At Your Request: Rubio vs. Jennings
Just as High School Hoop pitted Brandon Jennings and John Wall against each other, some of our readers requested an analysis comparing and contrasting Ricky Rubio and “Young Money”. Right off the bat I’d like to say that Jennings has the advantage; he has played in America all his life up until recently, and is now gaining experience playing in Europe. Do not be fooled- I am not saying he is better- I am only suggesting he is better off. Rubio, on the other hand, grew up playing in Europe and is entering the NBA draft with no real familiarity with the style of ball over here.
Both players are incredibly similar in various ways: ball-handling skills, ability to get position in passing lanes, and peaking confidence. Both use their quickness to execute pick-and-roll plays and make passes that make the crowd hoot and holler. Rubio and Jennings share some of the same weaknesses as well. Neither one is consistently efficient, both have issues fighting through screens effectively, nor are their shooting percentages high.
Rubio is better defensively and can arguably be considered a “clutch” player. He is also craftier than Jennings, due to his upbringing in the Euro leagues and the emphasis placed on the development of fundamentals. But Jennings displays an athleticism that Rubio does not, or at least has not so far. Brandon skyrocketed in popularity when he was in high school for his pre-game windmills and between-the-legs crams. When he was at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), he earned Parade Magazine’s Player of the Year award because of both the substance and the flash comprising his game.
In an interview with Draft Express, Jennings explained how his game was impacted by his decision to go to Italy. He said he was concentrating more on his fundamentals and his overall attitude, focusing less on his own stats and more on teamwork. If he really absorbs what he learns from his experience in Europe and supplements it with his natural athleticism, he’ll live up to the hype. Rubio already has the fundamentals down to a science, but does he have the ability to make the transition to the NBA successfully? If he does, then the next question will be “Brandon who?”
To me, the most vital quality both players share is their incredible potential. These guys are so young and have plenty of time to gain the experience they need to be all-star athletes of the next generation.
Who do you guys think will be better?
May 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Kudabeen says:
I just have to see how their games translate. Rubio looks like he will be on the Calderon level sans the J, which isn’t that special. I know there are a lot of belivers, but I can’t co-sign dude sight unseen.
Samething with Jennings. All the speed and skill, but will it translate (see Telfair, Lou williams). It may take more time.
I look forward to seeing their development. They are both great potential pieces, but is it all there. Can they deal with the grind.
I will say Rubio will have to deal with the restricted freedom, while Brandon will have an increased amount of freedom. I see this playing into their ultimate development. Jennings has been balling with handcuffs on, so if he lands with a team with a real coach that develops players he will be in heaven (see Jason Williams early on with Sacromento, the first two years type early “success”)
Can Rubio deal with the grind of 82 games with cats that are stronger/quicker going at your neck because of your name? If he gets crossed/embarassed can he come back. Does he have a mean streak or the resolve to withstand it all? I can say, because I’ve only watched him play 3-4 times.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
... says:
“hoot and holler”… nice
May 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Kid Juicey says:
Does any one know when the new issue is coming out ?
May 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am
sure says:
Brandon Jennings is a PG. Sebastian is scoring guard who plays the point. Big difference. Same as Lou Williams and Nate Robinson. It’s why they struggle. He has the flair and substance of white chocolate. Heart of a L.A. kid Baron,Gilbert and style like K.West. So Amazing. One of my favorite young players. Coming up. Point Guards are hard to find. Don’t miss them when they’re staring you in the face. He’ll bring the Knicks roster right now to the playoffs. He had 22 assists in an all star game. Who does that? B.Jennings-TRUTH. If he went to college. Arizona goes farther and he’s the no.1 pick. Better than about 15 starting guards in the league now.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Kudabeen says:
* I can’t say is what I meant to say…
May 29th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Kudabeen says:
I disagree. I think Sebastian is a much better passer than scorer. I think he is most similar to Jennings, but Jenning has more size.
I do think he would be a much better pick for the knicks that Curry.
I like his game, but just have to see him at the highest level first. I like that description of mixture of swag…
If he did go to college I think he would be a higher pick, but I don’t know if he would be better served professionally though. I love the fact that he has been playing overseas and he was able to withstand being knocked down a few pegs over there. He has shown the willingness not to be a Star inorder to be successful, but now he has to crank it up and lay it all out to separate himself at the next level.
I’m excited for it…
May 29th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Jah says:
Brandon Jennings is better now, but I think Ricky Rubio has the physical advantages to have a better career.
If Brandon Jennings comes in like “Stephon Marbury” and Ricky Rubio takes the “Steve Nash” approach…I’ll scream.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
JoeCozi says:
You can just see the vision rubio has… Jennings jumper is ugly he fades on every shot similar to bobby jackson…gets annoying seeing that after a while…Rubio will be better!!
May 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
loc says:
Jennings vs. Rubio will be D. Will vs. Paul for years to come!
I think if the knicks get the chance, they have to take Jennings…..
A trade for Jennings and Curry would be some serious Lebron incetive
May 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Rare Air says:
Jennings would bust Rubios ass – He is much more NBA ready. Should be fun to watch in the coming years.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
hansosword says:
Nobody can really predict how good these guys are going to be down the road. The only thing I dont get is why people are hating on Rubio so much? Did nobody see this kid in the olympics? He was 17 and played with a bum hand/ankle? Im not calling him the next anything and it is a weak draft, but come on, the kid can play..
