November 17th, 2024
In America, the desire for instant gratification has grown over the years. Rather than working for perhaps years, the quick fix has become more of the targeted norm. So many players at college and pro levels want big compensation (NIL, now salary, etc.) before they scored their first baskets or secured their initial rebounds. In a somewhat similar way, WNBA franchises continue to yearn for the quick fix (fire the coach for starters) rather than planning for the long haul. Win this year or be replaced is a sadly unspoken refrain! Just look at the changes in WNBA leadership (6 head coaches axed) since the end of the 2024 season and a seventh (Stephanie White) has just changed teams.
The presentation will start with some comments on what it takes to win a WNBA title. Then we will dive into matters focusing on the Atlanta Dream (the franchise I am geographically located closed to). In turn the Atlanta sports market, venue needs of the franchise, ownership, fan interest, Dream post-season results over the years, coaching changes, draft history, player personnel moves, possible effects to the Dream with the upcoming expansion draft, and finally noteworthy Dream stats team and individual will be discussed.
Winning a title in the WNBA takes:
1. Luck to be bad in the right years to get top draft picks and then get a quality lottery pick.
2. The ability to attract prime free agents (there are perhaps 10 players you can build a championship team around and these individuals change as they mature and then move past their prime).
3. Conversely, the ability to hold on to your key players in an era when the grass often looks green (as in more compensation) in another city.
4. Finding the right role players to fill in the cracks without expending too much capital.
5. Avoiding injuries to key players. That has ruined many potentially successful WNBA seasons
You will notice #1 and #5 have a great deal of luck to each and overall building a winner usually takes time (and often some pain of failing along the road to victory lane)!
