'Great Barrier Thief' Daniels wins prestigious NBA award

[ad_1] Australia's Dyson Daniels has been named the NBA's most improved participant.

Daniels, who performs for Atlanta Hawks, beat out fellow finalists Ivica Zubac (Los Angeles Clippers) and Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons).

The 22-year-old emerged as a productive starter at capturing guard for the Hawks after arriving in Atlanta within the commerce that despatched high-scoring guard Dejounte Murray to New Orleans on July 6.

Earlier than the commerce, Daniels was finest identified for his defensive play.

Accidents and different trades helped clear the best way for the 6-foot-7 Daniels to flourish as a scoring complement to Trae Younger whereas offering spectacular all-around manufacturing.

Bendigo-born Daniels is now entrenched as an essential basis participant for the Hawks, becoming a member of Younger, ahead Jalen Johnson and 2024 primary total NBA draft choose Zaccharie Risacher.

He led the NBA with 229 steals, probably the most since Seattle's Gary Payton had 231 within the 1995/96 season.

Daniels completed because the runner-up to Cleveland's Evan Mobley within the voting for NBA defensive participant of the 12 months.

His nickname — 'Nice Barrier Thief' — is a nod to his roots in Australia and defensive prowess.

Daniels's spectacular positive factors as a scorer, defender, rebounder and playmaker helped him declare the highest spot within the voting for many improved participant.

Due to his position as a starter beside Younger in Atlanta's back-court, Daniels improved his scoring from 5.8 factors per recreation with New Orleans in 2023/24 to 14.1.

His rebounds rose from 3.9 to five.9, his steals from 1.4 to three.0 and his assists from 2.7 to 4.4.

Daniels turned solely the fifth participant since 1973/74 to common a minimum of 14.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and three.0 steals, becoming a member of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Michael Ray Richardson and Alvin Robertson.

Essentially the most improved participant award, like a number of different NBA honours, was voted on by a worldwide panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cowl the league and forged ballots shortly after the top of the common season.