The Best Basketball Player You’ve Never Heard Of
Lang Whitaker tells you why 16-year-old Ricky Rubio might be the best player in the world not in the NBA.
I’m going to ask you guys to do something I don’t ask of you very often: I want you to trust me. Because I’m about to tell you all about the best player in the world that most of you know nothing about.
It was nearly a year ago, and I was in Miami for game three through five of the NBA Finals. Miami is one of my favorite cities to visit, for the weather and the scenery and the beaches, but after a week there even I was getting kind of punchy. I knew I’d been there too long when Sekou Smith and I found ourselves using a free night to go see “Nacho Libre,” and we actually thought it was funny.
To fill all the down time, a lot of mingling goes on between all the journalists, and one night I found myself chatting with a bunch of writers from overseas. I bumped into a buddy from Spain, and he pulled me aside and gave me two words: Ricky Rubio.
Ricky Rubio, I was told, was the truth. He was a tall, lanky point guard logging serious minutes for DKV Juventut in Spain’s top-flight ACB league. He could run a team, he could pass, he could rebound, he could score, he could play defense.
And he was 15 years old. Playing each game against guys twice his age.
That night I called SLAM’s then-editor-in-chief Ryan Jones and mentioned the kid’s name, and we agreed to keep an eye on him.
About a month later, after I escaped from Miami, I got an email from one of my hombres in Spain. In the final game of the Under-16 World Championships against Russia, Ricky had led Spain to a win in double-OT, including a Sheed-esque half-court shot to send the game to OT.
Oh, and his numbers for that game? 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 steals and 7 assists.
Meanwhile, I was furious. Here we’d found the next big thing, and he was going to get his own name out there before we could find him.
Ricky’s name started popping up on the internet from time to time, youtube videos starting appearing and in the NBA.com General Manager poll, at least one GM picked the 15-year-old Ricky as the best international player in the world not in the NBA.
Back in December I ran into an NBA GM that I know at a bar in Manhattan, and after we chatted for a minute I said, “Hey, do you know about Ricky Rubio?” He smiled and quickly said, “Nope.” (If he really hadn’t known, he would’ve said, Who?)
All this time, I was terrified to mention his name to anyone, particularly my friends at ESPN or SI, because with their unlimited resources they’d be able to go see him play immediately.
What they wouldn’t be able to do, however, was spend time with Ricky. Between his team (DKV Joventut) and Ricky’s parents, everyone was looking out for Ricky by not allowing him to speak to the media or do any photo shoots, which would be a problem if we wanted to get him in SLAM.
So, since back in September, I’ve been quietly pushing behind the scenes to make this story happen. This process included a series of intercontinental phone calls and emails and negotiations, before we finally got the word in January: Ricky’s parents had decided that Ricky was not going to do any photo shoots or interviews until he turned 18.
Well, except for one: SLAM Magazine.
(You guys always put stuff in the comments section about how much fun my job sounds when I’m getting to travel all over the place, and for the most part it is a lot of fun. The part of my job you don’t see is the behind-the-scenes stuff I go through to make things happen. That part is completely not fun. I always compare it to being the guy in the circus who spins the plates, meaning I generally have about five or six things I’m working on simultaneously. And if I don’t keep all the projects going, they’re likely to crash and shatter. Ricky was a plate I had to work on for a long, long while.)
I came back to the SLAM Dome after All-Star in Vegas completely exhausted, but two days later I was on a flight to Barcelona. Got there on a Friday morning and spent all day Friday in my hotel room at my favorite hotel in the world, Hotel Omm, resting and watching the Canal+ Futbol channel on my projection screen TV. (For what it’s worth, I’ve stayed in hotels all over the world, from one-star to five-stars, and for my money it doesn’t get any better than Hotel Omm.)
Saturday morning I got up and ate breakfast and…I waited. The Barcelona-based photographer we’d hired was calling me, asking what time we were going to meet up with Ricky. I didn’t know. My guy who kind of served as a fixer in all of this wasn’t returning my voicemails or text messages, and I started fearing the worst: That we were going to be stood up, that nothing was going to work out. I was trying to figure out in my how I was going to explain to my boss that I’d flown all the way to Barcelona and spent four nights in a hotel for nothing.
Then my phone rang. We were all good.
(Also, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to divulge who I worked with to help us make this story happen, because of several reasons, but let me here give a huge thanks to my people in Barcelona, Madrid and Spain who helped pull this together for us. Wouldn’t have happened without you, and you guys know who you are. Muchos gracias, mi amigos.)
A few hours later, I was walking into the Rubio family’s apartment in El Masnou, a quiet suburb a few minutes north of Barcelona along the coast. The entire family was there: Ricky, his brother Marc, their little sister, their parents; also there was their three-week old puppy, Chucky. Everyone was speaking Catalan, occasionally veering into Spanish. I speak conversational Spanish, enough to figure out what was being said and to communicate with everyone. Ricky’s mom went and made us all coffee, which she served in little espresso cups on a big tray. I felt like the third Rubio brother. We shot a ton of photos and all sat around and talked for a while.
From there we piled into a couple of cars and drove to El Prat, a town on the other side of Barcelona, to see Ricky’s older brother Marc play. El Prat is home to DKV Joventut’s third-division team, and they were playing Muro, a third-division team from the Canary Islands. Ricky was playing with Joventut the next morning, so he stayed behind in El Masnou to rest up.
The third-division game was played in a small gym, almost like a high school gym, which was full of fans. We settled into the bleachers and just before tipoff Joventut head coach Aito — who used to coach Barcelona and is something of a legend in Spain — walked in and sat right in front of me. I was sitting next to Ricky’s Mom, and wearing a baseball cap which immediately tagged me as an American. Aito gave me the once-over a few times. I was battling jetlag and had to grab a Coke at one point, and while I was in the lobby I bumped into Rudy Fernandez, a swingman for Joventut and one of the top prospects in Europe, there to see some of his friends who play for Muro. El Prat hung tough but eventually lost, and the action wasn’t bad. It wasn’t great, either, but it was comparable to mid-level U.S. college ball.
Early the next morning, my guys showed up and took me over to Badalona, the suburb of Barcelona where Joventut is based. Joventut plays in the Pavello Olimpic de Badalona, the same arena where Magic, Michael and Larry won the gold back in 1992. On this rain Sunday morning, they were playing against Pamesa Valencia.
There’s a lot more about Ricky the basketball player in the SLAM article, but I will say here that he was better than I expected, and I was already expecting something pretty amazing. He can defend, he can pass, he can run a team, he can rebound. The only thing Ricky didn’t do was score, but he only took four shots in the game I went to — someone told me that when Ricky’s playing with Joventut, he doesn’t really try to score because of “the hierarchy of the team.”
The game tipped off and minutes later Ricky checked in. The lead went back and forth, and Joventut would pull ahead whenver Ricky was in the game, but Joventut eventually lost.
How does Ricky play? Well, he’s 6-4 but plays longer. He’s not a speedster, but he’s fast enough. He made a crazy bounce pass off a dribble that made me gasp. An NBA scout saw Ricky play earlier this season and tabbed him the next Pistol Pete, but I think that’s mostly because of the way he looks, with his shaggy hair and prominent nose. I was really reluctant to come up with a comparison for Ricky, because he’s still so young, but the player he most reminded me of?
Magic Johnson.
Yes, I said it. In a way I hate to say it, but it’s true. I’ve tried to think of any other comparison I could, but it’s Magic.
The best thing I can tell you to do is to watch this video. There’s a lot of Ricky on YouTube now, but this clip shows how great he is at everything other than scoring. Ricky’s the one handling the ball most of the time and wearing, of course, number 32:
(By the way, that video is from a Joventut preseason game last fall, against an ACB team full of guys in their 20s and 30s. And Ricky was 15 years old at the time.)
You’re going to hear a lot more about Ricky in the years to come. He recently signed a four-year extension with Joventut, which will keep him with La Penya (The Club) until he’s 20. Until then they’ll continue to protect him and keep him from getting too big for his britches.
I do know this, and I say this without any hesitation: Ricky could play in the NBA right now. You know how most kids look a little bit awkward when they’re playing basketball, like they don’t quite fit into their body? Well, there’s none of that with Ricky. He’s smooth, he’s confident, he knows when and where to deliver the ball every time down.
