The Bulls lost their defensive leader when Kris Dunn suffered a knee injury 13 seconds into Friday’s game, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Dunn returned to Chicago to undergo an MRI and get a thorough examination from team doctors. A more detailed report on his condition should be available soon.
The injury comes at an awkward time for Chicago with the trade deadline just five days away. Despite a 19-32 record, the Bulls are just three-and-a-half games out of the eighth spot in the East. Coach Jim Boylen acknowledged that several factors are in play as the organization decides whether to be buyers or sellers.
“The health of our team, our future development, our current ability to fight for the playoffs, we’ll take all that into account,’’ Boylen said.
A long-term absence for Dunn would weigh heavily on those decisions. He has become a contender for the NBA’s All-Defensive Team and serves as the on-court embodiment of Boylen’s defense-first philosophy.
“He brings other things that maybe you don’t see on the floor,’’ Boylen said. “He’s a great teammate, he relishes in his teammates’ success. He’s a vocal part of our meal room, our meetings, our video. He helps us learn and grow, so we’re going to miss him on a lot of levels.’’
There’s more from Chicago:
- The irony of Dunn’s injury is that he was hurt in a collision with teammate Thaddeus Young, who is a prime candidate to be traded if the Bulls decide to break up the team, Cowley adds in the same story. Young was knocked backward while drawing a charge, and his head struck Dunn’s knee. Young has been part of trade rumors for several weeks, but is attempting to go about business as usual. “I try not to worry about those things,’’ he said after today’s practice. “I try to continue to come and hoop whether I’m playing for the Bulls or playing for any other organization. … If they have to make a business decision, I understand what it is. I’ve been in the game for a long time. I understand organizations have to make changes and business decisions. When you get into a situation and your back is against the wall, you have to learn how to pivot.’’
- Zach LaVine tells Sam Smith of NBA.com that he’s disappointed not to be named to the All-Star Game, but understands the reasons for the decision. “You just saw the trend where they went for players on winning teams,” LaVine said. “Everybody (who has excelled this season) feels like they are deserving. But there are only so many spots. A lot of guys can make their case.” Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago examines the remarkable numbers LaVine posted in January, which was the best month of his career.
- No Bulls are currently slated to participate in any All-Star Weekend event, even though the game is in Chicago for the first time since 1988, notes Jamal Collier of The Chicago Tribune. Wendell Carter Jr. was selected for the Rising Stars Challenge, but will miss the game because of a sprained right ankle.
Kris Dunn needs to work on his 3 this summer non-stop. He starts hitting 37% and he could carve out a great living as Pat Beverly Jr.
Watching Beverley, he plays bigger/taller than he is. When I see Dunn I view him in the opposite light.
Exactly. He’s bigger, more athletic and just as tenacious as Bev… also, when did Bev develop a 3? Dunn has a much higher ceiling.
I’d say he had to develop a 3 sometime in highschool. He’s on a .361 clip this year and .378 for his career As a pro. Heck he was a career .382 at Arkansas. He’s no Steph Curry but I mean that’s above average for his career.
About 7 years ago? He shot 37.5% from three during his rookie season in Houston. He’s only of the best 3 and D guys in the entire NBA.
The fact that Bulls management thinks there’s talent on this team is frightening. Your best 2 players are glorified 6 men.
Wendell Carter Jr is a stud. Big men always take time to develop. Markannen has been hurt a lot of his shirt career. White is just over half into his rookie season. Seems a little selfish at times too early to tell. I’ll give ya LaVine. He is a 6th man through and through. He would be one hell of a 6th man though. Kinda like Ginobli without the court vision. Before Chicago Thad Young was a great glue guy. Set hard screens, boxed out so the other bigs could get their boards and can even shoot a little get him off the Bulls and get him on a veteran team I think he’d go back to what he was.
The real problems in Chicago are Paxson,Forman and Boylen. Those guys drag this team down.
There’s talent on the Bulls. There just isn’t high end talent. Let’s not act like the Bull don’t have 7-8 guys who could help contenders.
The irony of the injury story will be an even tougher pill for Boylen if the FO was intentionally waiting to the last minute in treading Young & Valentine. A “story of the season” moment.
I would prefer the Bulls had some representation for the AS week. I’m not rooting for Tatum esp after that tale-of-woe segment during tonight’s game. Him not making the team last last year was not a tragedy; making it this year was lucky.
You right JT ain’t that good, he shouldn’t be anywhere near the ASG, sadly he only is there because he is in a winning team.
ThEy WeNt FoR pLaYeRs On WiNnInG tEaMs… Trae Young says hi
The Bulls are the worst franchise in the NBA. How pathetic is it to not have a player good enough to play in the All-Star game in YOUR OWN city?!?!?
Failed drafts. Failed rebuilds. Failed FA signings. Failed coaching moves.
Through it all GarPax keep their jobs to continue to fail.
On top of that fans complain about it but STILL GO TO GAMES!!
Hurt them in the wallet…. STOP GOING!! Stop buying their merchandise!
A change in this disaster will never happen until YOU do.
They are the laughing stock of the NBA, maybe the sports world
Will the NBA please step in to stop GarPax Boy from further ruining a once proud organization.
Remember old man, organizations win championships.