[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

It might have been on here or it was somewhere else, but there was a Ricky Rubio update.  Someone commented that Rubio needs to work on shooting and defense.  We knew that his shooting was not good, but DEFENSE too???? I thought defense was one of his best attributes.

If he has to work on defense too then he will be in trouble.  And since shooting is one of the important things in basketball they should have said Rubio has two things to work on: offense and defense.

If Rubio’s upside is a slow Rondo without the defense then I am not sure he will do well (or even start).  Best case scenario would be a Jason Kidd-type but that is probably be a reach.

I can’t wait until he comes over.  He should create buzz and some nice highlights (both for himself and the T Wolves or for the other team posterizing him). 

If he turns into the next Jason Kidd then he will greatly benefit the league.  But, that is a stretch.  What if his upside is closer to Jimmer without a jumper?

[Anton123Participant]

From day one everyone was talking about how he was too slow to guard NBA guards. Noot really any news.

Jason Kidd is a great defender, isn’t he? At 38 he’s still able to guard players like Durant.

Rubio is supposed to be a terrific passer with a great feel for the game, I haven’t seen enough of him to make any conclusions.

[delfamParticipant]

 his defense is fine, but with the possibility of a lockout I don’t see him coming over

[HaleParticipant]

 Rubio might not be all that quick but he is pretty big and has nice length for a pg, his defense probably won’t be a liability.

[RafterParticipant]

I don’t expect him to lock up physical freaks like Rose, Westbrook and Wall but i don’t expect him to be a team’s weakness on the defensive end either.

He can hold his own.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

when he begins to try to guard other guards in the NBA he will have some trouble… i personally dont think hes a good shooter or defender, even in the spanish national league, and i dont see his defense getting loads better in the nba…

[Allen_Iverson_3Participant]

As a European, I pay close attention to Rubio’s game. Offensively, Rubio is a real work in progress, and there’s no way you can compare him to Jason Kidd simply because NOW he can’t average 10 ppg. On the offensive end, I’d rather think of Earl Watson.

Rubio’s playmaking skills are pretty nice, given that he is surrounded by good offensive players, but his defense is, in the European context, his best attribute. He is pretty physical and has the capacity to diminish his opponents’ activity (I remember his very good performance against Tony Parker at the 2009 European Championship). However, I don’t see it translate in the NBA: he would have real trouble guarding guys like D-Rose, Westbrook, Rondo, Williams (you’ll say, everybody does) because he ain’t athletic enough, especially in terms of speed, to keep these guys out. However, I still believe he would be an above average defender especially due to his length, and the Earl Watson comparison seems to me pretty relevant, at least for the moment. However, with an improved jumpshot, you might be looking in 5 years at a Jason Kidd.

[NashyMingParticipant]

His defense is fine, but definitlely need works because he’s extremely weak and his european style hand-checking defense would get him fouled out in 5 minutes.

He’s pretty smart and got long arms and quick hands to disturb opponent dribbles, but he needs to work on playing better "fundamental" defense instead of the hand-checking style that is allowed in Euroleague.

[butidonthavemoney]

"his defense is fine"

"his defense probably won’t be a liability."

"He can hold his own."

"i personally dont think hes a good shooter or defender"

"His defense is fine"

No.

His defense is outstanding. His combination of intelligence, toughness and anticipation is reminiscent of John Stockton.

[M-DYMESParticipant]

Comparing Rubio to Jimmer is apples to oranges.  That is about one of the biggest stretches I can think of, no way would that happen.

Jimmer has amazing range and shooting ability…Rubio doesn’t

Rubio does play D…Jimmer doesn’t

Rubio has unbelievable court vision…Jimmer doesn’t (at least not nearly at the same level)

Rubio has shown he can compete at the NBA level against elite talent…Jimmer has yet to play real games against real NBA players

Rubio’s game is about setting his teammates up…Jimmer is all about getting his own shot (atleast from what we’ve seen)

Rubio has considerable length…Jimmer doesn’t

[aamir543Participant]

Are you really going to compare Rubio to John Stockton? Some one is going to do another call out thread. 

[butidonthavemoney]

Bring it on.

John Stockton is my favorite player of all time. I’ve watched him play in a lot of games. Rubio plays defense using an unreal amount of anticipation, toughness and intelligence just like Stockton used to.

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

I agree with NoMoney ,Rubio is great defender,and he has already played gr8 defense against both Rose(friendly game ) and Parker in Euro 2009 ( still remember that game ,TP was the leading scorer before the game and he wasn’t able to score to save his life against Rubio)
but I don’t know if he is the same level as Stockton since I never watched Stockton play

[butidonthavemoney]

I never said he is at the same level Stockton was, I just said they are effective defenders for the same reasons.

Stockton wasn’t very quick or athletic, but he was one of the best team defenders in the NBA and as tough as nails. Saying Rubio won’t be able to guard NBA players because he is too slow is untrue. I haven’t seen a player with Rubio’s defensive anticipation skills in a long time.

[NashyMingParticipant]

I don’t think Rubio is already that good of a defender rightaway.

Rubio CAN develop into a very good defender, but he needs to:
1) Bulk up without losing speed and quickness

2) Earn respect from the ref to not call for hand checking fouls

Rubio plays great defense in INTERNATIONAL games where hand checking is allowed.  In the NBA, if the ref really wants to call fouls, Rubio would foul out quickly.  He needs to earn his reputation with the ref as a defensive ace (like Battier) in order for the ref not blowing the whistle.  He also needs to be smarter in using his hands heavily on defense.  I think he’s smart enough to do that, but it would take time for him to adjust and to earn respect.

With his current strenght, he probably doesn’t need much acting class to draw O-fouls though.

[kobyzParticipant]

Rubio’s nba comparison is Jamaal Tinsley!

[BBall4life88Participant]

Coming from a Wolves fan I can say Rubio is one the most overhyped players in NBA draft history given that years crop of talented PG’s…and given the Wolves awful history in the NBA draft this might go down as one of their worst all time picks, which is saying a lot.  

[blood]

 your comparisions are retarded…thats like i say I play like LeBron James minus the Size,skill,all around game…wtf  rondo without defense and quicknes(how is that comparison,rondo is starting in nba cause of his defense and quickness) jimmer without j (-.- jimmer will be drafted just cause of his jumper)

[Author]

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