Griffin or Rubio: Who will make a bigger impact in the NBA?
Ricky Rubio
Majority opinion seems to be that the 2009 NBA Draft will be a weak one. Whereas the ‘08 class produced what could be a handful of future franchise players (Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Brook Lopez, Eric Gordon), there are really only two players at the top of the ‘09 mock drafts who most experts think have that potential. One is Blake Griffin, and the other is Ricky Rubio.
The consensus top two picks represent two extremes in the science of draft projection: Griffin was born and raised in America’s heartland, has all the measurables you want out of a meat-and-potatoes power forward, and is something of a proven commodity after shining on the big stage of major college basketball against respected competition.
Rubio is a mystery; a young kid from a foreign land who most of us have only seen play for a few minutes at a time in a non-traditional setting (the Olympics), if even that. To the average fan he’s more of a myth than a reality on this side of the ocean, but because Rubio plays the game’s most in-demand position at point guard, teams will be willing to gamble on his talent.
Out of Griffin and Rubio, who would you take? Who do you think will make more of an impact on the NBA level?
Post your answers and we’ll print some of the best in an upcoming issue. (Dime reserves the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.)
May 6th, 2009 at 11:11 am
bballinca says:
Griffin as Rubio still has too many unanswered questions. Plus you can’t teach height!
May 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
sh!tfaced says:
Short-term/immediate impact: Griffin
Long-term impact/investment: Rubio
Ricky’s gonna one day change the game or at least the point guard position. A cross between Rondo and Pistol Pete, if you will…?
May 6th, 2009 at 11:16 am
J.Tobias says:
Immediate impact, I’ll go with Rubio. Playing overseas he has the speed to play in the NBA and his Olympic experience gives him a plus for going against some NBA talent. Blake will be good I just think he’ll have a longer learning period with picking his spots and possibly the speed of the game. The one thing I will say is that if Blake, carries his fire over to the NBA, wow!!
May 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am
sh!tfaced says:
…with a touch of Steve Nash, of course
May 6th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Big T says:
Griffin - purely because of his size and presence.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:22 am
that's whats up says:
it’s Kid-N-Play vs La Vida Loca
tough tough call….
May 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Michorizo says:
20 point , 10 rebound potential players come out every year … Griffin this year, Beasley last year, etc…but point guards with potential that is seen in Rubio come around far and in between…I’d take Rubio.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
mules says:
It really depends on which squad gets the #1 pick. Griffin’s the safe pick for most of the lottery teams but if the Kings pick #1 they should take Rubio since they already have two young forwards showing plenty of promise (Jason Thompson & Spencer Hawes).
May 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Chaos says:
man i seen the few times he was on american television…i would still take countrymen Calderon (who is better than i thought and sergio rodriguez (whom Sac-town could use in place of Beno) over him. i dont know if he will be able to hang with pgs in the NBA that are quicker and more athletic(Rose, Rondo, Monta, CP3, TP, Harris) or bigger and tougher (Chauncy, D-will, Westbrook, Baron, Arenas, Stuckey) not to mention guys with intangibles (Jameer, Nash, Miller, Felton). He is still slim and still hasnt ddominated against top competition. even some of the guys coming out of college will beast him…..Blake can contribute immediately and still get better becuase of his athleticsm and work ethic. he will average 23-13 for a couple years
May 6th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
They say Griff is 6′10″ which means he’s probably more likely to be around 6′8″ currently. I think that NBA is a lot diff fro college and he will learn quickly that he just can’t blow by everyone and dunk. He will to develop a consistent jumper and learn to play better defense.
