While most of the NBA spotlight stays locked on scorers and shooters, Dyson Daniels is quietly turning defense into his own kind of headline.
The 21-year-old Australian just became the youngest player in NBA history to rack up 200 steals in a season – passing Magic Johnson’s mark from the early ’80s.
He also finished the regular season averaging a league-best 3.01 steals per game. Not bad for a kid most fans couldn’t pick out of a lineup a year ago.
“Defense wins games. That’s how I was raised on the court,” Daniels said. “I take pride in making things tough — real tough — for whoever I’m guarding.”
He’s earned the nickname ‘The Great Barrier Thief’, and it’s not just a meme. Coaches have started building game plans around avoiding him.
“He’s a wrecking ball,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said earlier this season. “You have to account for him at all times.”
And yet, somehow he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year.
That honor went to Evan Mobley, sparking debate all over NBA Twitter (although he did finish second in DPOY official voting).
“Robbery,” one fan posted. “The guy’s leading the league in steals and can guard 1 through 4. What more do they want?”
Daniels kept it classy. “I just want to keep getting better,” he said. “Awards are cool, but I’m here to help my team win. That’s it.”
He didn’t come away from the season empty-handed though. Daniels was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player, a sign that the league is paying attention.
He was also named in the All-NBA Defensive First Team this week, an impressive feat for the young athlete.
“Dyson Daniels is coming,” another fan tweeted. “And he’s taking your lunch.”
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