The Dream are absolutely on fire right now, tearing through eight of their last ten opponents and clawing their way to just 2.5 games back of second place in the standings. And, no surprise here, Angel Reese has been a massive force behind that surge. Since the All-Star break, this absolute beast is averaging 16.4 points and 13.7 rebounds, consistently fueling an Atlanta offense that has dropped at least 96 points in four of its last six games. But if you’re only looking at her offensive numbers, you’re missing the whole picture, because her defense? That’s where she’s really shining.
She’s Putting Up NUMBERS, But It’s Not What You Think
It’s wild, right? Despite all that, Reese hasn’t gotten nearly enough DPOY buzz. Most folks, and definitely the bookmakers, are still saying A’ja Wilson is the favorite to snag that award. But if you dig past the surface, the metrics tell a story that makes Reese’s case look way stronger than Wilson’s. Sure, her box score defensive stats, like ranking fifth in steals and just outside the top-20 in blocks, look solid. But they don’t jump out like Wilson’s #1 in blocks per game or even her teammate Rhyne Howard’s #1 in steals per game. Those raw numbers can be deceiving, though, because the advanced stats are screaming something totally different.
Forget the Box Score: The REAL DPOY Case
Listen, according to the advanced numbers, Reese is arguably the most impactful defender in the entire league. We’re talking about stats like defensive rating, and honestly, there aren’t many players even close to her orbit. Yahoo Sports’ Nekias Duncan pointed out that Reese owns the league’s highest defensive rating on-off differential. Think about that: Atlanta’s defense bleeds nine more points per 100 possessions when Reese is chilling on the bench. Her own defensive rating is 102.0, which is the fifth-best mark in the league, and out of the players above her, only Mystics big Shakira Austin has racked up similar minutes to Reese’s 980 total minutes of action. Plus, if you actually watch the film, it’s clear. Her ability to get around the floor is next level, she blows up pick-and-rolls like it’s her job, and her quick hands combined with that above-average wingspan? That’s how she’s snatching steals in bunches.
This isn’t just about good stats; it’s about being the defensive engine that completely transforms a team. If the Dream keep up this insane run, and Reese continues to lock down opponents with this kind of impact, it’s going to be impossible to deny her the Defensive Player of the Year award. She’s making her case, one possession at a time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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