Thru the Eyes of Rubio
by Ziller on Jun 17, 2009 7:12 AM PDT
in NBA Draft
50 comments
To the revelations of fresh-faced youth
From all the current, renewed Ricky Rubio buzz, perhaps the most poignant note is the realization that Ricky Rubio really wants to be in Sacramento. And that's surprising. We all remember the 1990s. We remember Chris Webber balking at the trade. We remember life as less than laughingstocks -- we remember complete irrelevance and invisibility. This 2008-09 season became rather nostalgic in that sense, the sense that our ankles had been caught in old quicksand we thought we'd left behind forever. Last year was 1997 all over again.
In 1998, we had one outside NBA player who wanted to be in Sacramento: Vlade Divac, a center of decent ability and overwhelming charisma. In 2009, we do have all these draft prospects begging for that No. 4 spot -- Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, surely Jrue Holday, Jonny Flynn and Stephen Curry. But Rubio sits a bit outside of that mold. Jennings, Evans, Holiday, Flynn and Curry will say those same words -- "Pick me! I love <city>!" -- to Memphis and Oklahoma City. Rubio has not, and will not. He is just screaming "Pick me!" to Sacramento. And that's amazing.
Sacramento has two things to offer Ricky, really: a young base where growth is more important than winning in the very short-term, and playing time. Let's be honest about our competition. The Grizzlies and Thunder fit the same bill on the first point. No one in Oklahoma City, Sacramento or Memphis will crucify Rubio for a five-turnover game. But despite Mike Conley's uneven career to date and Russell Westbrook's combo tendencies, Sacramento has the real golden void at the point. The team and everyone associated with it now appears to hate Beno Udrih for his slack act. Rubio's camp knows he will get more minutes in Sacramento than anywhere else.
Is that all we are, an open roster spot?
That doesn't upset me. The kid wants to play. Sure, a lot of kids want to play. But this kid -- a star the world over -- wants to show everyone he has what it takes to lead an NBA team, to be a star on the biggest stage, to enter the Pantheon of Point Guards. And he thinks he can do that in Sacramento. He sees Sacramento as his staging area in his quest to rise as no other European point guard has. I'm with it.
Quiero Ricky.
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What concerns me is the age difference
between Rubio (as a possible future star of this team) and Martin (the star of this team) which is 7.5 years. Few months ago I wrote a fanpost arguing that there has basically been no pointguard in the last decade able to compete with the best pointguards in the league who would be younger than 21. In other words, the earliest time that Rubio might be (concerning his physical development as well) to compete at the highest level is three years from now at least. At which time Martin will be 29.
On the other hand, the difference between Divac and Bibby/Stojakovic was 9 years. In other words, the ‘peaks’ of Martin’s and Rubio’s careers might overlap quite easily, this ‘period of overlap’ will just probably be rather short.
by KingsFanfromCentralEurope on Jun 17, 2009 7:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's very possible that Kevin will end up being this
team’s Mitch Richmond. I hope we can become competitive in time for him to be involved, but trading him to a contender for a younger stud may end up being what’s best for the team. That worry is still a couple of years down the road though.
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on Jun 17, 2009 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Yes
That’s exactly what I’ve thought about
by KingsFanfromCentralEurope on Jun 17, 2009 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For definately
Martin – and his sidekick, the awesome-est contract – are gravy/frosting right now to a team core that is, for the majority, going to be younger than him. however, it is not preferred that they all be younger, as we generally won’t win many games without experience and a steady veteran hand.
by Citadel 29 on Jun 17, 2009 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
First off,
yo lo quiero tambien.
second, Jordan was 29 when he won his first championship. I’m not, by any means, saying Marting is like Jordan, I’m just saying he’s got a lot ahead of him. Also, being that he’s an incredible shooter, I think his game will age well. How old was Reggie when he retired? 41?
by KeonClark on Jun 17, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at games played to make an assessment on where Kevin Martin will be physically at age 29.
Barring a major injury- knee, back, hip, major ankle injury- Martin is primed to play high level basketball in to his mid-thirties. Why? Because he played 4 years of college ball, limiting his games played at a young age why his body was still maturing, played sparingly his first couple of seasons and lastly he played for bad teams that didn’t make the playoffs.
