Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, in his third NBA season, is becoming known for his offensive breakout. However, he sees himself primarily as a defensive player.
“I like to see myself as a defensive playmaker—a guy that makes plays on the defensive end,” Daniels told Leigh Ellis, via HoopsHype. “Whether it’s steals on the ball, steals off the ball, or deflections, it all goes into defensive playmaking.”
For Daniels, defense has always been an integral part of his game. He describes his defensive style as making timely gambles, similar to a shooter taking a shot.
“Think of it like a shooting percentage—you’re not going to get every steal, but when you do, it’s almost a guaranteed two points,” he explained.
The third-year guard is proud of the growth in his defensive playmaking abilities this season. “I think I’m making the right gambles this year, and my coaches have full trust in me to go out and make plays,” he said. “That’s how I’ve grown into my role in the NBA, and as long as the percentages work, I’ll keep going for them.”
While his defensive prowess stands out, Daniels is also having a career-best season offensively. He is averaging 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 3.1 assists in 33.9 minutes per game.
This represents a significant improvement over the 2023-24 season, where he averaged just 5.8 points and 2.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Daniels’ leap in both offensive and defensive productivity has been a key factor for the Hawks this season. His ability to contribute on both ends of the floor has earned him increased minutes and trust from his coaching staff.
