Hold the Hype: The Reality of Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio, '08 Olympics
Instinctual and limber, but young and statistically challenged – Ricky Rubio is 18 years old, 180 pounds and European. He is also prospectively one of the top 5 picks for the 2009 draft. Creativity and play-making ability are the main characteristics of the game that landed him in the respectable position he’s in. But is that really enough to be successful in the NBA?
His stats are not overwhelmingly impressive. His mid-range game and ability to shoot off the dribble are below average. He is prone to turning the ball over. Those deficiencies stand out the Euroleague. That’s partially because European ball is predicated on efficiency – accurate shooting and taking care of the rock. But should a top 5 NBA prospect struggle to do those basic things in any league? Europe simply isn’t as competitive as the NBA.
But perhaps these blemishes can be overlooked by his strengths? Rubio’s nimbleness allows for exceptional defensive plays and is also beneficial to his offensive game. He runs the pick-and-roll exceptionally well, and he can weave in and out of defenders with speed and confidence. He displays a keen sense of awareness of the activity on the court at all times. When he isn’t making highlight-quality passes, he is still playing unselfishly. He moves the ball well, thereby helping the flow of the offense.
I want to bring up the European league again. If European coaches place significant emphasis on efficiency, and Rubio as previously stated is not a highly efficient player, there must be something that he’s doing right. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be on the floor, right?
His future is uncertain and will be largely impacted by the team that drafts him. I think it would definitely help him to land with a team with a strong foundation, for example: Memphis. They already have O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay – a stable foundation. On the other hand, if he were to slip to the Kings he might not be as successful. It’s hard to predict whether or not Rubio will do damage in the NBA, at least immediately. I believe chances are he will have a mediocre first year and explode by the time he can legally have a beer.
Any thoughts?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Kingjackson says:
lol @ not being able to drink beer until 21 but making sure running around with guns is as easy as possible…
May 27th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Scott says:
He’s sounding more and more like Steve Nash. Here’s my question, how does he stackup against Jennings? The Wall/Jennings post was interesting and clearly fictional as GMs won’t have to choose, but Jennings vs Rubio is a real choice GMs will have to make, how do the two compare?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Yoooo says:
How does a dude who cant shoot and is SLOW sound like Steve Nash? Just because he can see the floor he’s gonna be good? I dont get it. This guys HIGHLIGHTS are blah. His numbers are BLAH. Why is this considered lottery pick material? Ginobili went in the 2nd round and im 100% sure that he was a better ball player at Rubio’s age. There are at least 5 PG’s who are better than him in this draft man. People are buggin off him cuz he looks like Harry Potter
May 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
doc says:
IDK.Maybe ,maybe not.Like U said I see the intinct.
May 27th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
weng santos says:
I like Rubio better.
Jennings is an exceptional athlete.
But as a coach, I like tall, crafty, playmaking PGs.
Plus, Rubio’s been a pro since he was 14 years old.
Adaptability and coachability have to factor in as well.
May 27th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Kermit the Washington says:
I don’t get it…I haven’t watched a full game with this kid playing, but the “highlights” I keep seeing aren’t much. I don’t know what all the talk is about. Is he really that good?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Seven Duece says:
I’ll predict this: the first game Jennings & Rubio face off, Brandon’s going to kill him. He’s going to light him up like Pip did to Kukoc in the Olympics.
May 27th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Rafa23 says:
@Yoooo
lol, ginobili was 22 when he was drafted. so your “im 100% sure manu was better…” is nothing but bs because you know nothing about international ball, right?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Scott says:
How exactly, in this day and time, do people really see a difference in a kid who’s been euro pro since 14 or a kid who’s been American pro since grade 8? People like to pretend there isn’t ‘handling’ going on of young talents at an early age, but its there, it exists, everyone knows it. So how exactly does it make a difference that Rubio’s been euro pro since 14? I bet Jennings has had people on his jock since he was 9, who’s knows how early the ‘gifts’ begin these days, same goes with Wall, and all the other top tier prospects.
Still, I’d love to see Dime truly breakdown the Jennings vs. Rubio comparison.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
John says:
LOL at #2 ,,, and by the way I agree 100% with your post
May 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
JP says:
while i think Rubio will make some great plays initially, i think he is going to make a TON of mistakes his first couple of years… natural for any rookie point guard. think about nash – he didnt break out til he was 26. He is not an athletic freak ala Rose or Rondo, let alone Paul, or even in his own class Jennings. In other words, he will struggle to create his own shot, and in adjusting to the speed and height, not to mention the defense playing him for the pass – i see him taking at least a couple years. mind you, in that time, i think he will improve his jumper – he will be forced to.
