In an offseason filled with highlight reels and workout videos, one name is drawing attention for all the wrong reasons: Angel Reese.

The Chicago Sky’s highly publicized rookie recently dropped a workout video designed to showcase her progress ahead of the upcoming WNBA season. However, what was meant to impress fans and silence critics quickly backfired. The video, which featured Reese practicing mid-range jumpers and three-pointers in a largely unstructured gym session, was met with confusion, critique, and even ridicule online.

Many basketball analysts and fans immediately noticed what was missing: layups, footwork, and post play—areas where Reese statistically struggled during her rookie season. Despite being a 6’3” post player, Reese finished just 44.5% of her shots from within five feet, one of the worst efficiency marks among WNBA forwards. Yet in the viral video, she was seen working almost exclusively on perimeter skills.

The contrast became even more glaring when side-by-side comparisons began surfacing featuring Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates. In those videos, Clark and her fellow Fever players engaged in highly intentional, structured workouts led by development coaches. From refining elbow jumpers to strengthening pick-and-roll timing, every drill was designed to mirror in-game situations and build toward a championship-ready team.

Clark worked on mid-range pull-ups and off-the-dribble threes with clean mechanics. Teammate Lexie Hull drilled quick-release shots from the corners to space the floor during Clark’s drives. Meanwhile, Aaliyah Boston—the Fever’s dominant post presence—focused on footwork, floaters, and finishing through contact. Every movement had purpose. Every drill, a clear connection to the team’s strategy.

And it showed.

The Indiana Fever’s offseason videos quickly racked up millions of views. Fans and analysts praised the organization for its transparency and professionalism. Veteran coach Stephanie White could be seen coaching players through game-like situations, while development coach Keith Porter defended, instructed, and pushed players to match real game speed. The videos were not just marketing tools—they were blueprints for success.

Back in Chicago, Angel Reese’s video lacked that same polish. No coaching staff was visible. No clear training structure. No indication that her known weaknesses were being addressed. Fans noticed. So did experts.

Basketball legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Lisa Leslie have publicly urged Reese to focus on improving her finishing ability around the basket. Instead, she appears to be investing time in perimeter skills she rarely uses in actual games. Her shooting mechanics—often criticized for a low, chest-level release—have shown little improvement, raising questions about whether her current training methods are actually helping her become a more effective player.

Even more concerning, nearly 40% of Reese’s rebounds last season came off her own missed shots. This stat, once hailed as a sign of dominance, is now being interpreted by some as an indicator of inefficiency. She’s rebounding not just to control the glass—but to recover from missed layups.

Meanwhile, the Fever are creating a cohesive system. Natasha Howard, Brianna Turner, and DeWanna Bonner are drilling specific actions that build around Clark’s offensive gravity. Pick-and-roll execution, defensive rotations, and floor spacing are all being refined. The result is a visible, unified vision for team success.

What Angel Reese’s video reveals isn’t just a questionable training session—it suggests a potential disconnect between her current development plan and the actual demands of the WNBA. Her training seems more focused on optics than outcomes, more about content creation than competitive evolution.

And that has Chicago Sky fans worried.

Reese is a generational talent with elite rebounding instincts and undeniable charisma. But the WNBA is not forgiving to players who fail to adapt. Without improvement in the paint and a commitment to fundamentals, she risks being left behind as teams like the Fever build dynasties around intentional, position-specific development.

Reese’s defenders argue that she’s still young, that every player has their own pace, and that harsh critiques are premature. They may be right—but in a league where even rookies are expected to contribute at a high level, her margin for error is razor-thin.

The question now is: will she adjust?

Basketball development at the professional level is about more than talent—it’s about discipline, role clarity, and the willingness to face weaknesses head-on. Angel Reese still has time. But the blueprint for success is playing out in Indiana. And if she doesn’t evolve soon, she may find herself falling behind in a league that’s moving forward without her.