[Anton123Participant]

 I have long been interested in Rubio, I wouldn’t call myself a fan of his, but I’ve always had a soft spot for pass-first point guards. I haven’t really watched that much Minnesota this year, so I would love to hear what people who have think about him.

Looking at stats there are some good and some bad things about him this year:

The good:

1) Career high 9 APG with career low 2.4 TOPG, terrific 3.75 A/TO ratio.

2) To add to taking care of the ball, he’s stealing the ball 2.3 times a game (almost matches his TO per game), so he steals the ball as much as he loses it.

3) 3 point percentage has really been climbing of late, in the past 19 games has shot 35% from three. Also is shooting free throws at a career high 83%.

4) Is still 25 years old.

The bad:

1) Absolutely terrible 34% from the field this year (has fallen to atrocious 32% in the past 19 games)

2) Almost career low 9.7 PPG

So basically Rubio still can’t shoot or score. Which is deeply unsettling since it’s his 5th year in the NBA.

So the questions are: does the way he take care of the ball and force turnovers make up for his terrible scoring?

Do you think Rubio is the Wolves PG of the future? Do you think he will ever be a starting point guard for a good team?

Is he improving quick enough for there to be hope he will develop into a very good player?

Your input will be very helpful and interesting to me, thanks a lot.

 

[cargathusParticipant]

I’ve been a fan of his since his Europe days and i’ll admit I was on the Rubio hype train for the longest time. It’s clear to see his offensive progression hasn’t changed much since he’s come into the league and depending on how you look at it, he might have gotten worse. His skillset (and lack there of) is unique in that I believe he can fit perfectly into a good team, given the right coach and system. He needs established players and coaches that believe in a system and can run it to damn near perfection. At his very best he is an old fashioned floor general. He won’t ever be depended upon to score, but I think he can get his teammates the best shots available in a given offensive set. Ideally he would get put on a team much like the Spanish national team, with veterans and role players who have good ball IQ and spacing. His skillset definitely doesn’t fit the current era of NBA basketball though. 

[cargathusParticipant]

I’ve been a fan of his since his Europe days and i’ll admit I was on the Rubio hype train for the longest time. It’s clear to see his offensive progression hasn’t changed much since he’s come into the league and depending on how you look at it, he might have gotten worse. His skillset (and lack there of) is unique in that I believe he can fit perfectly into a good team, given the right coach and system. He needs established players and coaches that believe in a system and can run it to damn near perfection. At his very best he is an old fashioned floor general. He won’t ever be depended upon to score, but I think he can get his teammates the best shots available in a given offensive set. Ideally he would get put on a team much like the Spanish national team, with veterans and role players who have good ball IQ and spacing. His skillset definitely doesn’t fit the current era of NBA basketball though. 

[TravelinTravParticipant]

 Ive been following Rubio since he was 17 in the China Olympics. I thought At that time he was special, a modern day Pistol Pete, he held his own against team USA. This is when he peaked unfortunately, he hasn’t got any better at any aspect of his game, ever since his rookie ACL tear he has slowed his game down a lot, for better and worse

As far as present time he just can’t shoot, I have no idea why. His hand eye coordination is great, free throw percentage is good .(like u said around 80 percent) You already hit the good and the bad about Ricky, but things I see are he "mini" flops a lot, he’s always trying to get a foul instead of focusing on putting the ball in the hoop. He needs to develop a hot spot on the court at least 1 spot where he is a threat.

Will he be a good player on another team? Absolutely. He needs to find a team with a couple of scorers EX Houston, OKC, Cleveland. His steals,low turn overs and assists would help any contending team get that extra effort.

Twolves future PG? I’m not sure I think the wolves just have to be opportunistic and take someone potentially better if they can if they don’t get an opportunity then keep with Rubio.

 

 

 

[TravelinTravParticipant]

 Ive been following Rubio since he was 17 in the China Olympics. I thought At that time he was special, a modern day Pistol Pete, he held his own against team USA. This is when he peaked unfortunately, he hasn’t got any better at any aspect of his game, ever since his rookie ACL tear he has slowed his game down a lot, for better and worse

As far as present time he just can’t shoot, I have no idea why. His hand eye coordination is great, free throw percentage is good .(like u said around 80 percent) You already hit the good and the bad about Ricky, but things I see are he "mini" flops a lot, he’s always trying to get a foul instead of focusing on putting the ball in the hoop. He needs to develop a hot spot on the court at least 1 spot where he is a threat.

Will he be a good player on another team? Absolutely. He needs to find a team with a couple of scorers EX Houston, OKC, Cleveland. His steals,low turn overs and assists would help any contending team get that extra effort.

Twolves future PG? I’m not sure I think the wolves just have to be opportunistic and take someone potentially better if they can if they don’t get an opportunity then keep with Rubio.

 

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

That’s about it… He doesn’t need to be around scorers, he needs to be around shooters. Doesn’t matter if you have KD or Westbrook on his team, he will hinder them from scoring because the man guarding Rubio will help out on KD or Russell.

