Dave Portnoy Comes Clean Over Angel Reese and LeBron James ‘Hate’

Angel Reese has received a lot of criticism from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy ever since her rivalry with Caitlin Clark started.

Dave Portnoy Comes Clean Over Angel Reese and LeBron James ‘Hate’

Dave Portnoy uses LeBron James example to explain 'hate' towards Angel Reese (Image via FirstSportz)

LeBron James receives most of the brickbats in the NBA, no matter what he does. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has more critics in the media and on social networks than fans. The same can be said about Angel Reese, who might have built a solid fanbase of her own, but also has faced some extreme criticism from various corners.

She started receiving the short end of the stick after she taunted Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA National Championship game. Many believed it was a slight at the Iowa Hawkeye superstar’s fame and game, where Reese believed she was better.

That narrative followed them in their final season in college, as well as into the WNBA. Even though Reese clarified that she did not hate Clark, and it was all due to their competitiveness, fans and a certain Dave Portnoy were not convinced.

He believed she was playing the race game very well, while also trying to put out any fire. While speaking with NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, the Barstool Sports founder explained why he despises the WNBA rebounding phenom.

I watched the national championship, I bet on Iowa, I’m a Caitlin Clark fan. I felt what Angel Reese did at the game was classless. Nothing to do with the color of her skin. That’s not a race issue for me. I’m never going to apologize for that, because it wasn’t malicious, I stand by it.

Dave Portnoy said

Portnoy believes he did not say anything malicious to Angel Reese in all this time. But people construe it as racism, whereas he just does not like the Chicago Sky star. He reiterated that it had nothing to do with her race. Instead, he used a LeBron James example to explain what it was.

Celtics superfan Dave Portnoy uses LeBron James hate to explain his point

This reference to Angel Reese came about when Shannon Sharpe asked Dave Portnoy about some of his comments. Even though he gave Reese’s example, he believed Sharpe did not fully understand what he was trying to say. He then brought up an example of LeBron James to further articulate his thought process.

I f**king hate LeBron. You know why I hate LeBron? Because Celtics, LeBron, were a f**king heated rivalry. I f**king hate his guts, and that’s a rivalry thing.

Dave Portnoy said

Portnoy clarified that he hates LeBron James‘ guts for punishing his Boston Celtics all those years he was in the East. By the same logic, he hates Angel Reese just because she is Caitlin Clark’s rival and nothing else.

He went on to add that if he posts a video of Reese airballing, fans believe he is being racist. But he claims it has nothing to do with that, as he is just taking shots at Clark’s rival. He is an ardent follower of Clark, which is why he will go against anyone who is against Clark.

Rivalry with Caitlin Clark might find Angel Reese in Dave Portnoy’s crosshairs again

Dave Portnoy believes that race does play a part in what he says about anyone who is a rival to whoever he supports. But he will not stop taking shots at those rivals whenever the opportunity arises. Angel Reese has tried to diffuse the media narratives surrounding her and Caitlin Clark.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via Open Source/X)

But if any in-game moments do come up where she is applauding a hit on Clark, or a loss, or anything which would be against the Indiana Fever star, expect Dave Portnoy to come back with a hot take, troll, or even a tirade.

How that transpires in this upcoming WNBA season is something fans will be on the lookout for. They know both the WNBA stars are gunning for a deep playoff run. They might put their head down and work their way through, but they also have to ensure the media and fans do not get any more fuel to bring back that feud.

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