Dream

Rhyne Howard’s defense in the WNBA Finals deserves WAY more recognition. According to Synergy, Gabby Williams scored just 20 points against Rhyne Howard across 7 games. G1: 2 PTS G2: 5 PTS G3: 0 PTS G4: 6 PTS G5: 2 PTS G6: 0 PTS G7: 5 PTS 📊 2.9 PPG allowed 🔒 2 scoreless games 🔒 4 games allowing 2 or fewer points Rhyne’s impact was much bigger than her shooting percentages. Her defense was a major part of Atlanta’s Finals run.

Rhyne Howard season and post season Regular season: 17.7 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 3.7 APG | 2.3 SPG 55.9% TS | 118.4 ORtg | 102.4 DRtg | +16.0 Net Postseason: 16.3 PPG | 4.8 RPG | 3.1 APG | 2.3 SPG 100.2 ORtg | 94.7 DRtg | +5.5 Net | +44 • All-WNBA Second Team • All-Defensive First Team • Four-time All-Star • WNBA steals leader • 100 steals • 134 made threes • Helped lead Atlanta to Game 7 of the Finals The shooting numbers dipped in the playoffs, but Rhyne’s defense, shot creation, gravity and willingness to take the toughest perimeter assignment never disappeared. Atlanta would not have made this run without her.

🚨 The Atlanta Dream have the pieces to be an elite offense, but their half court execution MUST improve. 2026 Synergy offensive numbers (58 games): ✅ What worked: • Cuts: 1.277 PPP | 79th percentile • Transition: 1.102 PPP | 77th percentile • P&R Ball Handler: 0.852 PPP | 64th percentile 🚨 What needs improvement: • Spot-Ups: 0.907 PPP | 21st percentile • Isolation: 0.857 PPP | 21st percentile • Post Ups: 0.891 PPP | 7th percentile • Putbacks: 1.044 PPP | 14th percentile The biggest concern? SPOT UP OFFENSE. Atlanta used 1,266 spot up possessions but produced just 0.907 PPP with a 45.5% eFG%. Post ups weren’t much better, with a 16.4% turnover rate. Meanwhile, cuts produced 1.277 PPP on 65.0% eFG% with only a 6.3% turnover rate. What needs to change? 1️⃣ More off ball movement, backdoor cuts and weak side action. 2️⃣ Better spacing around Angel Reese to create passing lanes and cleaner catch and shoot opportunities. 3️⃣ More Chicago actions, empty side P&R and second side attacks. 4️⃣ Fewer stagnant isolation possessions and inefficient post ups. 5️⃣ Continue pushing in transition, where Atlanta was already among the more effective offenses. My biggest takeaway: Atlanta doesn’t need to abandon its offensive identity. It needs to become more efficient when the game slows down. The difference between a good offense and a championship level offense is being able to consistently create quality shots against a set defense. That’s where the Dream must take their next step