The Atlanta Hawks wanted to celebrate the Atlanta Dream’s run to the WNBA Finals, but they may have used the wrong faces to do it. On Friday, Oct. 10, the Hawks shared a poster across their social media accounts, and fans quickly noticed the graphic featured players who are not on the Dream roster.
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The poster featured Angel Reese, Jordin Canada, and Rhyne Howard. However, the Hawks social media team had also included Hawks stars Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
“DREAM ON…TO THE WNBA FINALS,” the caption of the post read.
The Dream reached the WNBA Finals for the fourth time and the first time since 2013. However, an NBA Finals appearance for the Hawks has been well over half a century. The last time they were in the Finals was 65 years ago, in 1961. For some fans, the Hawks have been an underachieving team, and when they got the chance, they were stealing the spotlight.
“Don’t include Hawks players in the Dream accomplishment after how y’all ended last season. Learn from them and strive for a chip. It’s been 58 years since y’all have been ringless in Atlanta,” a fan called out the team.
To clarify, the last time the Hawks won a title was in 1958. It’s been 68 years since they won a ring. The Hawks dominated between 1956 and 1961. During those six years, they reached four NBA Finals, but lost three. All of their Finals matchups came against the Boston Celtics. However, it’s been 58 years since the Hawks moved to Atlanta from St. Louis for the 1968–69 season.
“Get out the graphic; this is not a group project,” a fan commented.
It’s not hard to see why a poster featuring players from both teams would upset fans. The Dream have earned this and are pushing for a first finals win, and they deserve all the attention.
“This is weird. How about the Hawks make it themselves so they can get their own poster?” one fan said.
It has been a tough few years for the Hawks. In the last 10 years, they have missed the playoffs five times, and faced a first-round exit in four of their five playoff appearances. They reached the Conference Finals in 2021.
“u really put two Hawks on a post about the Dream going to the finals??? lmaoooooooo…,” another comment said.
On the other hand, this is the Dream’s fourth Finals appearance since 2010. The Hawks definitely don’t match the Dream in their respective level of success.
“Closest to a Finals graphic y’all will ever be,” tweeted another fan.
The Hawks haven’t reached the Finals since moving to Atlanta. Back when they last appeared in the NBA Finals, they were known as the St. Louis Hawks. As a franchise, they have largely underachieved. In 2015, the Hawks reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 1970. Unfortunately, they were swept by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Atlanta Dream have earned their respect this season. They have been an elite team throughout this season. Angel Reese won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and Rhyne Howard was their year’s steals leader. This team deserves a place of their own on the poster, if the Hawks want to give them props.
“Now why y’all put them guys on this graphic? I want to see the Dream on all your NBA Playoff pics if y’all even make it there, which I doubt you will,” another fan commented.
Both the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream swept their semifinal opponents 3-0 to book their places in the WNBA Finals. Neither franchise has won a title, setting up a compelling seven-game series that will crown a new champion and potentially add a 13th team to the list of WNBA title winners. Game 1 tips off October 17 at Chase Center in San Francisco.