Ricky Rubio #9

[Dewey]

The rube has had his days ... good and bad. The one part that is always refreshing about him is he does not ever put himself above the team. He doesn’t always perform, but mentally the effort is there and he understands winning basketball. He’s on a nice run now and I hope it’s here to stay.

[Jedzz]

Last 16 games (Russell's injury), per 32 minutes:

13.2 PPG
8.6 APG
1.3 SPG
4.2 A/TO *
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *

+ Excellent defense and leadership (including saying the honest truth and talking openly about the team's lack of direction when needed).

And we were told he was washed up even though he was coming off his best NBA season and a WC MVP.

Why the fantasy stats? (per 32?) Why inflate? The real stats have been fine the last 16 games.

28.3 mins
11.7 PPG
7.6 APG
1.1 SPG
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *
+/- of -3.4

Team record = 3-13

Previous 16 games record = 4-12 when Ricky was playing 24 minutes and shooting 34/15/82.

[Dewey]

Last 16 games (Russell's injury), per 32 minutes:

13.2 PPG
8.6 APG
1.3 SPG
4.2 A/TO *
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *

+ Excellent defense and leadership (including saying the honest truth and talking openly about the team's lack of direction when needed).

And we were told he was washed up even though he was coming off his best NBA season and a WC MVP.

Why the fantasy stats? (per 32?) Why inflate? The real stats have been fine the last 16 games.

28.3 mins
11.7 PPG
7.6 APG
1.1 SPG
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *
+/- of -3.4

Team record = 3-13

Previous 16 games record = 4-12 when Ricky was playing 24 minutes and shooting 34/15/82.

So clearly Ricky is not the root issue

[Jedzz]

Last 16 games (Russell's injury), per 32 minutes:

13.2 PPG
8.6 APG
1.3 SPG
4.2 A/TO *
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *

+ Excellent defense and leadership (including saying the honest truth and talking openly about the team's lack of direction when needed).

And we were told he was washed up even though he was coming off his best NBA season and a WC MVP.

Why the fantasy stats? (per 32?) Why inflate? The real stats have been fine the last 16 games.

28.3 mins
11.7 PPG
7.6 APG
1.1 SPG
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *
+/- of -3.4

Team record = 3-13

Previous 16 games record = 4-12 when Ricky was playing 24 minutes and shooting 34/15/82.

So clearly Ricky is not the root issue

Exactly what I've said before. The PGs weren't the root issue. Nor is he the savior of the mess obviously. But relieving some of the pressure on the logjam by removing 4 guards may have helped him be more effective. However Kat also made it known he's been trying to get the Rook to respect Rubio and that's probably paid dividends.

[Dewey]

Why the fantasy stats? (per 32?) Why inflate? The real stats have been fine the last 16 games.

28.3 mins
11.7 PPG
7.6 APG
1.1 SPG
45% FG
39% 3-PT
82% FT
59% TS *
+/- of -3.4

Team record = 3-13

Previous 16 games record = 4-12 when Ricky was playing 24 minutes and shooting 34/15/82.

So clearly Ricky is not the root issue

Exactly what I've said before. The PGs weren't the root issue. Nor is he the savior of the mess obviously. But relieving some of the pressure on the logjam by removing 4 guards may have helped him be more effective. However Kat also made it known he's been trying to get the Rook to respect Rubio and that's probably paid dividends.

KAT needs to watch his own bobber and make it known he’s working on his defense. Ant and Ricky have their own story through their own respective ups and downs ...

[Jedzz]

So clearly Ricky is not the root issue

Exactly what I've said before. The PGs weren't the root issue. Nor is he the savior of the mess obviously. But relieving some of the pressure on the logjam by removing 4 guards may have helped him be more effective. However Kat also made it known he's been trying to get the Rook to respect Rubio and that's probably paid dividends.

KAT needs to watch his own bobber and make it known he’s working on his defense. Ant and Ricky have their own story through their own respective ups and downs ...

No, I think it's good a team leader has talked with him and let him know that playing with Rubio will gain him more knowledge and improvement than just ignoring him and doing his own thing instead. Sure, KAT has been having a down year. I'm sure he knows.

[PharmD]

Rubio is shooting 32.4% from 3. Look at his splits by month:

December: .364
January: .063 (!!)
February: .367
March: .385

Also remember earlier in the year when he couldn't make a layup? He's up to .636 from 0-3 feet, which is a career best and best on the team among guards (Towns, Naz, Vando, Juancho, and Layman better).

In the 18 games since DLo has been out: 12.5 ppg on 46.8% from the field, 39.6% from three. 7.5 assists to 1.7 turnovers (4.4 a/t). Per 36 that's 15.7 points/9.5 assists. He's been ballin'. Some good team come rescue my guy plz.

[theGreatRC]

I hope Ricky is a wolf forever. I'd love to see what he does once we make the playoffs, I know he wanted that so bad while he was here the first time.

With the way Ant and KAT talk about him, I doubt he gets moved. Same reason why DLO isn't getting traded(but then again, the guys vouched for Saunders and he got fired)

[Neeva]

You think Taylor is willing to pay tax to keep Ricky next season? Wolves will hopefully have to pay a top 3 rookie also.

[theGreatRC]

You think Taylor is willing to pay tax to keep Ricky next season? Wolves will hopefully have to pay a top 3 rookie also.

Didn't Taylor and his wife want to keep Ricky when Thibs was here, but Thibs convinced him it's best for the org and signed Teague right after?

If we land a top 3 pick, i'd move DLO before Ricky, but that'll never happen. Maybe i'm just biased towards Ricky

[perik777]

If somehow, Russell can be traded for a decent PF, this team is headed in the good direction. I dont think Russell, Towns and Ewards can coexist. Rubio doesnt mind his number of shots and he enjoys educating the young rookies. Not only Edwards, but McDaniels and Nowell can improve around him

You cant expect him to score 20 everynight, but giving 10 assists with 0 turnovers playing off the ball mots of time is impressive

[LesGrossman]

I think this is the lowest point and biggest disappointment in Ricky's career outside of his injuries. It felt like he was legitimately close to being moved to a contender, after playing so well last year and even in the last games. And yet everyone went for other, worse (imho) options. Especially the Clippers with their "proven vet" choice of Rondo deserve to crash hard.

But we've seen how the mental part impacts his game, possibly more so than for other players. I think his output will suffer from the perspective of coming off the bench behind all time greats like DLo, Ant, Beasley. Lost season for all parties.

[Jedzz]

I think this is the lowest point and biggest disappointment in Ricky's career outside of his injuries. It felt like he was legitimately close to being moved to a contender, after playing so well last year and even in the last games. And yet everyone went for other, worse (imho) options. Especially the Clippers with their "proven vet" choice of Rondo deserve to crash hard.

But we've seen how the mental part impacts his game, possibly more so than for other players. I think his output will suffer from the perspective of coming off the bench behind all time greats like DLo, Ant, Beasley. Lost season for all parties.

He started the game. He had a bad game anyway because...ant is ant and Rubio might have also never met Karlito Towns who likes to get his as well, which now includes assists. At timess you can just see him standing around going, well...why did you keep me? I said it before, Rubio's way to play here should be aggressive and for himself. Save the passes for when you are forced to, otherwise take it yourself.

I agree there is ample evidence that Rubio is emotional, also needs to feel confortable. But he's got an ego and a yips that needs to be worked out. Stop missing layups dude, again tonight right when team needed a bucket.

Was he planning to retire before anyone ever asked him to play off bench? Dlo is a more productive PG. I'm sorry to report that but woops there it is. Dlo also has some of the similar issues when the team decides to play hero ball liike this without a point. They are both sort of emos.

[LesGrossman]

I think this is the lowest point and biggest disappointment in Ricky's career outside of his injuries. It felt like he was legitimately close to being moved to a contender, after playing so well last year and even in the last games. And yet everyone went for other, worse (imho) options. Especially the Clippers with their "proven vet" choice of Rondo deserve to crash hard.

But we've seen how the mental part impacts his game, possibly more so than for other players. I think his output will suffer from the perspective of coming off the bench behind all time greats like DLo, Ant, Beasley. Lost season for all parties.

He started the game. He had a bad game anyway because...ant is ant and Rubio might have also never met Karlito Towns who likes to get his as well, which now includes assists. At timess you can just see him standing around going, well...why did you keep me? I said it before, Rubio's way to play here should be aggressive and for himself. Save the passes for when you are forced to, otherwise take it yourself.

I agree there is ample evidence that Rubio is emotional, also needs to feel confortable. But he's got an ego and a yips that needs to be worked out. Stop missing layups dude, again tonight right when team needed a bucket.

Was he planning to retire before anyone ever asked him to play off bench? Dlo is a more productive PG. I'm sorry to report that but woops there it is. Dlo also has some of the similar issues when the team decides to play hero ball liike this without a point. They are both sort of emos.

You cant hire a guy who has a pass first instinct and ask him to be a me-first chucker. You cant ask Shaq to be a stretch 5 and then whine when his 3's miss by 4 ft. You cant ask Steph to play PF. THats not how the game works. You think about how you want to play, then you get the people who are good at that style. If you dont have that luxury (Finch) then you cater to your players and talents, you dont force them into a style that isnt theirs.

I know you like DLo. Its fine, everyone needs their supporters. I accept your opinion. You just also have to accept that most people think DLo is a selfish inefficient chucker and miserable point guard. The combination of DLo with Ant will be a sight to behold for us.

Also, you cant be taken very seriously if you hide whenever Rubio has a great game (he had several lately) and come up with that stuff when he has a night mare shooting game. At least he has the IQ not to go all Ant and jack up a ton of shots to prove he isnt the garbage he is.

[Jedzz]

I think this is the lowest point and biggest disappointment in Ricky's career outside of his injuries. It felt like he was legitimately close to being moved to a contender, after playing so well last year and even in the last games. And yet everyone went for other, worse (imho) options. Especially the Clippers with their "proven vet" choice of Rondo deserve to crash hard.

