The Atlanta Dream have one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA.
They have star power.
They have size.
They have defense.
They have one of the best coaches in basketball in Karl Smesko.
And they may have assembled the deepest starting lineup in franchise history.
So what’s the biggest concern?
It’s not shooting.
It’s not defense.
It’s not even injuries.
The biggest question facing the Atlanta Dream is whether they can find enough players they trust off the bench.
The Starting Lineup Is Championship-Caliber
When you look at Atlanta’s core group, there isn’t much to complain about.
- Jordin Canada
- Allisha Gray
- Rhyne Howard
- Angel Reese
- Naz Hillmon
- Brionna Jones
This is a group that can compete with anyone in the WNBA.
They can score.
They can defend.
They can rebound.
They can switch defensively.
They can push the pace.
In fact, one of the biggest reasons for Atlanta’s early success is the fact that their starting lineup has been dominant on both ends of the floor.
The problem is what happens when those players need a break.
The Minutes Tell The Story
One stat stands out immediately.
Both Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard are averaging over 30 minutes per game.
Not only are they playing heavy minutes, they’re among the league leaders in minutes played.
That’s great in May.
It’s much more concerning in August and September.
The Dream have championship aspirations.
Championship teams need fresh legs when the playoffs arrive.
You cannot expect your stars to carry that type of workload for an entire season.
Eventually, someone from the bench has to step up.
The Issue Isn’t Talent
This is where I think most people get it wrong.
The issue isn’t that Atlanta lacks talent on the bench.
Actually, I think the opposite is true.
The Dream have assembled one of the more intriguing young groups in the league.
Players like:
- Isobel Borlase
- Madina Okot
- Indya Nivar
- Te-Hina Paopao
- Sika Koné
have all shown flashes.
We’ve seen it in training camp.
We’ve seen it in preseason.
We’ve even seen it in limited regular season action.
The talent is there.
The question is whether the coaching staff trusts them enough to consistently play meaningful minutes.
Trust Is Earned
This is one of the hardest parts of coaching.
Veterans make coaches comfortable.
Young players make mistakes.
Even talented young players.
When games get close, coaches naturally lean toward the players they trust most.
That’s why veterans often see the floor over younger players.
But at some point, the Dream have to develop confidence in their bench.
Not because they want to.
Because they need to.
If Atlanta wants to make a deep playoff run, the rotation cannot be six or seven players.
It needs to be nine or ten.
The Players Who Could Change Everything:
Isobel Borlase:
Borlase may be the most important bench player on the roster.
She has already shown:
- Shot creation
- Playmaking
- Three-level scoring
The more comfortable she becomes, the more likely Atlanta can steal minutes from its starters.
Madina Okot:
Okot’s impact isn’t necessarily scoring.
It’s size.
It’s rebounding.
It’s defense.
She can give the Dream quality frontcourt minutes without forcing Angel Reese or Brionna Jones to carry the entire burden.
Indya Nivar:
Every training camp update seemed to include Indya Nivar.
Why?
Because she keeps making plays.
Her athleticism jumps off the screen.
Her defense is disruptive.
And she brings energy every time she steps on the floor.
At some point, that type of production needs to be showcased on the floor
Sika Koné:
Koné may be the ultimate wildcard.
She gives Atlanta another athletic forward who can defend multiple positions and rebound at a high level.
Those are exactly the types of players playoff teams need.
Why This Matters More Than People Realize
The Dream don’t need another star.
They already have stars.
What they need is confidence in the players behind them.
Because the difference between a good team and a championship team often comes down to the eighth, ninth, and tenth players in the rotation.
Can they survive stretches without their stars?
Can they keep games under control?
Can they provide energy and production when the starters sit?
Those questions will determine Atlanta’s ceiling.
Final Thoughts
The Atlanta Dream’s biggest problem isn’t talent.
It’s trust.
The roster has enough young players to build a legitimate second unit.
The challenge is identifying which players can earn Karl Smesko’s confidence and consistently contribute meaningful minutes.
Because if Atlanta can find three or four bench players they trust, this team becomes even more dangerous.
The stars have already proven they can carry the load.
Now it’s time for the bench to prove it can lighten it.
