Dyson Daniels experienced a real breakout last season, quickly becoming a vital part of Atlanta's starting lineup. His ability to handle the ball and facilitate while being one of the best defensive players in the world has aided in giving the Hawks a new, respectable identity.
The start to his second season in Atlanta, however, has been less than ideal. This does not mean he has been bad, though. His defensive abilities are still among the best in the league and he has given the Hawks some much-needed playmaking during the prolonged absence of Trae Young.
The aspect of his game that has been most disappointing this year has been his ability to put the ball in the basket. As a scorer, it appears that Daniels has taken a bit of a step back. This has handicapped Atlanta in late-game scenarios when they have needed consistent offensive production from the backcourt.
His regression on the offensive end has come as a bit of a surprise. When he took home last year's Most Improved Player award, it was in large part due to how he proved he can be a consistent scorer, adding to his already-existing defensive reputation.
Last season, Daniels averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game. He brought his points average up by nearly 9. This was a remarkable improvement, making his case for the award undeniable.
What stood out most among his offensive improvements, however, was the difference in his three-point shot. Not only was Daniels knocking down shots from the outside at a career-high 34.0%, but he did so on the most volume he has ever seen.
He was putting up over 3 attempts per game from deep, making the defense consider him as a legitimate outside threat. They could never leave Daniels any space, as he had proven time after time that he could make defenses pay.
Dyson has experienced quite the regression from beyond the arc...
This has not been something that has carried over into the new year for Daniels. He has been struggling big time from beyond the arc, shooting a career-low 19.2% from deep on just over one attempt per game.
One thing is for sure: Daniels will not shoot this poorly all season. In fact, he has hit a three in each of his last two games. While it may not be efficient yet (2/7 in his last two), seeing any outside shots go in is an improvement.
Before taking on the Charlotte Hornets, Daniels had not made a single three in eight consecutive outings, despite playing heavy minutes in each of them.
It's not like he didn't have open looks, either. His shot confidence was low and defenses were playing off of him, almost considering Daniels a non-factor on that end. Often times, they would task a center with guarding him, showing that he was not to be taken seriously as an offensive player.
These past two games where he has knocked down a three, while not perfect, should do wonderful things for Daniels' confidence. Hawks fans should feel relieved that this rough start did not stop him from continuing to letting it fly.
His percentages were bound to increase. While he may not reach some of the same offensive heights as last year, his basketball IQ is far too elite for him to be a complete negative on that end.
Expect Dyson Daniels to see a heavier offensive workload moving forward, especially from beyond the arc, as he continues to work out of his slump.