NFL
By: Nick Andre
This is the best that we’ve seen the Atlanta Dream in a long time. Their 5-2 start to the season has fans optimistic about what could be in store for the future. Surely, the coaching change for Atlanta has made a big difference. Head coach Karl Smesko has this team in a great position through their first seven games. However, the biggest difference for the Dream has been the growth of their star players, particularly Allisha Gray.
Players are always expected to come into the best season as better versions of themselves. How can they elevate their game to the next level? How can they become more impactful for their teams? For star players, growth is mandatory when you want to be the best. Each season, WNBA fans have watched Gray improve in each of her first eight WNBA seasons.
Year nine is where Allisha Gray took her game to another level. At this point, she’s a veteran who understands what is at stake with the Atlanta Dream. This is a playoff contender that’s on the rise with high expectations. While Atlanta went through offseason changes, that granted Gray the opportunity to place them in a better position.
What has stood out for Allisha Gray this season is her confidence. The confidence comes from trusting her off-season work and placing it on display this season. It was a great offseason of preparation for Gray. Not only did she put in work in the gyms but also shined at Unrivaled for the Lunar Owls as well. Going through this process was preparation to return to the Dream better than before.
Gray has started the season so well that fans are placing her in the MVP race. She’s competing with high competition like A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier as the clear-cut favorite. However, Gray is slowly inserting herself into the conversation. She’s averaging a career-high 21.4 points along with 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists. She’s currently fourth in points per game as she’s scored 20+ points in four of the first eight games. Because of Gray’s strong start, the Dream are 5-3 in their first eight games, which is the team’s best start in years.
One of the standout performances from Allisha Gray took place in Sunnyside Los Angeles. As the Dream took on the Sparks, it was a great way for them to set the tone for a road trip. Gray was assertive from the beginning by finding ways to score inside alongside shooting efficiently from three. She led the way for Atlanta with 25 points on a terrific 87% shooting, leading the way to an 88-82 victory.
The season is still young. Teams are still trying to find their footing and make a run during the middle of the season. After a great start to the season, how will the Atlanta Dream continue to sustain their success? Can they possibly grab homecourt advantage during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs? Anything is possible for this team. As Allisha Gray continues to play at a high level, expect more success from the Dream this season.