I was almost hoping Ricky would be a little disappointing, so I could say that yes, he is good, but he isn’t that good. But as soon as I saw him play, I knew the hardest part of the story would be capturing precisely how good Ricky is. We hear so much about these prospects in Europe that now it’s become almost normal to believe that somebody can play even when nobody’s seen them play. I saw a couple of the top Euro prospects play while I was in Spain, but Ricky was hands down better than any of them. His shooting is his obvious weak point, as his jumper was pretty inconsistent. But he can score (don’t forget that 51 point championship game), and his jumper can be honed over the next four years. What he excels at are the things you can’t teach.
(How about this: A decade from now I’ll gladly put my Ricky ravings up against Chad Ford’s Darko droolings, after both have had a players chance to establish themselves in the NBA, and we’ll see who was closer to the truth. Chad, you in? Let’s podcast this bet!)
Ricky did a lot of little things in the game that, as a basketball geek, blew me away. There was one play where he snagged a loose ball (he leads the ACB in steals, by the way) and took off toward the basket down the left sideline. He had a defender on his tail, so Ricky made a right turn near the free throw line and headed across the court. One of his teammates stepped up to the opposite elbow of the free throw line to provide a pick. Ricky saw the guy step up and instead of just running around the pick, he took two steps away from the pick so that the guy setting the pick was at a more severe position to both him and his defender. When he slashed back and finally got to the pick, the defender was a step slow and at the perfect angle and got flattened. I’m not sure if he was somehow taught how to read developing picks and adjust the angles accordingly, but it was phenomenal.
The thing that finally clinched it for me was when I was talking to someone who knows Ricky well. They told me that they’d once asked Ricky what his favorite NBA move was. LeBron’s fadeaway? D-Wade’s crossover?
Nope. Ricky said his favorite move was the way that Steve Nash, when he’s using a pick on his left-hand side, generally takes one extra dribble with his left hand in order to create more space for himself. Seriously. 16 years old!
About that tag line on this post proclaiming Ricky’s greatness: Is Ricky really better than Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? Good question, and there’s no easy answer because it’s like comparing an apple to an orange to a peach. They’re three completely different players who each have completely different games. Right now the college guys are more developed scoring the ball and have bodies that are more NBA-ready. But Ricky’s getting there. If Ricky was in this summer’s Draft I’d take either Oden or Durant ahead of them. Four years from now when Ricky’s 20? It’s going to be a much harder decision to make.
Right now, Ricky is an incredible basketball player. Assuming he continues to develop at anything resembling the same rate, Ricky Rubio is going to be one of the great ones.
Trust me.
176 Responses to “The Best Basketball Player You’ve Never Heard Of”
Apr.5 at 11:59 am
andy says:
di yi! (chinese for first!)
Apr.5 at 12:01 pm
Chief says:
I will Lang.
Great article by the way.
Apr.5 at 12:05 pm
Kevin Wilson says:
First. And I fully expect to see a take on the Rafer Alston (*you’ve never heard of) from that old-school SLAM issue.
Apr.5 at 12:19 pm
bakers' dozen (12-13) says:
Ricky Rubio…Listen Up Nuggets…PICK THIS KID WHEN HE’S AVAILALBE!!! What are teh NBA rules on drafing Europeans that are already signed? Cuold somebody draft him now and hold his rights until he’s ready to come over and play?
Apr.5 at 12:21 pm
Bigi says:
Work In Progress…
Apr.5 at 12:22 pm
jake says:
ye rickys alrite but Rudy Fernandez also of DKV is better so is Juan Carlos Navarro of Barcelona he will be a good player but in Europe at the moment he is two Hyped.
Apr.5 at 12:29 pm
Weng Santos says:
I’ve been watching clips of Ricky Rubio from over a year ago. He really is phenomenal. Being a legit PG is one of the hardest things to do in the pros. Too much thinking involves, and a lot ok young prospects will have the physical traits, but not the mental. But Ricky has been playing in the pros in one of Europe’s top leagues since he was 14, so he’s way ahead on the learning curve. A true prodigy. That’s why I think Ricky could be the next Pistol (creative passer/playmaker) or the next Magic (big PG with great instincts). The potential is off the charts; he’s so much further along than more heralded players 5 years older than him.
Apr.5 at 12:29 pm
ishootfours says:
No one can draft him until he is a year out of high school or 19 years of age. So drafting him now is out of the question.
Apr.5 at 12:33 pm
Chris says:
Is he still growing? if he’s only 16 and 6′4 he could end up at 6′8+ by the time he’s 20. 6′8 and plays like Magic, we’ll see. is he going to play for the spanish national team this summer, i’d like to see how he plays with Pau Gasol, and Jose Calderon
Apr.5 at 12:38 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
The Draft rule is that your class has to be a year out of high school or you have to be 19, plus you have to declare for the Draft, so a team can’t just draft a player until he signs up. The only loophole there is that once you turn 22 any team can draft you and grab your rights, whether or not you declare for the Draft.
Apr.5 at 12:43 pm
Dean (not the first guy) says:
CHAD “the outsider” FORD IS NEVER RIGHT (unless he he takes someone elses info….lol)! …grest article Lang….u catch a Barcelona game while u were there?
Apr.5 at 12:49 pm
Tyler Hunt says:
You havent seen anything till u come to Holston High and check out PJ Salyers
Apr.5 at 12:58 pm
Ganchan says:
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if that GM you spoke to was none other than Brian Colangelo of the euro-raptors. I sure he’s got some inside info what with Calderon and Garbagosa on the team. If he is like Magic, he’s more like a Bizzaro Magic we’re gonna have to call him Jagic Mohnson, or John Magicson.
Apr.5 at 1:01 pm
Ronald says:
Amazingly, I’ve heard about this guy a while back. NBADraft.net did an article on him. I think it was his last game for the U-16 team or something and he was KILLING IT
Apr.5 at 1:04 pm
snyper48 says:
1-”New Jersey Nets-Champions by 2001 2-Rafer Alston 3-D.Wagner 4-Darko too 5-Eddy Curry 6-Diplomats (Sam) 7-Damon Stoudemire 8-Bassy 9-Shareef Abdur Raheem 10-last but not least “Lamar Odom the New Magic”…I trust you guys, all of you.
Apr.5 at 1:07 pm
coach says:
looks to me like ricky is greatonly vs. inferior competition . put ricky amongst mc donalds high school all stars and see how he will fare .
even sanjaya was good in the audition until he joined the other american idol finalists.
Apr.5 at 1:09 pm
YOUR BEARD LOOK STRONG aka PIMPN says:
sounds like the kid has some skills
Apr.5 at 1:24 pm
Max Airington says:
LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard, Shaun Livingston, Marvin Williams, Al Jefferson, Glen Rice’s Wife…I trust you guys. All of you. Nice work Lang. Sanjaya? Seriously?
Apr.5 at 1:30 pm
Spurfan says:
He reminds me of Manu Ginobili.
Apr.5 at 1:31 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
I thought about that Coach, but consider that in the World Championships against one of the best team of 16 and under kids in the world he posted that 51, 24, 12 game…while he was still 15.
Apr.5 at 1:31 pm
Milan says:
I saw him play twice this year in the Euroleague. While obviously he still has a lot to learn, it’s obvious that potential is without a doubt there. Lang, I wasn’t as impressed as you were though, but playing in the Euroleague and the Spanish league gives him a better opportunity to progress than players that play college ball do in my opinion. But as European I might be biased.
Apr.5 at 1:34 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Had to check the date line on this article to make sure it didn’t read “APRIL 1, 2007″
Apr.5 at 1:39 pm
jbn74sb says:
Lang - If the rule is that, to be drafted, a player’s class must be a year out of school, OR you have to be 19, then why wouldn’t OJ Mayo just declare for the draft, as he is 19?
Apr.5 at 1:42 pm
Reggie Evans says:
I used to know the next great pitcher. He could throw a baseball 168 MPH. His name was Sid Finch.
Apr.5 at 1:49 pm
William says:
How about comparing Ricky Rubio with Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, and Tyreke Evans ?
