The Phoenix Suns dropping another game to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday didn't come as a surprise, but just how bad new recruit Miles Bridges looked as a small-ball five for the team certainly was. With Oso Ighodaro again out, Head Coach Jordan Ott had to give it a try, but the immediate results mean Ryan Dunn is the player who should be looked at next for this unique role.
Dunn is dying to prove himself in any role and is plus defender
Although the combination of scoring threat and a thicker frame in theory made Bridges the ideal fit for this role when Khaman Maluach went to the bench, the results spoke for themselves. The larger Thunder scored on the Suns at will and beat them up inside, adding another layer of misery to the trade that landed Bridges in Phoenix over the summer.
Despite the Suns adding veterans Duop Reath and Pat Spencer on two-way contracts, and rookie Koa Peat also joining the mix, Dunn continues to stick on this roster, even after failing to take a step up across his first two seasons in the league. His preseason play was encouraging, and prior to that, the unfortunate injury to starting center Mark Williams opened the door for him even more.
Dunn has his flaws, and consistent offensive output is right at the top of that list. But with Devin Booker again asserting that he needs to be more aggressive after the loss to the Thunder, and the ability of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to each give the team 20 points a night, all the Suns need is for Dunn to spread the court even a modest amount to be successful.
He is more interested in defending than Bridges and has the longer frame to disrupt opponents. If a more traditional big is pushing him out of the way on any given night, that is no reason to panic; it is not like Bridges was holding his own when he was battling in the paint. This would allow the Suns to have Brooks and Bridges operate in their natural positions, and they will be bigger than many of the forwards they come up against.
Jack of all trades tag can be a gift and a curse for Dunn in Phoenix
It is clear that Dunn is never going to have the scoring ability to go with his consistent defensive alertness to be a starter for the Suns, but being able to do a bit of everything is his key to success in The Valley. It won't lead to a massive payday, and he will constantly be moved to the position of greatest need, but that is better than not having a role at all.
Maybe he will end up being an option to man the middle when Coach Ott is trying to mix it up against certain opponents, but one thing is certain: He can't put Bridges back in that spot anytime soon, and Dunn is looking like the best option of a bad bunch.
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