Ricky Rubio

[Grinder]

I'm watching Spain vs. Lithuania and finally getting to see Ricky in his element and DAMN this kid is good. Spain was up by 8 and then Rubio comes in, makes a sick no look pass to a cutting Marc Gasol, hits two threes, one of them contested, takes a charge, and makes a nasty left handed bounce pass between two defenders to Marc Gasol right under the hoop. In the 3-4 minutes he came in, Spain doubles their lead. I think this kid is already as good as Calderon if not better. He defends better, has incredible handles, passes just as well, and is improving his shot.

The only flaws I see in his game are that he has very little lift on his jumper, gets a little out of control off the dribble and makes some wild turnovers. I honestly think that if he keeps doing his thing, he can be the number one pick in the draft next year.

Off topic - Rudy Fernandez is awesome, he can create his shot better than any Euro I've seen and finishes really well. The Blazers are lucky to have him.

[The_Night_Elf]

Yeah, this guy is CR-A-ZEEE! I watched clips of him just ripping the apart the other teams. What I love is he seems to understand where te play is going. I can't wait to see how he develops.

I'd definitely burn a top 3 pick on him...

[Zan Tabak]

Can't wait to see how he doe's in the NBA ..with tougher defenders and Bigger Forwards...It's going to be a challenge for sure.

[The Chosen One]

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=CPSyScRcRRo&fmt=18

Ricky says hello to the world :rockon:

PS. He did it in front of Sarunas by the way. 17 years old, he still hasn't played a single official game for the national team and he kills Jasikevicious this way... No words. Incredible self-confidence.

[lilojmayo]

lol did you see rubio vs USA lol he suckks

[Undisputed]

lol did you see rubio vs USA lol he suckks

Don't know about sucks, but he's definitely overrated right now. I've watched all of Spains games thus far, and I have to say...Ricky really is not much of an offensive threat, yet. At least against the guys I've seen him play against.

This kid sure does have GREAT court vision though. His passing skills are excellent.

[Posterize246]

lol did you see rubio vs USA lol he suckks
8 pts, 3 assists, 3 steals. 3 rebounds, 4 turnovers in 18 mins going against Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams? The turnovers don't stick out as much to me because of USA's pressure. Anybody would turnover the ball that much. I'm not worried.

[Trax416]

lol did you see rubio vs USA lol he suckks

He went 8,3,3,3. He was the second best PG in that game. He also played less minutes then Jose and Deron.

He would have had 7-8 assists but he would make a pass to a wide open man and they would miss the shot.

Fact of the matter is, he is 17 years old, and out performed every PG in that game except Chris Paul. And he did it against Team USA. No 17-19 year old PG in the world is facing the competition he is.

If he continues to develop, he will be great.

[brandonislegend]

OVERRRRRRRRR

rATED

[LJJ]

The olympics is my first chance to see a lot of Rubio and while I was watching the games to come back saying he is overrated, I can't say that he is after watching.

Amazing talent, huge balls, and he will do just fine in the NBA.

[lilojmayo]

He went 8,3,3,3. He was the second best PG in that game. He also played less minutes then Jose and Deron.

He would have had 7-8 assists but he would make a pass to a wide open man and they would miss the shot.

Fact of the matter is, he is 17 years old, and out performed every PG in that game except Chris Paul. And he did it against Team USA. No 17-19 year old PG in the world is facing the competition he is.

If he continues to develop, he will be great.


stop making better than he is he is an average joe pg guard he cant score well, you could say that 8assist about any person if cavs made half of their open shots LBJ would have like 20assist

He in average Joe Guard and next year ppl are saying he would be #1 pick so dont give me that young crap

the dude went 1-4 on the field, the only reason he scored 8pts was because the USA was over the penalty and they kept handchecking/reaching/bumping rubio down court so he got to the line and he can make his FTs

You guys are acting like he going to be CP3/Pistol Pete in his Prime in the NBA when in reality he is a Jose Caledron best case scenario

Brandon Jennings however wow

[lilojmayo]

Don't know about sucks, but he's definitely overrated right now. I've watched all of Spains games thus far, and I have to say...Ricky really is not much of an offensive threat, yet. At least against the guys I've seen him play against.

