Craig Sager's Suit Interviews Rubio
by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 8:16 AM CDT
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Some notes on the conversation
with Hoiberg:
1. Couldn’t believe Rubio was available, and decided to take him (“We decided to go young”)
2. Emphasized Rubio would just be entering college this fall if he were born in the states
3. Flynn’s a great guy and a super athelete
4. Lots of people contacting the Wolves, as to be expected
5. They’ve been on the phone with Rubio’s agent (Dan Fegan) all night, and are having another conversation with him in about an hour
6. Their top three guys were Rubio, Evans, and Flynn
7. The Wolves expect Rubio to play for the Wolves
8. They had a player in mind at 18 (Daye?) and once he was gone, they decided to trade the pick
9. They think they’ll have three first-round picks next year (but obviously would like to be good enough to give the Clippers their pick)
My take is that they love Rubio, and really like Flynn, really liked Evans, and were “meh” on Curry and everybody else. I’m guessing they let Rubio go back to Spain for another year, start Flynn at the point, and see what transpires over the next 16 months.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
I heard last night...
that the player targeted at 18 was James Johnson, and when he was selected, they decided to trade it away.
Too bad
they sure could have used a burly power forward.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
That DX thing was a hoot
because it seemed like most of the “worst case” scenarios were current or former Timberwolves.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Yeah.
Yet, how sad that a “Best Case” for a guy was a Timberwolf?
That said, I think Ryan is a fine player that needs to be focused on playing SF (and not thrown in front of busses as a “PF”). But if a young “star quality” SF becomes available to the Wolves, well, I say OK.
My favorite best/worst case...
…on DX is Nikola Pekovic. Best: Al Jefferson. Worst: Rasho.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Wow.
It seems pretty clear to me, based on this interview, that Rubio is not thrilled to have been trafted by MN.
No one would be.
I say this as a Minnesotan myself. The climate is just not great. Which is why we need to make this kid happy and trade Flynn, Rhino, Darius Songalia, and Pekovic to Phoenix for Barbosa, Robin Lopez, and Earl Clark. Kahn, are you reading this?
Kahn apparently told Dan Patrick this morning
that Kahn was contacted by a team that said, “Other than (unnamed player on our team), choose any two that you would want in exchange for Rubio.”
Portland and Roy with the protected player, perhaps?
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
There's no way Portland said that
and I frankly don’t believe ANY team said that. Maybe the Knicks.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Unfortunately...
… Portland is one of the few teams that could make that sort of an offer appealing to the Wolves, and I’m almost sure that they are too smart to do it.
They could be even smarter than we think
by saying, “Hey, any two players other than Roy,” knowing that the Wolves already have Love and AlJeff, and may be a little hesitant to choose LMA and Oden as the players.
A couple other thoughts—I’m still wondering if Love-to-Memphis for Marc Gasol is a good idea, or possible, or probable. What I’d really be intrigued by:
Memphis gets: Love, Cardinal, Flynn, and a future first-rounder
Wolves get: Gasol, Marko, and Mayo
Memphis starts Thabeet, Love, Gay, Q, and Conley/Flynn, or trades Conley to Portland
Minnesota starts Gasol, AlJeff, Gomes, OJ, and Rubio
I’m very hopeful and a little confident that Kahn can trade Flynn or Rubio for greater assets. But in hindsight, it still might have been cleaner to just give the 5 and 6 picks to Memphis for the 2, and pick Rubio there.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Plus...
…with 5 and 6 for 2, Rubio is here no questions asked with that bigger contract. Not saying I would have liked it to happen that way, but Rubio is all smiles at #2.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Plus plus . . .
as has been pointed out so eloquently elsewhere, the Wolves actually would save about $1.5 mill per year over the course of the rookie contracts by paying one player drafted #2, vs. 2 drafted at #5 and #6.
Again, too smart by half. But today, Ricky Rubio is a Timberwolf.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Miami is a great place for Ricky
But I don’t think the Heat have anyone that the Wolves would want — except Wade of course.
Right now, I’m thinking trades will be looking for SF and/or C.
KG Didn't Seem to Mind Playing in Minny for About 10 Years or So.
NBA players don’t have to live here. They spend over half the season on the road. I think that this climate thing is overblown.
Get a small place in town. Live in Miami if you want. Players are too busy in the season to worry about weather, anyways.
Rubio's parents are legendarily overprotective and will follow him here.
And they won’t be traveling around with him.
