Rob Dillingham and Anthony Edwards: A Dynamic Duo in the Making?
In the wake of the recent Donte DiVincenzo injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have stumbled upon a potent backcourt pairing in Rob Dillingham and Anthony Edwards.
While fans have been clamoring for Dillingham to get playing time since the preseason, his recent performances alongside Edwards have been nothing short of impressive. In just 137 possessions with Edwards on the floor, Dillingham’s lineups have been a 100th percentile unit overall. Offensively, they’re scoring an astounding 132.1 points per 100 possessions, while defensively, they’re holding their own at 108.8 points allowed per 100 possessions.
What makes this pairing so effective? In short, Edwards’ ability to draw defensive attention creates space for Dillingham to operate. While teams are essentially dedicating at least one-and-a-half defenders to Edwards at all times, Dillingham is one of few Wolves with the skill set to make them pay. He’s a knockdown three-point shooter who can create off the dribble, get to the rim, and create for others as defenses rotate.
Potential Challenges With More Playing Time for Dillingham
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. When Dillingham is on the floor without Edwards, the numbers take a significant dip. Non-Edwards Dillingham lineups are a minus-38.5, struggling on both ends of the floor. This stark contrast highlights the synergy between the two players and the importance of their on-court partnership.
Defensively, Dillingham has shown modest improvement in each game since he joined the rotation. While there were some rough moments against the Knicks and Cavaliers, his performance against the Grizzlies showed promise. Edwards’ presence on the floor helps cover for Dillingham’s defensive shortcomings, allowing the rookie to focus on what he does best offensively.
As Dillingham continues to develop and gain experience, the potential for this backcourt duo is immense. If he can consistently make jumpers and create for himself and others, opposing teams will be forced to start game-planning for both him and Edwards. This could open up even more opportunities for the Timberwolves’ offense.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Dillingham-Edwards pairing, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• The Timberwolves’ challenging schedule over the past two months
• Minnesota’s upcoming matchup against the Dallas Mavericks
• The impact of Luka Doncic’s injury on the Mavericks’ recent performance
