Ricky-gnition
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 12:36 PM PDT
81 comments
Ricky Rubio is starting to get ricky-diculous ricky-gnition thanks to his extended minutes in the Olympics.
Here's a recent profile from Pete Thamel in the New York Times.
"He doesn't play like a European," said Jim Boeheim, the head coach at Syracuse University and an assistant with Team U.S.A. "He plays like an American."
N.B.A. scouts and executives are not permitted to talk publicly about Rubio because he is not yet eligible for the draft. But an informal polling of three N.B.A. front office people yielded a consensus that he would be a top-five pick whenever he decided to come to America. What has impressed N.B.A. scouts is Rubio's defensive ability. He has long arms, quick feet and the strength to defend N.B.A. guards immediately, something that few American college players are ready to do.
"He's got the quickest hands that I've ever seen," one Eastern Conference executive said. "And the fact that he plays on the Spanish national team as a senior in high school shows the confidence that he brings to the table."
Sports Illustrated's Alexander Wolff chimes in:
But it's his defense that had me ready to offer Rubio a contract. You don't usually find defensive precociousness in young guards with show in their games.
He saved Spain's bacon in pool play against China, helping lead his team from 15 points down and somehow prising the ball on a crucial possession from China guard Liu Wei at the end of regulation. It's a sequence I'm still trying to sort out on the QuickTime Player of my brain.
...
The hoops cognoscenti are still trying to settle on the best "plays like" analogies. Pete Maravich is probably too easy -- too reflective of who he looks like. On defense, think Walt Frazier. On offense, Steve Nash. Or -- if he continues to grow from his current 6-foot-4 -- Magic Johnson, only with Stacey Augmon-ite tendencies.
A look from the San Jose Mercury-News' Ann Killion.
Rubio had four turnovers, eight points, three assists, three steals and three rebounds in 18-plus minutes. More than a decade younger than most of his Spanish teammates, Rubio also made plenty of no-look passes, bounce passes and an up-top pass to Pau Gasol for a dunk.
"I was nothing compared to him when I was 17," Gasol said earlier this month. Gasol was drafted when he was 20. "His maturity and confidence level is extremely high for his age."
Rubio looked as comfortable in the highest level of international play as most 17-year-olds look sitting on the couch watching UFC.
The best ESPN profile of Rubio is probably this one from ESPN the Magazine's Chad Nielsen.
The kid never spoke after games nor gave one-on-one interviews; neither his club nor his parents allowed it. The Rubios turned down million-euro endorsement deals to keep their superstar son's life as regular as possible. And scouts kept quiet about the Spanish Pistol Pete Maravich to avoid the NBA's hefty fine for commenting on underage prospects. Rubio lives in a bubble, but it is decidedly about to burst. As soon as the 2008 NBA draft ended, Ricky Rubio officially became one of the hottest prospects for 2009.
The best look at Rubio is probably this one from awhile back by Slam's Lang Whitaker.
Mr. Whitaker also checked in with this update after yesterday's Spain vs. USA game.
5. I've listened with interest the last year as Blazers fans have drooled over Rudy Fernandez. I saw him play in person last year when I saw Ricky Rubio play in Spain, and while he was talented, I didn't see him as the next Michael Jordan or anything, like some Blazers fans have pegged him. He's all arms and legs, really athletic, but he's also kind of wild. He finished today with 8 points, 4 boards and 3 assists, but I'm very curious as to how he'll fit into the halfcourt NBA game. I do know he looks like Brody from "The Hills."
6. Today was probably the first time many of you had a chance to see Ricky Rubio play. As you know, I've been driving the Ricky Rubio express for a while now. A couple of people at work on Friday told me they were excited to see what Ricky could do, and I tried to keep reminding them that he's still just 17 years old. That said, I thought he acquitted himself very well against Team USA. He played 18 minutes, scored 8 points, went to the line 6 times, had 3 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. (He also was credited with 4 turnovers, although at least one of those was an alley-oop that Pau Gasol forgot to jump for.)