Apr.5 at 1:59 pm
irvbx says:
from that clip he doesn’t look any better than me
Apr.5 at 1:59 pm
Derms says:
Being a fan of baseball, I don’t trust the age of anyone from a spanish speaking country. He’s probably 22, but I can’t wait to see him play. It was amazing to watch him actually play defense with his feet not his hands.
Apr.5 at 2:18 pm
ballin boy says:
for anyone interested heres a link to his full 51 pt performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omr82en6W4Y&mode=related&search=
Apr.5 at 2:37 pm
Bouncyman says:
Lebron James has a fadeaway?
Apr.5 at 2:49 pm
Alex says:
Lang, I’ve read the links for 6 years and I generally agree with what you write. I really feel today that I’ve been let in on a little secret that’s going to absoultley explode in a few years. Sounds like it’s going to be fun to watch him develop, no homo.
Apr.5 at 2:53 pm
James76ers says:
Hes been followed on a few websites a frequent so this was not much of a surprise. what was a surprise was that Lang actually got to talk to him! All i can say to that is hats off to you sir. good job!! Also on another note, how much did Hotel Omm pay you to say that?!?
Apr.5 at 2:55 pm
Rohit says:
Good work, Lang. I can’t wait to read about him in the new Slam.
Apr.5 at 2:56 pm
Vitor says:
Lang, I believe the 19 yr old rule you mentioned doesn’t apply for American players — if i’m not mistaken, it applies only for foreign playes (i.e., Rubio). I remember it being mentioned back when the current CBA was being negotiated, but in the end the NBA stuck to the one-year removed from HS rule.
Apr.5 at 3:04 pm
Lucho says:
The title is funny. It’s funny to label the most hyped player ever in Europe as “The Best Basketball Player You’ve Never Heard Of”. Anybody with a minimum interest in international basketball has heard of him. You could have better made it “The Best Basketball Player I’d Never Heard Of” Also, why all that stuff about meeting him personally if you only talk about how he plays? Was it for the photos?
Apr.5 at 3:10 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I still kind of think the best player in the world not in the NBA is Kevin Durant. Or maybe J.R. Rider.
Apr.5 at 3:17 pm
albie1kenobi says:
Derms is right about the defense. granted the guy he was guarding was no where near the speed of most NBA guards, just the way he plays defense is impressive. oh yeah, that fake-pick-and-roll pass at the end is beautiful. he threw it in right under the basket with defenders all around the layup. that’s a Nash pass.
Apr.5 at 3:19 pm
scola says:
Wow! Ricky Rubio? Not even his teammates have heard of him. I’ll give you another two words. LeBron James. How about this: A decade from now I’ll gladly put my LeBron ravings up against your Ricky droolings, after both have had a players chance to establish themselves in the NBA, and we’ll see who was closer to the truth. Lang, you in? Let’s podcast this bet!
Apr.5 at 3:54 pm
fhfgh456 says:
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGKEUfUScJw
Apr.5 at 3:55 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Reggie, you should see the footage of Ricky going up against this streetball kid. Lang, what was his name?
Apr.5 at 3:56 pm
Tom says:
Props on the article lang, the most impressive thing to me besides the passes and drives were how comfortable he looked running the point for a team with a bunch of guys 10 years older than him, i mean it was a short clip but you could see some instances were he was a floor general, definitely will be interesting to see how he develops. on a side note, I think it’s pretty awesome that we can get this kind of access to a kid who’s playing on the otherside of the ocean. Imagine if we had access like this back when Sabonis started
Apr.5 at 3:57 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
streetball billy?
Apr.5 at 4:00 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Jesse Dunn?
Apr.5 at 4:16 pm
Jared says:
cool i wanna see him play
Apr.5 at 4:20 pm
Matt says:
Seriously is this a joke? Watching that video did little to get me excited. A 15 year old kid who can dribble, I can find that at the park.
Apr.5 at 4:32 pm
Kaiser says:
I write from Spain.
I say to us that Ricky is a very good player but si is t younger to play with the national team. In that moment exist other players betters thar Ricky as Rudy Fernandez (he is amazing), “La Bomba´´ Navarro or Marc Gasol (he is better than Schornaitis the black greeck guy that destroied US team in the World Champipship).
A MESSEGE TO DREMS:
Spain is in Europe not in the jungle. Don´t compare Spain whit the South America coountrie´s or with USA, where the sanity isn´t free as Spain. SPAIN WORLD CHAMPION
Apr.5 at 4:40 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Yeah, that’s the one. Man, he was good.
Apr.5 at 4:50 pm
B54 says:
“R2-32″
Apr.5 at 4:58 pm
Shels says:
Been reading and watching whatever I can on Rubio. The kid is legit right now and should only get better. The euros are comin up!
Apr.5 at 5:01 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
“Aito gave me the once-over a few times.” -You don’t say.
Apr.5 at 5:20 pm
coach says:
are you sure he is not a member of the ‘menudo’?
Apr.5 at 5:54 pm
... says:
“All this time, I was terrified to mention his name to anyone, particularly my friends at ESPN or SI, because with their unlimited resources they’d be able to go see him play immediately.” maybe it’s just me living in europe, but this part is hilarious. for god’s sake, at www.fibaeurope.com you can see all the stats from those u16, u18 and u20 competitions, not to mention dozens of torrent sites where you can download joventut’s games and “see him play immediately”. i watched him play live a copule of times, and is an extraordinary talent, he has a brain of a 30-year old veteran pg, while he uses those pretty long arms to play great pressure defense… still, i don’t think he’ll ever be an nba great… but then, nba came so low that walter hermann can score 20 a night, so who knows…
Apr.5 at 5:57 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Thanks for writing, Kaiser. I love Spain, especially Barcelona, which is perhaps my favorite city in the world. And to whoever it was that asked about how much Hotel Omm paid me…I cannot tell you how much I wish that was true.
Apr.5 at 6:06 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
And jbn, I think the rule is that a player’s class must be a year out of school AND you have to be 19.
Apr.5 at 6:07 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Jose Calderon and Garbo (from the Raps) have mentioned this kid a few times in interviews here in the T-Dot. And Jose refered to him as the truth as well, Lang. Not that anyone at SLAM would know since no one in North America cares about the Raps, right Khalid?
Apr.5 at 6:09 pm
FLUXLAND says:
” No offense but all the Raptors fans on this website who post constantly about how their team is on the rise need to relax. No one in America cares. Winning the Atlantic is like winning the war in Iraq. Even if you win, you still lose.” - K.S. 3rd in the East but hey who cares.
Apr.5 at 6:11 pm
bobbo says:
Rubio also is a star and that cannot be discounted…or taught. Greg Oden is not a star. Stars have charisma, lead teams, sell tickets, get the girls. Rubio is also six years younger than Lebron and could succeeed Lebron in the star-making machinery behind the popular sport.
Apr.5 at 6:17 pm
Kaiser says:
SPAIN WORLD CHAMPION
Apr.5 at 6:52 pm
Garrett Erb says:
that clip didn’t prove to me hes even better than i am
Apr.5 at 6:53 pm
Garrett Erb says:
and im not that great
Apr.5 at 7:10 pm
Wu says:
The thing about Rubio is that right now his calling card is defense. How many guards that are around his age can you say that about?
Apr.5 at 7:12 pm
Brian Johnson says:
Is that Robert Archibald on the video?
Apr.5 at 7:15 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Finally, we have a kid who wants to be like Steve Nash. Is Rubio’s game MVP like Nash? We will see. The biggest test for kids this good this young is their attitude - does he want to be the best? I don’t mean just say it, but does he improve his game every year, and actually practice hard? How does he handle adversity? This sounds like a lot of hype for a 16 year old, but given that Lang is not one for high-per-bolee, what’s left are questions about his mental approach to the game and life.
Apr.5 at 7:17 pm
randall says:
I am better than he is
Apr.5 at 7:25 pm
sixthman6 says:
Although this kid obviously isn’t as athletic as some of the American young guys (which is probably why some of you were not impressed at all by the videos), he’s got the stuff you can’t teach. Even the stuff you can teach, but most kids don’t master until they’re older, he has. Like Lang said, he’s athletic enough, which means a lot when you got basketball brains. I’ve heard of him before, not sure where though… I was also impressed that he played D with his feet and not his hands. I also noticed how on the long shot to force OT he didn’t panic even though the inbounds pass was ahead of him and heading right to the defenders. He calmly shuffled his feet to slow down so his momentum was in control when he shot the ball.
