Hollinger says Rubio can't score at all...

[RapsGM]

Rubio can slash to the paint on every possession, it just seems that his jumper hasn't developed yet, hes like 18 so he has time to work on that.

[BubbaTee]

Meh, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook don't have jumpers either and that didn't seem to dissuade NBA GMs all that much.

[theTHIEF]

not scoring at the age of 17 is a common issue most young guys face, no big deal, it will happen eventually...

haio!

[Bernman]

It might sound ironic since Rubio is only 17, but I have serious questions about his upside. When I watched him against team USA he appeared very poised for a player of any age. That's what allows him to be competitive already, he's utilizing the few tools he does have. It's not because his raw talent was so overwhelming like Bron or Howard and it was just a matter of gaining a greater understanding and confidence. I don't see much raw talent in Rubio, the only area where I see him making significant strides in is strength.

Rubio's first step quickness is below average for the NBA and in conjunction with his set shot it's going to make it difficult to penetrate. Opponents can keep a distance while still altering and he isn't exactly going to blow by you the instant you bite a little on his shot fake. If he does beat you he has a high center of gravity, which makes his ball-handling a bit shaky, and he's going to turn the ball over at a decent clip. So he'll mostly only be able to use his vision and intelligence from the perimeter. That's going to seriously limit his creating opportunities. Defensively his lack of quickness will hurt him there as well, although his intelligence and competitiveness should at least make him adequate. I can't even think of a point guard in the NBA to compare him to. I'll predict he won't be an average starting point guard in the NBA and therefore he'd at least be a semi bust if drafted where projected.

[girlygirl]

He's not a high percentage shooter at this point in his career. But that doesn't mean he can't score. He had 51 points (51!) in the finals of the U-16 European Championships in November 2007. He also ranked 15th in the entire ACB in efficency/40 mintues last season -- not bad for a 17 year old!

http://www.draftexpress.com/stats.php?s ... l&qual=all

[DEEP3CL]

Let me get this straight the NBA won't let Brandon Jennings in the league because he 18 and opted not to go to college, but they're raving to no end about a 17 year old kid just because he plays on the Spanish National Team. Jennings is far more NBA ready then Rubio, has a better offensive game and he's 10 times the passer Rubio will ever be.

You gotta love David Stern.

[the7boss]

Let me get this straight the NBA won't let Brandon Jennings in the league because he 18 and opted not to go to college, but they're raving to no end about a 17 year old kid just because he plays on the Spanish National Team. Jennings is far more NBA ready then Rubio, has a better offensive game and he's 10 times the passer Rubio will ever be.

You gotta love David Stern.

Just LOL.

[PPAW4Life]

Rubio is going to be a great player.

He's already a great PG for being just a teenager....his scoring at the NBA level will come and he does have a shot...it's just not consistent.

This kid can do everything and he's a play-maker first and isn't looking to score most of the time.

I will be totally shocked if he's not a #1 pick and multi-year All-Star in the NBA barring any serious injuries.

[ponder276]

I really like Rubio, and think he'll likely become a very good PG. But Hollinger is right, the guy is simply not a scorer. His shot is terrible - slow release, ugly mechanics, and he barely elevates at all for jumpers. He is decent as a slasher in Spain, but he doesn't seem to have the athleticism you need to be a finisher as a slasher in the NBA. Yes, he does put up 10.5 ppg in the ACB, but he does it shooting 37.5% from the field, and 29.4% from 3, which is RIDICULOUSLY inefficient.

If he can clean up his shot and add a bunch of weight (to help him in the lane against stronger NBA defenders), I could see him becoming a decent scorer, but I can't see him ever being anything special (as a scorer). To me he has a Jason Kidd like game - fantastic court vision, delivers great passes, great handle, very good d, great poise/just know how to run an offense, but average at best as a scorer. I doubt he'll ever be as good as Kidd overall, who was a top 10 PG of all time before his drop-off over the last couple seasons, but if he can even become 75% of the player Jason Kidd was, he'd very likely be worth the #1 overall pick (though I do see a bit of Vince Carter in DeRozan, and Vince without the laziness/quitter attitude would have been absolutely fantastic as well).

[CzBoobie]

He's not a high percentage shooter at this point in his career. But that doesn't mean he can't score. He had 51 points (51!) in the finals of the U-16 European Championships in November 2007. He also ranked 15th in the entire ACB in efficency/40 mintues last season -- not bad for a 17 year old!

http://www.draftexpress.com/stats.php?s ... l&qual=all

It was in August 2006 actually...

Let me get this straight the NBA won't let Brandon Jennings in the league because he 18 and opted not to go to college, but they're raving to no end about a 17 year old kid just because he plays on the Spanish National Team. Jennings is far more NBA ready then Rubio, has a better offensive game and he's 10 times the passer Rubio will ever be.

We'll see, thay should play each other in the Euroleague...

[farzi]

Let me get this straight the NBA won't let Brandon Jennings in the league because he 18 and opted not to go to college, but they're raving to no end about a 17 year old kid just because he plays on the Spanish National Team. Jennings is far more NBA ready then Rubio, has a better offensive game and he's 10 times the passer Rubio will ever be.

You gotta love David Stern.

Wow...

[Alfred]

Why do people hate Hollinger? I think he's a pretty cool guy, and his PER is a great stat.

[Ca]

I think Hollinger is a pretty cool guy, eh over-complicates basketball and doesn't afraid of anything.

[Whateva]

Jennings better thna Rubio ?, we'll see next season what he does in the Euroleague...
Rubio led the Euroleauge in steals with 3.2 spg at 16
he also had : 3.6ppg 2.4rpg 2.8apg 3.2spg in 18.9 mpg ,
We'll see if Jennings does better, but he is already 19 so..its not a good comparison