Ricky's a stat stuffer, a guy who can do a lot of things well. I thought he did a nice job controlling tempo for Spain and running their offense. He completed a couple of great passes, including a one-handed alley-oop off the dribble to Rudy Fernandez in the halfcourt offense. Ricky still needs to muscle up and improve his jumper, but for a 17 year old playing for the first time against the best team in the world, against guys he has posters of up on his walls, I'm not sure what more you can ask for.
(Oh, and for everyone who said Deron Williams would totally eat him up, Deron Williams fouled out. I'm just saying...)
All of this begs an obvious and kind of cheap question for us Blazers fans: Ricky or Rudy?
Rudy
- A complete, active offensive game.
- Will be able to spell Brandon for stretches immediately and could develop into a Ginobili-style championship role player.
- "Rudy Mania" is already a reality.
- Is 23.
- Coming to Portland in a matter of weeks.
Ricky
- Has good size, solid d, and pretty much fills all criteria for the ideal PG.
- Long-term, he would fill our biggest roster need.
- When all is said and done, he could be the Yao Ming of Europe.
- Is 17.
- Won't be coming to the NBA until next season.
You, Blazers fan, get one of these two. If you take Rudy, he's on your team today. If you take Ricky, you've got to wait a year. Who you got?
I got Ricky.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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I had to go for Ricky
I know you are rad and all Rudy F, but I imagine Ricky’s radness will be off the charts when he is 23. Also, I love watching fantastic on the ball defense.
OT Does anyone else find it weird that some of the Spanish players rock their last name on their jersey while others rock their first name? Weird stuff.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
by jonestr on Aug 17, 2008 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky's D?
That dude from Greece owned him (spidoulas i think)….Took him to the middle every time…. He was way to strong for Ricky. So much so, they had to put Rudy back on him….
He does have quick feet…..All this top 5 business seems crazy though. People are way too worried about the PG position now that CP3 is in the league….
Nothing he has shown me left me awestruck (except that he’s seventeen playing as a pro, marginally well)……. My guess, he’ll be good…not great…..
And let’s all be real, he is Robin to our Batman….. his athleticism is not spectacular..
Against the US pressure he turned the ball over way too often. Not the trait of a great PG…
And in our league, PGs need to be able to score…otherwise people slack off, and its too difficult to make plays.. he does not strike me as having that scorers mentality…..Thats why CP3 is so great…..he could score 30 or 40…..instead he drops 20 with 11 assists…Ricky wont ever be on that level…..but as a top 5 pick being a PG he should be expected to approach that, which he wont.
Can he dunk? not that it matters so much….but even CP3 can dunk, and he looks shorter. There’s a level of athleticism needed to play the PG position, and i’m not sure he has that.
All that said (sorry to hate so much), i do like the kid…..think he has great Bball IQ. I love his passing. And i think, in time, he could easily be serviceable on a championship calibre team….I just dont see the difference making potential that Rudy has displayed…..who knows though..maybe he’lll prove me wrong..
For now, I vote Rudy………..overwhelmingly
by BroyTheTruth on Aug 17, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My comments
are mostly based off of his euroleague play rather than the olympics. I didnt watch the Greece game so I dont know how Spanoulis (that is my guess as he is good and used to play for the rockets.) was taking him. If it was a back down situation then Ricky would have a hard time as he is not an extremely strong player, but what I am saying is that he is able to strip a lot of players when he is playing on the ball which is a extremely more difficult way to get a steal as opposed to playing passing lanes. BTW he also used to get owned by JCN when he use to play him.
Also, the US is playing amazing defense right now and he will probably never see D this suffocating again and the only reason he is seeing right now is lack of execution by the US in the halfcourt. So yesterdays TOs were ok with me.
Also, Ricky had the ball in his hands for that final shot against China before OT. That is an amazing amount of confidence to place in a young guy.
you make good points and are certainly entitle to your opinion but you are definitely in the minority in thinking that Ricky does not go top 5.
