Last season, the Atlanta Dream returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, a meaningful point of progress for the organization in its second season under general manager Dan Padover and head coach Tanisha Wright.
Yet, the step forward was a bit of a stumble forward. While Atlanta earned the No. 5 seed in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, they finished under .500. After winning their seventh game in a row on July 18, they won only seven more games the rest of the regular season, going 7-15 over the second half of the season. The team’s stay in the playoffs also was short-lived, as they were swept by the Dallas Wings.
The muddle of positives and not-so positives is appropriate for a team that was consistently inconsistent, with flashes of promise too often followed by frustration. In 2024, consistency should be the primary priority for the Dream, establishing a foundation of game-to-game good basketball that, in future seasons, blossoms into great basketball. Because, despite the offseason additions of Jordin Canada, Tina Charles and Aerial Powers, it’s unrealistic to believe that the Dream can contend with the league’s super teams. However, it should be expected that the Dream take a demonstrable step toward becoming a team that, sooner than later, confidently can…
