Three straight losses. Then, three straight wins. And then, three straight losses.
Throughout the month of June, the trajectory of the Atlanta Dream resembled that of the Great American Scream Machine at nearby Six Flags Over Georgia. At their best, they showed themselves to be a surefire playoff team that could give a top-four seed a test in the first round due to their toughness, tenacity and shotmaking. At their worst, they look like a lottery-bound mess, gifting opponents easy transition points because of a torrent of live-ball turnovers.
If this pattern of ups and downs is to continue into July, Friday night’s 94-89 victory over the Washington Mystics presages (mostly) positive things for Dream’s upcoming four-game road trip, when they will meet the Sparks for two games in LA (July 2 at 3 p.m. ET, July 5 at 10 p.m. ET) followed by a set against the Sky in Chicago (July 7 at 8 p.m. ET, July 9 at 8 p.m. ET).
But then what happens? Another plummet of poor play?
If Atlanta wants to emerge above the muddled morass of mid where much of the league is mired, establishing a discernible level of consistency is necessary. The impending road trip presents an opportunity to do so.
Here are three questions that will help determine if Atlanta can exit this roller-coaster ride…
