When you think of Daniel Gafford, one word that may come to mind is toughness. The man is as tough as they come. He is tasked with the assignment to do all of the dirty work. He has to guard some of the game’s best players and big men. Going up against guys like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a job nobody is thrilled to do. I’m almost positive Danny isn’t excited about having to work so hard each and every night.
That only makes his job and his life even more difficult. He is being asked to defend at a high level. Protecting the rim is a strong part of his game. However, foul trouble is something that is the inevitable for him. He is also asked to rebound at a high level. He isn’t the biggest guy in the world. However, he is asked to play like he is especially when having to defend the paint the way that he does.
A lot of his offense comes at the rim. It is very rare that you see him attempt any mid range shots. He will do it. However, that isn’t his favorite shot in the world. Most of his buckets come from put back layups and dunks, and even some lobs with his rim runs on pick and roll actions. One asset Daniel Gafford should incorporate into his game is the three point shot.
Gafford has played six seasons in the NBA. Two of them have been with the Chicago Bulls while the last four has been in Washington with the Wizards. He has never attempted a single three point shot in any of the six seasons he has played in the NBA. This too may be a reason why the Wizards are struggling this season.
Nearly everyone in the league including centers are taking and shooting threes. Even if they don’t shoot them at a high efficiency level like Giannis Antetokounmpo, they still are taking them. You have to keep the defense honest and your offense flowing. If he is able to incorporate the three ball into his game, he could have an impact of Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers who has become one of the best centers in the NBA. That one addition to Gafford’s game could be a game changer not only for him but for the Washington Wizards as a team.
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