There was a small chance that agent Dan Fegan would be able to convince Ricky Rubio (and especially his family) to pay his way out of living in suburban Barcelona to play for very little money in Minnesota. Unfortunately, that small chance evaporated once incoming GM David Kahn decided to select Jonny Flynn with the following pick.
Rubio is for now refusing to attend Minnesota’s press conference, while Kahn continues to swear that he’s excited about the possibility of playing both point guards together. This is an instance that having a coach in the war room really could have helped, as there is really no way that Flynn and Rubio can be considering anything less than the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA, and they really don’t complement each other offensively either.
What’s strange is how surprisingly unaggressive New York was while all this was going on. They really tried hard to move up in the days and weeks leading up to draft night, but decided to take a wait and see approach once it became clear that Rubio would slip to 5. It appears likely that Kahn initially took Rubio with the intent of "auctioning off the pick," in the words of one source close to the situation, but it seems like the market isn’t quite as robust as initially anticipated.
DX on the Rubio/Flynn situation. This obviously doesn't jive with some of the other things we've been hearing throughout the day (Kahn said he's received two calls on Rubio already today; Rubio was at the top of their draft board) but either DX is beyond off (possibly even making stuff up, it's so far away from what we've heard) or the Wolves are lying through their teeth. Another option is that Fegan has unleashed the hounds and "sources" from all over the league are telling everyone within earshot that Rubio is not meant for Minny. What say you? Whatever the case, I'm about sick to death of "sources" and I wish that good outlets like DX would stop peddling information that amounts to little more than unattributed bulls%&t. Speculation is fun but that's what fan boards are for.
Look at what Givony wrote in this "report". First, he makes an unsourced assumption about Fegan's ability to convince Rubio to pay his way out of his buyout. Second, he immediately ties the 2nd paragraph to this unsourced info in a way to make it seem like paragraph 1 was a motivating factor for the actions in paragraph 2. He even has the balls to present this "news" in a way that makes it seem like this had something to do with the Wolves not having a coach. How do we know this? Because everything in this "report" is simply Givony's own opinions dressed up in the guise of being a coach's take or a quote from someone "close to the situation". It's nonsense. Absolute nonsense. I would like to assure all of our readers that we will never run unsourced quotes on this website. We are not in that business. We can have fun as fans and speculate about the team below the fold and we can argue about the merits of this, that, or the other player above it, but we will never present this level of unsourced bullshit while pretending that it's anything other than our own opinion on this, that, or the other issue.
almost 3 years ago
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I think this is all conjecture, the article quotes: “What’s strange is how surprisingly unaggressive New York was while all this was going on. They really tried hard to move up in the days and weeks leading up to draft night, but decided to take a wait and see approach once it became clear that Rubio would slip to 5.”
It’s not strange at all, New York has nothing to offer any team. Washington didn’t want their junk, and it was junk to win now, the rebuilding wolves surely don’t need Nate Rob or David Lee, they’ve already traded their 1st round pick in next years draft. What could they possibly offer?
Opinion
DX is stating their opinion, that’s all. It seems like they ignore several facts while doing this.
All the evidence points to this being a money issue and that’s all. Rubio hasn’t said he doesn’t want to play in MN, his agent hasn’t said he doesn’t want to play in MN, even his father didn’t say he doesn’t want to play in MN. All anyone has said is that he might play in Spain another year or two, but it seems to me that it’s all about money. As in, he was picked fifth, his buyout is expensive, he hopes to get it reduced and if he can afford it, he’s coming to MN.
Rubio even said he’s played with another point guard before and liked it. He didn’t have to say that, he could have said “we will see.”
I think it’s all blown out of proportion. He seems like a nice guy but just not a stupid guy. He’s weighing the financial ramifications of fulfilling his dream of playing in the NBA.
I think it’s fair to say that he wants to find out more about MN, but I think it’s mainly a money issue.
SnP I’m intrigued by your usage rate analysis of Flynn vs. Curry. Is it possible the Wolves actually crunched some stats and that Flynn is actually a better fit? If Daryl Morey had done this and upon doing some analysis you found the usage rate stuff, we’d be considering him a possible genius.
I don't know
I do think there is something to be said about some players being unable to match college production if they are a big dog in the NCAA and a second or third fiddle in the pros. Surely there has to be some data on what players are able to make the transition and what players aren’t…and what are the red flags and positive signs to look for on this front. Flynn was the most dominant on the ball guard at Syracuse but he wasn’t in the same league as Curry and he also had 2 other guards who factored in the same ball park of possessions used. Even when Curry was a shooting guard, he still carried a ridiculous usage rate because he was simply the best player on the team and really good things happened when he had the ball in his hands. With Curry, you really have to ask yourself what it the usage line where he becomes less effective? I thought he could carry a heavy load as a point with the ball a’la Tony Parker (who’s career usage average is 25.3). Curry was interesting because he also showed signs of being able to facilitate without turning it over a ton. A guy with that type of shot who can run the point isn’t something you run across every day and I guess I just have to fall back on the argument that I don’t have a problem with them picking the BPA…I just think they had Curry and Flynn backwards. However, they may have a good point in terms of compatibility with Rubio.
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Also
Here is a link to a more in depth article on true hoop about what’s known, and anything else I believe is speculation.
Insane
I love this quote from the True Hoop article which basically says that several other GMs think David Kahn is A) Insane, B)Diabolical or C) Stupid or possibly all three.
“I have talked to sources in several NBA front offices — and elsewhere — who are knowledgeable of the situation. Want to know how many of them buy Kahn’s reasoning? None. Not one believes it even a little bit. Collectively, the executives rank the likelihood of a long-term Rubio and Flynn tandem at precisely zero.”
I still think however if Pritchard makes this pick or Morey and someone busted out this usage rate stuff and BPA arguments, that there wouldn’t be such a negative reaction. It’s just that the two point guard thing fits so well into the already formulated MN IS DYSFUNCTIONAL story line.
I’m hoping all this BS is not true and that Rubio wants to come here, but that he’s rightfully concerned about his buyout and doesn’t want to promise anything until that is all figured out.
