Right before the regular season, Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko had emphasized Angel Reese as a perfect fit for his team. Now, 16 games into that season, that statement has aged perfectly, and the numbers mirror the same.

Atlanta is currently boasting one of their best records (12-4) in the last four years after 16 games. But Reese is no longer settling for regular-season success, as she feels this Atlanta team has playoff-caliber potential. In her latest appearance on ESPN Today, the Bayou Barbie shed light on the reason behind this mindset.

“Everybody, every game in the locker room is just looking to get better,” Reese said. “We’re competing, even what we’re doing we’re looking at the little things that could have been better and how we can be better for the next game. So, it’s been great, and we have a lot of fun in the locker room. So much energy, it’s contagious. I really like being here with the Atlanta girls.”

Angel Reese’s belief isn’t coming into isolation, though. When you look into that Atlanta roster, there aren’t many weak links that you can point out. To be specific, they have two MVP-caliber backcourt players in Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. While that wasn’t enough, they have a formidable playmaker in Jordin Canada.

Naz Hilmon and Reese are also dictating the frontcourt by their own means. Furthermore, the bond and chemistry these players share, on and off the court, is another positive for the Atlanta Dream this season. Their trust and belief in each other have seen them navigate tough situations and win tightrope games.

Even for a new player like Reese, the team hasn’t compromised on that trust. For instance, after a comeback win over the Phoenix Mercury last month, team veteran Howard explained the team’s confidence in Reese.

“She’s doing all the little things we’ve not done in the past,” she said in a postgame broadcast. “Oftentimes, we would’ve folded, but because of the tenacity that she brings, because of the energy that she brings, we have no choice but to follow her.”

This speaks a lot about the team’s mentality and locker room environment. And to be honest, it isn’t easy to defeat teams like the Minnesota Lynx, the Indiana Fever, or even the Toronto Tempo on the road without that sheer belief. And Atlanta has done that quite convincingly.

Statistically, they are among the best-shaped teams currently. On the one hand, they boast the second-best points per game (90.4), according to WNBA.com. On the other hand, they lead the league in steals (9.4), rank second in rebounds (35.7 per game), and even have a decent defensive rating of 103.7.

Another interesting fact about Atlanta is that they haven’t conceded defeats consecutively. It has prevented Atlanta from losing any momentum in the season, making their end goal even more convincing. Angel Reese and the team have completed half of the season’s blueprint.

They now just need to carry the same identity for the remainder of the season on the court to look eye-to-eye with a fourth straight playoff qualification. And with Reese peaking this season with a new franchise, the Atlanta might even finally break their first-round curse.

Analyst Doubles Down on Angel Reese’s Performance at Atlanta

The Angel Reese trade hasn’t just benefited the Atlanta Dream this season. On an individual level, Reese has tasted similar success. For context, the Atlanta center is currently leading her team in two metrics: rebounds (11.9) and blocks (0.9), as per ESPN.

It has prompted analyst Nakias Duncan to double down on Reese’s peaking performance in a recent conversation.

“It has felt like over the past few weeks, you are really starting to see the blend of one, her just playing better,” Duncan said via the Yahoo! Sports podcast. “But in addition to that, just more comfortable within what Atlanta wants to do, particularly offensively. I have been so enamored with what the drives have looked like for Angel Reese and what Atlanta is able to do off those drives as of late.

“Handle feels a little tighter,” he added. “Pivot feels cleaner. She is continuing to draw an unbelievable amount of fouls.”

Rare off nights might come with every other basketball player. It’s no different for the Atlanta forward as well. She has had to withstand intense criticism after her Las Vegas Aces game, in which she gave away 8 turnovers.

And even in the latest outing against the Toronto Tempo on Monday, Reese had a cold shooting night with just 4 of 13 from the field. But from an overall perspective, there are very few players who boast the quality that she does. After all, she isn’t called a walking double-double for nothing.

Nekias Duncan’s assessment catches that sentiment perfectly. Nevertheless, Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream band keep dominating the season for now. Currently, they also have one of the best records in the league after Monday’s 87-94 win over Toronto. Angel Reese and team travel to the Bay Area next to take on the Golden State Valkyries on June 24 and 27, respectively.