Dez Bryant Calls For Angel Reese To Get More WNBA Rookie Of The Year Talks, Calls Out Stephen A. Smith
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant tweeted at ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe to stir more WNBA ‘Rookie of the Year’ talk around Chicago's Angel Reese.
Bryant went as far as calling SAS a "sellout" in their online spat.
Reese started the year slow but has picked up the pace in recent outings, including Sunday's win over Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever, recording 25 points and 16 rebounds. Reese is averaging 13.2 points (trailing Clark) and 11.1 rebounds per game.
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ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bryant used the standout performance by Reese to challenge the chatter around Caitlin Clark as Rookie of the Year front-runner — throwing jabs at the ESPN pundits along the way for not talking enough about Reese.
On Sunday, Bryant posted on X, "I don’t see much praise on the historic rookie run Angel Reese is having in her Rookie year @stephenasmith @ShannonSharpe where y’all at? She deserves the high praise right now!"
Stephen A. Smith wouldn't let the public dig go unpunished and went off on Bryant.
"Man, for once, will you stop your B.S.," Stephen A. Smith posted. "@ShannonSharpe has praised her continuously. So have I, even profiling her excellence on numerous occasions. It’s on our social media pages @stephenasmith. We’ve talked about her on @FirstTake. If you want notoriety, just say so, bro! You need attention? Just ask to come on the damn show. But stop lying!"
Bryant posted more and called Smith a "sellout" with a reputation built on "hating on folks."
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DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith reports before Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after their 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
"Say pimp don’t ever in your life play with me talking about notoriety… I don’t give a f**k about none of that.. Don’t get mad at me because I’m calling spade a spade Y’all pick and choose end of story," Bryant posted.
Stephen A. Smith's WNBA commentary has been scrutinized all season.
Since Caitlin Clark entered the league this year and sent the league's notoriety into the stratosphere, SAS and other pundits have increasingly been covering her and, by extension, the WNBA.
Smith's fellow "First Take" pundit, Monica McNutt, accused him of not spotlighting the WNBA enough before Clark's introduction. Now, Bryant takes shots at Smith and ESPN for not talking about Reese enough.
Either way, "The Caitlin Clark Effect" continues its box office.
(Who's right: Smith or Bryant? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)
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Send a message: alejandro.avila@outkick.com