Here is my favorite quote
And finally somebody praising Kahn
Now here’s where things get interesting. The conventional wisdom is that teams won’t bid high to a GM holding a player he has to move. But sources like Kahn’s position for counterintuitive reasons. They suggest his cards aren’t bad now, and could improve with time. Rubio would have more value if his buyout was finalized, for instance. Likewise if Rubio’s wrist was proven wholly repaired, other teams might be readier with good offers. Even in the scenario where Rubio returns to Europe, he’s at an age where he’s almost certain to improve. An improved shooting ability, for instance, could set off a frenzy. Meanwhile, the list of suitors could evolve. Through injuries or trades, more teams might find they could use a young point guard, raising his value still further. And the worst-case scenario probably isn’t so bad. If the best offers don’t come in for Rubio, Kahn could always trade Flynn.
If anyone is to blame for the dilemma, how about the Kings’ front office? The Kings need someone to distribute the ball. The Kings need perimeter players who play defense. The Kings need someone to sell tickets. The Kings had the fourth pick, and the sun. Yet they passed on Rubio. Much to Minnesota GM David Kahn’s surprise, Rubio fell all the way to the fifth pick, where he was blatantly too talented to pass up. And of course, Minnesota also had the sixth pick, which means Kahn barely had any choice at all. If you’re attempting to rebuild a franchise on the fly, you can’t very well pass on Ricky freaking Rubio twice, and let him fall to seventh. What’s the likelihood Rubio becomes an All-Star. 30%? 60%? Whatever the number is, that’s about the same exact likelihood David Kahn would have become an NBA laughingstock if he hadn’t take Rubio.
We're very happy wtih Tyreke Evans
Yall can deal with Ricky’s drama. (I suspect that is very strongly a turnoff for the Kings franchise.)
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.....
Were you happy when the pick was made
Because I thought it was clear before the draft you liked Flynn and Rubio better than Evans.
Wuzn't happy when the pick was made
But I realize why they’ve made it now. And, I was clearly wrong. The only thing I got right was how the top 3 played out as it turned out. (and DeMar DeRozan/Brandon Jennings going where they went.)
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.....
who me?
Not me. :)
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.....
Amen
I wanted Curry as well, but there might be something to this Flynn choice.
Let’s consider the arguments in terms of Offense and Defense.
1. Offense #1: SnP excellent usage rate stuff argues that Flynn is likely better off the ball than Curry might be. Of course, this ignores Curry’s shooting ability, but Flynn may develop in a better shooter, although likely not as solid as Curry.
2. Offense #2: Flynn can get to the basket. In college he drew fouls, got to the line and the basket. He’s much faster than Curry, etc. This has always been a skill the Wolves have needed in the backcourt.
3. Defense #1: Neither Curry nor Flynn is guarding any shooting guards. So if the choice is between Flynn and Curry you don’t make it based on who can better guard SGs. You make it on who can better guard PGs. I say Flynn projects to be a much better defender of PGs than Curry.
So on the choice between Curry and Flynn I think it’s less than obvious that Curry is the obvious correct choice.
Now, this does not mean that a trade down to grab a SG would not have been better but the options at SG are not that fantastic. Of course, the wolves might have traded down to 8 and still got Flynn, but this is nitpicking.
I think it was a good pick. I agree that these two will have problems playing defense together but so would Curry and Rubio. It made no sense to draft Jordan Hill and DeRozan at #6 was too high and maybe the Wolves didn’t have him high on their boards.
Interesting..
article. One thing I’ve learned, I think, from the Brett Fahv-ra situation is that storylines have to play out. Our ejaculatory media and our hyped expectations demand instant resolution. The process has to unfold: the buyout, RR perceptions and feelings, and even interest from other teams. Regarding interest from other teams, if RR is really that special, there will be more than enough interest. So other GM’s don’t believe Kahn? Kahn would not be the only GM to posture. That is part of the job—creating perception. I hope that part of his job is done as slick as he presents himself. And he still has plenty of poker chips.
Welcome to the drama that is drafting Ricky Rubio
I hope yall enjoy it.
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.....
Aww, not so bad
The buyout and the age and foreign-born bit usually bring a bit of drama. He’ll either play here or we’ll get something good in trade. I’m fine with that and glad he fell to #5. I’d much rather have this than Evans who I think will struggle without an outside shot.
Right
because Tyreke can create his own drama just by giving his cousin a ride.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
seriously
Evans is the last thing the Wolves needed. Bring your kids to the game to see the Drive-By guy! Can you imagine the stories in the media when this Evans stuff hit the local papers. What bad press. Much worse press than losing Rubio.
True
But as long as Evans isn’t being charged, it’s not like he did it with the Kings. The Kings also have shown that the past is past with players and they’ll give them a fresh start. I suspect there is a lot more to that than we know, and I’d rather not make too much of it.
This is very different than what the deal with Rubio is.
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.....
We're still tired from the Love Boat.
Or who was it that was caught in the stairwell downtown? Evans may be a good guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and panicked over what to do, but his story just wouldn’t go down that well here in the TC. That’s my hunch, anyways.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
That was a Viking..
….in the stair well. I can’t remember his name either. Evans gets to be Ray Lewis 2.0.
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Dwight Smith...
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I'm loving it
What a great opportunity. Even if the Wolves F it up, just to have the opportunity is awesome. It just might work out!
Yeah the Wolves won't be worse for the hype
Everyone is still talking about them right now.
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.....
Everyone might be talking...
But it would be nice if the first thing they said wasn’t “What the F are they doing?”
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I hope we enjoy it too.
I know I’ll enjoy seeing him play. Or I hope I will see him play, if I do, I know I’ll enjoy it.
by princelyfrank on Jun 26, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Couple things...
1) This is a new age, when beat writers and “scoop” guys fall behind the blogosphere that pressures basketball executives into transparency with their decisions. I put much more weight into Kahn’s letter to the fans than Givony’s report.
2) In the 2005 Draft, wouldn’t most teams have been best off (in a situation similar to ours) drafting Deron Williams AND Chris Paul? If we didn’t think Terrance Williams or Gerald Henderson would be any better than Wayne Ellington, and yet thought Jonny Flynn could be an impact guard, why wouldn’t we do this exactly as we did? I admit that it seemed/(s) weird, but there is something to taking BPA, and that’s what Kahn says he did.
In this crappy draft, I’m still doing cartwheels over getting Ricky Rubio. It’s all about keeping him, at this point.
by Andy G on Jun 26, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Great points Andy.
I think that it will be a while before we can truly judge this draft given that I don’t buy that a Flynn/Rubio back court is partl to Kahn’s long-term plan. Some movement will have to be made there down the line, but until then, Kahn’s saying the right things while he gets the Rubio situation sorted out. Even if we have to wait a year, he hedged that perfectly by going long a Jonny Flynn. What if Rubio agrees to come after a year in Spain (which reduces his buyout substantially, I believe), allowing us to turn the keys over to Flynn in order to hopefully drive his value sky high. If that’s really his plan, it is basically diabolical, insane and stupid all at once, but also potentially brilliant.
Exactly
On a team with two legitimate starters, Kahn did exactly what he should have done—draft two guys in the top ten who you think have a better than average chance of being starters and potentially stars. The better both of these guys do in the long run, the better for us. That’s the thing about the best drafting teams in the NBA—San Antonio, Portland, OKC?, etc etc. If you hit on a draft pick, who cares if the guy plays the same position you’re already deep in? Perhaps the best way to get the pieces you need is by scouting existing NBA talent (ahem, didn’t Kahn mention this awhile back?) and trading those guys you hit on but don’t have room for.
I think we are all taken aback by this strategy because it’s not dependent on:
A) a player being represented by Bill Duffy,
B) a player having played their NCAA regional here
C) trying to find a scrap heap retread veteran that we can sign for 2 years too long and 5 million dollars too much.
This is how other NBA teams do it. So weird, and logical.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Drafting CP3 and Deron for the same team
The NBA loses at least one of the top 3 Point guards in the league. FACT (opinion really)
i doubt DWill would have developed behind CP3… remember DWill wasn’t an immediate success in year one. he would have wallowed on the bench for a few years and probably have been traded during before or during his option years for very little or left b/c they couldn’t extend both after their rookie deals were over for nothing.
totally different case though b/c Rubio may never come over (especially if that shooting stroke doesn’t improve in the next 5 yrs).
by homer simpson on Jun 26, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions
It's the classic "draft for need" example
but would the Blazers not also have done better drafting Mike Jordan even though they already had Clyde Drexler?
The worst case, here is analogous to another Hall of Fame player: David Robinson. The Spurs drafted him first out of the Naval Academy, knowing they were waiting at least a year because he had his service to complete. This is not unprecedented. It’s not even particularly unusual. The Wolves’ 2nd round pick from last year, Nikola Pekovic, is playing out his contract for another season too. Where’s the “drama” with Pekovic? Oh, right, there isn’t any.
Opinion
Fan Reaction at hearing that there will be 2 point guards in the Wolves backcourt was almost universally negative. Imagine how these two guys must feel, they spent their entire careers playing as point guards. They worked hard and have timed their enry into the draft perfectly. Predicted high draft picks but now one must play out of position. This could stunt their skill and career development. Considering all this you can see why Rubio/Flynn and his agent would be worried.
Interest from other teams was not exclusive to Rubio, the Knicks probably would have taken Flynn if he was still on the board.
there is really no way that Flynn and Rubio can be considering anything less than the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA
what else should the Wolves have done?
not drafted Rubio? Curry and Rubio or Curry and Flynn would also be a horrible defensive backcourt. Drafting Jordan Hill would have been a joke (yes, another PF!).
Flynn and Rubio know basketball better than the most fans combined. Both seem like good guys, they can play together. Maybe not 40 minutes a game but 20 minutes. Who knows.
Not drafted Flynn
These 2 players are starting PG’s in this league, they already have the talent to be AT LEAST the 3rd and 4th best players on this team (behind Al and Kevin). Playing them only 20mpg together wouldnt make sense if we want the best players on the court.
Same thing
With Curry, Hill would be terribly redundant, DeRozan had horrible statistics even though he had promise, then it went Jennings, Williams, Henderson
What’s your proposal? If no one wanted to trade up to #6, You either take a PG in Flynn, Curry, or Jennings, you take a redundant player in Hill, or you take Williams or Henderson way too high.
I guess it all comes down to whether you like DeRozan. The Wolves apparently did not, and I can respect that opinion, especially as Ellington seems like a similar gamble.
Problem
This was the Gift and the Curse of this years draft, the best players were all point guards and power forwards. The Wolves knew this when they traded up and I think they were surprised when Rubio fell into their laps, Tyreke (SG skills and height) or Thabeet would heave been better picks. A trade makes the most sense. Drafting BPA always assumes that a trade can give you what you need for the best player.
This is an excellent point.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
Ridiculous comment...
The Wolves had T-Hud, Rod Strickland, and Anthony Peeler in the same backcourt yet won over 50 games one year. Or, the other good example, Telfair and Foye last year.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions
it’s different when you have veterans with an established pecking order.
these are rookies who need experience to flourish, but if Flynn can play the two offensively & Rubio can guard shooting guards defensively then it’s less of a problem.
quickness questions aside, i actually think Rubio is better suited to guard PGs than SGs… he barely looked taller than Curry on the stage during the opening and was noticeably shorter than Harden. Plus he’s listed at 180 lbs (5 less than Curry)….. that’s not going to be fun for him since SGs post up far more often than PGs.
by homer simpson on Jun 26, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions
" there is really no way that Flynn and Rubio can be considering anything less than the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA"
says dan fegan to donnie walsh to givony.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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Kahn's *directly* at odd with what Givorny's saying.
Er, Givorny doesn’t seem to have paid attention to Bucks’ lineups of late….. Michael Redd and Ramon Sessions, as a defensive pairing, is quite quite bad.
Kahn’s statements, meanwhile, exactly contradict that reasoning. Flynn in his view could be ‘one of the great on the ball defenders in the league.’ Rubio’s the reigning defensive player of the year in his league.
