Point guard Ricky Rubio had better be worth it. Considering the hype he has received and the initial reports of his displeasure at being drafted by Minnesota, Rubio can’t become just an average player in the NBA.
But how good can he be?
Now that it appears he’ll play for the Timberwolves next season, according to multiple reports, we’ll finally see whether Rubio was worth the two-year wait. His numbers in Europe aren’t exactly huge: In 20 games this season, he averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 assists in 22 minutes. However, Rubio, the fifth overall pick in 2009, might do better offensively in the NBA.
The 6-foot-4 Rubio is a terrific passer who could be deadly on pick-and-rolls. But his defense is suspect.
“His style is conducive to a wide open floor,” one NBA executive said. “The NBA is much more uptempo and athletic. The problem will be at the defensive end. He will have his hands full with the speed and size of that position.”
