He plays decent defense, though he gambles on steals. How long do you think Nate will go with him after he misses a few steals? Sorry, but even if Rubio was to become a great player, he isn't doing it under Sarge. Consider Nate as the great destroyer of point guards. He wants them all to be just like he was when he played, instead of allowing them to play their game. For Ricky's sake, I hope he ends up on a different team.
I love this time of year. This is when all the armchair general managers come out of the woodwork suggesting we trade up to get player X in the draft. This year is especially funny. We won 54 games, but were exposed for having a lack of toughness and veteran leadership in the playoffs, and people want Rubio. LMAO. Even Rudy, who played with Rubio on the national team and on their club team back in Europe, said he's not ready for the NBA. I wish Rubio all the luck in the world in one of the armpits of the NBA, where he can be on SportsCenter Top 10 every other week and be the starting point guard for a 20 win team. I have bigger aspirations for the Blazers. -Pop
The NBA Draft issue with defense is two fold: 1. His lateral movement is not elite - can not really argue about it - since I have only seen him against NBA level competition in the Olympics - he looked alright there - but the sample size is too small. 2. Makes mental mistakes - Very young and will be a rookie - so no real issues there that really bother me. My opinion is that if Rubio really pans out - he will become a factor in his 2nd year. If there is a way to get him without dismantling the team - it sure sounds like he is worth the risk. Let's face it - the reasonable options we have are going to be either good for a short period of time (Miller/Kidd) and hope that they mentor JB to be a great PG in the long term - or someone like Sessions that has question marks about how he will perform on a good team and is not exactly a great defender either. At this point - it seems to me that Rubio is an upgrade over Sergio immediately and from what I have seen of him and what the scouting on him is - has a very good chance of being an impact player in the long run. If he can be had - it would be foolish not to go get him. If it takes moving Sergio/Webster/Outlaw/Picks in multiple years/Money//taking a bad contract - you do it. If you have to move Bayless - it requires a lot of thought - and I am glad I am not the one having to make the decision..., same with moving Batum or Rudy or Joel.
Go ahead and get your panties in a wad if you want. I ain't buying that KP is doing anything until I see it.
Rudy said he "might" not be ready - and even if it takes him a year or two - this team is built for the long run - so if the opportunity is there - it would be foolish not to pursue it.
No, what would be foolish is to waste our opportunity in the present for the hopes of developing an international teenager. I'd much rather see the Blazers package their draft picks for a proven vet. Or stay where they are, get a role player, then make a splash in July with a free agent signing or a trade. Moving up to the second pick in the lottery hurts our flexibility in so many ways. -Pop
You would trade all of them, including Batum, Rudy or Joel, for a teenage point guard who won't contribute for a couple years and you don't even know if he will contribute well then? I know you and others have their speculation but personally I don't feel comfortable risking so much on an 18 year old point guard from Spain who isn't a shooter, doesn't play above average defense and will have to rely on his "imagination" to finish at the rim. Yeah we probably could wait a couple more years to be contenders, but why? On the hopes of this kid being great?
What part of the "I am glad I am not the one to make this decision" is unclear? I do not know if he is worth Rudy/Batum/Joel/JB and I am glad it is not my decision to make - because I do not know. I am pretty sure that if it was up to me - I would send Webster/Outlaw/Sergio/Money and Picks for him. Sergio hurts the team more than he helps it. Webster did not contribute one bit last year and we won 54 games. Outlaw is the easiest piece that contributed last year I see us willing to trade for the potential. Easier to understand my position on this now?
Good points. We need to look to better things. For me, I kinda just get caught up in the hype of having Rudy and Ricky playing on the same team. Kinda like how it's cool to see Sergio and Rudy play.
This is gonna be sweet, wonder how many people I am gonna piss off with this little gem........... Wish he could teach me that trick! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
I watched Rubio during the Olympics last summer. I wasn't really all that impressed, but I don't think his defense is that bad. He's aggressive. I like that. He has quick hands too. He is a guy that could get 1-2 steals a night.
Courtside I saw on TV the other day had two intersting points: 1- Antonio Harvey said that players he has spoken with say that Andre Miller is a big headache and there is a reason he was traded. 2-Unlikely Magic will resign Hedo . . . and that he would be a perfect fit here in Ptd.