This kid sure does have GREAT court vision though. His passing skills are excellent.

yeah that was a big to much he doesnt suck he is overrated and he is just an average joe pg best case scenario Jose Caledron not Pistol Pete or CP3

They way Europe was talking about him you think he was Gods gift to basketball

Kinda like a 17yr old David Beckham playing for Englands national team

but in reality he is just average pg

[Trax416]

stop making better than he is he is an average joe pg guard he cant score well, you could say that 8assist about any person if cavs made half of their open shots LBJ would have like 20assist

He in average Joe Guard and next year ppl are saying he would be #1 pick so dont give me that young crap

the dude went 1-4 on the field, the only reason he scored 8pts was because the USA was over the penalty and they kept handchecking/reaching/bumping rubio down court so he got to the line and he can make his FTs

You guys are acting like he going to be CP3/Pistol Pete in his Prime in the NBA when in reality he is a Jose Caledron best case scenario

Brandon Jennings however wow

LBJ would have 20 assists? Huh? Did you watch the game. Everytime Lebron made a pass and the person shot, it went in. So you are wrong.

Also, don't ever compare CP3 to Pistol Pete, because CP3 is **** compared to the great PG's and has a lot to prove. So don't ever mention him in the same breath again. The fact is, CP3 has played like CRAP this tournament. He has had one good game. In fact, Rubio has played better this Olympics, then Chris Paul has.

Chris Paul 10,2,3,2 in 20 minutes against Germany today.
Rubio 8,3,3,3 in 16 minutes against Team USA the other day.

So why aren't you giving Chris Paul ****?


now I am not saying he is better then Chris Paul, but he has more potential then Chris did at 17. He also has more potential then Deron Williams had at 17.

Name one 17 year old PG in the world today, that could have ran the court, and went 8,3,3,3 against Team USA, with Jason Kid, Deron Williams and Chris Paul guarding them. You can't.

Ricky has tons of potential. He is still really young. The last time Team USA won gold, Ricky was turning 11. Think about it.

[Trax416]

yeah that was a big to much he doesnt suck he is overrated and he is just an average joe pg best case scenario Jose Caledron not Pistol Pete or CP3

They way Europe was talking about him you think he was Gods gift to basketball

Kinda like a 17yr old David Beckham playing for Englands national team

but in reality he is just average pg

David Beckham at one point, was the best player in England, and finished runner up for the MVP of the Premier League for Manchester United. He is still recognized as the greatest free kicker to ever play the game of football, and let England to places they hadn't been for damn near 20 years. Sure Beckham isn't great now, but thats what happens when you get old. Shaq is garbage now also, but it doesn't take away from what he did.

So suffice to say, if Rubio turns out like David did, the NBA is in for some trouble.

I also wouldn't call Jose an "average joe" PG. Considering he was averaging 11 assists when he was starting, was averaging a double double, and had the best TO/Assist ratio in the history of the NBA.

[High Potential]

David Beckham at one point, was the best player in England, and finished runner up for the MVP of the Premier League for Manchester United. He is still recognized as the greatest free kicker to ever play the game of football, and let England to places they hadn't been for damn near 20 years. Sure Beckham isn't great now, but thats what happens when you get old. Shaq is garbage now also, but it doesn't take away from what he did.

So suffice to say, if Rubio turns out like David did, the NBA is in for some trouble.

I also wouldn't call Jose an "average joe" PG. Considering he was averaging 11 assists when he was starting, was averaging a double double, and had the best TO/Assist ratio in the history of the NBA.
David Beckham was never the best player in England. He scored a goal from midfield and that's when the overrating of him began. He used to be great at free kicks but now guys like Ronaldo, Pirlo and Juninho have surpassed him in that, and they are better players overall than he ever was. Even in his Manchester United days, he was probably the fifth or sixth best player on his own team, behind Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Schmeigel, Ferdinand and Van Nistelrooy.

