The stage is set for the last fight for ultimate glory. On one side stands the Atlanta Dream, a team with the biggest defensive star in the league, aided by a group of elite wing defenders and scorers. On the other side is a team with a group of players who care least about personal glory. You don’t fear one Valkyrie, but all of them because that’s how they have survived this long in the playoffs.
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However, the Golden State Valkyries are now facing the best team in this playoff. To win will take more than what they could put on the floor in the first two playoff series. According to Seattle Storm guard Flau’jae Johnson, the Valkyries are missing a go-to player that could give them a clear-cut edge against the Dream.
“They need that go-to killer. I feel like they don’t have that,” Johnson said on Sue Bird’s podcast on YouTube. “If we see the Gabby Williams that we saw at the FIBA World Cup, how she was taking over, then I’m like, ‘Okay.’ But I feel like they play so much like a team. But who’s going to have that takeover factor like when it’s time to [win] like Kyrie [Irving] and [LeBron James] in the NBA Finals.”
The Valkyries’ depth has been paramount in their success during these playoff games. They were able to sweep the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, an outcome that many didn’t expect.
Johnson is right. Golden State indeed doesn’t have a player who could take over the game when it is needed. They have the best bench in the entire league, averaging 32.3 points in six games during these playoffs. They don’t have a player who is regularly expected to lead them from the front. But they also trust their depth and know that someone among them will become the ultimate headache for the opposing team’s defense.
In Game 1 of the semifinals, Gabby Williams led the charge on offense. In Game 2, while Williams struggled to find her rhythm, veteran Tiffany Hayes led the team in scoring despite coming off the bench. The Valkyries won Game 3 against the Aces to complete the sweep, and this time it was Kayla Thornton who was their best scorer.. Four Valkyries scored in double digits in the win.
But Johnson still believes that the Dream will overpower the Western Conference team.
“I gotta go to the Dream. You know, it’s my home state. I ain’t going against the home state. I’m a Georgia baby through and through. You know, my former teammate on that team,” the former LSU star added.
Johnson was teammates with Angel Reese at LSU. They won the 2023 NCAA title.
Flau’jae Johnson points out Atlanta’s biggest strength in overcoming the Liberty
After being swept by the Dream, Breanna Stewart gave major props to the Dream, applauding their team chemistry and defense.
“Defense wins championships. It’s true,” she said during the post-game conference.
Flau’jae Johnson echoes Stewart’s assessment. During the same interview, Johnson told Sue Bird that it was Dream’s defense that won them the series.
“I think defense is the number one thing. I think Breanna Stewart said it in the press conference: defense really wins championships, and she knows that coming from UConn. But if you take advantage of those mismatches, and you take advantage of those mistakes that they make, especially on the defensive end, it’s going to be easier. You make them take tougher shots,” the Storm guard said.
The Dream has some of the best defenders in the league, paired with the WNBA’s best rebounder. Their defensive energy was on full display during the regular season, and now, they have been dominating both ends in this playoff. Atlanta has the best defensive and offensive rating after two playoff series.
“I think Atlanta, they got the defensive player of the year…It’s not a facade. That energy is coming…I think overall like the defense was the main factor in that matchup for sure,” Johnson further added.
Atlanta has had the best starting lineup in this playoff. However, when they meet the Valkyries in the Finals, they will be tested on both ends. The Dream have a weaker bench that averages only 16.2 points per game, half of what the Valkyries bench produces.
If Allisha Gray doesn’t return for the Finals, the Dream’s lineup will be massively compromised. A further challenge from the Valkyries on the defensive end will make things tougher for Atlanta.