The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Kris Dunn
PG - 6’4, 210lbs - 24 years old - 2 years of experience
Considering the turgid nature of his rookie season, the bar was low for Dunn. Draft pick status and athletic profile notwithstanding, for a 23-year-old point guard to have done as little as he did as a rookie after four years of high major college experience was worrying. Nevertheless, fresh starts generally work, and Dunn’s defence should always have translated, considering his size, speed, tenacity, willingness to rebound and plays on the ball.
Offensively, Dunn was a bit awkward. When attacking in transition or semi-transition, he can get to the rim and made things happen – to a lesser but not insignificant degree, he can also do this in the half-court. He is not selfish, and dumps the ball off to paint players well. But inefficient shooting from all areas of the court, as well as a high turnover rate often of the live ball variety, leave for much growth still to do on that end. He makes himself an offensive presence, but the efficiency belies it.
Defensively, though, he was excellent. If we were to nitpick, we could say he gambled a bit too much. If we were not to nitpick, we would see that Dunn was a whirlwind of a defensive presence at the lead guard spot, applying a lot of ball pressure, rebounding, and being one hell of a general nuisance. He is physical, quick, has longer arms than some power forwards, and knows how to use them. He is already one of the very best defenders at his position on the planet.
Let us then not nitpick. Dunn has some work to do – the jump shot form does not suggest high volume high efficiency in its future, he drives to nowhere at times, he straight up errs at others. But he wins possessions and denies other ones. This was a very good comeback season.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Enjoy the value those two years provide.
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PG - 6’4, 210lbs - 24 years old - 2 years of experience
Considering the turgid nature of his rookie season, the bar was low for Dunn. Draft pick status and athletic profile notwithstanding, for a 23-year-old point guard to have done as little as he did as a rookie after four years of high major college experience was worrying. Nevertheless, fresh starts generally work, and Dunn’s defence should always have translated, considering his size, speed, tenacity, willingness to rebound and plays on the ball.
Offensively, Dunn was a bit awkward. When attacking in transition or semi-transition, he can get to the rim and made things happen – to a lesser but not insignificant degree, he can also do this in the half-court. He is not selfish, and dumps the ball off to paint players well. But inefficient shooting from all areas of the court, as well as a high turnover rate often of the live ball variety, leave for much growth still to do on that end. He makes himself an offensive presence, but the efficiency belies it.
Defensively, though, he was excellent. If we were to nitpick, we could say he gambled a bit too much. If we were not to nitpick, we would see that Dunn was a whirlwind of a defensive presence at the lead guard spot, applying a lot of ball pressure, rebounding, and being one hell of a general nuisance. He is physical, quick, has longer arms than some power forwards, and knows how to use them. He is already one of the very best defenders at his position on the planet.
Let us then not nitpick. Dunn has some work to do – the jump shot form does not suggest high volume high efficiency in its future, he drives to nowhere at times, he straight up errs at others. But he wins possessions and denies other ones. This was a very good comeback season.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Enjoy the value those two years provide.