Why Dosunmu focused on stamina, not starting at PG originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Ask Ayo Dosunmu where he specifically wants to most improve over his impressive rookie season and you won’t hear a statistic or even a specific basketball skill.
“Stamina,” the Chicago Bulls guard said following Tuesday’s training camp practice at the Advocate Center.
Nobody except maybe the uber-confident and uber-prepared Dosunmu expected the Chicago product to be one of four Bulls to log 2,000 or more minutes or start 40 games last season. But with increased responsibility came decreased rest.
And though Dosunmu prides himself on his conditioning and preparation, he admittedly hit a lull down the stretch of last season. It transcended the so-called “rookie wall” because Dosunmu’s heady, mature game never looked overwhelmed. It featured a mix of fatigue and focus from opposing defenses.
“What ended up happening with him in my opinion is there was more film on him,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I don’t think any question his legs were tired. Physically, he hit a wall. But I also think the more these younger players play and the players and coaches from different teams watch film and start to see things, you start to get a better pulse of how you want to guard somebody. People got more familiar with him.”
And so Dosunmu attacked the offseason. He knows with starting point guard Lonzo Ball sidelined indefinitely following Wednesday’s surgical procedure, the responsibility/rest ratio won’t change.
Dosunmu finished last season at 194 pounds and said he’s back up to his preferred playing weight of 200. He spent much of his offseason at the Advocate Center, working with the strength and conditioning coaches off the court and with assistant coaches like Chris Fleming and Josh Longstaff on it.
“Just being able to have my stamina there throughout the whole season and be able to be a reliable playmaker at all times,” Dosunmu said. “A lot of times teams are going to key in on Zach (LaVine), DeMar (DeRozan) and Vooch (Nikola Vučević). Just use my experience from last year and grow as a player and…
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Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2022-09-28 21:20:14
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