FS1’s Skip Bayless insisted that Angel Reese’s comments after her second loss to Caitlin Clark in the WNBA showed her jealousy and bitterness towards her fellow rookie.
On Sunday, Reese and the Chicago Sky suffered a 91-83 loss to the Indiana Fever, with Clark’s 23-point performance – parlayed with nine assists and eight rebounds – leading the way. The loss was a follow-up to their June 1 meeting, which Indiana won 71-70.
After the game, the former LSU star complained that the referee favored the opposition. On Monday, Bayless attributed Reese’s reaction to her envy of Clark, who — in addition to a 2-0 lead against her — continues to grow in popularity.
“I don’t think she wants to be the bad guy, but she is the instigator,” Bayless said of Reese on Undisputed. “Her postgames smell a bit of jealousy and bitterness. That’s how it comes across to me.’
Meanwhile, his co-hosts Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce noted how Reese plays and talks “with an edge” after agreeing that the Sky rookie’s comments and playing style have painted her as the antagonist in their rivalry.
Skip Bayless said Angel Reese “smacks of jealousy and bitterness” toward Caitlin Clark
Although Reese posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, her game was marked by a flagrant 1 after hitting Clark in the head while driving to the basket in the third quarter. Reese’s comments after the game didn’t help her case, as she accused officials of having “special whistles.”
“I think we played really hard,” Reese said. “I think a lot of times we’ve been up really high and we haven’t gotten a lot of calls.”
“And looking back on the film, I saw a lot of calls that weren’t made,” she continued. “I guess some people have a special whistle.”
Speaking about Reese’s viral comments, Bayless continued to address the negativity of her tone and choice of words.
Clark went 2-0 against her college rival after the Fever defeated the Sky 91-83 on Sunday
The No. 1 overall pick recorded 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the win
After the match, Reese accused the referees of having a ‘special whistle’ in favor of the opposition
“It just comes across as so negative,” Bayless said. “You guys,” as if the media is against her. I don’t think the media is against her.’
“And when she says ‘special whistle,’ I gotta tell you, I’ve seen all of Caitlin’s games.” There have been so many times when she’s tried to dribble the ball across the field, and she’s been met by a very physical defender who just plays football at her. And they never mention it.”
“I don’t see any special whistle.”
Bayless then expanded on his point by addressing Chennedy Carter’s infamous bodycheck on Clark on June 1, painting her in the same light as her teammate.
‘That Chennedy [Carter] play — that just seemed bitter to me,” Bayless said. “She called her the b-word and went after her.”
Reese was charged with a flagrant 1 after her failed block attempt hit Clark in the face
After their first WNBA meeting, Reese hurriedly told the media that people watch women’s basketball “not just because of one person.” [but] also because of me.’
However, Bayless was quick to point out the difference between Reese and Clark’s presence.
‘Engel drew 4,000 [fans], and Caitlin drew 20,000,” Bayless noted. ‘That’s a fact.’
“I look at what happened in these two losses, and Caitlin has outdone her. So she will just have to play better.’