If we draft Rubio what then?

[RiffRaff]

i tried to find an outstanding video of Rubio, all I see is behind the back passes and a few dunks...Hes kind of mixed as a Rudy Fernandez/Nash.. Im just so concerned about elite NBA players tearing him apart.

 

[TheRaven]

i tried to find an outstanding video of Rubio, all I see is behind the back passes and a few dunks...Hes kind of mixed as a Rudy Fernandez/Nash.. Im just so concerned about elite NBA players tearing him apart.

You do realize that your talking about a highlight video? There is a reason highlight videos are of limited use when your evaluating a player. Rubio is a pure PG whose focus is on running his teams offense and setting up his teammates, the sort of things that aren't generally flashy. Since we get few full games of his here in the states, we don't get the opportunity to really get a feel for him the way we do for some of the college players.

The reason that people here are tantalized by Rubio would be quotes like these ones from draftexpress:

Rubio is one of the best pick and roll players you'll find in basketball today, NBA or not. According to Synergy Sports Technology's quantified report, an astounding 62% of his offensive possessions come in this fashion. His ability to deliver crisp, perfectly timed passes directly into the hands of a cutting teammate for an easy basket is uncanny, as he makes the game so incredibly simple, doing everything but put the ball into the net for them. It's exactly this type of court vision and feel for the game that has produced comparisons to Steve Nash, even if their perimeter shooting and defensive skills couldn't be any more different. He has a similar ability to change speeds with the ball and simultaneously see every inch of the court, not hesitating for an instant to deliver a bullet pass underneath the rim for an easy layup.

The moment Rubio came into the game, he immediately began directing traffic and instructing them where to go. In practice, he quietly demonstrates to players close to twice his age where they should be on the floor in a certain set or drill. During shoot-around, he jokes around in English with the foreigners, and in Spanish with the local players. As they are going through a certain drill—the team runs until Coach Alonso claps, at which point the players must begin to sprint—Rubio shows his playful side by clapping himself mid-stride, which the players must have seen before, as no one fell for it. He has a special quality about him, there is no doubt about it, and it’s pretty obvious that he’s extremely well-liked by his teammates. The fact that he’s even playing right now is a testament to how much he wants to help his team win.

There are still plenty of questions about how well his game will transfer to the NBA, and whether or not he can improve his shooting stroke enough so that defending guards can't constantly crowd him. However, he has two things we need badly right now: Natural leadership skills, and the ability to set up his teammates efficiently.

 

[Smills91]

Absolutely. That's why Napear is a terrible aberration in Sacramento or most anywhere in more laid-back California. How he's survived here for over two decades is insidious - plus I doubt he'd go over anywhere else - especially in a big, competitive market. If I had a couple wishes for Kings broadcasting next season it would be that he and Angela Tsai disappear together from town.

Having had league pass for 4 years now, Grant's(and this is hard for me to say) one of the top 5-7 play by play guy in the NBA. So as bad as Grant is, there is far worse out there. Which does seem unfathomable.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Having had league pass for 4 years now, Grant's(and this is hard for me to say) one of the top 5-7 play by play guy in the NBA. So as bad as Grant is, there is far worse out there. Which does seem unfathomable.

My criticism is not only Kings TV broadcasts but his SportsLine radio show on KHTK where he's there every weekday 4-7 pm. One of the worst parts besides what I said already is his CONSTANT, every single day, rah-rah, boring focus on "his" New York sports teams - FAR overshadowing OUR local teams. It's just pathetic that he gets away with it for 20+ years around here.

 

[fnordius]

As a 19 year old rookie Tony Parker started 72 games out of 77 played, played 29mpg, and averaged 9ppg and 4apg. And that was on a team that went to the WCF.

Maybe you let Rubio 15-20 games on the books before he starts a game, just to ease expectations and get him a little accustomed. But in general, if we drafted him, he needs to play and play a lot. Particularly since in Beno, we have such a meediocre guy in that spot.

I agree that he'd be starting quickly, not just because he's talented enough, and needs the experience, but also because the economic reality is that the fans need something to be excited about ASAP. Our top draft pick this summer is going to be it, so I don't think there's any way they'll let him spend much time on the bench.

And this should be nothing strange or controversial, even back in the stone age when we got our last great draft picks, PG Nate Archibald started all 82 games as a rookie, playing 35 minutes per game. Oscar Robertson played in 71 games (out of 79 in the '60-'61 season) as a rookie - obviously he started virtually all of them, since he played an average of 42 minutes per game. And other franchises routinely did likewise. The rookie Jason Kidd started 79 games, @34 minutes per game. Isiah Thomas started all 72 of the games he played as a rookie, @34 minutes/game. That is normal for a very talented rookie PG in the NBA.

 

[vikinginferno]

I agree that he'd be starting quickly, not just because he's talented enough, and needs the experience, but also because the economic reality is that the fans need something to be excited about ASAP. Our top draft pick this summer is going to be it, so I don't think there's any way they'll let him spend much time on the bench.

And this should be nothing strange or controversial, even back in the stone age when we got our last great draft picks, PG Nate Archibald started all 82 games as a rookie, playing 35 minutes per game. Oscar Robertson played in 71 games (out of 79 in the '60-'61 season) as a rookie - obviously he started virtually all of them, since he played an average of 42 minutes per game. And other franchises routinely did likewise. The rookie Jason Kidd started 79 games, @34 minutes per game. Isiah Thomas started all 72 of the games he played as a rookie, @34 minutes/game. That is normal for a very talented rookie PG in the NBA.

Yeah, I'd say it's a tad bit different for Rubio though. Even though he is very intelligent and learns quickly, the European game has many differences from the NBA game. He is also still extremely young coming into the NBA. I don't think he'll start 70 or 80 something games, but he would be starting sometime in his first year.

 

[ParniValjak]

Yeah, I'd say it's a tad bit different for Rubio though. Even though he is very intelligent and learns quickly, the European game has many differences from the NBA game. He is also still extremely young coming into the NBA. I don't think he'll start 70 or 80 something games, but he would be starting sometime in his first year.

Well, Parker was a 19 year old European PG coming into the NBA and it took him 5 games before he took the starting spot and cemented it as his and no one else's.

At the same age, Rubio is a better player and more experienced than Parker was so really, there is no reason why he shouldn't come into the starting line up if not from the very beginning, then not far into the season.

 

[Kings Faithful]

I have a feeling we will be seeing Mr.Stoudamire in a Kings jersey come next season... the general consensus from the public is that the Suns should blow it up and trade Amare while he has value. I can see the temptation to create a "Webber 2" situation overwhelming our FO. If we did i could see us being a solid bench away from contention again which i believe we could create using FA money.

 

[HighTopKicks]

Yeah, I'd say it's a tad bit different for Rubio though. Even though he is very intelligent and learns quickly, the European game has many differences from the NBA game. He is also still extremely young coming into the NBA. I don't think he'll start 70 or 80 something games, but he would be starting sometime in his first year.

You may be right about the differences between the NBA and the Euroleague, but the pick & roll isn't one of them. Either is the transision game and many other parts of the offense. Rubio goes top 4 in the draft no matter how the lotto balls fall, and as a top 4 pick he'll be expected to start. It's up to the coach to see that the offense fits the PG, and not the other way around.