Overall, I remain high on Rubio as a prospect overall, though I do find it uniquely challenging to try to project Ricky’s NBA future because of these competing factors:
Pro: I believe Rubio truly has the court vision of an all-time great. Stockton, Magic, Nash – name who you want. I think Rubio sees the floor on that level.
Con: Rubio just cannot finish at the basket at all, and he doesn’t really score in the lane, either.
via The Painted Area: Checking In on Ricky Rubio.
Haubs is drinking the Kool-Aid over at The Painted Area, with a check-in on Ricky Rubio, including the same hype we saw before he was drafted and then scooted on back over the pond. I can’t really judge Mark, since I think John Wall will be the best prospect since Dwyane Wade, but at least I’m not comparing Wall to Jordan or Magic , even in a singular area.
Haubs goes on to do a projection of Rubio’s Euroleague stats, which would indicate that not only will he lead the league in assists, but he’ll also cure cancer, get the Wizards out of Arenas’ contract, make Larry Hughes stop taking so many bad shots and shave Varejao bald.
My issues with Rubio are the same as they were before the draft. He’s going to get murdered against the sized “big” guards. Tyreke Evans will chew him out and spit him up. Wait, strike that, reverse it. Even a guy like Derek Fisher will make life miserable for him by chest bumping in and bruising that tender, Twilight-like frame. His inability to score isn’t as much of a concern for me. Eric Gordon is little and round, and he does just fine, and as long as you can develop a jumper off the pick and roll when the defense sags, you can get buckets as a point. But I still feel like his potential is still only “very good.” That kind of vision is a great quality, but you need to be able to combine it with a solid frame and lethal approach. Instead, Rubio seems like what he is, still. A schoolboy, drifting passes gently up and down the floor.
But, I’ve been wrong before, and if Haubs is THIS sold on the guy, I’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt. You know, if he ever comes over. Ever.
Man, Tyreke’s gonna kill him.
