Offense dominated Bulls' preseason opener, but Dunn hasn't forgotten about defense
A day after the Bulls' offense ran wild in a preseason victory over New Orleans, point guard Kris Dunn sounded the warning.
"Run-and-gun ain't going to win you games," Dunn said Monday at the Advocate Center. "You've got to guard in this league. There's only a few teams that can run-and-gun, and they're very talented and they get away with it. But for us we're still young, still learning, and we've still got to improve."
The first time out this season, the Bulls piled up the points, beating the Pelicans 128-116 as Zach LaVine, Bobby Portis and Antonio Blakeney scored 21 points each.
The quality of defense during Sunday's contest varied. There were a few times the Bulls successfully challenged New Orleans center Anthony Davis, who played 16 minutes. There were times when the open lanes to the rim made it look more like more a rookie-sophomore challenge defensive effort.
"We're not trying to strive for that," Dunn said. "Defense is definitely something that we have to improve on, something we have to work on, and keep emphasizing. I feel like if we all focus and lock in, come together and play good defense, we can be good."
Dunn said on media day he thinks he can help set the tone by being the team's best defender. On Monday, he mentioned trying to help LaVine achieve his goal of becoming a better defender.
It's tough to measure anyone's defensive quality in one offensive-minded preseason game, but LaVine did come up with two steals against the Pelicans.
"He (LaVine) had some really good (defensive) possessions," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "But then he also had a few where, for example, he made a shot and he kind of ran back with a home run trot and his guy got in front of him. Those are the kinds of things we have to limit. And it wasn't just Zach. As a team, a big part of our defense is taking away easy baskets. And there was too many of those last night."
But if being a good defender begins with desire and requisite athleticism, then LaVine could be in good shape. Hoiberg added another reminder that LaVine had a full summer to work on his skills, as opposed to last year when it was all about rehabbing his knee injury.
"Zach's been as good as we had as far as being bought in to everything that we're trying to teach," Hoiberg said. "It's just making sure that we continue those habits when we get tired or we have adversity hit us when we're on the floor. But I've been really pleased with Zach. He's really tried to buy into going out there and being a two-way guy."
Looking at Sunday's box score, Dunn led the team with two blocked shots. Six of the Bulls' eight steals came from the bench, including two each by Portis and rookie Chandler Hutchison. Jabari Parker led the team in plus-minus at plus-13.
"I think everybody wants to be a good defender," Dunn said. "For me it's just everybody locking in, focusing in on that side of the ball and do it as a team. One man can't control the whole defense. It's a team thing and I think the coaching staff is doing a good job of emphasizing it every day. I think we're going to do good at it."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls