Posted by BRIGGS:

Peter Vecsey writes that the Knicks "are angling to acquire No. 5 from Washington for Larry Hughes (but must take the expiring contracts of Mike James and Etan Thomas) and parlay the pick with No. 8 for No. 2."

Not everyone is convinced that Rubio's value justifies such a high price.

"Ricky has a big upside," a Western Conference coach concedes. "Nevertheless, he's very light, like Steve Nash only without the offense. He has no mid-range game, never gets to the free throw line and is a defensive liability due to his lack of strength and size.

"Ricky makes sense for a team loaded with great outside shooters, because he can make plays," the coach continued. "He would've been a perfect fit for the Suns under Mike D'Antoni, and he could play for him with the Knicks because they don't worry about playing defense.

"The reality is, teams are going to go at him defensively and play him soft . . . dare him to shoot from outside."

Posted by MS:

First off all outside of the Arenas extension the Wizard can't be that dumb to give the number 5 pick away for Larry Hughes? Seriously the guy sucks and doesn't really help them win, unless James and Thomas are chemistry killers, which still makes no sense.

And if Donnie combines two lottery selections to get Rubio he should be fired. Vescey has to have this wrong. So the knicks have no depth a shortage of talent and we are going to put two Euros in the starting lineup that aren't great defenders, with no shot blocker??

We need depth. Flynn right now is tough, fast, performs under pressure and gets to the line. Rubio can pass, can't shoot, is weak, never gets to the line and isn't a rebounder.

Why not get James Harden at the 5, look to move Lee for Bayless in a sign and trade, and take another guy that can add depth.

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by BRIGGS:


Not everyone is convinced that Rubio's value justifies such a high price.

"Ricky has a big upside," a Western Conference coach concedes. "Nevertheless, he's very light, like Steve Nash only without the offense. He has no mid-range game, never gets to the free throw line and is a defensive liability due to his lack of strength and size.

He cant play defense and he cant play offense? Why the hell is he so overhyped? He wont work out of teams? What the hell is going on? Is he bamboozling teams based on a few good Olympic games and the fact that he's 12 years old.

There is something fishy about the whole thing with Rubio. I've said it about Jennings as well. They can't shoot the basketball and hardly ever get to the foul line and neither is known for defense? What? I don't like either.

Rubio better be Jason Kidd - as in an amazing floor general that just can't shoot the ball. Yet, Kidd played amazing defense as well so it's moot.

If we swung the Wizards deal for the #5 what we do is stop right there and grab two player in the lotto at 5 and 8. The hell with Rubio and Jennings. We risked a euro with Gallo. Let's stop risking things here. If we have the 5 and 8 you go ahead and grab Curry and then one of the 'bigs' that are out there and call it a day.

But, as said, this is Vecsey, who took a half baked article about us talking to memphis and combined it with a half backed article of us talking to the Wizards and came up with a big load of CRAP.

Posted by nyk4ever:

Damn, the propaganda machine must be reunning on full-steam, where is all this coming from that Rubio is a bad defender?

As Fish pointed out in another thread..

Posted by fishmike:

still legged Rubio defensive player of the year in the ACB

ACB is the No.1 league in the world after the NBA

Rubio averaged 10 points, 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals in 22.2 minutes over his first 22 ACB appearances with DKV Joventut Badalona of Spain. He was named the ACB Defensive Player of the Year.