With differing opinions, Angel Reese’s ejection from the Chicago Sky’s game against New York Liberty has become a hot topic. While some backed the Sky rookie, some came down on her over alleged unprofessionalism. The most recent update in this has been the WNBA rescinding the second technical foul on the Sky star. This has led to even more debate about the league’s treatment towards rookies. Former NBA guard Rex Chapman has dropped his opinion on this move by the league.

“I like it but it’s weird. If a player waives off a NBA ref it’s an automatic tech,” Chapman posted on X. This came in response to Chicago Tribune writer Julia Poe’s update regarding rescinding of the second technical foul on Angel Reese. “The WNBA has rescinded the second technical assessed to Angel Reese in last night’s game against the Liberty, per a league source,” she posted. 

Notably, Reese was ejected from the game after two technical fouls following an interaction with official Charles Watson. It seemed Reese was saying something to Watson, and then she waved her hand at him. As per the information available in the NBA video rulebook, “overt ‘wave off’ will be met with a technical foul, as it exceeds the respect for the game guidelines, whether it’s directed towards an official or not.” Amid all of this, Riley Gaines has heavily criticized the Sky star, alleging the display of unprofessionalism on her hand.

“Angel Reese has the potential to be a great role model for young girls… but she’s shown herself to be arrogant, unprofessional, & jealous,” Gaines wrote. Meanwhile, Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball came forward in Angel Reese’s support through an X post stating, “Ref that threw out@Reese10Angelis weak btw… You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you).” The league going too soft with its rule is a perception that has been going around among basketball enthusiasts.   

Change in officiating in the NBA and WNBA

There has been constant criticism against the recent rules of the two leagues, for making the officiating too sensitive. But it’s not as if these changes came without any concrete reason. In fact, the whole scenario of being too sensitive about any on-court aggression developed after the infamous ‘Malice at the Palace’ incident in 2004.

This came during the Indiana Pacers vs Detroit Pistons faceoff, when an altercation occurred between Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) and Ben Wallace. Artest did not want the matter to escalate and thus withdrew himself. But then a fan threw a beer at him, and what started with Ron charging at the fan was soon an all-out brawl. 

The violent incident left the league with severe image issues. And the league found its solution in rules that had a lower tolerance for any possibility of violence. This is one explanation why refs eject players even at the smallest of actions. So much so that the seventh technical foul in the WNBA costs $800 fine and one-game suspension. So, Angel Reese getting her second technical foul rescinded will be a relief of sorts for the Sky rookie. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.