Rubio Thread III

[wiff]

I just want to clarify that I don't think Rubio will be a bust or anything.

Steve Nash isn't very good on "D" but he is one heck of a PG.

I think Rubio will be fine on offense, I just don't feel he will be a very good man on man defender due to what seems to me lack of foot speed.

When Brent Barry played in Seattle he wasn't a very good man to man defender either but he was a decent team defender and he read the passing lanes incredibly well and came up with a boat load of steals.

I just think he is going to have a hard time keeping NBA pg's in front of him. Doesn't mean he won't be able to do other things to make up for it.

[Twolves98]

I'm finding it funny that in one day Kahn went from joke of the NBA to sport writers to a respectable man.

And when people make fun of Kahn we say "RICKY RUUUBIO"

[C.lupus]

I actually think Rubio will be a good man defender. What he lacks in foot speed he makes up for with very quick hands and court awareness. I think he'll be fine. I do think he will get burned a few times going for steals, though.

[KF10]

I actually think Rubio will be a good man defender. What he lacks in foot speed he makes up for with very quick hands and court awareness. I think he'll be fine. I do think he will get burned a few times going for steals, though.

A good man defender in a sense that he can pest the hell out of his opponent. His uncanny hand-eye coordination for the ball will generate steals. His size and wingspan will cause problems for his man.

But I don't believe he will become a good man defender in a sense that he can use angles to his advantage, develop a natural defensive intensity/mindset, know when to pressure the ball handler at a particular time, and etc.

Something in a Rondo-variant defender (style-wise). Gambling/burned for steals at times but can cause a high amount of TOs at the end result though.

[C.lupus]

I think that's a fair assessment and I'd be happy with that.

[KF10]

I think that is a fair assessment too.

I'm not too worried about his defense. I would take concern about his offense in general. The consensus projects Rubio as a fantastic passer and playmaker once he arrives to the NBA. But what about scoring? I don't think he will be the type of player that can get 20 points on a consistent basis at the NBA-level. I don't think Rubio will develop a mentality to score high digits. His initial intent is to get his teammates involved by making plays. I wouldn't be surprised if he tops out around 14-17 points a game.

[dream_catcher_9]

Rubio has practically played every single elite NBA point guard - Paul, Parker, Rondo, Jennings, Rose, Billups, Williams, Westbrook, Curry, and Kidd. Don't forget, he's far better than Calderon (that's not saying much).

I don't think he played Rondo before. He sat out yesterdays game.

[Swimmer]

I think that is a fair assessment too.

I'm not too worried about his defense. I would take concern about his offense in general. The consensus projects Rubio as a fantastic passer and playmaker once he arrives to the NBA. But what about scoring? I don't think he will be the type of player that can get 20 points on a consistent basis at the NBA-level. I don't think Rubio will develop a mentality to score high digits. His initial intent is to get his teammates involved by making plays. I wouldn't be surprised if he tops out around 14-17 points a game.

I would be OK with that. As long as he keeps making plays like he does, and knocks down open shots, I'm happy. It's nice that his abilities are very skill-based, which bodes well for his longevity in the NBA.

[cpfsf]

Rubio has practically played every single elite NBA point guard - Paul, Parker, Rondo, Jennings, Rose, Billups, Williams, Westbrook, Curry, and Kidd. Don't forget, he's far better than Calderon (that's not saying much).

I don't think he played Rondo before. He sat out yesterdays game.

thx, I skimmed the names on the boxscore to make sure I didn't leave anyone out.

That kind of backfired.

[KF10]

I would be OK with that. As long as he keeps making plays like he does, and knocks down open shots, I'm happy. It's nice that his abilities are very skill-based, which bodes well for his longevity in the NBA.

I agree.

[ansoncarter]

if he's scoring over 20 a game it's a waste of his passing. Would probably mean he ended up going too drive/dish heavy which is a pretty one-dimensional way to make plays and only benefits one or two players. Only way he lives up to the hype is making all 4 guys better and elevating everyone and all that stuff

[TheFranchise21]

The PG doesn't necessarily have to guard the other PG.

[horaceworthy]

A good man defender in a sense that he can pest the hell out of his opponent. His uncanny hand-eye coordination for the ball will generate steals. His size and wingspan will cause problems for his man.

But I don't believe he will become a good man defender in a sense that he can use angles to his advantage, develop a natural defensive intensity/mindset, know when to pressure the ball handler at a particular time, and etc.

Something in a Rondo-variant defender (style-wise). Gambling/burned for steals at times but can cause a high amount of TOs at the end result though.

I think he already displays some of these traits, particularly the defensive intensity/mindset. The angles/when to pressure he has somewhat of an innate feel for, although both could certainly improve. I think the problem he'll run into is getting too aggressive going for the steal at times, and staying in front of the jets like Rose at times.

He's got good size for the position, tremendous instincts, quick hands and takes pride in playing that side of the ball. He's not a super athlete and could add some strength, but I don't think saying he won't develop the mindset for defense is a fair assessment.