The crazy part is, Rubio is essentially holding top 5 teams all in limbo. In pulling an Eli Manning there is almost no certainty at the top. Its crazy – I wrote a piece on it last night – http://nbadraftdaycountdown.com/2009/05/27/top-5-uncertainty/ – we are podcasting tonight – search itunes “nbadraftday”
May 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
karizmatic says:
Rubio is going to be a bust.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Godot says:
He doesn’t play for an NBA coach
He doesn’t practice against NBA players
He’s not fed by an NBA nutritionist
He’s not training with an NBA trainer
Yes he’s been a pro since 14 but he is not an NBA athlete
He’s a kid
Give him time to learn the NBA game and he’ll be fine
May 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
nic says:
if nobody wants him send him to the Blazers, we will gladly ship Sergio back to Spain.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Jei says:
Rubio has a lot of upside. He may be 18 years old and can barely lift weights, but if he hits the gym and starts training with NBA legends…he’ll be a beast.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Chaos says:
man the kid is not where u think he is. yea nash wasnt an elite athlete but he was quick as all be damned getting up and down the floor cuz he played soccer. this guy still looks slow and cant jump. jennings and any other pg that he was picked ahead of in the nba will kill him
May 27th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Rafa23 says:
@ scott
the difference is playing against grown men vs. playing against kids your age. is that really so hard to understand?
May 27th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
stefan says:
BUST! what do you see in this kid ? i saw some of his games and he is below average. the highlights are awful! maybe he should play in the NCAA first…
May 27th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Yoooo says:
Rafa pay attention, I didnt say Ginboli was drafted at 18 smart guy. I said at the age of 18 Ginobili was probably just as good as Rubio, keep up mate (hows that for foreign)…
I really couldnt care less about foreign ball players until they prove they can play in the NBA, sorry buddy, which Rubio HAS NOT. No need for me to follow them when we have superb basketball over here in the states.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
doc says:
Give me Johnny Flynn.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Yoooo says:
Rafa who cares if a man is grown if he’s a bum??? If those grown men were so great then theyd be over here playing with the greatest. Our kids dont play in the NBA, but they play in Pro AM leagues all summer against NBA and other elite talent and hold their own. Keon Lawrence who was at Missouri, soon to be Seton Hall been kickin grown men ass for years. That doesn’t mean he’s a lottery pick. And he actually puts up NUMBERS. Rubio is NO better than an Andre Barret back in the day. But because he’s a punk ass kid they think he’s gonna be some force down the road. He’s a career backup, maybe
May 27th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Yoooo says:
Hell yea Doc, niggas cant tell me Johnny Flynn isn’t better than Rubio. I wont hear it
May 27th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Rafa23 says:
@ yooo
iknow what you said. manu getting drafted in the 2nd round while he was better than rubio at the same age. that comparison is wrong because he was drafted at another age.
and now you say probably better at the same age? i thought you were 100% sure? lmao
if you dont know anything like you admitted, which i respect, why do you say anything? just makes you look bad.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
funkymunky says:
It’ll help Rubio alot if he lands in a situation where there are vets ahead of him who can mentor him, as well as a coach who believes in him. Rubio’s going to be asked to lead a bunch of grown-ass men when he’s barely a teenager who cant even speak the language, so he’s probably going to have his ass handed to him more often than not. That’s why it’s going to be important for him to have a couple of mentors who can keep his confidence up and drop some knowledge on him along the way. Steve Nash had Jason Kidd and Kevin Johnson ahead of him. And I read an article on how Chauncey Billups was taken under the wing of Sam Mitchell. Both guys started out of the gate slow, but, as we all know, are both arguably one of the best at their positions. No doubt, the knowledge they picked up from from the vets helped them out down the line. But if Rubio is led to quarteback a dysfunctinal franchise and be asked to lead a team immediately, WATCH OUT! His team is gonna struggle, he’s gonig to lose his confidence and the media is gonna jump on the franchise for wasting a pick, which, no doubt affects a player’s psyche (see Kwame Brown). Rooks who can come in and leade the team immediately are very few and far in between, even more so for point guards.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Rafa23 says:
because players dont play in the nba doesn’t mean they are bums. the greece team that beat the us in 06 had no nba player. i know they were missing some guys, but bron wade, melo, cp3 and so on were there. they would obv beat mostly, but there you say you can be a good baller in europe ,too. look at scola, he wasn’t playing in the nba, and isn’t exactly a bum…
May 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Rafa23 says:
* beat them mostly, but there you can see you can..
