Angel Reese is set to tip off a new chapter this Saturday when the Atlanta Dream face the Minnesota Lynx in their season opener. After a blockbuster offseason trade from the Chicago Sky, the dynamic forward lands in Atlanta with championship aspirations and a fresh start. But as the season approaches, a growing buzz surrounds one key question: can she refine her shooting form to unlock her full potential?
Reese made her preseason debut for the Dream with mixed results. In her first outing against her former team, the Sky, she put up 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a win—but efficiency was a concern, shooting just 2-for-7 from the field and 4-for-8 from the free-throw line. Her second preseason game showed improvement in scoring (10 points), yet she again shot under 50%, going 3-for-7, while also picking up three fouls and two turnovers in limited minutes.
While it’s early—both this season and in her career—fans and analysts alike are zeroing in on a mechanical issue that could limit her offensive game. The primary worry? A low release point that makes her shot easier to contest. “Angel still shoots from the waist, this can’t be real but it is,” one fan posted on X. Another questioned her coaching, writing, “Why don’t her coaches teach her form and mechanics? She’s trying to do it Larry Bird style from the shoulder, but it is just awful.”
Adding to the intrigue, Reese revealed during her time with the Sky that she is naturally right-handed, despite shooting left-handed on the court. This has sparked debate about her shot selection and hand dominance. “It’s never made sense to me how often Angel drives right when she shoots left-handed and finishes better with her left,” one observer noted. “It’s not like defenders sit on her left hand either.”
On a positive note, Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko has already given Reese the green light to shoot from the perimeter, signaling confidence in her ability to develop. Smesko recently noted that he has seen “tremendous” growth in her game, and with time and reps, Reese has every chance to silence the doubters. As the Dream chase a title run, all eyes will be on whether she can turn that raw potential into polished production—starting Saturday.