I still vote Ricky.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
by jonestr on Aug 17, 2008 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta agree
Rudy is 6 years older than Ricky. How many 17 year olds can at times totally hold their own against the best players in the world. You can honestly say that Ricky has out played Fernandez these Olympics and been a bigger factor in his teams wins.
Now overall at this point Fernandez is better, but this kid is special that you have to admit.
by lethaldose on Aug 17, 2008 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree to disagree
on the idea that ricky has done better in these olympics…… maybe watch the fourth quarter of the china game, or rewatch the greece game….then get back at me
by BroyTheTruth on Aug 17, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Are you kidding?!
Against China Rudy single handedly brought the team back.
Fernandez way outperformed Ricky.
--
by CaptainSexyJacob on Aug 18, 2008 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re-watched those games
and your are correct overall Rudy did do a great job and was more integral to his teams success. It still is fascinating to watch a 17 yo at times and yes “at times” out hustle and out play players that should be schooling him. Rudy is without a doubt a great player and of all the games I have seen he does stand out and is NBA ready where Ricky is not quite yet but give him a couple of years and watch out.
by lethaldose on Aug 18, 2008 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please click the link below
he lead spanish team to win unde 16 eurpean championship making 51 ponts grabbing 24 rebounds, dishing 12 assists and 7 steals. H did 2 quadruple doublesand lead all players in points, rebounds, assists and steals. This was the highest competition in Europe under 16. It was in 2006
by cbp on Aug 19, 2008 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.fibaeurope.com/Default.asp?cid={5179A822-D4B1-4476-AD04-EDBC445D6DC6}&season=2006&compID={89EB60F8-7F8F-4FFB-9427-6103055F3511}&
by cbp on Aug 19, 2008 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Ricky is a top 5 pick
Which I don’t think he is, the Blazers have no chance at him. Our lottery days are over and we got Rudy for a bag of chips. Rudy!
by koyote on Aug 17, 2008 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We are probably never getting Rikcy
but I think this was more hypothetical than realistic.
Also, why dont you think he is a top 5 pick?
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
by jonestr on Aug 17, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ricky will be top 2
in 2009. book it.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who is better?
DeRozan is getting rave reviews, too. Or some big man?
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BjMullens i think....
he already looks as good as Pryz
by BroyTheTruth on Aug 17, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd probably take....
Bj Mullens….
Demar Derozan…
maybe Blake Griffin…
Brandon Jennings…..
and maybe even Stephen Curry over him
not sayin……just sayin
by BroyTheTruth on Aug 17, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Having seen Mullens, DeRozan, and Jennings in person
I would say no, no and no. I like them all but not top 2.
I think Griffin will be the other one at the top of the board when all is said and done.
I like Curry a lot but I don’t see him going that high.
I do not claim to be a draft expert… this is based off of various conversations with writers, scouts, etc.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i guess there is still a question as to whether he will be 2009 or 2010
so that remains open
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm very huge on Stephen Curry.
And let’s also not forget Darren Collison, either, in all that Westbrook frenzy.
The 2009 draft is gonna be VERY point-guard-heavy at the top.
Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.
by QualityPie on Aug 18, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he better develop something resembling a jumper...
Or Rose-like athleticism if he wants to be top 2 next draft. I like Rubio, but lets not get carried away…
ROY > MJ
by myemic23 on Aug 18, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky...
Rubio. That kid is way beyond his years. He has absolutely no business escaping humiliation by USA’s point guards, and yet he played with such poise and intelligence, and he surprised some of his opponents. He’s going to be really special someday.
by Entity on Aug 17, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I've yet to meet any Blazer fan
who thinks Rudy is the next Michael Jordan. Did this guy find some crazy drugged-up homers to talk to or something?
