Chicago Bulls: Kris Dunn is ready to roll in 2018-2019

The Chicago Bulls held their annual media day on Monday, and it was abundantly clear Kris Dunn is ready to rock.

On Monday the Chicago Bulls held their annual obligatory media day. The quasi “dog and pony show” usually doesn’t produce anything incredibly significant in terms of news. Rather it’s an opportunity for fans starving for basketball information to talk about things like whether Lauri Markkanen is sporting a new hairstyle this season. And if you don’t believe me, go check Twitter.

In any event, this year’s media day wasn’t a total waste of time for the Bulls. There were actually a few interesting tidbits trickling out. However, none were more important than the demeanor of and confidence exuded by starting point guard Kris Dunn.

The “junkyard dog” of the team along with Bobby Portis, Dunn will look to build on last season in which he improved significantly from his rookie year. If not for missing two significant periods of time due to injuries, it might have been even better. As it was, Dunn was one of the brightest spots of the team during the first half of the season.

And now he enters the 2018-19 campaign during which much will be expected of the floor general from Providence College. The lockdown defender will be asked to take his offensive game to the next level, to include making sure the Bulls’ new bevy of offensive weapons gets enough looks. With the additions of Jabari Parker and Wendell Carter, Jr. to go along with Markkanen and Zach LaVine, it will be critical for Dunn to get them all involved.

From the sound of his comments at media day, he is more than up to the challenge. In fact, he looked like a player who knows he’s on the cusp of something very special. He responded to questions today in a very confident, and matter of fact way. He also gave Bulls fans a glimpse of what they might see out of him on the court this year.

As the point guard, Dunn said he will be more of a vocal leader. He feels this was something he got away from last year, but being his second year with the Bulls, he feels much more comfortable being that type of leader this season.

He likened himself to the quarterback of the team and confidently proclaimed himself the best defender on the team — something I don’t think anyone would dispute. As the “quarterback” of the team, he’s going to have his hands full keeping everyone happy, but if you know Dunn, you know he loves the challenge.

Dunn is a tireless worker, and this offseason was no different — despite the ridiculous reports to the contrary this summer, which Dunn dismissed as unprofessional. Failure is not an option for Dunn. He has proven that over and over again both on and off the court. Something tells me the uninitiated Bulls fans are going to see that first hand this year. And when you do, don’t say you weren’t warned.