Ricky Rubio will declare for the draft

"La idea es tantear las distintas opciones y conocer el interés de las franquicias. Hay que estar muy seguro para dar un paso tan importante y si algo no nos convence, no pasa nada por retirarse"

"The idea is to try different options and check the franchises interest. You have to be sure to take such an important step and if something's not okay there's the chance to step back"

The article also talks about the fact that Ricky can afford his buyout with about 60% of his first 2 years salary if he is a top 2-3 pick.

Also, some cool videos:
http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikebasketball/es_ES/training/moves.html?player=ricky_rubio

Here the explanation to his wrap around move in english:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfjChqS80dQ

almost 3 years ago DaniBCN 57 comments 3 recs |

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Comments

I'd like to have him

but he’ll be a top 3 pick.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 20, 2009 6:42 PM PDT reply actions

Big news. And a little unexpected considering there seems to have been no development on the buyout front

Maybe he wants to see if he would be a surefire 1-3 pick and a team guarantees to take him.

by Norsktroll on Mar 20, 2009 6:42 PM PDT reply actions

get him KP

KP has a new mission….

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 20, 2009 6:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

do it

come on do it

by Bskey on Mar 20, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions

Ha!

Step one has begun.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 20, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions

step 2

is the yacht, helicopter, etc. like with Rudy

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 20, 2009 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

No doubt is KP wanted him he could get him, but for a price. to get him we can probably kiss some combo ( 2 at least ) of Bayless, Batum, and Rudy goodbye as well as future 1st rounders and cash.

The question is, will Rubio learn the game quick enough to be worth what we’re going to have to give up to get him in time to be quality in time for the start our championship window. That’s probably 2 years. It would be a big risk IMHO, but possibly a bigger pick-up than Oden. I would be pretty stoked if we got him, but I suspect he is not going to be amazing right away.

by dario argento on Mar 20, 2009 7:10 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think it would take quite that much.

The Wizards, Thunder, Raptors, Warriors, and Clippers already have a franchise point guards.

The Wizards might not even be able to keep their top 5 pick because of the luxury tax. Combine the undeniably weak draft with the bad economy and shrinking luxury tax and suddenly a top draft pick doesn’t look so great. If the Blazers are willing to take back a bad contract they could probably work something out for Bayless with future picks, etc.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 20, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

If we could turn Bayless

into Rubio… god that would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. Can we toss in Sergio too?

My stubbling is perfect...

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 20, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I would freak out

but I doubt it happens. Top 5 picks are so valuable. Maybe if we ate Thomas’ contract.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 20, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

He's not gonna be a Blazer, people need to get real.

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 22, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Where's the fun in that?

Reality sucks.

…

Okay so that’s not completely true. Brandon Roy is a Blazer. That is real and that is awesome.

Patience is underrated. Fan opinons are overrated. So, yes, that means that I too am overrated.

by T Darkstar on Mar 22, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions

If KP gets the Wizards pick anything can happen

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

by DaniBCN on Mar 22, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

niether was Oden

My stubbling is perfect...

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 22, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Bingo

My two favorite teams are (1) the Blazers and (2) whoever is playing the Wizards. Rubio will be that good.

I believe in Greg Oden. To all the haters - get down with the program or stay off the wagon for all time. #52

by blazeraddict on Mar 20, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

just root for the Wiz,

they’re their own worst enemy

by 50backflips on Mar 23, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

exactly

This all made me start wondering about the price. SPAM….. ;-)

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 20, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Rubio

If his defensive game is as polished as it is hyped to be & the way most sites describe his shooting(average), his driving(good) & passing(great) he sounds like another very young super talented Euro PG. Tony Parker.

Of course over the years, Parker corrected his shot. Don’t see why Ricky can’t do the same. If we can’t land him, I really hope Memphis does to pair him with Marc Gasol. Maybe that will loosen their hold on Conley too.

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I should note

when I said average it was the “mechanics” of his shot, not his %

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Looking at his stats...

He’s shooting 46% from 3 this season.

Defensive lockdown, nash-like passing skills and court vision, and some people doubt he’s going to be a top-3 pick…

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

by DaniBCN on Mar 20, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions

another cog

in the Spanish connection. I’m serious about this, get this guy if the price is right. I’ve watched BBall for many, many years – I have kids older than Rubio, that kid can ball. Would he start? Heck no, but coming off the bench he would rock. We all know that.

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Mar 20, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

How come your Spanish Connection Machine has two point guard cogs???

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 22, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Sergio

Would be gone I think.

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Would we be willing...

To part with Jarryd, Sergio and Channing + future picks to get Rubio?

