Dyson Daniels is looking to make history this season.
The Australian guard is enjoying a fine campaign for the Atlanta Hawks and is looking to replicate a 37-year Michael Jordan record.
Daniels put up a stellar defensive performance in the Hawks’ 123-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
The 21-year-old tallied four steals and two blocks as the Hawks made it four straight wins as they push for a playoff place.
For Daniels, the night saw him reach a major defensive milestone as he climbed to the top of the NBA in combined steals and blocks – also known as stocks.
His six defensive actions on the night pushed his season total to 229, surpassing Victor Wembanyama‘s 228, who won’t add to his total after being ruled out for the season.
The Australian’s stocks tally is even more remarkable when considering he is a guard.
The last guard to lead the league in stocks was Michael Jordan, who did it in the 1987-88 NBA season.
Daniels had already been enjoying a dominant season when it came to steals, leading the league with 184.
He holds a commanding gap to second place, who is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 114 steals.
Daniels’ 184 steals are also the most by any player since Ricky Rubio recorded 191 in the 2013-14 campaign.
The player with the all-time single-season steals record is Alvin Robertson, who recorded 301 in 1985-86
Daniels, if he continues on this pace, could eclipse Michael Jordan’s 223 steal season in 1990-91 to break into the top 25 all-time.
The Hawks guard is also dominating in deflections with 366 so far this season.
With an average of six per game, he leads the next person on the list, Kelly Oubre Jr, who has 248. Nikole Jokic has 222 at third.
Overall, Daniels is putting up strong numbers across the board since arriving in Atlanta from the New Orleans Pelicans last summer.
He is posting career-highs across the board, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and three steals per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point range.
At 21 years of age, Daniels is establishing himself as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.