Take a look at that. All of those players are clearly better than Beckham, and in Beckham's own midfield: Keane, Giggs, and Scholes, Beckham was the worst.

Don't talk out of your ass.

[Trax416]

David Beckham was never the best player in England. He scored a goal from midfield and that's when the overrating of him began. He used to be great at free kicks but now guys like Ronaldo, Pirlo and Juninho have surpassed him in that, and they are better players overall than he ever was. Even in his Manchester United days, he was probably the fifth or sixth best player on his own team, behind Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Schmeigel, Ferdinand and Van Nistelrooy.

Take a look at that. All of those players are clearly better than Beckham, and in Beckham's own midfield: Keane, Giggs, and Scholes, Beckham was the worst.

Don't talk out of your ass.

How about you don't talk out of your ass.

My wife and her entire famile are from Manchester.

Beckham has been runner up for FIFA player of the year twice. Both times being won by someone who was not English. During those two years, he was the best player England had. He has also been the Captain of the English National Football Club, and helped Manchester win the FA Cup, Premier League and champions league in a single year. If it was not for his tying goal, they would not have won the Premier League in the first place.

He has also won or been listed on.

PFA Young Player of the Year: 1997
Named in 1998 FIFA World Cup All-star team
FIFA World Player Of The Year Award finalist TWICE
UEFA Club Player of the Year Winner: 1999
UEFA Club Player of the Year Finalist: 2001
Named in Pel

[High Potential]

His celebrity is what is making people overrate him. Paul Scholes, his fellow Englishman and teammate from his Manchester years, always was, and still is better than David Beckham. I'd say that Beckham is about on the same level as Ole G. Solskjaer, but that is nothing to be ashamed of. Beckham was never the best player in England. Any football fan will tell you the same. I don't know why Americans always think the guy was as good as Ronaldinho at his peak, they overrate Beckham because he's the only player they know.


How can you argue that Beckham is better than his United teammates in midfield Keane, Scholes and Giggs?

All of them played in England at the same time as Beckham and they were all better than he is. Notice how Scholes and Giggs are still playing topflight football in Manchester United, while Beckham is rotting in the elephants graveyard that is the MLS. Also just because he is captain of England that doesn't make him Englands best player. Some say the only reason he even appears on the team is due to sponsorship contracts, similar to how Lebron gets so much playing time on team USA.

Also, every football fan knows that while Pele is a genius on the field, he is the opposite off the field, especially when it comes to evaluating talent. Remember what he said about Adu?

[Posterize246]

can't believe a ricky rubio thread turned into an argument over david beckham

[Blackeagle]

watched rubio tonight... he definitely has a lot of talent, but still has a long way to go with his decision making... there were way too many times that he tried to make the spectacular play and it wound up being a turnover

when those plays work, you wind up with things like his highlight videos, but the success rate on some of those types of plays seems to be way too low, at least tonight

but he does have amazing court vision and is actually quicker than I expected.. which is something I was worried about having never actually seen him play in a real game before.

his jumpshot though... very ugly. that needs to change. still, overall I'm very impressed with him, especially given his age

[Buffalobraves]

I've looked into this guy a lot and he is a phenomal player. Thing is everyone thinks he is going to be picked by OKC and I'm just not sure because he wouldn't fit in right now.

Anyone have thoughts on what team he will go to?

[CaptainOwlClub]

Anyone have thoughts on what team he will go to?

hard to look all the way to the 2010 draft(SINCE HE WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 09 DRAFT)- but teams that look to be going nowhere? bobcats, maybe new york, minnisota, or memphis- 1 injury could by that time really hurt the suns, nuggets or rockets

rubio would fit best playing with and passing to carmelo, jr smith(if re-signed) and nene (if healthy)

[Posterize246]

hard to look all the way to the 2010 draft(SINCE HE WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 09 DRAFT)- but teams that look to be going nowhere? bobcats, maybe new york, minnisota, or memphis- 1 injury could by that time really hurt the suns, nuggets or rockets

rubio would fit best playing with and passing to carmelo, jr smith(if re-signed) and nene (if healthy)
That's what some thought. But because he will turn 19 within the calendar year he IS eligible for the 2009 draft.

