ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream have a conundrum to fix and not enough time. There are five players for two roster spots.
That’s not uncommon in the WNBA. It happens every year, even with roster expansion. Inevitably, there’s someone who’s going to get cut despite their clear level of talent.
“It’s tough. They only get a few days to show what they’re capable of doing,” head coach Karl Smesko said. “This is the [WNBA]. Some of these decisions have to be made relatively quickly.”
For the Dream, they have to evaluate veterans Maya Caldwell, Haley Jones and rookies Shyanne Sellers, Taylor Thierry and Te-Hina Paopao on a quick turnaround before the season kicks off May 16. In Smesko’s new system, players need to be able to run the floor, be versatile and excel in quick decision-making.
Still, on Saturday, one guard stood out above the rest who might be on the fringe.
Te-Hina Paopao.
“Pao’s a shooter, of course,” guard Allisha Gray before an 81-76 preseason loss against the Indiana Fever.
However, Paopao was more than a shooter against the Fever. As the first guard off the bench, she automatic offense, a presence and a willing defender. She had 11 points in 10 minutes in the first half, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the 3-point line. Paopao also had a block against guard Lexie Hull.
Her defining moment (and one that likely secured her roster spot) against the Fever came when she unfortunately was subject to a signature step-back 3-ball from Clark. Many young guards might not have recovered from that kind of prowess right in their face, but Paopao didn’t flinch.
A few plays later, she stepped forward, stepped back — gathered herself — and launched her own 3-ball. That shot, said more than an entire camp’s worth of practices and even some quality minutes against the Washington Mystics earlier this week. It said Paopao was ready for the moment, in case that was even remotely unclear before now.
“I was kinda mad that [Caitlin Clark] scored that three on me,” Paopao later revealed with a clever smile. “I knew I had to get my lick back, and that’s what I did. So, I appreciate my teammates understanding that.”
Truthfully, Paopao had a really strong case to make Atlanta’s roster before now. She’s been the best rookie during Dream training camp, and it hasn’t been close. What’s more, multiple players across Atlanta’s roster have sung her praises recently, and it’s not hard to see why. Paopao’s made it so easy for them to root for her.
“She’s not a rookie,” veteran Shatori Walker Kimbrough said. “Her poise and her confidence — she doesn’t give rookie at all. She’s been very consistent in training camp. So, I’m not surprised because I’ve seen it every single day.”
Smesko also sang the young guards praises, too, when reflecting about Saturday’s action.
“I thought she really competed on the defensive end,” Atlanta’s head coach explained. “I thought she rose to the occasion … She’s fearless. She goes in there and she’s ready. She’s played in as big a games as there are in the college game. So, this doesn’t bother her. She’s excited about this opportunity and making the most of it.”
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