May 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
the cynic says:
Rubio needs talent around him because he is a pass first point guard. The talent probably won’t be there right away so of course he will struggle for a couple years, though i’m sure he will show flashes. The skillz are definitely present
May 27th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Yoooo says:
OK Rafta let me break it down for you in Ingles amigo… If I feel that Ginobili was JUST As good as Rubio at the age of 18 (ok you following me?) and he was drafted at 22 (you keeping up??) in the SECOND RD, then that means I feel like Rubio should be no better than (pause) a 2nd rounder. Got it?
I’d take every other PG over him in this years draft. Flynn, Curry, Mills, Maynor, Lawson, Jennings. I’m being DEAD serious when I say this: HE DAMN NEAR LOOKS LIKE GREG PAULUS OUT THERE, BUT SLOWER! The nigga is NOT real. And he DEFINITELY shouldn’t be getting drafted before people putting up WAAAAAAAAAY better #’s against comparable talent. It’s mindboggling that this is even a discussion
May 27th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
doc says:
Damn yoo Greg Paulus though.That would be the worst pick EVER.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Yoooo says:
Do not bring up any international basketball play. We bring our players over there to play with DIFFERENT rules, on a DIFFERENT court. The international game is WAY different than the NBA game just ask that Greek PG (P-something) who did work against the US in Olympic play, but came to the NBA for a season and couldnt cut it… Nobody has to adapt to Rubio’s game and court, he has to adapt to OURS. And our game is WAAAAAAAY more difficult to adapt to. Thats why our low level college players go overseas and get MONEY and a LOT (not all of course) of the great foreign players come over here and are role players. Yall shoot from the same 3pt line as 8th graders man, get out of here
May 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Rafa23 says:
i understand that. but you have absolutely no idea how good ginobili was at 18. first you said 100% sure. then probably. now you feel that way. all that after you said you are not interested in non nba ball. so you didn”t see manu until he was 24, 25. so all your points are just nonsense…
May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Rafa23 says:
you are comparing ncaa talent to talent in the euroleague? WOW
ok, im done with you. you are just ignorant. europe isn’t nearly as great as the nba, but i think EVERYBODY on this site will agree that your “the ncaa is comparable to europe” is just complete bs.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
jamesinva says:
Rubio to Memphis? Are you forgetting the grizz have the #4 pick from 2007 MIKE CONLEY? Hell if the grizz pick rubio lets bring on the trades. Portland trades Sergio Rodriguez, Outlaw, and Frye for Mike Conley and Warrick? I would love that as a Blazers fan.
But in all honesty, expect the mock drafts to change significantly minus Griffen going #1 as tiem goes by up until the draft.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Yoooo says:
I promise UNC & UCONN would have RAN those chaps from across the pond. Didn’t one of those teams come over and scrimmage our college kids during the NCAA preseason? And I dont think that ended too well for them… Just cuz they’re big and old doesnt mean they’re better. If they play our elite kids on a real court, with a real ball, with the right rules… Yes I think our college kids (the elite NCAA teams) would MORE than hold their own.
My man Tyrone Barley copped MVP in New Zealand a couple years back and he was the 3rd or 4th option on St. Joes… I got HELLA homeboys overseas puttin in work dog and none of them even went to the UNC or UConns I spoke of. They over there dickriding Josh Childress and shet, get outta here bruh…
May 27th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
doc says:
Tyrone Barley!Got the illadelph to a final four as the defensive stopper.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Yoooo says:
Damn sure did my man, he locked up no doubt. Went overseas and started dropping buckets.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
funkymunky says:
Yooo, you do know that New Zealand isnt in Europe, right?
