I don't see that happening, he is not even starting with his current pro club or in these Olympics. But, he still has 2 more years before being draft eligible. I was impressed with his knowledge, but he defered too much for my taste, if he has that talent, take over. Maybe because he is 17, he doesn't do that yet...but a Lebron James would have. DD
He can make himself eligible next year, and is projected by dratexpress and other web sites as number 1 if he makes himself available.
http://hoopshype.com/articles/rubio_barrigon.htm Using a second round pick seems like the safest option. Otherwise it could be another Fran Vasquez or Tiago Splitter type situation.
wait he signed a 5 year, 500k contract with a 6m buyout clause? somebody get those parents an agent - those are some pretty hideous terms.
You're probably using James as a casual comparison, but nonetheless, I doubt it's a fair one. James was a man-child playing against high school kids without his level of athleticism and body build. Rubio is pretty much an undeveloped teen playing against adults. Very different there. I've been interested in Rubio's game ever since SLAM broke that story on him when he was only 16 or so, and this year's Olympics is the first that I've gotten any chance to catch him in extended action. My opinion's that he's not ready. At all. The talent is there. He has a definite eye for the pass. But he is far from being able to run a pro-team, especially at the NBA level. Point guard-wise, Jose Calderon is light years ahead of him. Even our own Rafer Alston runs a team better. There're a couple of big question marks surrounding his game. The most glaring of which is his outside shot. I don't think he's a bad shooter, but his release is a big question mark on the next level. It's almost a flat-footed set shot, and he doesn't get it off lightning quick like a Brent Barry or even Rudy Fernandez. Teams in the NBA will start laying off him to limit his passing options, and I'm not sure if he has the shot to keep the defense honest. He's only 17, so the poise and floor-leadership skills will definitely develop. It'll be interesting to see how he does in a couple years' time. Right now though, I really doubt he is number 1 pick material. Some team will probably take a gamble on him, but whichever team does it will likely come off with a disappointment IMO.
After watching the Gold medal game, I think he is ready. Especially in a couple of years. Did you notice how the USA's easy buckets off turovers dried up? You know why? Ricky Rubio...they didn't even attempt to pressure him because of his ball handling abilities. And, I was impressed with his savvy, the kid is going to be good, he already knows how to run a team of professionals and he is only 17..... DD
17 yrs old he is basically a high school baller and holding his own against the best the world has to offer. He'll be in the league for sure.
He can certainly dribble the ball but I didn't see any offensive game at all. He looks a lot more like Jason Williams than Pistol Pete.
The bottom line is he has some exceptional point gaurd skills at his age or for any age(only 2 turnovers against redeem team on almost 30 minutes of PT), but his shot and scoring offensive game are barely average for even the NCAA level. His individual deffense needs improvement but he is actually a fairly good team defender and rebounder. Rebounded and stole the ball well in the Olympics. Everyone is so concerned about his shot, I think they overlook the real issue. There are very few athletes that are almost fully grown like Lebron or Dwight Howard at a teenage age. Most athletes are skinny,slower, and shorter at 17. If Rubio increases his speed with a basketball, gets stronger, and grows 2 more inches puts him at 6'5-6'6, he can be a very effective starting point gaurd in the NBA in 2-3 years. But if he doesn't really grow or get faster, he'll be a great international player or a back up PG in the NBA. His shot will definetely get better over time, but he will never be a Steve Nash or John Stockton. But TJ Ford, Jason Kidd, Avery Johnson, Tony Parker until the last 2 years, and even Magic did not have great shots. He really does have some of the great ball handling and passing skills of the great point gaurds. For him to be an all star level point gaurd he needs to grow, increase his court speed, and find away to finish at the rim consistently. But realistically more than 50% of GMs will take that chance and bet on it.
After that championship game, I must say that I'm already a fan. What's a good team for Stern to rig him to go to? My money's on the Knicks with the Clippers being the second favorite, not too many Spanish fans elsewhere and those two markets could use another boost. Rubio holding his own at 17 against a team full of not-just-all-star NBAers, think HOFers in LeBron Kobe Kidd and Wade (and probably Paul and Williams), that is mind-blowing. Yeah he's missing some elements to his game, but he's got the parts that every other point guard not starting in the NBA would sell their soul to obtain.
He is light years ahead of any other 17 year old on the entire freakin' planet. He will develop and be very, very solid.
so, with the money being offered around Europe, is there any foregone conclusion that he is going to leave Europe?
LOL - so he's ready now but just needs a few more years worth of training first and then he'll be ready....
Rubio would most likely out play them. Rubio has been a professional, he has been an olympian and gets the benefit of practicing with men. What he lacks in raw jumping ability, he would more than make up for in polish, game smarts and quickness. Also he actually plays defense. Do not sleep on his athleticism either. People said Steve Nash was a poor athlete too, and that is not the case. There is more to athleticism than just jumping out of the gym
Rubio has some deficiencies, but lets not overlook the fact that he is 17 years old and he had to be the point guard for his country in the Gold Medal, and he held his own, and didn't seem deterred playing against the likes of paul, williams and Kidd. I also noticed, that on many occasions, he was able to get by Kidd and Williams and he was able to stay in front of them as well. He has exceptional ball-handling skills and doesn't and seems mentally strong to not lose the ball. He has to improve his shot, and he has to grow into his body, and once he does that he will be a great player. You can't teach basketball instincts and knowledge to a young kid, and he already has that.
No, he is ready now but is unable to be drafted, so if he is READY now, imagine how much MORE ready he will be then.... That is what I mean. DD
