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What’s the subtle difference between “theft” and “steal”? Here’s the breakdown:
Theft: The Atlanta Hawks’ maneuver last summer to acquire Dyson Daniels from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Steal: The remarkable, nightly performances that Daniels delivers for the Hawks.
While these terms typically carry negative implications, within the realm of basketball, Daniels’ exploits this season might as well be deemed illegal.
No one anticipated this level of success—not the team he departed from, nor the one benefitting from his talents, and truthfully, even Daniels himself seemed surprised. He has quietly emerged, much like he stealthily strips the ball from an unsuspecting opponent.
In his third season, after a promising but uneventful beginning to his career, Daniels’ defensive prowess has suddenly made an impact. He’s on track to achieve an average of 3.0 steals per game, a feat not accomplished in over three decades. His contributions also include forced turnovers resulting from his deflections.
At only 22, he is in contention for two prestigious accolades:
Could he be the Kia Defensive Player of the Year? Or the Kia Most Improved Player?
From an age perspective, his eligibility for the latter award stands out (though not the former). Mastering defensive skills in the NBA usually comes with experience. If he wins, he would be the youngest player to take the Defensive Player of the Year title—over three decades since the award was established in 1982-83. The subtleties of defensive gameplay and the discipline required often come later in a player’s career.
Moreover, just eight perimeter players—and only one guard since the 1995-96 season—have won an award typically reserved for interior defenders. As a 6-foot-7 guard, Daniels exemplifies the role of a perimeter defender, covering ground like it’s second nature.
Additionally, Daniels is showcasing his defensive skills during an era dominated by 3-point shooting, which presents far greater challenges compared to two or three decades ago. With so much action occurring beyond the three-point line—screening, isolations, long-range shots—rim protectors face less pressure due to a decline in elite low-post scoring threats.
Furthermore, we find ourselves in a period with diminished physicality. On-ball defenders can’t hand-check or make contact without risk of a foul call, especially aggressive players like Daniels. Offensive players also benefit from leniency that didn’t exist in the past—hesitation dribbles, hop-steps, Eurosteps, and gather steps make defending even more difficult.
To excel as a defender requires a combination of speed, agility, reflexes, and, above all, intelligence. The craft has become an art form, and at present, Daniels stands out among the league’s elite.
Trae Young, Daniels’ All-Star teammate, observes him in practice and games daily, stating:
“Dyson’s the best defender I’ve ever seen in person.”
Anyone who witnessed Daniels during his two years with the Pelicans may have felt a mix of optimism and ambivalence. Sure, he was the No. 8 pick in the 2022 draft, full of potential, but the NBA is rife with such hopefuls who never materialize.
The Pelicans opted for a more experienced guard, leading to a deal with the Hawks for Dejounte Murray—an established ball hawk and the league’s steals leader the previous season. The Hawks had traded significant assets to acquire Murray from the Spurs in 2022 and, in this exchange, received Daniels, lesser players, and two future first-round picks—arguably the most valuable aspect of the deal at that time.
Yet Daniels hit the ground running in Atlanta last fall and hasn’t looked back.
Here are the indisputable facts:
Daniels doesn’t measure success solely by his steal stats.
“I take pride in limiting my man to a 25% shooting night, even if it’s just three steals and one block,” he explained. “That’s a successful outing for me. If my assignment goes off for 30 points at a 65% clip, then I haven’t done my job.”
To illustrate his effectiveness, Donovan Mitchell shot 29%, Jayson Tatum shot 37%, and NBA scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faced a shooting line of 8-for-19 when defended by Daniels, as reported by NBA.com/stats.
Defensive excellence can be assessed in various ways. Accumulating steals may represent risky gambles; lunging for blocks can lead to more fouls, and so forth.
However, the pinnacle of defense, regardless of the method, is preventing the opposing team from scoring, whether through on-ball or help defense.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder, who previously coached four-time winner Rudy Gobert in Utah, recognizes elite talent when he sees it, even though Daniels and Gobert exhibit different defensive styles.
“There are objective metrics to track proficient defenders, such as steals and blocks,” Snyder noted. “But there are also subtler aspects, like navigating screens to keep your man from gaining an advantage in the lane—and those aspects often require careful observation. It’s particularly difficult to assess perimeter defenders since most fans focus on the ball once it approaches the rim; you notice rim protectors more than perimeter defenders.
“In Dyson’s case, his consistency and focus are always present.”
Daniels also engages with the NBA on TNT crew to discuss the nuances of pick-and-roll defense.
