60WinTim wrote:I just watched the game last night. There's no need to apologize for Ricky -- Ricky does what Ricky does: create scoring opportunities for other players and be a disruptive force on defense. It was Ricky's teammates that did not do what they usually do: score and rebound. It was a very subpar performance by many of the Spanish team's players.
Your right..."Ricky did what Ricky did"....which was absolutly nothing on offense. And while I completely realize that the whole Spain team laid an egg, the other coach's comments lay to bare Ricky's issue. He is absolutely NOT a concern for the other team at all, especially in critical moments, thus they completely ignore him and put pressure on the guys that will actually do damage on the floor. This absolutely creates a mismatch in favor of the other team as they can slide over and help defend at will, as Ricky isn't a concern around the perimiter or taking it to the hoop. This is why a similar guy like Rondo is much more valuable, IMO. While not a great outside shooter, he somehow manages to shoot nearly 48% for his career.
And you made a great point that Ricky's teammates didn't do their "typical" job of scoring the basketball. And this proves out why Ricky needs to develop his game further to be considered a top 10-15 PG. He at least needs to have some semblance of ability to score points when his team needs that from him...which they clearly could have used the other night. While his other skills are certainly an asset, I just believe that at the end of close games, when you need your ball handlers to dominate and score, he becomes a completely useless tool in too many situations. This is not the guy I want making $13-15M on my roster.
No question that Ricky has to improve his scoring ability, whether that is at the hoop or midrange, but please don't bring Rondo into this. The guy's TS% jumped the year KG and Allen came to the Celtics. He isn't the same guy without those players around him, and stating that he is "not a great outside shooter" is like saying Donald Sterling isn't a hero in the black community. Rondo is a horrendous perimeter shooter as well as at the charity stripe. Rubio shoots 18% pts better at the FT line, and 7% pts from 3.
Ricky definitely needs to change his off season priorities though. If he doesn't start putting in significant time on his shooting skills, he should be ready to accept a 10mil/yr deal. They did say on the broadcast earlier in the week that he had been working a great deal on his shooting during practices over there, so hopefully this the stage where he gets worse before getting better.
SJ, this post is why you are one of the best. Absolutely 100% spot on.
Here is an article about Ricky from Yahoo
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ricky-rubio-still-hopes-for-brighter-future-with-timberwolves-after-losing-kevin-love-221015119.html
My favorite quote:
"I'm loyal," Rubio told Yahoo. "I want to give them back what they gave me there: a lot of love."
Volans19 wrote:Here is an article about Ricky from Yahoo
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ricky-rubio-still-hopes-for-brighter-future-with-timberwolves-after-losing-kevin-love-221015119.html
My favorite quote:
"I'm loyal," Rubio told Yahoo. "I want to give them back what they gave me there: a lot of love."
Man, Ricky handled that well. I don't think he stepped on anyone's toes, but he also made it known that he's moving on and ready for the future. Also wished Love well and thanked him for making the Euro-NBA transition easier. Said he understands the situation Kevin was in, and the amount of pressure that was on him. Ricky's never had a problem with interviews, but I think there was a good blend of professionalism, leadership and honesty in everything he said.
"If he wanted to leave, there's no reason to talk to him about it," Rubio told Yahoo. "I really liked playing with him, but I'll play with the players who want to be there. Kevin wants to win. That's normal. He's been there six years without the playoffs. I understand. If I was in the same situation - being one of the best players in the league - and not being able to be in the playoffs, I'd have a lot of frustration, too.
"I have to be thankful for everything he did for me," Rubio told Yahoo. "Coming from Europe to the NBA, it is not easy. Having the superstar give you the head's-up on things, look out for you ... I appreciate it.
"But in the end, it didn't work out and we move on. He's always going to be a great memory with me. Not just the way we played together, because it was fun but it's the way he accepted me from day one."
"I'm loyal," Rubio told Yahoo. "I want to give them back what they gave me there: a lot of love."
I hope it gets done. It would just pile on to the positive vibe the Wolves have going. Putting it off until next off-season would cast an unnecessary black cloud over the season.
I will be really surprised if Ricky turns it down. I would have to think the only reason would be if he was looking to relocate closer to the east coast in the near future.
sjm34 wrote:I will be really surprised if Ricky turns it down. I would have to think the only reason would be if he was looking to relocate closer to the east coast in the near future.
Or maybe he just feels confident that his shooting and overall impact on the game is going to take a big step this season in which case he could add a few extra million to his contract next year.