[St.Nick]

My analysis on Rubio:

Pros
- Top notch passer
- Can get into the lane
- Great feel for the game
- Good speed
- Excellent ball handler
- Tremendous on the fast break
- Likes to get into the passing lanes on defense
- Excellent Leader already at 19 years old

Cons
- Gets beaten defensively by quicker PG's (Derek Rose/Curry took him to school several times)
- Makes the flashy pass when its not necessary, resulting in turnovers
- Not a good shooter (despite his hitting two jumpshots in the US game)...needs to be pretty wide open in order to take/make these shots

Overall, I think he'll be an excellent NBA player. Sort of Jason Kidd-like in his play making abilities (and reluctance to shoot), but still with a ways to go in some physical areas such as strength and quickness to get in front of the more shifty guards in the NBA.

I can see him being a 14/10apg/2-3spg guy. Not necessarily a franchise player, but someone that is just really good.

[KF10]

I think he already displays some of these traits, particularly the defensive intensity/mindset. The angles/when to pressure he has somewhat of an innate feel for, although both could certainly improve. I think the problem he'll run into is getting too aggressive going for the steal at times, and staying in front of the jets like Rose at times.

He's got good size for the position, tremendous instincts, quick hands and takes pride in playing that side of the ball. He's not a super athlete and could add some strength, but I don't think saying he won't develop the mindset for defense is a fair assessment.

That maybe the case.

It is too early to categorize a player like Rubio IMO. He may be awesome in defense or blah. I think once Rubio arrives to the NBA, people will have a good grasp of what he can achieve on the defensive end and everything in general.

Knowing Rubio, he has a good chance to do well given his skill level and talent level in the defensive end.

[Swimmer]

My analysis on Rubio:

Pros
- Top notch passer
- Can get into the lane
- Great feel for the game
- Good speed
- Excellent ball handler
- Tremendous on the fast break
- Likes to get into the passing lanes on defense
- Excellent Leader already at 19 years old

Cons
- Gets beaten defensively by quicker PG's (Derek Rose/Curry took him to school several times)
- Makes the flashy pass when its not necessary, resulting in turnovers
- Not a good shooter (despite his hitting two jumpshots in the US game)...needs to be pretty wide open in order to take/make these shots

Overall, I think he'll be an excellent NBA player. Sort of Jason Kidd-like in his play making abilities (and reluctance to shoot), but still with a ways to go in some physical areas such as strength and quickness to get in front of the more shifty guards in the NBA.

I can see him being a 14/10apg/2-3spg guy. Not necessarily a franchise player, but someone that is just really good.

I agree with your assessment, St. Nick. I think those Cons can be remedied somewhat when we get him over here, though. He is working on his shot and it's getting better. I thought he looked pretty comfortable taking jumpshots in the US game, and in general. I also think he will cut down on the unnecessary flashy plays against consistently stiffer competition with some good coaching. IMO, those flashy plays are a huge portion of what makes him a marketable commodity, though.

I'm even OK with him aggressively going for steals/pestering the offense, as long as we develop a help defense system to cover for him (I'm looking at you, KLove!)

[Awoooga]

One major concern that is unaddressed in the posts here. Rubio does alot of his damage offensively off picks. From watching the Spain game however, many of those picks would be called moving screens in the NBA. I would be curious as to how he can create on his own or with regular nba legal picks.

Also, when Rubio gets by his man alot of times he passes up potential layups to make a pass. I am all about pass first point guards but man take the easy two if it is there.

[Worm Guts]

They call moving screens in the NBA?.

[Klomp]

Also, when Rubio gets by his man alot of times he passes up potential layups to make a pass. I am all about pass first point guards but man take the easy two if it is there.

Kidd did that last Olympics too...

[Ball Does Lie]

Hey guys, I wanted to clear up a couple misconceptions about athleticism and its impact on Rubio. The first thing to realize is the training and workouts in Europe are much more stamina based than quickness based. For instance, while in America players do suicide drills to gain quickness, in Europe players run up and down bleachers or run hiking trails to develop stamina. The game is different overseas and the training is used to prepare players for the European game. That's why, when a guy like Darko Milicic goes to Europe it is actually a bad thing for his NBA career. He'll have developed stamina but sacrificed foot speed and it takes him weeks into the season to get into shape. Plus, Rubio will probably start lifting weights much more often and bulk up, which will make him a monster-sized Point God.

Secondly, while Rubio will never be a phenomenal athlete like Derrick Rose, he'll end up being a decent or even above-average one. Keep in mind athleticism isn't just jumping high or running fast, it also includes stamina, change-of-direction speed, dexterity, and a host of other traits. So if he becomes above average at changing directions and has great stamina plus modest jumping ability and good foot speed, would that not signify a "decent" athlete? Sounds a lot like Steve Nash on roids.

I disagree with the Jason Kidd comparison. While Kidd is probably better than Nash (all-time), something about his game feels more Nash-like than Kidd-like. Plus, he realizes that for his biggest strength (attacking the rim) to remain his bread and butter, he'll need to develop a jumpshot of some sort (I'm praying something more than a spot-up) to open up the attacking drives. He's got good length, so he'll have no trouble getting his shot off (as long as he JUMPS on his jumper!). Defensively, I doubt he'll be able to pick up the opposing team's best perimeter player the way Kidd was, because he'll never carry the bulk Kidd was able to without it severely effecting his athleticism. Kidd was putting down sick dunks as a college athlete who as a PG towered over other teams' SG's...Rubio, I think, can dunk, but he doesn't have elite athleticism (obviously) and gaining 30-40lbs would do more harm than good I feel...

Think of him as a 6'4" version of Steve Nash in his prime.