New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels has rated Dallas Mavericks as the toughest player he has faced in his maiden NBA season.
Daniels joined the Pelicans as the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft and he has settled in well in the NBA with fine displays shutting out LA Lakers’ LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray and Mavericks’ Doncic.
Of all those challenges he has faced, the 19-year-old Australian star said: “Toughest cover I think was Luka out of those guys. Just how smart he is. He gets to his spots, uses screens, and picks apart defences with the first move.
“LeBron’s strength, I tried to take a charge on him but that didn’t work. Obviously these guys are all great players and different players, tough in their own way.”
New Orleans Pelicans are currently eighth in the Western Conference table with five wins and five losses recorded so far, and their next assignment is against Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Thursday morning.
Daniels credited Garrett Temple and CJ McCollum for quick adaptation to his new role in Willie Green’s team.
“This team has a lot of guys who are really good with the ball, so playing without the ball is a bit of a different role for me. I’ve always been a box score checker, so I check every game to see who’s doing well. But I’m adapting every day, getting better, and taking it all in.”