Apr.5 at 7:33 pm
sixthman6 says:
What reggie just posted also crossed my mind. I’ve seen american kids with skills at a young age, but once they get past 15-16 they lose that “get better” mentality and start worrying more about their hops and girls. Although they continue to be good, they never improve at the rate as before. Ricky seems protected by his family and they have him on track so hopefully he won’t slack off.
Apr.5 at 7:46 pm
Julian says:
Lang, you have to know that Ricky is fighting for the lead of plus/minus stats in ACB league too (http://www.plataformasedena.com/cgi-bin/sedenator-valoracion-masmenos.pl)
He’s a pass-first type of player, so that’s why we have to see other stats (steals, plus/minus, offensive fouls draw) to know he has a huge impact in the game so far.
Apr.5 at 7:46 pm
Jack says:
Hmm. The local BBL Team here where I am in England is the Newcastle Eagles. Last year our league MVP was Andrew Sullivan, who now plays with Rubio in Badalona. We have a few fans over here on our small forum that have been tracking Sulli all season and went over to Badalona to see him play. And all of them came back with rave reviews of Ricky. From what I’ve heard, and these guys are basketball geeks just like Lang and SLAM, the kid is special. I’ve heard nothing but good things. When he finishes growing and fills out he’s gonna be a big star.
Apr.5 at 7:54 pm
Kobe Berg says:
From the videos it seems like he must be the type player that is more impressive in person. He looks good on the videos, but not mind blowing. But any 15 year old playing against pro-level euro talent gets my attention. So does 51, 24, 12 and 7. Props for the getting the interview. Peace.
Apr.5 at 8:15 pm
Nadav Mor says:
love the pic vs. maccabi
Apr.5 at 8:43 pm
FLUXLAND says:
you mean like Steve Nash only with D, right Reggie?
Apr.5 at 9:32 pm
Hersey says:
This is mos def the type of player to see in person or follow over the course of a few games. That probably won’t happen for most of us until he hits international competition though. As for the handful of guys that SLAM gave love who eventually flamed out in the L, guys get hurt. I think when young players show some game, especially a teenager balling with adults, I think we should root for them and follow their development. I like high-quality basketball far more than hating. A European player who defends already has my attention. This kid looks special.
Apr.5 at 10:00 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Yes, Flux, I meant on offense. Although I think Nash has gotten an undeserved reputation as a bad defender. If you watch him throughout a game, he’s actually a decent team defender.
Apr.5 at 10:21 pm
howard says:
put his mugg on the cover of slam like your boy, bassy
Apr.5 at 10:56 pm
Young C says:
Rubio sounds good, but how does he compare to another point who is about his age? Do you think he is better than Lance Stephenson from NY?
Apr.5 at 11:03 pm
niQ says:
heard of this kid.. can’t wait to see him in the future
Apr.6 at 12:31 am
dma says:
do they not call carrying in spain as well?
Apr.6 at 3:26 am
Muraya says:
Dear Lang, Great article on RR. He is a very good basketball player, he proved that in Eurolegaue games, but the media attention he is getting at the moment is almost unnatural. He has to grow up, he’s just another talented kid who could be ruined up by becoming pro at 19 - think Shaun Livingston. And there are lot more talented kids in Europe and Croatia; I don’t believe that he is that good to gain all publicity and leave others dry. Best regards, Muraya
nba.blog.hr
Apr.6 at 3:32 am
Daniel Lee says:
Ricky Rubio may not have have a jump shot but his set shot doesn’t look bad: http://www.eurosport.co.uk/basketball/mcplayervideo_vid36860.shtml (nice little profile of Ricky R worth checking out)
Apr.6 at 4:48 am
khuby says:
I think we have to wait and see.It is too early to speak for him.You know,skill is not the only one thing in basketball.We have to see his character and i think he will show us his character in 2 years.
Apr.6 at 5:41 am
Eoin says:
it’s worth noting that Rubio is playing in a league full of former MacDonalds All Americans (Spain is where the best ones who don’t make it in the L go), so it seems foolish to suggest he’s playing “inferior” competition-to the NBA, yes, but to high school basketball?I’d like to see a team of MacDonalds All Americans try to take on one of the best teams in Euroleague.Hell, a couple years ago the Raptors lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv, and didn’t someone beat the 76ers back when AI was still in Philly?Barcelona?
And Muraya, while it’d be foolish to say he’s a sure thing, and it could depend greatly on the situation (playing for the Clippers could break anyone’s spirits), all the indictations are Rubio doesn’t feel the pressure.How many All Americans could’ve put up the line he put up (as sixteen year olds) against Russia in that U-16 game while dominating down the stretch?I’m gonna go out on a limb and say almost none.So it’s early days, but he’s ridiculously impressive.
(Side Note:Love how right after Simmons blasts Slam for supporting me-first basketball,the next ish has the best TEAM in basketball on the cover and a feature about one of the possibly next great pure point guards.Good job Bill.Real perceptive.)
Apr.6 at 7:31 am
Slim says:
Thanks for the great article Lang. I’ve been living in Barcelona for 8 years now, but haven’t gotten to too many games. Embarassing as it may sound I hadn’t even heard of this kid. I’ll definitely do my best to check him out now though.
Apr.6 at 9:23 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Hey Muraya, probably worth noting that Ricky “turned pro” two years ago. He’s been getting to paid to play against bigger guys for a while now.
Apr.6 at 9:44 am
Froggiestyle says:
Lang, I live in France and am a Big Barca fan - we go a lot and love it natch. Never heard of Omm but that roofside pool is a deal maker - will check it out next time in Barca - mos def. Thanks. M
Apr.6 at 9:46 am
Zach F. says:
Kidd loks gooood. But not the best player not in the league. By far. Very impressive stat line but no one is still going to take him #1 in the draft in front of Oden. all of this still means nothing. he had 51 against good comp. Jonathon Bender had 31 in the McAA game against great comp. and look how good he did in the league. (Did he even make it?)
I’ll give the kid his props. but he hasn’t showed me too much yet
And Wu have you heard of Paul Harris?? Good luck to RR, just want to see him play w/ better comp. consistantly.
Apr.6 at 11:18 am
dre says:
looks like korver will have some competition for separated at birth with ashton kutcher
Apr.6 at 12:34 pm
Ben says:
Man, don´t hate on this kid. We all have to wait and see what´s poppin in 2 - 3 years. How he comes clear with agents, hype, money and all that stuff. Hope to see him in the L in 2010!
You can say what you want, but in Spain the level of their league is nearly “Sub NBA level” When you read all these names, that came from Spain the last years it´s crazy! Their youth system is great. Talented Players get into the first team and battle with ex - NBA, College Stars.
And over the years the results are good, quality (NBA) players who became the World Champs. Over here in Germany this system dosn´t work as good as in Spain…It´s sad to see U.S. Pros in minor leagues, where they are the only paid player on their team… And young players sit on the bench… So, I´m out…can´t think about it anymore! Happy Eastern to all ya!
Apr.6 at 1:22 pm
sach says:
good stuff. hopefully he wont plateau or anything over there
Apr.6 at 1:50 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Froggie, Omm is no joke — Ben can attest to that. And the food/bar there is great, too.
Apr.6 at 2:16 pm
spanish-chocolate says:
He is really good, but we have to wait a couple of years, when Rudy will play in NBA and Ricky will have to lead DKV Joventut. You think spanish league is worst than really is, but for example Pau Gasol started playing at the age of 19. Ricky is also the leader of steals in Euroleague, playing against CSKA, TAU Vitoria, Olympiacos or Panathinaikos. And he plays a few minutes (18-20 per game) to protect him.
Apr.6 at 2:23 pm
sunkist says:
yo wat’s the link to the youtube video i cant view it, he sounds like he has “it”
Apr.6 at 3:53 pm
B54 says:
Saw what you will but for now all we can do is wait.
