Shooting 8/29 through two games doesn’t scream “standout,” but the former G-League Ignite star has shown some pretty awe-inspiring [defensive ability](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS93YXRjaD92PW4xX3E2YjdyLXNZIiwicG9zdF9pZCI6IjZmYjZjOTdhLTA4ZDAtNGYwMi1iNzE4LWU3ZWFiMmZiMjAyYiIsInB1YmxpY2F0aW9uX2lkIjoiZTM4N2EwOTQtZDFlNS00MmQ5LTllMDEtOTI1ODQ4ZTVlMGVhIiwidmlzaXRfdG9rZW4iOiIyMjY0OTQxMy1hMTQ4LTRlZWYtYjQ3NS1jNzdjZjRkODJkN2YiLCJpYXQiOjE2NjU0MTA5NTguODA5LCJpc3MiOiJvcmNoaWQifQ.C3ltV3KwVvte-nX1lqDbQ177l374jOZa2OLOKtesBzk) for a 19-year-old. Daniels’ on-ball skills have been impressive – he stuck with fellow lottery pick Jaden Ivey about as well as you could ask for in New Orleans’ game against the Pistons on Friday. And yet, his off-ball awareness has been arguably even better, making multiple defensive efforts when his man wasn’t even involved in the play. There are All-Defensive teams in Daniels’ future.
Dyson Daniels could end up playing [a pretty significant role](https://youtu.be/WWAOpnV6aFs) for the Pelicans this year, a season filled with lots of hope for fans in the Big Easy. Devonte’ Graham and Jose Alvarado are both highly serviceable guard options who have earned their place on this Pelicans team. But if [Daniels](https://enjoybasketball.beehiiv.com/p/rookies-impressing-preseason) can continue to improve his creation ability for others and his shot becomes consistent at the NBA level, Willie Green will have a bit of a logjam in the backcourt – in this case, it’s not the worst problem to have.
by BoCruz22
1 Comment
We 100% drafted him for his potential, which is an All-NBA defender and All-Star guard. Right now, he has plus defensive ability and strong passing. His scoring is a work in progress, but so what. We don’t need him to be an elite scorer right now, we just need him to steadily get better (which he will). Anyone who’s trying to bag on him already has no idea how to manage investments and needs to learn how to see the big picture.