Rubio on the other hand is playing point guard for DKV Joventut in both the ACB and the Euroleague regarded as the world’s best professional competition outside of the NBA. He has played against NBA talent with success. I think that his knowledge of the game and his ability to stay cool under pressure gives him a slight edge. He may not sell as many jerseys as Griff, but I think in the end he will be a better all around player.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:42 am
karizmatic says:
Come on is this a real question? You take Griffin a solid athletic big man will always be a better bet than a point guard. Furthermore, playing point in the NBA is not the same as playing point overseas. Unless Rubio is the second coming of Tony Parker, it doesn’t make any real sense. I don’t know that I would pick Rubio second in the draft either. I’m not totally sold on Blake, but out of the two I think Blake is going to make a bigger impact in the pros than Rubio.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
hahns says:
I think when you talk about “impact,” especially with a player like rubio, you have to consider a player’s impact beyond the stat sheet and w/l columns. i think Rubio will have a bigger impact in the NBA becasue he’s a youthful and marketable euro player adds even more international flavor to the game and can be an international superstar. also, he opens the door to younger and younger euro players coming over (even though danillo kinda broke that mold too). and lastly, hes a pg thats coming into the league in the golden era of PGs:
cp3, dwil, tp, rondo, rose, etc with billups, kidd, and nash serving as elder statesmen.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
hahns says:
also- if by any chance Golden State can draft rubio, does that vault them into the top-8 in the west? i think it does…rubio in a wide open system like that can be nice.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Yoooo says:
Why are cats on this dude Rubio’s dick?? Money is not that real. He is NO better than Shaun Livingston was coming out of high school. But because hes a foreigner they think he’s the next coming of Pistol Pete? Get real, I cant wait to see this implode. He’ll be the reason no foreign guards are drafted for years to come
May 6th, 2009 at 11:56 am
SayItAintSo says:
Yeah, beastly power forwards are a dime a dozen but a legit point guard will carry a team and is rare. I’d go with Rubio.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
dk says:
@ 2 I wouldn’t. At least not with out 3 hits of acid and a bottle of X. Rubio has many many years of Nba preparation to possibly fail in the league. Every time a white PG is drafted Ill think of Kerr.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
SEANY_T says:
There’s a few way’s you can look at it. Being a top pick comes with alot of pressure. Rubio might be better situated to handle that as he’s been playing on a big stage with grown men for a couple of years now. He’s noted as being a great defender, he’s only 17 and 6′3 so he’s potentially still growing. There’s plenty of time for him to fill out. One’s a big man one’s a little man they both have potential but I think Rubio has the higher ceiling. As someone earlier commmented 20 and 10 big men come along fairly often. I’d take a gamble on Rubio and give him time to adjust to the nba pace. Everything that doesn’t work with him is fixable and time is on his side. If he’s comes in and is another Calderon that’s not so bad, if he’s eclipses Calderon that pretty fricking good. Whoever lands him could have a real gem on their hands. Will they have the patience to see it through.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
bballinca says:
LOL, beastly power forwards are a dime a dozen!!!
Yeah, 6′4″ 180lb flashy point guards with a questionable outside shot are rare.
Let me know the last time a point guard that size led a team to a championship.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
dk says:
@ Dime
You reserve the right not to select submissions that are incoherent…lmfao!
May 6th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
D3W says:
I wouldn’t take Rubio with a top 5 pick. There are point guards that come out of the draft every year that have the same qualities that Rubio has, but don’t get the same consideration because they played in college instead of overseas. The only upside I think he has is that he is what, 17? Maybe his body fills out a little bit more and he becomes a tougher ball player, but it’s still not likely. Like it was said before, he is probably no quicker than CP3, Rondo, DWill, or Rose. He definitely isn’t as strong as Billups, Nelson, Kidd or even Russell Westbrook. So where exactly does that leave him. Middle of the pack which is not a lottery pick type player.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Yoooo says:
@ SeanyT
Are you retarded? You waste a #1 draft pick on a Jose Calderon type of player??? Drugs are affecting our community…
May 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Depends on how you define impact. If Rubio puts up decent numbers he has the potential to be a universal star known around the world. Nearly a quarter of earths people speak Spanish. He could propel the NBA even further into the Spanish speaking population. The fact that he looks like a Jonas brother could make him a crush of 13 year old girls and thus give him ideal endorsement opportunity. If we measure impact based on popularity AND helping your team win then Rubio has the edge.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Bruce says:
Rubio — Doug Christie would have given fits.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Ian says:
wow where have i been “20 10 power fowards are a dime a dozen”????????????? im sorry but im with bballinca on this one.
sayitisntso
tell me how many point guards carry team better than those 20 10 fowards.
