Australian Dyson Daniels is preparing for an NBA playoff series against Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Atlanta guard, known as the “Great Barrier Thief”, is set to play a key role in the marquee match-up.
Daniels and the Hawks finished the season strongly, making them a potential dark horse as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Daniels’ Playoff Opportunity
Daniels, who had a taste of the playoffs two years ago with New Orleans, is now a key protagonist. “It’s going to be fun, it’s going be a lot, the Garden’s going to be popping,” he says. “But these kinds of opportunities you live for and you dream for, and the only way to prepare for it, really, is to just trust your work, trust yourself.”
Since trading All-Star guard Trae Young in January, the Hawks have improved, led by Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
After his part in the team’s 28-win, 15-loss run to end the season, Daniels has the potential to influence the playoff series.
A week ago, Daniels recorded a triple double – his second career one – in a win against the Cavaliers.
Team Chemistry Fuels the Hawks
“There was a point in the season where we were struggling a little bit, we were losing games, but we always believed in each other, we trusted the coaches,” Daniels says.
“We played the same way the whole year, just once we started to gel and the chemistry started to come together, it really started clicking, and guys figured out their roles more and were able to flip the script and get wins going.”
Daniels’ Evolving Role
Daniels received the NBA’s most improved player award last season thanks to his capable offence and relentless defence, but his contribution has since evolved.
Daniels is still often the primary defender on the opposition’s point of attack, but the addition of Alexander-Walker has reduced his defensive workload.
Though he is still second in the league for steals, his rate has dropped from three per game to an average of two.
Daniels’ three-point shooting accuracy has also sagged from last year’s moderate 34%, to 19% this year.
Two months ago, he had more air-balls than makes from outside the arc.
However, his steady all-round development is evident. He has become a lethal transition player, thanks to his speed, rebounding and inside finishing, and his half-court smarts give the Hawks a flow they otherwise lack.
His two-point field goal percentage is 58% – higher than snipers such as Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard – thanks to a large volume of finishes at the rim.
Daniels may not have the touch of the league’s finesse shooters, but he has found a way to contribute on offe