[brandonislegend]

over rated

brandon jennings > ricky rubio

[CaptainOwlClub]

That's what some thought. But because he will turn 19 within the calendar year he IS eligible for the 2009 draft.

thank you for telling me that- i had been getting sick of hearing about something i "thought" was impossible-

i really want to like the guy and hope he does great(especially if he fills the pg hole in denver), the guy shows passing skills & the want to be a pg imo, but when is the last time someone with so little physical dominance was thought to be such a top level prospect? i hope he lives up to the hype though because i dont remember any foreign prospect hyped like this

so far i have to agree about jennings being ahead of rubio, jennings has been the best player in each game ive seen him in- though that view proboby isnt fair at all comparing the hs all star games of jennings to rubio playing team usa & the rest of the olympics

[Thorpesaurous]

I posted this in a thread in the main forum titled "Have we overrated Ricky Rubio". I put it here mostly because there seems more chance of serious dialogue. There are some good thoughts in there though if anyone cares to search it. I apologize in advance for the lack of David Beckham input.:



First, I really like Rubio. I had seen prior to these olympics, as much as I could find on him, and was glad to see he was being given a bigger role than previously expected on the spanish team. He plays what I consider a beautifull game. I've never been enamored with dunks, or even finishes in general, as much as plays to lead to shots so easy that nothing complicated is possible. In fact, if you can squeeze a ball into a spot so tight that nothing but the most basic simple shot possible can be gotten off, that to me is the highlight of highlights.
Everytime I saw Rubio, the same thing jumped to mind. He had to work on his jumper, and he had to get stronger physically. He's never going to be a plus athlete at the NBA level. But at 6-4, he's got long wings, and he's quicker than he looks, with good defensive instincts, so I figured he'd get by.
However, the more I watch him, the less I believe he's going to be great. I don't actually think he's going to get enough stronger for it to ever not be an issue. I know he's young, and it's not like he's small, he is 6-4, but he just doesn't have a great frame. He's narrow through the shoulders, and in the hips, and usually guys who are thin when there young, if they have broad shoulders and hips, have the room to fill out. As for the jumpshot, he doesn't even have the foundation that I can project real improvement. Derrick Rose wasn't a great shooter this past year, but it was easy to see why people were able to overlook it because he had such a strong base to build from. Rubio still shows a need to get his shot up over his head from range, which is something I work on with kids at the middle school level.
Then I start thinking about the comps thrown around about the guy, and the ones I think of. The league built around iso play, which actually minimizes all the things that make Rubio special. It also hurts what he brings to the table defensively. He needs guys to be constantly moving around him, so he can use his gifts to find the seams that only a handfull of people can find. There are only a few players in the league still like that. Jason Kidd is this type of player, but Kidd, while never an elite athlete, is exceptionally strong for a PG, something I'm not sure Rubio will ever be above average in. Kidd could use his strength to force the issue.
Brent Barry at one time brought a similar wiry build to the game, and probably not the same level of instincts, but he was very natural. He however was a plus shooter and athlete for a while.
Jason Williams had a game like that, but it only worked when he was still good enough to demand the ball. That sort of thing is what make Rubio something of a boom or bust prospect in my eyes, because if he turns out good enough, his skill set will shine, but he'll have a harder time functioning as a perephery player.
The guys with bad jumpers who've made it on the wing are a short list too. And most of them are elite level athletes. Guys in that size range that come to mind are Leandro Barbosa, and while Rubio can push tempo, probably not like that, and finishing may be an issue as well.
The guy who's got a creative type of game like that, minust the jumper, and the plus athleticism ... Jamal Tinsley. That's not exactly the type of guy I'd be dying to put in as a cornerstone. Tinsley is 6-3 by the way, so it's not like the size is that off. Obviously the hope is that Rubio won't completely waste his talents with one of the worst attitudes in the league, and I don't think he's got quite the proclivity to dominate the ball that Tinsley does, but then again he's never played in an iso offense. It's not a total knock, Tinsley at his best was a very good player, and a guy who was great to watch. But under no circumstances did he ever seem like a guy who you take in the top five of a draft. Shaun Livingston also brought some similar stuff to the floor as well, both strengths and weaknesses, but did so at 6-7. Unfortunately he brings little track record to go by, although his slight frame did seem to be a problem, and he was already running into issues with guys playing off him because of his jumper.

So is he overrated. I don't think he's overrated as a basketball player, but I'm beginning to think he's overrated as an NBA prospect. His strengths are simply the exact opposite of what the league focuses on. And his weaknesses are rife for exploitation as well. The two big Ifs about his physical stature and jumper could push him into a different player, but I wouldn't be comfortable enough at this point with either to make me want to take him at three. The league just doesn't go after these types of players like this usually, which makes me wonder if they'll know what to do with him once they get him, and if he'll be thrown under the bus when he can't change the face of a franchised in two years. Every guy drafted in the top five in the past decade was either a big, a decidedly better athlete, or a markedly better shooter, with the exception of Livingston. That seems odd.
I hope he does well, I really think the style he brings to the game is something that's sorely missing in the league. But I'm afraid of what his failure could mean. Sadly, if he were taken at 14, he'd have a 16 assist night, be considered a steal, his shortcomings would brushed aside, and his jersey would be all over playgrounds everywhere the next summer. At three that won't happen.

[Buffalobraves]

I posted this in a thread in the main forum titled "Have we overrated Ricky Rubio". I put it here mostly because there seems more chance of serious dialogue. There are some good thoughts in there though if anyone cares to search it. I apologize in advance for the lack of David Beckham input.:



First, I really like Rubio. I had seen prior to these olympics, as much as I could find on him, and was glad to see he was being given a bigger role than previously expected on the spanish team. He plays what I consider a beautifull game. I've never been enamored with dunks, or even finishes in general, as much as plays to lead to shots so easy that nothing complicated is possible. In fact, if you can squeeze a ball into a spot so tight that nothing but the most basic simple shot possible can be gotten off, that to me is the highlight of highlights.
Everytime I saw Rubio, the same thing jumped to mind. He had to work on his jumper, and he had to get stronger physically. He's never going to be a plus athlete at the NBA level. But at 6-4, he's got long wings, and he's quicker than he looks, with good defensive instincts, so I figured he'd get by.
However, the more I watch him, the less I believe he's going to be great. I don't actually think he's going to get enough stronger for it to ever not be an issue. I know he's young, and it's not like he's small, he is 6-4, but he just doesn't have a great frame. He's narrow through the shoulders, and in the hips, and usually guys who are thin when there young, if they have broad shoulders and hips, have the room to fill out. As for the jumpshot, he doesn't even have the foundation that I can project real improvement. Derrick Rose wasn't a great shooter this past year, but it was easy to see why people were able to overlook it because he had such a strong base to build from. Rubio still shows a need to get his shot up over his head from range, which is something I work on with kids at the middle school level.
Then I start thinking about the comps thrown around about the guy, and the ones I think of. The league built around iso play, which actually minimizes all the things that make Rubio special. It also hurts what he brings to the table defensively. He needs guys to be constantly moving around him, so he can use his gifts to find the seams that only a handfull of people can find. There are only a few players in the league still like that. Jason Kidd is this type of player, but Kidd, while never an elite athlete, is exceptionally strong for a PG, something I'm not sure Rubio will ever be above average in. Kidd could use his strength to force the issue.
Brent Barry at one time brought a similar wiry build to the game, and probably not the same level of instincts, but he was very natural. He however was a plus shooter and athlete for a while.
Jason Williams had a game like that, but it only worked when he was still good enough to demand the ball. That sort of thing is what make Rubio something of a boom or bust prospect in my eyes, because if he turns out good enough, his skill set will shine, but he'll have a harder time functioning as a perephery player.
The guys with bad jumpers who've made it on the wing are a short list too. And most of them are elite level athletes. Guys in that size range that come to mind are Leandro Barbosa, and while Rubio can push tempo, probably not like that, and finishing may be an issue as well.
The guy who's got a creative type of game like that, minust the jumper, and the plus athleticism ... Jamal Tinsley. That's not exactly the type of guy I'd be dying to put in as a cornerstone. Tinsley is 6-3 by the way, so it's not like the size is that off. Obviously the hope is that Rubio won't completely waste his talents with one of the worst attitudes in the league, and I don't think he's got quite the proclivity to dominate the ball that Tinsley does, but then again he's never played in an iso offense. It's not a total knock, Tinsley at his best was a very good player, and a guy who was great to watch. But under no circumstances did he ever seem like a guy who you take in the top five of a draft. Shaun Livingston also brought some similar stuff to the floor as well, both strengths and weaknesses, but did so at 6-7. Unfortunately he brings little track record to go by, although his slight frame did seem to be a problem, and he was already running into issues with guys playing off him because of his jumper.

