All NBA rookies obtain welcome rites of passage into the NBA.
This might be take orders from veteran teammatesface their idols, or get cooked by opposing veterans throughout matches.
Phoenix Suns Rookie Ryan Dunn received a dose of the latter two within the staff’s first three preseason video games, guarding LeBron James and Detroit’s rising star Cade Cunningham.
In Phoenix’s 109-91 house loss to Detroit on Friday, Dunn received his first begin changing the injured Devin Booker (proper ankle soreness).
“It was enjoyable,” Dunn mentioned after the sport. “I got here out and there was a great crowd, so excited. In fact we misplaced, but it surely was only a good expertise to start out, to have that type of luck early on.
Nevertheless, the sport grew to become Dunn’s second welcome-to-the-NBA second in opposition to Cunningham. The Pistons’ prime choose in 2021 shined with sport highs of 25 factors (10-of-16 capturing), 12 rebounds, 9 assists and two steals.
Dunn had 5 factors, struggled on 1-of-6 capturing (his solely basket was from past the arc), added 4 rebounds, a game-high two blocks and a steal in 21 minutes.
“They’ve lots of good younger gamers,” Dunn mentioned. “Cade, simply due to the way in which he strikes and his measurement, it’s troublesome for good protection, particularly in choose and roll.
“He can simply manipulate the protection, so it was a tricky sport for me. I give him all of the respect. He is an amazing participant. He is a participant I like offensively as effectively.”
Cunningham is a seasoned 6-6 12 months veteran who has constructed muscle on his 220-pound body over the previous 12 months. He’s the chief of a younger and really bodily Pistons staff, though they misplaced an NBA document 28 in a row final season beneath former Suns coach Monty Williams.
Dunn mentioned throughout the Suns’ shootout Friday that his first “welcome to the NBA” second was defending in opposition to his “childhood hero” and “GOAT” James of their preseason opening win 118 -114 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers in Palm Desert, California. final Sunday. Dunn (9 factors together with two 3s, three rebounds, a steal and an help, plus-11 in 24 minutes) mentioned he did “fairly effectively” in opposition to James, who scored 19 in 16 minutes .
There’s a studying curve for all rookies in preseason. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer understands the significance of throwing Dunn into the hearth as a starter in opposition to the Pistons’ greatest facilitator and main scorer.
“Ryan likes the problem of guarding one of the best gamers and taking up the problem, whether or not he is coming off the bench within the first two video games or beginning tonight,” Budenholzer mentioned after Friday’s sport. “I feel Ryan might be higher, we might be higher, however Cade is a good younger participant and he confirmed that tonight. So it is an amazing studying expertise for Ryan.”
Dunn’s 6-7 draft profile was largely based mostly on his defensive strengths and 7-foot wingspan, not what he brings to the desk on offense. However in his first two video games, Dunn shot a mixed 6 of 13 (5 of 11 from 3); final season at Virginia, he hit simply 7 of 35 from deep.
Dunn showcased his defensive prowess in opposition to the Pistons on a chase block on Tobias Harris’ fast-break dunk try within the third quarter, which led to a Kevin Durant triple in transition.
“Simply preserve competing,” Dunn mentioned Friday. “My shot wasn’t falling in the present day, however I simply type of had my mentality now of continuous to be taught to fly regardless, however making up for it on the opposite finish.
“I feel that block helped me rather a lot to get again on protection and that will be a great save.”
Ryan Dunn returned this fast dunk try from Tobias Harris, resulting in this Kevin Durant triple assisted by Mason Plumlee that lower the Pistons’ result in 76-59 in 3Q. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Z2OKmLO33x
-DANA (@iam_DanaScott) October 12, 2024
Dunn mentioned throughout Friday’s shootaround that it was a “full circle second” in opposition to Cunningham from their highschool days enjoying for nationwide powers Oak Hill Academy and Montverde Academy, respectively.
“I really performed in opposition to Cade in highschool when he was at Montverde, and we received slapped when he gained the championship at house. It is cool, a full circle second that retains him there once more. However he is a man I like, I need to watch him and be taught.
Dunn is anticipated to see extra time in Sunday’s preseason sport in Denver.
Budenholzer mentioned at Suns observe Saturday that Booker might be out once more, together with Grayson Allen (Achilles) and beginning middle Jusuf Nurkic (finger).
“It’s large. It is a good alternative for (Dunn),” Suns guard Tyus Jones mentioned. “Despite the fact that it is a preseason sport, it is nonetheless a great alternative to expertise.
“Essentially the most helpful factor is the reps and being on the ground and getting the minutes and getting these stay appears.”
This text was initially revealed on Arizona Republic: Suns’ Ryan Dunn has ‘welcome to the NBA’ moments in opposition to LeBron and Cunningham
