Milwaukee Bucks Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo praised Ariel Atkins from Chicago Sky on Tuesday when she defended Angel Reese against persistent criticism. Atkins had a passionate monologue on the way Reese managed the negative pressure from outside the courtyard, after the defeat of Heaven 85-66 against the defending champions New York Liberty.
Speaking to the media, Atkins tackled criticism around Reese while she was protecting her teammate from malicious questions.
“So, whatever the questions you have on our team, in terms of basketball, we appreciate it. But all the other nonsense, like, it is not relevant. We are here to play basketball and do what we are doing. We have trouble at the moment,” said Atkins.
“It is a 23-year-old child who manipulates himself with grace. Her crown is heavy. So, whatever, as, you all want to come to her for the way she acts, she must build the wall,” she added when Reese was sitting next to her.
This gesture left Giannis impressed as he republished the video of the Atkins press conference on his account X with his reaction.
“He’s a super teammate there,” he wrote.
Giannis, former NBA and Double MVP champion, lost in the first round of the NBA qualifiers this year against the Indiana Pacers, whose team now plays in the final.
Meanwhile, as one of the veterans in the sky, Atkins, 28, was a stabilizer in the rear area for Chicago, helping the tastes of their young core, like Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
However, the sky has had trouble this season, totaling a record of 2-7 so far. The bad start was awarded to Reese, who has become the face of the franchise since its seventh writing in the general classification last year.
Angel Reese has collected an average of 10.1 points out of 35.8 shot on the field, as well as 12.1 rebounds per game in the eight games that she has played so far.
Angel Reese expresses his appreciation to Ariel Atkins
After the defense passionate about Ariel Atkins of Angel Reese, the young sky striker expressed his appreciation for the veteran guard. On her post in X, Reese said that she was grateful to see her teammate defending herself against outside noise.
“I love my veterinarian,” she wrote, republishing the video conference video.
During the press conference, Angel Reese was also seen with a smile and covering his mouth while ATKINS delivered his message to the media.
Atkins is on average 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 interceptions per game this season. As they try to cancel the external noise, the sky should face its difficulties in the WNBA.
Edited by Dipayan Moitra
