‘Gold vibes only’: NBA young gun Dyson Daniels undaunted by the Boomers’ draw in Paris which could involve a full strength United States

Dyson Daniels knows that a USA team LeBron James and Steph Curry is going to be tough. But FIBA basketball is ‘a different game’ to the NBA, and the 21-year-old from Bendigo is dreaming big.

Boomers defensive star Dyson Daniels says it is “gold vibes only” for Australia’s Paris campaign, confident of beating a stacked United States squad he has dubbed “the Avengers”.

Australia’s path to the medal rounds – and a potential match-up against the United States – is especially rocky given they take on an emerging Canada in their pool rounds.

Their final two pool opponents could be star-studded Greece and Spain, with the final four teams of the 12-nation Olympic tournament decided next week at a July 2-7 qualifier.

So even replicating Tokyo’s bronze will be a huge feat but Daniels is part of the new breed of Australian NBA players playing big minutes in quality sides.

Daniels was this week traded from New Orleans to Atlanta after his second NBA season established him as one of the up-and-coming defenders in the league.

Ahead of this week’s pair of clashes against Team China on Tuesday and Thursday at John Cain Arena, Daniels told this masthead he was determined to think big.

The number 8 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is thinking big when it comes to Paris. Picture: Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

“We have got an opportunity coming up to go and get a gold medal and for us its gold vibes only,” he said.

“For us, the Olympic Games are special. You dream about it as a kid and I have got that opportunity in front of me and I am looking to go and take it. Gold vibes only, that’s the motto.

“I think you don’t want to settle for anything less. We have a great team, a team that gels well, a lot of NBA guys who play high minutes. The USA is bringing the Avengers, everyone is coming back.

“It is going to be tough. A lot of teams have talent and will be tough to beat but we are right up there with them. It’s about performing on the day and staying tight and staying together.”

The USA famously lost three games in the 2004 Olympics on their way to bronze behind gold medallist Argentina so in theory it is beatable, but the 2024 version is again stacked with champions.

They won gold in Tokyo but back-to-back NBA seasons forced upon the league by Covid saw LeBron James and Steph Curry missing from that team, with both returning for Paris.

Daniels admits the size of the challenge is immense but says Australia has always punched above its weight.

As he does in the NBA, Daniels will need to contend with Steph Curry after the American missed Tokyo. Picture: Kavin Mistry/Getty Images

“I think the thing with USA basketball is that FIBA is a different game, it suits the European and Australian style more. For us, the USA is going to be tough. They are definitely favourites with the team they have brought and they are big names. The guys who have won gold already. LeBron and Steph and KD (Kevin Durant), it’s going to make it tough but we are not going to back down.”

Canada won bronze in last year’s World Cup – also in Tokyo – and only improved from that effort with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now a genuine NBA star backed by depth in Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves) and RJ Barrett (Toronto Raptors).

Those who watch Daniels closely believe he has the potential to become an All-NBA defender and he says he relishes the chance to play on the NBA’s greatest offensive threats.

“It’s special. It’s cool. You dream of it as a kid. Steph dropping 40 or 50 points and you don’t want to be that guy. I have had that happen to me a couple of times, which hasn’t been fun. But I go out there and hold my own and I have had some good games on big players. Growing up as a kid that’s what you aspire to do.”

Originally published as ‘Gold vibes only’: NBA young gun Dyson Daniels undaunted by the Boomers’ draw in Paris which could involve a full strength United States