Rob Dillingham
Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2024 9:19 am
Since I am an unabashed advocate for the defensive side of the ball, some of you may be surprised at how much I like this pick. But how can you not like acquiring the arguably best available bucket getter in the draft in exchange for pick considerations that don't happen until next decade? This seems like a home run pick for TC.
Kentucky fans talk about The Rob Dillingham Experience, and we are about to experience it...moments of brilliance with a sprinkling of baffling out-of-controlness. Calipari obviously loves the guy, but the video of him biting his own hand on the sidelines after a particularly ill-advised pass is an example of moments we all are going to have as this guy matures. But it's always going to be exciting. He is a true (perhaps unstoppable) 3-way scorer...excellent 3-point shooter, an uncanny ability to get to the hoop and avoid blocks when he gets there, and a nice floater. And fearless. I can't help but see some Allen Iverson in him, with of course a better 3-point shot...the lack of size combined with an ability to get a shot off at any time.
Is he a PG? We don't really know. With Shephard handling the PG duties, Rob only started one game, and mainly played the role of a microwave scorer off the bench. But TC dismisses the question with a strong "yes, he is a PG". His role with the Wolves will primarily if not solely be as a scorer off the bench as long as Mike is playing. And I even expect Morris to get most of the backup PG minutes next year. But I do think TC looks at Rob as the coveted "point guard of the future" this board has been clamoring for. But we need to be ready for some head-scratching passes to nobody that are going to occur from time to time.
Then, there's his defense. He is remarkably small, and will be targeted and bullied unless or until he can get stronger. I really don't want him to be a poor man's Trae Young. He will have some of the same size problems Trae has. I hope though that his interest in playing defense is better than Trae's. If he is coachable and motivated, his quickness could eventually turn out to be an asset on the defensive side of the ball. But there are certainly going to be some painful moments as we watch him get targeted.
Finally, there is his personality. Someone said last night that post-game pressers with Rob and Ant are going to be must-see TV. I agree. He is quickly going to become a fan favorite with his big smile and magnetic personality. He's from Hickory North Carolina, so there's already a little southern rural Ant in him.
Driving home and hearing on the radio that we had traded for the 8th pick, I assumed the cost would be at least Naz and picks. To hear that the actual costs might happen after I'm no longer on this planet was a huge surprise. TC does it again. I think the Rob Dillingham Experience is going to be a lot of fun!
Kentucky fans talk about The Rob Dillingham Experience, and we are about to experience it...moments of brilliance with a sprinkling of baffling out-of-controlness. Calipari obviously loves the guy, but the video of him biting his own hand on the sidelines after a particularly ill-advised pass is an example of moments we all are going to have as this guy matures. But it's always going to be exciting. He is a true (perhaps unstoppable) 3-way scorer...excellent 3-point shooter, an uncanny ability to get to the hoop and avoid blocks when he gets there, and a nice floater. And fearless. I can't help but see some Allen Iverson in him, with of course a better 3-point shot...the lack of size combined with an ability to get a shot off at any time.
Is he a PG? We don't really know. With Shephard handling the PG duties, Rob only started one game, and mainly played the role of a microwave scorer off the bench. But TC dismisses the question with a strong "yes, he is a PG". His role with the Wolves will primarily if not solely be as a scorer off the bench as long as Mike is playing. And I even expect Morris to get most of the backup PG minutes next year. But I do think TC looks at Rob as the coveted "point guard of the future" this board has been clamoring for. But we need to be ready for some head-scratching passes to nobody that are going to occur from time to time.
Then, there's his defense. He is remarkably small, and will be targeted and bullied unless or until he can get stronger. I really don't want him to be a poor man's Trae Young. He will have some of the same size problems Trae has. I hope though that his interest in playing defense is better than Trae's. If he is coachable and motivated, his quickness could eventually turn out to be an asset on the defensive side of the ball. But there are certainly going to be some painful moments as we watch him get targeted.
Finally, there is his personality. Someone said last night that post-game pressers with Rob and Ant are going to be must-see TV. I agree. He is quickly going to become a fan favorite with his big smile and magnetic personality. He's from Hickory North Carolina, so there's already a little southern rural Ant in him.
Driving home and hearing on the radio that we had traded for the 8th pick, I assumed the cost would be at least Naz and picks. To hear that the actual costs might happen after I'm no longer on this planet was a huge surprise. TC does it again. I think the Rob Dillingham Experience is going to be a lot of fun!
.