The Dispute Index

Bird leans toward Williams and calls Reese deserving

Sue BirdRetired WNBA player and podcast host

Bird prefers Williams but says Reese would fully deserve a win.

Responding to

Angel Reese deserved the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

“Um, but of course, if Angel wins, 100% deserving.”

Original video

Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)Jessica Shepard on Playing with Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings' Playoff Push + Sue's MVP Pick8:53-9:39; Williams preference at 8:53, Reese deservedness at 9:37
Angel Reese wearing an Atlanta Dream uniform in May 2026.
Credit: John McClellan; crop by Sportzeditz / Wikimedia Commons

Where this statement fits

Did Angel Reese deserve the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award?

The WNBA named Angel Reese its 2026 Defensive Player of the Year on October 1. She received 46 of 74 votes, ahead of Gabby Williams with 20 and A'ja Wilson with four. Voters defend Reese's impact on Atlanta's defense. Sue Bird and Lindsay Gibbs favor Williams while calling Reese deserving. Dan Zaksheske criticizes the result, and Andrew Jerell Jones argues for a shared Reese and Wilson award.

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Source and context

Original video

Jessica Shepard on Playing with Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings' Playoff Push + Sue's MVP Pick (opens in a new tab)8:53-9:39; Williams preference at 8:53, Reese deservedness at 9:37

About this source

Bird weighs Williams and Reese before the league announces its award.

Before the quotation

Bird says she might lean toward Williams during a comparison of the candidates.

After the quotation

She also expressly approves the merit of a possible Reese win.

How this statement is classified

Mixed or conditional

The label describes this statement's response within the context above.

Why this label?

Bird expresses approval of Reese's merit while favoring Williams, a substantive tension in her award judgment.

Recorded on
Published here
People and groups discussed
Angel Reese, WNBA, Gabby Williams

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Cite this record

Publisher
The Dispute Index
Title
Bird leans toward Williams and calls Reese deserving
First published
Last updated
Permalink
https://disputeindex.com/events/4438-bird-prefers-williams-but-says-reese-would-fully

Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.

The Dispute Index. "Bird leans toward Williams and calls Reese deserving". First published: 2026-10-02. Last updated: 2026-10-02. https://disputeindex.com/events/4438-bird-prefers-williams-but-says-reese-would-fully