Heck, I’d argue <50% of fans are convinced he’ll make an all star team! They just think he’s a great piece to a championship puzzle.
by Timmay! on Aug 17, 2008 1:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Haven't you seen
Rudy > MJ all over the place on these fanposts, for the past 6+ months
(Sure, these were probably meant in jest. But it can be difficult to verify intent when the message is in print)
Ricky would certainly fill a need on the current Blazer’s roster, more so than Rudy (who’s develpment/PT will be “blocked” as soon as Roy is healthy…) But in year who knows? Perhaps Bayless’ emergence at PG will make Rubio an afterthought
by two4larue on Aug 17, 2008 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's because of a posting that
Dave and I teamed up for. In it Dave wrote a fake post with sources in Europe that I had “provided” (read made up) for him. That was actually during that horrid week when Oden went down and I was too upset to contribute much. Dave wrote a masterpiece that echoes down to today. And that is where most of the “Rudy > MJ posts” come from. it was a welcome reminder not to take things too seriously. A reminder we all desperately needed that week.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
by Idog1976 on Aug 18, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the etymology
of Rudy > MJ
by two4larue on Aug 18, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way man....
Rudy > MJ was all me babee, I wrote that in my signature long before that post. In fact, as I recall, I felt you and Dave were mocking it when ya’ll wrote that post. I got all pissy because I had been repping Rudy and nobody ever cared or listened. So when I first saw the post, I was all so excited that Dave was finally giving a “Rudy update”, and then turned angry when I figured out it was all a bunch of flubber. In hindsight, it was pretty funny and I was just being stupid, but the Rudy > MJ royalties need to go to this guy right here….
ROY > MJ
by myemic23 on Aug 18, 2008 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I remember that
It was because you were talking all about Rudy, even before the draft, I believe, and when people started to finally listen, it was fatty who started to mock the anticipation of Rudy, constantly bemoaning how “everyone thinks Rudy is better than Michael Jordan.” You, of course, never had said that, but he would constantly characterize you and all the Rudy supporters. So finally you said, “fine, you’re right” and put Rudy > MJ in your sig. It was awesome.
by TimG on Aug 19, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Doh didn't see this.
Yes +1 to what TimG said.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
by Idog1976 on Aug 20, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe that it was probably
fatty who first said it in disgust. As in “some,people.are.like.all.rudy;isbetter,thenMJ” Then you took the sig to mock fatty wasn’t it? All along it bounced around. I guess I should say it culminated in that post by Dave.
He's Coming! Oden Slayer of Giants
by Idog1976 on Aug 20, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ricky vs rudy
I’m sorry but this question is silly. Of course you’d rather have Ricky but so what? It is meaningless. It is like saying would you rather of had Roy over James Jones. Well duh of course you take the lottery pick over the role player. But doesn’t chnage the fact that the role player was a usefull pick up at the time.
Rudy was basically free, a little of Allen’s money. Ricky will be a top 5 pick. The more meaningfull question is do you trade up for Ricky next year? How much do you give up, Outlaw, because lets be real you aren’t getting a top 5 pick without including him? Or put another way, at some point Outlaw probably if worth more in trade than he is playing for us. Everyone brings up Jermaine O’Neal, I think the mistake wasn’t trading O’Neal, it was trading him for so little. At some point we probably trade Outlaw for either a PG or SF upgrade, the question is for who. Is Ricky worth using that chip?
by Eric K on Aug 17, 2008 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
the subtext here is examining the hype
in portland, we’ve been talking about rudy as the next great thing for more than a year around here.
rudy has held a special place in blazers fans’ collective heart. has he been overrated in our minds? perhaps. i would argue we see his value as higher than any other fanbase in the nba currently.
perhaps these olympics are changing that? that’s what this question is all about.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As stated in the USA - Spain posts, one player that definitely hasn't improved his standings in the Olympics is Calderon
Remember all the “we have to get Calderon, how much do we offer for him”? He was almost selected for the Eastern All-Stars last season, and in the Olympics he has had worse production than Rudy or Ricky. Against he US, he had ugly shooting stats and zero assists plus zero steals.
