Rookie Recap: Dyson Daniels is a rising All-NBA defensive star in the making

There's no doubt where Daniels is headed.

“I say, no one can score on me. That's what I got to have as a mentality, and I got to go out there every day with that mentality, because you can't be scared of anyone in the NBA… for me, it's about being disciplined, knowing what players like to do. Just going out there and doing what I do, which is get stops.”

Dyson Daniels will become an All-NBA defender.

That is my pressing takeaway, after having rewatched all minutes played by the young Australian in year one: Daniels is that talented on the defensive end. As a rookie, the transition to NBA-level defence can be akin to learning a new language - complex, demanding, and fraught with misunderstanding. Yet from the onset, Daniels showcased a fluency in this language that belied his status as a league newcomer. His defensive instincts were on par with those of a seasoned pro, radiating a keen understanding of the game that exceeded the typical learning curve.

His defensive game has a motion and flow that transcends his age. Plays like these illustrate Daniels’ intellect at the defensive end.