Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn is the first player to reach 100 steals in the 2019-20 season. He deserves to be celebrated for that.
Kris Dunn was an afterthought for most Chicago Bulls fans coming into the 2019-20 season. The team brought in Tomas Satoransky to be the starting point guard and drafted Coby White to be the point guard of the future (well, maybe). It looked like Dunn’s time in Chicago was coming to an end. KD had other things in mind, though.
Instead of sulking on the bench or demanding a trade, Dunn accepted his new role and has played with unmatched tenacity. He’s been one of the league’s scrappiest perimeter defenders this season, and his numbers back that up.
Dunn is the first and only player so far this season to reach 100 steals. He did so in 49 games despite only playing 25.6 minutes per game. That’s absurd. His 100-steal accomplishment isn’t only impressive with respect to this season, though.
Per the Chicago Bulls, Dunn is now the third player in Bulls history to record 100 steals in the first 50 games of a season. The other two to do it? Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Not bad company, Kris.
Kris Dunn = LOCKDOWN.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 28, 2020
Dunn leads the NBA with 100 steals and has joined Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the only players in franchise history to record 100 steals in the first 50 games of a season. pic.twitter.com/dYBReeqt7i
In a season that’s been full of disappointments for Bulls fans, Dunn has been one of the only constant bright spots. He’s one of the few guys in the NBA that makes watching defense enjoyable for the average fan. He locks up his man on-ball and off-ball is an even bigger terror, constantly blowing up screens and getting his hands in the passing lanes. He also gets in the jersey of his assignment and does a terrific job of playing ball denial. It’s an absolute spectacle.
Not only has Dunn earned the respect of Bulls fans, but he’s earned the respect of fans league-wide. He’s turned himself into an incredibly valuable piece for Chicago, simply by accepting and owning his role. Not many guys in the league can wreak havoc on defense like he can.
It’s hard to predict whether or not Dunn’s defensive success this season will result in a selection to an All-Defensive Team. He surely deserves it, but the Bulls haven’t won many games. Either way, Dunn deserves to be celebrated for the defensive milestone he reached at this point in the season.
Well done, Dunn.