But we've seen how the mental part impacts his game, possibly more so than for other players. I think his output will suffer from the perspective of coming off the bench behind all time greats like DLo, Ant, Beasley. Lost season for all parties.

He started the game. He had a bad game anyway because...ant is ant and Rubio might have also never met Karlito Towns who likes to get his as well, which now includes assists. At timess you can just see him standing around going, well...why did you keep me? I said it before, Rubio's way to play here should be aggressive and for himself. Save the passes for when you are forced to, otherwise take it yourself.

I agree there is ample evidence that Rubio is emotional, also needs to feel confortable. But he's got an ego and a yips that needs to be worked out. Stop missing layups dude, again tonight right when team needed a bucket.

Was he planning to retire before anyone ever asked him to play off bench? Dlo is a more productive PG. I'm sorry to report that but woops there it is. Dlo also has some of the similar issues when the team decides to play hero ball liike this without a point. They are both sort of emos.

You cant hire a guy who has a pass first instinct and ask him to be a me-first chucker.

I beg to differ on this. Rubio was really struggling this year and he sort of pulled right out of it playing exactly how I described in one game. I think we had a discussion about that game, you might remember it.

I think the Jazz and Suns both required Ricky to be less of a one trick feeder and to be able to stand alone as well, to shoot as well. To take advantage when defenses sloughed off him. He now knows how to play like this. It's not quite as easy as deferring the pressure to others and just being the good guy feeder. But he proved he could do it, and the amazing part,...it fixed his layups that game to. It fixed that oddball yips disconnect just by having him shoot first and let people cry about it later. To pass only when the defense forces you to pass, and then pass well matador!

Nobody said anything about chucking. He can take shots when he's open and from locations he's confident in. That's what he did that one game this year. Repeatedly. He took a bunch of twos, which warmed him up and then 3s, layups...all was possible again. Even...duh du duh, Passing.

[LesGrossman]

He started the game. He had a bad game anyway because...ant is ant and Rubio might have also never met Karlito Towns who likes to get his as well, which now includes assists. At timess you can just see him standing around going, well...why did you keep me? I said it before, Rubio's way to play here should be aggressive and for himself. Save the passes for when you are forced to, otherwise take it yourself.

I agree there is ample evidence that Rubio is emotional, also needs to feel confortable. But he's got an ego and a yips that needs to be worked out. Stop missing layups dude, again tonight right when team needed a bucket.

Was he planning to retire before anyone ever asked him to play off bench? Dlo is a more productive PG. I'm sorry to report that but woops there it is. Dlo also has some of the similar issues when the team decides to play hero ball liike this without a point. They are both sort of emos.

You cant hire a guy who has a pass first instinct and ask him to be a me-first chucker.

I beg to differ on this. Rubio was really struggling this year and he sort of pulled right out of it playing exactly how I described in one game. I think we had a discussion about that game, you might remember it.

I think the Jazz and Suns both required Ricky to be less of a one trick feeder and to be able to stand alone as well, to shoot as well. To take advantage when defenses sloughed off him. He now knows how to play like this. It's not quite as easy as deferring the pressure to others and just being the good guy feeder. But he proved he could do it, and the amazing part,...it fixed his layups that game to. It fixed that oddball yips disconnect just by having him shoot first and let people cry about it later. To pass only when the defense forces you to pass, and then pass well matador!

Nobody said anything about chucking. He can take shots when he's open and from locations he's confident in. That's what he did that one game this year. Repeatedly. He took a bunch of twos, which warmed him up and then 3s, layups...all was possible again. Even...duh du duh, Passing.

So you're saying he had one good game this season?

[Jedzz]

So you're saying he had one good game this season?

Not at all. But one game playing a style that seems to work towards uncorking his bottle. More then one really. Just a few games back he was playing that way again I think, but Edwards was full on frontal lobing and nobody on the team was getting much action. Rubio might have been one of the only good shooters that day but Finch did not see it worthy of focus and let Edwards do his thing instead.

[LesGrossman]

Rubio has no place in FInch's game plan. Is there any scenario where he rots another year on the bench in Minnesota? How much longer is he tied by contract?

[Calinks]

I expect him to be moved but I think there is a scenario where he sticks around. He seems to be pretty close to Edwards and of course, he is a good vet/locker room guy too. Depending on the team makeup next season and Finch getting to mold the gameplan 100 percent to his liking, there may be a spot where Rubio makes some sense.

[jpatrick]

I expect him to be moved but I think there is a scenario where he sticks around. He seems to be pretty close to Edwards and of course, he is a good vet/locker room guy too. Depending on the team makeup next season and Finch getting to mold the gameplan 100 percent to his liking, there may be a spot where Rubio makes some sense.

The other thing to consider that he’s probably a negative asset on that contract. He’s simply not a starter on a good team and that’s way too much for a backup. I don’t want to attach an asset to move him. I could see a world where Beasley is moved, which creates minutes for Rubio and Bolmaro. Then Rubio can be a good influence on Edwards/Bolmaro for another year.