Plus..
….they’re 18 and 20.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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There is a LOT of posturing going on
Let’s see if we can’t sort out some of it, or at least make some guesses:
1. I think Rubio (by which I mean his camp) was probably disappointed to fall to 5, given the buyout issues. I also think MN is not their preferred destination, I also think that it might have been irritating to him that Flynn was drafted.
2. I don’t think Kahn wants to trade him. He’s been too abject in his insistence about not trading him, and also because he must know how excited the fan base is. Trading him for parts makes no sense on a bad team
3, While I think its vital that he come over this year, there is NO percentage in trading him now under any circumstances. You have to show a willingness to hold on to him in order to extract value.
4. I don’t see anyway to get value for him
5. Ultimately, I think what’s happening is that his agent is trying to leverage him to New York. Once it becomes apparent that isn’t going to happen, I think Rubio’s desire to play in the NBA will win out.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 26, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
KG
As someone said earlier, it’s too bad Glen Taylor bad mouthed KG. Otherwise a Papa Glen call to KG and a KG call to Rubio saying MN is in it to win it and that they are on the right path would make a world of difference.
I have a theory....
that KG is going to finish his career in Minnesota. Boston is about to blow up—within two years, minimum. He loves this place, even if he doesn’t love Taylor anymore. (You can’t hate a guy who paid you $200 Million THAT MUCH.)
Didn't KG get really mad becuz Taylor chose McHale over him?
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.....
I agree
I think he’s going to come back in two years for a big happy reunion, play a year or two, and retire with no hard feelings and go into the hall of fame as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
by AndyReierson on Jun 26, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope so
This is still KG’s town, and still his team (sorry Al). I hope he’d be willing to come back and fulfill the Sam Mitchell/Terry Porter role for a year or two. It’d be nice to have the chance to send him out of here the way he deserves. And Papa Glen can s*ck it if he doesn’t like it.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
I used to think that...
But I’ll be surprised if he’s healthy enough to make it through his Boston contract.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
Let’s just get him a seat next to the fan/coach guy for a season. They’ll be great together.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
I concur with a lot of your points.
Why would Rubio play in America after 2 years when he’ll probably receive more lucrative contract offers from Euro teams at that point, compared to the rookie scale salary. How is anyone going to persuade him to come over then? The value of his draft rights decrease every day he isn’t playing for an NBA team.
And why would Rubio play for the Wolves? They aren’t exactly an atheltic, run-and-gun team. His talent would be wasted and his flaws would be exposed. To play for the Wolves would effectively diminish his chances of earning a more lucrative extension/2nd contract.
I suspect Kahn did not expect Rubio to fall into his lap. I suspect there was no contingency plan in place to trade him to a more agreeable team.
You can’t fault Kahn for picking a great asset; you can fault him for not knowing how to manage it.
What a waste of talent.
"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."
I disagree
The sooner he can get to a Max Contract in the NBA, he’ll earn far more than he does in Europe. He also wants to play against the best, and his world wide marketing opportunities increase exponentially playing in the NBA.
Well, for your sake
I hope he’s at Chris Paul’s/Deron Williams’ level in 3 yrs.
"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."
NBA
That’s Rubio’s dream. If he wanted to stay in Europe, why opt out for the NBA and the great chance of playing for nothing given his buyout?
And why would Rubio play for the Wolves? They aren’t exactly an atheltic, run-and-gun team.
I suspect Kahn did not expect Rubio to fall into his lap. I suspect there was no contingency plan in place to trade him to a more agreeable team.
The Twolves, at this point, can be whatever team they want to be. They’ve got two guys, really, that they have to think twice about before moving towards whatever style they want (which seems increasingly like a more offensively explosive style). The just drafted the first guy since 1995 who could change the image of this franchise, then another guy with an outstanding first step, off the ball skills, and great finishing ability, and then added a capable long distance shooter and picks in next year’s draft.
If I’m Rubio, I’m buggin’ out a little right now. But then I take a look at the Wolves (and visit sites like Hoopus to see what the fans think of it), and see a team clearly in transition and with the assets and intent to remake itself into whatever image Kahn wants. And Kahn just drafted a guy who—more than Flynn (sorry Flynn)—would be the perfect identity to center that transformation around. Is it perfect? No. But if Ricky wants to be a star in this league on par with CP3, Wade, Lebron, or Kobe, he’ll find no better opportunity to be the face of the franchise and signature of its style than here in ‘Sota. It’s far from hopeless here. A year in Spain will show him that.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Contingency plan
There’s no contingency plan because Kahn is basically saying to Rubio: ’we’re building around you.; Flynn is here, yes, but he may be (in the best case scenario) Pippen to your Jordan in the backcourt. His skills can protect you, make you better, give you more opportunities to shine. Maybe Kahn has more faith in Ricky’s ceiling than Ricky’s camp does.
And maybe we’re all just deluding ourselves. Who knows?
One thing I do know: Kahn always has a plan. I don’t think he ever does anything without thinking out its ramifications (certainly hasn’t shown otherwise to this point). If this was Pritchard or Presti, people would be much more positive. Instead it’s Kahn, the guy everyone thought/thinks is underqualified, was a fallback choice, etc etc. What if he turns out to be alright (Kahn, that is)?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
I think one reason he opted out
is the fact that he could use the buy-out as leverage. I guess he thought he could control his own destiny by threatening to not play immediately.
I guess I am selling the Wolves short. I hope things work out.
"I've hacked into your brain. You're throwing a party and no one's showing up."
What a waste of talent?
Come on. We’re less than 48 hours from the draft and nobody knows how the buyout deal will play out. I think that’s getting a bit ahead of things. Contingency plan for the best player on your board landing in your lap? Listen, the Wolves are still an NBA franchise and they should be able to bring in their pick. The NBA needs to make this happen. They need this kid in the league and it will be with the Wolves.
The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com
If I were a Minny fan, I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to what's going on
Rubio still has a buy out clause to negotiate.
And/or a court dispute to settle, where he needs to prove that the amount of the buyout clause is affecting his professional future as a basketball player.
