'Glad I'm not there anymore': Dyson Daniels sobering admission about ex-team after trade
Australian Dyson Daniels has tongues wagging in the US - so much so he's been touted a contender for Defensive Player of the Year.
Daniels, dubbed 'The Great Barrier Thief' by teammates at new team Atlanta, is in line for All-Defensive First Team honours after flourishing following a trade from New Orleans.
In a breakout season, the 21-year old leads the NBA in steals (3.0) and deflections (6.3) per game, while notching his career high of 28 points last month.
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Now, with a more defensive-minded approach and a roster that runs eight or nine deep, Atlanta is showing signs of promise with the Aussie and superstar Trae Young in the backcourt.
Dyson Daniels celebrates after his game-winning block helped the Hawks defeat the Kings. Getty
Daniels was acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent Dejounte Murray to New Orleans Pelicans and seemed a sign that the Hawks were going into rebuilding mode.
While Daniels didn't do much during his time in New Orleans, the 6-foot-8 guard with lanky arms that make him seem even taller, has given the Hawks another defensive stopper.
While life is good for Daniels at his new home the same cannot be said about the Pelicans, who have endured a brutal injury toll this year and last, with all its key stars including Zion Williamson missing time amid a dismal 5-21 start.
Speaking ahead of the Hawks' NBA Cup semi-final showdown with Milwaukee in Las Vegas, Daniels was asked about his former team and responded with a wry smile.
"That organisation's cursed," Daniels told The Stein Line's Jake Fischer. "Every year there's something new. I'm happy I'm not there anymore."
Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates a win with Onyeka Okongwu. Getty
Daniels cited his own injury issues at the Pelicans.
"The curse, man," Daniels said. "I had like four or five ankle injuries down there as well. There's something down in that water down there or something.
"They got hamstrings. They got knees. They got concussions and stuff as well. They get everything down there. I don't know what it is. Playing hard I guess?"
Daniels added: "I don't point fingers at anyone.
"I blame myself. I wasn't consistent. My first two years I was up and down. I had great games and I had really bad games. I didn't find that consistency and we had a lot of players in New Orleans."
