Dyson Daniels has been a terrific revelation for the Atlanta Hawks this 2024-25 season.
After leaving the state of affairs the place he fought alongside the Pelicans in New Orleans, Daniels immediately discovered a house within the Atlanta Hawks, establishing his status as probably the most threatening defensive cussed individual round.
Daniels imposed his personal strong defensive stand each night time, along with his immeasurable mixture of size, dimension, IQ and energy. Paired with backcourt franchise star Trey Younger, he’s typically assigned to defend the opposing staff’s greatest offensive wings.
Daniels’ glorious protection has led him to the NBA with the Steals this season, and is more likely to be his greatest since 1991.
He’s now leaning extensively to develop into the winner of this yr’s defensive participant, regardless of his competitors with OKC’s Lu Dort.
Whether or not he wins the award or not, Daniels can be predicted to make one other historic defensive statistic that can put him in a revered firm.
Daniels leads the NBA in whole metal (191) whereas recording 46 blocks this yr from 2024 to 25. Combining these numbers, he’s on the league’s “stolen” leaderboard total.
With a complete of 237 metal and blocks collectively known as “shares,” he is able to develop into the primary guard to guide the class in a single season for the reason that legendary Michael Jordan in 1987-88.
Within the 1987-88 marketing campaign, Jordan not solely was named league MVP, but in addition achieved a person dream season as he gained the honour of Participant of the 12 months.
Taking part in in 82 video games, the Chicago Bulls Nice recorded 3.2 steels and 1.6 blocks per recreation, totaling 390 shares.
At his finish, Daniels already scored 62 video games for the Hawks. With Atlanta’s 14 video games nonetheless on the desk, his numbers will rise additional till the top of the common season this April, banning unlucky accidents which will happen.
There can’t be denied that Victor Wenbanyama’s beautiful season closure as a result of his unimaginable well being has definitely fulfilled the issue within the honor that Daniels might win. Earlier than it went down, the San Antonio Spurs Fenom was a transparent favorite for successful the DPOY Award.
However on the finish of the day, we nonetheless must assess the stellar defensive season Daniels had proven.