Apr.6 at 6:22 pm
chronically_ill says:
Wow, Spain’s really turning out to be a basketball hotbed (especially for guards). Pau, Calderon, Sergio Rodriguez, this Rubio kid…
Apr.6 at 6:32 pm
Malik Grimes says:
I played against Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Areans and Caron Butler. And I beat them by a point. I am only 14 years old to. I also lead my AAU team to there first championship. So any fans or scouts intrested visit www.myspace.com/malik grimes
Apr.6 at 6:58 pm
Julian1 says:
so basically if this guy ever makes it to the L we wont be seeing him for about another four years anyway? good anticipation though. kind of like the person who always says ‘first post’. you beat chad!
Apr.6 at 7:20 pm
Patrick Eschenbach says:
one problem with this article. I”M the best playt no one has ever heard of.
Apr.7 at 12:12 am
alex fraknoi says:
the article makes it seem like this guy is really good. However, he sucks.
those numbers blew me away, but once i saw that clip, which u (lang) said that it was his best work, i changed my mind. He had terrible moves, he played pretty bad defense, and he could only hit a mid ranger. Im sorry ol’e langy, but i dont think were going to see him in the nba ever. I agree with coach. Age is not a factor, he is not even that great for a 15 year old. jason richardson is better
Apr.7 at 5:01 am
androcles says:
Hey man, Muro is not un the Canary Islands, but in the Balearic Islands!!
Apr.7 at 5:13 am
The Real Mongoose says:
Good news, irvbx, Garrett Erb, and randall have just shot to the top of Chad Ford’s draft board!
Apr.7 at 7:22 am
Bill Biehl says:
Can we get this kid to commit to ohio state?
Apr.7 at 1:54 pm
ATL Ho says:
Uhmm….this kid doesnt really look all that special I mean Ive seen some of those moves at Run n Shoot….Basketball in the US is a totally different game than tha basketball they play over in Europe…..bring him to bankhead and then we’ll see how good he is
Apr.7 at 2:46 pm
RedRum says:
I think you are going a bit bonkers here… yes, he is a talent, but there have been players putting up such numbers in europe before. many of them. As far as comparisons go, every european guard should be measured to the one and only Drazen Petrovic. and let me tell you… Rubio is no Petrovic…for once, Rubio does not have an outside shot. he shot 20% in that under-16 tournament. he does not have the explosiveness and athletic ability of say, Jinobili (although Manu is argentinian..)He might come out to be pretty good, but this is typical Slam overhype (like the “The Best Point guard in the world you never heard off” aka Rafer Alston…)Actually that was my first Slam issue..
Apr.7 at 2:48 pm
RedRum says:
oh… and the best player in the world you never heard off is Papaloukas, the Greek point guard of CSSK Russia… check who had 12 assists against Team USA in the Greece USA game…
Apr.7 at 4:43 pm
jr724 says:
is the article of him in the next slam?
Apr.7 at 5:14 pm
English in Los Angeles says:
Had never heard of this “kid”. But 6′4 and 15…..yeah, he’ll be about Magic’s height. And you can see the poise he has. It’s good to see kids developing, maturing before coming to The Association. It makes hoops fans drool over the potential of the draft. The draft the next few years are gonna be silly good. Kids-stay in school, go to college, play pro if you’re in Europe….and get ready…..and don’t short on the fundamentals. Magic and Michael didn’t.
Apr.7 at 5:30 pm
j c says:
Ricky Rubio is a gret player and probly will be a great proffesional player in the NBA although if you look at past greats shooting is something natural it can be tought but something natural is always better than something tought. You mentioned he didnt score in that one game and took only four shots because of how good the team was you must have confidence to score and do everything else he might lack that a little great article
Apr.8 at 12:02 pm
Marti Casals says:
I trained Ricky when he was 11, and i was impressed by his maturity, his passes and his intelligence. He was only a child and nobody believed me when i said he would be a great basketball player.
When he plays he can break the game very easily, his creativity breaks other’s teams concentration in few minutes. i totally support the comparison with magic even his youth and his big point is that he loves basketball among anything and makes people enjoy the game.
He’ll make big things and be ready to know more about him, he’ll be everywhere.
Don’t forget he’s Catalan, like Marc and Pau Gasol and j.Carlos Navarro, so keep an eye on our small but powerful country!!
Apr.8 at 12:59 pm
Kadavour says:
i liked how he moved his feet on defense, but a smarter offensive player would’ve CROSSED the shit outta him. I wanna see this kid at Hoops in the Sun or The Cage. I really think some of these NY ballers will eat him alive.
Apr.8 at 1:01 pm
Kadavour says:
JC, Mike Redd wasnt a natural shooter in college. He was more of a defender. He worked on his stroke, developed it, and perfected it to the point where the unsuspecting eye would assume he’s a natural shooter. I’d say you can’t teach vision. You can teach someone the geometry of the court and how the pieces move, but for someone to drop that perfect dime at the perfect moment is innate.
Apr.8 at 2:23 pm
amuntvalencia says:
DERMS, that’s extremely bigoted and ignorant of you. You’re not talking about just any old Spanish-speaking country, but Spain itself. It’s the fourth economy in all-euro countries (with a population 20 million smaller than the next country) and in just about all regards a modern Western European nation. Trust me, his age is right. Remember, this is basketball, not baseball. Are there any irregularities at all with the Spaniards in the NBA? If you love your country, you should stop tarnishing its name by parading your bigotry and ignorance.
Apr.8 at 3:32 pm
Arriba ESPAÑA says:
I live in Madrid and I would like to say that here nobody cares about basketball, especially NBA. I am from Dallas I have to wake up at 2 am to see them. Seriously, a waste of time coming here. He’ll be better than LeBron but imagine he injures he’s only 16
Apr.8 at 4:19 pm
JR says:
The kid is for real. When you see it playing you know it. He is playing against the best pro’s in Europe. Many with many years experience in the NBA. Just a couple of info pieces:
- This kid is 16 years old and it’s a pro (since almost two seasons).
- He is already playing international competition (Euroleague).
- He will most probably NOT play the European Championship in September. José Manuel Calderón (Toronto Raptors), Sergio Rodríguez (Portlan Trailblazers) and Carlos Cabezas (Unicaja) where the point guards in the last World Championship that Spain won. The team will not be changed except for injuries (eg. Jorge Garbajosa).
- He’s playing against seasoned pros with experience in Europe and the NBA. As an example, look the second round of the Euroleage. Those are the point guards of the THREE opponent teams: Macijauskas (one season by the Hornets), James Penn (#57 NBA draft in 2000), Alex Acker (#60 NBA draft in 2005), Papaloukas (arguably the best player currently in Europe), Trajan Langdom (#11 NBA draft in 1999, three seasons with the Cavs) and Vonteego Cummings (#26 NBA draft in 1999, two seasons with the G.S. Warriors and one with the 76ers.). Plus Euro players of similar level you never heard of.
- He is averaging 3.2 ST per game (18 min.) in the Euroleague against the people I mentioned above. Overall leader with only 18 min. per game. Also overall leader (2.46 in the ACB Spanish league). P.S. Yes, Robert Archibald (ex Grizzlie and Raptors) is playing with him in the Joventut Badalona.
Apr.8 at 4:21 pm
Derms killer says:
derms, you should know that spain was the owner of the whole world 300 years before your country begun to exist. and in south america the ancestors of the spanish speakers were experts in diferent sort of sciences as maths or astronomy. so when you have read (or maybe when someone has read it for you) that ricky is 16, you can be sure that he is 16 and no 22 . SMD MF.
