Why play mind games? Why didn't Rubio simply tell specific teams, in no uncertain terms, that he would stay in Europe if they drafted him? This kid's game better match his diva complex, or his time in the NBA is going to be fantastic for the media but absolutely humiliating for him.
Nothing wrong with wanting to play where you want to play. Look at Kobe's start. He did not want to play for the Hornets and got his way and ended up in LA. He did not have a college career to go by and ended being a great player. So, Rubio can do what he wants and I hope he likes the warm weather in H-Town.
ironic that you like the player that is THE prima donna and now you claim this kid. and seriously the clippers are in a much better position right now than the wolves are, MUCH better. I can see why Griffin would not be upset going there. Most of these players go dont care where they go because most players are scorers so going to crappy team where they can be showcased for scoring. Rubio's primary asset is being a passer, who is he going to pass it to on that team outside of jefferson? On top of that your team also just drafted 2 other PGs (flynn, catalhes) as well. What does that tell you as a player? Had the wiz kept the pick and took rubio I would think he would be happy going to a team of all-stars he can get the rock and all. any of the first 4 teams would have been fine places for a PG to go to but a) griffin is the better player now and the clippers already have an all-star pg b) grizzlies have conley they need to develop AND you know they are too cheap to pony up in creative ways the 6.5 million needed for rubio's buyout c) OKC have a young dynamic PG that played really well last year in his rookie season in westbrook why mess up that dynamic already put in place, they had a bigger need at SG d) Kings in the same situation as grizz, they probably wanted him but couldnt afford the large buyout so he was taken by the wolves I would also say that since the wolves picking flynn afterwards it properly upset him (as it would anyone) knowing that you are probably being dangled around to other teams as trade bait. I understand the position Rubio is in, he still has a lot of control of his own fate and chose to exercise it. He has made a name for himself, just not here in the US but in spain and internationally in the olympics...thats bigger than pretty much ALL of the rookies in this year class (griffin and hansborough being probably the most decorated from the ncaa picked)
how? he is acting like a proma dona? did you even read the whole article? "but do it once you make a name for yourself " HUH?
I think if the TWolves really want Rubio to play for them, they wouldn't draft Flynn as well. They drafted Rubio because of his trading value. Rubio is doing what he should do. Don't blame this kid.
DD, lemme ask you this? if every pick does this, how would you feel? the more players who do this, it'll happen more often. there's a reason the lottery teams are usually the same damn teams every year. b/c they're not very good.
You don't even know that that is his dream. I'd say he's already fulfilled a few. He's the starting point guard on his country's olympic team. He's a star in his country's professional league. Even if he has said he dreams of playing in the NBA that isn't necessarily true. I'm sure he does dream of the big NBA money though. Also, I have lived in Spain. I don't blame him one bit for being reluctant to leave what is essentially a paradise for the frozen tundra of Minnesota.
I could care less, it is a business.......the sooner the players learn they are just assets, the better off for them.... Management won't give two craps for them at some point, so the players shouldn't either. They should do whatever is in their own interests...PERIOD ! DD
I have to agree. This says a lot about his lack of mental toughness and inability to deal with adversity. Not to mention a huge sense of entitlement. He sounds like V-Span.
Every pick doesn't do it, and it does happen occasionally, but isn't happening now any more than it did before. It's okay to not like it when a player "manipulates" a team/league. I don't think anyone likes it, even DD. Can't the player just be happy to have a multi-million paying job, playing basketball, right? That said, it doesn't necessarily mean all these players are prima-donnas. THe names have already been throwing out, from the Elway and Mannings, to the Kobe Bryant's of the world. What's even more interesting, and less primadonna-like, about Rubio, imo, is that he has a seriously valid option that isn't just "I don't like that city, trade me or I'm going to whine and whine". He can actually just keep playing in Europe. It's not the NBA, no, but it isn't Chinese basketball either. And he's European, and may in general prefer that anyway. So, do I fault an 18 year old kid, who wants to go and compete with some of the best in the world, and get paid like the best, for being a little upset when his other option is to just stay in a country he's familiar with, in a city he likes, near friends and family, while still becoming very very rich at a young age, maturing, and keeping his options option for when he is older...no, I don't. And none of it has anything to do with what type of player he is, his skill level, etc. I happen to think he was a little overhyped, but he did slide a little in the draft.
This true for players that know what they want already. This guy has played pro ball since 14yrs of age in a tough league and he has pay his dues to the game. I hope he gets what he wants. H-Town has the weather he likes and I hope he likes the team.
Well said. Plus, the TWolves draft another pg (Flynn). They draft Rubio because of his trading value.
You lost all credibility when you said Francis had a great college career. Check the tape. He was drafted on potential just like Rubio.
I think this is a smart move from the Rubio's camp... It's funny how some ppl against the idea that player reject certain teams for his own benefit... NBA is just a business, when a player is signed, the team has advantages over the player. However, there are few moments that a player could shift that advantage towards themselves, Rubio is just exploiting such moment... FYI, Yi Jianlian was doing the same thing two years ago, even though he did signed with Bucks at the end, but he still find a way to get out a year later. So, it would be much wiser if Bucks did it from the getgo..
as far as i know he entered himself into a DRAFT....he didn't apply to work at a specific location, just a specific league, so no it's not within his rights of the job he applied for, he's just being difficult now. He can request a trade like the average person can request a transfer, but what he's doing is using the leverage he has to twist Minny's arm. I still think that Minnesota just wanted him as trade bait, so they're not crying over it, but rubio doesn't know this for sure and is being difficult.
Being drafted by Minnesota should be considered as having to deal with adversity and displaying mental toughness???? I wonder what planet some of you guys are on, not too mention if some of you have ever witnessed another draft.... Plenty of players have done what Rubio is doing throughout NBA history, yet you guys are cherry-picking this. By the way, how many 18 year olds are mentally tough and have dealt with adversity? I'd be willing to bet there aren't as many as people suspect.