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 17, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
totally. is he 100% healthy?
that has been my question… if he is, he hasn’t been playing like it.
i confess i haven’t watched him that closely.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No problems reported.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on Aug 17, 2008 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont think you would get a shot at Ricky
for anything less than one of the big 3. Remember how much we were being offered for the Oden pick. From my readings it seems that he is perceived as that level of team changing talent.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
by jonestr on Aug 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i put ricky's value as a top 2 pick
anyone outside of the big 3 is not getting us into that spot.
not even close.
so totally agreed.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky does nothing for me
The only interesting thing about him is that he’s seventeen. He’s precocious. He plays like someone much older. That’s not enough to get me excited. (When Rose was 17 he was not good enough to do what Ricky is doing, but he had electric speed and unbelievable body control… I know you were comparing Rudy to Ricky, but they play different positions).
Ricky had 8 points against USA, but most of the foul shots came on non-shooting fouls, a couple of them pretty bizarre.
If he goes top three in the NBA draft he will go down in history as a bust.
by PoliSam on Aug 17, 2008 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Whatever dude
This is such a bandwagon forum sometimes. Most players look good playing on Olympic teams, ya think? I’d take Devin Harris or even freakin’ Jannero Pargo way before I’d take Rubio at this point. People get all jacked up because he’s a big PG. Of course he did win the Euroleague MVP. Oh wait, that was RUDY. I’m sorry, my bad.
Rudy over any Euro player right now hands down. Hands down. If that’s not blatantly obvious to a basketball then that individual has larger issues than just second hand bias and misguided favoritism.
by ELLEVEN on Aug 17, 2008 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Rudy did not win Euroleague MVP honors
That was a 30 year old player from Lithuania (Siskauskas). He wasn’t even on the All-Euroleague team. Why? Well, mainly because he didn’t even play in the Euroleague, cause his club is good but pretty small and never qualified. He also never won the Spanish league, or the MVP title. True, he won titles and MVP awards, but in minor cups. We assume he is the best player in Europe right now at his age, but who knows? It’s just as hard as qualifying who the best NBA player is right now.
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 17, 2008 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scratch "didn't even play in the Euroleague", but he never won any titles or honors there
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 18, 2008 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky in 13 2009 Mock Drafts:
4 Mock Drafts expect him to be a first pick.
3 Mock Drafts expect him to be a second pick.
1 Mock Draft expects him to be a fourth pick.
nba-draft.com expects him to be a sixth pick, with possibilities at 3 and 5.
BASKET DRAFT.COM ignores Ricky (thinks he won´t be in).
The Draft Review expects him to be a fifth pick.
Draft Empire expects him to be a seventh pick.
CollegeHoops.net expects him to be a sixth pick.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on Aug 17, 2008 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
who do you pick?
and what’s the deal with calderon?
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky, Rudy and Coach are pretty tight
I think Jose was late to the party.
"He doesn't let grass grow under his feet when there are points to be had." - Dave
by BlueBooYay on Aug 17, 2008 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Rudy is still improving because he has improved his 2007/008 season ACB statistics by 30% (in similar playing time for last season).
Both are ferocious winners and will work as much as needed to win, that´s what I like. The question is “when they will stop their improvement”. I think Rudy will reach his ceiling two/three years from now while I think Ricky´ll reach his ceiling younger, perhaps 22 or 23 years old, because a good part of his success being so young is an amazing maturity almost impossible to improve. On the other hand, Rudy has physical tools that still can be used better while Ricky is exploding his body not too much far of its limits. Both will be very good NBA players but if Ricky will have the learning curve of Rudy there would be not question, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky. I dream with both in our team. But now I prefer Rudy.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on Aug 18, 2008 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I'm a Rudy man as well
I find him to be a more dynamic talent, but I fully admit I have seen more of Rudy than I have of Ricky and Ricky IS only 17.
Usually you got the ultra-athletic PG and you hope he gains the maturity Rubio has. Rubio clearly has the maturity and smarts, but he isn’t ever going to be able to do what Rudy can athletically, let alone a Chris Paul.
He doesn’t have a body he is still learning how to use, like you say. I hope he changes his shot as well.