His current club is under a tax inspection and has huge debts (millions of dollars) to the government – their only way of surviving as a top-level may be the money they get from Rubio. I’m absolutely confident they won’t risk to see Rubio leaving for nothing in 2 years, they simply can’t afford that.
So, read something about the Game Theory and relax. Just don’t expect Rubio’s camp to shoot their own feet and say “oh, we’re okay paying the buyout clause. no big deal; let’s move on to Minny”.
Greetings from Spain.
Very good point.
Camp Rubio is posturing in multiple directions right now. Stuff we may see as being anti-Minnesota may be more related to their buyout negotiations.
by princelyfrank on Jun 26, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Gracias
Thanks for the post.
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What I think happened on draft night...
After sleeping on things, and having a chance to reflect, I’ve come to two conclusions:
1. Ricky Rubio was never actually a target for us to trade up.
2. Johnny Flynn was Kahn’s absolute # 1 PG target all along.
There’s too many things that don’t make sense unless these two things are true. Here’s how I got there:
On point #1, there is no way Sam Presti takes Harden straight up at #3 if we had been engaged in discussions with him. He could have gotten our #5 and #18 (or at very least #28) for moving down two spots with ZERO risk of losing his guy. No way SAC was taking Harden. Passing up an extra asset (which was later converted into a damn nice 1st round pick from Charlotte sometime in the next few years) and saving a few million $$$ on draft pick costs is NOT Presti’s style. The only thing left to assume is that there was no deal on the table, so Presti took the right guy for his team a few spots early.
On point #2, I don’t think Kahn ever even considered the possibility Rubio would slide to #5. He said himself that a trusted source told him OKC would grab the Rube at #3. And even if he didn’t believe that, I’m sure he figured SAC would take him at #4. The fit was too perfect…I think most of us agreed. Based on all this info, the likely scenario was that we would have a choice of Evans or Harden at #5, which would necessitate a PG at #6. Enter Kahn’s man-crush…Johnny Flynn. The target backcourt all along was Flynn / Evans or Flynn / Harden…probably in that order of preference.
When the unlikely scenario of Rubio falling to #5 happened, I don’t think there was a backup plan. Kahn had no choice but to take him…purely for value purposes. With no serviceable SG left, and a longing in his heart for Johnny, he still chose to roll dice with Flynn at #6. No idea how he’ll proceed, but I’m willing to bet there is no chance these 2 ever end up on a court together.
Of course, it’s been less than 24 hours since the last time I was wrong about this team…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
If I am PR master David Kahn, this is what I do:
Meet with the Rubio camp and do anything it takes to persuade them. You want 30mpg and the starting spot from day 1? You got it. You want a guarantee that we’ll make sure you’re taken care of financially? No sweat, I’ve got contacts. We’ll make you the face of the franchise and you will thrive here. The fans will love you.
Once they agree, I leak some info that we’re still working on it while having Rubio’s camp make ambiguous statements (such as the ones we’re seeing now) to drum up excitement and really get the fans on the edge of their seats at the possibility of actually landing this kid. Then, when fan interest, anticipation and worry has peaked, I call a presser and make a huge announcement that Ricky will be here next year, and play up the fact that I fought hard and did whatever it took to re-energize this fan base and bring them their guy.
I am now David Kahn. Hero to Wolves fans for life.
David Kahn doesnt seem to
value Rubio as much as we do from a fan-base standpoint. He also doesnt seem like the type to beg anybody. While we here might not be opposed to getting on our knees for someone 30 years our junior (well ok, he is only a few years younger than me…but from Kahn’s standpoint), Kahn makes too much money and is seemingly too into himself to do such a thing.
All I know is that I would have traded down from number 6 after picking rubio for pennies on the dollar just to avoid pissing Rubio off… can always take a PG with 18 if we find out in the next half hour that Rubio isnt sure about coming over here. We coulda ended up with Rubio and Henderson or Terrence Williams and I would have been happier than now while giving up 6 for 10-14? even… not that we wouldn’t have gotten anything else to go with it…but I’m just saying…
Well, bear in mind this is just what I would do, were I Kahn :) And he shouldn’t beg, just sit Rubio down and say “tell me what you want,” and then probably give it to him. If you value the kid that much, you have to do what it takes to get him over here, as long as it’s within reason. I’d have no problem promising him minutes and whatnot.
I think Kahn
perfectly understands how valuable Rubio is for this franchise. Hell, I’m waiting to buy a better ticket package and jersey shirts for my kids if he lands here. he transcends the die-hards. he’s an international star. he’s the most important pick the team has had since kg.
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I actually looked at AND considered some sort of season ticket package today. If they seal this up, I will probably be purchasing something. Let me tell you, this would be unprecedented. Normally I just watch most of the games on TV and just scalp $5 tix for the couple of games I go to each year. Such is the power of RUBIO!
Thanks,
but I’ve got it covered.
June 4th, 2009: "I wouldn't say in a month, but I'd be stunned if it doesn't look a lot different in the next 17 months."
by Definitely Not David Kahn on Jun 26, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Checking in from Bullets Forever with a non-Wiz Rubio Question
There is speculation that it is in the interests of DKV to make sure that Rubio takes a buyout at some amount rather than leave in 2 years for nothing. Does the Euro League work like European Football leagues? Could they sell Rubio’s contract to another club for $$?
If so, then wouldn’t they be able to get more than $6mil of his current buy out and wouldn’t it make it more likely that he stays in Europe if he really is adamant about not playing in MN?
I’m mostly curious, which is why I ask this question and of course I am partially trying to feel less bad about the Wiz passing on Rubio by mistake.
Yes, it works like in football
They could sell their contract to another club.
However, there’s no way they can get more than $6 millions. I mean, theoretically I suppose it’s possible, but why would anyone pay DKV more than the buyout amount? Just to give them free money? What can happen is that DKV agrees to sell Rubio’s contract for less. Then, they’d still need Rubio’s agreement to join that third club. In fact, there are rumours that Real Madrid may be interested on signing Rubio.
