Sue Bird
Role at the time: Retired WNBA player and podcast host
Mixed or conditional
Response to this claim
Angel Reese deserved the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
“Um, but of course, if Angel wins, 100% deserving.”
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
Bird weighs Williams and Reese before the league announces its award.
Why we used this label
Bird expresses approval of Reese's merit while favoring Williams, a substantive tension in her award judgment.