Ryan Dunn contributing as role expands, says he’s ‘just trying to be the best teammate’ he can be

Ryan Dunn is carving out a consistent bench role for the Phoenix Suns, and it’s a big reason why more wins have come lately.

The former first-round pick out of Virginia has played at least 22 minutes in four straight games (24 minutes per game) after being below 18 minutes each of the previous six (13.3 minutes). Phoenix is 3-1 over the last four and won just one of the first six contests.

“It’s just been staying ready,” Dunn told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo Wednesday. “Every time I step on the floor, it’s just going out and trusting my work. That’s what I got brought in here to do, just be a catalyst on that.

“We have a lot of great other guys, so I’m not going to say I’m the head of the snake here. I think we all play well most games, but it’s just good to get those opportunities back and just be able to stay with it as much as I can.”

Dunn’s rise in per-game production has been stark:

• Points: 4.3 to 8.0
• Rebounds: 3.7 to 4.5
• Assists: 0.8 to 2.0
• Steals: 0.3 to 1.0
• Field-goal percentage: 42.9% to 56.5%
• 3-point percentage: 44.4% to 55.6%

Despite the added minutes, he has not fouled more than twice in a game, and he has only one turnover over the four-game stretch (96 minutes).

“I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be, to be honest with you,” Dunn said. “I might see stuff that they don’t see. So, I’m trying to give my teammates advice on what they can do. And then when my opportunity gets called, like I just said, being ready for it. But I never try to be like, ‘Well, I can do this.’ I just try to be the best teammate I can be.”

The 6-foot-7 Dunn, who has a 7-foot-1.5 wingspan, arrived from Virginia with a defensive pedigree, and that’s shown up with a 16.8-point swing in the Suns’ defensive rating when he is on the floor (107.7) versus off of it (124.5).

He played as the Cavaliers’ small-ball center at times in college, and Phoenix is now taking advantage of that skillset, albeit in minimal spurts.

“When our bigs were in foul trouble or, you know, another team has had a had a quicker lineup, they put me at the 5 or the 4,” Dunn said. “I think for me, it’s just using my speed, using my athleticism and my intelligence to get Devin (Booker) and those guys the ball. Just making plays and getting everybody involved.

“It’s just being the catalyst offensively and just kind of being the connector. Kind of like what Oso (Ighodaro) is, but you know, I’m a lot smaller than Oso.”

Dunn and the Suns are back in action Thursday when they host the Charlotte Hornets.

Catch all the action on Arizona Sports 98.7 or the app.

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