I dunno, so hard to tell when they are that young. Rubio will be pretty good, but I’ll take Rudy.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Aug 18, 2008 3:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
amlmart...
hype does a lot of weird things
by BroyTheTruth on Aug 17, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thing is, they play very well together
"He doesn't let grass grow under his feet when there are points to be had." - Dave
by BlueBooYay on Aug 17, 2008 4:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What has playing well together got to do with?
by southern oregon on Aug 17, 2008 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think some fans
Are hoping they play well together for us, the Trail Blazers of NBA basketeering.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Aug 18, 2008 3:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course they do,
they both play for DKV Joventut
--
by CaptainSexyJacob on Aug 18, 2008 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky in the Draft
How can Ricky be in the draft next year,when he will only be 18 years old. I thought to inter the draft you had to be one year removed from high school and also be 19 years old. I don’t understand are they going to wave the rule for Ricky. Please somebody that really knows the rules enlighten me.
by billyjoejack on Aug 17, 2008 6:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
from wikipedia
“high school players gain eligibility for draft selection one year after their graduating class has finished high school, but only if they also are at least 19 years of age as of the end of the calendar year of the draft”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Draft
i read that as ricky must be 19 by december 31, 2009 to enter the 2009 draft. ricky is 17 turning 18 this october 2008, and turning 19 october 2009. so he is good there.
his high school class would have needed to graduate this year, 2008. i assume this is the case as most draft sites(as amlmart1 pointed out) have him in this draft.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
in this story
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3469578
he’s just another 17-year-old high school senior on his way to take final exams.
he qualifies on both counts.
BRANDON ROY GET WELL SOON (SERIOUSLY DOG)
by Ben. on Aug 17, 2008 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
long term
i only say ricky because he fits our longterm needs better. having rudy is quite thrilling for me though.
by Blazerland on Aug 17, 2008 6:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky
seems way too cocky. I’ll stick with Rudy.
by jamon51 on Aug 17, 2008 7:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NO WAY!
Dumb poll.
It’s like asking all of the fans of playoff-bound teams in 2007 if they wanted Oden.
The Blazers will NOT be picking in the lottery next year.
Ricky will be taken in the Lottery.
by spencerbutte on Aug 17, 2008 8:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I have seen the Redeem Team put some suffocating defense on opposing point guards – most of them quickly fold like a cheap suit. They threw the gauntlet down on Ricky, and he handled it as well as anyone I have seen, and better than Calderon. Add in the fact that the kid is seventeen-freaking-years-old, and has probably never seen anything like that level of dominating play as he did when playing the US.
I love Rudy and I think he will be a great addition to our team, but if you asked 30 GM’s who they would rather have, every one of them would pick Ricky. And so would I.
PS – now we know why Sergio was snubbed.
MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)
by The Cactus Leaguer on Aug 17, 2008 9:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
But Sergio couldn't beat out
Raul Lopez…not that they ever had head-to-head “tryouts” for the Olympic team earlier this summer.
I suspect much of the new coach’s decision-making in roster selection was based on a player’s reputation and Espana politics.
But animart is certainly free to correct this theory
by two4larue on Aug 17, 2008 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Spanish coach is a defensive minded coach. If you add that Sergio lost confindece in his shot...
Sergio has improved his defense, not that bad compared with ACB standards (Nate´s work should bright at least a little), and perhaps the Spanish national coach missed that point.
The Midnight Rambler
by amlmart1 on Aug 18, 2008 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky has the same
One man double team ability as the Glove,Nate knows what I mean,If KP wants him bad enough he has enough chips to get him.In KP we trust
by southern oregon on Aug 17, 2008 9:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying...