So is he overrated. I don't think he's overrated as a basketball player, but I'm beginning to think he's overrated as an NBA prospect. His strengths are simply the exact opposite of what the league focuses on. And his weaknesses are rife for exploitation as well. The two big Ifs about his physical stature and jumper could push him into a different player, but I wouldn't be comfortable enough at this point with either to make me want to take him at three. The league just doesn't go after these types of players like this usually, which makes me wonder if they'll know what to do with him once they get him, and if he'll be thrown under the bus when he can't change the face of a franchised in two years. Every guy drafted in the top five in the past decade was either a big, a decidedly better athlete, or a markedly better shooter, with the exception of Livingston. That seems odd.
I hope he does well, I really think the style he brings to the game is something that's sorely missing in the league. But I'm afraid of what his failure could mean. Sadly, if he were taken at 14, he'd have a 16 assist night, be considered a steal, his shortcomings would brushed aside, and his jersey would be all over playgrounds everywhere the next summer. At three that won't happen.
You make the best posts on ISH.

[Thorpesaurous]

Thanks.

[Grizzled Mayo]

Man that was way to long to read I will just say that rubio looks good but the man cant play defense and turns the ball over way to much

[Blackeagle]

Man that was way to long to read I will just say that rubio looks good but the man cant play defense and turns the ball over way to much

he actually plays defense quite well. He rotates very well, plays the passing lanes very well, has very active hands... and yes, he's even got pretty quick feet laterally

he needs to get stronger, and he's not an athletic freak, but I don't know where you get off saying "the man can't play defense"

the turnovers are an issue though. Like I said in my first post, that's the biggest problem with him right now... he tries too often to make the spectacular play, and it winds up being a turnover too often. That and his jumpshot are his biggest weaknesses.

[Thorpesaurous]

Defense is a borderline strength. Especially if he can be put next to some on ball type guys, because he's really good off the ball. He's not going to be an on ball stopper though.
The turnovers honestly don't bother me that much. Sure, I'd like to see them come down some, but most really big time playmakers are turnover prone, especially in their youth. And the one advantage of him playing in a more athlete friendly league is that a lot of his good looks but less good passes will be covered up by guys more able to go get it.

The jumper is a huge problem, and if it doesn't get a lot better, he'll never be able to get guys close enough to beat them, because he's never going to be strong enough to got through them. His issues have something of a dominoe effect it seems to me.

[monthh]

Thorpesaurous is exactly right. With that said, this guy is still just 17. Basically a high school junior. Pure PG are some of the last guys to develop and for him to already be at this level is pretty amazing. He certainly has more talent than any American high school player or incoming freshman. Please don't take this as an insult to the American guys because after Rubio probably the next 25 best non-NBA points under 20 are American. Rubio has such a huge amount of talent, but as Thorpesaurous said, he has a few major flaws.

[eprizzle14]

I think if you had Derrick Low (from wash st.) run an offense and Rubio run an offense youd see many similarities. Rubio is taller and more athlectic then low though. basically im trying to say I think Rubio is closer to Derrick Low in terms of skill set rather then anytype of NBA star or average NBA player. I think all the Rubio fans will be sorely dissapointed.

[Posterize246]

I think if you had Derrick Low (from wash st.) run an offense and Rubio run an offense youd see many similarities. Rubio is taller and more athlectic then low though. basically im trying to say I think Rubio is closer to Derrick Low in terms of skill set rather then anytype of NBA star or average NBA player. I think all the Rubio fans will be sorely dissapointed.
that comparison is way off

[eprizzle14]

that comparison is way off who would you compare him to at this stage of his career? and I was just saying that he's closer to Low then an NBA contributer at this point. Oh and Low is not a bad point guard by any means, just doesnt have all the tools that allow him to succeed as well as others.

[disco]

who would you compare him to at this stage of his career? and I was just saying that he's closer to Low then an NBA contributer at this point. Oh and Low is not a bad point guard by any means, just doesnt have all the tools that allow him to succeed as well as others.

Comparing him to college players is very difficult and pointless because their circumstances are so different. Also, it's very unusual that someone so young plays that much - and that well - for a top European team, so I cannot think any comparisons there either. The player he reminds me most is Steve Nash, although that's not a good comparison at this stage either. I just think he is a similar type of player. Better defender but weaker shooter, though.

[Thorpesaurous]

Comparing him to college players is very difficult and pointless because their circumstances are so different. Also, it's very unusual that someone so young plays that much - and that well - for a top European team, so I cannot think any comparisons there either. The player he reminds me most is Steve Nash, although that's not a good comparison at this stage either. I just think he is a similar type of player. Better defender but weaker shooter, though.

The Nash comp makes sense because of the ball handling, and vision, as well as a lack of physical strength. But Nash is built lower to the ground, and has quicker feet. And the big difference is that one of the essential reasons he works is because he is a Great shooter, with a capital G. He's probaby among the ten best shooters of all time.
At his age, there's definitely time for improvement, but I just don't think there's a foundation there, or the natural element of shooting, that will ever make it a strength.

[eprizzle14]

I think right now hes closer to Derrick Lowe in terms of gameplay and skill set rather then Nash. anyone disagree?

[out|hoops|side]

Man that was way to long to read I will just say that rubio looks good but the man cant play defense and turns the ball over way to much

Sounds like O.J. Mayo hmm?

[lilojmayo]

Sounds like O.J. Mayo hmm?

lol u just a hater brush it off oj mayo when he averages 30 a night his rookie year imma make a big thread on how i told you so

[out|hoops|side]

If Mayo averages 30 a game for the entire season as a rookie I will put whatever avatar you want as my avatar for the remainder of my time posting on ISH.

[eprizzle14]

Sounds like O.J. Mayo hmm? Oj Mayo actually plays good D, dont know what youre talking about.

[out|hoops|side]

No, I have a buddy who played against him at Las Vegas Big Time. Says Mayo stood at the other end of the court while his teammates played D and then would wait for the full-court pass so he could throw it down really huge-like.:rolleyes:
Might have changed for college, but still seems lazy on D to me.

