More Crazy Rumors!

[Rastapopoulos]

You don't even have to go there. Bayless, our 3rd string PG, would blow by him every play

So? Bayless/Paul et. al. abuse everybody they play against. Good defense is a team effort. Rubio is very disruptive and long - he would at least make them work to get round him and pick them clean of the ball a few times. You think there aren't fast players in Europe? Earl Boykins is fast. Brandon Jennings is blindingly quick. Tyus Edney made a career out there and is as fast as anyone.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I am sure he was. I am also sure he wasn't playing against Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Mo Williams, Tony Parker, and Chauncey Billups there.(Note, all of them are western conference but one.)

Of course he DID play against Paul, Williams and Kidd in the Olympics. And Chris Paul raved about him.

 

[illmatic99]

Outlaw/Blake for Kirk

Sergio to NY for their T.E.

If we were able to land the #5 pick we'll have to package it with something else to get the # 2 pick as OKC, "100%", will take Rubio at #3, according to draftexpress.

We'd probably have to sacrifice Rudy and or Batum in order to land Rubio. Not sure I'd be willing to do that.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If we were able to land the #5 pick we'll have to package it with something else to get the # 2 pick as OKC, "100%", will take Rubio at #3, according to draftexpress.

I agree it seems likely (but who knows what Presti will do) but read the next paragraph:

That would probably be news to Ricky Rubio, who Oklahoma City spent the last day and a half with in Los Angeles meeting with alongside his family. Sam Presti also took time out on Sunday evening to meet with James Harden, which is Oklahoma City’s third meeting with him so far, including his workout at their facility and an interview at the NBA combine in Chicago.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Outlaw/Blake for Kirk

Sergio to NY for their T.E.

If we were able to land the #5 pick we'll have to package it with something else to get the # 2 pick as OKC, "100%", will take Rubio at #3, according to draftexpress.

Contractually and Talent-wise, Outlaw and Blake is a pretty steep price for Kirk and I think we'd be overpaying by quite a bit.

 

[Ed O]

Pointing out that Rubio "has done nothing" is either wrong or worthless... he's either accomplished a tremendous amount as a pre-NBA player or he has accomplished nothing as an NBA player.

Other than LeBron James, I can't think of an 18 year-old who has accomplished MORE heading into the draft than Rubio, and if Portland has a chance to acquire him then they should do so.

Ed O.

 

[Eastoff]

I dont think its a guarantee that we lose in the 1st round.. we would have beat a good portion of the west this year. We just got 1 of the 2 or 3 teams we dont match up with. If we would have gotten NO, Dallas, Utah, San Antonio, and maybe Denver, we would have been playing the 2nd round too. So to say that Rubio would set us up for another 1st rd exit next year, to me wouldnt make sense. This is assuming Rubio would only offer us at the very least what Sergio did in the playoffs.

Dallas destroyed us, we never beat them in four matches. I would rather play Lakers than Dallas last year.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I'm sorry, but this debate is getting a little silly.

My first choice, is for the team to add a good vet at PG. If that doesn't happen, I want them to trade up and grab the best rookie PG they can get. Bottom line: I want the team to GET BETTER, and HOW they go about doing it is not that important!

The great, dark monster in the closet isn't adding "more youth" - it is complacency. Doing nothing is the only unacceptable outcome!

 

[Wheels]

Dallas destroyed us, we never beat them in four matches. I would rather play Lakers than Dallas last year.

they beat us 3 times. And I promise you.. you dont want the Lakers instead of the Mavericks. Oh and Orlando also swept the season series against the Lakers. Different ball game.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I'm sorry, but this debate is getting a little silly.

My first choice, is for the team to add a good vet at PG. If that doesn't happen, I want them to trade up and grab the best rookie PG they can get. Bottom line: I want the team to GET BETTER, and HOW they go about doing it is not that important!

The great, dark monster in the closet isn't adding "more youth" - it is complacency. Doing nothing is the only unacceptable outcome!

These rumors combine both, yeah?

The 6-year vet in Kirk.

And the youthful Ricky Rubio.

 

[hasoos]

Of course he DID play against Paul, Williams and Kidd in the Olympics. And Chris Paul raved about him.

