Hoops Habit
Fansided

A former lottery pick may have a permanent home with the Utah Jazz

By Rob Greene

SALT LAKE CITY UT- APRIL 8: Kris Dunn #11 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as he brings the ball up the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of their game on April 8, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY UT- APRIL 8: Kris Dunn #11 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as he brings the ball up the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of their game on April 8, 2023 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement(Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

The Leadership of Dunn

What Dunn has evolved into as a member of the Jazz in almost two months of wearing the uniform is a total rendition of the team’s tremendous storyline this season. The team rapidly went into rebuild mode last summer as the entire franchise was turned over from its pillars to their successors. Once Ainge hoarded his beloved draft compensation, everyone thought it was an obvious tanking decision for the future without any fight or enjoyment.

Utah became one of the league’s best stories for quite some time, with them even being in the playoff picture and then battling for the thrilling Play-In tournament positioning. A new and lovable face in Lauri Markkanen became one of the NBA’s most dominant forces at the forward spot, with All-NBA potential. Jordan Clarkson had one of his career’s best seasons, and rookie Walker Kessler proved to be an upcoming star and one of the game’s premier shot-blockers and rebounders throughout his campaign.

Most of all, Dunn and Markkanen, who were disregarded and undervalued throughout their 20s, have shown they can be given the keys to the ship’s engines at any point through this process. Dunn should be rewarded with a boosted and critical role for the Jazz moving forward as the needle-threader and initiator.

Dunn was open about his mentality throughout the entire voyage that the tough-minded guard has encountered.

"“I’m willing to soak up any game and knowledge that I cant get from anybody,” said Dunn. “I just try to explain to the guys, the rookies, the guys that I was with in the G-League. Just give them a little bit about my journey in the sense of being a top five pick, it didn’t go well my first year then right away I get traded to Chicago which was a big market with another young team. We had a losing record, we’re getting booed off the court. Dealt with a lot of injuries. Then going to another place, Atlanta, they did wonderful things, they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. I was on bed rest for the whole year. Then, get traded to Boston to get traded to Memphis, then had a really good training camp. Got sick, got waived, then go to the G-League, go to Portland. Wasn’t fully healthy played 20 games in Portland, go to the G-League after that.”"

Next. 5 fascinating storylines to watch in the first round of the NBA playoffs. dark

Expressing complete vulnerability discussing the human relation of everything the guard had been through, Dunn understands the veteran voice he has and what he could provide for Utah’s future. The connection, solace and acceptance in anything with the organization gives a promising sense of Dunn’s future with the franchise. Utah is beyond fortunate for Dunn’s leadership.

Home/Utah Jazz