Not advocating this, but just posing the question.

by DonkeyShins on Mar 23, 2009 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

As long as KP doesn't touch our current starting line up, or Oden, or Rudy, then I say...YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pull the trigger KP!!!!!! Find a way!!!!! Make it happen!!!!!!!

If KP succeeds I will be reduced to a two word vocabulary:

WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Mar 20, 2009 11:28 PM PDT reply actions

I should clarify what I meant by our current starting line up since it has been temporaily tweeked.

Przybilla, LMA, Batum, BRoy, and Blake.

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Mar 20, 2009 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions

of the point guards, blake's the only one who's contract is up after this season

"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.

"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."

-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.

by Tofu Anonymous on Mar 21, 2009 1:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Maybe so but he is the only proven PG we have....re-sign.

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Mar 21, 2009 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions

We would be doomed without him.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 21, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Or do you

Start the youth movement, move on with Rubio + Bayless or Sergio?

I think we would immediately have better PG defense.

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Blake leaves.

He is instrumental in the way run our offense by spreading the floor. Eventually I think he will come off the bench, but I think that’s still a couple years away.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 22, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope so.

Regardless of what some ppl say, Blake is great for our team. Starter or off the bench I hope he retires here.

My stubbling is perfect...

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 22, 2009 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I love Blake

But I really think if Kevin Pritchard plans to win a championship we will need someone who can defend at a high level. The reason I wanted Chalmers over Bayless last season.

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Not sure Chalmers is a better defender than Bayless.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 22, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I love listening to this guy talk, he's so mature. His head is ready for the NBA.

by Se Hace La Vista Gorda on Mar 21, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions

a Rubio interview

from nbdraft.net

http://www.nbadraft.net/rubiointerview.htm

Oderint dum metuant

by WhiteRabbit on Mar 21, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

KP will try to attain RR.

Speculation #1
It’s clear that the front office is pushing to enlarge the Blazers as a brand. Did anyone hear the Miller interview on the radio? Heck, there are talks of having the Rose Quarter/Garden grow into a full scale tourist attraction with accommodations. It’s not a coincidence that the Blazers show pictures of fans all over the world. How many fans haven’t heard of our ‘spanish connection’? Fans are responding to it in a good way. Ricky will have buzz. He would slide real nice into our existing marketing system. Blazers want buzz. That means Mr. Miller & Mr. Allen probably like Rubio. He will strengthen our brand.

Speculation #2
I believe these players safe from trade @draft:
Pryzbilla, Oden, LMA, Travis, Webster, Roy, Blake, Rudy

Leftovers:
Bayless
Frye (class act, but not essential)
S Randolph
S Rodriguez (a true point)
Ruffin (contract coupon)
Batum (my wish would be to keep him until Webster has 40+ games on him, then let Nic and Martel show us who wants it more)

Obviously, which players are safe or should/shouldn’t stay is debatable. Point being KP holds enough cards (and skill) to get Rubio without destroying our core.

Speculation #3
Dump one potential elite guard for another? I not convinced Bayless is anything but an explosive, talented, short 2. Time will tell if he’s a balanced combo guard. Rubio IS a true point, like Sergio, but I think Sergio has revealed he’ll never be an elite All-Star. Rubio would bring pro experience with Rudy there to help shorten his rookie learning curve.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see some perplexing moves that don’t make sense for a few hours on draft day. But when the dust settles I believe we have very realistic chance to see RR in a Blazer uniform.

“Rubio to Oden for the dunk… again.”

by by on Mar 22, 2009 4:16 AM PDT reply actions

Rubio would make the Blazers a ton of money.

I’m pretty sure Outlaw would get traded before Batum, especially considering the Blazers turned down a Gerald Wallace deal that would have included the Frenchman.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 22, 2009 7:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed.

KP and co. are extremely bullish on Nic. The kid has an extremely high ceiling (figuratively as well as literally – he’s 6’8" after all) and he’s only 19. Although I’d like to keep all three current SGs (ignoring the Ruffinator for now) if possible since Outlaw can play the 4 and Marty can play the 2.

by DonkeyShins on Mar 23, 2009 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I think

You can put Webster in that leftover category.

Batum is safe as NVE said

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he´s not a good fit here

He needs the ball to be effective (like Roy) and people here will kill him (like Sergio) for his shooting: he needs a lot of work in his shot (and a lot of patience). However the kid is a genius.

by Datmater on Mar 22, 2009 2:15 PM PDT reply actions

A faster pace would suit him better, sure

But he could also work well in a half court offense. And he can influence the game without shooting a lot.

by Norsktroll on Mar 22, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

He can play fine in half court offense... but not alongside Roy

I can´t imagine Rubio, Roy and McMillan in the same team… no way.

by Datmater on Mar 22, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't imagine Parker, Popovich, and Duncan on the same team.