May 29th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Danny says:
Is this the same olympic game where they got KILLED by the USA team?? is that really what your comparison is based on? When a team is losing by 20+ and a bench player comes in, who the fuck cares what he does. BUST written all over
May 29th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
jonny says:
FYI guys, Jennings and Rubio played against eachother in the EURO league this year and Rubio OWNED Jennings and made him look like garbage.
Althogh i think Jennings will be a great player, Rubio WILL be better. Its the intanglibles. the court vision. the knowledge of the game. jennings doesnt have that.
i think theyll both have all star careers, but Rubio will be the type of player that will make his teammates better to
May 29th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
weng santos says:
Rubio.
IQ over athleticism, everyday and thrice in the playoffs.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
weng santos says:
Oh and that Olympic reference is misleading.
Team USA had superior talent, and won because they were the better team composed of better parts.
But Rubio more than held his own, at 17 under the bright lights and with the world watching, even being checked by guys like Kobe.
Can you imagine how much better he’ll be in a few years?
Lastly, put together a team of the best Spaniards- Rubio, Rodriguez, Pau and Marc Gasol, and Calderon- and multiply that twice over to make a 10-man team. Add a couple role players to round out the FIBA 120man roster and I think that team would give Team USA a run for its money.
I don’t get all the Euro hate by some guys. Are you telling me Pau Gasol, Dirk, Peja (back in the day), Manu (who is a product of Euro ball), and Tony Parker(with a bench of Pietrus, Marc Gasol, Oberto, Nocioni, Z, and Rubio can not hang with the All-American All-Stars of the NBA? Especially if we play a fundamentally-sound, physical game with referees not looking after players?
To honestly believe these guys can’t ball with the best of them is both ignorant and arrogant. And to be honest, it’s not like the NBA hasn’t had its fair share of hyped-up kids become busts in their own NBA.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
weng santos says:
^ Oh, I forgot to add in Fernandez of Portland on the Spanish team.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
the cynic says:
Rubio looked good at the olympics, but i haven’t seen enough of Jennings to say who is better. I personally like Patty Mills as the #1 pg prospect in the draft, especially since he will most likely go to a decent team in the middle of the draft
May 29th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
doc says:
No we cant imagine how much better he’ll be for HOLDING HIS OWN.What the fuck is that?Not getting stripped everytime down?Who cares about Olympics.Thats his style we talking the big leagues here.With that said I think he gonna be okay but give me Jennings.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:37 am
weng santos says:
^ There’s that limelight-hogging superstar mentality again: “I MUST DOMINATE. I MUST BE THE MAN.” So because he simple “held his own” in a game does that mean he dad no effect on the game itself?
The point is, the skills and instincts required to play and contribute in a basketball game are the same, everywhere, even with differences in rules. This Rubio has in spades since he was in his mid teens playing against grown men. If he has a perfect 2-step side step, or an articulate jab series without pushing off his non-pivot like LeBron does, imagine what he can do with 3-steps (What in hell is an NBA 2 and a half steps anyway? Isn’t that just a walk?).
You’re right, Rubio will be all right. He’d be more that okay, I think, but that doesn’t matter. Everybody’s got an opinion I guess.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:03 am
alamo says:
This matchup has already took place a couple times between Roma and Joventut and believe me, when Ricky is not playing one handed, there’s clearly no competition, he’s a better PG.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Korver says:
it’s funny everybody likes to show rubio’s stats to tell he’s overrated but nobody’s showing jennings crappy stats in Italy ( about 5 pts / 2 assists pg )which a way less good league than spain. don’t know why …
May 30th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
len-e says:
i’m starting to believe dimes just crushing ricky because slam hyped hm!
May 30th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Chris says:
Rubio is not overrated. I do think he is overhyped though. He is getting phenom like hype, the type of hype off a Lebron, Yao Ming, Greg Oden..once in a generation type hype. And that’s too much because the point guard position is sooooo deep. It’s been great what Rubio has been able to do in Europe as a teenager, and he’s certianly a better European guard than Jennings, but the NBA is a different country and style.
The point guard position is just too deep, and the bar has already been set so high. For me to believe in the phenom Rubio hype, I would have to believe that he is going to come in a be better than ROY type pgs such as CP3 and Derrick Rose, and I’m not buying that. Rubio will need time to adjust mentally and physically.
Both of these young guards have great potential though. It’s hard to say who I think will be better..I mean Rubio is already better just with his pro experience, but I could see Jennings really flourishing in the right situation..and I wouldn’t be suprised if Jennings made a quicker splash in the NBA as well.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Guitar Hero says:
again, IQ over athleticism.
but i believe both will be good NBA players, possibly all-stars. I’m rooting for my Knicks to somehow nab Rubio, but Jennings would be a good consolation prize.
I’m not so sure about Curry, though…but D’Antoni’s system is great for PGs anyway.
May 31st, 2009 at 4:58 am
Brettman says:
i want early odds, longshot odds, if Brandon Jennings starts, rookie of the year?