Soaring Down South has already explored how Dyson Daniels’ breakout with the Atlanta Hawks is a testament to having patience with young prospects – many of whom enter the league far younger than their predecessors did – and providing them with the opportunities to develop.
Daniels was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
That sort of draft investment would seem like enough incentive to give Daniels as much of a runway as he needed to take off. And yet, it was not, though Daniels is not blaming the Pels.
During an appearance on “The Young Man and The Three” hosted by his former Pelicans teammate Trey Murphy, Daniels spoke about playing “scared” during his first two seasons and the liberation he has felt in Atlanta.
Dyson Daniels: 'Nothing Was Clicking' in New Orleans
“To be honest, my first two years in New Orleans – I loved it there. Don't get me wrong, I loved the organization, I loved the team we had. It’s just, I didn't – I really didn't enjoy how I played. I don't think I showed what I could do, I don't think I was who I was; the player I wanted to be. And I knew my first years, I was timid. I was just trying to fit in. I would have the mindset, – like I'd go to sleep – I’d have the mindset like, ‘I want it. I know I can do more. I need to do more.’ And I just wasn't. Nothing was clicking for me going forward,” Daniels said.
“As soon as the season ended, I got home and I just wanted to have a really good summer of work. I had my trainer come out to Australia with me for like six weeks before we got into our Olympic preparation. And going into the Olympics, I got given a really good opportunity – the 2 spot – to you know play 30, 35 minutes a game, and really just go out there and kind of be a dog on defense, which I've already done. But my offensive game came along.
“That was kind of the turning point for me.”
Daniels averaged 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals during the Olympics, falling to Hawks teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic and eventual bronze medal-winner Serbia in the quarterfinals.
He spoke with confidence on media day, saying he wanted to contend for First Team All-Defense this season. But he has put himself in position for more. He has not shot it with the same efficiency as he did during the Olympics. But Daniels has found other ways to make an impact on offense.
It sounds like he was just in need of a nurturing environment, which the Hawks have provided.
Dyson Daniels was ‘scared’ with Pelicans, is ‘free’ with Hawks
“I think coming here to Atlanta is like a fresh start for me. I just wanted to come in with a clear head, a clear mind. And I think that's one thing that I probably take away from the start of this year to my New Orleans years, is that I just have a free mind. I'm playing free. I'm not worrying about anything the outside world’s saying or any of that. And New Orleans, I had so much stuff built up in me mentally and physically. I was scared to do anything, and this year I just – I play free. I'm being myself. I'm going out there, making plays.”
“I always knew I could do it. It was just about letting it out. And it's hard to like pinpoint one thing that's happened in my game that is really kind of taking off. But it's just being myself, I think. Going out there, playing free, not caring about what anyone thinks. And … when you bottle up two years in your head and you just let it out, that's a bird running free. Whatever you want to call it – dog running free.”
Daniels had built up his defensive reputation during his time with New Orleans. But he knew that he had to improve offensively.
Daniels is averaging career-highs with 13.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 3.0 SPG.
His steals lead the league even with Daniels getting blanked in the Hawks last game, a win against the New York Knicks to advance to the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals in which Daniels played a big part in Jalen Brunson’s off night.
Dyson 🔒 pic.twitter.com/qdFTZvCc4E
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 12, 2024
It is a testament to the Hawks’ vision for Daniels, but also to his work ethic to see something that needed addressing and doing it.