nate33 wrote:Kyrie was 27 pounds heavier than Dillingham. He was also .75-inches taller and had 1-inch superior wingspan. Kyrie also happens to be perhaps the most skilled basketball player of all time. I don't think Kyrie's success means that Dillingham will be successful.
Off the point. The point was the position of ballhandling shot creator has been debased the past few years, as teams look more for length and passing from all positions instead of relying on a heavy usage ballhandler. We have begun to swing away from small combo guards who are finding less room to operate, but that means only the true dribbling magicians will be able to succeed at the position.
Guys like RDills know how to play among giants, and have had to compensate. Kyrie or Mike Conley succeed not because of those 10-20 lbs they have over a guy like DIllingham but because of their skill set. Regardless of their size on defense they are playable because they make teams better around them. They elevate the play of the Bigs and allow you to play underskilled guys in the front court. You trade their backcourt size for frontcourt dominance. IF you can play enough size around them at every other position. Generally the small ballhandler is a liability though not just on defense, but because it is easier to stop the point of attack on a team that relies on a high usage dribble and dish guy.
It's still a lot of fun to watch the little And-1/playground attack guard who can scramble through traffic than to watch four rangy guys pitching the ball around the outside looking for an opening or jacking up shots from three. Dillingham is dynamic. On the right team he will be a hassle to deal with.
