Game starts on Wednesday, Hawks guard Dyson Daniels' has 31 more deflections (76 total) and 15 more steals (36 total) than any other NBA player, establishing himself as one of the league's best defenders. He also does well offensively, averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game on 46.9% shooting.
As Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Details: Daniels' breakout third season has the Hawks returning this summer Dejounte Murray Trade always look better.
“Coming here was just so good for his confidence, both offensively and defensively.” said teammate Larry Nance Jr.who was traded with Daniels from New Orleans to Atlanta. “He's taking a few more risks now and obviously they're paying off. So I really couldn’t be happier for a man who is so deserving of the praise and opportunity he’s been given.”
While Nance suggested Daniels had an increased willingness to take risks on defense, head coach said Quin Snyder made it clear that the third-year guard's impressive defensive numbers aren't just a result of him taking more risks that could hurt the Hawks if they backfire.
“What strikes me about this is that so many bargains usually come from playing.” Snyder said. “You take yourself out of a play. And he rarely withdraws from the piece. He may not steal the ball, but he's still in position. He expected that. He's just so focused. And it's unusual. It’s not a given that he brings it with him every evening.”
We have more from the Southeast:
- Before the season, heat president Pat Riley challenged The four best players on his team are the best versions of themselves. Tyler Herro is so far the only one who has mastered this challenge Barry Jackson of the Miami Heraldwho named the former Sixth Man of the Year as Miami's first-month MVP after he scored 40 points in a loss to Detroit on Tuesday. “He’s having a hell of a year.” teammate Bam Adebayo said. “He deserves that All-Star nod. We pushed him for three or four years to get that nod. He’s healthy, plays at his own pace, makes decisions, makes plays.”
- Head coach Erik Spoelstra On Tuesday, Detroit took the blame for the overtime loss after attempting to call a timeout heat didn't score in the final seconds of the game, allowing the Pistons to make a game-winning technical free throw. “There’s really no excuse for this.” Spoelstra said (story via The Associated Press). “I've been here for 17 years. We had talked about it in the group, I knew we had nothing. I just got emotional and reactive and ended up making a terrible mistake there. It's a shame.”
- After the start Tidjane Salaün instead mile bridges for the Hornets' The first two games after Bridges was diagnosed Knee bone bruiseHead coach Charles Lee turned to instead Grant Williams will take Bridges' place on Tuesday, writes Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer. Still, Salaün played about as many minutes off the bench as he did in the starting lineup, and Lee said he was encouraged by the progress he had seen from the 19-year-old. The Hornets coach noted that the speed of the game, the language barrier and learning a new system and terminology all presented challenges for Salaun, but Lee believes the rookie forward is becoming more comfortable. “He just gets better with more reps, which makes sense for young guys.” Lee said. “…I love his energy and effort and the competitiveness with which he plays every time he’s on the floor.”
