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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > May > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDream has potential to be a hit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Dream was in the pulsating midst of a 29-5 run when WNBA president Donna Orender clapped a writer on the back and said, “Pretty good action, huh?”
Let the record reflect that this particular writer, 30 years on the job, had never before been clapped on the back by a league president. Let the record also reflect that Orender wasn’t kidding.
This was pretty good.
There are people who don’t think women’s basketball will fly in a market that hasn’t been overly friendly to the men’s game. And maybe, over the fullness of time, the Dream will indeed die the death of disinterest. But there was nothing blasé about its home opener Friday night, a loud and vibrant affair that was anything but genteel.
“Girls are more physical than guys,” said the Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, watching from the same front-row seat he occupies at Hawks games. “Women have no fear. Look at how many times they hit they floor, and they never complain.”
With a nod toward the visiting bench, where the odious Bill Laimbeer was coaching the Detroit Shock and the objectionable Rick Mahorn was assisting, Wilkins said of his erstwhile nemeses: “They do all the complaining.”
This isn’t basketball played for giggles, this WNBA. This is serious stuff, and we as a city are the better for its arrival. Said Orender, speaking of the league’s feeling when Atlantans petitioned for admission: “We thought, ‘How can we not have been there earlier?’ Atlanta has the demographics and the sensibility. It’s the top television market for the WNBA.”
Who would have guessed? And who would have guessed that, in its initial regular-season home game, the expansion Dream would scare the trousers off the amply upholstered Laimbeer and Mahorn?
(Eyeing Mahorn’s voluminous haberdashery, Wilkins said: “That’s a lot of pants.”)
The Dream led by 18 points in the second quarter and by 13 at the half, and the gathering at Philips Arena — the lower bowl was nearly full, with three-quarters of the upper deck being curtained off — was making a joyous noise. Maybe those three raucous games in the Hawks-Celtics series transformed this formerly sedate building. Or maybe, as Orender averred, there really is a genuine local zest for this product.
“Interest in the WNBA in the Southeast is unbelievable,” the president said. And then: “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think we were in it for the long haul.”
The throng was announced as a sellout of 10,185, and that development took even the ambitious women of the Dream by delight. Said Ivory Latta, who closed the first quarter with an outrageous runner, “The crowd was amazing … It’s what I envisioned every single night.”
The result itself wasn’t so memorable — the Shock pulled away late, to the conspicuous glee of Coaches McFilthy and McNasty — but the effort was terrific. The Dream played as if it was out to show a new audience something worth coming back to see, and much was.
Betty Lennox made driving bankers reminiscent of Wilkins himself. Sub Erika DeSouza (18 rebounds) was immense underneath. Camille Little, whose boyfriend is the Hawks’ Marvin Williams, played this second quarter the same forceful way her significant other performed in the epic Game 6 against Boston. Technically a 12-point loss, it was in every way that mattered a winning home debut.
“We’re not done yet,” said Dream coach Marynell Meadors. “We’re going to be a pretty good team. Just let us get a chance to learn.”
Said Orender, addressing the addition of Atlanta as a market: “I’m excited beyong measure. It’s exciting to see a dream and help live a dream.”
On this inaugural night, it was indeed exciting to see the Dream, upper case. In the days and years to come, it will be intriguing to watch the Dream grow.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: dream
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Comments
By Tamera Young Fan
May 23, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
It was a terrific night save for the loss. Many people in this city are ready and willing to support this franchise. Let’s watch the Dream grow together!
By MannyT
May 24, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
It’s different, but it is a good option for the summer months.
The game was enjoyable. I do think they need an Air Cannon. Those t-shirts pretty much stayed in the first 10 rows when the cheerleaders threw them.
I hope the fan support will keep the Dream alive for many years.
By Ted Striker
May 24, 2008 5:09 AM | Link to this
They nixed use of the air cannon when Dream cheerleaders kept pointing it at Laimbeer and Mahorn in shootaround.
By tinheart
May 24, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
I was laughing like a madman when the Dream were leading the Shock by 18. Of course, it wasn’t mean to last.
If you think the fan support for this game was insane, I dread thinking of how much more crazy it’s gonna be when the Sparks show up on Sunday.
By ronald
May 24, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
you know it’s good that we have another pro team but the problem is that every time we get the worng people to run them like the coach and GM you when you trying to get thing together you want your duck in order and doing the draft and signing player she did’nt know you always want the best player she pass on that she remind me of Billy Knight I just hope that they get it together we love our sports team but they alway goes about getting it together the worng way
By High Pockets
May 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Mark, Thanks for the encouraging story on the Dream. On another matter, looking at your photo, and taking you at your word that you’ve been a journalist for 30 years, you’re looking pretty good for someone 51 years old! Un huh…….
By Mark Bradley
May 24, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry to say that the picture is a bit behind grim reality. A lot more gray hair now. But thanks nonetheless.
By titie9guy
May 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
We will post a link to this story at title9guy.com Consider this another slap on the back.
By Ted Striker
May 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Hey, Bradley — don’t worry about explaining the pic. Word is TMZ has some “interesting photos” of you and Paris Hilton hitting the internet in a few hours
By dougmo
May 25, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
When do these nags run the Belmont?
By Don Imus
May 26, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this
I thought the team looked EXCELLENT.
By Roddy White
May 26, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this
I would feel very comfortable playing on the Dream roster.