May 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
rudderband man says:
I’m calling it right now. Rubio will be a flop! You heard it here first! I know he’s still very young but look at his stats from his Spanish league:
9.7 pts, 6 asts, 2.5 rebs, and 2 stls
In the more competitive Euroleague here are his averages:
2.4 pts, 2.8 asts, 2.4 rebs, and 1.8 stls
Sure there’s potential but at this point, is the hype really justified???
May 6th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
G says:
I go with option C. Trade the pick get some veteran help/leadership and free up more cap space for the upcoming free agent class. Im not completely sold on either of those guys, so thats the route I would take. BUT if you had to make me pick I go with Griffin and hope he turns into Paul Milsap
May 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@Bballinca
20 pt, 10 rbd players are not a dime a dozen. This past season only two players achieved that goal. Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh. Tim Duncan, Yao, and Gasol came close but only CB and Dwight averaged 20-10.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Sorry bballinca i meant the previous post to be directed at SayItAintSo.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
dk says:
@22 Got man love?
May 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
pig says:
If Rubio will develop nice J he’ll be one of the greatest PG’s in the NBA
May 6th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Aaron says:
We still have Blake numero uno on our big board at http://www.nbadraftdaycountdown.com . Rubio has great potential but if Blake’s knees hold up, it’s hard to find a big man with his potential. Good big men are just so hard to find.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@dk
Not really. I just see it how it is. I actually think he’ll be a flop. The “potential” is there but I’ve never been a fan of “potential”.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Arno says:
To bbalinca : the last time a 6′4″ (actually 6′2″)PG carried his team to a championship was in 2007. His name was TP. So that’s not so unusual.
It’s very difficult to compare a guy playing NCAA basketball and a pro player like Rubio. His team, Joventud, would probably give a 30 pts piecing to Griffin’s Sooners everyday. Rubio had amazing stats in the under 16 and under 18 categories, dominating the European championship in ridiculous fashion (quadruple-double in the semi-finals, for instance). If he could stand the J.Kidd and CP3 defensive pressure in Beijing, he should be fit for the NBA. He is the greatest stealer I’ve ever seen.
Griffin is a great athlete. But nobody knows if he wille ever be a great player.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Here is my dime a dozen list of 4’s
Duncan
Amare
Garnett
Bosh
Dirk
Pau
D-West
Brand
Aldridge
J-Smoove
Big Al
Jamison
Rashard Lewis
Beasley
Z-Bo
Millsap
Boozer
Gooden
Nene
K-Mart the first
Maxiell
This list doesn’t even include the 3’s and 5’s that play more like 4’s and can put up 20 and 10. Blake is a Boozer, K-Mart, Millsap, Maxiell kind of player when all is said and done. Doesn’t have the ability to put it on the floor to play outside and doesn’t have the height to dominate the paint.
On the above list…there are TWO MAYBE THREE players that are IMPACT players and one of them (Duncan) is arguably a center because he has the height.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
kevin k says:
Hawks need to get rid of Joe Johnson and bring in Ricky Rubio. Just the thought of Rubio running the breaks with JSmoove and Horford and hopefully healthy Marvin Williams………
May 6th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
As I think about it, saying that Rubio will be a flop is a bad choice of words. I just think people are putting too much pressure on what he could be. My biggest question is can he live up to the hype?
May 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
sans says:
The intrigue surounding Rubio is in his reborn Pistol approach to the game, the fact he’s been pro for years now. I’ve only seen mixtapes and Olympic coverage but that’s all I need to salivate for him. He’s a pass first Pistol Pete and should come into the League rockin a stache just to cement that legacy.
