Daniels No1 in steals through 25 NBA games

• Points per game: 13.7 (82nd)
• Rebounds per game: 4.9 (91st)
• Assists: 3.3 (79th)
• FG% 44.9 (89th)
• Steals per game: 3.2 (1st)

Australian guard and Boomers starter Dyson Daniels, in his third NBA season and first with the Atlanta Hawks (13-12) , has been showcasing his potential as a versatile, career guard and elite defender.

In December, Dyson is averaging an extraordinary four steals per game: Denver (5); Lakers (4); Milwaukee (3); and New Orleans (4). He has one of the best sets of hands in the league.

But through the 2024-25 season so far, Daniels has displayed a mix of promising performances and areas needing improvement, indicative of a young player still honing his skills. Below is a detailed breakdown of his contributions and areas of growth.

Strengths

1. Scoring Versatility
   • Average PPG: 13.7
   • Daniels has emerged as a reliable scoring option for the Hawks. He has shown the ability to create his own shots, particularly when attacking the rim, and has stepped up in games where the team needed offensive contributions.
   • Standout Performance: On November 13 against Boston, Daniels scored 28 points, shooting 57.1% from the field, demonstrating his potential as a dynamic scorer when he's got it going.
2. Rebounding
   • Average RPG: 4.9
   • As a guard, Daniels' rebounding numbers are above average. His ability to contribute on the boards, particularly on the defensive end, is a valuable asset for the Hawks' transition game.
3. Defensive Hustle
   • Steals Per Game: 3.2
   • Daniels has shown an exceptional knack for disrupting passing lanes, ranking No1 in the NBA in steals at 73. His defensive instincts have often sparked fast breaks and provided critical stops.
4. Work Ethic and Energy
   • Daniels consistently logs heavy minutes (33.7 MPG), indicating the coaching staff's trust in ability to play on both ends of the floor.

Areas for Improvement

1. Shooting Efficiency
   • Field Goal Percentage: 44.9%
   • Three-Point Percentage: 30.4%
   • While Daniels is scoring in double digits, his shooting efficiency, especially from three-point range, is a concern. He's only 30.4% from deep on 28-from-92, so there’s significant room for growth in his perimeter shooting.
2. Turnovers
   • Turnovers Per Game: 1.8
   • Daniels' ball security given he averages more than 33 minutes per game is solid for a guard. Turnovers are never great but just under two per game isn't an anomaly.
3. Free-Throw Shooting
   • FT Percentage: 64.9%
   • Improving his free-throw percentage is crucial, as it limits his effectiveness late in close games and undermines his scoring opportunities when driving to the basket. Dyson is 24-of-37 from the charity strip and if he made close to 100% his scoring average isn't 13.7, it's above 14.
4. Consistency
   • Daniels has fluctuated between standout performances (e.g., 28 points against Boston) and quieter outings (e.g., 6 points against New York on 18.8% shooting). Developing consistency will make him a more dependable presence in the lineup.

In Conclusion

Dyson Daniels is having a very solid season, highlighted by moments of brilliance and promising two-way play. At 21 years old, he has time to refine his ability to shoot the ball from the field, improve his free-throw percentage. If Daniels can achieve greater consistency, he has the potential to become a cornerstone player for the Hawks.

Grade: A-

Daniels is trending positively but has clear areas to refine. The fact he is the NBA steals leader through the first two months of the season is truly exceptional. His continued development — and gathering of experience — during the rest of will be critical in determining his growing ceiling as an NBA guard and Australian Boomers superstar.

About the Author

Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 30-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early 80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback. Any email feedback on articles sent to Peter can be published on basketball.com.au for others to read.