Dyson Daniels on his breakout season with the Hawks: 'I was scared to do anything, and this year I play free'

Dyson Daniels was drafted in 2022, but many fans are just hearing about him now because he's making noise with his new team, the Atlanta Hawks. His career may have gotten off to a slow start; however, he has kicked it into high gear this year. "The Great Barrier Thief" leads the NBA in steals this season, with 3 a game.

On the latest episode of "The Young Man and The Three" podcast hosted by his former teammate, New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy, the Hawk's shooting guard discussed what has been the catalyst for his sudden rise.

"I think coming here to Atlanta is like a fresh start for me. In New Orleans, I had so much stuff built up in me mentally and physically. I was scared to do anything, and this year, I just – I play free. I'm being myself. I'm going out there, making plays."

Breakout season

The young Australian was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. He was only 19 at the time and got off to a slow start with the Pels, averaging 3.8 points per game and less than 20 minutes per game in his first season. However, he showed steady progress while there, and in his second season, his averages went up across the board, but he was far from the level he is at now.

While reflecting on the start of his NBA career, Daniels shared, "From day 1, If I had my chance back, I would have come in hungrier."

It's clear to anyone paying attention that No.5 is hungry now. Dyson is having the best season of his career by far, averaging 33.8 minutes per game, 3.0 steals per game, and 13.5 points per game. Last month, the 21-year-old became the first player of this millennium to score over 15 points and have five or more steals in four consecutive NBA games. The last to do it was the GOAT, Michael Jordan, in the 1989-90 season.

Dyson does his homework

When asked about how he locks down opponents and makes so many steals, Daniels made it clear that he is a meticulous student of the game. Not just the game as a whole, but his "approach is different for everyone."