No disrespect to Griffin, but dudes that can jump out the gym are a dime a dozen in America. Griffin has a good basketball IQ, but Rubio might be a genius, often making older, stronger players look inadequate with his fancy passes and handle. Both need a lot of work, but I think that Rubio’s lateral quickness gives him the edge on D for his position. He’s a better on the ball defender with the same steal capacity as CP3. Honestly, if a team gets the pingpong balls to hit, and have a monster downlow, I’d take Rubio over Griffin. And to all the haters–hating is global now…try and find a youtube vid of Rubio getting owned off the dribble in Spain. Try it. Does not exist. If anyone pulled anything on this kid, they don;t have internet access. Peace.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Quest??? says:
id pick ricky rubio. He has played against men in the arguably better than the ncaa euroleague since he was 15 years old. Plus he more than held his own against the best athletes in the world. Has Griffin played against howard or amare or lebron or bosh? i don’t think so.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
WeeZitO says:
Blake Griffin is gonna be a double cheeseburger in “A”
I’d take Rubio off the strength that even “good” point guard is difficult to come by.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
dk says:
@ Spliff
Yeah, no doubt, the boy cant even play with both hands. lmao But hes only 17, big f’ n deal, I play with 9 year olds that know the importance of using two hands and they do so… Rubio, lol
May 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
doc says:
good bigs aint no dime a dozen since stated above only 2 averaged that.But until Blake step his heart up im a doubter.I havent seen rubio alot.But from the Olympics he looked good.But give me number 1 next year and ill take john wall over all of them.Let that youngin in the league now.He 19 and since this like rubio 4th year in a row being 17 wall is older but cant go pro.Something smell fishy there.U see he need some dough so he can stop hanging out in abandoned cribs and buy one.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
the cynic says:
Griffin by a mile. Rubio isn’t ready, but he’ll be good in 3 or 4 years
May 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Bondzai says:
If either one of them lands with the Clippers then you can automatically choose the other.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
doc says:
@arno-I dont know what the fuck u been smoking.But if u come back to reality you would remember that Tim Duncan played for that team you said Tony Parker carried somewhere.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
dk says:
@44 Hes one of those idiots that watch ESPN for a living. Everytime he sees a player make a highlight, that player is the man and assigns some sort of multiplication towards to get their double-doubles…
May 6th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
dk says:
* multiplication towards the play ( block, rebound, FG ) to get ….
May 6th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
-SEIZ- says:
In the long run I think that Rubio will make a bigger impact. Blake is amazing no doubt and will most likely make a bigger impact than Rubio in the first 2-3 years. However Rubio’s potential is down right scary. Dude is only 18 years old. How many 18 year olds can you list that lead a bunch of grown men? Yah his shooting is suspect for now but that will most likely improve with time. Also don’t give too much weight to Euroleague stats as they tend to deflate ones worth (exampeles: Childress, Brandon Jennings- Pretty sure his stats would be off the charts if he was playing college ball. Euroleague also is not as generous as the NBA is in awarding assists.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
the kid says:
ricky rubio is 18 years old. he’s playing in a legit competitive league and is sick in that league. i’m looking forward to see what happens.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Yoooo says:
Doc right as hell, they been sayin this guy Rubio is 17-18 for YEARS. Thats wild.
Stop comparing this nigga to Pistol Peete too. Pistol was a SHOOTER who could dribble and pass. This guy can pass, im not sure how well is handle actually is. Saying he withstood the defensive pressure of JKidd and CP aint saying too much. Dominating some teenage foreigners aint saying much either. When he plays against “men” as you all put it, he’s average. Word up I think the bol Steph Curry can do ANYTHING rubio can do with the ball. If Steph had a little less pigmentation theyd be calling him White Mike and all that. But because he aint some super jumpin ass black guy, he’s not athletic. That nigga Rubio can barely jump over half court. If you’re taken in the Top 3 and dont make an All Star team, which I dont see bol doing… YOU’RE A BUST… Not a starting PG in the league he’s better than, and yall talking about he can be the greatest. FUDUCK OUTTA HERE
May 6th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Chitown's Finest says:
Double R is the Real Deal & He’s very young… He’ll be a NBA star to Superstar before he’s 24 (Book It!!!)
May 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
the cynic says:
@ Yoooo
come on man Rubio will at least be better then Mike James and Beno Urdich. Also Steph Curry won’t be able to do anything, but shoot in the NBA (which he can already do better then half the guys in the league)
May 6th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
bballinca says:
To add to my previous posts I’d take Jrue Holiday and Jennings over Rubio.
Rubio doesn’t have half the offensive ability of Tony Parker, who btw didn’t carry the Spurs, even though he won MVP.
