clutch: source says rockets want 1 of 4-5 PG's expected to go lottery

I would rather have his size, passing, vision,, decision making,good basketball IQ than quickness.

 

I don't think I saw Rubio even attempt a jump shot in that 5+ minute highlight clip.

We have gone thru a PG playing with Yao who cant make his jumpshots. Rockets team needs shooters around Yao.

Otherwise...

1) Rubio brings the ball up.
2) Passes to Yao.
3) Yao sees double team.
4) Yao passes to a "Geez..I wonder why no one is guarding Rubio for a jump shot."
5) *Brick* Oh! That's why.
6) Rinse & Repeat.

The EL Mundo Rafer.

Unless.......

Rockets do not intend to use Yao as the focal point of offense and intend Rubio to handle the ball most of the time and create offense.

 

And on top of that he's only 18yrs old.

 

So maybe we trade up for one of these PG's and sign Bibby for the MLE? I guess that means we wouldn't get to keep Wafer though....

 

draft Tyreke Evans immediately, if not sooner.

 

I don't think we need another older pg...maybe 3 or 4 years ago...

Maybe im wrong

Chilcutt

 

I think it's more likely The EL Mundo jason kidd

 

I think that is where the Steve Nash comparisons are on point. He doesn't have Nash's shooting, but even a young Nash didn't quite have Nash's shooting. Nash's first seasons with the Suns and Mavs had him shooting 42% and 36%. Rubio shot 39% last year. Nash was also shooting about 40% from downtown early on. Rubio shot the 3ball at a 42% clip last season on 2.5 attempts, so it is not a stretch to believe he can develop an outside shot similar to Nash. Granted Nash was 23 when he came into the league and Rubio is only 19, but they have similar scouting reports coming into the NBA. They aren't athletic but they can are deceptive and "quick," a testament to their superior handles and court vision. They both possess great instincts and anticipation which allow them to change directions on a dime, or make a pass no one is expecting. They are both skinny guys (Nash is 6'3, 178 - Rubio 6'4 180) but that never stopped Nash from being good. I believe quickness has a lot to do with ball handling and decision making. The "athletic" quickness (like Francis) will deteriorate with time but fundamental quickness like decision making is forever. Rubio is long and with a little bit of bulk, can be a solid defensive player in our system (2.2 spg last season). Nash developed into a free throw threat with his handling and passing ability allowing him to get into the paint and draw the foul. He shot above 80% his entire career and the stripe. Rubio shot 4.2 free throws last season on 80% shooting.

The one thing that must be noted is that Nash didn't really become an impact player until he was 28. So it takes some time theoretically, with this kind of player. We obviously can't wait 9 years for Rubio to be productive. If in 9 years he is an all star pg like Nash, you absolutely have to consider trading for him. However, are the Rockets ok with humble beginnings to the tune of 9 and 4 his first year? Can we win with that? That was Nash's average in his second season, the first season he got decent playing time (20 mpg).

-V

 

Rubio reminds me a bit of Scola, who isn't your classic "tall, athletic 4" at all, but more than makes up for it (IMO) with his smarts, his quick decision making, never giving up on a play, his skill around the basket. While how good a shooter and defender Rubio might be in the NBA is hard to judge, at least for me, it's easy to see him running an NBA team, especially the Rockets.

 

If Morey's attempting to get in the top 10 for a PG, I would think he would be after Rubio and Curry for sure.

 

Rubio's development, like Nash's, also depends much on the system they are playing in, and also the opportunity to get playing time. Adelman's system and his propensity to play rookies and untried players due to his patience will be very advantageous to Rubio's rapid development as an impact player.

I believe Adelman is the perfect coach for him and the system will allow him to quickly adapt and be very productive. I am salivating at the thought of him and Scola playing the pnr, or Yao coming into the lane receiving a perfect pass (on time and on target) for a dunk (?), well, a lay in. Rubio's ability to create and his uncanny knack for pin point and perfectly timed passing should give Yao many opportunities to receive the ball in a perfect position close to the basket rather than to keep fighting for position in the block waiting for the often errant entry pass. Rubio's play is very well suited to a motion offense which could mask his still developing long range shooting.

One can argue of course that a few olympic games and Euroleague games do not really show much. I may agree with that to a certain extent but the one obvious thing you will see in Rubio's game is his gift of excellent court vision and awesome passing ability. These are gifts and cannot be learned. His instinct as a pg belongs to the greats of the past, the gifted ones who developed and honed those gifts and did not settle for less. Of course, it is up to him if he wants to work and sacrifice to reach the greatness of his predecessors. One thing is certain, he looks like he has the God given tools.

 

I'd like to point out that every NBA mock draft I've seen has Rubio going no later than #4 overall. Some of them have him going at 2.

I think that makes it EXTREMELY unlikely we end up with him.

 

Has this been posted? If so, my bad. Rubio's contract has been "sold" to the Spanish equivalent of the IRS to pay a debt that the team owes (back taxes??). Trippy!


Rubio sues Spanish team

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ESPN.com news services

Ricky Rubio now must deal with the Spanish government if he wants to play in the NBA.

The guard has been trying to get out of his contract with Spanish league team DKV Joventut but has met resistance. On Tuesday, according to the Spanish news agency EFE, Rubio sued the team after learning that it had transferred the rights to his buyout to Hacienda, the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service. The rights were sold to satisfy a debt Joventut had with Hacienda.

Leopoldo Hinjos, Rubio's lawyer, claims that the team did not inform his client that his rights were about to be ceded to a third party. The team says that representatives of Hacienda went to Joventut's offices and demanded a guarantee to cover the outstanding debt.

Rubio has challenged the 4.75 million Euro (approximately $6.6 million) buyout, which climbs to 5.75 million Euros after June 30. Rubio made 70,000 Euros last season (about $97,000) and is scheduled to make 125,000 Euros next season (about $175,000). Rubio's father Esteban told ESPN's Chad Nielsen on Monday that the buyout is disproportionate to his salary.

Rubio had refrained from filing a lawsuit and instead had asked an arbitrator to settle the case. The transfer of his buyout to the government appears to have changed that.

Rubio has been projected to go as high as No. 2 in the draft to the Memphis Grizzlies.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4246467


Shades of Yao and his effort to play in the NBA. Could this affect Rubio's draft status?

 

I think the major reason Nash didn't blossom sooner was because he was playing behind Kevin Johnson, Jason Kidd, and I believe Sam Cassell. He couldn't get time because he had some studs in front of him. After he got traded to Dallas (or maybe before - I can't remember), he also had injury problems.

 

I with you man.

Tyreke Evans should be drafted if they want a PG.

 

This is the least likely scenario of moves Morey would EVER make. Highly doubtful that ATL lets Bibby walk or that he takes less to rejoin RA.

 

Seems like a smoke screen to me.....Morey never tips his hand.

DD

 

Got to be a move for a PG to another team in a 3 team deal.

Phoenix would like a young PG to replace Nash and there is always the CP3 deal. NO may be able to swallow dumping Paul if they could replace him with Rubio.

After Doc said T-mac would never play for the Rocks again I believe Brooks and T-mac are out the door with a veteran PG like Nash or CP3 heading here.

Damn I can't wait until draft night!!!!

 

Tyreke Evans could very well be the second best player in the draft.

Dear God he would be a wonderful addition to the Rockets.

 

Kerr's not letting go of Nash. I'm still hoping but the reality is Nash won't ever play for the Rockets.

I think if the Rockets do deal for a lottery pick PG they also get a vet starting SG in the same trade.