Apr.8 at 5:30 pm
Luis says:
Hi! I’m a spanish fan, and a Ricky’s fan too. I want to congratulate Lang because his article, it’s very interesting and good made. All what you have said about Ricky is sure, he is so good! He have to improve his shooting, yes, but when he start to shoot more it will improved, and he will become a very important player. I suggest you to keep an eye on him and on his career. It’s a very interesting future star, and a present promise. Best wishes to everybody. Luis
Apr.8 at 6:56 pm
rbn says:
Hi. I’m Rubén from Spain. This guy maybe good or not, but he’s clever. Too clever. 27 seconds for final of U17 European Tournament. Timeout and ball for Spain. And Ricky told her coach: “Do you want all time?” His coach said “What?.. Well, Do anything.” Before timeout, when the game resumed, one teammate passed from lineband to Ricky, he touches the ball with the chest, he lets the ball hurl during 3 seconds and then he begins to protest. Why? Because Timetable-man has began 24-seconds count when he touched the ball with chest and not with hand and Fiba rules said match-time runs when anybody touchs ball but 24-seconds-count runs when you control the ball… Referees and his coach were astonished. A 15-years kid knews the rules better than theyselves
First of all.. sorry for my horrible english
Apr.8 at 7:58 pm
shane says:
man ive been playin basketball 4 2 years im 14
but i fink dis guys amazin i hope 2 be like him wen im older
im from ireland n i h8 da way because irelands such a small country the aba n nba never really find ot bout good players
im glad dey found this spanish 1 lol
come on da spanish
dey rule hehe
any way jus wantd 2 say so bye
Apr.8 at 8:22 pm
BadalAnd says:
Two years ago, Isiah Thomas (being Knicks GM) visited Badalona to watch a game of DKV Joventut (at that time Ricky was 14 and still played for the younger team of Joventut, not for the pro team yet). A journalist asked him if he had come to watch Rudy Fernandez (19 at that time). He answered that they knew Rudy since some years ago and what he wanted was to watch Ricky. Ricky’s phenomenon was well known by de NBA scouters before his explossion in the last European Under/16 Championship. Besides Isiah Thomas, also Larry Bird, Danny Ainge, Chris Mullin among others, have come to Badalona, to watch our R&R lately.
Apr.8 at 9:03 pm
john says:
If i remember correctly you featured Ricky Rubio inte end of Noyz a few issues ago..Ricky Rubio..Ricky Rubio..Ricky Ru
Apr.8 at 10:06 pm
BadalAnd says:
Here you can read the report of the Europe U-16 Championship: http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_od,5B6olIYICg1lmockrW2.coid_anH5gV3HHcszwdyhjVa5W2.articleMode_on.html Here you can see the stats with the amazing Ricky’s performance: best scorer, best rebounder, best assister, best stealer. http://www.fibaeurope-u16men.com/en/ NOTE: Answer for Brian Johnson: YES. Robert Archivald is playing for DKV Joventut right now.
Apr.8 at 10:37 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Omm is phenomenal. This article is in the Suns issue…on sale everywhere this week!
Apr.9 at 12:38 am
Dan Ilika says:
Oh, foolish American basketball fans. . . Lang, you killed this article! ! ! Ricky Rubio has a sick repitoire, and he will undoubtedly be playing in the L in no time. That’s why I am pissed off about all of these comments posted about comparing him to American prep stars. How ridiculous do you have to be to say that a kid playing ball at a high school anywhere in the states is better than a sixteen year-old playing professional ball in Europe?!?!?! You have to be half-retarded if you ask me. I am going to paraphrase Lang here: that’s like comparing apples to un-ripened peaches! ! ! I understand that there are a few thick-headed Americans that are loyal to the next generation of American-bred ballers, but be serious. The odds are stacked in favour of a 16 pro baller over a high school player any day. Do I have to remind anyone about the countless “pro-bound” point gaurds from the states that have fizzled in college, let alone the pros? I didn’t think so. . .
Apr.9 at 3:02 am
Sesa says:
This Ricky Rubio dude is amazing, but somehow I think he doesn’t have what it takes to defend faster and stronger player. Great skill He had, no doubt. Probably this kid will be like the second coming of Steve Nash and from your stat lines, this dude looked like serious ball-hog. Just my opinion, though
Apr.9 at 3:13 am
Bigdaveed says:
Ricky Rubio is for real.
I live in Spain for 6 years now, and being a real Bball fan, down with Slam since issue Nr 1, I have seen a few times RR playing, and the kid is just amazing, the way he dominates the fundamentals, the way he can change a game defensively, being 16 !!!!
He dominates fundamentals like the Duncan Robot but being flashy…
The Liga ACB is quality, the level is probably the highest in Europe. And this kid leads the league in Steals, averaging not even 20 minutes a game.
I think having been reading the links for ages now, that Lang has a very good understanding of European basketball, probably because he is a soccer fan as well LOL.
Anyway lang, keep up the brilliant work man.
Apr.9 at 5:24 am
achinet says:
Good article.
Riky was not only leader in steals of the ACB league, he was the leader in steals in the Euroleague until his team was eliminated. Also it is necessary to say that in this U16 tournament, he was the final statistical leader in Points, Rebounds, Assists and Steals.
If you want to know more about all the European prospects see this youth yearbook
http://www.fibaeurope.com/files/youthdef-cover.pdf. Spain is strong in all categories!!!.
Apr.9 at 5:58 am
achinet says:
Riky was not only leader in steals of the ACB league, he was the leader in steals in the Euroleague until his team was eliminated. Also it is necessary to say that in this U16 tournament, he was the final statistical leader in Points, Rebounds, Assists and Steals.
If you want to know more about all the European prospects see this youth yearbook
http://www.fibaeurope.com/files/youthdef-cover.pdf
Spain is strong in all categories!!!.
Apr.9 at 7:13 am
Thehardmenpath says:
Hi, i´m Spanish too, and basketball fan, specially NBA. My father is a Basketball fan too, and he has watched a lot of players and he says he has never watched such a dominant player at that age. Right now i can´t see any better player in the defensive end in Europe and maybe any PG overseas(yeah that includes NBA). He is also leading the euroleague 3.5 steals Per game, just notice that in the euroleague play several teams that last summer defeated nba teams. He is Also leading ACB (which is considered the best domestic league after the nba) at steals, and hell he is not event playing 20 minutes at many games!! He is the second PG of the team after Elmer Bennett who has played in the nba and who is a more scorer oriented than Rubio. The coach Aito Garcia Reneses who is very famous for developing young players like Pau Gasol or Navarro is trying to protect the kid from the media and all the pressure he already has, and that´s why he is not playing the kid that much. Trust me u haven´t seen anything on those videos. My fater has seen players like drazen petrovic or Kukoc at older ages playing in europe and he says that Ricard is one or ahead of them and he is only 16.
What makes him special is that he takes his best under pressure situations. U can find more information about the kid here:
http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8109/180/item
Apr.9 at 7:30 am
achinet says:
See the CUADRUPLE DOUBLE that he makes in the semis over Rusia in that U16 Tournament.
Apr.9 at 8:58 am
andrea says:
Nice article Lang, I live in Barna for 5 years now & watched Ricky play many times.Ricky has a super human wingspan, an impressive intensity on defence and show a BB intelligence rather remarkable for his age. I’m little surprised it took so long for him to get some press in the US though. I mean the guy leads Euroleague & ACB in steals while hardly ever playing more then 20. Do you guys ever read european papers? PS
never seen a OMM room Lang, but, i agree, bar, restaurant & location are hard to beat
Apr.9 at 10:51 am
alex says:
first of all say that although ricky is a very good acb and euroleague (best of the rest leagues) player (leads both in steals)but he is not quite the best. His performance in the europe under16 was something else and he has everything to be unbelieveable, but the thing most impresive of him is how smart is this kid. you have to watch him play life to see it. there is an anecdote that could sumarize it. this summer at the europe U16 final match most people remember his stats or his mid court three and misses the most ricky-like thing. 27 seconds left in the first overtime,spain down 2, spains possesion, in the timeout the coach tells ricky to finish the possesion time (24), but when they passed him the ball was no pressiom from the russians, so what does he do? instead of touching the ball with his hands he does it with his right shoulder and waits three seconds with the ball bouncing till grab it, and then explain the table (referees) that there is this rule that says that game time starts running when a player touches the ball, but the possesion time starts running when a player stablishes ball possesion. The table had to agree because ricky was right. he went to score and end the possession and sent the game to 2nd over time. The seconds aren´t exact because youth competitions have diferent possesions time, but the way I´ve explained it is easily to understand and doesn´t change the facts.