Live downtown.
Take the skyway. Never even have to go outside.
by princelyfrank on Jun 26, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
We need to get over the "doesn't want to play in MN" thing
You know what? NOBODY wants to play in MN. It’s a bad team in a relatively small, midwestern market with lousy winters.
Everyone wants to play for a winner in a big market with a good climate. All things MN isn’t.
Take the guy you want, get him in, get better, convince him this is the place to play.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
That's easier said than done.
Besides, I don’t think it’s about the “winner in a big market” thing. He seemed up for playing in Sacto, and they suck worse than the Wolves and are on their way to Kansas City or some place.
I think it has more to do with:
1. Being picked low enough that his salary won’t offset the costs of his buyout
2. The Wolves picking another PG right after drafting Rubio
3. The cold weather—he’s going to be on the road a lot of the time, but his folks are going to have to remain in Frozenapolis for the duration
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
I think the one thing Kahn missed...
… is the psychological impact (2) has on Rubio and, much more importantly, on Fegan. Something tells me no one in that Timberwolves war room believed both of these guys would share the court, and that Kahn is proving himself to be one slick talker with a surprisingly strong grasp on any loose lips in the Wolves front office. Rubio will stay, if Kahn plays this even remotely well, and a team in rebuilding mode will consider sending more shooting and length our way for our backcourt, plus other considerations and picks that make it look like an understandable deal to make.
Jeezus, I hope you're right.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Climate argument is dumb
Sorry, but that’s the truth. The summers are great here, as is the spring and fall. Winter lasts about a month too long, and can get cold, but Chicago also gets cold, as does Detroit, NYC, Denver, and Boston. Maybe not as cold as here, but it’s not like those places are putting christmas lights on palm trees in December.
And as for this being a small market—we’re the 16th largest metropolitan area in the nation, ahead of San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Portland, San Antonio, Indianapolis, OKC, Memphis, and that hot destination Orlando. Furthermore, in terms of great restaurants and clubs, live music of all sorts, tours and other traveling shows, we’re the best thing between Chicago and the West Coast.
These guys play indoors, train indoors, and park indoors. They have heated garages. Short of living someplace really warm and by the ocean, everyone has to deal with putting more clothes on during the winter—even Spaniards. The only reason not to be excited to come here as an NBA player is because the organizational management, up to this point, has been terrible and the team hasn’t won in awhile.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 26, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions
He's 18
kids that age have been known to occasionally arrive at irrational conclusions.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
He doesn't know anything about Minneapolis.
He’s from Spain. All he knows about MN is that it’s famously cold.
by princelyfrank on Jun 26, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
We should send
Prince on a recruiting trip. He’s a baller.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Too bad there isn't a Latino version of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis...
They sure helped with KG.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Kahn brought this up...
Talked about the travel to warm climates and that they’d have no problem sending a coach to Spain during the summer to work with him.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
You're all making great arguments that I agree with
but I’m not worried about your opinions about living and playing in Minnesota. It’s Rubio’s thoughts that I’m concerned about.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Is there anywhere to get news on his buyout? I keep hearing conflicting things and can’t find anything substantial.
That's because it hasn't been resolved yet
and there are incentives for the various parties to spin the particulars to suit their needs. Basically, it sounds like it is being negotiated down to $4 million and something, payable over two years. The Wolves can kick in $500,000, according to league rules. There might be some deal that would allow Rubio to stay in Europe for another year, and in return his Euro team would substantially reduce the size of the buyout.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Crap.
Bad omen? Zgoda tweets that Rubio won’t be at the introduction of the new players today.
That strikes me as....
not good. I don’t like to read too much into things like this, but I’m very antsy about this.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Man I’m really getting a bad feeling about this draft. I was so excited.
The 5th pick seems like a godsent, but it’s for from sure it’ll work out with the buyout thing.
6th pick: two point guards … yes we still have time to fill in the rest of the needs, but come on…
18th: I thought there was PLENTY of talent still available that we’ve could have given a try. It all matters on the 2010 draft off course but … seems like a bug gamble to me.
28th: Ellington doesn’t seem like a bad pick but we’ll have to see if he’s of any use. I feel like we’re filling the position of mediocre guards who left with more mediocrity … we’ll have to see… but not a bad pick per sé but would have liked to see some euro stashing.
2nd rounders: We again make a good pick in the 2nd and then trade it away? Come on guys you torchering us? There was plenty of opportunity to do some euro stashing and the only thing you end up with is Henk Norel … ANOTHER mediocre power forward? Do Not Need PF!