May 27th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Yoooo says:
Im talking int’l ball period. Not limiting my convo to just the continent of Europe
May 27th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
lol says:
you guys are idiots who say the euro league sucks..just look at the nba role players who went over there and made alot of money but did not do shit..and u got this kid who has been killin grown men since he was 14..jennings sucked for the year he was there and he was the best American hs ball player..your also an idiot to say he is slow.did you not see the gold medal game?he stayed in front of chris paul who proab is the fastest guy in the league..is it so hard to fathom that a white kid not from america can be better than these ball hog shoot first pg comin out of college.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Rafa23 says:
and you know childress isn’t doing alot? he is a role player at best. what were some people on here saying before the season? its like dominating in highschool? lmao
May 27th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
yoda says:
if euro teams are so crap, how come euro team beat nba team in preseason few years go? as for euro players being bad, well i can say that veal couldn’t play in any euro league team. as for new zeland and basketball, game is popular there as carling in most of countrys in the world, so its normal that average guy can be mvp in that kind of league.
rubio has been playing against top competition in europe since he was 15. you really want to say that for example langdon is crap player? i’ve seen jenkins in few games in that “crappy” euro league and i wasn’t impressed at all. he was jacking shots, making dumb plays, turning ball over…i’m not saying that rubio will be better then him, but in last year rubio was way better in EL then jenkins. so, that crap that american highschool players play against some uber players seems kinda lame in this case.
as for childress, he was average at best this year in EL. different play style and all, but with all those comments about him being MJ in europe, he seems like a bust.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
doc says:
They paid his ass MJ money is what we said.They was damn fools for thinking he was gonna do anything Jordanlike.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Eduardo says:
Yoooo you are just being american, I understand that. You are just saying flynn and other guys are better than rubio blah blah blah, but than you say you don’t know shit about international bbal,so that leads me to the conclusion that you really don’t know shit about basketbal at all..I’m not saying Rubio will be the new Nash or whatsoever,the guy is special believe me. Do you really think that everything they’re saying it’s just hype and that he is a total bust? So, are you the new Nostradamus of the NBA Draft is that it?
I think the boy is special, maybe it’ll take him one or two years to adjust, but I’ll wait to see…
May 27th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
AY says:
I think he’ll be good; if you look at broy, he’s not exceptionally fast or strong or anything. broy is an excellent player because he knows basketball and understands what’s happening on the court. Similar deal with rubio; i’m not saying he’ll be as good as broy, but he can be an exceptional player just by knowing the plays and anticipating plays better than the rest of the guys on the court. There are also other guys other than broy in the nba who aren’t athletic and still do much better than the athletic guys based solely on their understanding of the game: hedo, andre miller, luis scola. And dare i mention larry legend, the ultimate un-athletic nba player.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
deeds says:
Anyone who cannot understand why Rubio has so much hype around him, just watch the Olympic gold medal game where he did more than hold his own against the likes of cp3, deron, kidd etc….then keep in mind his age
May 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
SJ says:
lol @ #2… he does have that Harry Potter thing going, minus the specs.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
jonny says:
haha to the guy that says ncaa is comparable to euroleague, ur on crack buddy. its not even close. Euroleague is WAY better then NCAA and always will be. Besidies the NBA itself, EUROLEAGUE is the best league in the world and everyone knows it. The fact that ur arguing that just shows u know nothing about basketball
May 27th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
doc says:
He can make it being unathletic.But u gotta have that something to make it.Highlights not gonna show us though we gotta see him on the court.I got highlights too shit.lol. http://video.aol.com/category/dawan-robinson get at me.I play for all summerleague teams for a couple dollars and im guarenteeing a chip.Holla Holla Holla
May 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
doc says:
Ill put Ricky on his ass!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Yoooo says:
O cuz I dont know Euro basketball like the back of my hand I dont know basketball? Eff outta here dog… I forgot more basketball than you’ll know, and I aint even no old head. You dickriding this guy because he PLAYED against people who you THINK SHOULD be BETTER than HIM and did Average. Johnny Flynn is better than Rubio I dont give a damn what country he’s from.
Dude does NOTHING better than any of the PG’s I named above. Not quicker, faster, stronger, a better ball handler, not a BETTER passer from what I’ve see, hes a good passer tho, DAMN SURE cant shoot. And them booty ass Pistol Pete passes are NOT gonna cut it. Just because he can go behind the back doesnt make him Steve Nash. I know you guys want another foreign winner but he will NOT be it
May 27th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
masqu says:
i don’t think he will be a darko-style bust. but “next nash” is a very optimistic take on the situation.
