I have a feeling Rubio will help a team on offense very quickly. He needs to be on a team with some intimidating interior defenders so that the N.B.A. fastest PG's won't make mincemeat of him on defense during his first couple of years.
Precisely the opposite. Rubio will help a team with his defence.
I was assuming he was too small and light to be a good N.B.A. defender.
He's 6'4'', 200 lbs and only 18 years old. He's going to be one of the biggest PGs in the league.
Yes, I checked his size after my last post. So I guess it boils down to photos I've seen in which he looks rail thin. 6'4 and 180 pounds according to draft express. But I know you either live in Europe or have major Euro access so I'll guess he's gone up to 200 lbs as you say. I'm wondering how much stronger he'll get. And basically how physical he'll be (will he be special in that sense like Rondo, taking contact all over the place?)
Regardless, my sizing error makes my concern (and others?) about strength seem a bit extreme for an 18 year old PG. For a team with patience I don't see how picking Rubio is an error. He dropped to 4th or 5th on Draft Express. Seem like a mistake imo...Should definitely be picked #2.
As you say, the concern is not his defense but various aspects of his game on offense. If he were in the U.S. he'd be a senior in high school. I don't get the "bust" talk or the skepticism.
I'll chalk it up to him being from Europe.
High IQ and works hard at the game. Playing pro ball for x number of years. 18 years old. Enough said?