I hear you. I simply don't feel he's athletic enough - lacking the quickness and necessary explosion (and strength, which can be improved) to get to the rack consistently in the NBA. His inability to control himself/and shot to give himself a better opportunity to finish at the rim is a huge concern for future growth. I love his IQ. I love his ability to play the passing lanes and the "joy" he plays with. But, to assume that he'll greatly improve his three point shot based on FT percentage and his work ethic may very well be a stretch. Could it happen? Sure. Even with the slow release he could become a good three point shooter. Mario Elie and Jason Kidd come to mind. On this team, with Harden massaging the ball in the halfcourt so much, I think his strengths would be minimized. Until we have someone that is a little more creative offensively coaching-wise, and makes James and the team understand he (Harden) is an excellent spot up shooter and will benefit from being off the ball SOME, Rubio being here would be frustrating for many fans and likely teammates and coaches. With Fegan representing him and if he truly does want a max deal, there's no way I try to acquire him and "bank" on his improvement reaching a championship level. Not when the time to win a title with Dwight is NOW. It's a make or miss league. He's got a long way to go to be more on the "make side".... and while there may have been some glimpses of "domination" without shooting, they've been far and few between in the NBA.
And I understand he's occasionally shown the ability to get to the line. However, his shooting will have to improve dramatically to be able to accomplish that against the better teams. In the playoffs he won't get to the line near as much without a (much) better shot.
That whole Bledsoe-for-Love thing was such posturing. Everyone knew the Love-to-Cleveland deal was gonna happen. Call Cleveland, make the offer, get told to eff off, leak the offer to the media and get the price up for Bledsoe: "We just were in 'negotiations' for Kevin Love, if you want Bledsoe, you'll have to offer more than that." "You weren't in 'negotiations', you made a bogus offer to up the price. No way they take an inferior player and spare parts for Love." "And yet that's the type of offer you're making for Bledsoe now. Call me back when you're serious."
He's one of the quickest guards in the league. That comment alone shows that you are a casual fan and haven't seen much of him play. That's fine, but he's very quick but generally plays at a slow pace and reads before attacks. (He's the anti-Westbrook) He is very frail though, and it wouldn't hurt his finishing around the rim to put on some more muscle. That's like fans saying Lin is slow when he has one of the quickest first steps in the NBA, but they just assume he's a slow/smart player when it's actually the opposite. Kind of the typical stereotyping.
1. I only responded to my own post because I cannot edit. I was adding to my previous post. 2. 10 days is when what magic happens? Even if the Rockets and Suns are in discussions, there is no telling when a trade would actually happen because there is no telling what the Suns are going to do.
Yes I do. Rubio is an ace defender. Not only does he pile up steals but he also gets a TON of deflections. The effect of all those deflections is immeasurable to the opposing offense. I believe he could. The biggest deficiency in this team is our turnovers to steals differential. We are at the bottom in steals and at the top of the league in turnovers. Rubio, with his playmaking ability and outstanding assist/turnover ratio along with his sky high steals rate changes that dynamic. Can you imagine Rubio running pick and roll with Dwight with Harden weakside? What about Rubio playing with Daniels with the second unit? What about Harden playing with Bev with the second unit? It's a much more balanced offense/defense setup. Now...does Dragic bring a lot of this? Yes. Better shooter. Not as good a playmaker or defender. Not as good deflecting and stealing. But Dragic is a very good defensive point. Does Bledsoe bring a lot of this? Well....somewhat. He gets steals and makes deflections. But any student of the game will realize the other side of Bledsoe is a lot of gambles. Gambles that lead to layups and dunks by the opponent. Gambles that Rubio simply doesn't make. Rubio is a superior defender to even Bledsoe. But you've got to really watch the games to understand why. Rubio makes more steals and deflects more passes and bodies up better than Bledsoe doing all that without gambling nearly as much as Bledsoe does.
Interesting, the reasons you want Rubio are the same reasons I want Rondo (Yes I'm ignoring the injuries because Rondo)....... Defense/hustle and playmaking ability with a serious passion for winning even if its Lebron James you are up against. If Rubio can bring everything you say to the table then I think it makes perfect sense..... Out point guard does not need to score 30ppg.... He needs to find ways so that Harden and Howard can score 30 ppg..... You might be convincing me.....
You can't find a better comparable for Rubio and Rondo than each other. I prefer Rubio because of: 1. the age difference. 2. I personally can see that Rubio will become a better shooter than Rondo is or will be. 3. And of course, Rubio is already superior from the free throw line. 4. Lastly the biggest difference between the two is how they lead. I personally like Rubio's style of leadership more than Rondo's and I feel that Rubio has a much greater chance of fitting in with Harden and Howard than Rondo does. ......... All that being said, Rondo is a great point guard and leader. He's definitely an alpha dog. Whatever team he goes to, if they surround him with shooters and bigs that can finish, defend the rim and rebound, they'll be perennial contenders as long as Rondo is healthy and balling.
I can agree with this. I watched a game when someone on his team was getting pissed, Rubio told them to calm down and have fun. I don't think Rondo would have done the same.
bev is on min contract as a young 3/d starter with plenty of potential... no need to offer any asset for bledsoe/rubio especially for the money they command...morey is only interested in trading for true star worth more than max contract.
I agree with 1,2 and 4. But you're dreaming if you think Rubio will be near the shooter rondo is (and rondo is a bad shooter). Rubio has been playing professionally for 8 Years. For the last two he has been bottom 5 in the entire nba basically, and historically bad. His shot is simply broken. Rondo can shoot close to 45-48% inside the arc. Rubio is just - go look at his shot chart and leave it at that. Rubio is a lot of things, but he is a horrific, not bad, a horrific shooter. If he becomes a bad shooter I'd he'd be lucky at this point.
I agree and the age difference between Rondo and Rubio is significant.... Attitude wise Rubio probably would be much better for Harden and Howard..... Thinking back now, I wonder if Parsons was actually holding chemistry back.... I just never thought the guy was so full of himself..... He was likeable because he was a young humble 2nd rounder doing things.... But I wonder how much he believed he was the answer that could make The Rockets and the two stars better.... With that said, out of the three.... Dragic, Bledsoe and Rubio.... Rubio could be the most likely to stay loyal and humbly commit to his role.... For him to know that we are asking him to exploit what he is good at and not try to excel in what he is not.... I mean, what he is good at is exactly what the Rockets need... Less turnovers, more assists, defense, playmaking, composure alongside leadership...... A true point guard.. Liking the Rubio idea.....
In comparing Rubio to Rondo, Rubio hasn't even played a playoff game, and likely won't anytime soon. Give me a guy who's put up 40 points and triple double games on the biggest stage, a guy who has won a 'chip and been to the finals twice.
I think the proven Rondo also has over 90 playoff games under his belt to Rubio's zero. To mention Rubio in the same breath as Rondo is a joke IMO, I've seen Rondo go toe to toe with the best when the cards were on the table and that's what I want in my point guard.
Only positive Rubio has on rondo is age otherwise rondo on the rockets by a landslide. An absolute landslide