Guess we’ll have to see but I have a very bad feeling in my stomach..
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
What I hope is happening right now
during the conversation between Kahn and Fegan:
Kahn: Will Ricky play for the Wolves this year?
Fegan: He’s bummed you drafted another point guard right after him.
Kahn: Flynn was our BPA after Ricky. And we didn’t have time to ensure that Ricky’s buyout could be cleared up this year.
Fegan: Can you move Flynn for a 2 or 3?
Kahn: If I do, will Ricky play this year?
Fegan: Yes
Kahn: Then, yes
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
I'm already drinking.
Let’s hope you’re right. Come on, let’s toss some names out. I’ve already put Barbosa into play, but certainly there are other deals that make more sense? Bayless and Batum for Flynn?
Bayless and Batum sounds very nice!
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
by Wim (Belgium) on Jun 26, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Not that this would ever happen.
That’s probably way too rich for Portland, although having a truer point in the fold would probably make a lot of sense for them. I’m sure their sights are set higher, though, and one of the problems with our current situation is that calls will be coming in for Rubio and every counter offer we make with Flynn will be turned down waiting for us to get impatient and so forth. Damn, I wish things would have been more settled so I could get back to concentrating on life.
Right team, wrong players
Kahn needs to be on the phone with Pritchard and working
Rudy Fernandez and one of their SFs (Batum, Webster Outlaw) for Flynn.
A Rubio/Fernandez backcourt would be electric and I’m sure make both very happy…they were sick together on Spanish national team.
If Pritchard called and said any two except Roy for Rubio, I would not be opposed to Oden and Fernandez, who I think may have more upside than their SFs.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 26, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Um....
I’d love to get Fernandez, but I think you have it the wrong way. It would have to be Flynn plus something for Fernandez. Plus, they aren’t doing that. They aren’t ready to give up on Bayless, and want him to step up this year. I would do Flynn plus the Charlotte pick for Fernandez without thinking twice.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Really?
You might be right, but do you think if Fernandez had been in this draft, he’d have been a top six pick? I’ve heard they have been very underwhelmed by Bayless, who is more of a shoot first point guard than a distributor.
Either way, I’d love to see Kahn get Fernandez here.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 26, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Without question
i think he would have been, given the knowledge of how he performed this year in Portland. The guy played 25 minutes a game for a 50+ win team and shot 40% as a volume 3 point shooter who also has the advantage of being a full-height 2 guard. This was in his first year in the NBA and in a foreign country. All this while essentially having all the minutes at his natural position being taken by the best young player in the league.
Yes, that’s better than you can reasonably expect from a number 6 pick.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Why do you take BPA
Because if Rubio wants Flynn moved, we can get assets for him. A solid 3 or 5 and a draft pick? Kahn has great flexibility and leverage here. Even for Rubio he has leverage because he can say, okay stay in Europe for a year and Jonny Flynn will be our man until you come over. I have to believe Rubio wants to come now and play in the NBA.
There is still room...
… for Kahn to prove himself a genius on this. Or a moron.
Not only does he want to play in the NBA
The sooner he comes, the younger he’ll be when he earns that second contract him and his agent talk about, and the more chance he gets a huge third contract as well.
I posted this yesterday
But there were rumors that Knicks were offering #8 and Wilson Chandler for #6 (to draft curry). I think that’s a trade we should have taken if true. Flynn would still have been available at 8 or we could have swung for fences with DeRozan while picking-up a starting SF in Chandler.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 26, 2009 11:49 AM CDT reply actions
if that was the deal..
…they missed out.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
it couldn't have been the whole deal...
…because the Wolves only salary to trade that matches Chandler’s is the incoming Pecherov.
But that’s OK by the rules … and by me.
I don’t think Flynn would have been there at #8, though. Thus, accepting the deal would have made Kahn decide between Rubio and Flynn at #5 and I don’t think he was (or is) ready to make that call.
Ahh, rumors of what might have been.
good points
I’m actually pretty ok with the draft. I would have liked to see Curry or DeRozan instead of Flynn but we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
I would have liked to have
provided a digest of the D.R.A.F.T. thing that Four Letter did. But one thing I do remember seeing is that picks 1-5 typically get you a very good player. Picks after that are dicey, and picks after the lottery are usually role players at best.
