Here's the latest on Ricky Rubio: Huh, huh? Think Greg might like that? Watching him in the Olympics, the player he most reminded me of was Rajon Rondo, particularly for his havoc-inducing defense. Guess that analogy extends to shooting skills... Wonder where he'll end up. Here's hoping (1) he declares this year, but (2) worries about his shooting and buyout make him drop, and (3) he doesn't back out because Pritchard makes him a promise. Another PG doing well in Spain is the much older Pablo Prigioni. I noticed him for the first time in the Olympics, as the only starter on Argentina that I'd never heard of (replacing Pepe Sanchez). I was impressed by his play there, and by a ringing endorsement from Gabe Mounoke, and I wondered if he'd be a better and cheaper target than someone like Bibby or Andre Miller if we're after a PG in the offseason:
I wonder if it'll ever be possible for NBA and non-NBA teams to do trades. I'm sure Sergio would be a big draw in Spain, and a big chunk of Paul Allen's (remaining) money would be nice. I'm sure the Player's Union would object for US Players, but I doubt Sergio would mind (particularly if the Blazers could keep paying him an NBA salary).
PRIGIONI? Bump. The main reason for bumping this is not to report that Rubio appears to have recovered from his injury and played much better against Real Madrid, but because I see that I've mentioned Pablo Prigioni before in this thread. It looks like he's another free agent this offseason (anyone from Spain care to confirm that?) and I'd actually be more interested in him than someone like Bibby, and he'd almost certainly be cheaper. He was 32 yesterday, so he's 14 months younger than Andre Miller, 4 years and 2 months younger than Kidd and 3 years and 3 months younger than Nash. As I said above, I thought he was great playing for Argentina (I noticed him in particular because he was the only one I'd never heard of). Check out some videos of him. And if you can be bothered to download Silverlight, you can watch the entire Argentina v. USA Olympic semifinal. (Of course, if we could get Rubio, then forget all this. But the number of teams drooling over him has gone up, and I just read somewhere that if NY picked first, they'd take him over Griffin.)
Prigioni is also 3-time All-ACB (and the highest vote-getter this year, and starting at PG over Ricky Rubio).
Rasta, what do you honestly think the odds of us landing Rubio really are? 10:1 against, 100:1 against, 100,000:1 against? I'm not trying to burst your bubble, because I think if there was someway to get Rubio without giving up the house to do it then I'd be all for getting him, but I can't envision any (realistic) scenario where A) a team would be eager to deal him, and B) the Blazers possessing the right assets (ie "willing to part with") to acquire him.
they arent together on the photo. photoshopped my friend.. like this one Wall is listed at 6'4" and Stephenson listed at 6'6"
You know what ... I'm looking at the photo of Jennings and Rubio again I'm not quite as sure it is photoshopped, but the shadows don't look consistent. Hmmm, tough call.
Does this help: ? My vote is for photoshopped. And as to your question, Nik, it all depends whether or not KP wants him. I do think it would probably take BOTH the right two teams picking 1 and 2, AND LaMarcus. (And then we sign Chris Bosh in 2010.)
Ah, so the chance is essentially zero; there will be absolutely no cap room in 2010 to sign Chris Bosh (not to mention trying to compete with the other fifteen teams angling for cap room in 2010).
What are the odds of him doing anything in the NBA? 1,000,000:1 He doesn't have it. If Sergio didn't, Rubio doesn't. They are the same player.
You know it is possible to see a lot of footage of Rubio playing, not to mention watching him in the Olympics. Clearly this must be news to you, given what you've written.
Remind me why that is guaranteed? If you're right, then this is a moot point. But as you bring it up, if we did have cap room, wouldn't we be pretty attractive? Certainly more than most teams with cap room. I guess the common thought is that Bosh will try to team up with LeBron or Wade on some team that has enough cap room for them both. But who knows.
I don't think it would necessarily take giving up Aldridge to get Rubio. If Griffin goes first, as seems to be the consensus, and the team picking second doesn't love anyone remaining in the draft, I think it's conceivable that a package of Bayless/Portland's #1/cash/taking a bad contract back could do the trick. I would certainly do that. If the team picking second really does like Rubio, then it would take more than Portland should be willing to give up.
Ummm, Chances are pretty good Brandon and LaMarcus get extended this summer and their new deals are going to count against the 2010 cap figure. Of course it's "possible" KP decides not to offer extensions, letting them become restricted free agents next summer, but that wouldn't do any damn good either because both are going to represent capholds equal to 300% of their previous year's salary; for a sixth and second pick that isn't going to be chump change (17.5 million for LMA and 11.7 for Brandon). The only way we have cap room that offseason is if KP renounces Brandon and LaMarcus next July. Getting excited about cap room in 2010 yet? Attractive compared to what? Portland has never exactly been a hotbed of free agent recruiting -- the climate sucks in the winter, the city is very small, we play games after everbody on the East Coast has gone to bed, we're one of the whitest cities in America -- chances are with half the league under the cap, we'd be getting the second tier guys who can't afford to be quite as choosy.
