“With the fifth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select… Kris Dunn from Providence College.”
Many, including myself, were shocked to see point guard, Kris Dunn selected so late in the Draft. Having been touted as one of the hottest talents in this class, as well as one of the most experienced in terms of College Basketball played, it was widely expected that he would be in and amongst the fight for the top three with Simmons and Ingram. But fortunately for the Timberwolves, he fell rather fortuitously into their welcoming hands.
While all the predictors and Kris Dunn enthusiasts wallowed in self-pity at his draft stock plummeting at the vital second, the Timberwolves rejoiced, as they had picked up one of, if not the most exciting young guards in the draft class.
Fundamentally, this is pretty much exactly what the Timberwolves needed – a quick, scoring point guard that can really put pressure on Ricky Rubio’s starting spot. With many mock drafts prior to June 23rd predicting Dunn to be taken by Boston, coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden may have been scouting around for potential shooting guards or power forwards, with Jamal Murray, Buddy Hield, Marquese Chriss and Domantas Sabonis being prime targets. Little did they expect they would be walking away with a potential super-star PG in the making.
Statistically, Dunn has all the components to be a great in the league, and certainly barge his way into the Timberwolves starting line-up. In his junior year at New London High School he averaged 26.5 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists per game, leading ‘the Whalers’ to a resounding 27-0 record and a Connecticut Class L Championship victory – quite the feat. Dunn’s name continued to grow in his final two years at college, after spending the first two seasons settling into college life and then being setback by shoulder surgery in his sophomore year. He dominated college basketball from then on out, with his outside shooting growing from strength-to-strength, his 3P% rising consistently with every season, finally culminating at a 37.2% success rate from beyond the arc in his final season. His PPG also rose steadily, showing dramatic improvement from the 5.7 PPG he averaged in his first season, to 16.4 PPG in his last.
“The way he plays [is very pleasing]; his defense, rebounding, ability to get to the line, ability to make plays, very good in pick-and-rolls and his size. We think his overall size at his position is critical.” – Coach Tom Thibodeau on Dunn’s quality.
As well as being an effective shooter, Dunn’s speed and defensive abilities really set him above the rest, as he picked up consecutive Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016. His 2.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game (2015) and 2.5 steals and 0.6 blocks per game (2016) undoubtedly played a significant role in this.
Ricky Rubio is an incredible perimeter defender, recording 2.1 SPG on average last season, the joint highest in the league, tying with unanimous regular season MVP, Steph Curry. As well as his defense, he also excels in passing and creating shooting opportunities for his teammates, picking up 8.7 assists per game. Something Rubio’s game lacks is a consistent shot and scoring capabilities. He picked up 10 PPG on average last year, an incredibly mediocre number – this is where Dunn can shine.
They are statistically quite similar; decent passers, great defensive players who excel at stripping the ball from opposition guards to start fast breaks – but Dunn can score. His Summer League performances show that, scoring a team-high 27 points in his SL debut along with 3 steals to boot, as well as 24 points in his second game in which he suffered a concussion that subsequently resulted in him sitting out the rest of the pre-season.
He’s shown glimpses of what he can do, and what the Timberwolves can expect from him, with two glamorous performances in the Summer League. Are the Timberwolves onto a winner with Kris Dunn? Only time will tell, but for now, all eyes will be on this young Timberwolves side come the 27th.
James Cragg Sport 