Fran Vazquez was drafted by the Magic, and stayed in Spain. Tiago Splitter was drafted by the Spurs, and stayed in Spain. Freeland was drafted by the Blazers, and stayed in Europe. Sabonis was drafted by the Blazers, and stayed in Europe. No offense - but what's your point? None of the players on either list had a moral or legal obligation to sign a contract with an NBA team. Some chose to do so, some didn't. Serious question - did you dislike Dr J because he opted to play in the ABA? How about Mo Lucas? What's the difference?
Don't know much about these two. Were they good enough for the NBA, or did the Magic and Spurs draft them for the future? Stayed because we wanted him to. He wasn't ready for the NBA, but he was a "prospect." Only because Sabonis himself was afraid he wasn't good enough to compete here. He has admitted this himself in interviews. It wasn't because he didn't like Portland, or didn't think he could make enough money here. That was a long time ago, and I don't recall the details. Did either one of them make themselves available for the NBA draft, come to New York in person for the event, and then decide to go somewhere else because they didn't like the team that drafted them?
Did Jordan say no way to the Bulls when he was drafted? No. Rubio is weak and he knows it, he is looking for hype payout. If any of my employees come to me and says "I have a better opportunity elsewhere and I want more cash to stay", I say smell you later. No matter how valuable the employee, I don't want that person around. Its the apple that will spoil the rest.
IIRC, Splitter and Vazques were both into their 20s when they were drafted. Splitter was once projected as a lotto pick, but fell to late in the round because of buy-out issues. Vazquez was drafted in the Lotto, and was projected to step right in and become the starting PF next to Howard. After the draft, he decided he was simply unwilling to either up-root his family, or come to the USA without them. Dr J and Lucas were drafted by both the ABA and NBA. (Dozens of players were) At one point, you had 3 teams that claimed/thought they owned Dr J's rights. The NBA/ABA signing wars were chaotic, dirty, and downright viscious. By today's standards, some of the stuff that went down was alomost unbelievable. (ever hear the story about Oregon State player Lonnie Shelton and the ABA? )
I think the real whiney bitches are in this thread. This decision by Rubio is just posturing and he will be in the NBA next year, there is no way DKV wants pay 6mil to their IRS out of their own pocket.
Dang. Too bad for Minneapolis. I wonder if Pritchard ever suggested a trade with them to get them some players right now. Bayless + Fernandez for Rubio would have made a lot of sense for both teams, assuming Rubio was willing to come here immediately.
I don't think Rubio's value will be any lower than it is right now, so I'd pounce on this opportunity if I were KP. Give 'em Bayless, Travis, and cash for Ricky. Edit: can his rights be traded right now? It would be perfect, as he'd be able to step in right when Miller's done.
I wonder if the Pups would be interested in having Bayless now, instead of waiting two years to have anything? The Blazers could certainly afford to wait two years for Rubio.
Rubio-Gate? AWoj from Y! and Chris Mannix from SI both just posted on their twitter accounts that Rubio has not officially signed any deal yet.
You think Rubio is better than Rudy? Fernandez can play the one, two or three. Fernandez can shoot, pass and plays pesky D. I'll keep Rudy.
Hmmm. Maybe he's just lined up this contract to demonstrate how serious he is about not coming to Minnesota? If I were the Wolves, I'd trade him. They could still get excellent value, and it seems to me like he's never going to come to Minnesota and be happy there.
Eric Snow could play three positions too. Doesn't mean he was ever more valuable than John Stockton. Of course, Snow is worse, and neither Rudy nor Rubio likely wind up as good as Stockton, but you get my point. I've watched as many Spanish games as I could, and Rubio always stands out much more to me than Fernandez. If he's not already better than Rudy, he will be soon. Besides, I just don't see Fernandez being happy long-term on this team playing behind Roy. It's a little like having Michael Redd and Ray Allen on the same squad. Sure, you can make it work. But you can get a lot more productivity if you trade one of them for something you actually need. (Note: not a washed up Gary Payton.)
I'm happy to have RF on the team, but lets not oversell his abilities... dude is a 2. A team could play him at PG or Center if they choose, but SG is the position he's played thus far. When he's teamed with Roy, its the taller heavier BR with the primary responsibility of covering the other teams SF. There has been some coach chatter of him initiating the O on occasion this coming year, but thats yet to happen... lets keep the cart behind the horse until it does. STOMP
