I can dig it. If enough people say what Jennings said, and other guards look impressive, then Rubio may fall: Jennings: Rubio Is Overhyped Jun 12, 2009 8:50 PM EST Brandon Jennings believes fellow 2009 draftee Ricky Rubio is an overhyped prospect. "Well, put it like this: If he was in a workout with me [and fellow point-guard prospects] Jonny Flynn, Jrue Holiday, Tywon Lawson, Stephen Curry, he wouldn't probably be at the top," Jennings said Friday. When asked if he thought Rubio, who has received great attention but has not worked out for NBA teams, is all hype, he said without hesitation, "Yes. Because he played in the Olympics, he's been playing pro ball since he was like 14. So there it is right there. ... I can't wait to play him, though, in summer league. I'm just letting you know that now. I can't wait. "Yeah, I think I'm a better player than he is. I just shoot the ball better than he can. The only thing I've seen him do sometimes is when he has a home-run pass or something like that. I think the dude is just all hype. I can't even front. I'm just going to be real with you guys."
This makes Jennings look like an asshole, actually. It sounds like he's trying to move his value up in the draft somehow...but to knock another player? These comments seem about right for a kid who's probably not smart enough to go to college, who wasn't good enough to get significant PT in Europe, and is slotted to be picked after several other PG's in the draft. Maybe he should just worry about himself for now.
That's how I read it too, I didn't really like the sound of it. I don't really think there's any reason to throw someone under the bus like that. Maybe Jennings really believes he is better than Rubio, but you just don't say that, it's common courtesy. Come to think of it, I can't ever remember a draftee making such a statement as this before. It's a fine line between being confident and being an arrogant prick, and Jennings didn't help himself any in my mind with those comments.
Looking at the provided Rubio video, yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I know you're not going to see all the deficiencies in these videos (missed shots, turnovers, bad passes, etc.), but wow. There are not many natural passers in the NBA who can do the kinds of things he's already doing, the vision he has is really extraordinary. He really seems to know where every teammate and every defender are at all times, and anticipate what they're going to do next. And like a great quarterback you can see him checking down options three or four deep. He doesn't always make the obvious pass and he's patient. The way he dribbles through traffic really is Nash-like, although it seems Rubio tends to take it to the rim (or pass to a teammate near the rim) whenever he can where Nash might settle for a jump shot. Granted, Nash has a better jump shot so that works for him, but Rubio is such a ridiculously good passer I don't even want to see him shoot, and finding scorers is not a problem on the Warriors. Can you imagine this guy feeding those passes to Monta, Randolph, and Andris all day long? And just think about how the kind of defensive attention he would command would open things up for Morrow to operate. (Wright would love Rubio too but I think we'd have to trade him to get him.) It actually looks like he can jump a bit too and shows excellent body control. I do think some of those shots are going to be blocked at the next level with the amazing athletes in the NBA, so he would have to adjust a bit, and some of those moves might be called as carries/travels. And obviously, his midrange jumper needs work. But, just as Monta is finding out, you can learn to shoot, but you can't learn to grow eyes in the back of your head and make spectacular passes, that is something you are born with. You watch a mix tape of Jennings, Evans, Flynn, etc., yes you see some great plays, but they are just standard highlights. The things you see Rubio doing are almost unique, this kid is really special and don't forget he is 19 years old! Doesn't look like we're going to trade up for him, but I sure would love it.
Basketball smarts + athletic prowess + size... That's sort of what we need for our lead guard. Otherwise, I wouldn't have minded two of the three in somebody like Earl Boykins. Lolz! Oh and as far as shooting goes, I feel our point guard needs to be able to shoot the three from time to time, but mostly be a midrange marksmen and a guy who can also take it to the rack. Somebody like Chauncey Billups or Sam Cassell would definitely be welcome. It doesn't matter how they create separation, just as long as they can knock it down or create the passing opportunity. The one thing I like about Rubio is that he's got a lot of upside and he's incredibly gifted for his age. A basketball prodigy.
From what I see and have read, he's a poor man's Jason Williams (albeit a bit taller). He's a project at best. Those defensive steals don't necessarily translate to the NBA (Remember how much Marco had to work on not reaching in because of foul trouble). There'll need to be some serious adjustment from him. That highlight reel shows me that he'd most likely get eaten alive playing against NBA talent. I may be way off, but I'm not sold on the kid.
Totally. I think the argument here is, if the Warriors are presented with a scenario where they're able to trade up to the #2 pick, you'd have to pick Rubio. Who else would you pick? Also, it might be a good thing the Warriors get a project so they can execute their Monta as PG project.
I hear ya, I think I'd pass on the trade, unless it meant dropping one of the contracts that we wanted to dump. Young projects aren't the assets that this team needs, IMO
