On February 7, after a defeat against Cleveland, Daniel Gafford could look at the Wizards' record while thinking about his future vacation. Washington had only won 9 games out of 50 played, so the season would end in mid-April.
The next day, he was transferred to Dallas to finish the season in the colors of the Mavericks and with a ticket to the playoffs in his pocket. He thus won more matches (21) in two months in Texas than the entire Washington team during the regular season (15)…
“I wouldn’t be in this position without this mid-season transfer”, he reminds. “I had trips and things planned for the end of the season. I had to cancel a lot of things, just because I knew I was going to make the playoffs. »
Since this is only the second time, after 2021, that he is playing in the playoffs, it's quite a good reason to cancel a vacation, right? “Even if you want to be on vacation, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. To succeed in the league, you have to do it. Sacrificing vacations is fine with me as long as we're playing for something.” he continues.
A hell of a challenge ahead with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns
He is only four wins away from the Finals, and eight away from an NBA title. It’s more than “something”… ” I am enthusiastic. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not excited to play one more game. I don't want to be the guy who is shy, cold and not excited about this position that is mine currently. »
In addition, with his profile, Daniel Gafford will be essential in the possible success of the Mavericks. The Wolves will be a major problem for Dallas and the muscles and presence in the paint of the former Washington will be valuable in this battle.
“I had the chance to face Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns in the middle of the season and it’s complicated to manage Gobert under the circle and KAT going towards the basket,” he analyzes. “Defending several places at the same time is quite a challenge. But I feel like I made progress when I joined this team. I took a step in the right direction. »
What will be the keys to this duel? “One thing we have to make sure we do is not have any foul problems, be patient,” he says. “We have to make sure we are physical as much as possible. We must rely on our defensive principles. »
| Daniel Gafford | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 43 | 14 | 70.1 | 0.0 | 53.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 5.1 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 54 | 15 | 68.4 | 0.0 | 66.7 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 7.0 |
| 2020-21 * | CHI | 31 | 12 | 69.0 | 0.0 | 65.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 4.7 |
| 2020-21 * | W.A.S. | 23 | 18 | 68.1 | 0.0 | 67.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 10.1 |
| 2021-22 | W.A.S. | 72 | 20 | 69.3 | 0.0 | 69.9 | 2.2 | 3.5 | 5.7 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 9.4 |
| 2022-23 | W.A.S. | 78 | 21 | 73.2 | 0.0 | 67.9 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 9.0 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 74 | 25 | 72.5 | 0.0 | 67.4 | 2.6 | 5.0 | 7.6 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 11.0 |
| 2023-24 * | W.A.S. | 45 | 27 | 69.0 | 0.0 | 70.6 | 2.9 | 5.1 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 10.9 |
| 2023-24 * | DAL | 29 | 22 | 78.0 | 0.0 | 60.7 | 2.2 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 11.2 |
| Total | 321 | 20 | 71.1 | 0.0 | 66.8 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 8.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
