Dyson Daniels: In New Orleans, I was scared to do anything. But this year, I’m playing free

Dyson Daniels: I think coming here to Atlanta feels like a fresh start for me. I just wanted to come in with a clear head and a clear mind. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve taken away from the start of this year compared to my years in New Orleans—I just have a free mind. I’m playing free. I’m not worrying about anything the outside world is saying or any of that. In New Orleans, I had so much built up in me mentally and physically. I was scared to do anything. But this year, I’m playing free. I’m being myself, going out there and making plays. I always knew I could do it—it was just about letting it out. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific thing that’s changed in my game, but really, it’s just about being myself. Going out there, playing free, and not caring about what anyone thinks—that’s the key. When you bottle up two years in your head and finally let it out, it’s like a bird running free. Whatever you want to call it—a dog running free, a bird flying free. I think “bird running free” is pretty universal. I don’t think that’s just an Australian thing.