Here comes the Suns...Wolves/PHX GDT

[Lipoli390]

I agree largely with Abe’s takes except for his broad take on Rob. Dilly just hasn’t had enough playing time to evaluate him. He’s actually made some really nice reads and passes. He’s a bit tentative, but he needs minutes on the court to adjust to the speed of the game, get a rhythm and gain some confidence. He’s small but but taller and only 10 pounds lighter than Mike Conley. If he’s too small to be a good NBA player then TC’s an idiot. Even good GMs can miss on draft picks based on all sorts of factors that aren’t obvious, but Dilly’s size was there for all to see. The Wolves didn’t just draft Dilly, they traded up to get him and passed on other much bigger highly regarded PG prospects. I don’t think TC and his well-respected front office colleagues are so dumb that they’d trade into the top 10 for a guy who’s too small to be a good NBA player.

[FNG]

Lip, I'm going to side with Abe on the Rob debate...I would like to see him playing 35 minutes a night in Iowa right now. But that doesn't mean I think he is a draft bust...in fact, far from it. I still like the pick. But as I said in another thread, when I watch Rob out there, it reminds me of times I have realized I'm over my head in the pickup game I have just joined...I don't belong there. Rookies will talk about how much bigger and faster NBA players are than what they have gotten used to in college. Because of his size, the difference in magnified for Rob. He himself is quick, but the pace of the game is much quicker than he is used to. And his size is a problem too...for now. The G League is closer to the NBA than it is to college, and 19-year-old Rob can benefit more than the typical rookie in getting regular minutes (and dominating) down there. I suspect this is TC's plan. Let Rob sit on the bench for a few weeks to allow him to absorb what the NBA game looks like (while giving him a few minutes now and then), and then send him down to let him get used to pro ball with regular minutes. Bring up Nix who is putting up ridiculously good numbers through the first 4 games and might be able to help us a little in a backup PG role.

[Q-is-here]

I'd like to see the Wolves keep feeding Dillingham regular to semi-regular minutes for a bit longer. It's not ideal since it's hard for him to get into a rhythm, but I just think we need to give it 20-30 games before sending him to the G-League.

If he and Nix were to swap places, Daishen would be a massive upgrade defensively. Offensively he can be a bit careless. But if we are talking about 5 minute stints as the 9th man, it's do-able and probably would be a short-term upgrade to Dillingham.

[rapsuperstar31]

It feels like Rob is being told to be a distributor and not the quick shot that he was in college at the moment. They are trying to build his passing skills, and have him compete on defense. If he has an open shot they want him to take it, but it doesn't feel like Rob is looking to score. It also seems like Rob doesn't want to make a mistake and be taken out of the game if were to take his pull up hero shots like he took at Kentucky. Against Portland Rob should have had 5 assists on 5 solid passes but all 5 shots he set up for wide open looks that were missed. Same thing against Phoenix he had at least two nice passes that should have been assists that we just missed. The first shot Rob missed against Phoenix was a good shot that went in and out and was at a good time to take that shot since Naz was under the basket to rebound it and score. Some of you may be right, he may need some time in the G League but I don't think we are seeing the exact same things out of him.

[thedoper]

I'd like to see the Wolves keep feeding Dillingham regular to semi-regular minutes for a bit longer. It's not ideal since it's hard for him to get into a rhythm, but I just think we need to give it 20-30 games before sending him to the G-League.

If he and Nix were to swap places, Daishen would be a massive upgrade defensively. Offensively he can be a bit careless. But if we are talking about 5 minute stints as the 9th man, it's do-able and probably would be a short-term upgrade to Dillingham.

I agree with this 100%. He certainly has the speed to be out there. He needs to see pro reads and be able to adapt. He was tentative this game but made some nice reads along with some blunders. Give it a bit more time before sending him down.

[Sundog]

Doogie: NBA says Randle's game-winner should not have counted because of traveling. FWIW, the league on idea of Randle pushing off: "Okogie is NOT dislodged from his defensive position as a result of illegal contact from Randle.”

Man, I watched this a few times and in slow motion. If the refs had called a travel on that play, I would have stormed Target Center with pitchforks. You can call a travel on pretty much any play, but there wasn’t anything egregious on that one.

[rapsuperstar31]

Doogie: NBA says Randle's game-winner should not have counted because of traveling. FWIW, the league on idea of Randle pushing off: "Okogie is NOT dislodged from his defensive position as a result of illegal contact from Randle.”

Man, I watched this a few times and in slow motion. If the refs had called a travel on that play, I would have stormed Target Center with pitchforks. You can call a travel on pretty much any play, but there wasn’t anything egregious on that one.

After screwing over the Lynx by not calling a travel call, there would have been riots if they called that.

[AbeVigodaLive]

It feels like Rob is being told to be a distributor and not the quick shot that he was in college at the moment. They are trying to build his passing skills, and have him compete on defense. If he has an open shot they want him to take it, but it doesn't feel like Rob is looking to score. It also seems like Rob doesn't want to make a mistake and be taken out of the game if were to take his pull up hero shots like he took at Kentucky. Against Portland Rob should have had 5 assists on 5 solid passes but all 5 shots he set up for wide open looks that were missed. Same thing against Phoenix he had at least two nice passes that should have been assists that we just missed. The first shot Rob missed against Phoenix was a good shot that went in and out and was at a good time to take that shot since Naz was under the basket to rebound it and score. Some of you may be right, he may need some time in the G League but I don't think we are seeing the exact same things out of him.

This is what I was referring to... those COULD have been assists. Fair enough. But it's not reasonable to expect his teammates to shoot 100% to justify him being out there.

What we know is that he's not in the right place and it's led to TOs and frustrated looks from teammates. We know he looks hesitant. We know the team hasn't played well in 4 of his 5 games when he's on the court.

It's probably good to have him with the big club to learn how to be a pro. But he needs minutes. Being a PG in the NBA seems like a hard gig.