So, you have no other choice, BUT to surround a team around him. That’s something NO team is willing to do at this point.
He get steals, but a victim defensively. He’s no Rondo… And even with that said, Rondo can at least finish. That’s not Ricky.

I say get rid of him for a second round pick. A 1st if you can get it, but get rid of him. 5 years starting at PG for your team is enough to know that he isn’t going to be better than what he already is. Folks ready to give up on D. Rose after having phenomenal years and injured the last 3. This guy had 5 years to show SOMETHING. He still hasn’t, it’s time to move on. Maybe even for the NBA. I don’t like players that can’t score or shoot in some capacity coming off the bench at guard. Especially one that’s getting paid the money Rubio is.

[tuck243Participant]

That’s about it… He doesn’t need to be around scorers, he needs to be around shooters. Doesn’t matter if you have KD or Westbrook on his team, he will hinder them from scoring because the man guarding Rubio will help out on KD or Russell.

So, you have no other choice, BUT to surround a team around him. That’s something NO team is willing to do at this point.
He get steals, but a victim defensively. He’s no Rondo… And even with that said, Rondo can at least finish. That’s not Ricky.

I say get rid of him for a second round pick. A 1st if you can get it, but get rid of him. 5 years starting at PG for your team is enough to know that he isn’t going to be better than what he already is. Folks ready to give up on D. Rose after having phenomenal years and injured the last 3. This guy had 5 years to show SOMETHING. He still hasn’t, it’s time to move on. Maybe even for the NBA. I don’t like players that can’t score or shoot in some capacity coming off the bench at guard. Especially one that’s getting paid the money Rubio is.

[GBeeParticipant]

 I read a stat that said that Ricky leads the league in net rating among players on teams below 500. So yes, he is a good, impactful player.  His floor generalship is top notch as is his defense for his position.  Offensively you just have to treat him like Rondo.  At this point, he is what he is from the outside nad can only marginally improve.  He needs shooters around him.  Hopefully Wiggins can eventually find a stroke.  He’s actually been worse than Ricky from the outside recently. 2 non-shooters should never share a same back court.

He’s still young enough to be a part of their future, but I wouldn’t blame them if they went a different direction.  I’d like to see them address a few issues first before they make a drastic change to their core.

1.) Hire a legitimate coach.  Sam Mitchell is a country ass fool.  Easily one of the worst coaches in the league.

2.) Address their outside shooting.  Hire a team shot doctor or something.  Acquire a 3 and D at the wing and give Bjelica extended play at the 4.  Not sure what’s happening there with him, but I’d give him run to get acclimated to the game. I think he can be a good one.

I say address those issues then let it rock with Ricky.  If that doesn’t see better results either then move on.

 

  

 

  

[GBeeParticipant]

 I read a stat that said that Ricky leads the league in net rating among players on teams below 500. So yes, he is a good, impactful player.  His floor generalship is top notch as is his defense for his position.  Offensively you just have to treat him like Rondo.  At this point, he is what he is from the outside nad can only marginally improve.  He needs shooters around him.  Hopefully Wiggins can eventually find a stroke.  He’s actually been worse than Ricky from the outside recently. 2 non-shooters should never share a same back court.

He’s still young enough to be a part of their future, but I wouldn’t blame them if they went a different direction.  I’d like to see them address a few issues first before they make a drastic change to their core.

1.) Hire a legitimate coach.  Sam Mitchell is a country ass fool.  Easily one of the worst coaches in the league.

2.) Address their outside shooting.  Hire a team shot doctor or something.  Acquire a 3 and D at the wing and give Bjelica extended play at the 4.  Not sure what’s happening there with him, but I’d give him run to get acclimated to the game. I think he can be a good one.

I say address those issues then let it rock with Ricky.  If that doesn’t see better results either then move on.

 

  

 

  

[tuck243Participant]

You do realize Rondo is one of the best finishers in the game right?  On the contrary, Ricky is one of the worst for starting PG’s .   In no fashion is he to be considered "Rondo".   Furthermore, like I said above.   Ricky’s defense is very overrated and he has a hard time staying in front of guards in this league.   

It’s not on the coach to help with someone who has ZERO ability to score efficiently.   You can’t shoot or finish?  In fact, you’re one of the worst in the league at it?   This isn’t a situation where he’s in a slump.  It’s just who he is.   Ricky isn’t benefical for any team’s success unless he’s surrounded by 3-4 people that can spread the floor.  Outside of that, when his team faces "Clutch" moments, he will always be determintal to them winning. 

Stop trying to save and give him passes.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tuck243Participant]

You do realize Rondo is one of the best finishers in the game right?  On the contrary, Ricky is one of the worst for starting PG’s .   In no fashion is he to be considered "Rondo".   Furthermore, like I said above.   Ricky’s defense is very overrated and he has a hard time staying in front of guards in this league.   

