Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

"Worst ankle sprain in history" oh how easily people forget Terrell Brandon and Troy Hudson. Lol

TheSP wrote:

sjm34 wrote:

TheSP wrote:

1. Could you provide a link that shows he didn't work on his game or is the fact he didn't post picture of said work enough?

2. What exactly do you feel a basketball player should work on when he has a severe ankle injury? You cannot even work on your shot if you're not supposed to be running and jumping.

3. The previous off season he was said to have worked on his shot. It didn't improve much if at all, but he worked on it.

Could you provide proof that he is working on his game?

You can improve your stroke sitting in a chair. That is actually a great exercise to work on your off hand believe it or not.

You're the one suggesting he is not, the impetus is on you if proof is what you desire. Can I prove he is? No, that doesn't mean squat.

I think that bolded part shows who wanted proof, when you asked for a link.

I think we need to define what "work ethic" is. Working with a shooting coach the team assigned to you during the season is no different than going to practice. It is mandatory, and doesn't in any way shape or form show work ethic.

I'll give you the off season work, but even then 100-200 shots a day isn't a lot. MJ would put that up after his games while in Chicago.

Q, I agree that ricky has a very good skillset in the other areas, but he doesn't just have to be a good perimeter shooter. A pull up jumper, posting up, or a floater could do wonders for his game. He has an excellent handle, but a lot of that is wasted when you can't finish.

Of course none of that matters when he can't seem to stay on the court, and he can't make players better when he doesn't get practice time with them.

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

He's played one full season, and even that season was average.. I'm not a denier . I'm a realist . He's no better than he was in his average rookie year. I love when fans say he's a difference maker on a team that's annually in the top 5 of the draft. The difference between what and what? And don't say when he's been healthy becuz part of being a good player is being able to depend on them on a daily basis. What's your confidence level on him staying healthy this year? If he ends up playing only 20 games is it considered a good year if he averages 10 8 3 and 2? I consider that just another lost season.

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

"Worst ankle sprain in history" oh how easily people forget Terrell Brandon and Troy Hudson. Lol

You left out Michael Williams!

sjm34 wrote:
I think that bolded part shows who wanted proof, when you asked for a link.

I was simply asking what you're basing your opinion that he isn't working on his game on. You suggest he isn't working on his game, but from what I can see have nothing to base that on.

sjm34 wrote:
I think we need to define what "work ethic" is. Working with a shooting coach the team assigned to you during the season is no different than going to practice. It is mandatory, and doesn't in any way shape or form show work ethic.

I'll give you the off season work, but even then 100-200 shots a day isn't a lot. MJ would put that up after his games while in Chicago.

I agree with all that, but just because he hasn't publicly been working on his game I don't assume he's not, or that he's just out partying with his buds.

sjm34 wrote:
Q, I agree that ricky has a very good skillset in the other areas, but he doesn't just have to be a good perimeter shooter. A pull up jumper, posting up, or a floater could do wonders for his game. He has an excellent handle, but a lot of that is wasted when you can't finish.

He makes teammates better on a scale the Wolves have never seen before from the PG position. His game has some significant warts, yet he's without question in my mind a net positive.

sjm34 wrote:
Of course none of that matters when he can't seem to stay on the court, and he can't make players better when he doesn't get practice time with them.

Nobody anywhere will argue with that. He will be practicing this week, and I thought he was rumored to play Friday, so I'm not concerned at this point.

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

He's played one full season, and even that season was average.. I'm not a denier . I'm a realist . He's no better than he was in his average rookie year. I love when fans say he's a difference maker on a team that's annually in the top 5 of the draft. The difference between what and what? And don't say when he's been healthy becuz part of being a good player is being able to depend on them on a daily basis. What's your confidence level on him staying healthy this year? If he ends up playing only 20 games is it considered a good year if he averages 10 8 3 and 2? I consider that just another lost season.

Where you fall woefully short is providing any data around how we do when he is healthy and playing. If he is so mediocre and can't shoot or finish, why do we win a lot more games when he plays versus when he doesn't play?

I'm fine if you want to hang your hat on the health issues. But you have consistently harped on his effectiveness when he's on the court too, despite loads of evidence to the contrary. You're a denier!

sjm34 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

"Worst ankle sprain in history" oh how easily people forget Terrell Brandon and Troy Hudson. Lol

You left out Michael Williams!

Those guys are dead to me....I'm all about Ricky!

Like I said, when's and if's. Far few and in between. When he's healthy their close to a .500 team at best. Is that what you strive for with this team? And when they've been that Love was here . Yes the team looked good for 4 games to start the season last year. 4 games.. where'd they draft this year? Him being out played a role yes. But is that to his credit ? He could be Gary Payton but if he never plays La di F N da!!

Carlos Danger wrote:

sjm34 wrote:
Could you provide proof that he is working on his game?

You can improve your stroke sitting in a chair. That is actually a great exercise to work on your off hand believe it or not.

I don't want to step on The SP's toes, but there is plenty of documentation out there that Rubio is a hard worker vs. sitting on his azz. Last year after he hurt his ankle, he used the time to work on his shot with Mike Penberthy : http://www.businessinsider.com/ricky-rubio-working-with-shooting-guru-mike-penberthy-2015-2

And after the season, he worked on getting stronger and improving his shot more by taking 100-200 shots a day: http://www.thescore.com/news/803076

I have no idea why anyone would think Rubio is lazy. He's always in shape and puts forth full effort in any practice or game I've watched.

I always get a kick out these kinds of quotes. What's the magical number of shots? 100? 500? 1,000? We read these quotes about dozens upon dozens of players. And it's always used to create our narrative about "improvement" or "dedication" or whatever.

Heck, Ray Allen takes 300 shots before every GAME. How many is he taking on his off days? Ricky Rubio taking 100 - 200 shots per day doesn't mean he's working harder than anybody else... nor does it mean he's working less than other players. Personally, I find it a meaningless stat. Many high school kids are taking that many shots (or more) every single day.


[Note: Considering shooting is obviously his greatest vice... I'd opt for Rubio shooting MORE than most other players in his practice time.]

Q12543 wrote:

sjm34 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

PorkChop wrote:If any other Wolf had been injured this much and improved this little and drafted so high there would be a mutiny. It's unexplainable to me how much leverage you guys give Ricky . I really wish someone would come out and explain why the hope for him is still so high..

Because we've seen what he can do playing a full 82 games. The starting unit he led was one of the most high-powered offenses in the NBA. And what has occurred when he sits on the bench over the past few years with a variety of backup PGs is dramatic. It's very simple: We're a different team when he's on the court. That could NEVER be said (in a positive way) with past lottery picks like Foye, Brewer, Flynn, Johnson, or Williams.

I think Love had much more to do with that personally . If and when he's healthy doesn't pay the bills. Neither does his jumper or his finishing abilities. Couldn't we all make a long list of players that had one full good year and nothing else?
And still, the ifs and when's haven't brought on the wins.

Well, he had more than one good season. He's been a difference maker for us whenever he played. Our seasons both his rookie year and this past year both went to hell the second he went down. You might be the only one who continues to deny this in the face of hard evidence. You're a Ricky Rubio Denier.

I get the health concerns, as even I'm starting to get frustrated by The Worst Ankle Sprain In History That Then Led to What Could Become The Worst Quad Strain In History.....

"Worst ankle sprain in history" oh how easily people forget Terrell Brandon and Troy Hudson. Lol

You left out Michael Williams!

Those guys are dead to me....I'm all about Ricky!

You know what they say about history repeating itself... Wolves should have a D-league franchise of just PGs. Lol