A stunning thought hit me as the Indiana Fever handled one run after another by the explosive Atlanta Dream in their season opener.

The Fever can score.

I mean, really score.

They might actually score better than they defend.

Huh?

In a game against one of the WNBA’s more up-tempo teams, the Fever didn’t win by playing the shutdown defense they’ve become known for. They won by lighting up the scoreboard. Indiana 92, Atlanta 84. As my 6-year-old son said, ˜They scored 92 and there’s only 10-minute quarters?’

Yes, Elias, it was impressive.

It’s only one game, and who’s to say it won’t go back to ˜normal’ on Friday against Chicago. We might see the old-school Fever, slogging their way through, beating the Sky into submission and making just enough shots to win.

Probably not, because the Fever have changed.

For good.

Indiana scored more than 92 points just once all of last season, so the way the Fever won last Saturday was refreshingly different, if nothing else. If something more, it is an indicator of something the Eastern Conference might not be ready for. Nothing about Indiana’s lineup suggests the outburst was a fluke or that Indiana might not be among the league’s most potent offensive teams this season.

Here’s why.

-Depth. Everyone on the roster plays, and everyone on the roster can score. Seriously. Everyone who put on a uniform in the opener scored, and there was no garbage time to skew the stats. The reserves, Sasha Goodlett, Briann January, Erlana Larkins, Jeanette Pohlen and Roneeka Hodges, combined to outscore Atlanta’s reserves 24-13.

-January doesn’t even start. That may change, but a player who Dunn said was becoming one of the league’s best point guards at this point last season is coming off the bench. Part of that may be due to her recovery from a torn ACL. Part of that may be due to Erin Philips’ hold on the job. After all, Phillips led the Fever to the Eastern Conference finals. Either way, that’s a deadly force coming off the bench, the equivalent of a James Harden or Manu Ginobili in the men’s game.

-Catchings’move to power forward. It’s a stroke of genius by Dunn. Catchings has always had the physical strength to play the position, and she played it in college. Because Catchings has point guard skills, the possibilities on fast breaks are endless. Catchings’ rebound numbers will go up, giving her more opportunities to key fast breaks. Imagine her coming out of the blocks after a long rebound, with three people who can handle the ball around her. Catchings on the fast break in the women’s game is similar to LeBron James in the men’s game – a train that won’t be stopped. Plus, most power forwards will be unwilling and unable to chase her around. They’ll be dragging by the third quarter.

-Katie Douglas. Douglas is such a dangerous scorer that you have to put a top-notch perimeter defender on her. That leads to the next point

-Shavonte Zellous. The shooting guard is so athletic that teams will actually have to consider if their top perimeter defender should chase Zellous or Douglas. If you put your top defender on Douglas, Zellous is good enough to make you pay. She’s a taller, more explosive version of Tan White who makes fewer mistakes.

Finally..

Jessica Davenport is still getting better. She shot just 4-for-13 in the opener but had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Her presence is enough to change opponents’ game plans. Her three blocked shots and dominance on the boards more than made up for the shooting, and she’s too skilled a shooter to have many off nights.

Remember back when the offense was Catch and four other people. Now Dunn can’t even get all her scorers enough minutes. Jeanette Pohlen led the league in 3-point percentage last season as a rookie, yet the Fever are so deep this season that Dunn could only find 13 minutes for her against Atlanta.

On top of the depth, the Fever have versatility. Much like the Indiana Pacers, co-tenants of the Fieldhouse, the Fever can dramatically shift lineups for specific matchups. It’s a lot to deal with.

So, for the die-hards who have followed the Fever through the rough-and-tumble days of 65-62 games, get ready. This team will still defend, but there will be running, gunning, more fun, and probably more wins. As long as everyone is healthy.