One Reason for the Loss Tonight

[Porckchop]

Ill put it as simple as I can when it comes to a game like tonite. When the team loses by 2 and the starting pg reluctantly puts up three shots for 4 pts. He shares in the blame for the loss.

[ace [enjin:6598567]]

When our starting line-up is on the floor together, they score 53.1 ppg. That's 7.2 points ahead of the next highest scoring lineup of Curry/Thompson/Iggy/Lee/Bogut. The Wolves' starters are 7.2 points better than the next best lineup in the league.

Read that again. With Ricky Rubio on the floor averaging 8.9 ppg, they are outscoring the next best group by 7.2 points. If we score while he is on the floor, who cares where the points come from? The problem is the production with him off the floor.

[Porckchop]

The avg PER in the league is 15. Rickys at 14.8.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

No one thinks, Wow our starting pg scored 4 pts again ? Imo all starters need to score more than that regardless of other contributions.
We blame the bench for the lack of scoring but give Rubio a free pass? "He would try and pass in a game of one on one at this point".

I would rip Rubio for only scoring 4 points more... except it's tough to be angry about 13 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and didn't shoot extra poorly. He only took three shots, made one. Made both his FTs too. This one's not on Ricky tonight. Not to mention Adelman put him in later than he needed to be.

Tough to shoot extra poorly when u only take 3 shots its also sad when we have to point out that " he made both his fts." At some point fans have to look at these close games and acknowledge if we had a scorer at the point we'd win some of those games.

That was my point. It's not like he went 2 for 8 or 3 for 11 or anything like that. 1 for 3 is something I can live with given that he contributes elite numbers in practically everything else (assists, rebounds, steals, defense) and our scorers (Love, Pek, Martin) are scoring, which they were.

Our bench was horrible. Adelman wasn't that great tonight either. The ref fucked us in the biggest play of the game and we lost. Those three elements come way before putting blame on Rubio's inability to score tonight.

You may be able to live with him shooting 3 times a nite, but for the betterment of the team he needs to take 8-10 and make 3-4 for this team to be successful. Regardless of his other contributions. Imo. Starters in the NBA should trip and fall into 10 points . I understand what he brought to the table tonite, but I believe defenses now sag so far off him it enables them to play easier help defense which will effect other players shooting percentages.

So you would rather him chuck up bad shots that he's not comfortable with just to get that FGA number up? That's practically what I'm reading because it's not like Rubio is turning down shots he's comfortable with or making an unnecessary extra pass most of the time. When he's got a good look at a jumpshot, he usually takes it. When there's nights like tonight where he's impacting the game in literally every category but scoring, he doesn't need to throw up shots he isn't comfortable with. Why hurt the team in doing that?

Also not fair to ignore his other contributions and focus on one facet of the game. Not fair to do that for ANY player in the NBA, especially when you're doing it to make your argument better. There's so many incomplete players in the league that it's easier to count the complete ones than it is incomplete players. But since Rubio plays elite basketball in two/three (facilitating, defense + creating turnovers) categories, let's just forget all about that and focus on his scoring? Nah, not fair.

So what needs to happen? Rubio needs to take next off-season and truly dedicate himself to improving his scoring ability, both driving/finishing and shooting. Take the summer off from playing Spanish basketball. Players are made in the off-season. All great players know it. Love knows it too. He needs to get better. Never said that wasn't true, but he impacts the game in so many other ways that games like tonight can't be put on him.

You missed the part where I sad he has to make them too. Not just shoot to get his attempts up. Ur obviously reading only bits and pieces of what I wrote. And only responding to parts too.
Do u disagree that his lack of or disinterest in shooting the ball causes defenses to play off him? Which in turn means others are getting extra defensive attention? And its crazy to say his defense is elite. Steals are not the end all be all. Hes been outplayed by his counterparts on more nites than not. And yes those nites when he scores 6-8 pts and the opposing pg scores 20-22? That does make a difference even if he does have more steals and assists.

