EXCLUSIVE: NBA Analyst Advocates for Aussie ‘Mad Man’ as Strong Contender for Defensive Player of the Year

As we approach the final stretch of the NBA regular season, I’m ready to make a bold statement: Australian guard Dyson Daniels deserves to be crowned Defensive Player of the Year.

The 22-year-old is experiencing a breakout season that’s nothing short of extraordinary, on track to end with 233 steals—potentially a staggering 100 more than MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in second.

This remarkable total would place him 11th on the all-time list for steals in a single season, making it the highest tally recorded in the 21st century.

Daniels will become just the ninth player since steals were first tracked in the 1970s to average over three steals per game throughout a season.

While defence encompasses more than just steals, he has also shattered the previous record for deflections in a season, exceeding it by 100.

His impact on opposing offensive strategies is immense, yet the only factor that might hinder his claim for the award is the fact that he, along with the Atlanta Hawks, is not in the mainstream spotlight.

Veteran Warriors player Draymond Green currently tops the bookmakers’ odds for the title, while Cavs centre Evan Mobley is also in contention.

With Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama out due to injury, the race for the award has opened significantly, and without a clear leading candidate below him, Daniels’ exceptional numbers should serve as a strong deciding factor.

NBA analyst Brett Usher concurs, making a compelling argument for why Daniels should take home the prestigious accolade.

“He’s my pick for Defensive Player of the Year right now. Some of that may stem from my desire to see a guard win it, but he is truly deserving,” Usher stated in an interview with Wide World of Sports.

“I would certainly lean towards Dyson, and I believe he should also be in the conversation for Most Improved Player.

“Steals are critical. They represent turnovers, shifting possession in your team’s favour, and when you watch the footage, these aren’t just fluke steals; he’s putting in the work to make them happen. He’s relentless out there.

“I recall back in November, he was averaging 3.2 steals per game, well ahead of the league, and it felt like he might decline, yet he hasn’t at all.

“He boasts an excellent nickname—the Great Barrier Thief—and he’s absolutely lived up to it. It’s just a cheeky play on words, but exceptional defensive guards act as a great barrier.

“They don’t receive enough recognition, especially given that the history of this award has been overwhelmingly dominated by big men (tall interior defenders) over the past 30 years.

“We’ve had Marcus Smart win in 2022, Gary Payton in 1996, and Michael Jordan before that in 1988. I believe deserving defensive guards should receive more acknowledgement.

“I think Daniels is having one of the finest defensive seasons for a guard I’ve ever witnessed.”

The Aussie guard was named Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for March and shared some insights into his remarkable season.

“Since my junior days back in Australia, my instinct has been to stay a step ahead, reading the ball, and positioning myself in passing lanes,” Daniels told NBA on TNT on Tuesday.

“I prefer to bait opponents into mistakes, playing off them with a quick first step to intercept passes and gain the edge.

“Before every game, I know who my matchup will be. Nowadays, players focus more on drawing fouls and reaching the free throw line, so I’ve had to find ways to keep them out of the paint.

“All these elements I’ve diligently worked on have begun to yield results.”

Usher outlines a strong statistical case for Daniels as the potential Defensive Player of the Year.

“He’s on track to become the first player since Nate McMillan in the 1993-1994 season to average three or more steals per game. In the past 30 years, he’d be the first to achieve this feat,” Usher noted.

“One statistic I found recently is that he’s recorded his 14th game with five or more steals—easily the highest in the NBA, and the most since Chris Paul in the 2010-11 season.

“He’s also logged the most combined steals and blocks for a guard since Dwyane Wade in 2008-2009. It’s not solely about steals; he’s also effective at blocking shots.

“He’s already set the Atlanta Hawks’ record for steals in a single season with several games remaining, which is a significant accomplishment.

“If we’re discussing his DPOY candidacy, that must count for something. Some might dismiss it as just a statistic, but when you watch him play, he’s causing absolute chaos. Opponents have to be exceptionally cautious when he’s on the court.”

Daniels is also among the frontrunners for another NBA accolade—Most Improved Player. This award is typically given to players who make substantial progress, but it’s increasingly favouring top draft picks who meet expectations.

Leading NBA analyst Zach Lowe believes Daniels should take home the award previously won by stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Ja Morant, and Jalen Rose.

“I would place Daniels as the Most Improved Player contender,” Lowe mentioned on The Bill Simmons Podcast on Tuesday.

“Right now, the smart money is on Cade Cunningham. However, in terms of expectations and previous performance, I don’t think anyone has made a leap as significant as Dyson Daniels.”

What’s truly impressive about the season that this Victorian has put together is that he’s still only 22. This marks his arrival in the NBA, and the potential for his continued growth is immense.

“I can foresee him averaging two or more steals per game for the next six to eight years, and I believe he will be consistently mentioned in the All-Defence discussions, health permitting,” Usher added.

“He’s here to stay in that conversation. It’s unbelievable that he’s achieving this at such a young age.”

Daniels’ breakout season has been propelled by several factors aligning perfectly. His trade from New Orleans to Atlanta in the off-season, combined with a season free of major injuries and his experience with the Boomers at the Olympics, where he was relied upon defensively, have all played a role.

“If you perform strongly on the Olympic stage, it usually translates well into the subsequent season,” Usher discussed.

“It seems evident that he’s more confident in his abilities than ever before.

He found himself in a logjam of guards and wings in New Orleans, so he never had a significant opportunity there.

Perhaps he wasn’t ready for that at such a young age, but it’s clear that this trade was perfectly timed for him.

“It’s not only his defence that stands out; his capabilities as a secondary playmaker are often underrated.”

Regardless of whether he clinches Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player, Daniels is mere months away from securing a significant contract in the NBA, and the sky’s the limit for what he can achieve.