Angel Reese continues to uplift LSU while exposing double standards

Angel Reese is one of the best players on one of the best teams in the nation. But far too much attention is paid to her trash-talk and swagger, and not enough to her production.

Angel Reese, the ‘Bayou Barbie’, continues to spark attention with her electric play and passion for the game. Many critics talk about her daunting trash talk and swagger toward the game.

Reese is a 6-foot-3 forward from Baltimore, MD, and played her high school basketball at St. Frances Academy. The Maryland product spent her first two seasons at the University of Maryland and played under Brenda Frese. She entered the transfer portal after the 2021-22 season concluded.

St. Frances is well known for their powerhouse football program and the fact that the school is located across the street from the Baltimore Detention center.

Angel Reese and the Charm City

Baltimore is a historic city when it comes to black history, entrepreneurship, sports, culture, and more. However, the city is often negatively portrayed in the news and general media. Reese is a player a chip on her shoulder and represents the essence of Baltimore — a city of grit, resilience, passion, accountability, and love.

People who have not been to Baltimore or played basketball in an inner city will struggle to understand why Reese plays with so much passion. Basketball analysts focus on the LSU forward’s trash talk, personality, passion, and emotion. But she is comfortable with herself and knows who she is despite the judgment from others.

Double standard?

Reese continues to expose the double standards that women face in sports. One of the main critiques of women’s basketball is the lack of viewership and interest. Time and time again in men’s basketball, we see players push opposing players off after dunks, or talk trash after a post-up/block. Male players are applauded for their level of aggression and force but women are criticized for showing that same type of passion.

Reese continues to play the game her way unapologetically and it’s for the better of women’s basketball.

The art of trash talk can result in a high risk or a reward when the game is over. Reese is consistent when talking trash or telling defenders that they are too small.

However you feel about the LSU forward’s passionate approach to the game, you have to give her the flowers that she deserves. She is currently averaging 23.4 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor.

Reese also is fifth overall in scoring and second in rebounding in the nation and the face of the LSU program. She is a great teammate and her teammates gravitate toward her.

The LSU product should be applauded for her passion and trash talk because it brings excitement to the game. Basketball fans marvel (no pun intended) at trash talk from past college greats like Gary Payton (Oregon State), Marshall Henderson (Ole Miss), Eric Devendorf (Syracuse), Reggie Miller (UCLA), The Fab Five (Michigan), and Michael Jordan (UNC).

Reese brings excitement to the game all year round. Basketball is a physical game and the level of intensity on defense can bring out the best in everyone.

LSU’s next steps

LSU’s program has changed under the leadership of Kim Mulkey. Before returning to the NCAA tournament during the 2021-22 season, the team had not made the tournament since the 2016-17 season. Part of Reese’s decision to transfer to LSU was because of Mulkey’s standard of excellence and desire to create a winning culture.

Under Mulkey, Reese broke Sylvia Fowles’s consecutive double-double record against Alabama. On Saturday, she recorded another double-double to further advance the regular season record. But LSU’s ranking and tournament seeding are in jeopardy because of their upset loss against Tennessee at home last Saturday.

Check out our College Basketball hub page for more news, analysis, opinion and unique women’s basketball coverage. And don’t forget to follow FOR(E) on Twitter, FanSided’s home for women’s sports.