Kris Dunn. One of the league's most disruptive forces. He's as dogged a defender in the NBA and he devastates offenses through his endless effort. Watching the former Providence Friar fire up and lock in reminds some of the Grindfather, Tony Allen (*ehem* FIRST TEAM ALL-DEFENSE). He clearly lives in the film room and studies the personnel and play calls like few others do. Steals aren't the best defensive stat, by far, but by the hiatus, he finishes SECOND in the league (2.0 to Ben Simmons' league leading 2.1) while only averaging 24.1 minutes per game. To put that in perspective, here's the top 5 league leaders in steals, with their respective total minutes played on the season:
1. Ben Simmons - 1930 (35.7 per game)
2. Kris Dunn - 1269 (24.1 per game)
3T. Andre Drummond - 1879 (33.0 per game)
3T. Fred VanVleet - 1719 (35.8 per game)
4. Kawhi Leonard - 1643 (32.2 per game)
Dunn does it in every kind of way. If you’re talking toughness, he’s 6’3” and he’s fighting the likes of Kevin Love, Ben Simmons, and even Andre Drummond for post position.
He’ll be the low man and rotate all the way over to contest shot at the rim. His reads and rotations are really special.
He’ll lockdown and move laterally against guys like DeAaron Fox, Derrick Rose, Luka Doncic, and CJ McCollum.
He’ll chase guys around screens or live in that deny position all day. He did so in this video against JJ Redick, Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, and Kemba Walker.
His hands might seem like they’re heavy bags when he swipes down because he strips MVPs James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
When he ball hawks, well, just look at this list of stars and scorers he rips the ball from, IN ORDER, beginning at 4:30:
Paul George
Derrick Rose
CJ McCollum
Luka Doncic
Chris Paul
Jimmy Butler
Ja Morant
Trae Young
According to Blake Murphy, via Samson Folk’s Top 100 Players list on Raptors Republic (link below):
“There might not be a better creator of havoc within a solid defensive foundation than Dunn, who has been between the 93rd and 100th percentile in steal rate and between the 80th and 98th percentile in block rate amount point guards in all four of her seasons, per Cleaning the Glass.”
In Dunn's own words to SB Nation (link below):
“I feel like Tony Allen, he just fits what I do. He’ll pounce on you. He was strong, physical. I think he could guard 1 through 3, even fours. I feel like I can guard some fours sometimes. I feel like that’s a good comparison because he’s got that dog, he’s got that bloodhound in him.”
Also - big shouts to Kris Dunn's college coach from Providence. Ed Cooley is world class.
If you'd like to donate:
Venmo - @Evin_Gual
Cash App - $EvinGual
Patreon - / evin_gual
www.sbnation.c...
www.raptorsrep...
Picture credit: sports.yahoo.c...
2 окт 2024
