ALL RUBIO TALK HERE

[MagnusPinus]

Too many whatifs Mags.."what if the wolves win the lottery, what if flynn becomes a star."

If that stuff happens then we'll deal with it when the time comes...You say the point guard is the general of the team and everything starts with him....so what's wrong with drafting two guys with these qualities that have the ability to play together in the backcourt? Rubio already said that he's played with another PG before and it makes playing easier so he'd be comfortable with playing alongside Flynn.

well he was like 16.. and needed clearly a old point to teach him things.. In the Nba it is consensus that u must have a starting point and a back up.. In toronto they had Ford and Calderon(one got traded).. in Indiana they have Ford and Jack(and is a mess). When you bring 2 great rookies at the point fighting each other for minutes is not an ideal thing honestly. It would be much better to have one rookie, and a veteran.

I believe we will have some news when Rubio talks with the twolves. For now, I just hope And then, also you Minnesota fans.. do you really want this rubio after all?? He is an immature that wants to decide where to go.. I would be angry with him at this point, not with the NY fans, who are just trying to think positive for themselves

[cloudXXI]

The point guard is the general of the team, everything starts with him.

Agree on your comment. Anyway, I have always thought he has done a mistake being in this draft. He´s ready to play in the NBA, but he will be more ready in two years. Yes, there are Nowitzki and Gasol, but Manu and Rudy too. He´s too young, he´s developing his game.

We´re not talking about a good prospect, we are talking about the best prospect from Europe since Petrovic and Sabonis. For him, the sky is the limit, and he has to choose his options very well. He has improved his shooting this year, he has became an scorer this year. The best for him is playing in Europe, just two games each week and a lot of practice, practice and practice.

And in 2011 taking Minnesota to he playoffs. I think I´m becoming a Minnesota fan.

[MagnusPinus]

The point guard is the general of the team, everything starts with him.

Agree on your comment. Anyway, I have always thought he has done a mistake being in this draft. He´s ready to play in the NBA, but he will be more ready in two years. Yes, there are Nowitzki and Gasol, but Manu and Rudy too. He´s too young, he´s developing his game.

We´re not talking about a good prospect, we are talking about the best prospect from Europe since Petrovic and Sabonis. For him, the sky is the limit, and he has to choose his options very well. He has improved his shooting this year, he has became an scorer this year. The best for him is playing in Europe, just two games each week and a lot of practice, practice and practice.

And in 2011 taking Minnesota to he playoffs. I think I´m becoming a Minnesota fan.

Yeah, I agree, he made a mistake going to the draft. He thought he could decide somehow where to go. but Kings ruined his plans. Well.. if in the end he will play for Minnesota I will have to watch also Minnesota and support them, since I'm a fan of the players more than the teams

[SportsGuy8]

So you're saying that because Minneapolis isn't a big enough market he won't get enough endorsements to offset the cost of paying for the buyout???

I really think he will get endorsements wherever he goes...he is known all over the world. KG never had any problems getting endorsements.

The problem is that Rubio needs every penny he can get. For sure he'll get endorsement money wherever he goes, but there would obviously be differences. If he can get a million from Nike in a smaller market, I'm sure he would get at least 25% more playing in New York ...

Think about players playing in smaller markets, how much less national exposure they get in the US. 2 examples are past ROY winners, Brandon Roy & Kevin Durant, compared to lets say Derrick Rose. Roy has been playing on a superstar level, but only started to get some exposure last few months, mostly because the Blazers were just getting too good to ignore. Sure people have been mentioning him, similar as Durant, but imagine a guy putting up Durants numbers in lets say New York. Media would be all over him, even having poor team-results.
Now, let's look at Derrick Rose. Sure he basically led his team to the playoffs, but he's been getting high exposure from the beginning of the season, even when the Bulls were far out of the playoff picture. That's just the way it is.
(and don't look at strictly NBA oriented sites, but more wide exposure to the general public)

Or another example, think about how much exposure do teams in smaller markets get. How much have you in Minnesota hear about the Grizzlies, OKC, Bucks, Pacers ...? Even if they're ok. Grizzlies were a really solid playoff team a few years ago (with Gasol, Battier, Posey ...), yet nobody talked about them much.

And this means a lot to companies like Nike, especially in these times. They're probably studying every single thing, to get the most value per dollar of contracts they give to their clients ...

If Lebron can get endorsements while playing in the mistake by the lake then Rubio will be fine in MN. Ask KG, or AD.

LeBron is a special case. He was and is larger than any market (well at least the media made him like that, even before he played his 1st NBA game).
As for KG, he obv. got deals, but are you sure those deals wouldn't be bigger in NY? As I said, that's the problem for Rubio, he needs every penny he can squeeze out of endorsements. He's probably on a very thin line between being able to afford to pay the buyout and not. (that's why those couple slots higher in the draft would be so important)

P.s.: I do agree that the whole endorsement thing is quite overrated (look at LeBron to NY rumors for example), but as I said, with Rubio it's slightly different ...

