After struggling to carve out his role in the NBA, Chris Dunn finds his footing for the Los Angeles Clippers and plays meaningful basketball.
In the NBA, the most improved player awards have lost most of its meaning. In recent years, it has been given to Ja Morant, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Lauri Markkanen. All of these players were expected to be selected for the draft lottery and to be more or less a star.
This year, original first overall pick, Cade Cunningham, is the front line to win the George Mikan Trophy, making the award’s longstanding points even more intense. It’s about celebrating players who exceed expectations.
Fans will argue that Norman Powell, who has improved from a solid role player in 31 seasons to a Borderline All-Star, should win the award. The Los Angeles Clippers franchise is likely to agree, and in fact the Clippers have another breakout player that has long been overlooked.
After being selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016, Chris Dunn quickly emerged as a solid boundary defender, but he was unable to make much of an offensive impact and was traded with the Chicago Bulls in his first NBA offseason.
Dan has been bounced back through the league since then, but has never put together a great season with a good team. Apparently near the end of his NBA career, he signed a three-year deal with Utah Jazz this summer, then traded with the Clippers, with many expecting him to burn.
Instead, he averages 6 points, 3 assists and 3.5 rebounds on a solid team and starts frequently.
He’s not a star, but when Kawi Leonard wasn’t playing, Dan was the best defender on the team.
Lewilliams, who ranked 45th overall in 2005, knows one or two things about working the way he does. The third time sixth man had the best range of his career with the Clippers. He and Dan spent time with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2020-21 season.
“They have a variety of titles,” said Williams of the Clippers this season. “Listen, I want to show my love to Chris Dunn and I’ve always been trying to find a home in his NBA career for those who have tried it out.
Dan is not a very scorer, but he orders respect thanks to his ability to reach the rim and kick the open man the ball.
“He’s offensive on the defensive side,” Williams continued. “He’s knocking down the shots. He’s become a viable threesome and a D-guy for the Clipper. They’ve got a lot of great pieces.
The Clippers are 6-1 in their last seven games. Dan shot the lights and went 21.4% from deep, but he remains a high-level defender and secondary facilitator. The Clippers are the eighth species of the West, and if everything is held, they are expected to face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Houston Rocket in the first round.
Dan’s offensive shortcomings prevent him from playing a massive role for the Clippers in the postseason, but he could be tasked with defending Shay Gilgauss-Alexander, who has been locked up so far against the Clippers this season.