Rubio to Portland?

If we were to luck into the #1 pick, we'd ABSOLUTELY keep it. And we certainly wouldn't be picking Rubio.

Blake Griffin anyone? Dude is a MONSTER. Bye bye Lamarcus...hello 22 and 12 every night.

 

Have you actually looked at the both of them playing in the Olympics?

Rubio, 6 years younger than Rudy - looked a lot more focused on defense than Rudy. I think that playing for Nate and not being the focus of the offense has definitely helped Rudy and he is showing much more effort on defense - but I still think that Ricky is a much better defender than Rudy is - and probably always will be.

Read the following DraftExpress defensive assessments of the two:

Rudy:

Ricky:

 

I don't agree that Parker is a much better player than Harris, especially when one considers defense, but I do think he's an excellent point guard. I just forgot him.

I agree that they're not prototypical point guards, but I don't think that matters. A point guard doesn't need to play like John Stockton to be a tremendous point guard. As far as I'm concerned, a point guard needs to be able to create offense for teammates and defend opposing point guards. Those are the two skills that define a point guard, to me. How the first one is done isn't all that important. Stockton did it with remarkable passing skills and court vision; Parker and Harris do it by breaking the defense down, drawing defenders to them and finding teammates for easier shots.

Rubio may well be a superior passer to Harris or Parker, but he'll have to be a remarkable player to be a superior point guard overall. He could be, but I don't think either the Nets or Spurs would consider dealing Harris or Parker for Rubio, because those two players are already what the team drafting Rubio will hope Rubio becomes in terms of creating offense. Rubio will just do it differently.

 

Rubio led the ACB in steals per 40 minutes when he was 17. His forte probably is his defense.

 

That's a personal attack.

 

We are splitting hairs here. While I love Devin Harris - I really think that he has gone from a very nice PG to a great one because of an unconventional system - and that's why I think that as a prospect - I see Rubio as more interesting than him (even if this is not the case for NJN, since they play this system). I agree that the same is true for Parker and SAS - but one has to wonder what happens when Duncan is starting to slow down - all of a sudden a PG that is better at setting others up might be viewed as more attractive.

Overall - I think we say the same thing - Rubio is a superb prospect and one that looks like he will make a nice defensive impact.

Were I KP and were I in position to choose anyone available in this draft (assuming Rubio is going to be in the draft) - Rubio would be my #1 choice.

 

Yup, same. In fact, if Rubio doesn't enter the draft, I think this draft is extremely uninteresting. Certainly, there will be some very good players to come out of it, but no knock-out prospect without Rubio.

 

Rubio already said he isn't entering this year, he is waiting till 2010, and I would definitely consider Blake Griffin a "knock-out" prospect.

 

I would take Brandon Jennings over him any day of the week.

 

Mexicans, lol!!!

 

That reminds me of that old Cheech and Chong song. Wasn't it called "Mexican Americans".......

 

LOL at anyone who thinks Rubio sucks at defense. Rubio as a prospect is worlds better than Chris Paul was. In my opinion Rubio is the best foreign prospect EVER.

 

He is definably the most hyped. The only I can think of more hyped is Yao.

 

I haven't seen him quoted as saying that, but even if he had it wouldn't mean anything at this point. If New York gets 1 or 2 there's no question he'd come over.

 

Well seeing as New York has a decent record I don't think there's anyway they get 1 or 2. All signs point to him going in the 2010 draft.

 

I think Pritchard agrees with you. His strategy now is to acquire proven players who can contribute immediately.

 

I wouldn't. Brandon Jennings has Telfair-syndrome.

 

Rubio isn't entering this draft. He is, IMO, the best PG prospect to come out since Chris Paul.

Btw, speaking of PG prospects, Nick Calathes of Florida is an intriguing PG prospect. 19/6/7 and a legit 6'5". He's someone that could be available when we pick.

 

Rubio is getting a lot of hype, but he also has serious holes in his game, footspeed for one. I'm sure he'll make a nice PG, but let's not crown him the next Magic.