Angel Reese’s Disastrous Preseason Performance Has Fans In Disbelief – “How Do You Make 0 Improvements?”

There is no doubt that Angel Reese has surpassed all those skeptical pre-draft predictions to become one of the best big ladies in the WNBA.

After briefly notching rebounding records in her rookie season, the Maryland native worked on her game in her sophomore season. That helped her improve across the board.

Then came the surprising trade to the Atlanta Dream, and now basketball fans felt that Reese would finally be able to prove to her doubters that her game does help win championships.

It is very similar to the transition from the Maryland Terrapins to the well-rounded LSU Tigers. Helping the latter win the 2023 NCAA championship has her fans believing Angel Reese will do the same with the Dream.

In their first preseason game against her former team, the Chicago Sky, the 23-year-old performed well, recording a game-high +/- of +14, which helped her team win.

I promise I’m ain’t laughing. Angel Reese hate watch gonna be treat. pic.twitter.com/UHWHt2L64e

— Olivia Miles burner (@Anthony_Lupini0) May 4, 2026

In their second preseason game, she managed to produce 10 points, which was more efficient than last time. However, there was enough footage of how much she struggled against the Washington Mystics’ big two of Kiki Iriafen and Lauren Betts.

Fans wonder if Angel Reese has developed her game

The former was responsible for manhandling Angel Reese inside the paint. In fact, fans noticed that the Atlanta Dream star was chucking the ball up towards the net whenever she felt there was contact.

They felt that if not for her four of six free throws, the 6’3″ forward would not have finished with a respectable stat line. Her -9 was the worst among all starters, and many felt that Reese’s selfish basketball cost the Dream a win against a team that is still trying to figure out its starting lineup.

Some questioned whether the Reebok signature athlete had even developed her game. Those chucks up towards the basket reminded fans of her ‘Mebounds’ days. Check out examples of those reactions below.

She is exactly the same as she was in college. How do you make zero improvements? Does she practice or train?

— Mad Hatter (@xRealMadHatx) May 4, 2026

Poor Atlanta fans. It's going to be a long, long season.

— Steven Wagner (@StevenW82333312) May 3, 2026

You can tell she did no practice over the break lol

— Donnie (@DC_Rising1) May 3, 2026

In her case, it is not about talent, but about which boxes she checked off.

— RetyrdSquid (@RetyrdSquid) May 4, 2026

Maybe she should put the bag back over her head since being able to see the basket doesn't seem to be helping

— Trey Claxon (@TreyClaxon) May 3, 2026

I understand missing a layup under pressure but how in gods name does a layup miss the ENTIRE rim???

— persian conservative (@persianoptionsx) May 3, 2026

Her game is so bad she is resorting to trying to flop for free throws like SGA

— John Coffee (@SilentTrader860) May 3, 2026

She’s long and athletic, and a good nose for the ball and high motor. The bigger issue is this is year 3 and none of the obvious issues (I.e. shooting from her hip on layups) have been addressed, and if they don’t fix that soon she’ll be out of the league in another 3

— Wes Wins (@Wes_Wins) May 3, 2026

There was a time when Reese made it clear to her ‘haters’ that she was going to develop her game. Fast forward to now, and fans feel that she has not fulfilled her promise.

Angel Reese needs to step up if Dream is to win a title

Even though fans believe that Angel Reese has not improved her game, there is enough evidence from last season that she did. If she can continue on that arc with her new team, the sky is the limit for her.

However, the reason fans reacted in this manner was that the forward reverted to her past methods of chucking the ball while drawing contact.

In the two preseason games, Reese tallied 18 points. Eight of those came from free throws. Once opponents figure out how to avoid giving her those fouls, it will be difficult for the superstar to impact games the way the Dream expects her to.

The team is hoping to rely on her otherworldly rebounding, inside scoring, and occasional playmaking to help them win their first-ever championship.

But for that to happen, Angel Reese cannot hope to find success with the effort she made in this game. She will need to step up if she wants to help her new team win a title.

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