The Rob Dillingham Thread

[frankenwolf]

Most people here wanted Gary Harris, and were furious when Saunders picked the more unproven LaVine.

I loved Lavine and I love Dilly.

My scouting takes are probably my strongest NBA fan attribute (loved Draymond, hated Simmons, hated Hayes, loved Haliburton, hated Okafor, was calling for TSJ to be picked, etc.). Regarding draft picks, I'm right way more often than I'm wrong.

So let it be written.
So let it be done.

It is the way.

[Klomp]

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[minimus]

I was a big fan of Jaylen Nowell, I thought he was going to be a 6th man candidate, before his 3pt shot completely abandoned him. Nowell was able to create and hit that midrange shot, and still got a lot of opportunities despite being a black hole in offense and providing zero defense.

I always liked Jordan McLaughlin, he was aggressive and decisive despite lacking size and shooting ability. Before injuries he was dunking on people.

I could see either McLaughlin and Nowell still playing for Wolves IF they had developed Dillingham's 3pt shot and dribble. Everyone says that defense and size is the biggest issue of Rob, but I believe that first thing that he must show is ability to create opportunities for himself and others. Nowell could not do it in his last season in MIN, McLaughlin was never such type of player, neither are Monte Morris nor Tyus Jones. Stats say that Monte, Tyus and McLaughlin are pass first guys that have elite AST:TO ratio. But reality is that they never put pressure on offense, yes they execute well when they play next to stars such as Jokic, Morant. But it is not the same situation when Kyle Anderson had to put the ball on the floor in as only reliable ballhandler in second unit. Plus Monte, Tyus and McLaughlin are not pullup 3pt shooters. So give Rob at least this season to show his potential. For the rest we have NAW, Nix, Dozier, Ingles.

[Klomp]

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[Sealab2024]

He looked pretty much as advertised in his first preseason game. Electric on the offensive end and undersized and undeveloped on the defensive end. To see decent time he's gonna have to get way better at basic rotations and reads. There's nothing he can do about being one of the smallest guys in the league but he has to be in the right spots making decent rotations and basic reads. That'll probably take him till December or January before he really gets it.

Offensively he's proverbial lightning in a bottle. The future looks bright.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

He look promising. Still have a lot a work to do but he is fast, able to score on almost all positions. For the playmaking and defense, he is lucky , surrounded by smart player. Mike is small and become a good defender in Memphis because he had guys around him like Allen, Zbo... it will be the same for RD. Seems we may have Mike successor here in the coming years.

[Klomp]

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[Guest84]

What does everyone think Rob’s ceiling is?

I’m not sure where I stand but watching these last few games has me wondering. Does he have more potential than a Cade Cunningham? Darius Garland? Mike Conley even?

[wolves_89]

What does everyone think Rob’s ceiling is?

I’m not sure where I stand but watching these last few games has me wondering. Does he have more potential than a Cade Cunningham? Darius Garland? Mike Conley even?

I think the 2022-23 version of Darius Garland is a good expectation for what Dillingham can become in 3-4 years. Hopefully Rob would then continue to improve instead of stalling like Garland.

[DaMplsKid]

What does everyone think Rob’s ceiling is?

I’m not sure where I stand but watching these last few games has me wondering. Does he have more potential than a Cade Cunningham? Darius Garland? Mike Conley even?

Ideally Rob's ceiling is a Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving or Trae Young type. I think these superstars have to most similar body type and playing style as he does, with Trae being the ideal comp.

The problem is his size will always be a limitation. He doesn't have the wing span of a Kyrie or the frame to put on that much muscle. He just has narrow shoulders in which I can see him getting that strong.

It's all going to come down to him being able to finish at the rim. This is what separates the Curry/Kyrie's from a Young. We are seeing this already with Dilly in then preseason. This year and next offseason keep him in the weight room, give him a chief and make him practice on finishing threw contact all day. Lucky for us and him he has been put in the perfect place to develop now he just has to put in the work.

[Klomp]

Doesn't sound like somewhere anywhere near regular rotation minutes...

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[FrenchMinnyFan]

Doesn't sound like somewhere anywhere near regular rotation minutes...

