Dyson Daniels‘ arrival in Atlanta has given the Hawks something they have never had— a defensive mastermind.
At just 21 years old, he has risen to the top of the defensive leaderboards, leading the league in steals with 3.0 per game. His physical features are unique: He stands at 6 feet 7 inches and has a 6-foot-11 wingspan as a guard. His defensive reputation and Australian nationality inspired teammate Larry Nance Jr. to bestow the nickname “The Great Barrier Thief.”
Fans have embraced it, and his nightly efforts have inspired the entire team to improve their defense in just a few months after struggling for the last three seasons. After their impressive 119-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on December 4, Bogdan Bogdanovic accredited Daniels as the main reason for the Hawks’ improvement on the perimeter.
Inspired by the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month to a career-high five steals. pic.twitter.com/CRuiZmVUlG
— Hawks On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Hawks) December 5, 2024
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, he currently sits at +850 (tied for fourth place) to win Most Improved Player. The Hawks’ system has allowed Daniels’ skill set to take center stage after he played behind numerous guards during his tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans. More minutes have forced him to delve deeper into his arsenal as a basketball player, and in doing so, he has showcased excellent two-way potential.
Even though he is not known for his offense, he makes quick, high-IQ decisions with the ball. During the Emirates NBA Cup opener against the Boston Celtics, he shined with a career-high 28 points, seven assists and six steals. It was one of his many stellar defensive performances after accumulating 73 steals and 22 blocks in the first 24 games, replicating Michael Jordan‘s stats from the 1988-89 season.
He is already considered an All-NBA caliber defender and will be the first in Hawk in franchise history to accomplish the achievement in over 20 years if selected.
How Acquiring Dyson Daniels Saved The Trae Young Era
His new role in Atlanta has helped him blossom into a breakout star, and their future has become much brighter with Daniels on the roster. Signing him to a long-term deal would ensure the progression of their team’s defense for years to come. He is eligible for an extension in the summer of 2026 and is worth at least $100 million based on potential.
Landry Fields and the front office have done an excellent job extending the players necessary to form a championship core around Trae Young. Bogdanovic, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and De’Andre Hunter have already agreed to four-to-five-year extensions. No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher is currently averaging 10.7 points after starting 29 out of 31 games.
All six players complement Young nicely, and his potential as a generational playmaker is finally coming to fruition because of his new supporting cast. He leads the league with 12.1 assists per contest.
Playing alongside Young has done wonders for Daniels. The young Australian has doubled his scoring average from last season, going from 5.8 points to 13.0. In three short months, they have developed great on-court chemistry, and their unique backcourt pairing has already proven to be an issue for teams.
The pair shined in their recent 117-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-14) on December 23. Daniels finished with 10 points, four assists, eight steals (a career-high), and two blocks, with a +16. Young finished with 29 points, seven assists, and two steals. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch described the difficulties both caused the Timberwolves, who have had a rocky season thus far.
“Trae Young creates a lot of problems, and he is a really good closer. He hurt us on a couple of blown switches. He got to the free-throw line at a high level, and Daniels was a problem all night,” Finch said. “Whether it was getting through screens or getting his hand on the ball.”
Neither player has hit their prime yet, especially Daniels. He was recognized as the Eastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month for October and November and has the potential to become a Defensive Player of the Year, which is very difficult as a guard. The last guard to claim the award was Marcus Smart during the 2021-22 season, 26 years after NBA Legend Gary Payton won it in 1996.
The Hawks have 50 games left in the season, and the world will continue to witness the rise of the Great Barrier Thief.
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