Victor Wembanyama, Dyson Daniels win inaugural Defensive Player of the Month award

Atlanta Hawks PR: With his third steal of the game, Dyson Daniels has 60 steals on the season. Daniels, appearing in his 20th game of the season, is the first Hawk to have 60 steals through the first 20 games of a season since Doc Rivers in 1989. -via Twitter @HawksPR / December 2, 2024

Dyson Daniels: “I like to see myself as a defensive playmaker—a guy that makes plays on the defensive end. Whether it’s steals on the ball, steals off the ball, or deflections, it all goes into defensive playmaking. For me, it’s always been a natural ability to gamble at the right time. Think of it like a shooting percentage—you’re not going to get every steal, but when you do, it’s almost a guaranteed two points. I think I’m making the right gambles this year, and my coaches have full trust in me to go out and make plays. That’s how I’ve grown into my role in the NBA, and as long as the percentages work, I’ll keep going for them.” -via YouTube / November 19, 2024

John Hollinger: Dyson Daniels has 28 steals in his last five games. Nobody else in the NBA has more than 25 steals for the entire season. -via Twitter @johnhollinger / November 15, 2024

“Wemby,” the nickname of San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, came in at No. 2 behind Brunson, up 127%. Wembanyama won Rookie of the Year honors for the 2023-24 season. Bronny James was represented too, as “Bronny” increased by 32%. -via ESPN / December 3, 2024

The dilemma — and the terrifying part for the rest of the league, really — is that Wembanyama is the rare athlete who is still developing at a rapid rate while already dominating. “He can do everything,” Johnson continued. “And so when you have that many options on the menu, to think you’re gonna pick the right one every time is tough. He’s a young player (who’s) learning how to use all these weapons that he has. And so, I think there’s obviously tremendous belief and great support for him as he learns when and where to utilize all those weapons. And I think just constantly holding himself accountable as he does of the fundamental simple stuff is what will allow those things to pop off the page.” -via New York Times / December 2, 2024

Next thing you know, Wembanyama has his team playing in the gold medal game against the Americans (despite LeBron James’, and many others, well-chronicled doubts). Or, as was the case against the Kings, he’s coming up huge in the fourth quarter of a big win (13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks) and making you forget that his first half wasn’t too shabby either (16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block). “I thought he had some very poor moments in the first three quarters in terms of fundamentals and solid basketball,” said Johnson, who has been serving in Gregg Popovich’s stead since the legendary coach suffered a stroke on Nov. 2. “And it’s a testament to him, and his ability to lock in (that he figured it out). I thought in the fourth quarter, (that) he was a man. And I thought he dominated. He’s so good, but the dominating (of) the fundamentals for him — the catches, the passes, the solid stuff — (is key). It’s still spectacular, but when he does that, he’s a load.” -via New York Times / December 2, 2024