Ricky Rubio wants to play for the Boston Celtics
What in the world? Ricky Rubio wants to play for the Boston Celtics? (New York Times)
“The bottom line is, why would he want to play in Minnesota?” a senior member of Rubio’s camp said this month. “He’ll continue to say all the diplomatic things, and Minnesota needs to keep his value up for trade purposes, but the family’s preference is to be on the East Coast, specifically New York, Miami or Boston. He wouldn’t be troubled if he has to stay another year.”
The senior member of Rubio’s camp makes a valid point: why the hell would Rubio want to play in Minnesota? For the weather? I don’t think so. The talent? Umm, not exactly. The general manager? KAAAAHHHHNNNN!!!!
There’s nothing about Minnesota that’s even a little enticing. Unfortunately for Rubio, he doesn’t have much of a choice. The Timberwolves hold his exclusive draft rights, and, if Rubio wants to play in the NBA next year, it’ll have to be with Minnesota — or the team to which Minnesota trades him.
And Rubio’s trade stock isn’t exactly booming. After what was widely considered a letdown FIBA World Championships (by “widely considered a letdown,” I mean Rubio shot 28% from the field while starting for the underachieving Spain team), Rubio’s play has regressed even in his own league. He’s now shooting 32% from the field, or, for those of you who want a reference point, far worse than Allen Iverson ever dreamed of. For another reference point, Rubio shot more than 40% last season. He’s supposed to improve with age, but Rubio’s development is in reverse.
And oh yeah, Rubio playing in Boston doesn’t exactly make sense. Don’t the Celtics have some other point guard who’s pretty good?
Now, I have to admit, I’m still fascinated by Rubio’s game. That’s the only reason I even blogged this story when I still believe the percentage of seeing Rubio in Boston is zero. Rubio’s like Pistol Pete, if Pistol Pete had been reincarnated with a pure point guard’s mentality and a drunken sailor’s jump shot. I have a full-fledged man crush with the wiry Spaniard who whips no-look passes for pure enjoyment, and a couple months of 32% shooting won’t deter that. Rubio’s the only player in the world who I could picture matching Blake Griffin highlight for highlight. I’m not even kidding.
That said, I bet the T-Wolves are happy they spent the 5th pick on someone who may never play for their franchise and no longer holds impressive trade value. I mean, it’s not like Darren Collison, Brandon Jennings, Steph Curry and Rodrigue Beaubois were all still on the board or anything. Wait…
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Celtics Blog | Jay King | January 23, 2011
Keep your damn ass in Europe than, you were drafted by the wolves, if you can’t play for them stay where you are. Same thing happened with Eli Manning and he never got any heat for it. If you don’t want to be drafted by a team don’t enter the draft.
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As a fan of the T-Wolves, who happen to have right now the best player in the game in Kevin Love, I think Rubio will come to the land of the wind chill factor next year and have an impact on a team ready to break through and leave the Celts in the dust.
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Give Rubio a break. He’s still young. I have seen pictures of him. He does not even look like he hit puberty yet. Hope his arrival is worth all the hype.
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Kevin Love is the best player in the game? Are you on crack? He will not be there for long so enjoy him while you can.
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Yeah jeez. Best in the league? that’s an over statement.
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This kind of writing and speculation is warmed-over jumbled garbage from a wrong-intentioned Bill Simmons wannabe. Get a real job.
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Go to the Heat, they need you
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Am I the only one who wonders how he’s managed to get this far when he can’t dribble without carrying the ball? Whatever happened to fundamentals?
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The T-wolves have a couple of talented players to build around in Love and Beasley. Rubio could do worse… but it is cold as sh t up there.
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wait can someone explain to me what rubios situation is right now cus it says hes been drafted by the wolves but why isnt he playing then?
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You may get your chance to see Ricky Rubio and Blake Griffin playing together for the same team. The Clippers still own the T-Wolves unprotected 2012 pick. It may behoove the Minny to trade Rubio to the Clippers for the rights of that pick back; if not the T-Wolves may lose their pick and Ricky will stay in Spain…
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He’s regressing as a player against mostly European (white) players? How’s that translate to the NBA against mostly African American players who are quicker, bigger, stronger, faster…?
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That’s wrong. That was a false rumor, Rubio said it today.
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There is no way in h—-that Rubio will ever play in Minnesota. His peeps will see to it that he plays with a team that has potential. Love and Beasley, G-D willing, will both be long gone and playing for a team that has a real coach. You know, the fans in Minnesota deserve better!!!!!!!!!! Kahn still thinks Darko is a real player. Kahn needs to get a life and leave the getting players aka recruiting and obtaining to someone who has a clue.
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Kevin Love the best player in the NBA ??? Someone is delusional…..have you forgotten about LeBron, Kobe, Wade, D Howard, Dirk, Carmelo, Pierce, C Paul, Rondo. D Rose, D Williams, etc etc. The winters are having an effect on you dude.
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When it comes down to it, Ricky Rubio is a finesse point guard who relies on his speed and ball handling to beat teams. While that may work in Europe, he’s too soft for the NBA. It will take him awhile to get acclimated to the NBA game, and I can easily see him getting frustrated by a lack of early success.
None of the teams he’s mentioned need his style of play: Boston has Rondo and solid shoot first guard in Nate Robinson, New York has Raymond Felton and the underrated Chris Duhon, and I would put Mario Chalmers or Carlos Arroyo over Rubio for their intangibles.
Rubio needs an incubator team to get acclimated. Minnesota needs a passing point guard to feed Love and Beasley. Seems like a match to me.
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I’ll give the Spaniard Senior Rep a break. But Miami is not on the “East Coast.” Rubio wants to go to a contender, period! Why not leave it at that.
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If I were the Celtics I’d trade there draft pick and Rajon Rondo for Ricky and the T-wolves pick. Ricky and Perry Jones…awesome.
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