Get real. The Olympics players are not scouted like the NBA pro's are. There is a lot more film, and a lot more looks at games where players get at him defensivly and disrupt his game. A lot more scouting of the guys he is playing with to know their tendencies.

Do you have any idea of how many players have played well in the Olympics and couldn't sniff playing time in the NBA?

 

[Uther TheGardener]

magic? dirk? drexler? sabonis? parker? gasol? gasol?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Rubio measured out at 6'5", FWIW.

Rubio who measured at 6-foot-5 in shoes with a 6-7 wingspan in his Kings physical — visited with Oklahoma City representatives Saturday in Los Angeles. The Thunder, which picks third, was allowed to examine his DKV Joventut contract just as the Kings had to gain a better understanding of those particulars. The visit would appear to increase the chances of the Thunder opting for Rubio, if only because the uncertainty that loomed before the visit almost certainly meant they would go another direction.

Link

 

[Minstrel]

Yes, people get enchanted by rookies every year. And every year somebody is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT to get enchanted. Remember John Nash? "Oh no, we don't need ANOTHER rookie PG - we have Telfair. Who knows how good these young guys Paul and Williams will be?"

It's okay to get enchanted by the right player. The trick is, which one. Veterans can be just as disappointing when they change venues. Look at finals hero James Posey - New Orleans' "missing piece". Think the Suns are glad they gave away picks that turned into Rajon Rondo, Rudy Fernandez, Luol Deng, Nate Robinson and even Sergio Rodriguez, all because they were in their "window" and didn't need any more young guys?

Pointing out that Rubio "has done nothing" is either wrong or worthless... he's either accomplished a tremendous amount as a pre-NBA player or he has accomplished nothing as an NBA player.

Other than LeBron James, I can't think of an 18 year-old who has accomplished MORE heading into the draft than Rubio, and if Portland has a chance to acquire him then they should do so.

These people talk sense. Essentially what I might have said, had I been on the forum earlier.

I'd love to acquire Rubio at nearly any cost that didn't include Roy, Oden or Aldridge. If Pritchard managed to also retain Batum, his mad brilliance knows no bounds.

 

[Minstrel]

Get real. The Olympics players are not scouted like the NBA pro's are. There is a lot more film, and a lot more looks at games where players get at him defensivly and disrupt his game. A lot more scouting of the guys he is playing with to know their tendencies.

Do you have any idea of how many players have played well in the Olympics and couldn't sniff playing time in the NBA?

He was 18. How many 18 year olds can hold their own against the best in the world, well scouted or not, and draw raves from players like Chris Paul?

You're being dismissive with absolutely no basis. What Rubio has done so far is extremely impressive for his age. That doesn't make him a guaranteed NBA star, but it makes him a big-time prospect.

 

[Uther TheGardener]

yup agreed Minstrel not even jordan was ripping it up internationally at 18...

 

[hasoos]

He was 18. How many 18 year olds can hold their own against the best in the world, well scouted or not, and draw raves from players like Chris Paul?

You're being dismissive with absolutely no basis. What Rubio has done so far is extremely impressive for his age. That doesn't make him a guaranteed NBA star, but it makes him a big-time prospect.

Many. We have had 18 years olds entering the NBA for years and competing at this level, and competing against our olympians in the past and getting rave reviews, so my question is, why are you trying to make him seem so special? Besides the rare Lebron James, it has taken a majority of the younger players years to get where they can compete at the NBA level once here, and a lot of it comes down to how hard they are willing to work on their game to improve the problems they are presented with. Kobe took years to get good. KG took years to get good. McGrady took years to get good. Tony Parker took years to get good. All of them worked really hard to get to the high level player they are today. Now look at the spanish players who have came over. If it weren't for Pau Gasol, they would not realy have a lot of positive things to talk about. Calderon has been like many of the Spanish players. All "O" no "D". Sergio is a fucking disaster. Raul Lopez? Please. The reason I doubt him most of all, is the fact that the Spanish players have not shown the work ethic needed to bring their game to the highest level, and Rubio has enough holes in his game that he will have to work hard to fill them in. If he is like the other spanish players, he will choose to sit and bitch rather than actually improve his game. That is what Pau did until he was in LA with stronger personalities to make him work harder.

 

[PapaG]

Pointing out that Rubio "has done nothing" is either wrong or worthless... he's either accomplished a tremendous amount as a pre-NBA player or he has accomplished nothing as an NBA player.

Other than LeBron James, I can't think of an 18 year-old who has accomplished MORE heading into the draft than Rubio, and if Portland has a chance to acquire him then they should do so.

Ed O.

"Accomplished" is a relative term. On the world stage, Rubio has "accomplished" much more than James as an 18 year-old. I'm not sure why that means anything regarding the level of success the both may have in the NBA. His "accomplishments" certainly don't mask his much more limited athleticism versus James, do they?

 

[PapaG]

Get real. The Olympics players are not scouted like the NBA pro's are. There is a lot more film, and a lot more looks at games where players get at him defensivly and disrupt his game. A lot more scouting of the guys he is playing with to know their tendencies.

Do you have any idea of how many players have played well in the Olympics and couldn't sniff playing time in the NBA?

Everytime I hear raves about Rubio, the name Oscar Schmidt keeps jumping into my mind. Different position, sure, but Oscar RIPPED UP the USA.

Also, how about Theo Papaloukas? He destroyed Team USA in the 2006 FIBA worlds. I must be missing him in the NBA All-Star game line-up?

 

[number 10]

Many. We have had 18 years olds entering the NBA for years and competing at this level, and competing against our olympians in the past and getting rave reviews, so my question is, why are you trying to make him seem so special? Besides the rare Lebron James, it has taken a majority of the younger players years to get where they can compete at the NBA level once here, and a lot of it comes down to how hard they are willing to work on their game to improve the problems they are presented with. Kobe took years to get good. KG took years to get good. McGrady took years to get good. Tony Parker took years to get good. All of them worked really hard to get to the high level player they are today. Now look at the spanish players who have came over. If it weren't for Pau Gasol, they would not realy have a lot of positive things to talk about. Calderon has been like many of the Spanish players. All "O" no "D". Sergio is a fucking disaster. Raul Lopez? Please. The reason I doubt him most of all, is the fact that the Spanish players have not shown the work ethic needed to bring their game to the highest level, and Rubio has enough holes in his game that he will have to work hard to fill them in. If he is like the other spanish players, he will choose to sit and bitch rather than actually improve his game. That is what Pau did until he was in LA with stronger personalities to make him work harder.

Doesn't the fact that he's so good (or at least has accomplished so much) at such a young age speak volumes about his maturity and work ethic? Not to mention the inherent stupidity in assuming that because a couple of Spanish players lacked the drive of a top player, Rubio will be similar.

 

[Minstrel]

Many. We have had 18 years olds entering the NBA for years and competing at this level, and competing against our olympians in the past and getting rave reviews

Really? Which ones did so and didn't turn out to be good/great players in the NBA?

There may be some, but the vast majority of those, counting both US prep-to-pro and international prospects, who held their own against the best of the NBA and earned rave reviews became very good players.

 

[Ed O]

"Accomplished" is a relative term. On the world stage, Rubio has "accomplished" much more than James as an 18 year-old. I'm not sure why that means anything regarding the level of success the both may have in the NBA. His "accomplishments" certainly don't mask his much more limited athleticism versus James, do they?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I was addressing the statement that Rubio hasn't accomplished anything. Your response to me doesn't make any sense within the framework of what I was talking about.

Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

Everytime I hear raves about Rubio, the name Oscar Schmidt keeps jumping into my mind. Different position, sure, but Oscar RIPPED UP the USA.

He was drafted when he was 26. And he chose not to come to the NBA in order to maintain his amateur status.

Whether he would have had an impact in the NBA or not is unknown.

Also, how about Theo Papaloukas? He destroyed Team USA in the 2006 FIBA worlds. I must be missing him in the NBA All-Star game line-up?

I don't understand why a player's unwillingness to come to the NBA is any sort of evidence of his inability to play well in the NBA.

Rubio entered the NBA draft early, and appears to be willing to come to the NBA. That's entirely different from Schmidt and Papaloukas, so I'm not sure why those two guys are relevant.

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I was addressing the statement that Rubio hasn't accomplished anything. Your response to me doesn't make any sense within the framework of what I was talking about.