[Esohny]

Yeah.. I think Rubio works in 2 directions with these things he says:

- trying to threaten Joventut, that is just trying to get some cash,since they have serious debts... because the guy wants to lower the buyout

- trying to force the hand to end up playing in NY, the place where I want him to go.

Maybe if he can lower the buyout and Kahn talks him the right way he could end up in MInnesota.

I agree he is not playing it the right way like Gasol, but there was another time.. now he knows what GAsol went thru in a bad situation, and wants to be traded where he thinks there is better chance for him and the future..

Point 1: True
Point 2: False, and fixed

He thinks he might get traded because of all these bogus rumors. Now he doesn't know what's going on and feels that IF he's traded to a different team there's the possibility that he would stay in the NBA because of possible endorsements. He's not forcing anyone's hand Minnie.

As another guy said.. we got to read between the lines. From what I read, it looks like he wants to be traded. He doesn't say it, he kind of suggest it with the things he say. Then.. it is true I'm very desperate, and I'd be very happy to see him in NY, and I hope he and his agent make everything possible to make it happen(all because I want to see him and Gallinari play together).

Said that.. if it is true that he doesnt' want to play for wolves, Kahn HAS to trade him. He can't act like a baby and got to do what is best for the franchise, and could very well and with having something appropriate in return.

I love it when people say "you've got to read between the lines" like it actually means something. You have to have some other indications to support your interpretation of what someone says to actually have a legit argument that they're speaking in some kind of freaking code. All you're doing is telling us what you want to happen with no supporting argument. Come back when you've got something worthwhile to say.

[MagnusPinus]

Well, everybode is trying to forecasts what it could happen, without having all the informations.. We are all guessing. I don't think it is a bad thing. That's why forums are there for!

[AQuintus]

As for KG, he obv. got deals, but are you sure those deals wouldn't be bigger in NY? As I said, that's the problem for Rubio, he needs every penny he can squeeze out of endorsements.

I'm sure KG could have gotten bigger deals in NY. He might have been able to go from being the 5th highest paid athlete (I think that 's where he peaked at) to maybe the 2nd. We're not talking about Rubio becoming the richest he could possibly be, though, (if we were, NY or LA would be the obvious choice) we're just talking about getting enough money to pay his buyout. KG (and Lebron) showed that it's more than possible to get 6 million dollars (his estimated buyout) worth endorsements playing in a small market like Minnesota.

[revprodeji]

ok, one thing.

If Rubio's agent is demanding that he plays in a bigger market NY would not be the first choice. NY has a pile of Bile to offer. LAC could put together a package including Gordon/Jordan and next years pick. So why would we talk to NY?

[dunkonu21]

Oh Rev...That trade actually made me think, first one that was even close to that...I love Rubio tho.

[MagnusPinus]

ok, one thing.

If Rubio's agent is demanding that he plays in a bigger market NY would not be the first choice. NY has a pile of Bile to offer. LAC could put together a package including Gordon/Jordan and next years pick. So why would we talk to NY?

Damn.. the clippers Yeah, well.. there is still Baron Davis in there I guess you will get some good offer around the league, let's see what Rubio and Kahn decide.

[revprodeji]

I believe Fegan is from LA also. So perhaps that makes more sense?

[SportsGuy8]

As for KG, he obv. got deals, but are you sure those deals wouldn't be bigger in NY? As I said, that's the problem for Rubio, he needs every penny he can squeeze out of endorsements.

I'm sure KG could have gotten bigger deals in NY. He might have been able to go from being the 5th highest paid athlete (I think that 's where he peaked at) to maybe the 2nd. We're not talking about Rubio becoming the richest he could possibly be, though, (if we were, NY or LA would be the obvious choice) we're just talking about getting enough money to pay his buyout. KG (and Lebron) showed that it's more than possible to get 6 million dollars (his estimated buyout) worth endorsements playing in a small market like Minnesota.

A couple years ago sure, no problem ...

Now it's a bit different. Sure Rubio brings huge marketing potential to a company, but he's still somewhat of a question mark. And in these times, I'm sure these companies aren't too thrilled about these so-called "question marks".

Btw., I obv. don't have exact numbers, but people would be surprised how much less non-superstars get from endorsements. Sure the superstars can get plenty, but then there's a huge drop.

P.s.: There's also an option that Rubio makes some sort of agreement with let's say Nike. For example, Nike gives him the money, but in return Rubio signs a much smaller long-term contract with them. But in this case I'm sure Nike would lowball him (again, tough economic times), so Rubio would end up losing much more long-term. But, anyway, the point is, if Rubio really REALLY wants to play in the NBA, I'm sure there are options. (but, I can imagine they wouldn't be in his favour)

[SportsGuy8]

As for the Rubio trades, I highly doubt the Wolves will get close to fair value back. Just a feeling.
So that makes a trade that much less likely, IMHO.

