'Shot Doctors' helping Aussie backcourt duo

Dyson Daniels presented an opportunity the New Orleans Pelicans couldn’t resist after graduating from the G-League’s Ignite in 2022.

An elite defensive guard who filled up the box score in the G-League, with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, and nearly two steals and a block per game.

With the roster already featuring elite scorers in Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, scoring was not high on their draft board as they debated their first pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

As a result, Daniels was selected with the eighth pick in a highly talented crop that boasts Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Jaden Ivey.

One of the reasons why New Orleans felt confident in drafting the athletic Daniels was Assistant Coach Fred Vinson, aka the "Shot Doctor".

Vinson spent 14 years as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans before joining former Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon when the Detroit Pistons named him President of Basketball Operations this off-season.

As Daniels arrived in New Orleans, Vinson had plenty to work with.

In his one and only season in the G-League, Daniels shot just 30 percent behind the 3-point line and a meagre 53 percent from the free-throw line.

"He has the ability to become an above-average 3-point shooter," Vinson told Sporting News at the time.

"Once we're able to ramp up and prepare for the season, all that time we're going to spend together, you're going to see results."

Daniels wasn’t the first highly talented guard Vinson had to work with to rebuild their shot.

"He has the ability to become an above-average 3-point shooter," Vinson said.

"His temperament reminds me a lot of Lonzo Ball — a mature, calm temperament and focus."

Daniels, a tireless worker, knew he had plenty to do and got right to work with Vinson.

"His approach is that we start right at the basket," Daniels said.

"Do the same thing, day in, day out. One-hand shooting, every time. We start close and slowly move out. It's very repetitive, but you get used to it.

"When I first got there, we were probably doing 500 shots just around the rim, five feet. We'd extend to the free throw line, one-handed. Total of maybe 700 shots per day."

Rising through the ranks from Victoria’s Bendigo Braves, and having played for coaches like Brian Goorjian, Willie Green, and Jason Hart, Daniels had never come across a coach like Vinson.

"I mean, this guy is a whole other level above with specific details," Daniels said.

"He sees everything in my shot. You need to get your hips through in this style, you need to have your feet this much apart, the ball this much above your eye, to the right side here.

"Every detail, I'm learning slowly and improving everyday. Certain details take a while to get used to, but he's really, really good for me."

As he continues his career wth Atlanta, Daniels is now under the guidance of legendary NBA sharp-shooter Kyle Korver, who is the Assistant GM of the Hawks.

Lifelong friend and fellow Boomer, Josh Giddey, was also a recipient of his own medicine in the form of a ‘Shot Doctor’.  

Chip Engelland, the legendary shooting guru lured away from the San Antonio Spurs in 2022, spent two years working with Giddey on his outside shot, and the results were almost immediate.

In his first season working with Engelland, Giddey’s 3-point percentage went from 26 percent in his rookie year, to 32 percent in his sophomore season of 2022-23, before maxing out at just under 35 percent in his final season in Oklahoma.

Like Daniels and Vinson, Giddey and Engelland quickly built a strong relationship.

“We talk every day. We’re in here together every day. If he’s not here, we’re texting and calling,” Giddey said.

"He’s been great. He’s told me he’s proud of me. … I love that guy. We’ve spent a lot of time together these last two years,” Giddey told USAToday last season.

Engelland spent 17 years in San Antonio alongside legendary coach Gregg Popovich and is credited with the  development of young stars such as Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and Dejounte Murray, all players who entered their careers in San Antonio with knocks on their shooting.

Engelland reconnected with his former Spurs colleague Sam Presti, who is the long-term General Manager in Oklahoma City, and is now working with Aussie guard Alex Ducas who is on a two-way contract with the Thunder.