Jaden McDaniels says he's the best perimeter defender in NBA

"It's a respect thing."

Jaden McDaniels has walked the talk, predicting before the season started that he would be named First Team All-Defense. Being in Minnesota certainly keeps McDaniels under the national media's radar, but his peers have taken notice of how difficult McDaniels makes their lives. 

In an interview with Shams Charania, McDaniels humbly said he believes he's the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Charania mentioned how Clippers star Paul George publicly complimented McDaniels in a recent interview. 

"It makes me feel good and I do believe it," said McDaniels. "From those guys being in the league so long, me having respect for them and what they've done to the game, that's just a plus to the work I've put in over the three years I've been in the NBA. Just being able to watch them guys as I was younger, for them to say those things is kind of eye-opening. It's made me feel good about myself."

Timberwolves rising two-way standout Jaden McDaniels sits down with @Stadium: “I do believe I’m the best defender in the NBA.” On his All-Defensive team desires, trying to stop NBA’s best, Jamal Murray saying “stop blocking my jumpers”, entering league with Anthony Edwards, more. pic.twitter.com/aN3kHX7SNr

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2023

George raved about McDaniels: "One of the guys that are ultra-talented, that isn't probably on everybody's radar, is Jaden McDaniels in Minnesota. He got game. Great defender, quick feet, good hands."

McDaniels: "It's just them starting to be on notice that I've guarded them or played so many times, they finally know now," said McDaniels. "It's a respect thing."

The interview with Charania is the first taste of national media respect for McDaniels. Sure, the likes of Zach Lowe and Brian Windhorst will compliment his game from time to time, but you'll find it very difficult to find a non-local analyst or reporter mentioning McDaniels as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. 

NBA.com's March 15 Defensive Player of the Year rankings mention McDaniels among the top 10, but it has the top three featuring Brook Lopez (Milwaukee), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis) and Evan Mobley (Cleveland). 

Jackson leads the NBA with a combined 223 steals and blocks. McDaniels is 21st with 134, which is third on the team behind Rudy Gobert's 138 and Anthony Edwards' 165, which ranks seventh. 

Should McDaniels be a First Team All-Defense selection? 

"I feel like I should be on there," said McDaniels, "and if I'm not, I don't know who does the votes ... they must be crazy."