‘She’s Talking and Backing It Up’ — Joe Johnson Compares Angel Reese to 4-Time NBA All-Star

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese continues to enjoy her best year on and off the court. After a tumultuous tenure with the Chicago Sky, a welcome trade to Atlanta set the stage for a breakout season. Whether it was her teammates or the change in the vibe surrounding her, Reese began to flourish.

Inextricably linked to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark after their NCAA championship game battle, Reese has taken her own path, even as critics have been quick to chastise her approach. A seven-time NBA All-Star offers his opinion regarding the former LSU star’s change in career trajectory.

Joe Johnson Compares Angel Reese to NBA Star Anthony Edwards

Reese is competing in her first WNBA playoffs. In eight postseason games, the forward has averaged 19.4 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 48.1% from the field. The Dream are two wins away from winning their first championship trophy in franchise history.

Joe Johnson, who played 18 NBA seasons, drew the parallel to another outspoken athlete.

“She like Ant-Man [Anthony Edwards]. She talking and she’s backing it up,” Johnson said.

Shannon Sharpe and joe Johnson praise Angel Reese for playing at a elite level for
the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals, and the possibility of her winning finals mvp https://t.co/UPCFGCPiK0

— NBA Hoops (@Thechat101) October 23, 2026

For context, Johnson is referring to Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards. In the offseason, the guard decided to troll by making brash statements about many aspects of the league’s superstars, including pointed remarks about LeBron James in an Adidas ad.

Similarly, Reese has appeared on video engaging in serious trash talk with opponents, including telling them they are too small, referenced by a particular gesture.

Reese, as Johnson mentioned, backed up her talk this season, winning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson also mentioned the impact that Reese has on the city of Atlanta.

“It’s a mean buzz around the city, too… Like, there was an electricity around the building,” Johnson continued.

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Game 1 averaged 2.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making Dream-Valkyries the most-watched WNBA Finals Game 1 on record. The record audience came with Reese emerging as one of the league’s most prominent stars during her first season in Atlanta.

As mentioned, with two more wins, Reese will add a WNBA championship to her 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup gold medal, 2023 NCAA title with LSU, and three straight IAAM championships at St. Frances Academy.

The forward doesn’t often shoot at long range. Instead, she relies on a physical game with strong low-post play, elite defense, and the ability to influence the outcome from the start.

While she does become chatty with opponents, Reese’s game improvement speaks louder than her words ever could. The Dream host the Valkyries in Atlanta in Game 4, where the forward looks to continue her dominance.