Martin has played a total of 315 NBA games(including 6 playoff games) and 79 college games = 394 total games at age 26. By age 26, Kobe Bryant had played 481 regular season NBA games and 119 playoff games = 600 total games played not including team USA play, 206 more than Martin (almost exactly 2.5 season of NBA games). Probably a more fair comparison is Ray Allen, a 3 year college player at UConn, Ray played 101 college games, 378 regular season and 26 postseason games by age 26 = 505 total games played not including team USA play, 111 more games than Martin. Allen, now almost 34 years old has seen a reduction in his overall numbers since joining the Celtics. The decline can be attributed partially to the system and players around him and he probably has a year or two left of high quality ball left in him. Kobe, still not yet 31 has played and astonishing 1123 games in his career, a total that will take Martin another 9 year to obtain.
Games played isn’t an end all stat but minutes played would show even a larger discrepancy. My point is that Martin, due to a variety of variables has many miles left on his body and shouldn’t be in major decline for another 3-5 years after the age of 29 barring a catastrophic injury.
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
by jjham15 on Jun 17, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
Great stuff JJ
I can honestly say I never thought about that and it is a very important point to keep in mind when discussing Kevin’s long term outlook with this team.
by eduardo_m7 on Jun 17, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good stuff
I hate to use Bill Simmons but he always brings up a good point about this. He says for star players who play a lot of minutes for a long time, it’s not so much about their age, but the mileage on their legs. He notes that the drop off tends to occur after about 1000 NBA games. Using that metric Martin, whose played for 5 years is only a third of the way there. Plus Martin’s build and the way he plays is very similar to Reggie Miller who played until he was 40
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Jun 17, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need to call my sister
To see if she has any kind of “Ricky Mania” T-shirts from the last “Latino Sensation” Ricky ten years ago or so. That would save me from having to make my own.
Queremos Ricky? Si! Si! Si!
by AnotherStupidSN on Jun 17, 2009 8:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Rubio
Right now, Rubio means so much more to this city than a player in the draft. TZ hit the nail on the head, it’s about a player who wants to come to Sacramento. Just like it was so key that we have a coach who wanted to be in Sacramento.
Rubio is an idea to us. No matter how many YouTube highlights we’ve seen, no matter how many of his games we’ve tried to watch online or in the Olympics, he is still an idea. He is our hope. Right or wrong, we’ve annointed him our savior before he is even ours to annoint.
Now, I know there are still Rubio doubters out there. We’ve argued in circles dozens of times. Hating Ricky Rubio is becoming the new Hating Dane Cook. It’s the thing to do. But just like Cook, you go back and watch the video again and you remember why it was such a big deal in the first place. There’s something there.
Nobody here is going to claim Jason Williams should be a hall of famer, or even have Sacramento retire his number, but remember what he did for Kings basketball. He made it fun and exciting. Let’s face it, it was a hell of lot more fun to be a Kings fan back then. That’s where I see Ricky’s floor. That’s where I believe his “bust” scenario would take us. Yes, we would want more from him. And I think he’d give us more. But if nothing else we’d have some excitement and optimism. Like anything could happen. That’s what I want. I want that feeling again.
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
by Exhibit G on Jun 17, 2009 8:19 AM PDT reply actions 11 recs
completely agree!!
we need excitement back in sac and rubio will definitely get it done!! just imagine playing in the olympics with some of the best points from USA and he did fine!! if he was going against just one for the night i think he’ll do fine on both sides of the court. i see him as a jason williams/tony parker player!! having both skill sets. who brings that to the table everyday?
by blowfishee on Jun 17, 2009 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd
As long as the games are exciting fans will come back to Arco. If some agency hired me and we had Rubio I would buy nosebleed season tickets, but unfortunately Math degree’s don’t do much in this economy.
