Minnesota Sports Forum

It couldn't possibly be that teams have scouted Ricky for a few years now and have realized they don't have to respect him as even a baseline offensive threat in pick-and-roll situations?

When Ricky first started running p&r in this league, he was given credit as a player who, while not a particularly potent scorer, could at least threaten a defense at perhaps the "league average" in terms of shooting and finishing. And that was enough to create great passing angles and scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Now teams know he is, in fact, a historically bad shooter/finisher who can be virtually ignored on offense. Just play the pass literally 100% whenever he's on the floor and you neutralize him (and the offense) completely.

Yes, he does other things well. Unfortunately, they don't add up to wins without a baseline competence when shooting/finishing. Steals and rebounds equal more possessions, but when you filter those bonus possessions through his scoring efficiency? Not enough to compensate. Not in a league dominated by scoring PGs.

Ricky is currently a one dimensional, limited player. Is he the only problem on this roster? Of course not. But those still viewing him as a long term solution at arguably the most important position on the floor need to wake up. If he can't improve his shooting/ finishing dramatically, he won't pan out. And at this point, the sample size isn't and lack of progress seem more like the final product.

Horatio you are really depressing me. What you say on another post about blowing the team up and rebuilding is easier than trying to fix what we have, and now this post, which also makes good sense. Please stop posting

Horatio....I am not giving up hope that Rubio will improve his shoot. That said, it won't happen this year. I will not be surprised if we see more games like last night, where his +/- is one of the worst on the team.

What's interesting is that Ricky is having a career year in a lot of ways. On a per minute basis, he is at a career high in assists, rebounds, and steals. His FT% and 3 PT % are at career highs. And his per minute TOs are at a career low.

But yeah, no improvement - and in fact a degradation - in his ability to finish around the rim, draw fouls, and hit shots off the dribble.

The NBA is relentless at trying to expose and exploit a weakness. Eventually you get found out. Ricky's been found out and nothing he's done or the coaches have done to try to help him has worked.

'I'm going to be honest. I'm not feeling comfortable out there,'' Rubio told The Associated Press after a light practice on Thursday. ''I'm not being myself and the team is noticing. I just have to be back where I was, be myself. I'm working on that. It's something that's missing. It's tough for me, too.''

''It's basketball. I love it,'' Rubio said. ''But I'm just not having as much fun as it used to be. I know it has to be professional. But I just want to have fun. It's hard to find it right now.''

''He gets really down on himself too much,'' Wolves coach Rick Adelman said. ''I think he's just got to play and make the real easy play. It doesn't have to be a great play. When something doesn't happen for him, he tries so hard that he just kind of compounds it.

'I would like to be a leader, but leading by example,'' he said. ''That's the way I am. That's the way I've been playing my whole career. But when I don't feel comfortable, it's hard to be that leader. It's something that I just have to get back on track and lead by example out there, busting my ass and bringing energy every night.''

"After a bad game, I go home and can't sleep, can't sleep,'' he said. ''You're waiting until it's today and you come to practice and you just want to make shots to forget that feeling. You have that feeling that you're not good enough and stuff. Come here, work hard and tomorrow is going to be the next day.''

''I do like it. I like the pressure. But when things are not going well, it's hard to carry the team, carry yourself,'' Rubio said. ''It's something that I've been missing and I just have to get back and it's something that maybe I push too hard on myself and I blame too much myself when the team is not playing well. That it's my fault. I just have to find a way.''

All from Krawczynski. I do remember seeing that Rubio was the only starter participating in optional shootaround today. I think he's putting in the work, he's just not seeing results and it's frustrating.

Cam, Some of Rubio's issues are probably Adelman's corner offense (which tends to de-emphasize the pick and roll in favor of playmaking from the high post). But I honestly think another part of his frustration stems from the fact that he really is working hard on his shot/finishing and he's just flat out not improving in real games. How depressing that must be to work your ass off and put in rep afer rep in the gym, yet to never see it bear fruit out on the floor. And knowing that you are one of the worst in the NBA at a particular skill, embarrassingly so. Can't be fun.....

Thanks for the post, Cam. I really hope Ricky can upgrade his shot between now and the start of next season. The fact that he's shooting 85% from the foul line gives me hope.

Got to love Ricky from those quotes. Ultimately. I think we can win with him. As q pointed out, the corner offense makes shooting from the PG spot a necessity since many of the PG plays end up being off the ball. Just look at the jump Sacramento made when they got Bibby to replace Jason Williams. That being said, I truly think this is Adelman's last year, so I am sure we will be looking at a new offense next year.

i think that for Ricky it must be absolutely crushing to admit that he might never be great shooter/finisher and therefore he wont be one of the best PGs in the NBA, i mean he is PRO since he was 14yo and had to believe that he will be one of the best ever, i just hope for him that he will overcome this and light his flare again, i still see those eyes when he was passing ball as a rookie and he saw what is going to happen few seconds before anybody else, i wish him the best

personal story :-D : back then when i was young i played the violoncello and i was one of the best in our country, i studied conservatory and master courses, but when i was 21yo i figured out that i will never check goals i set for myself and i actually had to left music career completely as i was not able to enjoy my play anymore as it was not good enough for me, if you cannot match your own expectations it is such a pain.

need less white guys and more athletic black guys. Sounds terrible to say, and I apologize if anyone takes it that way, but Ricky needs gazelle's and athletes, not goats who can't get off the ground.