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Sounds logical to me. We are not in building process but have a window ( short one) to try to win. RD is talented but still far from being able to contribute a lot in a winning team. He will get mostly garbage time, a bit more when Mike, Joe even ANT rest but that's all.

[Klomp]

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[shrink]

I know a lot of people want to see Rob get some minutes, but remember that we traded out KAT’s 32.7 minutes last year for Randle’s 35.4 and DiVincenzo 26.6. That’s nearly 30 minutes of additional playing time that might have went to the kids.

In the short term, we need to use our minutes to play the vets to help them learn on the fly how to play together and not be so clunky. But I wouldn’t expect a lot of available minutes for them later in the season either. We just have too much win-now talent that needs minutes right now, and unless we have an injury, most of the learning for the youth will again come at Iowa.

[TimberKat]

I know a lot of people want to see Rob get some minutes, but remember that we traded out KAT’s 32.7 minutes last year for Randle’s 35.4 and DiVincenzo 26.6. That’s nearly 30 minutes of additional playing time that might have went to the kids.

In the short term, we need to use our minutes to play the vets to help them learn on the fly how to play together and not be so clunky. But I wouldn’t expect a lot of available minutes for them later in the season either. We just have too much win-now talent that needs minutes right now, and unless we have an injury, most of the learning for the youth will again come at Iowa.

Agree in principle but Randle + DDV is really replacing KAT + KA mins. In addition, NAW is doing so well. There will be a lot of chances for Rob to play this year.

[shrink]

I know a lot of people want to see Rob get some minutes, but remember that we traded out KAT’s 32.7 minutes last year for Randle’s 35.4 and DiVincenzo 26.6. That’s nearly 30 minutes of additional playing time that might have went to the kids.

In the short term, we need to use our minutes to play the vets to help them learn on the fly how to play together and not be so clunky. But I wouldn’t expect a lot of available minutes for them later in the season either. We just have too much win-now talent that needs minutes right now, and unless we have an injury, most of the learning for the youth will again come at Iowa.

Agree in principle but Randle + DDV is really replacing KAT + KA mins. In addition, NAW is doing so well. There will be a lot of chances for Rob to play this year.

That’s a great point. SloMo averaged 22.6 minutes last year, and that should have been one source of the development minutes.

Still, I think they will try to limit Mike Conley’s minutes once the team gets in a flow, and maybe they’ll limit everybody a few minutes. The players and coaches seemed very aware that they weren’t prepared for a 98 game season last year. Plus we’ve been very healthy to start the season. I think some minutes will emerge, but the youngins’ will have to be patient and ready.

[shrink]

One thing I wanted to add is that I think this demonstrates that GMing a team isn’t something that can be done nimbly, because you’re always making long term plans, while new opportunities and problems come up suddenly. I think there were two cases lately:

First, I think we traded a second to get Monte Morris, not just in case he could help us in the playoffs, but with the intent to get his Bird rights to become the gradual (and cheap) replacement for Mike Conley. Morris even plays in a similar style to Conley, and losing Kyle Anderson would create a need for Morris’ playmaking. I believe that was the plan.

THEN Tim Connelly heard that the Spurs might be willing to trade their #8 pick, and a personal favorite of his, Rob Dillingham could be available. He made the trade, and told everyone that Dillingham would get minutes immediately, so the plan to keep Monte was scrapped.

Second, we went into the season with those minutes SloMo minutes for Dillingham (and maybe Minott).

THEN The Knicks finally included three years of Donte DiVincenzo in a KAT-Randle trade, and Connelly felt he had to bite (especially with an added 1st). Donte is too good to keep on the bench, and the “Play Dillingham” plan had to be scrapped.

Connelly has plans, but he can’t pass up certain opportunities that arise. Hopefully Chris Finch can continue to show his chef’s ability to turn a whole bunch of random things in the kitchen into a beautiful recipe.

[minimus]

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[minimus]

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One thing that I have been waiting for is two-man game Reid+ballhandler. Either DHO, pick-n-roll or pick-n-pop. I have hopes for Reid+DDV, but it would be a pleasant surprise if Reid and Dilly can develop some chemistry

[Klomp]

I think Rob is in the rotation going forward. This is no longer just an injury replacement situation in my mind. He needs to be out there.

It's possible that it won't result in wins immediately. But I think it will pay dividends in the long run.

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