zonecoverage.com/2024/timberwolves/rob-dillingham-is-ready-to-go/
Rob Dillingham Is Ready To Go - Zone Coverage
He's gonna havve to adjust. but i believe
It going to be an adjustment when he meets guys much bigger than him who are pretty fast themselves. He is really really small and we are going to see some rough hits on him this season.
Your saying we maybe got AI2.0
Or StAllen Currverson
Well I see what your point is, there’s also more speed in the NBA so while he hadn’t relied on being stronger, he has relied on being faster. He will have an adjustment just based on length of season alone, that being said, he’s got a phenomenal mentor and seems to have the skillset and mindset to be successful
Well put
I don’t think physicality is a big deal in the modern nba. You can’t touch anyone anyway. Guys like Chet and wemby are doing just fine now
The way he moves reminds me a lot of Kyrie
Could not be more excited to watch him play
Remember when size was a concern for Steph Curry? 2009 Picks 5 and 6 remember.
I don’t know anything about Dillingham other than what I’ve seen from highlights and the eye test tells me that he’s got quickness and a decent shot and has some decent vision with some of his dimes. He’ll make a a good understudy to Conley
I think a good comparison for him is Darius Garland. Short, thin, but shifty. Rob is a fair bit more explosive but I think if Garland was able to find his footing in the NBA so can Rob.
Garland is still got close 30 pounds on Dillingham I just hope he can be a Lou Will or Jennings
Garland came into the league the same height and weight. The team dieticians are going to get him right in due time. Took Garland 2 years before his body was NBA ready
He came in at 175 11 pounds heavier than RD
The most physically gifted player in the draft. Also the best scorer.
When I say physically gifted… I mean body control and hand eye coordination. Which I believe Rob is far and away the best in this draft. And he may have the best body control in the air since Kyrie… Rob is rare. But yes he is small. He will have to overcome this all his career
Typically people think of "physically gifted" as more than just size. It's a fairly wide reaching term.
Holy shit you are so aggressive right now.
There is more to athleticism than the traits you specifically find meet the definition. He is fast and quick. Those are athletic traits as well.
mans really making up his own definitions and calling others delusional for not believing his own ignorance 💀
He better be ready, it's clear we're sliding him is as the backup point guard from day one.
If he can get out to the perimeter to contest shooters, have active hands on defense and angle his man towards Rudy, Towns or Naz I think he’s gonna do great. Offensively I think he’s ready. Defensively he just needs to emulate Conley and we have our point guard of the future.
All Finch gotta do is give him the green light like he gives everyone else and he’ll be fine. There will be some rough moments tho of course as a small rookie guard
He'll maybe pick up a lot of minutes by then and start splitting minutes more with Mike (that's a big maybe) or starting games if they give Mike rest days...but he ain't starting over Mike at all this year. Even just as a respect thing, you don't bench the vet who has meant so much to your team for a rookie.
Depending on how this season goes, maybe Rob starts next season. But that's gonna be a pre-arranged thing with Mike where he and the coaches all agree it's time for Mike to transition more to a backup role/locker room guy as he ages and transitions to a new role with the team.
ETA: I even think it's more likely that on Mike rest days, NAW starts at PG with Rob still coming in off the the bench, even if he plays significant minutes. Rob is still going to be really raw, and for defensive purposes NAW currently fits in w the starters way better.
Will Rob be a better offensive player than Mike and NAW are right now? Of course. But he hasn't set foot on a NBA court yet or learned the system. There's more to it than raw talent, you also gotta execute and learn how to read tougher competition and more physical players.
Nobody saying he hopefully doesn't get big minutes (I don't think), but he doesn't have to start to get minutes. There is something to be said for the impact of a vet like Mike running the floor that doesn't show up in a box score. What's the rush to get Rob starting this year and have all that pressure when he's in a perfect situation now for his development? He can come in, learn, and get minutes without any of the pressure. And as the season goes on pick up more and more minutes so that he's a real contributor in the playoffs and set up real well next season. This is a way better situation than starting.
And NAW will see PG this year, for sure. We probably won't re-sign Monte or Jordan. On Mike rest days we'll need NAW to play some point. And in certain situations (close games, a need for really strong D, etc.) NAW will get some minutes at the 1 this year.
No way he starts this year unless it’s because of injury. Conley is still the adult in the room we need and Dilly won’t be able to replicate that for at least a few more years
He’s gonna start due to necessity because Mike is gonna need rest days, he’s not gonna be #1 on the depth chart but I anticipate him starting a minimum of 10-15 games
I wouldn’t get your hopes up. There’s going to be a learning curve
Mclaughlin and Morris are likely gone and Finch said rob will be a part of the rotation right away. Feels like its headed that way. For sure will be a learning curve, and connelly said we aren't gonna hand hold but rather push him.
this is already a better off season than I expected. If they can work some magic in FA I'd be back to optimistic as far as championship.
Is this kid not Ja Morant 2.0? I can't unsee it and I have very low expectations for all rookies
They’re just both small. Honestly I don’t see it that much. Ja is not a shooter. Rob is. Ja’s handles are fine. I think Rob’s will be above average, with elite ceiling.
Diff game for sure. Ja is a two dribble jump as high as I can and make it work freak athlete. Rob is a crafty, change of speed, gear shifter with a better perimeter game
He doesn’t want to shoot up the place like Ja.
You know, one thing that makes sense to me. Rob Dillingham hasn't been "bullying" anybody with his size and physicality his entire basketball career. Sometimes NBA rookies are caught off by the physicality or lack of ability to impose their will as easily as they have earlier in their careers. I don't think Rob is going to have that wake up call because he's never had those illusions before. In a weird way it almost helps that it was never part of his game. His game is about being quick and shifty, getting by players and making difficult shots.
It's still going to be a bumpy road with a lot of learning though.