Rubio will not be at the team's afternoon presser
Zgoda reports Rubio will not be introduced with the rest of the draft picks.
8 months ago
Stop-n-Pop
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I hope to god the Contract with the Spanish Team is the Legit reason and
not just an excuse for saying Rubio really doesn’t wan’t to play in Minnesota.
by Tony_O on Jun 26, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He will end up here
I’m really not worried about it. At the end of the day the Wolves own his rights, he’s 18 and no matter what he wants to say about markets, we’re bigger than Cleveland and if a world-wide brand can come out of the Mistake on the Lake, it can come out of a better metropolis.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As I understand it
the only way the Wolves can lose his rights is if he sits out of pro basketball for a year. Now, if things get nasty or he really hates the idea of playing for the Wolves, I guess he could focus on the Olympics in whatever year, and just live off of his endorsement money. But that means delaying his 2nd and maybe 3rd contracts that much longer.
He really comes across as a decent, sweet kid. I hope he figures it out.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really think..
…it’s just a bottom-line business decision. That’s all. The kid has the starting point job locked up so he will play here.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
SNP
The reality is Rubio does not come close to having the strength and Flynn does not have the size to defend most 2’s in the NBA. Rubio’s is significantly smaller than Foye – and we all saw how that worked.
Can’t imagine that both can play at the same time for more than a few minutes per half.
Flynn is a strong player and a competitive kid – which is why I think Rubio is hedging. The point guard spot is not his.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rubio is apparently 6’5" with a 6’8" wingspan
Foye was 6’2.25" with a 6’5.25" wingspan.
Rubio is much bigger than Foye
by Ebomb on Jun 26, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a chance
I searched high and low for the Euro camp measurables (only found the US ones) but I have seen enough clips to tell you this is a 6’3" max 185 lb max point guard.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They can't afford...
…not to start him. Kahn said he’s the starting point the second he walks in the door. You can’t not start the kid.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If so, good
then, what do you do with Flynn?
My gut tells me – Kahn could not pass up Rubio as he has the potential to be a star. OK with that.
But, he had to take Flynn next because he was uncertain that Rubio will come in the near future and he desperately needed 1st line point guard right now.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm fine..
…with either trading or keeping Flynn. It will all depend on what sort of value he has on or off the court.
They took two players that made them better (by far) than they were with Bobby Brown and Sebastian Telfair as their starting duo. Would I have liked to see them get Rubio at 2 and DeRozan at 8 or 9? Absolutely. If that happens we’re looking forward to Rubio’s appearance in town later this afternoon. That being said, no matter what happens, the Wolves own Rubio’s rights and they drafted a guy with a lot of perceived value in Flynn. I don’t think a Rubio/Flynn back court will be an absolute disaster. You can still play each of them a lot and throwing in Brewer and Ellington, you can do so without them stepping all over one another.
I think they’re going to try playing them together.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When it comes down to it...
The only guards who can punish Rubio in his current physical state are post up guards and guards who crash the offensive boards. How many postup guards are there in the league? Maybe he can’t guard Kobe now, but does it matter? It’s not like the Wolves’ inability to guard Kobe this year will cost them a trip to the Finals. If Rubio’s as tall as Kidd (who’s 6’3 w/o shoes), there’s the possibility that he’ll fill out and be able to guard 2s. Kirk Hinrich does it. Jason Kidd did it. Neither are athletic freaks. With the guards who crash the boards, the simple way to prevent that is to leak Rubio and Flynn out and beat them down the court. The Wolves’ main strength at this point is rebounding. I’m not saying it will work for sure, but a person can’t just say Rubio’s always going to be skinny or that shorter guards can’t guard bigger ones.
Bottom line: mismatches often work both ways, and it’s up to the players and the coaches to make them work in their favor. At this point, it’s not certain that these two are now or will always be on the short end of the stick.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love Twitters
that Rubio is staying in Spain (according to Rubio’s father).
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The money in Euro basketball
on a net net basis is not that far off the rookie money in the NBA. Euro clubs pay the taxes, add housing, etc. So, a $1M NBA contract is not that different from a $450K Euro contract – from an in your pocket perspective.
At 19, Rubio could decide to play Euro ball for 3-4 years, eliminate his buyout clause and make decent coin at the same time.
In that scenario, rather than being a key building block in a rebuilding Twolves, he could be anywhere between totally redundant to the missing link. Who knows.
2 solid NBA players with expiring contracts for this unknown situation does not warm my heart.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll post this again...