There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru
by moproblemz on Jun 17, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
More like...
as long as the games are exciting AND the economy improves (or ticket prices drop even further). I don’t expect a run on season tickets even if Rubio shows up and plays exciting ball, but the TV ratings will likely improve dramatically.
by cabz on Jun 17, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very true about season tix
but if there’s some exciting bball played early in the season I think we’ll see the numbers increase per game
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Jun 17, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
And I also think it’s important to point out that if he turns out to be an incredible floor general, he will help us attract better free agents than we’ve been able to in the past. Think about it – what NBA player with other options would choose Sacramento? Being born and raised in Sac, I hate to say it, but it’s got be among the bottom 5 as far as ‘best destinations’ for NBA players. I’m putting it ahead of Milwaukee, Minnesota, Memphis, and OKC (and Cleveland, but only after LBJ leaves). And only better than those places because of whether and proximity to cool stuff (like Jackson Racheria). BUT, what if we have a player that makes other players better? Does that immediately make Sac more attractive? Amare Stoudemire averaged about 6 more points a game in his first year with Steve Nash at the point. Think about how good Jason Kidd made Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin look.
I’m sure this has already been touched upon, but Rubio has rarely had the chance to play with NBA talent. Basically the only guy he’s played with that has elite NBA-style athleticism is Rudy Fernandez. You don’t think Westphal can get Rubio and Jason Thompson to run that Chris Paul/Tyson Chandler oop play at least once a game? This kid could make all our young guys better. Furthermore, they’ll also know if they run the floor or put forth the effort, Rubio will reward them. I don’t think you can say this for Jennings.
by KeonClark on Jun 17, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clap.......clap.....clap....clap...clap..clap.clapclapclapclapclap
Agreed. Even if Rubio doesn’t end up as one of the top five players from this draft, he’s a big fat “warm fuzzy” in a city in desperate need of a warm fuzzy.
Also, I don’t mean to be hyperbolic, but I sincerely believe that having Ricky on this team could go a long way towards getting a new arena built, in regards to private business/developers being willing to invest in it. If we have Ricky, we can tell them “Si lo construyes, vendrán”.
And if we don’t get a new arena, at least they’ll be closing down Arco not just because it’s outdated, but because it’s crumbling from our thunderous cheers.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jun 17, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If you build it, they will come.
Brilliant.
by KeonClark on Jun 17, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he’s a big fat "warm fuzzy" in a city in desperate need of a warm fuzzy.
warm fuzzy>>>wet willie
by luckthefakers on Jun 18, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd
I see only good things coming from drafting Rubio, from the basketball side to the business side.
It would be fun to be really excited about the Kings again.
Any other person we draft would leave me feeling kind of the way I felt about signing Westphal- “Really? Yeah, ok.”
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 17, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree.
I want players who have a love and passion for the game, that has been lacking for 3+ years. We need a roster of those players. Even if they have their flaws, like did a Doug Christie, and Bobby Jackson, and Bibby in his prime, these guys had a passion for their craft. And it showed in their effort and results. Rubio seems like this type of person, a genuine guy, in the same mold as players of the last successful Kings era. Add Rubio, to go with Shock and Hawes, K-Mart and Garcia, and to lesser extent Noccioni, and we can be on the road to something special. Or at least fun.
by bench_blob on Jun 17, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ummm...I have a problem.
Many really. But, in this case, I have a problem with people using the “Ricky will bring the excitment back to Arco” argument as justification for drafting him.
If he is the best player, draft him. If Petrie likes him, great. By all means, pick him if he’s there, but don’t tell me we should pick him over someone else because he’s a fun player to watch. Don’t tell me we need flash over substance because that is what will fill up the seats and keep the team in Sacramento. Bottomline: winning and being successful is what brings people into Arco.
If Rubio is flashy, but not very effective, it won’t matter much to our attendance. Plus, if one of the point guards available ends up being much better, fans will quickly depart from espousing the “excitement factor” and wonder aloud why we didn’t pick the guy who is playing so much better for team X.
Laslty, JWill was a fun player to watch, but if he hadn’t been playing along side Vlade, Webber and Peja, I really doubt he would have received half as much attention. The Kings were fun to watch because everyone was unselfish and we were winning. If flashy play was all it took, the Maloofs would have signed the And 1 traveling squad to contract a long time ago.
by R-Man on Jun 17, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not the only reason to draft Rubio.
It’s a bonus reason to draft Rubio.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on Jun 17, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally disagree R-Man.
