The Atlanta Dream have an exciting roster that is capable of achieving special things. However, head coach Karl Smesko still has a few small tweaks to make to turn this rising squad into championship contenders. Most notably, he must establish a clear pecking order in which Alisha Gray and Rhyne Howard lead the offensive charge, allowing Angel Reese to concentrate on solidifying the team's defensive structure.
After landing in Atlanta from her turbulent time with the Chicago Sky, Reese quickly settled into the Dream's tactical system. By simplifying her role, Smesko created a scenario in which she could thrive on both sides of the ball. This season, the 24-year-old is averaging an impressive 15.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
While the numbers prove how integral Reese is to Atlanta's ambitious vision, her worrying levels of efficiency have again reared their head above the parapet. This could cause the franchise significant problems in the coming weeks if Karl Smesko doesn't make a swift tactical tweak.
The Dream has the players to alleviate offensive pressure from Reese
Atlanta is a different animal entirely from Chicago. This is an organisation that is aligned in its thinking, and its recent trade business reflects its high ambition levels. With the Sky, Angel Reese was asked to carry the weight on her shoulders, while Chicago's general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, hoped he would stumble upon a successful formula to take the team into an exciting new era. How did that work out?
The Dream doesn't need to put Reese under such pressure; they have a roster that is more than capable of carrying the offense during a brief period of struggle for the versatile forward.
Over her last four appearances, Reese has averaged 12.5 points and14.8 rebounds, while shooting just 28.3% from the floor. The most worrying aspect of this statistic is that most of Reese's attacking work is done in the paint. If this discussion were centered around a high-volume three-point shooter, then the numbers would be easier to stomach.
There is no doubt that the Dream is a team constructed to allow Alisha Gray and Rhyne Howard to dominate with the ball in their hands. Nevertheless, during Atlanta's 95-91 overtime defeat to the Indiana Fever, Reese attempted three more shots than Howard, despite the former Chicago star's shooting slump.
Angel Reese can be a fine weapon for the Atlanta Dream if used correctly -- especially if her defensive prowess is prioritised. Alisha Gray and Rhyne Howard possess the offensive attributes to carry this team to a championship; they just need a third star alongside them to provide a stable foundation, and Reese is more than capable of doing that.
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