He employs a strategy built on patience and seizing opportunities for steals.
“I try to get a sense of their rhythm, how they like to attack, and which direction they prefer to go,” Daniels explained. “This allows me to gauge the right moment to anticipate contact and dislodge the ball. Mastering that timing significantly eases my ability to make the play.”
His standout swipe came against the Grizzlies on March 3, when, with the score tied at 130, he stole the ball from Desmond Bane with just 3.8 seconds remaining. In a brilliant finish, he then assisted Caris LeVert for the game-winning layup at the buzzer.
Snyder remarked that such play was the result of 47 minutes and 56 seconds of strategic preparation.
“Similar to baseball, where a hitter learns more about a pitcher with each at-bat,” Snyder observed. “There comes a moment when a player can anticipate a pitch perfectly and hit a home run.
“With Dyson, he constantly measures his opponent throughout the game; when he recognizes the perfect opportunity, he capitalizes on it. The fact that it was the game’s final possession, combined with what transpired next with the pass, was just incredible. Caris was ready because he anticipated the steal and took off immediately.”
The Grizzlies found it impossible to outmaneuver Daniels, who intercepted the pass and quickly sent it to Caris LeVert for the game-winning buzzer-beater.
Daniels acknowledges the ongoing mental chess match whenever he’s tasked with guarding a particular player.
“The more I can play mind games with them, the more chances I have to make a steal,” he said. “I tend to be more effective against larger opponents, but every player is challenging to dislodge the ball from. Jalen Brunson, for example, has a tight handle, similar to Kyrie [Irving]. They can be difficult to defend; you need to be cautious with those matchups.”
Daniels concurs with the widely held belief in the NBA that “great offense trumps great defense.”
Remarkably, despite being an aggressive player who frequently takes risks, he manages to avoid fouling. Averaging just 2.4 fouls per game, he explains that his approach involves relying more on his body than his hands when the offensive player makes a move toward the basket.
“Fouls not only hurt the player but team fouls can accumulate and potentially alter the game’s outcome,” Snyder said. “This reflects his patience and awareness of the situation, as well as the possible negative implications for the team. There are moments when a defensive play is warranted, and other times when patience and intelligence are key.”
Daniels often sneaks away from his primary defender to execute surprise double-teams, stripping the ball from behind. He has been given full reign to do so when he sees fit.
“I play the odds,” Daniels mentioned. “With an in-bound passer, for instance, I’ll feign disinterest, then quickly spring into action to intercept it, utilizing my length to deflect. I’ve learned to gamble smartly.”
A participant on NBA on TNT, Daniels engages in discussions about his nickname, his defensive style, and more.
He honed his defensive skills at the NBA Academy while growing up in Australia, integrating those fundamentals with his natural anticipatory instincts to evolve into the player we observe today.
The Pelicans initially viewed him favorably, investing a lottery pick on him. Although he was initially displeased with the trade to Atlanta—no one enjoys feeling unwanted—he has since embraced his new role and let go of past grievances.
“I’ve moved on from that,” Daniels assured. “I know I wasn’t playing at my best in New Orleans. I’m providing Atlanta with a performance that’s far better than what I offered them. They acquired Dejounte Murray, an exceptional player. I can appreciate their vision for the team. I’m focused on making the most of my time here.”
The dynamics of the trade favor Atlanta, as Daniels is significantly younger and (currently) more cost-effective. He’s also proving to be just as strong a defender, if not better, while averaging career highs of 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists this season. The draft picks acquired as part of this trade are now an advantageous bonus.
The race for the Kia Defensive Player of the Year this season is competitive, with Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort, Golden State’s Draymond Green, and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley all in the conversation. Daniels respects them all.
He has also noted that many of the leading candidates do not play primarily as rim protectors, which bodes well for perimeter defenders like him.
“Players like Lu Dort and Toumani Camara [from the Trail Blazers] don’t receive sufficient recognition for their on-ball capabilities, forcing tough shots,” he remarked. “Big defenders garner appreciation for intimidating players at the rim, but they benefit from the pressure that perimeter defenders apply.
“It’s a collaborative effort; it’s tough to determine which style is superior. The league is filled with exceptional defenders. I do believe the award has traditionally leaned toward big men, though.”
As is typical when a player elevates their game, Daniels is now subject to more detailed scouting reports, prompting opponents to adjust when facing the Hawks. That’s one downside. Seeking opportunities for steals has become more challenging.
“They’re definitely more aware of my presence now,” Daniels acknowledged. “But perhaps that’s not such a bad thing.”
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, browse his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