I’d say something like this is extremely unlikely. $6 millions is a lot in terms of European basketball. There are only like 10 teams or with an annual budget – salaries, leasing, financial expenses, every penny spent – bigger than that in the entire Europe. Then they’d need to offer Rubio a gigantic salary in order for him to agree. I mean, I can’t even remember a basketball transfer for an amount bigger than $1 million.
That’s a possible but rather unlikely scenario.
The NBA needs to address this
Because they need this guy in the league and they can’t loose him to Real Madrid. The Wolves should be able to buy this out straight up.
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There's no financial incentive for players to address it
And, ultimately, it’s not usually an issue with most players. Rubio is very unique, and he’s been playing this buyout situation back & forth.
On the other hand, there have been times where he has been “close” to being bought out. Now suddenly he’s not? Dan Fegan is trying his magic again, but who knows what else?
While I like Rubio, I would get very tired of this very quick. He wanted to go to Sacramento (cuz it’s in Cali despite what other people think) but somehow he thinks that Minnesota is an awful place? How the hell could he possibly know that. I don’t really t hink he’s aware he’ll be traveliing to the east and south and all over anyway. It’s not like he’ll be in Minnesota for 6 months running.
His father seems like a squawker too, but that’s just an observation. I hope he comes over, and I think he would find Minnesotan’s would absolutely love him. Somebody just needs to say “I Love Tony Oliva” or something like that. Hehe
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.....
He was also willing to play in OKC
that’s not in California. I really don’t think he cares a lot about the city he’s playing. The team, the coach, and the role they envision for him, yeah; the weather, the sushi restaurants and the night life? Not really a factor I think.
And of course that before the draft, it was on Fegan’s best interest to say the buyout was “close”. After the draft, it’s exactly the opposite.
I agree with your point players have no incentive to fix this issue – in fact, the less money that leaves the league, the better for them. But teams may have and I don’t see why would the players union be strongly opposed either.
Exactly
David Stern should care and this max buyout clause should be gone or should be increased.
Teams should care and they should want the max buyout increased.
it must be the players union trying to avoid competition from european players? Restricting the max buyout limits this competition.
Anyone know/understand the initial motivations for having this $500,000 max buyout? Was it set like 10 years ago and no adjusted for inflation?
Stern should help his boy Kahn and make up some reason to adjust the buyout max.
I think the max buyout clause is healthy for certain franchises.
It is probably too low, yes, and likely hasn’t budged in a while (although I don’t know this). Even so, it would be bad news if certain developments rendered the playing field uneven for big and small market teams. Imagine if Rubio’s buyout clause were, say, $8 or $10 million dollars and remained so (say he was under contract for a Greek powerhouse). For a squad in a big market, like the NYK the elimination of the buyout cap would be an irritant, but for a smaller market team it would likely seal the fate of the player as a potential option. It might make sense to have matching funds from the league at some point to keep relations with European leagues going well, but I hate the idea of making certain players (who should be free to draft) easier for some teams to acquire.
Agreed
Maybe bump it up to $1M or some such thing, but no max it makes it harder for the small-market team to compete.
Or maybe you could have any payment over the max treated as luxury tax, where the team had to pay an equivalent amount to the league itself.
Rubio just said that if he stays in Europe
he’ll only play for Joventut, in an interview to a Catalunya radio statio, RAC1:
Raül LLimós: – Si haguessis de tornar a Europa, Ricky, la teva única opció es la PENYA?
Ricky Rubio: – Si, exacte, la meva única opció es la penya
RL- Ricky, if you stay in Europe, is la Penya your only option?
RR- Yes, exactly, la Penya is my only option.
(la Penya is Joventut Badalona’s nickname).
That’s the same answer Rubio gave to TVE:
Lo único que parece tener claro es que si finalmente tiene que quedarse en España será para jugar en el DKV Joventut. “Por supuesto”, respondió tajante. “Como ya he dicho siempre mi casa está en Badalona y si tengo que volver hay muchas opciones de que sea a Badalona”, reiteró.
The only thing clear is that if he eventually stays in Spain, it will be to play in DKV Joventut. “Sure”, answered, adamant. “As I’ve always said, my home is in Badalona and if I have to come back it’s going to be to Badalona”.
Good stuff..
…thanks for this.
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The thought that you could play Rubio and Flynn in the same backcourt doesn't just baffle Givony
Hollinger, Bucher, Ford, Simmons, etc. also gave that opinion. If I remember correctly even Love seemed baffled. Neither one is a shooting guard – or a really good shooter so he could play as an off-guard for that matter. Ellington is, but he is not very athletic or defensively strong either. So that backcourt raises questions.
At the moment you have a pretty unbalanced roster. I don’t think Kahn should give in to external pressure to make a move immediately, but he has to change something on that team to make it more even.
Don't worry
I’m still thinking about trading Rubio for Oden and LMA. I’ll get back to Pritch if I’m interested.
June 4th, 2009: "I wouldn't say in a month, but I'd be stunned if it doesn't look a lot different in the next 17 months."
by Definitely Not David Kahn on Jun 26, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
True
I think we, as Wolves fandom, are getting to that point. The writing on the wall is that at least one of the four pieces will be moved within the next 16 months—Rubio, Flynn, Love, or Al. Although, as SnP pointed out I believe, many had the same questions about Al and Love last year.
Who knows? Maybe Flynn can play like some sort of new combo-modified-shooting/point guard? Maybe what we’ll find out is that good players feed off each other and that each player’s strengths is magnified by the other (if that was true, it’d certainly be entertaining). And maybe all these media types are right and we just need to wait for the other shoe to fall.
I’ll take it, though. Been a long time since anybody cared this much about this franchise.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
"Hollinger, Bucher, Ford, Simmons, etc. also gave that opinion."
Fine, then report it as your own opinion. I don’t think I was unclear in that point. If it’s so self-evident, then don’t cite unnamed sources to back up your own opinion. It’s absolutely hackish. This team doesn’t need to change overnight. It’s going to be a 2-3 year process. Kahn has said 16 months but it could go on even longer. They just landed 2 of the best guards in a guard-heavy draft. They took the bpa. Less than 48 hours later people are citing unnamed sources about the on-court qualities of 2 players that have never played together. Again, it’s fine to believe that but at least claim it’s your own opinion because adding “sources close to the situation” to something does nothing for anyone.
