True Hoop's comprehensive evaluation of Ricky Rubio

Henry doesn't see Rubio as the instant superstar that many here and elsewhere have portrayed him to be.

almost 3 years ago Mike Prada 11 comments 0 recs |

Comments

A couple of notes

the defense gets their first.

One of my pet peeves… it should be there.
they’re = They are
there = meaning a place (go over there)
their = meaning belonging to (their house, their car)
Someone needed an editor for that article.

2. It’s difficult for ANY Rookie to come into the NBA and start (or play significant minutes)… but the best somehow manage. No one said that Derrick Rose should go to a team with a Nash or a Kidd to show the kid how to play the game because he is turn over prone, occasionally plays out of control, and sometimes makes bad decisions (all valid criticism’s against Rose before the draft). NO – Chicago picked him, and played him right away.. And if Rubio is picked by the Grizzlies, the Thunder or the Kings; they should do the same thing – play him.

3. John Hollinger says that young players with a high turn over rate “tend to show more progress in subsequent years than those with low turnover rates”

I think this article takes a few of Rubio’s weaknesses and puts an unnecessary negative spin on them. Rubio has some deficiencies (strength, not a good shooter, finishing at the rim, turn over prone) – but all of them can be corrected. Hell, Blake Griffin, the acknowledged best player in the draft has weaknesses… but nobody is suggesting that he should be brought along slowly.

The strengths that Rubio has, cannot be taught, learned or coached into a player.. He’s a natural born Point Guard with an unnatural ability to see everything on the floor, and everything that WILL HAPPEN on the floor. With the NBA’s bigger courts, wider spacing, no touch rules, faster and more athletic players – Rubio’s game will only get better – and that’s a scary thought.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on May 25, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think Henry was saying Rubio will be bad

Just that it may take a couple years for him to really develop. He has major flaws that have to be fixed. Those flaws are understandable for an 18-year old who isn’t physically strong.

It kind of support the whole “Blake or bust” theory of Ernie. Many of the other players won’t be ready to contribute right away, even someone who could be as special as Rubio.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 25, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

Perhaps Rubio, especially on a Playoff bound team, might not get the playing time his first year to really make an impact….

And Yes, perhaps some of his weaknesses might be exploited… (Just as Chris Paul’s weaknesses were exploited his first year, just as Derrick Rose’s weaknesses were exploited early his Rookie season)….

But both Ricky Rubio and Blake Griffin have the talent, work ethic, and demeanor to become really special. Multiple All-Star special. Potential MVP special.

There are other nice players in the Draft. Certainly James Harden will be a good player (near All-Star quality… Joe Johnson good)… but NOT multiple All-Star good. Not a potential MVP candidate good.

Same can be said about the rest of the players in the draft. There’s some nice talent. Some players that can become Starters… some that may have a very good year and be a one time All-Star… There are some players that will have very productive careers…

But only two that have the potential to be really special.

I think Rubio has a chance to be better than two time MVP Steve Nash – better than 9-time All-Star Jason Kidd…

Do you give up the chance at drafting a talent like that, just because you think he may not be able to contribute this year?

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on May 25, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

As Abbott said, “There is a saying that everybody wants to make a quick nickel, instead of the slow dime.”

What are the Wizards looking for in the draft? Nickels or dimes?

by disgrunted on May 25, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

A lot of respected folks are on the Rubio bandwagon...

Ernie went to Europe presumably to watch Rubio and possibly Brandon Jennings… unless he is considering a possible deal for Tiago Splitter’s rights, which is actually a fairly interesting idea. Anyone know what he has to say? Has anyone seen his travel itinerary so we can deduce what games he might have gone to see?

As far as the Abbott piece goes, I can remember the year LeBron was drafted that there were lots of opportunities to see him in action at various HS championship and all-star games… not all of which were unadulterated triumphs… and none of which changed the fact that he was rightfully a number one pick… I will go with EG’s judgment on this, whatever way it goes.

So IF EG thinks Rubio is for real … AND …

… If Rubio for some reason drops to the Wizards at number 5, it would be crazy not to pick him either as a running mate for Gilbert or (and I pray this is not so) a replacement for him should his comeback fail. Trading up for Rubio is ok with me too, but NOT at the cost of JaVale McGee… Blatche and/or Young no problem.

by khrabb on May 25, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe

Blatche, James, and #5 for #3 from OKC or #2 from Memphis

by lj15 on May 25, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Rubio next to JaVale would be really pretty

A nightly highlight loop, whatever our defense or win/loss record. Abbott alluded to it but: right, when there isn’t an assist Ricky is less effective, but in part that’s a shared fault between guys who can’t leap/catch/finish. Next to real NBA finishing talent that assist/TO record will look better than 2/1. Rubio to JaVale would rival CP3 to Tyson Chandler in lob-dunks per minute.

But right, there are reasonable doubts in terms of immediate return. But as an understudy behind Gil, this could prove an ideal situation for the kid.

by doclinkin on May 26, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Trading up for Rubio is ok with me too, but NOT at the cost of JaVale McGee… Blatche and/or Young no problem.

Exactly.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on May 26, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

draftexpress has Rubio dropping to #4

Teams are understandably concerned about drafting a player who might decide not to come to the NBA next season if he’s drafted by a team that’s not the right fit, especially given Rubio’s large buyout. And so draftexpress now has Sacramento taking Rubio with the 4th pick. As a result, Thabeet is projected as the 2nd pick and Harden moves up to OKC’s #3 spot.

If that’s the case, and the Wizards really wanted Rubio, it shouldn’t take McGee to exchange picks with OKC (and I certainly now recognize that would be ludicrous anyways) , who could just as easily get Harden with the 5th pick. Offering a player like Blatche could be enough however.

There are rumors of OKC and LAC switching spots allowing OKC to get Griffin and LAC to get Rubio. The Clips would likely have to trade Baron Davis, possibly not an easy task.

http://www.draftexpress.com/
http://probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=494

by Johnnie Futbol on May 26, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Wow

And so draftexpress now has Sacramento taking Rubio with the 4th pick.

What a coup for the Kings! Rubio is exactly the kind of player they need. Obviously, I would love for the Wizards to draft Rubio. But if that doesn’t work out, I would like to see Rubio go to the Kings for the good of the NBA.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on May 27, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions