UcanUwill wrote:I still think his rookie year is his best NBA season, which is crazy and a bit sad.
Not really. His first season was the flashiest by far, he lost quickness and agility after the ACL injury and especially after the high ankle sprain that really affected his ligaments in 2014 (you could still see early Ricky Rubio after the ACL, but it was pretty much gone after the injury against Orlando and the eventual ankle surgery), but when you add his experience running NBA offenses and how he's developed as a scorer (even if a very streaky one, and still not really efficient) he's had better seasons in Utah and Phoenix. And he's doing absolutely great so far in Cleveland.
Also, I have to say the guy still gets absolutely no love from the refs. It's amazing to me after more than a decade in the league. He's never been a guy to challenge defenders by driving into their bodies, so he just doesn't get any calls whatsoever despite being hacked and pushed so often when he drives. He's still one of the best at getting inside and probing the defense while keeping the ball away from his defenders, and he drives into the paint all game long, but his FTA and FTr keep dropping while he's fouled time and again. Considering he's an excellent FT shooter, his numbers would look quite better (higher PPG and FG%) if there was a bit more fairness in that department. Some small statistical improvements can make a big difference, and if teams and fans were used to see him as a 15PPG scorer with average efficiency he'd be much more valued than he's been around the league.
Anyway, I'm happy for the guy once again. He's a class act and he's beloved by his teammates everywhere he goes. And for those of us who love pure PGs and hard working players, it will always be a blast to see him dish the ball with such precision, bring so much energy and leadership into every game, sacrifice his body for a charge or dive on the floor for a loose ball.
