Ryan Dunn learns what it takes to earn minutes in the NBA

As a newcomer to the NBA, the season can come and go. A player can lose steam due to the strenuous 82-game time plan or even suffer an injury, since his body is not yet prepared for the drastic shift of physical requirements from college to the NBA. Adaptation to the game can lead to fatigue and mental exhaustion, which makes it difficult to rely on a rookie in order to consistently bring the winner that deserve appreciation for fans and support teammates. It is a completely new way of life, an introduction to a job full of exciting heights and crushed lows.

For Ryan Dunn by The Phoenix Suns, there is no simple answer for his DNP games or short stints from the bank. Sometimes play less than a minute to close a quarter. But like many Suns players, his focus is on staying ready to maintain a quiet mental state and be available when his number is called.

“I wouldn’t even say the defensive end,” said Dunn, after playing 33:29 last night, his third highest minute this season. “I can’t be upset.

In February, Dunn scored only 1.9 points and 2.3 rebounds on average, while he was shot out of the field in 12 games. Although he only recorded one DNP in the course of the month, he took a noticeable goal and fell from 21.2 per game in January to only 10.9 in February.

For a beginner like Dunn, it is difficult to see the floor as the theft of the design and ask for why. His offensive struggles and his lack of ratings have limited his season. On Friday evening against the Sacramento Kings, however, he achieved an impressive performance with 16 points, five rebounds and four steals. He was the heartbeat of the defense of the Suns and played a key role for their success in the first and third quarter.

If Dunn can continue to influence the game defensively and at the same time find ways to contribute aggressively, he can force his way back to the rotation. His energy and hectic pace are undeniable. Now it is about proving that he listens to the floor every night.

With the support of his greatest fan, Kevin Durant, Dunn has every reason to stay safe and continue to shoot, even if he misses five in a row. This is the kind of player who wants to see Suns fans: someone who is not afraid to make mistakes. The moment he begins to avoid being pulled, his self -confidence will score a goal and it is displayed at both ends of the soil.

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