[eprizzle14]

No, I have a buddy who played against him at Las Vegas Big Time. Says Mayo stood at the other end of the court while his teammates played D and then would wait for the full-court pass so he could throw it down really huge-like.:rolleyes:
Might have changed for college, but still seems lazy on D to me.
thats where mayo the ego was ahead of mayo the player, but no one would put up with that in anything other then club basketball which is where im sure that happened. He guarded the best guard night in and night out at USC and held his own..:rolleyes:

[Grinder]

lol u just a hater brush it off oj mayo when he averages 30 a night his rookie year imma make a big thread on how i told you so


Mayo won't average 30 ppg even once in his career. :roll:

[Posterize246]

No, I have a buddy who played against him at Las Vegas Big Time. Says Mayo stood at the other end of the court while his teammates played D and then would wait for the full-court pass so he could throw it down really huge-like.:rolleyes:
Might have changed for college, but still seems lazy on D to me.
Mayo's a great defender. Check the games against Arizona and UCLA when he shut down both Bayless and Collison. And I do mean shut down.

[la bomba]

Alot of people here talking about this 17yr old are all assuming things,1st that as soon as he is 19 or eligable to go to the NBA he will go.Then it is also of considerable doubt whether you guys have actually seen the guy play often,Probably most people giving opinions have seen him play in a couple of games for spain and some youtube vids!
I only ask one thing,where was Nash when he was 17? how about Chris Paul?Deron Williams?would they have played in an olympic final?

[out|hoops|side]

Alot of people here talking about this 17yr old are all assuming things,1st that as soon as he is 19 or eligable to go to the NBA he will go.Then it is also of considerable doubt whether you guys have actually seen the guy play often,Probably most people giving opinions have seen him play in a couple of games for spain and some youtube vids!
I only ask one thing,where was Nash when he was 17? how about Chris Paul?Deron Williams?would they have played in an olympic final?

I can't tell if you are arguing for Rubio or against his talent??

[out|hoops|side]

Mayo's a great defender. Check the games against Arizona and UCLA when he shut down both Bayless and Collison. And I do mean shut down.

So...what do you mean...I don't get it. You meant shut down as in...?

[la bomba]

I can't tell if you are arguing for Rubio or against his talent??
sorry i thought i was pretty clear.

[out|hoops|side]

sorry i thought i was pretty clear.

Reading it again, I would have to hazard a guess that you think Rubio is good?

[Posterize246]

So...what do you mean...I don't get it. You meant shut down as in...?
my fault i meant russell westbrook not collison

Game 1 vs. UCLA- Westbrook shot 2-11, 4 pts, 5 turnovers

Game 2 vs. UCLA- Westbrook shot 2-11, 7 pts

Game 1 vs. Arizona- Bayless shot 4-9, 10 pts, 3 turnovers

Game 2 vs. Arizona- Bayless shot 2-6, 8 pts, 6 turnovers

Both were lottery picks. Both had Mayo as their defender that game.

[lilojmayo]

my fault i meant russell westbrook not collison

Game 1 vs. UCLA- Westbrook shot 2-11, 4 pts, 5 turnovers

Game 2 vs. UCLA- Westbrook shot 2-11, 7 pts

Game 1 vs. Arizona- Bayless shot 4-9, 10 pts, 3 turnovers

Game 2 vs. Arizona- Bayless shot 2-6, 8 pts, 6 turnovers

Both were lottery picks. Both had Mayo as their defender that game.

mayo shut down derrick rose also rose had like 7pts and 4 tos something like that

[lilojmayo]

No, I have a buddy who played against him at Las Vegas Big Time. Says Mayo stood at the other end of the court while his teammates played D and then would wait for the full-court pass so he could throw it down really huge-like.:rolleyes:
Might have changed for college, but still seems lazy on D to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALbooHJeCjw

your talking about this well OJ mayo team played Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose's team none of them could stop mayo Mayo had 7 three pointers this game and the game winning shot in the las vegas tournament so i dont know what your talking about

[out|hoops|side]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALbooHJeCjw

your talking about this well OJ mayo team played Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose's team none of them could stop mayo Mayo had 7 three pointers this game and the game winning shot in the las vegas tournament so i dont know what your talking about

I was talking about the defense, lol. Get a clue. I know Mayo can score.