OKLAHOMA CITY – Phoenix Suns Earlier than Royce O’Neale smiled whereas explaining how curious rookie Ryan Dunn now not asks him questions.
“He doesn’t even speak to me anymore,” O’Neale mentioned. “He began to begin and he doesn’t speak to me anymore.”
O’Neale knew Dunn might hear him sitting three benches away on the Paycom Middle after Friday morning’s shootout because the Suns (9-3) ready to face Oklahoma Metropolis (10-2) within the Group B sport of the NBA West Cup.
Dunn’s nonverbal response was wide-eyed and raised eyebrows, however that is all love between the tower and the vet.
“No, I simply see the issues that I see, I attempt to educate him and level out issues to him that he can use to his benefit, offensively and defensively,” O’Neale continued. “Preserve him assured.”
Dunn began 5 video games instead of the injured Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. With these two injured left calves, Dunn needed to begin once more Friday evening and face maybe his hardest defensive task but in Thunder famous person Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Ending second in NBA MVP voting final season, Gilgeous-Alexander was averaging 27.9 factors on 49.8 p.c taking pictures, 6.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds this season heading into Friday’s sport. In his earlier 4 video games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.7 factors.
“Shai, he’s an excessive expertise,” Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned after Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 45 factors within the Thunder’s 134-128 victory Monday.
“He performs the sport the suitable manner. If you happen to overtake him, he’ll make the suitable cross. If you happen to do not, he’s expert sufficient to shoot at any time.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s 3-point taking pictures is down from final season at 30.9%, however he’s 7 of 15 from distance in OKC’s final two video games. He solely will get to the road 7.5 occasions per sport, in comparison with the career-high 10.9 makes an attempt he averaged throughout the 2022-23 season, however Gilgeous-Alexander’s means to determine making contacts and committing fouls is elite.
Fifteen of his 45 factors towards the Clippers got here from the free throw line on 16 makes an attempt.
“You possibly can’t give him no contact,” Dunn mentioned. “As a result of I am a rookie, they’re going to in all probability name it rather a lot. Simply attempt to maintain my palms open and large so the referees can see it. Utilizing my physique to get some energy, however simply attempting to do just a few issues in between. It’s a must to unbalance it. Simply attempt to present it so you aren’t getting any errors.
The Suns spent a variety of time in Friday’s shootout towards Gilgeous-Alexander. Dunn has already watched a ton of movie on the two-time All-NBA First Group choice, however he’ll proceed to take action earlier than the sport.
“Ask a variety of questions on him,” Dunn mentioned. “He’s an incredible participant. He will attempt to go after me as a rookie. I am simply going to attempt to do my finest to remain forward and comprise it as a lot as doable.
Dunn has already needed to guard gamers like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden and Lauri Markkanen.
He is making ready for the season’s problem of going through the sport’s finest, which continues Sunday with Anthony Edwards when the Suns conclude their street journey towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I had 82 video games like that,” Dunn mentioned. “I’ve to maintain Markkanen, Shai, Ant, LeBron and Curry.”
Stephen Curry, it is true. The Suns will face the Warriors for the primary time this season on November 30 in Phoenix.
“It’s going to be enjoyable,” Dunn continued. “That’s the problem I would like. This can get even higher with time. I am excited for this.
Dunn was a late first-round draft pick of Virginia, however has turn out to be one of many league’s impression rookies. He completed fourth on NBA.com’s first rookie rankings for the 2024-25 season launched final week.
Dunn is now sixth on the record for the reason that rankings labeled him a “3-and-D” man. Dunn is averaging 7.3 factors and connecting on 37.8% of his 3s in 11 video games.
“Rattling Royce, I’m falling,” Dunn mentioned in response to shifting from fourth to sixth place.
Carefree.
“It doesn’t matter,” O’Neale mentioned.
Agreed.
“It’s cool to be right here, however on the finish of the day I’m not targeted on these accolades,” Dunn mentioned. “It’s too early for all this. I am simply attempting to get my ft moist.
Do you have got any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text was initially revealed on Arizona Republic: Gilgeous-Alexander subsequent defensive problem for Suns rookie Ryan Dunn
