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If Dyson Daniels Doesn’t Win Defensive Player of the Year, It’s a Disgrace

The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is supposed to recognise the most dominant defender in the NBA. If that’s the case, then Dyson Daniels should already have his name engraved on the trophy.

But as the season winds down, there’s a growing concern that Daniels might get overlooked simply because he’s a guard. If that happens, it won’t just be unfair—it will be a disgrace.

Daniels is Leading the NBA in Every Key Defensive Stat

There’s no argument against Daniels’ defensive dominance this season. He is leading the entire NBA in:

Steals (184) – 70 more than second-place Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (114).

Stocks (229 – steals + blocks) – More than Victor Wembanyama, who was widely expected to lead this category.

For context, Daniels’ 184 steals are more than SGA’s and Zaccharie Risacher’s combined (159). The margin between Daniels and SGA is so large that SGA is closer to the 143rd-ranked player than he is to Daniels. That’s how absurdly dominant Daniels has been at creating turnovers and disrupting offences.

And yet, despite these overwhelming numbers, there’s still debate about whether he should win DPOY?

Guards Don’t Win DPOY—But That’s a Flawed Way of Thinking

Historically, the DPOY award has been dominated by big men. The last true guard to win it was Gary Payton in 1995-96. Since then, it’s been given to centres and forwards who rack up blocks and alter shots at the rim.

This bias ignores what perimeter defenders like Daniels do on a nightly basis. He’s not just grabbing steals—he’s locking down elite scorers, disrupting passing lanes, and making life miserable for opposing offences.

Comparing him to Evan Mobley, one of the big-man candidates for DPOY, makes it clear:

Player Steals per Game Blocks per Game Stocks per Game
Dyson Daniels 3 0.7 3.7
Evan Mobley 0.8 1.6 2.4

Mobley is an excellent defender, but he’s not impacting games at the level Daniels is. The numbers aren’t close.

Daniels is Doing Something We Haven’t Seen Since Michael Jordan

If the NBA refuses to reward Daniels, then what exactly does a guard have to do to win DPOY?

The last guard to lead the NBA in stocks (steals + blocks) was Michael Jordan in 1987-88—and MJ won Defensive Player of the Year that season. Daniels is now on pace to do the same, but for some reason, there’s hesitation to give him the same recognition.

Why? Because he’s not 7 feet tall? Because he’s not blocking shots at the rim?

At some point, the eye test and the numbers have to matter more than outdated positional bias.

Daniels is Carrying His Team Defensively While Improving Offensively

Dyson Daniels isn’t just a defensive specialist—he’s proving to be a game-changer on both ends of the floor. Since arriving in Atlanta as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, Daniels has embraced a larger role, showcasing his defensive dominance while expanding his offensive contributions.

The Hawks acquired Daniels, along with E.J. Liddell, Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, and two future first-round picks (2025 via Lakers, 2027 conditional from Bucks/Pelicans), in exchange for Murray. Hawks GM Landry Fields made it clear that the move was about reshaping Atlanta’s roster for sustained success, and Daniels was at the heart of that vision.

No longer buried in a crowded rotation like he was in New Orleans, Daniels has been given more responsibility and freedom to develop. Defensively, he’s already transformed the Hawks into a more disruptive, turnover-forcing unit, and offensively, he’s growing into a more confident and reliable contributor.

In the past five games, Daniels has been a steady contributor, though his numbers don’t pop off the page compared to Murray:

Player PPG AST REB FG% 3PT%
Dejounte Murray 21.4 6.4 6.2 46.40% 42.10%
Dyson Daniels 12.4 4.2 4.2 43.10% 26.30%

Murray scores more, but who’s actually winning games for their team?

Daniels’ overall impact—especially on defence—has made him the more valuable long-term piece. His ability to defend multiple positions, force turnovers, and generate transition opportunities has reshaped Atlanta’s defensive identity.

Daniels isn’t just making an impact—he’s proving the Hawks made the right call in prioritizing defence and long-term upside over short-term scoring. His offensive game continues to develop, and with his elite defensive instincts, he’s quickly becoming one of the most valuable young two-way players in the NBA.

This isn’t a debate. Daniels is the best defensive player in the NBA this season. The numbers back it up. The eye test backs it up. The historical comparisons back it up.

If he doesn’t win, it will be because of bias, not because of merit.

The NBA needs to decide:

  • Is Defensive Player of the Year about actual defensive impact, or is it just a lifetime achievement award for rim protectors?
  • Does historic dominance matter, or do outdated voting patterns still control the award?

If they get it wrong and snub Daniels, it won’t just be a mistake—it will be a disgrace.

 
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