It’s not on the coach to help with someone who has ZERO ability to score efficiently.   You can’t shoot or finish?  In fact, you’re one of the worst in the league at it?   This isn’t a situation where he’s in a slump.  It’s just who he is.   Ricky isn’t benefical for any team’s success unless he’s surrounded by 3-4 people that can spread the floor.  Outside of that, when his team faces "Clutch" moments, he will always be determintal to them winning. 

Stop trying to save and give him passes.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 He is similar to Rondo in that he’s an all around, distributing, play-making point and defender who cannot be flanked by another wing who can’t shoot from the outside.  Yes, Rondo is the better finisher but Rondo’s ability to drive to score is of very little consequence.  He’s highly selective and way more often then not drives to pass, which explains his paltry foul drawing rate.  He attempts 1 (1.2 exactly) shot a game at the rim with a defender on him and on those shots he’s shooting 39%. Opposing teams don’t fear Rondo’s ability to drive and score.

And no, Ricky is not an overrated defender.  He’s a sound, yet disruptive team defender with ability to play off quicker guards and recover.  There currently isn’t a single guard in the league, shooting or point, with a higher DRPM than Ricky.

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 He is similar to Rondo in that he’s an all around, distributing, play-making point and defender who cannot be flanked by another wing who can’t shoot from the outside.  Yes, Rondo is the better finisher but Rondo’s ability to drive to score is of very little consequence.  He’s highly selective and way more often then not drives to pass, which explains his paltry foul drawing rate.  He attempts 1 (1.2 exactly) shot a game at the rim with a defender on him and on those shots he’s shooting 39%. Opposing teams don’t fear Rondo’s ability to drive and score.

And no, Ricky is not an overrated defender.  He’s a sound, yet disruptive team defender with ability to play off quicker guards and recover.  There currently isn’t a single guard in the league, shooting or point, with a higher DRPM than Ricky.

 

[Hype Machine]

Yeah he’s a good defender.

In fact he’s basically good at everything except scoring. If he could score at an average level, he’d probably be one of the best players in the league. 

But truth be told, he’s probably the worst scoring player I’ve seen in the league in over 2 decades of watching. 

Teams consider it a solid defensive play anytime he takes a shot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

Yeah he’s a good defender.

In fact he’s basically good at everything except scoring. If he could score at an average level, he’d probably be one of the best players in the league. 

But truth be told, he’s probably the worst scoring player I’ve seen in the league in over 2 decades of watching. 

Teams consider it a solid defensive play anytime he takes a shot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[D7H7NParticipant]

 He needs to be in a run and gun offense. 

[D7H7NParticipant]

 He needs to be in a run and gun offense. 

[apb540Participant]

It will always blow my mind when a Point Guard is a poor shooter. What does he practice?? 

[apb540Participant]

It will always blow my mind when a Point Guard is a poor shooter. What does he practice?? 

[markfitz14Participant]

 Rubio seems to get everyone envolved. So at least right now he is helping control the team and get teamates good looks. I doubt he fits into the future very well. But they can’t afford to move him right now or the team would be a disaster. They wont to at least compete in every game this year. They are pushing the Wiggins and KAT to improve now. 

They prbly wait to see who they get in the draft then maybe trade Rubio. But they might want to bring which ever PG they get in the draft off the bench his first year and keep Rubio another year. 

I can’t imagine a team that is ttrying to pull itself together to trade Rubio for a pick definetely not a second round pick. They would just keep him until another guy starts playing better and takes his starting spot. 

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

 Rubio seems to get everyone envolved. So at least right now he is helping control the team and get teamates good looks. I doubt he fits into the future very well. But they can’t afford to move him right now or the team would be a disaster. They wont to at least compete in every game this year. They are pushing the Wiggins and KAT to improve now. 

They prbly wait to see who they get in the draft then maybe trade Rubio. But they might want to bring which ever PG they get in the draft off the bench his first year and keep Rubio another year. 

I can’t imagine a team that is ttrying to pull itself together to trade Rubio for a pick definetely not a second round pick. They would just keep him until another guy starts playing better and takes his starting spot. 

 

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 If Rondo can excel in the right situation, then Rubio (when healthy) can too.  Most people don;t realize that for 90% of players, they need to be in a good situation that matches and takes advnatage of their skill set. Only players like Lebron, KD, Kobe, ect. are going to excel anywhere. Having the right type of players around you, the right system, the right coaching, and many other things will dictate if a player can succeed or not, and maximize his skill set. 

If Rubio has enough shooters, and scorers around him, the right coach and system, I don’t see why not. 

Do the wolves have enough shooters, and is Saunder’s system a good enough fit? Time will tell..

 

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 If Rondo can excel in the right situation, then Rubio (when healthy) can too.  Most people don;t realize that for 90% of players, they need to be in a good situation that matches and takes advnatage of their skill set. Only players like Lebron, KD, Kobe, ect. are going to excel anywhere. Having the right type of players around you, the right system, the right coaching, and many other things will dictate if a player can succeed or not, and maximize his skill set. 

If Rubio has enough shooters, and scorers around him, the right coach and system, I don’t see why not. 

Do the wolves have enough shooters, and is Saunder’s system a good enough fit? Time will tell..

 

 

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