Miscellaneous Rubio stuff (merged)

In my mind the only way Rubio is gone by our pick is if someone trades up to get him, I don't see Memphis picking him and OKC I don't think will as they have Westbrook...do they really want to upset him by forcing him to the 2 guard when he has been pretty promising as a PG? I don't see it.

But who really knows...never been this excited and looking forward to an NBA draft this much, that's for sure!
 
Kingster said:
"The Kings, meanwhile, are still trying to assess the overall draft field. Rubio's Sacramento visit ended Thursday with a disappointment, as he fell ill before a workout at the team's practice facility.
According to team officials, Rubio had a fever, fatigue and a sore throat and was given antibiotics before he flew to Los Angeles in the late morning. He has not visited with any other teams, but he may be back for a second Sacramento visit before the draft."

I can hear Brick now: "The all wuss backcourt. He can't even get off a plane without getting a DNP." :p
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Well if thats the case, then Thabeet would have to be included in that senario. He's refused to come and work out for the Kings, and now backed out of a work out with, I beleive Memphis, because he hurt his little shoulder. He also refused to do the drills at the combine. :cool:
 
Vlade4GM said:
Personally, I think there are still a lot of things that Rubio is going to have trouble with adjusting to the NBA. His lateral quickness is going to greatly challenged with the explosive athletes who can handle the ball well in the NBA, he'll have to play a more conservative defensive game than he's used to or he's really going to lose his man and/or pick up a lot of fouls. He plays a very aggressive game defensively, and in result sometimes gives up his position trying to pick off passes or he gets up way too close on his man to try to force a turnover. In the NBA, he's probably better off playing a quarterback type role defensively, he's great at playing the passing lanes, he never loses sight of the ball. He's like a shark that smells blood whenever there is a loose ball or his man is losing his dribble even slightly, it's truly a fun thing to watch how energetic he is defensively. He has an unbelievable motor, it'll be interesting to see how much it keeps up witht he tougher schedule in the NBA.

Offensively, he has instances where he doesn't take a shot that he should and makes the extra pass for a lower percentage shot. He has to become more aggressive as a scorer, even if he's not a great finisher or shooter at this point. There are going to be turnover issues as he does force passes that aren't there at times.
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I agree with most of what you said. I also think that his turnover rate may drop in the NBA simply because you can't clog up the lane like you can in europe. That should open up the passing lanes for him and make that part of his game more effective. Thus, cutting down on some of his turnovers..
 
I don't think it matters who starts at the beginning of the year, although I wouldn't be surprised if it were Rubio. Thats assuming we draft him. The Kings will have a lot invested in his future, and the more he's able to produce the better the organization will look. To me its a simple matter of whose best, whether its Rubio, Flynn or whoever. And I don't think it will take long for our new coach to decide.
 
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Yahoo!

Grizzlies, Rubio hold key to entire NBA Draft

The Sacramento Kings had been the most likely team to cut a deal with Memphis to move into the second spot to take Rubio, but league sources say the Kings’ motivation to do so has waned. The Kings don’t want to give up Jason Thompson and their fourth pick to get to No. 2, especially considering there’s a chance Rubio could drop to Sacramento anyway. Fegan has no issues with Rubio in Oklahoma City or Sacramento, but he’ll be difficult if the point guard ends up in Memphis.
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More..
 
Vlade4GM said:
Depends on whether they're the best option. If they are, then they should start.
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I agree. I remember last year watching JT during pre-season and thinking that he was already the best PF on the team. I felt he should have been starting at the beginning of the season, or at the very least after the first 10-15 games. Looking back, I can't help wonder how much more he would have improved had he started the whole season.
 
Telemachus said:
I agree. I remember last year watching JT during pre-season and thinking that he was already the best PF on the team. I felt he should have been starting at the beginning of the season, or at the very least after the first 10-15 games. Looking back, I can't help wonder how much more he would have improved had he started the whole season.
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Its irrelevant whether one starts or not. I think the most important thing when its all said and done is the playing time. If the rookie gets 25+ mpg then it doesn't really matter too much whether they start or not.
 
Čarolija said:
Its irrelevant whether one starts or not. I think the most important thing when its all said and done is the playing time. If the rookie gets 25+ mpg then it doesn't really matter too much whether they start or not.
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For the most part, I agree with you. I didn't feel like JT was getting enough playing time at the beginning of the season either, and often getting too much time at SF instead of PF.

The one area I do think it helps to be a starter is in getting calls from the Refs. Rookies are already going to get fewer calls their way, but I think that is even more true when they come off the bench. This past year, JT's biggest struggle was figuring out how to adjust to the officiating. That may have gone quicker if he was starting. Of course, we will never know.
 
Theres are rumor going around that Devin Harris was offered by the Nets for the #2 pick in the draft. I assume this isn't a good thing if we are hoping Rubio to fall to us.
 
kennadog said:
Yes, but if your read the rest of what Givony wrote, he thinks the Kings might pass on Rubio even if he falls to us at #4, picking Flynn or Evans, instead. He thinks that would be a terrible mistake, if that happens and I do, too.
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I wouldnt be surprised, even though Petrie usually makes great decisions on draft night...he always seems to pick the guys who aren't the obvious pick, and he pisses us off for the time being...only to prove us wrong shortly after.

I'll never forget how shocked and upset i was when We picked JT last year. Im happy with him now but i was ready to kill Geoff.
 
kennadog said:
Yes, but if your read the rest of what Givony wrote, he thinks the Kings might pass on Rubio even if he falls to us at #4, picking Flynn or Evans, instead. He thinks that would be a terrible mistake, if that happens and I do, too.
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I just don't see where this comes from. We keep hearing about internal operations people. But Geoff makes these calls and he has never tipped his hand. Unless Givnoy or Ford are mind readers, I just don't see why they believe they know what Geoff is thinking.
 
NewArena said:
I wouldnt be surprised, even though Petrie usually makes great decisions on draft night...he always seems to pick the guys who aren't the obvious pick, and he pisses us off for the time being...only to prove us wrong shortly after.

I'll never forget how shocked and upset i was when We picked JT last year. Im happy with him now but i was ready to kill Geoff.
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That is exactly the reason why if he passed on Rubio I wouldn't be too mad, I'd still be upset but I wouldn't be as upset as I would of before.
 
kennadog said:
Yes, but if your read the rest of what Givony wrote, he thinks the Kings might pass on Rubio even if he falls to us at #4, picking Flynn or Evans, instead. He thinks that would be a terrible mistake, if that happens and I do, too.
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I would be pissed if the Kings passed on Rubio.
 
http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/

Now there is word Thabeet doesn't want to go to Memphis, I'm starting to kind of feel sorry for them, but they didn't deserve that pick anyways, we did, so screw them.

This may increase the likelihood that they'll trade the pick and Rubio's trade value is probably higher than Thabeet's, although I can't see a big player outside of Minny. Givony is suggesting they could still keep their pick and take Harden, but that would be tough because even though there has been talk about making Mayo their PG, do they like Harden enough to trade Conley or move him to the bench? Having a SG with better size than Mayo wouldn't hurt though, especially when he doesn't need the ball like Mayo does. Offensively they'd be a good match with each other.

I don't really believe the part about us being weary of Rubio because of the "language gap" and that he'll have a "target on his back." That sounds like made up BS to me, probably posturing. Who doesn't take a guy they like otherwise because of those reasons? That's stupid, there's no reason to believe Ricky won't become a very good English speaker. At 18 he already speaks it decently and better than Gasol did at like 19-20, and he speaks great English now. Also, the difference between Rubio and Flynn/Evans is not great enough (if there is any negative difference on Rubio's part at all) to avoid another disaster season if there is going to be one.
 
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This is garbage. If Rubio is there we draft him. I don't think anyone else in this draft besides Griffin is a much better prospect.

If he's there and we pass, I get pissed. The dude we do draft instead better be a ROY candidate!!
 
Jechtsphere said:
That is exactly the reason why if he passed on Rubio I wouldn't be too mad, I'd still be upset but I wouldn't be as upset as I would of before.
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I'd probably be pissed no matter what, but the degree to which I'm pissed would depend on their reasoning. If it's stupid reasoning like a language/culture gap or having a "target on his back" then that may be the last straw with me, even if they picked went on to be the better player, that is some stupid reasoning and deserves no respect at all. However if it's his game or contract situation that's the problem, then while I may disagree with it, I'll at least have slightly greater respect/understanding. I mean, to nitpick a top prospect like that after all this team has been though with the crap season and the worst lottery spot possible, that's just ridiculous.
 
Sptsjunkie said:
I just don't see where this comes from. We keep hearing about internal operations people. But Geoff makes these calls and he has never tipped his hand. Unless Givnoy or Ford are mind readers, I just don't see why they believe they know what Geoff is thinking.
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My concern is that the Maloofs will meddle again, this time in the draft. They are starved for cash. If they see this Rubio guy selling tickets - even if it's just for one year - they might push Petrie in that direction. They've meddled in everything else. Why not the draft?
 
Sam Amick was just on with the Rise Guys saying that Rubio should be doing some kind of workout with the Kings today - based on the Rise Guys discussions it sounds like it would be a private workout.

I wonder what this portends for Ricky. If he was a sure-fire pick at #4, he wouldn't be working out. Remember, he has been scouted extensively by the Kings already and has been in for a couple days of interviews. I wonder if maybe they are hedging a bit on him. If he does poorly in a private workout, they don't have to tell anyone and his demand is still high elsewhere. If he does well, maybe that clarifies things for the Kings. But I don't see any reason for him to work out unless Ricky's "team" are getting worried that the Kings may pass on him.
 
Doesn't it bother anybody that his highness Rubio hasn't deigned to work out with the other players in this draft? It bothers me. He's not even "working out" with the Kings, as I understand it. Sounds like more like an easy shoot-around, where they can chat while he's shooting free throws. If the guy is a competitor, then he should show it by competing, not talking.
 
Warhawk said:
Sam Amick was just on with the Rise Guys saying that Rubio should be doing some kind of workout with the Kings today - based on the Rise Guys discussions it sounds like it would be a private workout.

I wonder what this portends for Ricky. If he was a sure-fire pick at #4, he wouldn't be working out. Remember, he has been scouted extensively by the Kings already and has been in for a couple days of interviews. I wonder if maybe they are hedging a bit on him. If he does poorly in a private workout, they don't have to tell anyone and his demand is still high elsewhere. If he does well, maybe that clarifies things for the Kings. But I don't see any reason for him to work out unless Ricky's "team" are getting worried that the Kings may pass on him.
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Doesn't mean necessarily that they are in fact thinking of passing on him, but maybe successfully creating the perception that they might so they don't lose bargaining power in a possible trade.
 
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Kingster said:
Doesn't it bother anybody that his highness Rubio hasn't deigned to work out with the other players in this draft? It bothers me. He's not even "working out" with the Kings, as I understand it. Sounds like more like an easy shoot-around, where they can chat while he's shooting free throws. If the guy is a competitor, then he should show it by competing, not talking.
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Thabeet hasn't worked out for anyone either, and there's a reason for that. Their games give them a huge disadvantage in these workouts, they can't show their true strengths in these workouts, leading a 5-on-5 offense for Rubio and rebounding/shot blocking for Thabeet. It's different for guys like Evans, Flynn, Jennings, Curry and Harden.
 
In the months leading up to this draft all mocks had Griffin #1 and Rubio #2, with some having them flipped. Only in recent weeks and with order of teams set have some mock drafts had Rubio at #3 or #4. I don't think I've seen any with him at #5 or lower.

I think it's far more likely Thabeet's stock will slide (if it hasn't already) as a 7'3" terribly one dimentional weakling and rather average rebounder to boot (for his size). At the same time Thabeet is dropping it seems Evans, Curry and Flynn (at least in Kings eyes) are rising a bit. Hopefully, Memphis takes hometown hero Evans, and OKC grabs Harden who fits as someone not needing the ball constantly, unlike Durrant and Westbrook. If Memphis takes Rubio it would be against every indication his people have let out plus the Conley bit, and OKC has the Westbrook statement - meaning both teams are inviting controversy if they pull the trigger on Rubio. It's gonna be VERY interesting on Thursday.
 
PurpleHaze said:
In the months leading up to this draft all mocks had Griffin #1 and Rubio #2, with some having them flipped. Only in recent weeks and with order of teams set have some mock drafts had Rubio at #3 or #4. I don't think I've seen any with him at #5 or lower.

I think it's far more likely Thabeet's stock will slide (if it hasn't already) as a 7'3" terribly one dimentional weakling and rather average rebounder to boot (for his size). At the same time Thabeet is dropping it seems Evans, Curry and Flynn (at least in Kings eyes) are rising a bit. Hopefully, Memphis takes hometown hero Evans, and OKC grabs Harden who fits as someone not needing the ball constantly, unlike Durrant and Westbrook. If Memphis takes Rubio it would be against every indication his people have let out plus the Conley bit, and OKC has the Westbrook statement - meaning both teams are inviting controversy if they pull the trigger on Rubio. It's gonna be VERY interesting on Thursday.
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It will be controversial if they actually plan on keeping him, drafting to trade him is not controversial IMO.
 
Vlade4GM said:
Doesn't mean necessarily that they are in fact thinking of passing on him, but maybe successfully creating the perception that they might so they don't lose bargaining power in a possible trade.
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Or, we may be trying to decide if his talent is worth giving something-up to trade-up and make sure that he is a King.
 
kupman said:
Or, we may be trying to decide if his talent is worth giving something-up to trade-up and make sure that he is a King.
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Also true. Or maybe Petrie just wants some kind of workout so he doesn't come off as a liar by saying he'd never draft a player again that he didn't workout ;)
 
For the Grizz, I think they should just really draft the player they want.

The rumors of offers such as Kevin Love for #2.... do the Grizz really think they can't draft a player directly at #2 that will be better than Love?

At #2, you can get a very good player. Probably a player that can be better than anything you can get in a trade. Devin Harris is nice, but he also has a big contract. If they wanted a point guard to replace Conley, why not just pick Rubio directly or trade down for Evans or Flynn? It really doesn't make much sense at the end. They tried it with Steve Francis and in the end they gave away a rookie of the yr for a bunch of spare parts and picks.
 
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