I wouldn’t rather have Ricky, but I’m pretty happy with our sure thing in Rudy. For all the love that Ricky gets, I sure can’t tell exactly why. When I’ve watched him play, he’s been hit or miss on D, with wild steals, and equally as wild whiffs (Sergio tons of steals and points given up). He’s averaging 16 minutes per game. He’s shot 6/19 from the floor for a grand total of 32. Thats not his 3 point percentage, thats his FG! He also has a 11/9 Ast/TO ratio. Since when was that good? Or even decent (especially for a PG). He’s playing with the second best collection of players in the tournament, yet he turns it over at about a 1 to 1 ratio with assists? Not good enough. The only reason anyone says anything good about it, is that he’s young. If I went over there and posted crappy numbers at a young age, would I get hyped up? He had tons of hype coming into this Olympics, and I have to say I’ve been entirely underwhelmed with his performances.
by as11osu on Aug 17, 2008 9:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Rudy is not a sure thing
no way is Rudy a sure thing. there is an endless stream of highly touted euros coming over here and disappearing like belly nelly with the vaunted perfect shooting touch and look to see what happened to him in the NBA. a player looks much different against mostly euro bodies than against american doodz from the hood. ya never know whether the success in euroland is gonna translate into success in the NBA. We’ll see Rudy might be another Ginobili but I am not sure if he is that quick. definitely not as quick as Kevin Martin another guy I seen him compared to. takes a special euro player to succeed in the NBA no question blazer fans would be wise not to get their expectations up around Rudy just yet.
by Love on Aug 17, 2008 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd settle for
Rudy having a career like Petrovic. But like Drazen, it’s likely Fernandez will have to eventually move to another NBA team to find starter’s minutes
by two4larue on Aug 17, 2008 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bellynelly
Sucked in Europe too, and no Euro has done what Rudy has done n’ failed.
Bellinelli’s reputation was always a mystery to me, because I remember watching him when I was living over in Euroland and I thought he SUCKED. He’s an Italian Juan Dixon.
I said something to that effect before that draft as well. He was never a good shooter, consistently.
He’s a 8/11 or 3/12 kinda guy. Doesn’t do anything else either.
Him going before Rudy was idiotic.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Aug 18, 2008 3:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Considering that’s the best assist to turnover ratio on his team, much better than even Jose Calderon’s (the king of assist to turnover ratio, who’s listed at 2:7), I’m thinking there’s something wrong with the scorekeeping in these olympics. Besides, I don’t know how anyone can be underwhelmed by a 17 year old who isn’t getting embarassed by Chris Paul. Yeah, he’s not better than a lot of his opponents, but it’s not like he’s lost out there.
by Entity on Aug 18, 2008 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hand vs. Bush
Rudy (with the mouse button held down for quite a while): because I like his capabilities NOW. I like his possible addition to the team NOW.
I like Ricky, he’s leading a team of older dudes and he has them running the coach’s game. I think that’s very valuable. He’s an asset on both ends of the floor.
But I think Rudy is, too. We need to worry a little less about the point.
We’ve all seen mediocre point guards win championships when they’re surrounded by quality (I mean, would you really REALLY rank BJ Armstrong, Jason Williams, or Rajon Rondo (to name a few) as great point guards? They’re good, but so are lots of players. I think it’s time to look at making noise NOW. And Rudy’s a Blazer NOW.
Now if you’d asked me last year at this time…
by FlyingOutlaw on Aug 18, 2008 1:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If we don't get Ricky - we could draft his brother Marc
Unfortunately unlike with the Gasol brothers, Marc Rubio plays in the ACB but is three years older and not as talented. Maybe his younger sister develops into a top guard though ;-)
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 18, 2008 4:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
a few question and a comment about the premise of this question
do the blazers have the rights to rick, and are those rights contingent upon NOT bringing in rudy? some kind of over-the top weird euro-contract?
as far as i know everyone is talking about ricky being in the draft next year… and to me that probably means he will be at least a lottery pick. so do the blazers have some most-likely-a-lottery team’s pick next year that is un-protected or something? And then why would that be contingent upon not bringing in rudy?
its also possible that this is just some kind of fan-boy fantasy question.