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but it is entirely possible that Kahn took Rubio knowing full well that he wouldn’t play here, but his trade value was well beyond anything we could have picked up in the draft.
Maybe Kahn was told pre-draft that Rubio wouldn’t come here, but that they would work with us to engineer a desirable trade.
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case
and it wouldn’t surprise me, then Kahn and the Wolves are deaf and blind to the needs of both casual and hard core fans for a reason to keep following this team. As well as how tired we are of having the rug pulled out from under us on draft day.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is this bad?
Are you that infatuated with the draft that you wouldn’t rather receive a proven star player in a trade? It’s a smart move to grab the most valuable asset, rather than a lesser player who fits or wants to come here.
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
put another way...
If Rubio was/is never willing to come here, we can’t change that. He was never “our” player, why not use him to improve the team?
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But if he's not willing to come here
there is very little leverage in trying to get good value for him in a trade. Someone as slick as Kahn should have known what Rubio’s reaction would be to playing for the Wolves at the
5 pick, and either moved up to the 2 pick to get him slotted with enough money to pay off the buyout, or let him slide down like the four teams drafting ahead of the Wolves did.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the leverage is… if he plays along, and we send him to a place he wants to go
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm talking about getting leverage against another team
The longer Rubio doesn’t play for the Wolves, the less the Wolves will get from another team in return for Rubio’s rights.
Seriously, I got goosebumps when they made the pick. And my hope is that either they iron things out for this season, or worst-case, give him another year in Europe and then bring him over in a good mood.
But it’s looking more and more like Kahn was so happy to get Rubio without giving up the 5 and 6 that he just drafted him without consulting Fegan as to what Rubio’s reactions would be to being picked 5th, playing in Minnesota, and being put on the court with another smaller point guard. If that’s the case, it’s completely inexcusable on Kahn’s part, and reveals a level of managerial incompetence with which Wolves fans are all too familiar.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously
Fegan had to be thrilled. It’s not like they could pull him out of the draft after he didn’t go 1-4. No matter where’s picked, he is committed to playing under that salary scale his first 4 years in the NBA. Fegan desperately wanted Rubio to go #5, imagine the hell he’d be in if he advised his client to enter the draft, and he went #7 or #8.
It’s not the Wolves fault OKC and Sac passed on Rubio.
by Ebomb on Jun 26, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rubio is not James Harden, or whoever
We don’t know what his on-court production will be. But youth plus position plus flash equals a player who would energize the comatose fan base. Saying to season-ticket holders, “Hey good news! We might get Rubio in 2010 or 2011, or we might trade his rights for Evan Turner next year, or maybe Gerald Wallace this year. Now, how many should I put you down for, and are you ready for an upgrade of your seats?” will be met by the following:
1. Laughter
2. Click
3. Dial tone
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jun 26, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally understand the “rug pulled out from under you feeling”. I was thrilled when we picked Rubio. I understand his appeal, his potential, etc. I don’t want to trade him, but I am absolutely certain we can get some good pieces if we trade him….much better than we would have received for any other player we could have drafted at the #5.
If he doesn’t want to be a Timberwolf, I am at peace with that. He was the right pick either way.
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
I DON’T think you are going to get value for him. There is nobody you could trade for that has the combination of low salary, 4 years of team control, fan appeal, and potential franchise changing talent he has. Some “good pieces” is a disaster. Trading quality for quantity is ALWAYS a mistake in the NBA.
Frankly, I think you have to do everything you can to get him here this year. I think it’s imperative. However, I wouldn’t trade him under any conceivable circumstances. I think it’s a near calamity if he stays in Spain, but I would say to him: we want you. We want you here this year, we will do whatever we can to help you achieve that. You are going to be the starting point guard from day one. We think you will like it here with our team. However, even if you sit here and tell us you want a trade, (not that he’s come close to saying that), we aren’t trading you. Even if you spend the next 10 years in Spain, you are going to be T-Wolves property.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not sure if it will be equal value, but what we get in return will be of higher value than any other player we could have taken at #5. At this point it’s a question of should we have drafted him or not…and I think the answer is obviously yes. We will of course do everything we can to keep him here, but if he resists…we are getting some good player(s).
If that happens, it is not the tragedy everyone is making it out to be…unless what we receive is less than valuable than Curry, Hill or any of the other players we could have selected in his place. And I just don’t see that. GS and NY would give us those two guys + multiple picks+players in five minutes if we wanted them.
by DougW on Jun 26, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree...
