What is it with Rubio around here? First off the likelihood of us getting him in a trade is nearly nil. Secondly, I have not seen anything that would warrant trading up for him or his hype(other than him being young) I mean look at those stats Nothing jumps out of the page at you. The guy can't shoot, that's pretty much established. 39.1% in the Spanish league. I don't care what the league is that's a horrible percentage. His season averages were a mediocre 10 and 6. He scored 10 points or less 13 out of a possible 25 times. People like to say, "Uh well he played good in the Olympics." Really? Because to me he looked pretty lost on both sides of the ball. His stats don't show any better
The chances that we get Chris Paul are almost nil. The chances we get a top 8 pick are pretty high, and the chances we get #2 or #5 are actually quite good. So let's just compare him to our starting PG. "39.1% is a horrible percentage". OK, I'll agree that that isn't stellar. Our starting PG was only at 42.8, so 3% higher. Rubio's 3pt% was 41.7%, less than Blake's 42.7%. Huge difference there, though I"ll grant that the 3pt line is a college 3pt line in Europe, so take that for what it's worth. Blake received one free throw for every 9 FGs he took. Rubio? He sucks so badly at shooting that the defense gave him a free throw every 1.6 FGs he took. Let's put it this way. Rubio shot 33% more FTs than Blake in 40 less (and 8 minute shorter) games. And he shot 81% as an 18y/o. Maybe that counts for something. Maybe not. Maybe that "doesn't jump off the page at you". You could also look at his 5.8 apg, which is amazing considering how stingy Euro statisticians are with giving assists. And yet, in 25% less minutes per game and a stingy stats team, he averaged more assists per game than Blake on a high-level team. Maybe it's unfair to compare him to a starting, 29y/o veteran on a HCA playoff team. What about if he was the backup? He shot the same 2pt percentage as Sergio, but with a 3pt% 9 points higher. Sergio's FTA/FGA was about 1 FTA per every 4+ FGA. Again, Rubio's was every 1.6 FGA. Why do these bigger, older guys foul him so much if he sucks so much? But Bayless is probably the PG of the future for us, right? He got to the line LESS THAN RUBIO as well, though it's in the 1FTA per 1.8FGA range also. He shot 3% lower than Rubio's "horrible" 39% FG, and 15% lower than Rubio's 42% from 3 (again, Euro 3's are college distance, not NBA). So basically, the guy draws fouls at a better rate than Bayless (who's our best PG at that), has better handles and court vision than Sergio (who's our best PG at that), shoots about the same from 3pt and FG% as Blake (who's our best PG at that), while Defensive Player of the year in his league and leader in assists and steals, and you think he's "lost" and doesn't have anything that "would warrant trading up for him or his hype"? I guess we disagree on that. I can't fathom that you think that.
If you look at the 2nd post of this thread you will see that I generally agree. What I really like however, and the reason I like Rubio - is that his ACB per-36 production seems to be on par with Derrick Rose's per-36 production as a college player.
You have got to be shitting us. Do you KNOW who his teammates were in NJ? He dragged a team consisting of Kerry Kittles (Kerry fucking Kittles!), Kenyon Martin (both of whom were coming back off MAJOR leg injuries), Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins to the finals. TWICE! And met the Lakers with Shaq and Kobe the first time, and the Spurs with their Big Three at peak form the second. So exactly what "holes in his game" killed his chances? Perhaps you'd prefer a more "complete" PG like Stephon Marbury (in his prime). He could do it all! Including drag down both teams that Kidd took to the finals.
I said in the Olympics he look lost out there. Secondly all those stats you're comparing across leagues. Rubio plays in a much inferior league to the NBA, and puts up worse stats while doing it.
I'm less high on him than I was then. I'd still take a flier on him, but I wouldn't pay a premium for his rights anymore.
Interesting thread, and Ed, it wasn't you saying Rubio would improve the team instantly, so unless I find those posts that I may be misremembering, I was wrong.
Minstrel, do you still think that Rubio will be on the level of a Rose, Williams or even a Rondo? Rose has moved into MVP range, so perhaps you underestimated him, but do you really see Rubio carrying a team like Rose or Williams do, or Rondo has done in the playoffs? Rondo getting injured in the playoffs this year was a huge reason why Miami was able to win with relative ease against Boston. I still don't see Rubio ever being in that class of player. EDIT - Gah! Minstrel already answered it.
Yeah, I answered it. His stalled development definitely changes my appraisals of his upside. On another note, while Rose won the MVP, I don't consider that a meaningful way to evaluate a player's ability. MVP has turned into an award for "best story by a really good player." Voters don't want to give the award to Michael Jordan every year or LeBron James every year. That's too boring. I still feel Rose is in the same talent class as Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo (Rose is a better offensive player than Rondo but can't touch him defensively). I would definitely not expect Rubio to reach that level as things stand, though it wouldn't shock me if he did. As it stands, I'd probably expect more of a young Andre Miller level if things go well.
