longstrangetrip wrote:I agree with your assessment that so far Dunn and Rubio are more alike than different, Q...their strengths and weaknesses are quite similar. I would add that both are more effective when they think pass-first...there is so much fire power next to them that their below average shooting doesn't have to be a huge negative.
I would also add that the effectiveness order of our PGs is quite clear also...Rubio, then Dunn, then Tyus. But I think the gap is narrower than I would have thought coming into this season, and that's a very good thing. Here's what I think is the ideal scenario for this club. Ricky comes back healthy and continues to do the things he does to make those around him better. Meanwhile, Dunn thrives in a backup role, and continues to progress as a competent PG so that Thibs can envision him becoming the starter. If those two things happen, I would likely be on board with considering dealing Ricky mid-season. Rubio is a guy who always seems to be in demand, and a solid half season will only increase his value. I trust Thibs' judgement, and by mid-season he will have a better idea if Dunn/Jones can be our PG tandem going forward, and also what this team needs that Ricky can bring back in trade. If it doesn't happen, we'll be fine...what a luxury to have a backup PG like Dunn who can also play some SG.
Another thing both Rubio and Dunn excel at is long passes in transition. Dunn is actually pretty impressive and it carries over from what I saw in college. In transition you expect Dunn as a big athletic player to be dynamite once he gets inside the 3 point line but his decision making isn't the best and he isn't spectacular as a finisher either. Can and will he improve there? Yes I think he will but it's oddly because of his physical profile it's not a major strength for him now.
I'm looking forward to seeing Dunn play against OKC for sure defensively. What can he do matched up against Russ and even VO? Will he be exposed or will he continue to impress? I'm excited to find out. His defensive potential is obvious. His upside as a defender is significant. He is quicker more athletic and will likely be stronger as well. So if he has a lot of the defensive abilities of Rubio he will get more deflections block shots challaenge and stay in front of player even more because of his physical abilities. Rubio isn't an explosive athlete but at least he has smarts plays his butt off and has plenty of length. Dunn could be a Tony Allen like defender. That's damn good especially for a guy that looks like he will be good enough to play PG.
Back to Dunn as a PG. He was too slow to get the ball to some guys in the post and he seems a little unsure at times but I think he looks like a guy that can keep the ball moving not just stand and dribble for 10 seconds basically doing nothing worthwhile. It's obvious at times he is holding back from attacking and trying to score and it's probably good a majority of the time especially as a starter. obviously he has more abilities to create that just move the ball but I like that aspect of his game. He doesn't seem like a guy that HAS to have the ball in his hands to play PG. That could be very good considering at times you want to get the ball to Towns Wiggins Lavine and let them make things happen or even let Dieng facilitate either in 2 man game or out of the highpost area where he is pretty good at passing to cutters and Dunn may be able to do some damage there he has already got a couple hoops that way this season.
