Second-year guard Rob Dillingham is primed for a bigger role with the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Dillingham is a gifted scorer and playmaker. However, many of Dillingham's doubters point to his slight 6-foot-1 frame as a fatal flaw. When looking around the league, though, there are a number of productive small guards, one being Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland.
If Dillingham reaches his ceiling, Garland is a fair comparison. Undoubtedly, the two shifty guards have similar playstyles, and Dillingham should be trying to emulate aspects of Garland's game.
Garland and Dillingham score in similar ways
Dillingham is listed at 6-foot-1, 176 pounds per Basketball Reference, and Garland is similarly listed at 6-foot-1, 192 pounds. Going past the raw measurements as speedy shot creators with dazzling handles, the two guards have clear similarities. Like Garland, Dillingham has blazing speed and is a crafty below-the-rim finisher. The two guards use their handles to score at all levels. Both players can also stop on a dime and score at the mid-range.
As 3-point shooters, both Garland and Dillingham are capable, especially off the dribble, and can make difficult shots. Garland is coming off a season where he averaged 20.6 points and made his second All-Star team. While it's unclear if Dillingham will reach this level, if he does, it will look a lot like Garland.
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The Kentucky product has the tools to be a lethal three-level scorer, much like Garland; it will just be a matter of putting it together. Dillingham's shot creation is clearly a trait that makes him poised for success.
Dillingham is a skilled passer, but he must develop more to reach his Garland-like ceiling
Dillingham is an underrated passer. However, he still has plenty of room to grow to become the elite playmaker that Garland is. Notably, Garland averaged 6.7 assists last year and can run an offense to perfection.
Dillingham is a versatile passer who especially thrives as a lob passer and on drive-and-kick plays. Nevertheless, as a score-first guy, he'll have to work on his ability to orchestrate an offense. Undoubtedly, this is something the Wolves will empower him to do as he gets more minutes this season. Yes, he needs to grow a bit as a playmaker, and reaching Garland's level is a steep task, but don't be shocked when Dillingham develops, if he is a notch below DG as a playmaker.
Garland's career got off to a slow start as he averaged 12.3 points on 40.1 percent shooting from the field as a rookie. However, the Vanderbilt product took a massive leap during his second season. The circumstances were different for Dillingham, as he didn't play much during his rookie season on a loaded Wolves squad. Don't be surprised if Dillingham makes a significant leap in his second year; he certainly has the skill set to do so.
As Dillingham prepares for a bigger role in his second season, he should be looking to follow in Garland's footsteps. If everything pans out for Dillingham, they could have a legit future star in the backcourt next to Anthony Edwards.