瑞安-邓恩：从被低估的首轮秀到展现自我价值

（本文发布于12月16日，作者是CBS网站的记者James Herbert，文章内容不代表译者观点。）

以下是球探们对瑞安-邓恩的评价：他是一位出色的防守者，但在进攻端却完全不是射手，这使得他成为长期建队计划中的一个选择。根据《The Athletic》半年前发布的选秀指南，这位来自弗吉尼亚、身高6尺8寸的前锋被认为是过去十年中进攻能力“最糟糕”的潜在首轮秀之一。如果你相信邓恩会提升投篮能力，那么选中他的过程将需要等待多年才能见到回报。

在太阳队进行季前赛时，邓恩表现抢眼。在与湖人交战的一场比赛中，他三分球11投6中。而上赛季，他为弗吉尼亚大学打大二，仅仅命中了7记三分。他大学生涯最后11次三分出手是在其16场比赛和454分钟内完成，而这几乎花了两个月时间，只命中了1记三分。

湖人主帅雷迪克对此表示：“如果我们知道邓恩能以45%的命中率投篮，我们或许会改变我们的选秀策略。”虽然作为2024年的28号新秀，瑞安-邓恩并未展现出这样的精准——常规赛21场上的三分命中率为31.6%，但他绝不仅仅是一名“未来潜力股”。目前，他已为太阳首发9场，每场平均17.5分钟，并且通常负责防守对方最佳外线球员，包括布伦森和马尔卡宁等明星。此外，在詹姆斯突破时给出了封盖，对于一名只有21岁的年轻球员来说，这是相当令人振奋的数据，更何况此前他还没有进入过主力阵容直到即将毕业才受到重视。“如果10年前有人告诉我这些，我一定觉得他们疯了，”瑞安-邓顿如是说。

很难想象，当初还是个小角色的她，现在已经能够参与NBA级别的大舞台。在10月27日与独行侠较量的时候，在第四节里通过一次强势反击成功罚入了一记关键3分。杜兰特也曾赞扬道，“这个孩子在生涯前三局就像老将一样表现稳定”，而此后球队整体状态随之向好，也更利于让郑曦获得更多机会。

A month later, when Dunn reflected on that game, he mentioned how his initial intention was simply to set a screen for Durant's three-point shot. When he received the ball from Nurkic and noticed there wasn't an open look available, he quickly passed it back to Durant instead. He said: "I felt great seeing that shot go in; however, my mind is already focused on making sure I play good defense next possession."

Dunn’s appeal as an NBA player has been intriguing—up until now his selling point seemed more about being “not very good at shooting.” His father Ed shared amusingly: “When he was a junior in high school and not tall enough yet, I'd tell him ‘You can’t defend the paint or anyone else.’” Since age 15 Dunn had mostly waited around corners waiting for passes rather than actively seeking shots.

Dunn himself admitted this observation holds truth: “My dad couldn’t be more right—I’m entirely different from who I used to be! Back then no one feared me defensively." This transformation reflects how he's shifted from obscurity into becoming capable of hitting threes at the professional level—a trajectory many find fascinating due largely because defensive prowess stood out much clearer compared with previous notions regarding his offensive skills.

If you browse through Dunn’s Wikipedia page it'll mention Oak Hill Academy located within Virginia—the same institution attended by legends like Kevin Durant & Carmelo Anthony—but don't let its reputation mislead you:
"I didn’t even play for their strongest team but rather against weaker ones competing under 3v3 formats,” commented Ryan reminiscing over those days fondly while acknowledging basketball hadn't always been central during childhood immersed primarily amid baseball interests alongside older brother Justin (now MLB pitcher).

The shift occurred after shoulder surgery led young athlete realizing returning wasn’t appealing anymore since friends were all playing hoops together which sparked newfound passion ignited watching LeBron James battle Paul George unfold live playoffs games previously unseen before eighth grade joining middle school's squad took place thereafter truly embracing serious commitment towards sport upon entering freshman year articulating desire pursue further development pursuing guidance provided directly via father's suggestion visiting elite talents showcased firsthand experienced environment existing just beyond reach initially appearing daunting nonetheless fruitful eventually leading favorable outcomes ultimately graduates earned scholarships following graduation years down line thanks partly progress made throughout college setup enhancing skillsets allowing them thrive subsequently earning respect accordingly!
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