Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko coined 'ATLs' years ago for quality shots, an acronym that now matches Atlanta's three-letter code.
Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko has long used a shot-quality framework he calls "ATLs" that now happens to share its name with the city he coaches in.
The Dream improved to 2-0 with a 77-72 win over the Dallas Wings on Tuesday at College Park Center.
Smesko explained the acronym during his post-game press conference following Tuesday's win.
"ATLs are just what I've always called quality shots — the best shots that we can get. ATL stands for above the line. We put a line on it: you get a layup, you get a wide-open three where we're on balance, those are ATLs for us. We want to see how many of those we can get. I've called them that for a long time; it's just kind of a coincidence that it's also Atlanta, ATL, so that worked out perfect," Smesko said.
The Dream shot 37.7% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range in Tuesday's win. They went 16-of-17 (94.1%) from the free-throw line and outrebounded the Wings 44-34.
Dream point guard Jordin Canada referenced the ATL system when discussing how the team addresses offensive lulls.
"Coach talks about ATLs and getting ATLs all the time — whether it's a three or a layup — and just executing properly. So when we do have those lulls, which we want to minimize, we just kind of have to huddle up together and understand that we need to get better shots and better options," Canada said.
Smesko spent more than two decades as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University before taking the Dream job. His FGCU teams led NCAA Division I in three-point attempts in multiple seasons.
The Dream went 9-of-33 from three-point range against Dallas, with the bulk of their offensive production coming from inside the arc and at the free-throw line.
Allisha Gray led the Dream with 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting. Canada added 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 20 points and Paige Bueckers added 15. Dallas fell to 1-1.
The Dream next host the Las Vegas Aces.
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