Ed O.

I was addressing this. Unless there is another reason for the Blazers to get him outside of his "accomplishments" that you didn't mention?

Other than LeBron James, I can't think of an 18 year-old who has accomplished MORE heading into the draft than Rubio, and if Portland has a chance to acquire him then they should do so[.
Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

I was addressing this. Unless there is another reason for the Blazers to get him outside of his "accomplishments" that you didn't mention?

Your post didn't address mine at all in a meaningful way, as far as I can tell.

You seemed to indicate I was comparing him to LeBron, which I was not. You also stated that "accomplishments" are relative, which makes no sense to me.

Ed O.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Many. We have had 18 years olds entering the NBA for years and competing at this level, and competing against our olympians in the past and getting rave reviews, so my question is, why are you trying to make him seem so special? Besides the rare Lebron James, it has taken a majority of the younger players years to get where they can compete at the NBA level once here, and a lot of it comes down to how hard they are willing to work on their game to improve the problems they are presented with. Kobe took years to get good. KG took years to get good. McGrady took years to get good. Tony Parker took years to get good.

Depends on how you define "good". Kobe and KG both made the All-Star team in their second season - Kobe at 19, KG at 20. All four players you mention had PERs significantly above average by their second seasons - all while playing significant minutes. So, I think saying they "took years to get good" is inaccurate. They were all quite good by their second NBA seasons.

All of them worked really hard to get to the high level player they are today. Now look at the spanish players who have came over. If it weren't for Pau Gasol, they would not realy have a lot of positive things to talk about. Calderon has been like many of the Spanish players. All "O" no "D". Sergio is a fucking disaster. Raul Lopez? Please. The reason I doubt him most of all, is the fact that the Spanish players have not shown the work ethic needed to bring their game to the highest level, and Rubio has enough holes in his game that he will have to work hard to fill them in. If he is like the other spanish players, he will choose to sit and bitch rather than actually improve his game. That is what Pau did until he was in LA with stronger personalities to make him work harder.

I'm not a big Rubio supporter, but it's not his nationality that concerns me - it's the position he plays. Playing PG in the NBA is a challenge even for many rookies who have 3 - 4 years of college experience. Guys like Gary Payton and Chauncy Billups struggled as rookies. I'm starting to warm to Rubio as a long term solution at PG, but if we did somehow get him (without giving up TOO much), I think it would push out our window of championship contention by a year ir two (compared to landing a proven, veteran PG through free agency or trade) - but in the end, may make that window bigger. In addition to getting even younger, my other concern with Rubio is what would it cost us to get him? Back when all the mock draft sites had him 1 or 2, I figured the asking price would be way to high - now that he's rumored to be slipping to 4 - 5, perhaps the asking price will be more reasonable.

So, the question is: do you try to land a vet to win now (and yes, I think we are one or two key vets away from being legitimate title contenders), or do you think more long term and go for a guy who could end up special down the road?

BNM

 

[PapaG]

Your post didn't address mine at all in a meaningful way, as far as I can tell.

You seemed to indicate I was comparing him to LeBron, which I was not. You also stated that "accomplishments" are relative, which makes no sense to me.
Ed O.

You made is seem as if James and Rubio were the two most accomplished players to enter the draft. Frankly, Rubio's resume is more impressive than that of a guy who was a national HS player of the year who played in Akron, OH. I'm just wondering how their accomplishments are similar. They seem like different players from different backgrounds.

 

[Ed O]

You made is seem as if James and Rubio were the two most accomplished players to enter the draft. Frankly, Rubio's resume is more impressive than that of a guy who was a national HS player of the year who played in Akron, OH. I'm just wondering how their accomplishments are similar. They seem like different players from different backgrounds.

I'm not comparing them. How their accomplishments are similar or dissimilar is something that someone else might want to comment on.

Ed O.

 

[Blaze01]

Keep that Hate on Rubio going Papa G!

 

[PapaG]

I'm not comparing them. How their accomplishments are similar or dissimilar is something that someone else might want to comment on.

Ed O.

Odd then that you would compare Rubio's accomplishments to James', and then in the same sentence state that if Portland has the chance, they should get Rubio. I guess there is no further need for clarity.