I think we need to talk about Ricky...

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's time. I know I've been outnumbered in the past when I said crazy things like "Love is the future of the team and not Rubio" and "Rubio cannot be a great player if he can't shoot" and "Rubio is not the second coming of Christ"...

I know those statements were ridiculous and I should never have been so bold to make such outlandish claims. But I did. So I have to stand by them now.

We all know that Rubio does some pretty wonderful things. He can pass. And he can make pretty passes. And he can play with an infectious enthusiasm that's an absolute joy to watch. He can steal the ball. He is unselfish. He's fun.

But is he a building block?

He's shooting 34.7%. By any measurement, he hasn't improved. Heck, he hasn't improved his shooting in YEARS. He struggled in Europe. He struggled in the Olympics. He struggled in exhibitions vs. NBA players. And, he's struggling in the NBA. I know he "could get better."

We've been hearing it for years. Guess what?
That ship has sailed.

I "could be an NBA player" if I only figured out how to shoot and pass better. Markkbu could be a professional golfer if he could figure out how to putt like Tiger Woods. Lip could be the next Sid Hartman if he aged 70 years and became friends with Bobby Knight and went completely fucking senile.

3 years into an NBA player's career... you know what you're going to get... almost every time. I don't want to hear about lockout-shortened seasons or injuries. With the better players in the league, almost ALL of them showed significant improvement over those first 3 seasons. Where has Rubio's improvement come?

The building block guys don't plateau... or regress early in their careers. That's just not what NBA history reveals. So, the Wolves are looking at a mess on their hands.

Rubio is what he is. A role player. (When you're in the bottom 1/3 among starters at your position... you are close to being a role player. Usually, a team will consider replacing you for that very reason.) The team doesn't have a "value" contract on the entire roster (Love?). The superstar PF has been rumored to want out. In fact, he said he'd want out without significant improvement. The team has a bunch of $5M+ guys that are only borderline starters for good to even decent teams.

Yeah... this could get messy.

[commandoelite5 [enjin:8196470]]

Rubio is 23 years old, he is still very very young. I think the best comparison you can make is to Jason Kidd, they are identical players. And he steadily improved throughout his career, I can't say I'm happy with his performance this year, Rubio has shown flashes of being spectacular, he just needs more confidence and consistency. He is a very high character player, and usually those are the ones who will improve. One thing I will say though is there are rumors he is seeking a max contract and that would be terrible. I am the biggest Rubio fan in the world but if he is expecting a max contract he can just walk.

[AbeVigodaLive]

23 is NOT still "very very young" in NBA circles.
Especially not when there hasn't been any significant improvement since he was 20 or 21. And I don't see how he's "identical" to Jason Kidd.

That's always been used as the comparison for Rubio. Neither guy could shoot very well. One guy still found ways to score and ways to stay relevant on the court.

The two are not as closely intertwined as many of us want seem to want to believe.

[Papalrep]

Lip could be the next Sid Hartman if he aged 70 years and became friends with Bobby Knight and went completely fucking senile.
Also, he'd have to eat at Vescio's a lot

On to Ricky - you're right, but Adelman just pointed out to SI that "he's 23, he will get better, you have to give him time". I'd hate to see him leave and become Kidd somewhere else

[AbeVigodaLive]

Lip could be the next Sid Hartman if he aged 70 years and became friends with Bobby Knight and went completely fucking senile.
Also, he'd have to eat at Vescio's a lot

On to Ricky - you're right, but Adelman just pointed out to SI that "he's 23, he will get better, you have to give him time". I'd hate to see him leave and become Kidd somewhere else

Sadly, the Wolves don't have that sort of time.

And, again... even if Kidd is the best-case scenario, it's still a long-shot...

Here's an article from Britt Robson about the Rubio dilemma that I just read. Robson is a better NBA writer than I am... and a tad more optimistic about Rubio's game. But, we are in agreement that right now marks an important time in Rubio's career.

http://www.minnpost.com/sports/2013/12/wolves-ricky-rubio-facing-momentous-2014

[Porckchop]

I wish we could have a swear jar on this board with "potential" being the curse word. That jar would fill up fast.
At this point potential should be realized and in the rearview . Make a list of great players that didnt figure it out till year five. Does it exist?
Darko and Kandi were still looking to realize it after 8 years in the league. Those guys too did just enough in small spurts to keep u just thinkin maybe just maybe they figured it out.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I think he'll get better too. Seems like this season has really been lacking in alley-oops. I only get to watch the highlights but I've yet to see one from Rubio.

[TravisT [enjin:6669699]]

I think he'll get better too. Seems like this season has really been lacking in alley-oops. I only get to watch the highlights but I've yet to see one from Rubio.

Kind of hard to get alley-oops when the team is better suited for the 50's era.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think he'll get better too. Seems like this season has really been lacking in alley-oops. I only get to watch the highlights but I've yet to see one from Rubio.

Kind of hard to get alley-oops when the team is better suited for the 50's era.

Bob Cousy was a career 37.5% shooter.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Magic Johnson didn't shoot better than 25% from 3 point land his first 10 years. Then the next two years went to .314 and .384 (106 of 276). Bad example? Sure, but just shows skills can be improved later in one's career.

(basketball reference.com)