Dyson Daniels and Jalen Brunson certainly aren't unfamiliar with each other. These two electric guards bring out the best in one another, capitalizing on their immense differences and always putting on a show. The NBA couldn't have drawn up a better first-round series, putting them face-to-face with plenty at stake.
For Brunson, this is an opportunity to maintain an image. He's known as one of the clutchest players in the world, stepping up when it matters most at a consistent rate. Him getting his game off won't come as a surprise by any means. For Daniels, though, this is a chance for him to prove himself in the national spotlight. He can't let this opportunity go to waste.
This is the ultimate test for a defensive-minded guard like Daniels
Of course, regardless of how this series goes, Daniels has earned his respect. Despite having a down year from beyond the arc, he improved in every other aspect of his game during his fourth campaign, leaving no doubt that he'll be a vital piece to Atlanta's core moving forward.
He's a phenomenal playmaker, offensive rebounder, driver, cutter, and of course, defender. While most of those other areas of his game are typically ignored, the defense is simply impossible to ignore. He's widely known as one of the best defenders in the entire NBA, regardless of position.
Now, since coming over to Atlanta via trade with New Orleans, Daniels has yet to reach the playoffs. This first-round meeting with Brunson and the Knicks will be his debut. There's a first time for everything, and this is certainly going to be a difficult introduction for him.
What is difficult for a guy like Dyson Daniels, though? The 23-year-old guard displays maturity beyond his years night in and night out. While defending Jalen Brunson over a seven-game series is no cakewalk, there's no reason to believe he won't do an excellent job.
Daniels has an overall solid track record defending Brunson
Every time New York has faced Atlanta over the last two seasons, most of the Knicks' offensive game plan has involved an unreal amount of screening every possession to free their top initiator from the shackles of Daniels.
Again, Brunson is one of the best scorers in the NBA, so totally denying him of his numbers is nearly impossible. Making him fully uncomfortable and disrupting his usual flow is a more realistic ask, and there's no better candidate to go through with that than Daniels.
This series is going to be fun. As long as Daniels maintains his normal level of defensive intensity, the masses are in for a quality back-and-forth battle.
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