One of this year's contenders for NBA Defensive Player of the Year is trying to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Smart.
The Washington Wizards veteran won the award during the 2021-22 season, when he was still a member of the Boston Celtics. He became the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton won it following the 1995-96 campaign.
Smart laid out the blueprint for how a guard can win the DPOY trophy, and the Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels has been taking notes.
Daniels is considered a DPOY dark horse after the race for the award was reopened in the wake of Victor Wembanyama's season-ending injury.
The Great Barrier Thief was asked about players he emulates on the defensive end, while speaking to reporters after the Hawks' 134-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. He specifically singled out two names: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort and the Wizards' Marcus Smart.
"If I watch old tape, I watch Marcus Smart's Defensive Player of the Year season," Daniels told ClutchPoints' Jerry Donatien. "How he was able to be in the passing lanes, on-ball, active hands, stuff like that. ... I just study the game and watch every team see."
Whatever Daniels has been doing behind the scenes, it's clearly been working.
Through 62 games, Daniels has averaged a stunning 3.0 steals per contest. If he closes the year at that number, he would become the first to do it since Alvin Robertson did it during the 1990-91 season.
With rising defensive stalwarts like Daniels singing Smart's praises, it's no surprise that Marcus has also made an impact with the Wizards' own young guards.
Related: Marcus Smart Reveals Stern Message He Sent To One Wizards Rookie
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM.