Why does Ricky get so much leash on this board?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The bottom line to me for Ricky is that he has to start working out. Put on 5lbs of muscle and be able to use his body as an advantage. His training has been suspect as far as I am concerned and it could cost him in the long run. I know there have been injuries but this should be the offseason where there are no excuses. The talent really is there but if he wants to be serious about being a star then he needs to be surrounded by notch development people around him working on his shot and his strength. I think the team has had the kid gloves on with him so far because of the great fanfare and then the injury. But it will be to his benefit to be frank with him at the end of this year about his future in the league if he fails to improve.

Totally agree. Often times it takes a player a few seasons into their career before they realize they need to re-dedicate themselves to their game and their body. The on-the-job training is over. Now if he really wants to improve, it's going to have to happen over the summer.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The bottom line to me for Ricky is that he has to start working out. Put on 5lbs of muscle and be able to use his body as an advantage. His training has been suspect as far as I am concerned and it could cost him in the long run. I know there have been injuries but this should be the offseason where there are no excuses. The talent really is there but if he wants to be serious about being a star then he needs to be surrounded by notch development people around him working on his shot and his strength. I think the team has had the kid gloves on with him so far because of the great fanfare and then the injury. But it will be to his benefit to be frank with him at the end of this year about his future in the league if he fails to improve.

Totally agree. Often times it takes a player a few seasons into their career before they realize they need to re-dedicate themselves to their game and their body. The on-the-job training is over. Now if he really wants to improve, it's going to have to happen over the summer.

Though, I remember Ricky working really hard this off-season from all that I saw and read. Cross-training like hell. He definitely looked as strong as I've ever seen. I think he's fine from a body standpoint. It's just his shot, which surprisingly looked much improved pre-season. I don't know what happened.

[thedoper]

Though, I remember Ricky working really hard this off-season from all that I saw and read. Cross-training like hell. He definitely looked as strong as I've ever seen. I think he's fine from a body standpoint. It's just his shot, which surprisingly looked much improved pre-season. I don't know what happened.

I remember that too, however from what I have seen this year he still has all of the same body related problems in the NBA (i.e. not getting through screens, getting pushed around, being late on defensive rotations). My assumption is that he probably worked as hard as he ever has off the court last season, but much of that was related to rehab and Addidas marketing and is still relatively minimal when compared the typical north American NBA training regimen. Remember coming into the league he said he didn't believe in weight training. We are talking about a completely different mentality from the outset. With the right group around him (shooting coaches included) I believe he could turn some of his physical deficiencies into assets. I think he needs to step up his intensity to a whole other level and it is not just shooting. If the Jason Kidd comparison really is valid as his ceiling we need to remember that Kidd was all over the court. I think Ricky has another potential gear that can be reached if he steps up his offseason training.

[Porckchop]

I shouldve pointed out that I do realize the wolves dont have a better option to start but the point remains.

[markkbu [enjin:6588958]]

I shouldve pointed out that I do realize the wolves dont have a better option to start but the point remains.

I understand wanting him to be better, but is there a backup PG that is as good as Ricky? I don't think so.

[Porckchop]

Theres not and that would make him the best backup pg out there which would be a great luxury to have.
As it sits hes a top 20 starter. The team would be better off if he was the top 1 backup. Unfortunately they dont have that luxury. I guess i was just speaking to where he is as a player right now and where he really belongs in an optimum lineup.

[markkbu [enjin:6588958]]

Theres not and that would make him the best backup pg out there which would be a great luxury to have.
As it sits hes a top 20 starter. The team would be better off if he was the top 1 backup. Unfortunately they dont have that luxury. I guess i was just speaking to where he is as a player right now and where he really belongs in an optimum lineup.

I definitely understand that we would be better if we could afford to play Rubio as a back up. I also think that this team would be better if we had KG in his prime. Right now, should Ricky improve (yes, I am talking about "potential") we would have a very good team. I think that he will be better when he is 24 than his is now.

Love isn't going to make huge steps forward. Pek is pretty good now.....and will probably get better, but won't significantly change his game. Martin is a boon, but is playing a bit over his head.

The most significant improvement potential for this team is Rubio. I don't think that it will happen this year......and probably next. He has the "potential" to be a top 3 or 4 PG. He's not close to that right now. But it might take him until he is 24 before he starts to manifest the potential that he has.

So, saying that Rubio is underdeveloped right now, seems like saying that the sky is blue.

[AbeVigodaLive]

The problem is it's pretty rare for guys who've been spoonfed playing time and opportunities to suddenly "get it" in Year 5. Especially, after being stagnant for the first 3 years.

With superstars, you usually get incremental progress each season early in their careers... regardless of age. It's rare for a player to start on a plateau and then just take off.

There's room to improve obviously, but I am not expecting anything too drastic from Rubio. He is what he is for the most part. That doesn't make him a bad player. But it makes waiting for him for two more years seem disheartening.