other people say he’s very good: http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/mickeal/2009/05/27/rubio-the-real-deal/ might be interesting for those who think every college player would dominate euroleague (i’m exaggerating, i know)
May 27th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
doc says:
I play overseas and like Johnny better.Right now he’s a prospect.U cant get mad at Americans for not recognizing if he a stud.We doubt overseas ballers until they show and prove.It aint against yall.Its just what it is.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
lol says:
he is a million times better passer than ne body in the ncaa..he is way better passer than rose or rondo was at his age..those who dont think he puts up numbers are retarded he averages 11 assits per 40..i dont think yooooo really gets it cause he dont watch them play.its a way different game over there..honestly though tell me one spanish player to fail the only one close is raul and he got hurt and when he did play he was good
May 27th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
mcw88 says:
lol how does memphis have a strong foundation? Both Mayo and Gay are expendible should an actual star become available. Personally I would put Memphis and Kings in the same category
Since Rubio is projected to be such a high pick, it means that they were probably be expecting immediate results right away. In which case I would prefer if he landed on a team with a proven PG (arenas, davis, etc) then if he is expected to run a team straight away.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
kevin k says:
to all you doubters of Rubio, obviouisly you guys didn’t watch the olympics when Rubio held his own against CP3, D-Will, and Jason Kidd.
His not an athletic freak like Rose, Wall, or Rondo. He doesn’t have a shot like Nash. But he is only 18 years old and has experience against adults. He will struggle adjusting to NBA speed and athleticism, but the sky is the limit for him.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Celts Fan says:
I really like Rubio – especially if he’s a legit 6′ 4″. I think he’ll be an all star, though maybe not a superstar. The D alone makes up for having to wait a bit for the J to develop. Having said all of that, the only PG I’d even think about taking over him (wouldn’t, but I’d def think hard about it) is Jonny Flynn. That dude’s LEGIT. No doubt in my mind he’s gonna be fuckin good. I’d take him over Brandon Jennings without question. He got that “it” with swagger to spare. If he’s not top 10 (most mocks I’ve seen don’t have him there) then someone’s getting a STEAL.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Ian says:
yoooo and rafa
why is manu the point of comparison manu is an allstar rubio i dont think will be as good but hell be ok. now on the manu thing he improved like hell after he was drafted.
now yoooo euroleague is better than ncaa im sorry but if a player does ok in the euroleague hell prob be pretty damn good in the ncaa.
who the hell compared rubio to nash who is fast and is one of the best shooters in the league??
May 27th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
obmb says:
dude is a hype machine right now. hard to say what he will turn out to be, but my guess is closer to other pre-draft hyped-up pgs like ERick BArkley, dajuan wagner, or sebastian telfair, than tony parker.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
flavur says:
why this guy has hype and bust written all over him just like Greg Oden he is a bust also and Jennings is a stud man no doubt he’s gonna be good.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:09 am
moneybags says:
Man the hating this month has been insane. Every time anybody is mentioned on this site there’s a shit load of hating and b!tching. Highlights don’t mean shit if you actually watch basketball you’ll know that if rubio improves his strength and shooting he has the potential to be a star. That being said he might be more like Bargarbagi than Nash, but the potential is there. Still I would trust the GM’s (excluding MJ=KWAME) and Scouts who have been in the league for 50+ years and make a living off analyzing talent, they all rank Rubio as the consensus number 2 player in this draft. Of course if you live in america you’ll be biased towards the players you can actually watch. And also never base your judgements off highlights, I mean Gerald Green’s highlights make him look like his lebron while Antawn Jamison’s highlights make him look like a awkward piece of sh!T.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Dagomar says:
Yoooo what the fuck are you even talking about in this thread?
I like this new writer. Good articles and good analysis so far. Keep it up!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hatorade says:
LOL, broke dumb lebron fans in here are calling this kid a bust, but pro scouts who make a great living doing this must not know what theyre talking about when they slate this kid as a top 3 pick. LOL go to bed idiots.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:23 am
knock knock says:
Biggest reason this kid is a top 3 pick is because of his height at 6′4. From watching these highlights and a couple games he plays like a player that’s 6′. good chance he’s a bust.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:34 am
moneybags says:
Knock Knock:
Are you kidding me? That’s like saying Lakers (Actually Charlotte) drafted Kobe mainly because he’s 6′6 or Chicago drafted Rose because he’s 6′3. Rubio’s height is an advantage but that’s not why he’s being drafted, the only reason his height is being mentioned is because his height might make up for his lack of athleticism. He’s getting drafted top 3 because of his great IQ, vision, passing ability, and ball handling. Like I said Rubio can easily be a bust but his potential is undeniable. No one knows how players will turn out, but players get overdrafted all the time because of their “potential”.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:41 am
JHUSTLE says:
I hope he does make a impact in the league. its hard to call it with the transition from euro to nba but im a fan who loves 2 see players give it their all and rubio is a competitor. wouldn’t mind seein him runnin the break with nba athletes who will finish his highlight passes with dunks instead of lay ups lol
May 28th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
MSkittle says:
He could end up like a Marko Jaric type
May 28th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Yeah Yooo sound arrogant with that comment about the euro league. That’s the same kind of thinking that got the 2004 olympic team beat. If you read any of Childress blogs on here you would know how insane the environment is over there compared to the US. Not to mention these guys get trained and bred their whole life to play ball. While were playing with our friends in open gym at the rec center their over there running drills. The thing that makes american players better is their god given talents of athleticism and strength. Foreign players are better because they know the fundamentals of the game and have a better concept of how to play as a team. American players just work on different things. IMO knowledge of the game and team work is always > athleticism and individual play.