[revprodeji]

Not exactly true. competition creates value. 2 teams that want rubio will compete for him.

[SportsGuy8]

Yeah, it improves value, but that still doesn't mean it will reach or go past the real fair value.
It could just mean that lowball offers will improve to bad offers. (well you get what I mean)

[SportsGuy8]

Btw., speaking of any possible Clippers trades. I hope, for Rubio's sake, it doesn't happen. As much as I would love to see him in the NBA ASAP (I still have my doubts about him and his chances to be a star in the NBA, but he's just sooooooooo much fun to watch ), that's like the worst possible place for a player.

That whole "Clippers-curse" talk is obv. nonsense (curses in general simply defy logic & common sense), but there's one other very important thing. You have bad teams that are bad just because of a coincidence, bad luck, nonsupporting market etc., but then you have teams that won't go anywhere because they have bad and/or (Please Use More Appropriate Word) owners. Prime examples are the Clippers and the Knicks (although Dolan seems to have an agreement that he won't interfere as much anymore, so that's a big progress ...). Clippers would need unreal amounts of luck to compensate for Sterlings presence, if they want to be succesful >>> very unlikely to happen. As long as Sterling has as much influence on decisions, they'll be a mess ... (and if you look at the news, it's happening again, obv., std.)

[revprodeji]

Why do we treat the kid like a free agent? Who cares if he loves NY. We own his rights. It is just a matter of us having patience.

[SportsGuy8]

Personally, I'll admit that I'm a bit subjective.

As I said, I just want Rubio in the NBA ASAP, doesn't even matter that much where (unless it's in a blackhole-type of a team, *cough* Clipps *cough* ).

But, as I mentioned before, for the Wolves the best thing atm IMO is to just keep calling bluffs from Rubios camp (I imagine things will heat up in the following weeks/months), and if they become a reality, and Rubio needs to stay in Europe for a year or 2, so be it. As you said, need to have patience ...
(and it is also possible that someone offers something good, but I repeat, unlikely IMHO)

It's questionable how Kahn and the team REALLY feels about having to wait 2 years, though. That's a tough thing to swallow for any team. If the 2-year waiting period becomes a reality, they'll probably have to face a difficult decison should they accept one of the unfavorable deals or not. (a right deal could be worth it, even if you get players with little less value, since you get them right now; it depends on how much less value)

BUT, I doubt it'll come to that. As mentioned, Joventut might be desperate too. As for Real Madrid or any other Euro-team stepping in, Rubio would have to agree to that. In Europe athletes have standard workers rights, so you can't just sell/trade them to another team. So if Rubio really wants to go to the NBA, that's not really an option (which is a big + for the Wolves as Joventut will remain desperate).

P.s.: As for NY, I wouldn't mind him playing in D'Antoni's system, though ... /me starts drooling But that's secondary.

[revprodeji]

Do you think Rubio's camp has a sense of urgency with his buyout increasing on the 30th?

[revprodeji]

http://www.twincities.com/walters

hard to trust Shooter but...

A little birdie said Ricky Rubio and his father were to fly to Minneapolis on Saturday to quietly meet with Timberwolves President David Kahn, who was to welcome the team's top draft pick to Minnesota and chat about beginning his NBA future here.
The Wolves don't plan to exert any pressure on Rubio, the draft's No. 5 overall pick, to sign with them. But they will do what they can to accommodate the flashy point guard from Spain without interfering with his current contract status.
Rubio, 18, was paid just $97,000 last season to play with his Spanish team, which wants him to remain in his homeland so much that it attached a $6.6 million buyout to his contract. The Wolves have no control over Rubio's contract, but he's considering going to court to get the amount of the buyout reduced as well as negotiating with his team for a buyout reduction.
The maximum, by NBA rules, that the Wolves could contribute toward a buyout is $500,000. Even if there is a reduction, it's expected that Rubio would have to pay at least several million dollars himself.
How would he do that on a $97,000 salary?
Signing with the Wolves would guarantee Rubio approximately $6 million his first two seasons. Assuming he were to sign a four-year contract, as expected, the Wolves would have restricted rights for an additional two seasons, and that would be worth nearly $8 million more.
It's expected that Rubio would be allowed to pay his buyout over several years. Conventional wisdom
is that he might as well agree to the amount and get a lucrative NBA career started.
Regardless, it's expected to be about a month before his buyout issue can be resolved.
By the way, the reason Rubio and his father were to sneak into Minneapolis on Saturday, and not on Friday when the Wolves' other top draft picks — Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington — were publicly introduced was that they didn't want the attention with the contract issue unresolved.