Ricky Rubio's Olympic Stats - per 36 minutes
by Carl on Jun 23, 2009 8:25 PM PDT
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PrintBecause we don't have enough to argue about as it is, I thought I would post Ricky Rubio's 2008 Olympic stats, per 36 minutes:
Rubio
9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.9 turnovers, 4.1 steals on 28% from the field, 17% from three and 78% from the line. Rubio shot 5.6 free throws per 36 minutes.
For the sake of comparison, here are the stats from Rubio's teammate and fellow point guard Jose Calderon: (Calderon is 9 years older and averaged 12.8 points and 8.9 assists for the Raptors last season.)
Calderon
12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 turnovers, .87 steals on 40% from the field, 33% from three and 100% from the line. Calderon shot 1.5 free throws per 36 minutes.
The obvious question is, what conclusions can we draw from these stats? I think we have to be careful about making blanket observations for a number of reasons. First, the sample is small. Rubio played 8 games and Calderon played 6. Second, international basketball is a different style from NBA basketball, so one doesn't necessarily translate to another. On the other hand, Olympic basketball talent is as close to NBA talent as you can get. There are a significant number of NBA and NBA-caliber players in the Olympics, so I think there is some value in looking at these statistics.
Having said all that, Rubio didn't score much, but had great rebounding numbers for his position. His steal numbers were off the charts and he drew a ton of fouls. On the negative side, his shooting was absolutely horrific and his turnovers were way too high.
There has been talk that Rubio's only real strength is passing, and that may be true. But these numbers suggest that rebounding and drawing fouls are also strengths - and those are extremely valuable qualities at the point guard position. Shooting and turnovers can be fixed with practice and experience.
Rubio doesn't remind me of Pistol Pete as much as he reminds me of a younger, more talented, more experienced and more stable Jason Williams. Williams was quick but not particularly athletic, couldn't shoot and threw the ball all over the arena when he came into the league at 23. What's not to like about an exciting, creative player who does the same things and more at 19?
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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I think the meme that Rubio can only pass might be coming from a place of ignorance. Besides your statistical backup here, I’ve watched enough actual game action of Rubio (not just youtube clips) to think that is an unfair label.
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.
Yep
This is what people are talking about when they Rubio has better “feel for the game” or “intangibles” or “instincts” than anyone they’ve ever seen at that age. You can say that those are just wishy washy euphemisms for not having discernible talents, but they have a very real effect on the game. They’re why he seems to have a hand in every play when he’s on the court. And they’re why he’s able to fill up a stat sheet, despite the fact that he has the body of a gangly teenager.
He didn’t average more rebounds per minute than LeBron James in the Olympics because he’s bigger, longer, or more athletic; he did so because he has an uncanny sense of positioning and a nose for the ball. He didn’t average more steals than Chris Paul because he’s got quicker hands or feet; he did so because he his ability to anticipate his opponent’s next move is off the chart, and he knows how to catch an offensive player off guard. He didn’t draw twice as many fouls as Kobe because he has more moves or is harder to guard; he did so because he knows how to use his body to get you out of position.
I’m not claiming that Ricky Rubio will definitely be the best PG to come from this draft, that will depend on who works the hardest and gets the best coaching. But if you think that he won’t be able to overcome (and improve) his strength and shooting deficiencies in the NBA, I think he’ll prove you wrong in a few years. And if you think he’s only good for a homerun pass every now and again, he’s already proven you wrong.
Rubio does a lot of things well...
I think the Olympic information is spot on.
Rubio rebounds well for a 1. And, from what I saw, he got timely rebounds his team needed.
Rubio passes a lot. He also turns it over a lot.
Rubio is great at getting into the lanes and playing zone D. The problem is zone is not used nearly as much in the NBA and that may limit his defensive prowess.
And then the question is: Do these positives outweigh the fact that he clearly is not a good shooter at this point?
Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas turned the ball over a lot as well
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.....
Between KMart and Rubio
there won’t be any players from the other team left on the floor at the end of the game because they all will have fouled out. That’s something I’d like to see on an ongoing basis.
Carl
I’ve been saying that for 2 months. And I’m very ready to believe that Jonny Flynn might be a better pick if he rebounds slightly better than he has at Cuse. (Although, that’s probably wishful thinking.)
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.....
Small point guards
Might find the rebounding tough in the NBA.
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.
Oh yes
Because big PG’s are stud boardmen.
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.....
Most aren't
Just replying to your point about his rebounding. I don’t think it’s going to matter much in the NBA, thus not important one way or the other (in my opinion of course).
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.
Ah yes
But, that was my point about Rubio in a way. It enhances his value for precisely that reason.
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.....
And I'm sorry if that was argumentative
I’m tired and still waking up.
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.....
No worries
T minus 31 hours and counting…
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.
I can't wait dude
I just can’t wait.
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.....
Well I haven't repeated it often
But I’ve said it at one point or another. Mostly on EC Inc though, and not here Carl.
I agree my mind is small in the sense that I am petty.
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.....
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