I´m sorry if my english isn´t so good but I write from Madrid
here is a link where you can see the play I´ve talked you about, the quality is bad and you can see they are 16 years old kids playing so you wont see the pro player ricky is but if you watch it you will see the player he can be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKnydGoyII
Apr.9 at 11:10 am
A e Y says:
Ricky is not a good player. He’s only 16 years old,he is a fucking baby. Give him more time! Iverson is my hero. Andrés says that this magazine is the best.
Apr.9 at 12:15 pm
David says:
I agree with other comments on Ricky, he is young and a legend in the making
Apr.9 at 12:17 pm
Dblizzy! says:
Why can’t we just let kids be kids. Yeah he’s great now, he’s playing pro ball overseas, making money. Just let him play ball. What happens in 3 years if he doesn’t grow and inch and his jumpshot doesn’t improve. Everyone will be talking about how great he coulda been and that he flopped, then it’s on to the next phenom with potential. How many falied prospects do we have to see to know that potential means very little. I know this is gonna sound corny, but who would have projected Michael Jordan to be one of the all-time greats when he was 16???
Apr.9 at 12:18 pm
Dblizzy! says:
Why can’t we just let kids be kids. Yeah he’s great now, he’s playing pro ball overseas, making money. Just let him play ball. What happens in 3 years if he doesn’t grow an inch and his jumpshot doesn’t improve. Everyone will be talking about how great Ricky coulda been and that he flopped, then it’s on to the next phenom with potential. How many failed prospects do we have to see to know that potential means very little. I know this is gonna sound corny, but who would have projected Michael Jordan to be one of the all-time greats when he was 16???
Apr.9 at 1:28 pm
ME says:
OJ WOULD KILL HIM
Apr.9 at 2:03 pm
Me2 says:
mother fuck ricky rubio wheres he playing at again .. ricky rubio is nothing .. if anything kevin durants going to be the best in the world.
Apr.9 at 3:44 pm
hartadi says:
lebron is the best young ball player ever…..he prove to every doubters (myself) for his ability and overcomed the pressure from the media and his hometown.
Apr.9 at 4:11 pm
baller says:
you havent seen good yet.when i come around its over.
Apr.9 at 8:29 pm
Guy says:
I’m biased, being an FC Barcelona fan, but Navarro is better then Ricky. I watch Navarro live every game, and Ricky on TV, and I’ll take Juan Carlos for the moment!
Apr.10 at 9:23 am
Manu says:
I’m a fan of the Spanish league..actually, I’m Spanish and I watch the league every week and if there is a player whose name can eclypse Gasol’s he is Ricky Rubio. His numbers are not so good because of the few minutes he plays but eventually more than a guy on Earth will remember this report and hail the new god of basketball.
Apr.10 at 10:30 am
Folan says:
are u saying hes better than any high school player out there? oj mayo for example?
Apr.10 at 10:33 am
Petter says:
I love the fact that people keep comparing him to LeBron, Oden and Durant. He´s like, three years younger than those guys, and that means something during that age, ya know? I´m no expert and wouldn´t want to judge anyone from a tape, but if he is getting those kind of minutes in Spain, he is no chump. Maybe not Magic either, but the kid can obviously play. So, let´s see where he´s at in three years. Then we can compare him to Oden and Bron. Cheers
Apr.10 at 11:10 am
Redrum says:
two words… Drazen Petrovic (and Rubio aint Drazen…)
Apr.11 at 11:53 am
? says:
ur hot
Apr.11 at 11:52 pm
ekam says:
Bullshit
Apr.12 at 1:27 am
lamar says:
oj would make him look stupid
Apr.12 at 6:17 am
Paco says:
All of you talk about Ricky Rubio but i haven´t read any comment about his defence. You should know that at the age of 16 Ricky actually leads ACB (top spanish competition) and Euroleague (top european competition) in steals per game, in less of 20 minutes/game in the two competitions. With that lorg arms he is now the best defender in Europe at the age of 16, what will he do when he is 20? (sorry for my poor english)
Apr.12 at 10:56 am
David says:
Some people underrate Rubio a lot, and I’m sure they haven’t seen any single game of him.
Don’t be so arrogant, please. This kid doesn’t play in HS, he plays against the best players in Europe.
Apr.12 at 12:20 pm
Redrum says:
all I am saying is that this is typical Slam overhype. 10 years ago they claimed Rafer alston was the best point guard in the world we never heard off… look how alston is doing. He is decen but not where Slam liked him. Thats all I am saying about Rubio (and yes I have seen him play a lot). He is simply overhyped. If you want to see a real prodigy, look how Drazen was tearing up Europe in age 17. Rubio is decent, he has good handles, good passing, but he cannot shoot to save his life, his drives to the bucket would be a non-factor once he plays against NBA defenders as he is not very athletic, like Manu is. So what you have in Rubio? A shorter Luke Walton with no 3-point shot, thats how I predict he is going to be in the NBA, if he ever gets there.
Apr.12 at 11:30 pm
alex says:
redrum, i agree the kidd is a bit overhyped but comparing the kid to luke walton is plain stupid. think that any high school kid can even compare to him is stupid. and by the way drazen numbers aren´t comparable to ricky, i´d bet my guts anytime anywhere than ricky is gonna be way better than draze. that being said i think drazen is one of the best european players ever but behind of course the all mighty Dirk. Another reason why there is no comparisson is that european basketball is much much better nowadays than in Drazen days P.S. For MARTI CASALS Cataluña is not a country, it´s a region of spain, ah Casals and all those players you´ve mentioned developed in the national juniors teams of spain thanks the structure of basketball in spain (acb league, spains federation etc)I see you are a Barsa fan so I wanted to remember u and everybody the european team most awarded ever (both in basketball and futbol) is Real Madrid. This is a basketball network so please stop writting down politics
Apr.12 at 11:56 pm
Jonathan says:
yeah ricky
Also just want to say first of all I got mad love for Slam. I’m now in the 9th grade and have been down with Slam and been subscribed since 4th grade. I’m also a more than daily reader of slamonline.com. I just started my own blog inspired by a blog on Slam and I hope someday I can become a Slam writer or website blogger for Slam. I just started my blog today at http://dailyballin.blogspot.com/
Thanks for checking it out. Let me know what you think.
Apr.13 at 6:01 am
nadia says:
I live in spain, ricky is the very,very,very best basketball player in the worl.I,m 15 years old, my english is very bad (I haven´t pass english) but I say that ricky is the best. I love ricky.
Apr.13 at 10:59 am
Redrum says:
Alex, your post was well put you missed my point. I am not comparing him NOW with Walton, I am saying that if he gets to the NBA, that is the type of player he is going to be (due to Rubio’s admitedly good court vision and understanding of the fundamentals). Ricky is not going to be way better than Drazen, because he cannot shoot the 3. he shot 20% in that U17 tournament. Look at Drazens numbers. He had 40-50 point games when he was 16, playing in D1 in Yugoslavia. He was the team Captain for the Yugo team age 20.. look at his NBA numbers. Second scorer in the east during his last year, only behind MJ. look at his shooting % for 2 and 3 points. out of this world. and of course his demeanour and hunger was legendary, as well as his work ethic. Sorry, but Rubio will never reach such status. I hope he will, but I see it very unlikely given his current level and skills.
Apr.14 at 4:40 am
BadalAnd says:
ANSWER TO ALEX: I think the last comment of Marti Casals was superflous but yours is not only superflous but also pathetic and wrong. If you think this is a basketball network where writing about politics is inappropiate, why do you break this policy? Are you the lonely who can break it? Who gave you this privilige? Your assertions about spanish basketball official structure smell bad and mentioning the Real Madrid glory is ridiculous in this context. If things were as simple as you claim, you wouldn’t need to junp as a panther to rebuke Marti Casals. Whether you like it wheater you don’t CATALONIA IS A NATION.. This is so: First. because its people feels so. Second. because a Spanish State law (the Catalonia Statute) states it. Spanish imperialistic people like you are downhill. After losing Florida, South America, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Philippines, the Spanish Empire keeps only Catalonia and Euskadi. This statu quo will remain only the time Euskadi and Catalonia people to want. Gasol, Raül López, Navarro, Mumbrú, Rudy Fernández, Rubio and many others play with Spain with the same patriotic feeling that Sabonis and Marciulonis played with URSS or Kresimir Cosic and Drazen Petrovic played with Yugoslavia.
