New York, NY – ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith did not hold back on Wednesday’s edition of First Take, taking direct aim at Angel Reese after the Chicago Sky rookie seemingly likened herself to Michael Jordan in a recent media interview.

What began as a confident statement from Reese—where she mentioned she was “changing the game” and “bringing the same type of mentality MJ did”—quickly spiraled into social media chaos. And it didn’t take long for Stephen A. to jump in.

“Did she just compare herself to Michael Jordan? Are you kidding me?” Smith thundered.
“Angel Reese is a promising young player with a huge following. But she is nowhere near MJ status—and frankly, she’s not even in Caitlin Clark’s stratosphere when it comes to impact right now.”

The fiery ESPN commentator didn’t stop there. He went on to break down the clear gap in production, leadership, and spotlight between Reese and Clark since entering the WNBA.

“Caitlin Clark came into this league with the weight of the entire sports world on her shoulders. Ratings up. Arenas sold out. Every opposing fan base locked in. She’s the Steph Curry of this moment.”
“Meanwhile, Angel Reese—she’s still learning. Still fouling. Still struggling to find consistency. Let’s pump the brakes on the GOAT talk.”

Fans React: Battle Lines Drawn

As expected, Smith’s harsh take sparked intense debate online. Supporters of Reese accused him of tearing down a young Black woman for clicks, while others said it was exactly the reality check she needed.

“Stephen A said what needed to be said. MJ? She’s not even Sheryl Swoopes yet,” one fan posted.
“Nah, he’s out of line. Angel is box office, just like Caitlin. Let her grow,” wrote another.

The segment comes amid growing tension in the WNBA discourse, as the league’s rookie class—especially Reese and Clark—has drawn massive attention, and with it, polarizing reactions.

Context: What Angel Actually Said

While Reese never directly stated, “I am Michael Jordan,” her quote—**“I bring that MJ fire. That energy. That will to win every night”—**was interpreted by some as placing herself in Jordan’s league of greatness.

The comment came after a physical loss earlier in the week, where Reese had just six points and fouled out midway through the fourth quarter.

What This Means Going Forward

Whether you agree with Stephen A. or not, one thing is clear: the spotlight on Angel Reese is only growing brighter. With every game, every quote, and every postgame presser, she’s becoming one of the most talked-about players in the league.

But with that comes the scrutiny—and the expectations to back it up.

And as Stephen A. put it in his closing remarks:

“Don’t talk like Mike until you start dominating like Mike. That’s all I’m saying.”