Dyson Daniels

If you see Dyson Daniels in a passing lane battle against a bear — or in this case, the Memphis Grizzlies’ bears — the famous quote might’ve told you to “help the bear.” On December 21, 2024, better advice would’ve been to just get back on defense. Eye-level with NBA history on night-to-night basis, given his ability to inhale pass attempts, Daniels channels almost superhuman-like abilities, camouflaging into Jaylen Wells’ jersey before stealthily appearing to intercept Zach Edey’s outlet. Capable of checking every requirement on the “3-and-D box,” Daniels then calmly steps into a triple, injecting life into the Atlanta Hawks’ comeback attempt. Before the statisticians could perhaps even input his steal into the play-by-play, Daniels returns for Round Two just 10 seconds later, taking the Memphis Grizzlies’ cornbread with a second swipe, followed by an acrobatic layup. Memphis would survive for a win, but for those keeping track at home, Daniels’ five-points-and-two-steals-in-15-seconds sequence would become one worth fondly remembering. By night’s end, the “Great Barrier Thief” had finished with 15 points (on six-of-nine shooting), alongside three rebounds, six assists, six steals, one block, and three 3-pointers.