_________________________________ About Ricky: Being a DKV Joventut supporter I’m lucky to watch Ricky playing every week since time before he was discovered by the press and media. I think any comparison with Petrovic or any other is absurd. Each one has different skills. Obviously Ricky doesn’t have the Drazen’s scoring ability (by the moment). No one in his team ask him so. Right now the main Ricky’s job at DKV is revolutionizing games from defense taking advantage of his ability to steal balls and to force opponents TO with his press. The most amazing IMO is how he has been able to change in a few months his way of play to adapt to the team necessities.
Apr.15 at 2:43 am
alex says:
ANSWER TO BADALAND you are right I shouldn´t have kept talking about a political issue it doesn´t belong here while I critize other people for doing so. I really don´t like politics (though I know quite about it don´t be mistaken) but the comment you talked about just like “superflous”, I thought it was much more than inapropiate and while I was trying to express so I wrote down more of what I should have done and in a way that wasn´t quite the best, just like I think you did. The difference is that I didn´t call anybody anything (like you called me “spanish imperialistic”) Somebody who talks about an imperialistic Spain, compares spain as a nation to the USSR or Yougoslavia doesn´t want an answer. …………………………………………………………Anyway here we all have in common the love for the game and an admiration of rickys game and lot of expectation in his future.
P.S. Despite what I wrote before, I´m an Estu fan, but I´ve liked jouventut since Villacampa´s time and after a good euroleague season where they qualified to the top16, I wish the best to the badalona in the ACB playoffs (hopefully they´ll finally get the 3rd place of the regular season), and I hope the R&R gives a good show of basketball, now that in this second answer haven´t wrote any politic comment I encourage everybody to do so, see you all.
Apr.15 at 2:56 am
alex says:
oh! and as much as I don´t like it, it´s a fact that Real Madrid is by far the most awarded futbol and basketball team in europe. And is never ridiculous to talk about the best european house of all time, where by the way Drazen played some of his best basketball. Whether you like it or not these are facts.
Apr.15 at 11:03 pm
Pablo says:
I played with him 2 years ago, he’s just like he’s been described. AMAZING. He doesn’t look like a good basketball player, but he really is. His family is taking care about him, and if he keeps improving like he’s doing, Ricky is going to be one of the greatest basketball players in history. Seriously. Keep an eye on him, he’s still only 16…
Apr.17 at 11:17 am
Vincent says:
We can say without question Ricky Rubio is the best defender of FIBA basketball when he´s only 16. In his fist ACB game (when he was 14) he stole two balls and blocked a Shammond Williams (L.A. Lakers player) shot. Now he’s 16 and leeds spanish ACB and Euroleague (each of them much more competitive than NCAA basketball) in steals per game. He is allready one of the best defenders in the world (including the NBA) and one of the most talented prospects in the world, i haven’t understand some bad reviews about his future, it´s true that whe can´t say now he’ll be a star in the NBA but it´s ridiculous to question his skills.
Apr.17 at 5:52 pm
KhW21 says:
dude… he needs to improve that shot… n is not as creative as the other spanish pg (sergio?) but im lookin forward to see how he could (not?) match against NBA dudes
Apr.18 at 8:03 pm
marc says:
You don’t have to believe anything that you haven’t seen or experienced by yourself. But you have to consider it. Time would say, at the moment I tell you one thing: its difficult to believe in Ricky Rubio, because he is unbeliable.
Apr.22 at 5:01 pm
Benjamin says:
Is he really the best basketball player in the whole world? I wonder if i could see proof,like a video clip at leat?
Apr.28 at 5:18 pm
Paul Mackenzie says:
The road is longer, and the travel is just beggining.He has good future if his head and friends helps him and if he does not belive in all that spanish media are saying about him in Europe. Let us see what he can do and grows in next 3 or 4 years, and then we can say that he is a good new player.
Paul
Apr.29 at 6:58 pm
Sykler says:
Men, this guy could be a big point guard. He’s training shooting, he’s great at breaking the defense, and he’s the best stealer in the ACB league. Here there are some videos A video from last summer, he’s the number 32 of the white team (he’s who has the ball when the video starts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z7xVT5tWBI Defense fake, steal and through the opponent’s legs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQBnu8Zzcxs Great game for Rubio, and huge steal in the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCB8FSdTOzA And this is from Euroleague, versus Maccabi Tel Aviv (maybe best european team, former Anthony Parker’s team - now in Raptors) steal, behind the back and he scores!
Apr.29 at 7:00 pm
Sykler says:
Sorry, this is the first video I talked of in my previous comment but I forgot to paste the website
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z7xVT5tWBI
Jun.24 at 9:54 pm
BosnAce says:
This kid is amazing!Simply amazing! And for all you US-American “HATERZ” this kid is playing BASKETBALL on the highest possible level in Europe, EUROLEAGUE, where he has some decent stats. For example Last Summer (2006) CSKA MOSCOW smoked LA Clippers with over 25 points difference, and RICKY is killing MOSCOW, and YOU GUYS ARE SAYING THAT some OJ MAYO would make Ricky look stupid? Are you guys retarded? If you have any clue about basketball, a tiny little bit you guys wouldn’t even come up with an idea to compare Ricky with some High School Ballers! STUPID AMERICANS, just like their president, the most stuck up nation in the world!
Aug.20 at 4:53 am
TROSKY says:
Im spanish too, I think that OJ Mayo, Rose, etc etc are better player than Ricky Rubio. Ricky’s jumpers suckss, now is only a defensive player
Aug.31 at 3:23 pm
Rasuli says:
It´s very funny. Some of you realy think euro basket is like high school. “Yes, he looks good, but will crash with real players in front. Jason Kidd is better, Kobe is better…” Whoever say Rubio is better NOW than any NBA star is a fool. For God´s sake, he´s 16. What we, the people who have seen him playing, are saying is that we have never seen such talent in a 16 yo. Never. I did not watch (neither any of you) Jordan or Magic in the court at 16. We can´t compare. And they didn´t play pro basketball at 16. The point is this kid is doing it now, and is able not to be a 3 minute bench player, but an important one. The point is that, at 16, he is NOW a top defender at high pro level. The point is that he performs like a veteran at 16. The point is “that” look in his eyes when handling the ball. In the U.S. you should have learn about the pass. If this kid was born in Ohio, you should be talking about the new Magic Johnson. But ohhh, he´s a foreigner. They don´t know how to play the game. Here he would fail. They don´t play D. He´s skinny…. Last NBA season, among the top 10 efficiency ranking per 48 min (the best way to measure a player performance) we had: Yao Ming (1), Tim Duncan (3 and twice MVP), Nowitzki (5 and MVP), Gasol (8) and Nash (9 and twice MVP). The MVP of the Finals was Parker, and the Spurs, best team of the last decade, is based on Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. Your international team has lost again many other countries in last 5 years (if I don´t miss any, against Spain, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Serbia). What do you need to realize this is not YOUR game anymore? By the way, Ricky was a bad long-distance shooter they say, but is improving very fast. In the last Euro sub-19 champioship his 3-point shot was 47.6 pct
Sep.12 at 7:29 am
Nico8.6 says:
Hello i’m french and i see ricky playing in the eurobasket this summer……….He’s formidable magic…16years old and play like he play is not usual…..sorry for my bad english bybye
Sep.26 at 11:48 am
Jake says:
He alright dont yall go hypin him up too much I kno a great hooper named James out in Seattle he could probably beat Ricky and hes only average where he lives
Nov.12 at 12:27 pm
basketball fan says:
The best player in the world in 3 or 4 years! Just belive me!! NBA WILL BECOME SMALL FOR HIM!
Jan.6 at 2:43 pm
Zufe says:
lmao @ Jake
Feb.6 at 8:22 am
JoJo says:
Hey Jake, why don’t you tell your boy James to join the U-16 Team USA, then qualify for the World Championships, then make the finals and then score a triple double? He could also join any professional Euro team and meet Rubio in the Euroleague. I’m looking forward to drawing comparisons then. Boy, there’s hype but some people are just boneheaded.
Mar.13 at 10:04 am
Ekaterina says:
R