tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post4523228430923501771..comments2023-11-02T06:32:16.443-05:00Comments on It's Just A Blog: The Ricky Rubio SituationWestyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11349549360672400647noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-81959346765010021402009-09-16T18:38:45.754-05:002009-09-16T18:38:45.754-05:00Westy - looks like you got your wish for a tiny st...Westy - looks like you got your wish for a tiny starting lineup w/ Ramon Sessions and Jonny Flynn in the backcourt. If they go uptempo, they could be fun to watch, especially if you don't associate winning with fun.Chairmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042114331279771820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-20783206768601177972009-09-10T23:33:52.426-05:002009-09-10T23:33:52.426-05:00Also, I'd argue that to get Gordon and Deng is...<i>Also, I'd argue that to get Gordon and Deng is a relatively successful draft</i><br /><br />Yeah, I think that 2004 was a pretty good draft for the Bulls. It was better than most of their drafts. (And by the way, overall, I think Paxson was a decent GM for the Bulls.)<br /><br />Regarding Deng, back in the 2007 I thought he had an All-Star future in front of him. But it seems like injuries (and maybe pressure) have dogged him the past two years. I hope he can stay healthy and be a legit starter this year, but time will tell.<br /><br />As for Gordon, hey, I'm not down on the guy. In fact, I think he'd be a great pitchman for Southwest Airlines...Greg McConnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17504912601218236507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-10092030221301422672009-09-10T14:02:32.625-05:002009-09-10T14:02:32.625-05:00re: Flynn over Curry. I can't say that I'...re: Flynn over Curry. I can't say that I've watched a ton of Flynn. But I think that Curry's competitiveness and playmaking ability is undersold. <br /><br />My initial impression of Gordon was very negative. But as I've watched the Bulls the last couple years, I've grown to like his game more. He shoots a ton, but his shots are generally in the flow of the offense - lots of catch and shoot. He's not like John Salmons who kills the motion of the offense by dribbling and looking for only himself. Now, Gordon's too small to be a great defender. But he's definitely a clutch scorer.Chairmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042114331279771820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-37224974796539996662009-09-09T22:56:07.465-05:002009-09-09T22:56:07.465-05:00I'd take Flynn over Curry.
And I'm defini...I'd take Flynn over Curry.<br /><br />And I'm definitely not sold on Gordon as a "borderline" All Star.<br /><br />I guess I'm not a huge fan of chuckers.Westyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349549360672400647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-43628187863902456602009-09-09T21:42:13.288-05:002009-09-09T21:42:13.288-05:00Westy - Flynn appears to be able to compete, and s...Westy - Flynn appears to be able to compete, and should do OK against points (maybe not the big power point guards). But either one at the 2? You'd better have some elite defenders on the interior. <br /><br />Greg - Honestly, I think that I prefer Curry to Flynn. I don't know if I buy into Flynn's game as a point. With Curry, you know what you're going to get at the very least. And he's got some playmaking upside.<br /><br />Also, I'd argue that to get Gordon and Deng is a relatively successful draft - two legit starters who are borderline all-stars.Chairmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042114331279771820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-80697731680224618642009-09-03T22:23:27.086-05:002009-09-03T22:23:27.086-05:00No time limit. Well, that is interesting.
Anothe...No time limit. Well, that is interesting. <br /><br />Another thought on Kahn's Rubio/Flynn draft is that he only has to hit on one of them in my book. If either of them becomes an All-Star/quality starter for Minnesota, then I'll give Kahn good marks for this draft. <br /><br />I'm guessing that most fans don't like the idea of missing on a #5 or #6 pick, but the reality is that if you have both of those picks and one of them comes through for you, then you've done well. Look at the Bulls in 2004 with the #3 and #7 picks. They took Gordon and Deng... neither became All-Stars. A few years later the Bulls also had the #2 and #16 picks... they took Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha... again, not difference makers (yet). <br /><br />And Westy, yeah, I definitely can't knock Kahn for passing up on Curry. I've always thought he was overhyped--almost as much as Adam "Kobe, Thanks for the Ring" Morrison.Greg McConnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17504912601218236507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-81438367527706167582009-09-03T21:48:00.332-05:002009-09-03T21:48:00.332-05:00You're right, Mr. Thug, that defense is an imp...You're right, Mr. Thug, that defense is an important consideration. But I think Flynn has the potential to be pretty decent on D.<br /><br />And Greg, the Wolves have Rubio's rights forever. No time limit.Westyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11349549360672400647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-4985220990881957432009-09-02T23:10:32.784-05:002009-09-02T23:10:32.784-05:00Westy - All of this depends on what you're loo...Westy - All of this depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a team that could be fun to watch and make the playoffs, you can excuse Kahn. But if you have Rubio and Flynn, you're starting off in a hole on defense, and probably won't be able to dig out. Your Paul/D-Will example is a bad one, because those guys can both defend, and D-Will can be put up against 2's.<br /><br />If you put 6'4" Wayne Ellington out there w/ Rubio and Flynn, you're well on your way to giving up 120 points a game, and winning roughly 25 games. <br /><br />Of course, at some point Rubio should hit puberty, so maybe he can maybe grow up and guard some 2's.Chairmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042114331279771820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-55038388778804287542009-09-02T21:42:41.825-05:002009-09-02T21:42:41.825-05:00Okay, so I read one article that said Minnesota ha...Okay, so I read one article that said Minnesota has the NBA rights to Rubio for one year beyond his Barcelona contract--and another article that said his Barcelona contract is for 6 years. So does that mean Minnesota has the rights to Rubio for 7 years? In that case, forget what I said about Rubio having more leverage in 2 years...Greg McConnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17504912601218236507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12661191.post-36367492556138283062009-09-02T21:08:44.329-05:002009-09-02T21:08:44.329-05:00I read an article not too long ago that ranked NBA...I read an article not too long ago that ranked NBA cities based on how desirable they were to free agents. I think Minnesota finished last (or at least bottom 3). So, unfortunately, that right there is a big obstacle for the Timberwolves as a franchise. <br /><br />As for Rubio, well, this situation seems like a mess for Minnesota. I think their rights to Rubio expire in 3 years, so really, 2 years from now he'll likely have a lot more leverage to force a trade to a team and situation that he finds more desirable.<br /><br />Even so, it's still possible that neither Flynn nor Rubio ever blossom into NBA All-Stars. I remember several years ago the Clips drafted an 18-year old point guard named Shaun Livingston whom some scouts compared to Magic Johnson... whoops. <br /><br />One last thing... to your point about two great PG's coexisting on the same team. My feeling is that point guard is the most difficult position to have two of on the court at one time. It just seems unnatural. ;-)Greg McConnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17504912601218236507noreply@blogger.com