Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels wins the NBA’s most improved player award

Dyson Daniels’ emphasis on defense earned him a starting job in his first year in Atlanta and league-wide respect.

Daniels, who led the NBA in steals while making dramatic improvements in scoring, rebounds and assists for Atlanta, was named the league’s most improved player Wednesday.

Daniels beat out fellow finalists Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cade Cunningham of Detroit.

“You’ve got to separate yourself somehow and I’ve done that on the defensive end of the floor,” Daniels said.