Why did the US bring home the gold in the last Olympics then? They had a combination of athleticism and TEAM WORK. Something that had to be taught to them. Something they were lacking growing up playing American ball where everything is focued on individual play. Look at the NBA for instance most teams are constructed using one or two allstars surrounded by role players.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
mike says:
You can’t trash the kid yet. The 2 leagues are different, but give Rubio a chance then argue how shitty or how good he is. Yeah he’s gotta learn some things about the NBA; but who knows, he could be good for the association. Give him time and we’ll go from there.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
Yoooo
You do understand that the Euroleague isn’t just for undrafted players and washed up stars right? Have you seen the Spanish national team? There’s tons of talented European guys over there either being groomed for the NBA or in some cases not even interested in jumping the pond.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Kevin says:
Memphis is considered stable now? Wow, that’s the first I’ve ever heard of that.
May 30th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Soni77 says:
Hello people … There are several facts that really have no discursión, Ricky is considered by experts as the best player of his age in the world outside the NBA. He is young yes, but it has more experience than any player on those presented to the draft, is that a problem?. Needs to improve his shooting and physical, but in terms of quality and talent is an incredible player, different from the rest. Do things in court that have not been seen before. In two or three years may be one of the highlights of PG in the league and an impressive future. Compare Euroleague is ridiculous with the NCAA, NBA apart is the best league in the world. This year Jennigs already clashed in a match official and Rubio Rubio won … everything … great talent and ambition and are keen to learn and ability to improve … The problem? clause …
May 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Danny says:
a lotta these comments are saying because of his olympics performance. Is this the same performance where the u.s. beat them by like 20+ points?? in a garbage game in garbage minutes who cares what this kid does.
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 am
draft watcher says:
thats wut i noticed about this guy, he’s getting a lot of hype but his stats don’t jump out at me. and those are his stats in the euroleague. they would definitely drop in the nba. i know there’s more to a player than just stats, and he’s pretty big in the euroleague, but just from wut i’ve seen he doesnt seem like a star/franchise player.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:12 am
scabs says:
For those who think that stats go down in NBA from Euroleague, that wasn’t true for Josh Childress at all. In fact, I would say that most NBA players’ stats would go down in Euroleague due to emphasis on team play and the lower number of assists/rebounds (individual at least) that are awarded, not to mention shorter games. If you watch Ricky in the gold medal game, it becomes pretty obvious that he changes the game even against the best players in the world, and is obviously the smartest guy on the court. He will be a top two player on a contender in the NBA, and will be a perennial all star if he stays healthy. Oh, and Brandon Jennings will be the TO of the NBA.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
LCD says:
I would rather hear what CP3 has to say about Rubio. Anything out there? He played against Rubio in the Olympics and can vouch as to whether the kid is good or hype. Brandon Jennings talks a good game. His stats in the Euroleague don’t back them up.
Considering that the kid is 18, criticisms of his strength or jumpshot seem like straw grasping. He needs a better jumpshot, but his vision, defense and handle cannot be denied.
Worst case (he won’t be a bust) is that he becomes a Rafer Alston type, needs to be on an uptempo team, either shoots a 3 or drives and kicks. Never really a finisher and a streaky shooter.
Upside? Tremendous.
IMHO, he will be traded for a lower pick and some veterans.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Russell says:
This talk about rubio in the olympics has to stop because if people are saying he’ll be good because he held his own against chris Paul and Jason Kidd then why does nobody pay attention to patrick mills scoring 20pts on team USA while rubio scored 4pts when they both played 29 minutes. I’m not saying mills will be better than rubio butall this talk that rubio can play cannot be justified by saying he had adecent game vs America in the olypics