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Speaking of Simmons
This made me laugh. Simmons is live blogging the draft, getting super worked up that nobody’s drafted Rubio. Then the Wolves do, folowing it up with Flynn. One minute later….
5:11: I’m in “Star Trek II” mode right now. “Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!!!!!!” So stupid. I’m never trusting a guy who worked as a TV consultant, a sports writer and a stadium campaign organizer to run an NBA team again.
Check out the original post—it’s hilarious.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
kahn is playing poker with Spain
Rubio’s spanish team owes the governent money and they get none from Rubio, if his contract isn’t bought out. So think about it, Khan is trying to bluff spain that he is willing to let Rubio finish out the contract so they would get no buyout money. Therefore the government has to decide, if they are willing to take out a smaller amount from the buyout to get at least some money.
possible that Kahn is that smart? Only time will tell.
Provincialism at play
I agree most strongly with the opinion that what you’re hearing fits the MN is disfunctional story line that is presold on ESPN, plus most of the other NBA sites. How well did all the analysis by these ‘experts’ predict who would go where prior to the draft by, let’s say, two weeks? Curry to Golden State. Rubio at the 5. Harden at the 2. All those college blue chippers falling into the second round. Hype is exactly that, hype. They are predisposed in their opinions. They shape their commentary to fit these preconceptions, heavily weighing them in favor of the teams they prefer to see succeed. MN is in the hinterlands (at least to them). I found it very telling that Stuart Scott could not keep straight how many picks MN had in either the first or second round. Do you really think he would have made that gaffe if he’d been talking about the Lakers? And he gets PAID to talk about the draft. Take NO ONE’s opinion at face value. It always is cover (consciously or unconsciously) for an agenda of one kind or another. It is currently being played out in the badmouthing of MN as a destination for Rubio. Let’s just put four or five teams on South Beach and be done with it. The sports writers would be happy with that.
It's pretty bad...
When you announce a team is making its last selection and they have a pick so soon afterward.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 26, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Between this and the Favre business....
…one could write a book about how ESPN is destroying sports journalism. They already have the narrative and they are sticking to it. The Wolves are dysfunctional and everything flows from that single point.
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This
well put ogishkemuncie
BetterLaettner
by BetterLaettnerThanRider on Jun 27, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions
ESPN is a joke...
and always has been. But, in a broad sense, a lot of NBA journalism these days is slinging as much poo to the wall just to sling it regardless to see if it sticks. I mean, Broussard all day has been pimping this whole Rubio to Knicks scenario without even a thought that it couldn’t possibly work. A quick check of NY’s “assets” would rule them out quickly as a suitor. They have no picks and the only player of mild interest would be Chandler and he is not worth a Rubio by himself. But, lazy poo slingers cannot be bothered to look into such things because it might upset their well crafted narrative of Minnesota
I think it's kind of funny
we drafted Foye who’s talents had him best suited at sg, but tried to make him play pg.
Now we’ve drafted two very talented pg and are trying to turn one of them into a sg.
Although I’m not much of an expert on Flynn’s game, is he a good playmaker?
by Dulluz on Jun 26, 2009 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Applying a little Chaos Theory...I think it's clear
that Kahn and Co. :
a) prepared very well for the draft, perhaps to the point of exhaustion
b) never quite seriously believed that Rubio would fall to #5, didn’t really prepare for that scenario, even though Kahn had “inside info” dropped in his lap hours before the draft
c) correctly took Rubio – but were aware of his risks
d) took Flynn according to plan A – no time to think it all the way through, still on a high from getting Rubio, aware that their plan A covered their butt if Ricky didn’t come, didn’t consider the full impact of drafting a 2nd point guard on Ricky’s mojo.
e) also not enough time to concoct a plausible cover story, thus the two PG line. I think it’s hilarious that they immediately sent a runner upstairs to inform the press how Rubio and Flynn were going to play “together”.
I predict we’ll be watching the fallout of those two quick decisions for quite awhile.
Perhaps not looking at the “Rubio drops to #5” scenario seriously was a mistake. Flynn at #6 looks good if Harden, Evans, or even Thabeet were available at #5. We don’t know if they ever truly made a run for the #2 pick — and if Rubio would have been their target.
But their cover story? It cannot be plausibly denied that it is weak.
it’s difficult to envision a solution that doesn’t end up with rubio in new york (i personally would trade with portland who could give way better assets, although lma and roy are obviously not even a possibility). Would a sign and trade with lee be good enough? would oden be the center of the future to put next to al? all those things will be coming kahn’s way the next couple of weeks.
another important fact that nobody here seems to know is that Rubio’s buyout goes up from 4.7 to 5.7 million euros on july (1st).
another piece of news i heard last night in the spanish radio is that rubio’s club maybe agrees to negotiate the buyout if ricky drops the lawsuit that’s due to be on court on october 14.
There is apparently a previous verbal arrangement that says that if ricky pays the buyout next season (before july 1) the buyout would be halved if it’s paid by him (meaning only if he goes to the nba, if he goes to another european team it wouldn’t be reduced one cent).
Both spanish powerhouses won’t pay 4.7 (and even less 5.7) million euros for the pleasure of having rubio bolting for the nba next year.
To me there are two main options and some alternative (way less probable) options
- trade rubio to a big market and let them worry about the buyout.
-let rubio stay in spain with the intent of having a really low buyout next year
- let rubio stay in europe till he accepts the fact that it’s either wolves or no nba (fran vazquez anyone?)
- trade flynn and assure rubio this is 100% his team and pray he can get the money this year with crazy endorsements like pizza hut (he loves pasta), m&m’s (he would be a great face for the franchise, don’t you agree?), nike and so on.
i really want rubio in the nba next year so untill he definetely chooses one way or another i will be up to date with this topic in spain.
Seriously? I think it’s difficult to imagine a scenario that DOES involve Rubio going to New York.
Wishful thinking on NYC’s part. They’re never landing this kid unless they come up with a superstar offer or they sign him as a free agent. David Lee, Wilson Chandler and/or Nate Robinson aren’t getting it done. That’s like the Wolves coveting Blake Griffin but only having a stable of Ryan Gomes, Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer as trade bait. Not happening.
well put...
…they have even less than the wolves.
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The only scenario I would ever explore, if it really comes to that, is one involving stripping NYC of all their functional parts and demanding an unprotected first next year. Give me:
Duhon
Robinson
Chandler
Jordan Hill
and the above mentioned first, and I might consider it if Rubio’s camp guarantees he’s not coming here. But I’m not going to dwell on such negativity, cuz it ain’t happening. He’ll be here. Think positive thoughts!
As was predicted in a previous thread; at least someone at 4 letter understands there really was no choice in selecting or not selecting him.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-41-157/Ricky-Rubio—Playing-Minnesota-Poker.html
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
I see it's already been posted above; srr
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
by Wim (Belgium) on Jun 27, 2009 6:07 AM CDT up reply actions
no problem...
…that article has some good points but it still is dependent on unnamed sources.
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My conclusion
after reading a lot of these posts is that RR would not have been sitting in the green room if he was not very serious about playing in the NBA. That he did not show up to the press conference yesterday indicates some type of irritation or positioning. What that exactly is does not seem obvious to me.
In one of his post draft interviews RR said he was looking forward to playing in the NBA. So Rubio really wants to play against the big dogs. Not keep hacking away for scraps in a second rate league with a 3rd rate team.
Kahn’s comments at the press conf. now seem directed at Ricky. Take your time. Enjoy a siesta or two. Eat some more of your mama’s paella. Maybe in a year or two we’ll see ya. We will keep the light on.
For a kid anxious to play in the big time and get to the big payday, Kahn is telling RR and others in a polite way that they will not force his (Kahn’s) hand. And every day he stays in Barcelona is another day not on the big stage and another day further from the big cha ching. Rubio can make his stand and Kahn for now will give him a friendly wave and tell Ricky how much he loves him. Hope your mama is doing fine. Call me sometime.
Kahn has played this well so far
The fact we are willing to wait removes a substantial amount of leverage from Fegan’s attempts to get him moved.
“Aligned interests” is another way of saying “we care, Ricky”.
The next point of interest is the buyout. Joventut need the money, so they would like to get it sorted I’m sure. If it isn’t sorted it may be a signal that Fegan is going to try and get Rubio to wait it out. If it is sorted out, it’s hearts and minds time.
Wrong key. Sorry.
Wouldn’t Rubio be better off playing over here. Getting his playing time and then bolting after first contract is up, Rather than mucking around for a couple, 3 years in Barcelona?
I don't know how...
…but I wonder if the Wolves drafted Norel to somehow help with this situation. Maybe they can buy him out and he can come over, not make the team, and then resign. That gives them some additional cash. I’m just thinking off the top of my head but Norel was the only pick in the 2nd round where people went “wow, that didn’t fit.”
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You'd assume
a pick that seemed random had some calculation behind it. Almost as odd as the pick was that Norel was at the draft.
I think that's the only plausible explanation.
We need an unskilled PF like a hole in the head. Fliers were still possible on a number of more interesting prospects (Gladyr [!], Kravtov) and I’m almost positive the Norel pick was a peace pipe to the Rubio camp, who certainly had already phoned Kahn by that time of the night. “See? We’re willing to waste a perfectly good second-round pick just to have a buddy for you to play with in summer leagues and in training camp. Bring him over, be his roommate, talk about the transition together, and relax. We’re working with you.”
The thing that speaks in favor of that back court is that I think Love + Jefferson worked pretty well, be it not for 40 but only 20 minutes a game. I think Kahn is right saying we need to give it some room to breath and see what happens.
It would have all looked a lot better with Flynn/Evans or Flynn/Harden but we can’t be sad that Rubio dropped … that would be crazy…
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
More tweets from “The Big Twitter”:
“Let me talk to the kid…”
“Also much love to the Spanish females…I just grew up in western North America. You can help too”
“People I hear you, I would love to be a contender RIGHT now…hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later. I will be part of the solution.”
“on that note….I just got to the gym, time to work”
Bucher tweeted that he’s heard that Syracuse’s zone masked Flynn’s defensive potential. Apparently many think he can be a beastly 1 on 1 defender, think Kyle Lowry.
If that’s the case, I’m actually kind of curious to see how those two would work together. I don’t think it’s going to be our true back court of the future, but there are plenty of PG/SG combos that they have adequate size to defend. Parker/Ginobili? Not an easy cover, but they’re not physically overmatched. Conley/Mayo? We win the battle of the measurements on that one.. Curry/Ellis? Bring it on. Billups/Smith? Tough one again, but we’re fine size-wise. Rondo/Allen? Alright. etc. etc. It’s not ideal for some matchups, for sure, but it’s not unimaginably bad.
You never know until you see it in action, but if Rubio’s really 6’5 with great length, they would be far from the worst defensive tandem in the NBA. I’m more curious about their fit offensively than defensively, to be honest.
Bucher tweeted that he’s heard that Syracuse’s zone masked Flynn’s defensive potential. Apparently many think he can be a beastly 1 on 1 defender, think Kyle Lowry.
That’s what I’m hoping for. I think his offensive game should translate pretty well, but his defensive numbers at Syracuse were very pedestrian. Yet, everyone was wowed by his defense in the pre-draft process (beyond just the Wolves workout). So, was he just an extreme “stay at home” type defender in the Syracuse system? Did he just not put much effort in defensively? Did Syracuse’s brutal schedule just depress his numbers? Or is he just a poor defender who fooled everyone in the 3-on-3’s?
I’m not too sure. I didn’t get to watch him all that much at Syracuse, so I’m just going on what I’ve heard, although it’s worth noting that I’ve read/heard it on at least a few occasions. I vaguely recall a quote from him a while ago where he said he relished locking his guy down. His physical tools, as shown at the combine, certainly back up his potential here. He was both taller and longer than people thought, and he’s crazy fast and strong. I think he’ll bring a type of perimeter D we haven’t seen in ages.
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