Dyson Daniels Q&A: Americans are a little more sensitive, Australians talk a bit more s***

Many of the NBA’s top defenders likely see Dyson Daniels as a model to emulate. Following a July 2024 trade from New Orleans to Atlanta, he revitalized his career, capturing the Most Improved Player award and finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year behind Evan Mobley. He soon parlayed those achievements into a four-year, $100 million extension with the Hawks.

Fresh off beating the LA Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Daniels spoke to HoopsHype after a recent practice about being the main point-of-attack defender on the Hawks, his reaction when he was traded from New Orleans, taking on more offensive responsibilities in the absence of Trae Young, and more.

Monday night, Kristaps Porzingis pointed you out as someone he likes offensively with responsibility without Trae. What have you seen on that end since Trae has been out?

Dyson Daniels: Yeah, I mean, obviously Tray’s our engine. He does a lot for us. He’s been – since he’s come in the league – that offensive firepower, and when he goes down, the next guy’s stepping up. So, trying to feel that role, be more aggressive, get downhill, get my teammates the ball where they’re going to be effective. Those guys like KP getting touches on the elbows and the blocks, trying to get the kick out, so trying to be more aggressive.

With you being with the Hawks the last year, do you feel like you’re offensive game is evolving – like seeing things on the court now that you couldn’t before?

DD: Yeah, it’s definitely slowed down a lot. I just feel like I see things clearly. I mean, yeah, it just feels more comfortable out there. I’m able to see my reads and I still got to continue to be aggressive and take my shots when they’re there and get to the rim and stuff like that to hold the defense honest. But, yeah, it definitely feels like it’s slowed down.

What is it like guarding the best perimeter player night in and night out?

DD: It’s fun. Yeah, I like that challenge. Going up against the best, it’s sort of what I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always been a defender, so to guard the best people in the world and be out there doing it 35, 40 minutes is a lot of fun. It’s tough, but I like the challenge.

How much pride do you take in that assignment?

DD: A lot. I want to win my matchup every night. So, going in there and making them take tough shots, turning the ball over, getting them out of the offense, putting pressure on them. All those things are what I try to do. And, yeah, that’s how I can win my matchup.

Who would you say is the toughest player you’ve had to guard?

DD: Probably Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]. Shai’s very tough, crafty, really slithery. He can get fouls and shoot, so I think he’s the one.

What part of your game are you most focused on improving?

DD: A bit of everything. I mean, shooting’s the main one. Just been out there consistently, knocking down shots, catch and shoot, off the dribble, getting to my spots. Yeah, that’s probably the biggest thing that I’m working on at the moment.

When you go through offensive slumps, how do you handle that mentally?

DD: It’s just you’ve got to trust your work. You’re in a slump, sometimes you can turn down shots, and you’ve got to be confident in yourself, and you’ve got to continue to take those shots, and basically be able to shoot your way out of it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from a teammate or coach?

DD: I mean, I got some advice from Chris Paul yesterday. He’s basically told me that I worked too hard to not take those shots, and being out there, And he says, you work so hard, you got to take your teammate’s trust, and you’ve got to take those shots. So that was pretty cool.

In terms of being a leader, do you feel like that is something you see yourself doing down the road or do you feel like you’re already kind of doing that?

DD: No, I mean, I have a lot of room to grow in that area, and I’m going to continue to grow. I want to grow as a leader as well, use my voice more. Yeah, I think it’s something that I’ve improved on, but I have to keep making jumps.

When the trade to Atlanta happened, were you bummed or did you tell yourself you get to prove yourself more with more opportunities?

DD: No, it was a bit of both. Like, it was unexpected. So, at the start, I was like, okay, didn’t really know how to feel. But once I got settled and played two games with Atlanta, I really felt at home. I felt loved, felt like they wanted to be there. So, that was fun.

After signing the extension, did you feel a sense of relief or more a validation for all the hard work you put in?

DD: There’s probably validation, I think. You know, you worked so hard your whole life. You dream of this here. The signing, the extension like that, you know, take care of your family forever… it means a lot to me, putting so much hours, and just getting the reward back for you, which is good.

A lot of guys in this league, they’re talented but they just never get a chance to get on the court to showcase it. Did you have any doubts when you were in New Orleans not getting playing time?

DD: Yeah, I mean, I had my doubts at the start. I wasn’t playing at the best ability I can. In the NBA sometimes you only get one chance and you’re out. So I was grateful that I was given a chance to here in Atlanta. And, yeah, I made the most of it. And now I found myself at home, which is good.

What are your goals now after taking that leap?

DD: Mine are all team goals. I’m ready to go on a big playoff run. I want to make a deep playoff run. I want to be playing in late May, June. The championship is the ultimate goal. So for me, it’s about taking some more steps to get there and doing the right things.

Growing up in Australia, when did you realize you had a real shot at making it to the NBA?

DD: Probably when I was about 14, 15. I went to the Australian Institute of Sport, which is where a lot of good basketball players go in Australia. I mean, I always believed I could do it. Probably started becoming more realistic.

What was the biggest culture shock for you when you moved here to the States?

DD: It’s not that much different, to be honest. Food’s a little different. Probably the people are just a bit different. I think people here are a little more sensitive. They can be a little bit more fun and drag around. Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty similar. A little more bounce in Australia. Talk a bit more sh*t in Australia.