May 6th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Yoooo says:
What can Rubio do with the ball that Steph cant? He might be a bettter floor leader, im assuming because he actually PLAYS the 1, but hes not a better ball handler. Not a better shooter. MAYBE passing, but we would have to see how Steph plays with other talent on his squad… Its not like hes the MVP of his league or anything
May 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
A$$Cube aka Spaniard says:
There’s more often than not a love for dissing Euro guys. That I can understand because of the lack of exposure and the different type of ball we play in Europe.
But Ricky –everybody’s gonna call him by his first name eventually– is the real deal. I can remebmer the huge game he had with the U16 Spanish team. He’s not only a great maestro, he’s ballsy and has a real feel/love for the game.
If an older Nash ended up being a two time MVP, I do think Ricky has plenty of time to shine. He’s played pro ball since he was teenager –against grown *ss men.
Around draft time, I’m sure the US media will somehow manage to bring Darko’s name up to underline the risk/reward with Ricky, but dude he’s an animal.
At his age, Tony Parker was not even close to Ricky’s maestria. I just hope that Ricky will end up with a good, smart coach like Pop, because I do think it’s the key for young point guards to develop.
May 6th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
mladich says:
That last post hinted at what I wanted to get at. Brandon Jennings has more NBA potential. Simply, he is more athletic. The southpaw would overwhelm Rubio.
May 6th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
SayItAintSo says:
@ doc
That’s exactly my point…Blake isn’t going to be significantly better than the vast majority of people on that list who were all predict (at one time or another) to be 20 and 10 players. He relies too heavily on his athleticism (which will be negated in the NBA since it’s not out of this world athleticism) and doesn’t have enough skill to be a stand out player on the next level. He’ll be good…he’ll be like Carlos Boozer at best. Rubio is legit, I’ve seen the kid play numerous times from when I lived in Spain.
May 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Bobbo says:
All this concern about Rubio coming to a foreign land.
Griffin was born in Oklahoma City, went to a Christian high school in Oklahoma City, played college ball at Oklahoma University in nearby Norman.
Now let’s imagine Blake gets picked by the Clippers or, God forbid, the Knicks. LA, New York! Wow, just as I pictured it! Putting aside for a moment the alien prospect of playing with Zach Randolph or Eddy Curry, the question is this: Will Griffin’s transition be any less difficult than that of Rubio, who has played around the world with adult men?
May 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Ok, we get the ‘he plays with adult men part’…can we drop it now. It’s overusage is making me uncomfortable even though I agree with the underlying point.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
bballinca says:
you mean they play with him?
May 6th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Shrink This says:
The comparisons to Pistol Pete have got to stop. At this point the only realistic comparison that can be made between Rubio and Maravich is the bad haircut.
Pete averaged 44.2 points per game in his 3 years on LSU’s varsity team and I believe that this was before the introduction of the 3 point line. He also averaged 24 ppg in his 10 NBA seasons.
I’ll be shocked if Rubio (or Griffin for that matter) put up averages like that over 10 seasons in the NBA.
And Griffin will be the better pro.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:24 am
jkl says:
project at point guard = pass
Kwame/Olowakandi were at least tall lol.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Tha Boddy (SouthPaw) says:
If i’m the Washington Wizards I’d take Griffin trade one of the current centers either (Haywood,Thomas or both) let Griffin start at PF.Heres my lineup
Starters
PG-Gilbert Arenas
SG-Caron Butler
SF-Antawn Jamison
PF-Blake Griffin
C-JaVale McGee (He can run the floor,rebound,block shots and he is 7′0 which is all the Wizards need as their center any pts he scores is a bonus
With a bench of crafty players and Nick Young’s Sixth Man Scoring thats good enough for atleast 3rd-4th seed in the east
May 7th, 2009 at 4:00 am
alamo says:
I cannot wait for the US Networks to show some Euro basketball. I mean, back here we get surrounded by NBA media and you don’t get anything from Euros.
Bullsh*t.
All the hype surrounding Ricky Rubio has not been created out of the blue. The kid is sick, and when I do say sick, I’m out of the line. You have to see him play to understand how good and smart he is.