And that’s for “normal” drafts, which this one was not. I’m sure there are going to be some late-round surprises, and plenty of busts coming out of the lottery. But with the lack of quality and quantity, I’m okay with getting a pick next year instead of this year.
Will you (or he) be offended if I start referring to Ellington as “The Duke”?
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
I agree
I think Flynn looks to be the better defender than Curry, and his shooting numbers show potential. I think their are arguments to make for both Flynn and Curry and I’m not disappointed we didn’t take Curry, the question is whether DeRozan would have been a better pick, but I’m not even sure DeRozan will have a better career than Ellington.
despite Jonny's lack of size
I’m convinced that Flynn’s defense is what gave him the nod by Kahn over all the other PG draft possibilities.
Maybe I should give up on the sub-6 foot issue.
Nah. Size matters in the NBA.
"but I’m not even sure DeRozan will have a better career than Ellington"
very legit point. i’ll run a post on ellington in the near future. here’s a key bit from dx:
•Wayne Ellington had a unique opportunity to play on a college team that is as similar to an NBA team in terms of role dispersal and talent as you’ll find in the NCAA.
Amongst the top-10 college shooting guards we looked at, only Terrence Williams had fewer possessions to work with. The difference was as much as 50% compared to some prospects, who obviously had to shoulder much bigger offensive loads on far less talented teams. With that in mind, Ellington indeed ended up being one of the most efficient shooting guards in this draft, ranking first in field goal percentage (48%) and third in points per possession (1.04).
Because of how well Ellington was able to pick and choose his spots, he ends up looking excellent in a host of different categories. He for example ranks 3rd in his ability to finish around the basket, behind James Harden and Jermaine Taylor, 3rd in catch and shoot jumpers, behind K.C. Rivers and Jack McClinton, third in pull-up jumpers, behind Jack McClinton and Jodie Meeks and first in points per possession in transition opportunities.
Ellington’s short-comings lie in his inability to create offense for himself, as he ranks third worst in isolation possessions generated behind two very poor ball-handlers in Paul Harris and K.C. Rivers, and his very related inability to draw fouls—which he did on just 9% of his used possessions. Ellington is obviously a finesse player who needs plays run for him in the half-court in order to be most effective, which means he’ll definitely need to find the right situation in the NBA. Teams should not discount the skill-level he brings to the table as a pure scorer, though, as its clear that he wasn’t such a highly regarded player coming out of high school for nothing.
…the guy has an underdeveloped dribble-drive game and he needs a good point to be effective. just like derozan. btw, the wolves NEED to bring in paul harris as a ufa.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
Seems like a perfect opportunity for UFA SGs.
Like your boy, Harris. How many times can a guy like that show up with the potential to play major minutes?
My highlights from the Kahn/Patrick interview
Kahn was told beforehand what picks 1-4 would be by some long-time NBA team exec not named Donnie Walsh. I still don’t think he quite believed that Rubio (who he clearly was impressed by) would be there. To his credit, he grabbed the ring. In a nod to Ricky’s buyout issues, he picked Ricky 5th.
I think he’s just as impressed with Johnny Flynn, especially his NBA defensive potential.
Love will NOT be traded “this year”.
Jefferson is a “4”. So is Love. (Thank God, a GM who sees clearly)
The Wolves will take the time to let the Jefferson/Love and Flynn/Rubio issues “breathe”.
At least two teams have called today about (presumably) Rubio.
Somebody (else?) called about the fifth pick before it was made. (Maybe the Nets offering PG Devin Harris and the No. 11 pick to Minnesota?
Take Heart
I know it’s been said elsewhere, but most of us would have been thrilled if yesterday you told us the maestro in this video would have been a T-Wolf. Not Kahn, don’t trade him.
Notice he makes Jason Kidd look silly twice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSBLKrZCkeU
The sporting news is predicting Flynn as rookie of the year if Rubio goes back to Spain for a year.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 26, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions
BTW:
How about Stern stepping in with a rule change? The Ricky Rubio Rule: NBA teams can completely buy out Euro contracts. Get r’ done.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
That rule is ridiculous
Paying a buyout works in Soccer, what’s the reason for the rule, by limiting the buyout payments you allow a team to look bad by passing on a talented player due to his buyout price in the draft?
Possibly
To forstall “poison pill” buyout provisions on the part of Euro leagues to squeeze a big payday out of NBA clubs who sign their players?
Or maybe to protect poorer NBA clubs, because only owners with deep pockets would be willing to pony up big money for buyouts?
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