Also, knowing how his family has “protected” ricky and given that he is only 17 and can easily be on a spanish professional squad if he isn’t already on one, what makes us all just “assume” he is gonna want to declare for the nba draft. Suppose his spanish national team buddies let him know the nba isn’t what its all cracked up to be and he should just make more money in europe and come over when he is old enough to enter in as a free agent. I think that happens like when you are over 23 or something? im not sure. in that case wouldn’t he be more likely to come to a team like the blazers, toronto, or the lakers with Spanish players on it?
by mandoman10 on Aug 18, 2008 6:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I like Rudy.
But we have Roy. Ricky would fill our greatest need. Wish it could happen.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Aug 18, 2008 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Rubio
He looked polished for a young kid and IMO would be a better player than Rudy, in the long run…It is a conjectured escape from reality for sure…We already have Rudy and we got him cheap…..If it was a choice between the 2 (even up) then I would place my bet on Rubio…(mainly on potential to run the offense & “D”. But draft choices are always a gamble and you have to have strong evaluation skills to get the possible blue chip players…potential does not always equate into the player you are hoping for….Good luck with Rudy, Portland.
by 67 on Aug 18, 2008 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t have a clue what type of player Ricky Rubio will become. It’s so early he could become any type of player from here. He’s so young.
There’s little indication of what he can become as a scorer, shooter, playmaker or floor general. As a point guard he’s shown no more than J-Will like ability; with less flair, more turnovers and no jump shot.
Defensively is the same thing, some great help defense but his man-to-man D has been soft more often than not. He’s always gambling and he gives up more than he gets. Against guys top point guards he’d get cooked playing that type of defense.
All that can be improved and plenty of it likely will be …. but the end result could end up looking like anything. No idea what comparison works for him or what level he can attain as an individual player. He’s certainly talented for his age – his intelligence, quick responses, and instincts stand out by a country mile – but I don’t have a clue what the end result player will perform like.
by Dave W on Aug 18, 2008 1:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Over 1000 votes, is that a new record for BE?
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 18, 2008 2:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's too close to call.
I demand a recount!
by Entity on Aug 18, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe we should just flip a coin???
ROY > MJ
by myemic23 on Aug 18, 2008 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am scared for Rudy!!!
Spain is so bad that Pau Gasol looks good playing for them! I am just going to assume for Rudy’s sake that Gasol just got a whole lot better than he was last year.
by Escrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Personally
I’ll take Rudicky. He has the height and scoring ability of Rudy plus the stop-on-a-dimeness and point guard sensibilities of Ricky. This is a serious upgrade over last year’s model, Sergiak.
—Dave
by Dave on Aug 19, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
John Hollinger had this to say in today's ESPN chat
John Hollinger: (3:54 PM ET ) Ricky or Rudy? I’m a big Rudy fan and think he’ll make an impact right away, but Rubio’s upside is about a hundred times higher. If we’re talking 2008, then of course Rudy is the better player.
For a guy who analyzes and manipulates stats for a living, that quote is surprisingly fluffy, not to say stupid.
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 19, 2008 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I usually enjoy to read Hollinger's analysis for being based on facts, which the statements he made in the chat today seem not to be
Ricky won’t play in the NBA in 2008, so his stats and achievements are not comparable to whatever Rudy will do for Portland, automatically making Rudy the better NBA player in his first year.
And I would be amazed if Ricky would become twice as good as he currently is (mainly by learning how to score consistently when not getting open shots, which is currently missing from his game), or twice as good as Rudy for that matter. Rubio’s reputation is mainly based on observations that he plays well above his age, not that he is doing something completely extraordinary or possesses very unusual athletic skills. This could mean there are great things still ahead of him, or that he will level out rather quickly when he is like five years older.
“A hundred times more upside” seems like a stupid statement to me from a writer and analyst who claims to be able to judge and predict performance with PER and other measurements he created much more accurately than the average NBA fan can from looking at scoring statistics (the reason why he gets paid for what he does). Well, last year he picked Yao as the player who would be most efficient in 2007-08 and the Bulls to win the East, so much for that.
Odenied: Asked whether he noticed Oden favoring his right knee, Frye dismissed it entirely. "He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors."
by Norsktroll on Aug 19, 2008 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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