First of all, don’t even compare College D1 with ACB, it is ridiculous. Then I’m sorry but Blake still needs 2 to 3 years to be effective, just look at Horford.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:26 am
sans says:
The Pistol comparison is all about flash and playmaking, not scoring. For his handle and court vision Rubio gets the Maravich comparisons.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:01 am
rick773 says:
The draft is all about potential so I’m going with Rubio. Griffin maybe good but elite Playmakers are tougher to come by. Just as many people last year debated Rose over Beasley and so far it’s not even close
May 7th, 2009 at 8:12 am
RANDO says:
Like stated in the article, I’d go with the proven commodity. Outside of Lebron who in the league is as much of a physical specimen as Griffin. His mid range game isn’t like most may think because he never had to display it on the college level. As far as facing up and putting it on the floor he may have the fastest first step out of any big in the league. He’s a legitimate 6′10 unlike Beasley and I really think he’ll make a huge impact wherever he goes. As far as Rubio, you really never know, he’s really young ala Tony Parker but he doesn’t have the skins on the wall like Parker didn’t making the transition to the league. I think he would need to be groomed under a good coach and a legit PG like Parker did coming in. Won’t happen though and he will be thrown into the fire. Hope he goes to an Eastern Conference team and he can come up with the young PG’s out east. If he goes to the west he will get demoralized by the established PGs
May 7th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Daniel Bui says:
@8
Why shouldn’t the Kings pick up Griffin if they get the pick? Rubio is good, but Griffin has more value right now. They can always trade him for Rubio and something else.
@34
“Here is my dime a dozen list of 4’s
Duncan
Amare
Garnett
Bosh
Dirk
Pau
D-West
Brand
Aldridge
J-Smoove
Big Al
Jamison
Rashard Lewis
Beasley
Z-Bo
Millsap
Boozer
Gooden
Nene
K-Mart the first
Maxiell
This list doesn’t even include the 3’s and 5’s that play more like 4’s and can put up 20 and 10. Blake is a Boozer, K-Mart, Millsap, Maxiell kind of player when all is said and done. Doesn’t have the ability to put it on the floor to play outside and doesn’t have the height to dominate the paint.”
Actually, it does include 3’s.Rashard Lewis and Josh Smith are more of SF than PFs.
May 7th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
eddy says:
Rubio is the most overrated peice of crap…i want all u guys to google his stats from the regular season in euro and stats from the olympics, nuff said…off course he looks good in highlights, theyre HIGHLIGHTS…i know somebody who plays overseas and he says he is overhyped and gets raped by guards like Chris Thomas, who wasnt good enough for the league…now imagine what guards like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose are going to do to him…FUCK EUROPEAN BALLERS, DRAFT PLAYERS YOU KNOW AND SEE EVERYDAY, LIKE DICK VITALE SAID…I’LL TAKE BLAKE GRIFFIN ANYDAY!!!!
May 7th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Amos Leak says:
I think people get out of hand with these Overseas Players…I understand they want to prove themselves, but they really don’t have the feel for it over here. Rubio is a bust, he’s a poor man American Point Guard. doesn’t really know how to play the system of what we like to call, american basketball..it’s not the same and just because you prove yourself over there doesn’t mean anything. Hands down Blake is just that man, he’s a phenom..but i believe in Gerald Henderson, He’s gonna be one of those people that come from out the brinks and people don’t realize. People will see, it’s not easy being in the NBA…but I agree wit Eddy. Rubio can’t even check Stephen Curry..let alone any guard that’s already in the NBA…European players are not known to be tough, plain and simple, if you want somebody that’s not gonna get the job done..Rubio is it…don’t waste your time!