Never said defenses don't play off him. This is where I'd like improvement in Rubio's game. I'm not going to overlook his other contributions, though, just because he can't consistently put the ball in the hoop or even attempt to. Instead of us arguing about his shot selection or shooting line, we should be raving about his 13 dimes, how he stuck his nose in the paint for 9 boards, how his DEFENSE kept the Mavs guards to a low scoring total and efficiency. But no, let's get pissy about his 1-3 shooting line lol. That's why we lost. Got it.

I know steals aren't the end all be all. I hope you go back realize that I said "defense + creating turnovers" because it's two seperate categories in my book. He does both well. I'll back it up, though, and ask you straight up. Are you saying Rubio's defense isn't good? Is it bad? Is it good, but not elite at his position? I need an answer from you on that. Personally, I can't think of five better defenders at the PG position. Just off the top of my head: Paul, Westbrook, Conley...? John Wall/Patrick Beverley if you'd like to reach. Point is, Rubio is an elite defender.

I'd like to remind you that basketball isn't a one-on-one sport; it's a team game. I'm pretty sure Brandon Jennings can outscore his position matchup most nights, but who gives a shit? Our starters are scoring absurd amounts of points and one of the definite reasons is Rubio. But... since he gets outscored by the opposing PG... Rubio amounts to little. Seems like flawed thinking to me, especially when three players in our starting lineup are reaping the benefits of playing with him while THEY win their position matchups.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The avg PER in the league is 15. Rickys at 14.8.

PER... Lol this is the stat you go to? Really? Laughable post.

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

Should have put him back in earlier. End of story. Even Adelman admitted in his presser that he probably made a mistake. Rubio is a flawed player, but tonight he was doing a lot of good things. I think an extra three or four minutes of those things when it counted and we win the game. JJ is JJ. If he is scoring he helps, otherwise he is practically worthless. Even if Rubio is having an terrible night I'd rather see him in for the majority of the 4th rather than JJ. But tonight I thought it was especially obvious he should have been subbed back in earlier.

Oh well, coulda shoulda woulda...excuses are like assholes...everybody's got one. The team has to figure out a way to start winning close games.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I have ONE reason for the loss tonight. Let's not blame a single decision. Or player. Or non-call.

Let's blame a single shot.

With Rubio on the sidelines ready to enter... JJ Barea took a contest 3 pointer with 18 seconds on the shot clock. It was a fucking horrible shot for so many reasons. Too early. Close game. Contested. Ignored the hot hand. Et al.

This might be a loaded question: Did Barea see Rubio about to enter the game?



[Note: Because I know in my men's league, when it's my turn to sit, I try to sneak in one more long-range 3 on occasion. The difference is I'm playing for fun with friends... Barea is a professional getting paid millions of dollars. NBA players do that stuff all the time... but at that juncture of a game? I'd hope not... sadly I know it happens anyway. Was tonight one of those nights?]

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

By the way, the PER stat would have you believe Jeremy Lin's (16.20) a better player than Lance Stephenson (15.43), Eric Gordon (15.66) and Klay Thompson (14.83). Stupid stat that I stopped using in debates a long time ago.

[Porckchop]

The avg PER in the league is 15. Rickys at 14.8.

PER... Lol this is the stat you go to? Really? Laughable post.

I could go to the 2.9 shots made per game or 34% shooting. But it seems a lil redundant at this point. When the team is losing so many close ball games and the pg is posting historically bad shooting numbers. Hes gonna get his share of the blame.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The avg PER in the league is 15. Rickys at 14.8.

PER... Lol this is the stat you go to? Really? Laughable post.

I could go to the 2.9 shots made per game or 34% shooting. But it seems a lil redundant at this point. When the team is losing so many close ball games and the pg is posting historically bad shooting numbers. Hes gonna get his share of the blame.

Again, you keep focusing on one facet of the game. I guess you're a huge Kyrie and Melo fan right? Let's also ignore our bench play in those close games. You're not gaining any respect from me in this debate. I realize you likely don't give a shit about that, but it needed to be said. This is a useless debate where your argument only makes sense inside your head.