Rubio Reacts to Workouts

Sam Amick handled that camera superbly I might add, is there anything he can't do?!

over 2 years ago luckybastard 23 comments 0 recs |

Comments

this could be the tipping point. As long as the smoke works Rubio should fall to 4. That’s assuming Memphis stays at 2 and OKC takes Hardin or Thabeet (who said it was 100% OKC takes him if he’s there).

I just don’t see why any GM would draft a kid who said he doesn’t want to play for them AND hasn’t done a workout that they have access to see… Especially when you factor in the contract situation. Even if it’s resolved soon like they say, the threats about staying for another contract in Europe should be enough to make it too much drama for them.

So here’s hoping for Memphis staying put at 2 and taking Thabeet. Then OKC taking Hardin!

This could be the beginning again fellas!!!

I'm a limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheeling-dealing son of a gun!!! Wooooo!!!

by Noble_Bloodlines on Jun 23, 2009 6:07 AM PDT reply actions

Work out not designed to show Rubio's strengths

Rubio’s strength is in the open court and his play making ability not how high he can jump or how fast he is with the ball. His not going to wow you with is athletic ability. What he will wow you with is his passing ability and getting people the ball were they want it. How do you measure that? I can’t tell you how many times I saw Hawes, Thompson, Martin, Cisco etc… wide open for a shot and the ball not get to them. With Rubio that wont happen. He’ll deliver the ball were it’s suppose to go, when its suppose to go. That’s a skill that can’t be judged doing a solo work out.

by AyyJude on Jun 23, 2009 8:15 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

^^^^^ should be a blockquote

by Deez on Jun 23, 2009 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Why should a workout be designed around someone's strengths?

Yes, passing is Rubio’s core strength, but workouts aren’t just about confirming what you know someone is already good at, it’s also about seeing weaknesses and whether they’re fixable. One of Rubio’s weaknesses has been his midrange shooting. I’m sure the coaching staff wanted to see him up close to see how well he shoots off the dribble, whether it’s a matter of timing or form, and whether they thought it would be a long term problem. If he never learns to shoot effectively off the dribble it’s going to limit what he can do offensively.

As I read somewhere else, Europeans tend to spend more time than Americans practicing jump shooting, so the fact that Rubio isn’t a good jump shooter has been some cause for concern. Maybe he’s just young and it’s coming along, maybe he just lacks the “good shooting” gene, but I’m sure that’s something that the front office wanted to see for themselves.

by nbrans on Jun 23, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Amick's article

mentions an FO source who is not a Rubio supporter that he was actually pleasantly surprised with his shooting

www.mancancook.net

by vfettke on Jun 23, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, saw that too

That’s encouraging.

by nbrans on Jun 23, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree, but also disgaree

I agree that a workout shouldn’t be tailored to a player’s strengths. But if it only showcases their weaker skills, that will not provide an accurate assessment either.

Let’s use Curry as an example. He’s a shooter. He’s going to shoot lights-out in a jump-shooting workout. Rubio won’t. I’m not trying to compare the two players (and I’m a Curry fan, so this isn’t a knock against him), but it would also be a mistake to compare the two based on one type of workout.

Before this workout, everyone knew that Rubio was not the best shooter, nor was he the most athletic. Those aren’t the strengths he brings to the table. This workout confirmed what we already knew. The problem I see is anyone in the anti-Rubio camp (within the Kings organization, not here at StR) using this workout to validate their stance.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jun 23, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

But, tellingly

Curry (or at least his dad) complained about his workout too, saying it didn’t showcase his strengths.

by nbrans on Jun 23, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Ha! Hadn't heard that.

Seems odd to complain. He was originally projected as late lottery, right? Now there’s whispers that he’s in play with Memphis, Sacto, etc.

Never forget: I am a complete idiot

by Exhibit G on Jun 23, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually

the complaint was the he didn’t get to showcase his PG skills. He did get to show plenty of his strengths

www.mancancook.net

by vfettke on Jun 23, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Rec'd!

Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)

by dalt99 on Jun 23, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking

that same thing this morning. Rec’d!

Booyah!

by Dub_TC on Jun 23, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Ask a short, to-the-point question?

I can see why he opted for writing. Guy’s a stud reporter. But if I only have 3 minutes to hear Rubio after his workout, I don’t want to listen to 2 minutes of Samick phrasing his questions.

How did the workout go?

How are you feeling?

Did the Kings give you any impression of how interested they were?

Do you still want to come to Sac?

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Jun 23, 2009 9:09 AM PDT reply actions

huh?

Isn’t that exactly what was asked in some form or another? I think if anything it was just the broken english and camera-phone that detracted. I got a good sense of all those questions from Rubio.

by Doubl3Dos3 on Jun 23, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions

He did

But he took way too long to ask each question, especially considering Rubio is not a native English speaker. I wish he would just ask each question simply and shut up. Let the boy talk.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Jun 23, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

True

I think Sam was kinda thrown off on the format of the interview. Paparazzi style without a real camera.

by Doubl3Dos3 on Jun 23, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Seriously though Amick?

by Doubl3Dos3 on Jun 23, 2009 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Right? I was both impressed and embarrassed.

I was geeked that Amick has some cred with the Catalan kid in order to get the “exclusive”. It was impressive that Amick pulled this off to get some feedback on the Kings’ workouts. It did come across to me that Rubio was a little down; perhaps jet lagged, homesick, tired or just uncertain, equally perplexed and vexed by Petrie’s World Series of Poker skills—Rubio we feel ya. Petrie ain’t sharing shinola!

On the flip side I was also embarrassed that while we anxiously sit on the side line with so much at stake for the future of the Kings and with one final look at Rubio, we are remanded to being voyeurs (not the sexual pervert kind you dirty minded bahstards) by getting our fix via Amick’s flippin’ cell phone video (only to be interrupted by the Sprint telemarketing rep asking if he would like to add minutes to his pay as you go plan). I mean really?

I wasn’t sure if I was watching a professional sports interview or sequel entitled the RubioWitch Project.

Damn I need another hobbie!

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 23, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions