Generally, when Giannis Antetokounmpo bursts into transition like this, we know how it ends. That evening, however, while the Jazz were in total demonstration on the Bucks floor, Kris Dunn achieves the unthinkable: blocking the Greek's path by placing a hand on the ball. Ball which will end its journey in the stands.
The sequence says a lot about the defensive activity of the Jazz playmaker. This one, considered by some to be the best defender in the league on the back lineshas become an essential cog in the good mechanics of the Jazz, the best team in the league at the moment (six victories in a row and twelve victories in 14 outings).
“ Kris Dunn's voice carries more now because his role is different. Kris always talked a lot. He has always been very present in our locker room and in training. But now that he's a starter, his voice is heard in a different way and at different times “, describes Will Hardy,
The latter, after using his leader in fits and starts in his five so far, decided to install him there for good at the end of December. Or at the precise start of this 14-game streak, and while Talen Horton-Tucker found himself on the sidelines.
Don't try to score
And the 29-year-old responded. Without making any spark in attack (5 points on average over the period), because he is not very keen on outside shooting (32% at 3-points in his career), he shines on the other hand with his defensive investment (1.5 interceptions and 1 block) and his managerial qualities, with a minimum of risk-taking (6 assists for a lost ball).
“ I won't do myself or the team any favors if I try to go out there and score 20 points. I have to play my role, I understand it and I have no problem doing it: come on, defend and distribute. The most important thing is to maintain this energy », displays the former “top pick” of the Wolves (5th in 2016), distinguished for his defense when he played at the University of Providence.
“ He doesn't try to score every time he gets the ball. He just takes what's in front of him. “, appreciates Will Hardy, whose player has the feeling of being ” a Ferrari » since he lost a few kilos.
A great trajectory for the man who, on a very slippery slope in recent years, to the point of almost being ejected from the league, was able to bounce back perfectly in Utah, where he finished last season with a bang (nearly 13 points , 6 assists and 5 rebounds). His contract has since been fully guaranteed.
| Kris Dunn | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | MIN | 78 | 17 | 37.7 | 28.8 | 61.0 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 3.8 |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 52 | 29 | 42.9 | 32.1 | 73.7 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 13.4 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 46 | 30 | 42.5 | 35.4 | 79.7 | 0.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 11.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 51 | 25 | 44.4 | 25.9 | 74.1 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 7.3 |
| 2020-21 | ATL | 4 | 11 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 14 | 24 | 43.1 | 9.1 | 94.4 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 7.6 |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 22 | 26 | 53.7 | 47.2 | 77.4 | 0.4 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 13.2 |
| 2023-24 | UTH | 34 | 17 | 47.3 | 37.0 | 68.8 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
| Total | 301 | 23 | 43.5 | 31.8 | 74.2 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 8.2 | |
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.
