Dunn: I was trying to impress Thibodeau, so I couldn't learn with T-Wolves

As the game begins to slow down for Kris Dunn, the Chicago Bulls point guard reflected on his rough rookie campaign.

The 2016 No. 5 pick noted his adjustment to the NBA was difficult because he was tasked with playing so many positions on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and expended so much energy trying to get on head coach Tom Thibodeau's good side in hopes of becoming a full-time starter.

"Last year, I couldn't even tell you what position - one, two, three. I'm just out there, trying to impress the coach," Dunn told NBA.com's David Aldridge. "That was what it was, and I couldn't really learn. This year I'm learning."

Related: Dunn was 'embarrassed' of role last season with Wolves

Dunn, 23, played behind Ricky Rubio in Minnesota after starting his whole career leading up to going pro.

"I ain't know how to deal with it at first," he admitted. "This was the first time I ever had to come off the bench, first time I didn't know what the coach wanted from me, etc. ... I had to put in more work than I did the year before (in order to bounce back).

That work has paid off for Dunn, who's solidified his role as the starting floor general in his first year with the Bulls after being traded to Chicago in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster.

Dunn and the Bulls have won 10 of their last 13 games and sit 5.5 games back of a playoff spot.