If a trade is made, the comparison cannot be made to Rubio. It has to be made to the team’s other options at 5.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really think
Rubio needed to be the #2 pick or land in a big market to make the move. It’s a TON of money to be out of pocket. No chance he makes that up with the Twoves – not even close to being able to get endorsements to help pay the buyout off.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I will really dislike Portland..
…if Nike offers a deal weighted for what market he ends up in.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It makes marketing sense
do you want to endorse a player on a team like the Knicks, who are seen by millions more viewers every game, or the Twolves? NIKE puts their money where they think it will grow.
Look how long it took Garnett to get a national deal – about his 7th year!! And that was after multiple all star appearances and the huge contract / strike.
by Just A Fan on Jun 26, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but Rubio is a different case
In this way: He’s a European sensation. His games will be on in Spain regardless of where he plays. A shoe company has to see this as a European marketing opportunity—Spanish star playing in the best league in the world. Plus, if you are as good as he might be as a guard…Steve Nash is always in freaking commercials on my TV, and I’m nowhere near Phoenix.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know...
…I just wanted to take a cheap shot at Portland ;)
That being said, KG wasn’t international like this kid. I think he has a legit shot at making some decent cash from the get-go. Come on Target and General Mills!!! ;)
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What are you talking about?
Garnett had a Nike deal and was in commercials in his second year in the league. I can remember his first commercial: a shaving gel one with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar where they were shaving their heads. This was before his second year because he started shaving it after his rookie season. Garnett was also in those “Fun Police” ads for years until he switched from Nike to another shoe, And1. He also had commercials with them. Not to mention the ESPN the Mag commercial with Marbury. “All nude…Tastefully done.”
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure how much they got paid for ESPN the Mag..
…but it was a great commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDrqNQwIdRc
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 26, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That LeBron Fellow
Seems to get a fair amount of endorsements, despite his location in a shrinking Rust Belt town on Lake Erie.
by Jackdaw on Jun 26, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But...
OK, the question that hasn’t been addressed yet NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED:
Will Henk be there?!?
And will there be Henk jerseys for sale after the presser?
by Rasho Revolution on Jun 26, 2009 1:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe someone will ask what his number will be at the presser so fans have the option of making their own.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like that
Also, as a sad coda to this whole draft—was Henk taken with the Chalmers-trade pick? If so, ugh.
by Rasho Revolution on Jun 26, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we all knew
That that was a terrible trade right when it was made… I saw SO happy I saw we got Chalmers after he dropped so far according to mock drafts… then I saw he was traded about 5 seconds later and almost crapped myself.
Henk is the Mad Dog of Europe.
by Mplax on Jun 26, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NO WAY, Joventut may part ways with Ricky but Norel is Untouchable!!! i actually think he has a similar buyout to rubio’s which is ridiculous if you think about it.
by Ricky Rubio on Jun 26, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what's Rubio's rookie's contract, and...
what’s the maximum allowed by the NBA for a franchise to give a player to perform a contract buyout? I know the latter is less than a million, maybe under $500K… and Rubio’s rookie contract must be close to or under $4 million. Bottom line is, it’s far less than the $6 million Rubio needs to buyout his contract. Essentially, that means him or his family must fork over the dough right now ($5+ million) to get him out of his contract, as he doesn’t get his full yearly salary up front. This also essentially mean Rubio will be playing for free this entire first season.
End result? No way Rubio plays in the NBA this season, regardless of where it is. Unless maybe it’s New York.
by tandur on Jun 26, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It is a tiered payment
He pays the 6.6 over 3 years I believe. That means he plays for very little for a few years until he gets a new contract. Could be devastating if he has a career ending injury or doesn’t pan out… which is probably a big reason they are hesitating. He doesn’t sound like the sharpest tool in the shed (granted he is speaking a foreign language… but still) so I can’t imagine there are too many opportunities out there for him cuz I assume he will not be attending college and his high school studies were probably put on the back burner to say the least. Anyway, my point is that this could be a huge financial decision for him beyond what we first see. Hopefully it gets lowered…endorsements will be there if he does come over which is something else to think about…. HUGE endorsements since most of Europe will probably be tuning in to see Rubio (especially when he plays some of the most popular stars over in Europe like Pau and Kobe, LeBron, Rudy Fernandez, Dirk, etc.
Lots to think about for a kid so young.
by Mplax on Jun 26, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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