I have a problem with people using the "Ricky will bring the excitment back to Arco" argument as justification for drafting him.
Attendance started to dwindle during the Artest playoff run. A team who has very little chance to garner a playoff spot this year or next, needs something other than W’s to draw a crowd. Ricky Rubio is that something if the Kings can land him and no one else, besides Griffin has that effect in this draft.
Laslty, JWill was a fun player to watch, but if he hadn’t been playing along side Vlade, Webber and Peja, I really doubt he would have received half as much attention
You must not have been watching ESPN during the J-Will era. Every night there was a J-Will highlight watch, the country, not just Sacramento waited for the opening of Sports Center to see if he made the big show. There is a difference between And 1 players and raw instinct players like Jason Williams and Ricky Rubio- they do thing that we only dream of doing because they see and react at a whole other level than the regular human, its not for show, its how they think.
"Or, as Randy Jackson would say: Not feelin’ it, dawg."
-bench-blob- posting virgin.
by jjham15 on Jun 17, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree to disagree...
Remember Harold Minor was exciting to watch when he played at USC. (Maybe not. No one remembers Harold Minor.) The point is, he was considered the most exciting player in college basketball way back when, and he did very little to help the Miami Heat (at the gate or in the win column) once it was discovered he couldn’t play at the pro level.
Note: I am not saying that Ricky is Harold. Nor am I necessarily saying that Ricky will not be any good. I am just saying that it is unwise to pick someone because they are “exciting.”
by R-Man on Jun 17, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one is picking Rubio cuz he's exciting
That aspect of his game and persona may come into play but only if Petrie sees that he’s pretty much equal to other prospects. No one in their right mind will pick a player this high just because he’s flashy and will bring people to Arco. It’s all just an additional bonus
by eduardo_m7 on Jun 17, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your Anaheim Kings.....
First, you are wrong if you don’t think Ricky Rubio basketball is exciting. Second, you are also wrong if you don’t think it will help sell tickets at Arco.
Most importantly, if the team does not sell tickets in the very near future, Sacramento could lose its franchise.
While I feel Jrue Holiday may be an a great selection at four (as other feel jennings or flynn would be), I personally think the ownership needs to do what it takes to put fans in the stands and keep the team in Sac.
Lastly, all that aside, I ALSO feel he is the best prospect and will make everyone else on the team better.
by KeonClark on Jun 17, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The business side of this is an important consideration
I’m guessing the Maloofs have a hard-on for Rubio right now. And the buzz Ricky would generate for this team right now has to be taken into account.
I just hope it’s a tiebreaker if Petrie sees Rubio/Jennings/Flynn/Evans etc as very very close…but not to make it the most important consideration.
With the 4th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Rickeke Flynenningday, point guard from Europe, Memphis, Syracuse, UCLA and Parts Unknown.
by otis29 on Jun 17, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and I remember Baby Jordan
Ricky Rubio is already performing at the Pro level. Just don’t enter him in the slam dunk contest (like Miner who won in 1993 and 1995).
by betweentheeyes on Jun 17, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uhh...
Hating Rubio is the cool thing to do? Have you read this thread?
Also Dane Cook really does suck.
by nbrans on Jun 17, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dane Cook does not suck
i assure you of this
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Jun 17, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
UH
Yes he does.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on Jun 17, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm, a blowfish does....
Great sushi that can kill ya!
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt — When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults"
by SactownheartOChouse on Jun 17, 2009 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Intangibles
Post lottery, when the quest of the Griffin became an “up in smoke” reality, my hope turned to what I thought was the real need for the Kings, the addition of a legitimate PG who could truly be the cornerstone of the franchise re-building effort. Like most fans, I wanted the next CP3 or, dare I say it, the next Rajon or Devin that fly up and down the court, athletically dishing it to KMart on the wing, or breaking down the Laker defense and slamming it with authority and attitude. Could that be Jrue, Jonny, Brandon, or maybe Tyreke? Sure. But what about that other guy, that no one really thought would be available. The guy we never really saw play that much anywhere. We just heard about him, mostly legend. The tall, skinny kid from Spain with the Maravich no-look passes. Didn’t quite fit the image I had in mind. Maybe many of you felt the same way.
