SAN FRANCISCO – Rob Dillingham’s trust, once broken during his time in Minnesota, is now slowly being restored as he adjusts to life with the Chicago Bulls. After being traded last month, the second-year guard is working to regain confidence and form a solid rapport with his new coach, Billy Donovan, a process that is proving to be a two-way effort.
In Tuesday’s thrilling 130-124 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors, Donovan gave Dillingham more than 20 minutes of playing time, signaling trust in the young guard’s potential. However, in crucial moments late in the game and during the extra period, Dillingham was benched as the coach felt the intensity was still overwhelming for him at this stage of his development.
Team Dynamics and Key Performances from Bulls and Opponents
During the critical closing stages, only two Bulls players remained on the floor—Matas Buzelis, who impressively set a career-high with 41 points, and point guard Josh Giddey, who secured his 10th triple-double of the season with 21 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Dillingham remains hopeful that his opportunities to make an impact will expand with time and experience.
Dillingham’s Perspective on Trust and Team Relationships
Trust forms the foundation of Dillingham’s approach to basketball and relationships.
“That’s me as a person. I’m a trust person,”
he explained.
“If I’ve got your word, you got my word, and that’s how I look at it. When it comes to basketball you feel more comfortable, you feel more confident in what you do if you know your coach or your team is going to live with your mistakes and with your wins. But when it’s the other way around it gets to that, ‘Oh, if I mess up … ‘ Playing that way, no one can. The best players don’t play that way. That’s what makes the difference between being an amazing player and just being a player in the NBA.”
Challenges Slowing Dillingham’s Growth in the NBA
Despite this mindset, Donovan acknowledges the challenges standing in the way of Dillingham’s rapid progression. The guard has been hampered by a cyst in his right wrist that affects his shooting, alongside certain ingrained habits that have sometimes led to questionable decision-making on the court. Donovan stressed that success at the NBA level requires more than just scoring ability.
“I think the biggest challenge he has and we’ve talked about is I think he identified himself in high school, in college as a scorer. That’s what he did. Just put the ball in my hands and go score,”
Donovan said.
“Well, when you have Anthony Edwards and (Rudy) Gobert and Julius Randle, as a rookie (for the Timberwolves), second-year player, you’re probably not going to do that to the level of those guys, right? I’ve told him he’s got to develop into a point guard where he finds that balance between himself and his teammates.”
Donovan continued, outlining the necessary shift in Dillingham’s playing style.
“I don’t want him to be a traffic cop. What he does is get into the lane, he can put it on the floor. He does hold onto it a little too long, the decision making, but I think he – and a lot of players go through this – they get to this level for a reason but they are unable to get to that other level because it’s going to require some level of mentality and change in his game.”
Dillingham’s Desire for More Playing Time and Communication
Dillingham welcomes the challenge and believes consistent playing time will help him adapt and improve his decision-making. In the latest game against the Warriors, he scored five points on 2-of-11 shooting, while adding four assists, three rebounds, and only one turnover. Although Donovan is giving him more minutes than he experienced after being selected No. 8 overall, there have been periods recently where Dillingham’s playing time dipped below double digits.
Still, an essential positive development is the open line of communication between player and coach, which did not exist during Dillingham’s stint in Minnesota. Donovan appreciates Dillingham’s willingness to maintain conversation.
“He and I talk a lot,”
Donovan admitted.
“And I would say this about him which I really respect and admire, he’s always reaching out, wanting to talk, wanting to communicate.”
This openness is crucial for Dillingham, who stressed the importance of clear guidance to help him perform effectively on the court.
“That communication piece with (Donovan) telling me what I need to do and how I can get better at it, what I can be the best at, it’s easier for me because I’m a communication person,”
Dillingham said.
“When I know what you need from me it’s easier for me to go out there and perform, and then at that point it’s on me. If I’m not doing the right things at least he told me and communicated that. That’s why communication is key.”
Expectations for Rob Dillingham’s Growth with the Bulls
The ongoing rebuilding of trust between Rob Dillingham and Billy Donovan is a vital step in the guard’s career. Navigating challenges like injury setbacks and evolving his role from scorer to facilitator will be essential as he seeks to establish himself in the NBA. The foundation of strong communication and mutual understanding with his coach may accelerate Dillingham’s transition toward becoming a more confident, reliable player.
As the season continues, the Bulls’ management and Donovan will likely monitor Dillingham’s progress closely to determine how he fits within the team’s future plans. His adaptation to a point guard role and growth in decision-making will be key factors in deciding whether he can fulfill the promise shown in his earlier career and live up to the expectations that come with a top draft pick.
