NFL
By: Nick Andre
I’m not sure if it is time to panic in Atlanta, Georgia, or not. The Atlanta Dream are currently sitting outside of the playoff race and are nine games under .500. Injuries have prevented this team from building team chemistry and elevating as a playoff contender in the WNBA. Despite the chaos that’s taking place in Atlanta, there have been some positive signs for the Dream over the past recent weeks.
With injuries to Rhyne Howard, Aerial Powers, etc, the Dream had to figure things out. Those are two focal points offensively for Atlanta and their absence was surely felt on the floor. With that being said, the Dream signed Maya Caldwell during the absence of their other wing players. The signing hasn’t resulted in many wins but it’s filled a void of the Dream’s injuries.
Maya Caldwell is a familiar face for the Atlanta Dream organization. She joined the team in 2022 and played in nine games during the season. The WNBA is a cutthroat league that has limited roster spots. Many people get huge opportunities while others have to wait. Caldwell was a player who had to play the waiting game before signing with a WNBA team. During that process, she stayed ready and prepared for a new opportunity.
Caldwell made her debut on June 28 in a win over the Connecticut Sun. In her 12 minutes of action, there were a lot of positive signs from her. Caldwell showed her dynamic as a two-way player. She was able to make plays as well as make key defensive stops. The great part for Caldwell is she played well in lineups next to Allisha Gray, Tina Charles, Nia Coffey, etc. As her season has progressed, she’s continued to build chemistry with her teammates.
Caldwell has continued to impress the Dream. Head coach Tanisha Wright has spoken highly of her in interviews and she appreciates the effort that she brings to the table. Caldwell does whatever is necessary for the team. If they need her to score, she’s capable of putting the ball in the basket. If they need her to be an anchor defensively, she can do that as well. One of Caldwell’s notable performances was scoring 19 points against the Seattle Storm. Not only was she effective as a scorer but as a playmaker as well, running pick and roll with bigs as well as being effective without the basketball.
The Dream are 1-7 since Maya Caldwell joined the team. Through eight games, she’s averaging nine points on 44 percent shooting. As the WNBA season takes a break, the team will await the return of their key players. The question is will Caldwell remain a big piece in the rotation? The answer should be yes. Caldwell alongside other star players in Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, etc can make a big difference for the team. It could potentially spark a turnaround for the Dream, helping them become playoff-bound by the end of the season.
