It’s always good to hear the opinions of players that have played with and against Rubio. It’s hard sometimes to discern the reality from the hype. That’s why, when I read the SI article about Ricky Rubio last year -and they made him sound like the next coming of Magic Johnson or Pete Maravich – I had to see for myself.

I watched some full games (and some highlights) on www.euroleague.tv
Cost was about 7.90 euro (about $11 bucks US)…. Very entertaining games.

The good thing is that you can see the good plays, along with the bad plays, and everything in between. I know this: when Rubio comes into a game, his teammates get energized. They rebound better. They play better defense. And they start running the floor like crazy; because they know Rubio will get them the ball. I can’t wait to see Rubio in the NBA where he will have real, athletic finishers running with him. Most of the Euro players don’t have half the hops the NBA players do; but Rubio makes them all look like they’re superstars with stunning alley-oop’s for dunks.

The other thing you can see in a full game that you can’t see in highlights, is Rubio’s anticipation. He waits for things to happen, and at the precise time, he goes for the ball, or throws the pass. You can almost see him thinking out the game, dribbling a few feet left, to get a better angle on a pass – - – or baiting his opponent into exposing the ball. He seems to be half-a-second ahead of everyone else on the floor.

And just when you’re ready for more – the Coach takes Rubio out of the game…. weird.