Jaden McDaniels’ defensive impact is getting more and more talked about

The tongues are only beginning to loosen about Jaden McDaniels in the NBA, and his defensive potential. Ten days ago, Paul George praised the Wolves winger in particular, pointing out that he was not yet on many people’s radar, but that it was probably not going to last much longer.

“It makes me happy and I believe in it”, he replied to Shams Charania following such accolades and facing the prospect of becoming one of the best defenders in the league. “The fact that these guys have been in the league for so long, that I have respect for them and what they’ve done for the game, it’s just a plus for the work I’ve done during my three years in the NBA. I could observe them when I was younger, and the fact that they say these things opened my eyes. I feel good about myself.”

The more the years pass, the more Jaden McDaniels has gained confidence in his abilities. The numbers, too, highlight his effectiveness against the league’s top forwards, and his greatest quality, he says, is his versatility.

“One day I can defend Giannis Antetokounmpo, the next day I can defend Trae Young or someone like that. I am able to defend from position 1 to 4. I try to make life difficult for my opponents. I know they are going to put shots, they are all good players in the NBA, so my mission is to make it as difficult as possible for them. Defensively, for me, the goal is always to at least challenge shots. Our coaches say an open shot is like a shot taken in practice. You have to arrive with this competitive mindset and want to spoil the evening for them”.

Efficiency and versatility

Mirroring Paul George’s outing, teammate Austin Rivers recently sang the same praises. In the middle of the match, Jamal Murray had also complained of his hyperactivity in defense.

“I feel like I’ve done a good job on Jamal Murray this season. During a match, I had already countered some of his jump shots. And he came to talk to me to say that I had to stop this. No one had done this to him before. When we played Memphis too, the first time against Ja Morant, I had the same impression of having done a good job, following the report of the scouts and making it difficult for him.he slipped. “Some players like Paul George are starting to see it. I’ve played them so many times now that they know it now and are starting to say it. It is a mark of respect”.

The best mark of recognition would be to be named among the NBA All-Defensive Teams, one of his goals since the start of the season.

“I feel like I should be there. If I’m not there, it’s because the people who vote are crazy. We all set ourselves goals at the start of the season, and one of mine was to finish in the top or second five of the best defenders. I feel like I’m sticking to what I said.”