(Somewhat) Unexpected Defensive Dominance: Dyson Daniels & Evan Mobley

-

Originally discussed on the expanded segment of Harrison Talks Pod, where we explored 4 players having surprising seasons.




Defensive Surprises of the NBA: Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley Making Waves

The 2024 NBA season has brought us several surprises, especially on the defensive end. Two players I’m excited to discuss this week are Dyson Daniels, the dynamic guard leading the league in steals, and Evan Mobley, the young big man whose defensive prowess has vaulted him to the top of the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Let’s dive into their stellar performances and analyze why these two players are shaking up the DPOY race.

Dyson Daniels - The Defensive Juggernaut

Dyson Daniels' leap into the defensive spotlight this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Known for his defensive versatility, Daniels has emerged as one of the NBA's most disruptive forces, and he's not just doing it in one area. His numbers tell the story:

  • Leading the NBA with 3 steals per game

  • Averaging 1.8 blocks per game, an elite figure for a guard

  • A true nuisance in passing lanes, as reflected in his league-leading deflections

  • He's even locking down star scorers—shutting down the likes of Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland with impressive shooting percentages.

But while his defensive numbers are top-notch, there are some hurdles for Daniels in the race for DPOY. Historically, guards have struggled to win this prestigious award—only two have claimed the title in the past 30 years (Gary Payton and Marcus Smart). Plus, Daniels' team, the Hawks, ranks just 18th in Defensive Rating. Can they improve in the last 20 or so games of the season?

Can Daniels still claim DPOY?

For Daniels to secure the title, the Hawks would need to improve defensively. However, his continued dominance in steals and deflections is something to keep an eye on. If other contenders, like Mobley or Jaren Jackson Jr., miss time or regress, Daniels’ chances could rise. In any case, his defensive performance this season is already one of the best in the league.

Evan Mobley - From Rising Star to DPOY Frontrunner

Evan Mobley's journey this season has been a revelation. After entering the league as a promising defensive prospect, Mobley has blossomed into one of the most impactful two-way players in the NBA. His defensive abilities have skyrocketed, making him the frontrunner for DPOY.

Why is Mobley making such an impact?

Let’s compare some stats with Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Memphis Grizzlies and 2nd in odds for DPOY. Mobley has managed to dominate defensively while avoiding fouls—a rare feat for a big man. With 84 blocks and just 107 fouls, his ability to stay on the court has given the Cavaliers a consistent presence on defense. And when it comes to head-to-head matchups, Mobley's performance against Jaren Jackson Jr. solidified his standing as one of the league's premier defenders.

But Mobley isn't just about defense anymore. His offensive game has taken a huge leap this season:

  • A career-high 18.6 PPG

  • 56.7% shooting from the field, showing tremendous efficiency

  • Expanded his three-point shooting, now hitting 1.1 threes per game at an impressive 36.7% clip

Mobley’s growing role on offense has made him a more complete player, and his scoring output has matched his elite defensive play. Combine that with his solid rebounding (9.3 RPG) and improved playmaking (3.1 APG), and Mobley has become one of the most well-rounded players in the league with room to grow. 

Moreover, Mobley’s success has translated into team success. The Cleveland Cavaliers hold the best record in the NBA (50-10) and are riding a 10-game winning streak. This success only strengthens his DPOY case.

What’s Next for Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley?

Dyson Daniels and Evan Mobley are both having seasons that defy expectations. Daniels’ elite defense is unmatched for a guard, while Mobley has proven that he’s more than just a defensive anchor—he’s a complete player with a rapidly expanding offensive game.

So, what’s next? If Daniels’ Hawks improve defensively, he might just become a legitimate DPOY contender, despite the historical bias against guards. As for Mobley, his stellar play, combined with Cleveland’s success, makes him one of the favorites for the award.

What do you think of these defensive surprises? Can Dyson Daniels defy history and win DPOY, or is Evan Mobley the clear favorite? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk about it!

For more insights on these players and other surprises from the season, don’t forget to check out the expanded segment on Harrison Talks Pod.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Top 3 Rookie of the Year Candidates in the NBA: Who Will Take the Crown?

-
Image
The NBA season is in full swing, and the race for Rookie of the Year has been heating up! With some incredible talent emerging from this year’s rookie class, it's harder than ever to pick just one standout player. As we near the end of the season, three rookies have separated themselves from the pack. But who truly deserves to win the coveted title of Rookie of the Year? Let’s break down the top three contenders and what makes them shine—and why they might not finish the season with the award. This discussion comes from Episode 18 of my podcast, Harrison Talks Pod , where I dive deeper into these top rookie candidates. Make sure to check out the full episode for more in-depth analysis and insights on all things NBA! Listen to Episode 18 here 1. Stephon Castle: The Rising Star for the Spurs Recent Takeaways: Steph Castle has taken the NBA by storm, and as of this week, he’s leading the Rookie of the Year race. His scoring has increased dramatically in the last 10 games, up to 17.4 p...
Read more

Dark Money, Media, and Online Creators: Parsing the Chorus Controversy

-
Image
Recently, there’s been significant online discussion about the “Chorus Creator Program,” a mentorship initiative funded by the 1630 Fund, a nonprofit with progressive donors. Critics, including Taylor Lorenz in Wired , framed it as a secretive program paying creators to stay silent on Israel and enforcing a partisan line. After reviewing the reporting and responses from creators, this framing is misleading and reflects a broader problem in online media: weaponizing “dark money” to create controversy while omitting critical context. What Chorus Actually Is The Chorus Creator Program, founded by Brian Tyler Cohen and Stuart Perelmuter, was designed to support smaller creators by pairing them with more established ones. Public statements from participants make it clear that mentorship, not content production, was the program’s primary goal. There were no required deliverables, and creators were not censored. For example, David Pakman, a progressive YouTube creator with millions of monthly...
Read more

Damian Lillard’s Injury Could End the Bucks' Championship Window | What Comes Next for Milwaukee?

-
Image
Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury changes everything for the Milwaukee Bucks. With playoff elimination looming, we break down how the Bucks' future looks, and why massive changes could be coming. Damian Lillard's Achilles Injury: A Franchise-Altering Moment for the Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks were already battling adversity in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but Damian Lillard’s likely torn Achilles might be the final blow. After dealing with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his other leg earlier this season, Lillard’s playoff injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. Despite fighting through setbacks, his body gave out, and it’s heartbreaking for fans, teammates, and especially Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been publicly supportive of Lillard’s toughness all year. At the time of Lillard’s injury, the Bucks trailed the Indiana Pacers 3–1, and momentum had already swung hard against Milwaukee. Without their All-Star point guard, the Bucks' offense looked disorganized and ove...
Read more