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The Atlanta Dream had a tumultuous season in 2021. From locker room arguments leading to season-long suspensions to a parking lot fight involving players on the team posted on YouTube. There was too much drama and not enough wins. It was the first season with Renee Montgomery as their GM too.
The Dream traded up from number three to get the number one pick in the WNBA Draft with the Washington Mystics just days before. They selected Rhyne Howard, who was projected as the top pick for at least the last two seasons. They got an absolute steal in Naz Hillmon, at number 15. Hillmon was projected to be at the very least a top-10 pick.
The Dream re-signed Tiffany Hayes, Monique Billings and brought in veteran point guard Erica Wheeler. Cheyenne Parker had a full off-season to get her body ready for a long season. Nia Coffey was an underrated signing from LA. They all bring energy, leadership, and toughness. Wheeler will bring maturity that the team was lacking, but she is not their answer long term at the guard spot. Aari McDonald didn’t get a lot of opportunities to really make a name for herself last season. With less distractions and less players at her position, she should be poised to break out.
It’s difficult to see what the Dream’s identity and culture are. Are they trying to win? Are they rebuilding? They have a mix of young players and vets, which is normally a good situation. With a new head coach in Tanisha Wright, no one knows what style of basketball they will play. Do you play uptempo with your young guns, or slow it down and try to grind it out with defense and your vets?
Rhyne Howard has the opportunity to be the best player on the team, and relatively soon. She must be ready and willing to take the challenge. She can score efficiently at all three levels, make plays for her teammates, and is great in transition. Her versatility on the defensive end gives her the ability to guard multiple positions. She doesn’t have to do it all right away, but there need to be signs of her realizing her potential and improving each game.
There aren’t high expectations for the Dream this season, but it will be interesting to see how coach Wright implements her style into the league. How do they manage minutes between their young players like Hillmon and Coffey and their vets like Parker? The development of Howard and what decisions are made with the roster will determine the future of this team.
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