Angel Reese Embraces ‘The Bad Guy’ Role In WNBA History

Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesMost stars try to be liked, but Angel Reese has done the exact opposite on purpose. She told reporters back in June 2024 that she is ready to be the bad guy. “I’ll take the bad guy role,” she said while arguing that her bold moves helped grow the game. This admission flips the script on how athletes usually handle the pressure of fame.Her road to the first-ever Game 7 in WNBA history was not a quiet one. Fox News reports she took a “crafty, scrappy and mouthy road” to get there. The behavior started long before the professional league.Reese made championship-game taunts directed at Caitlin Clark while they were still in college. After LSU defeated Iowa on April 2, 2023, Reese gestured toward Clark by waving her hand before her face. She then pointed toward her ring finger to show she was the champion.The Origin of the TauntThe celebration was not a new idea. Reese used a gesture popularized by wrestler John Cena known as the “you can’t see me” move. Fox News notes this was the same move Clark had used during Iowa’s Elite Eight win over Louisville.By copying the move, Reese sparked a debate that has lasted for years. The celebration became a big topic of discussion right away. It showed that Reese was not afraid to use the same tools her rivals used against them.Some people think this behavior crosses the line. Others see it as part of the game. Reese herself has said she does not fit into a simple box. “I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in,” Reese told reporters after a big win. She added, “But when other people do it, y’all say nothing.” This comment highlights the double standard she feels exists in sports media. She believes the criticism is unfair and one-sided.Defending the RivalryCaitlin Clark did not want to add fuel to the fire. Clark herself declined to join the criticism when asked about the taunts. “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all,” she told ESPN two days later. Clark defended trash talk as a normal part of competition. She believes players should be allowed to speak their minds without fear of punishment. This stance from Clark shows she wants to keep the focus on the basketball.Reese, however, remained unimpressed by the polite response. During a “Paper Route” podcast appearance, she characterized Clark’s remarks as an apology. The rivalry has grown hotter as the stakes get higher. Long before her initial Finals appearance, Reese had already established a history of making statements.A New Level of HeatThe tension has moved from college courts to the biggest stage in basketball. Reese taunted Golden State with a “too small” gesture during the series. She has also made public criticism of her own team in Chicago. These moments have sparked debates over sportsmanship and player treatment.Reports say the scrutiny that comes with stardom is now a central part of her story. Reese argued that LSU would not have received an invitation had it lost. “I don’t accept the apology,” Reese said regarding Jill Biden’s statement. She felt the comment did not address the real issue. She offered an alternative destination for the spotlight. “They can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.” President Joe Biden eventually invited LSU and men’s champion Connecticut, while excluding Iowa.