Now, at this juncture, I am coming around to the fact that this franchise needs Ricky Rubio more than we may want to admit. We need a player of this “stature” who will bring Sacramento those intangibles that the team needs to move out of the doldrums. We need a player that has “star power” right now. He is uniquely suited for this opportunity — hugely more suited to the position than J-Will. The brief interview by Sam Amick sold me. Here is an 18-year old with poise, charm, and media savvy. Granted there are lots of unknowns involved in the equation at this point in time: what about the buyout, etc., however, it does appear that Ricky genuinely wants to be in Sacramento, and that really is a big, big intangible that has been a thorn in the side of management and fans for a long time.
It would be my hope that Geoff, Gavin, and Joe, make it crystal clear to Ricky that he doesn’t need to make any other visits. We want him here to begin a new era of re-branding the Kings as a bunch of young players, happy to be where they are, anxious to work together as a team for a good coach and play hard every night. The necessary pieces will come in time, but Ricky is a great start in the right direction to complement the players we already have, make them better, and provide the potential star power and media attention the Kings fans deserve and crave.
by bozotunes on Jun 17, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree bozo, as I've said before, the first thing this team and fanbase need is hope
and I think you are right that out of all our potential picks Ricky by far has the most “star power” and we need all the “light” possible as the Kings rebuild the aura of a successful team.
"We are in the business of kicking butt and business is very, very good." - Charles Barkley
by Bluejohn on Jun 17, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Sacramento" is a Spanish word
Life is every mammal's journey from very very wet to very very dry.
by Holmdel on Jun 17, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on the weather
it looks like God wants Ricky to come here too. I’m glad we’ve got the Big Guy on our side, though it’s a bit disconcerting that even the Holy Father apparently has no power over the NBA Draft Lottery.
by AnotherStupidSN on Jun 17, 2009 10:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Or does he?
We got the only possible scenario where Ricky would even drop to us at 4…
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on Jun 17, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As the saying goes
“The NBA Draft Lottery works in mysterious ways”
by AnotherStupidSN on Jun 17, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
damn it
my hopes are officially up.
Punjabi by Nature
by Robby1987 on Jun 17, 2009 11:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn. So are mine.
There can only be one Noce!
by NoceOne on Jun 17, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sam just tweeted that Rubio will be staying an extra day for more dinner, basketball,
and meetings. Didn’t feel it needed its own fanshot as this is on topic enough.
There now I've met the 75 word count. -pookeyguru
by moproblemz on Jun 17, 2009 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Rubio tweeter
http://twitter.com/rickyrubio9
Visita al Arco Arena … las instalaciones son brutales! Revisión médica, todo OK!!!! Cena con Paul Westphal, el nuevo Coach. Todo genial!!!
I’ve visited Arco Arena… facilities are amazing! Physical passed, everything’s OK!!! Dinner with Paul Westphal, new Coach. Everything’s great!!!
Nobody expects a Spanish Acquisition!
by DaniBCN on Jun 17, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He loves it here. Damn you, Memphis and OKC, don't break my heart!
There can only be one Noce!
by NoceOne on Jun 17, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could see Ricky being very wary about going to Oklahoma
The thunder have KD who uses a lot of possessions (i’m not knocking KD he is a fantastic player,) and needs a lot of touches.
The kings have Kmart. If anything he needs to be forced to take more possessions in killer mode.
Rubio is a professional player who understands guys playing on big contracts and the concept of “the franchise”. KM is actually a franchise player who at the end of the day can very comfortably play with another high usage player, and does not need the ball in his hands at all times.
Again no knock on KD. He is a machine of devestation. I’d love to have him in Sactown, (or for that matter in San Antonio), but if you are a creative point guard who flourishes with the ball in hand creating opportunities who would it be easier to play with?
" Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. "
by Bushka on Jun 17, 2009 4:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
K-Mart is just another reason to get Rubio
watch some of Rubio’s highlights and you’ll see him making some sick passes to guys making backdoor cuts to the basket. What does Kevin Martin do really well without the ball in his hands? He makes quick backdoor cuts to the basket.
www.mancancook.net
by vfettke on Jun 17, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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