleted. Star rookie Cameron Brink was sidelined with injury, as were Ray Burrell and promising young forward Rickea Jackson. The Sparks were so shorthanded they had to sign hardship contract players just to fill out the roster, even calling back Liatu King, a third-round pick who had already been cut. This was not a team at full strength; this was a team scrambling for bodies.
Despite all that, the Sparks dominated the Sky. Kelsey Plum was electric, Azure Stevens was unstoppable, and rookie Sarah Ashley Barker showed flashes of her two-way potential. In contrast, the Sky looked lost, listless, and—at times—like a punchline rather than a professional basketball team.
The “Too Small” Taunt: Symbolic or Just Savage?
The viral moment came midway through the contest. Kelsey Plum, after scoring over Angel Reese, hit her with the “too small” gesture—a move that has become synonymous with NBA and WNBA stars flexing their superiority over opponents. For many, it was a lighthearted bit of trash talk. For the Sky, it was a glaring symbol of their season: outplayed, out-hustled, and, frankly, outclassed.
Plum’s taunt wasn’t just about showmanship. It was a statement. The Sky, and Angel Reese in particular, have been hyped as the next big thing in women’s basketball. But on this night, and too many others this season, they looked more like a meme than a contender.
Angel Reese: Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
A glance at Angel Reese’s box score might suggest a solid performance: 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. She’s still a double-double machine and remains among the league leaders in rebounding. But anyone who watched the game knows the truth is more complicated.
Reese’s stat line is padded by her relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds—often following her own misses for easy put-backs. In this game alone, she had multiple sequences where she missed, grabbed her own rebound, and scored. That’s effort, to be sure, but it also highlights a lack of offensive polish and an inability to finish cleanly around the rim.
Worse, her defense has regressed alarmingly. Once touted as a versatile, switchable defender, Reese now routinely loses her assignment, jogs back on defense, and fails to contest shots. In this game, she was repeatedly caught out of position, contributing to the Sky’s porous defense and the Sparks’ scoring spree.
Is the Sky Better Without Angel Reese?
It’s a provocative question, but one that’s gaining traction among Sky fans and analysts: Is Chicago actually better when Reese is off the floor? The case for “yes” centers around Elizabeth Williams, the team’s veteran post player. Williams is, by all accounts, the Sky’s best defender and a more reliable offensive option in the paint. Her presence stabilizes the defense and brings a level of professionalism that’s sorely lacking elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Sky’s best overall player this season has arguably been Beck Allen, who’s averaging double figures and providing consistent production on both ends. Rachel Banham, too, has been a steady contributor, often leading the team in scoring off the bench.
In contrast, Reese’s impact is more volatile. She racks up rebounds and occasionally makes highlight plays, but her defensive lapses and inconsistent finishing undermine her overall value. It’s not that Reese is a bad player—she’s a rookie with immense potential—but she’s not the franchise savior many hoped for, at least not yet.
A Team Without Identity or Effort
Perhaps the most damning indictment of the Sky is their lack of effort and cohesion. Defense is about more than talent; it’s about communication, hustle, and pride. Too often, the Sky look disengaged, giving up easy baskets, failing to rotate, and showing little urgency in transition.
This isn’t just a coaching issue—it’s a cultural one. The Sky have the raw talent to be competitive, especially in a league where parity is the norm. But without leadership, accountability, and a collective commitment to defense, they’ll continue to be a laughingstock.
The Rookie Class: Bright Spots Elsewhere
While the Sky flounder, other teams are reaping the rewards of a loaded rookie class. Sarah Ashley Barker, despite being on a struggling Sparks team, is already making a name for herself as a defensive stopper with a developing offensive game. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, both playing for rebuilding squads, have shown flashes of brilliance, with Citron posting 14 points and 4 assists (albeit with 6 turnovers) in her latest outing.
Even Awa Trasi and Monica Czinano—less-heralded rookies—are making positive contributions for their teams. The Sky’s own rookies, by comparison, are struggling to find their footing, and the team’s decision to trade away promising young talent for veterans who aren’t moving the needle is being second-guessed by fans and analysts alike.
Coaching, Culture, and the Path Forward
So what’s the solution for the Sky? It starts with accountability—from the coaching staff down to the last player on the bench. The team needs to establish a defensive identity, prioritize effort, and hold each other accountable for lapses. That means tough conversations with Angel Reese about her defensive responsibilities, but also a broader reevaluation of the team’s culture and priorities.
The Sky are not without hope. The WNBA season is long, and teams can turn things around quickly with the right leadership and adjustments. But if they continue to play with the same lackadaisical attitude and defensive indifference, they’ll remain a punchline.
Media, Memes, and the Pressure of Stardom
It’s impossible to ignore the role of media and social media in amplifying the Sky’s struggles. Every mistake, every blowout, every viral moment (like Plum’s “too small” taunt) is dissected, memed, and shared endlessly. For young players like Reese, the pressure is immense. She’s not just playing for her team; she’s playing for her brand, her fans, and a national audience hungry for the next big thing.
But with great hype comes great scrutiny. Reese must learn to tune out the noise, focus on her development, and embrace the hard work required to become a true two-way force. The league’s best players—A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas—are stars because they bring it on both ends every night. If Reese wants to join their ranks, she must make defense a priority.
Are the Sky a Lost Cause?
It’s tempting to write off the Sky as a lost cause, especially after a string of blowout losses and embarrassing performances. But basketball is a game of runs, and fortunes can change quickly. The Sky have the talent to be competitive, but only if they commit to playing the right way.
That means embracing the grind, focusing on fundamentals, and holding each other accountable. It means less talk, fewer memes, and more action. And it means Angel Reese—along with her teammates—must rise to the challenge, silence the doubters, and prove that the hype is justified.
Final Thoughts: From Meme to Meaningful
The Chicago Sky are at a crossroads. They can continue down the path of mediocrity, becoming a cautionary tale of wasted potential and viral humiliation. Or they can use moments like Kelsey Plum’s taunt as motivation, rally together, and start playing with the pride and purpose befitting a professional basketball team.
Angel Reese, for all her flaws, still has the tools to be a star. But stardom in the WNBA isn’t given; it’s earned—through effort, defense, and a relentless commitment to winning. The Sky’s season isn’t over, but the time for excuses is.
The next chapter is up to them.