No way.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Mar 22, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

nice

My stubbling is perfect...

by In Walks Rudy on Mar 22, 2009 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe...

But I think Rubio can hardly fit into McMillan system, i.e: isos for Roy last 4-5 mins of every game and waiting for outside shots is not Rubio´s style.

by Datmater on Mar 23, 2009 3:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't know.

Roy looked terrific playing next to CP3.

Something people don’t talk about is the fact that all our point guards (including Roy) have a difficult time throwing effective entry passes. Maybe it’s just because they are so used to Joel turning it over in the post, but it seems like they ignore Oden when he’s got great position and usually telegraph the pass like 5 seconds before they throw it.

If Rubio is better at running an offense than Roy, (which he might already be), then the whole argument about Roy having the ball in his hands is meaningless. Rubio can initiate the offense until he finds an open man or until the shot clock starts to wind down. At that point he can dump it to Roy who can be set up for an ISO. I think the team still needs a real point guard running the show.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 23, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions

The only thing that matters...

is whether he’s a better prospect than Bayless, who really needs the ball in his hands to be effective on offense. Rubio is unselfish and plays tough defense so I could totally see McMillan loving him.

He’s averaging 11.5 assists per-40 pace adjusted, which is totally ridiculous for Europe and leads the league by a huge margin. The fact that Roy is effective with the ball in his hands shouldn’t be overshadowed by the fact that he would also be effective if the offense was being run by a good point guard. I’m pretty sure Roy would look fantastic next to Chris Paul who is also effective with the ball in his hand. Sergio would work fine if he was better at knocking down shots or playing defense and Roy does fine whenever Blake initiates the offense.

I think the goal is to get the best prospects possible, and Rubio is the best and most attainable PG prospect since Chris Paul. (Who KP wanted to draft apparently.) Derrick Rose was also fantastic, but was pretty much out of the question do to being the #1 pick.

If the Blazers can do it without losing someone from the core I think they do it no question. It all comes down to the availability of top draft picks in a weak draft/ economy.

by Nick Van Excellent on Mar 22, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

What about

Bringing back the White Unit / Black Unit dichotomy?

Black Unit:
Blake
Roy
Webster
Aldridge
Oden

White Unit:
Rubio
Fernandez
Batum
Outlaw
Przybilla

Give them two different flavors of well-rounded units to play against. Half-court with some running in the Black Unit, run & gun with occasional half-court in the White Unit. Reorder pieces as needed for best fit (perhaps swapping Greg & Joel?). Heck, they could occasionally start the White Unit to really mess with the opposing team – perhaps on the second game of back-to-backs…

Of course there’s always room for Nate to play the Varied Shades of Grey Unit™ as well in the last 5 minutes of the 4th quarter – it’ll just be a bit of an experiment to see how people mesh.

by DonkeyShins on Mar 23, 2009 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions

As stated elsewhere, I fear the Kings would grab Rubio if they had the chance

Apart from that the Wizard’s pick looks like the most available. We will have to wait for the draft order to get a better idea of what might go on.

by Norsktroll on Mar 22, 2009 3:17 PM PDT reply actions

I am hoping

If we can’t, that Memphis gets him.

Positive Vibes For Oden

by Air Norv on Mar 22, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Memphis would draft a PF/C if given the chance (Griffin, Hill, ...)

by Norsktroll on Mar 22, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions

JONNY FYLNN OR GRIEVOUS VASQUEZ

The Blazers will play beautiful basketball.

Brandon will shoot the lights out. Blake will run and LMA will finish strong at the hoop. Bayless will play because we’ll be so far ahead in the 4th quarter, giving all the Jerryd fans something to smile about.

But wait, that’s not all. Rudy will go 5 of 5 from distance. Batum will posterize someone. And Channing will NOT lead the team in points.

qoute from ofred

by Kingzilla on Mar 22, 2009 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

Rubio is skinny, not very quick and not very athletic.

I think his liabilities will be seriously exposed if he plays in a bad team, to the point that we´ll probably read many “Underwhelming” comments. On the other hand, he could be very usefull from day one for a team like the Blazers, where he can learn the NBA game while he´s somehow protected, exactly what he has in the Spanish National Team.
Regarding his shot, this season he´s making 45% of his three-point attempts, although he has only shot 31. He has been injured for a long time this season.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Mar 23, 2009 2:38 AM PDT reply actions