“They were calling me ‘McDunkets,’ ” he said. “I was like, ‘Is this real life?’ ”

Yes, McDermott cooled off the final month, finishing the season at 9.4 ppg. Yes, he was a backup on the NBA’s most disappointing team, and his defense and rebounding demand improvement. But any evaluation of his first full season (remember, he was hurt most of his rookie year) must include the hot streak in February and March.

What happened? It starts with movement.

“I talked to Coach Hoiberg after the season about it,” McDermott said. “He was completely agreeing with me. When I’m moving, it puts the defense on their heels. ... That’s when I’m at my best, because I can use that energy. I think you’ll see a lot more of that next year.”

What the Bulls roster looks like in 2016-17 is anyone’s guess. They fell apart under first-year coach Hoiberg and need an overhaul to compete with LeBron’s Cavs. But McDermott enters the offseason with clarity. He knows what he can be offensively — and what he must do defensively.