May 8th, 2009 at 7:02 am
L@Yz!e says:
rubio second coming of shawn livingston. lot of promise but no outside shot plus plus if you called the euroleague is the best competition outside nba why does the star player in there cannot make name in NBA.few names only survived in NBA coming from the euroleague.even their mvp right now.spanoulis cant cracked minutes in rockets last season and college stars that can’t step up in the NBA is the only star player in euroleague plus the NBA vets thats want to earn more money only things that u can see in that league.niether blake is doubtful but the hype that you’re giving for that spainaird is just like the hype that you create for darko millicic a few years before when you’re doubting about the ability of a lebron james. lets put it this way how many times in the histor that a team gamble for a intrntional player to developed?if only is blake from another country and not in usa maybe there no question who’s the number 1 pick.but my dark horse in this draft is curry if he can make it to the right team like cleveland,atlanta or even miami. he will blossom as a shooter like boobie does or mo will does right now
May 8th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
alamo says:
omg!!! Stupidity is really a huge disease. Toughness? Level of play?
I will only ask few questions: How come US players can’t play zone defense? How come the supposedly tough US game allows their best players to shot 20 FT per game?
And of course, did you watch last euroleague finals?
Have you seen Jennings and Childress being benched?
Did you ask questions to your foreignners about the level?
No, of course. As you are US, you’re too good, that’s why you get your butt kicked in international competition, that your D1 college basketball is a sorry competition and that your put freaky nature monsters in your league.
Seriously for the last 3 posts, get some education!!!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
L@Yz!e says:
sorry did u mean education? childress is just a average nba player.so don’t put that whole zoning defense thing on this bullshh!t coz’ every usa or intrnational player know that the nba is the most difficult competition and euroleague is just a ordinary place to earn money and the hell.what do u supposed to say next that euro is the nab of euro not even one player in euro can crack a serious min in the nba.even rudy fernandez the one they supposed to call the next ginobili.haist a waste of time for a debate
May 10th, 2009 at 12:01 am
eddy says:
alamo is smokin’ dust, just like any gm who picks Rubio in the lottery…first of all Josh Childress is a bum, and was only looking alright in the nba because at the time the Hawks were a terrible team, and you talking about Brandon Jennings, but he has’nt made the nba yet!!!, the only reason he didnt start for his euroleague team was coaches in the euroleague hate american players, whether their good or not (ask any american who has played overseas)…alamo talks about europe like its big shit but where do all our players who dont make it to the nba becomes stars? OVERSEAS!!! You guys get your asses bust by our second rate players!!! and why are you even mentioning the olympics? You guys only beat us when we had Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion…but what happened when we put Kobe and wade??!!GOLD MEDAL…OH YEAH,did i forget to mention how soft european players??? THEY ALL ARE GERBER!!! MEANING THEYRE SOFTER THAN A BABY’S ASS!! even your best european player, dirk nowitzi’s biggest knock is him being SOFT!!!…EURO PLAYERS ARE ONLY GOOD WHEN THERE IS NOTHING EXPECTED OF THEM (DIRK,MANU,PARKER) BUT WHEN THEY ARE LOTTERY PICKS THEY ALL BUCKLE UNDER PRESSURE LIKE BARNANI,TSKITISHVILI, WEIS, DARKO (SO MANY TO NAME) BCUZ THEY DONT HAVE DA BALLS!!
May 10th, 2009 at 12:26 am
eddy says:
BY THE WAY HERE IS TO ALL U GUYS SAYING RICKY RUBIO WAS “GREAT” IN THE OLYMPICS….
OVERALL STATS- 4.8 POINTS, 4 REBOUNDS, 3 ASSIST, 2.25 TURNOVERS
FIRST U.S GAME- 8 POINTS, 3 STEALS, 3 ASSIST, 3 REBOUNDS, 4 TURNOVERS
SECOND GAME- 6 POINTS, 3 STEALS, 2 TURNOVERS, 3 ASSIST, 6 REBOUNDS
ONCE AGAIN, WHOEVER DRAFTS THIS DUDE IS GETTING FIRED, COMPLETELY OVERRATED!!!!
May 11th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
AB_40 says:
so the best player out of this years high school class is going to europe brandon jennings the best last year went to europe but ah well
griffin is gonna be so so because some players are gonna destroy him
and rubio is gonna surprise a lot of people in a good way and sometimes in a bad way.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
zak says:
eddy says:
“EURO PLAYERS ARE ONLY GOOD WHEN THERE IS NOTHING EXPECTED OF THEM (DIRK,MANU,PARKER)”
LOL, you MUST be an american, since you have Manu at your european player list.