Knicks welcome Ricky Rubio

Rubio's been our number one priority the CSL got started two season ago, the guy we wanted no matter what, the perfect fit for our system. And we've tryied to get him badly ever since.
Two years after that, we've finally managed to trade for him, and both the franchise and the player coudn't be happier about it:

Ricky Rubio wrote:R: Knicks have always been interested in me, and that makes coming here even more of a dream. I've always wanted to play in New York, this is the best place in the world to play.
I've always dreamed about this day since I first came in 2009 for the draft. I wanted to be selected as high as I could just to try to pay my buyout to come to the NBA, but on the other side I was praying to fall to #8 and be selected by the Knicks.
Playing for the Knicks for Mike D'Antoni was just my dream on those days, and that hasn't changed. Mike isn't the coach here anymore, but the system the team's been playing looks like he's still here, same as his brother Dan.

Ricky is still 22, and many will think that this team needed another type of star player. But we have a clear path to follow, and we're convinced results will prove we're on the right direction.

Many would think he's still a young boy trying to develop and prove he belongs to the league. But people tend to forget how experienced this young kid is.
He played his first pro game in the spanish ACB league at an early age of just 14 years old!
His coach Aito García Reneses soon gave him full responsability, and three years later, he already was one of the best players of the league, as he was named in the best starting five of the league. You can see some plays from a game that year here.

That year he was called to the National Team to play in the Olympics in Pekin. Many didn't understand why the kid was being named so young, with proven PGs in the country ahead of him like Jose Calderon, Sergio Rodriguez, Raül Lopez, and many other shinning at that time. But answer was understood by everyone once he started playing. Not only did he earn the starting PG position, he also proved that wasn't afraid of anything and that could play against NBA guards like Derrick Rose or Chris Paul in the final against the USA. Ricky proved to be the only one able to make his team against such great players, and he even proved his defensive skills with some beautiful steals against Derrick Rose (4:50) (that wasn't the final, just an earlier exhibition game).


When he finally came to the NBA, he left Europe being the only player having won everything in this side of the ocean: the Euroleague, the FIBA Eurocup, the ULEB Cup, Spanish ACB League, the Spanish Cup y the ACB Supercup.
He also won two gold medals with the National Team in the European Championship, and the mentioned silver in the Olympics.


So at his early age he's a player that knows how to win it all, and more importantly, that puts that goal ahead of any individual statics of his own. He just makes his teammates better. That's not something young players understand, and when they do they're past their prime and they've realized they want the team award they're lacking after spending their best years trying just to score as much as the can.

He had his great scoring nights too obviously, as we all remember that great midcourt buzzer beater to force OT in the European Championship Under 16 (full game here). He did finish the game with 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 dimes and 7 steals.


A season of underachivement?:

But it hasn't all been that great for Ricky in the CSL with the Wolves.

Ricky wrote:I'm mostly dissapointed by our record. I've really haven't lost that much games in my entire career! It's so frustrating. We've got the quality, we've got some pretty good players here, but basketball it's always been about team work, and that's the cohesion we've been lacking here.
And don't get me wrong, as I see myselft as the first one that couldn't make this team work as the PG of this team.

Even though his numbers as good as expected for him, he did improve his first season ones.

Ricky's Stats wrote:

Season	PPG	AST	REB	STL	TO	FG%	3PT%	FT%
2012/2013	10,8	6,4	3,3	1,4	1,4	35,9%	32,4%	76,3
2013/2014	12,7	7,2	3,7	1,7	1,5	40,4%	38,4%	84,9

Anyway we expect much more from him in New York, and we really think his performance will increase greatly from day1.
And hopefully his play also makes some impact in his develpment too, as he already has some upside.



Present & Future:

Expectations are high after the players the Knicks had to trade to get Ricky to Manhattan:
Parsons was considered the franchise man, and Linsanity just had a breakout season. Rookie Jamaal had also become an important part of the team.

But there's still plenty of talent left in the roster, and we're sure other players like Bosh or McGee will step up big time in their absence, and mostly thanks to Ricky's play.
Going from a score first poing guard like Lin to a pass-first on in Rubio will translate into a mayor improvement for the rest of the players.

Ricky Rubio wrote:I've always worked under a lot of pressure, so I really feel confortable with it. I want people to expect a lot from me and my team, as I'm the one who asks myself most.
I know the pressure will be high from day one here in New York, but I see this as the best opportunity to shine a prove myselft. And is there a better place to win that New York?!

There's been great players during the years that couldn't handle the pressure of performing every night while in New York, and also great top free agents that didn't even try coming here just because the were afraid to fail in the biggest market of the league.
But that's definitely not the case for Ricky. He knows was he's able to do, and isn't afraid of proving it, as he's already couting the days left for the season to start!

Rubio belongs in the spotlight of New York City. He needs to develop more, and you may need another big piece, but this I was definitely a good pickup for you.

I wonder if Bosh has ever had a chance to play with a pass first point guard like Rubio. Bosh could be in store for a big year.

I really like Rubio, so naturally I loved that deal for New York. Should be a nice fit.

I feel a scoring wing is highly needed, with Rubio and Lee as your backcourt I'm guessing.

Other than that, should be real iteresting to see how Rubio does.

I see you've had a hard on for him since day one haha.

Nice addition man. Nothing but a man crush on Rubio here.

Really love the deal.for you, keep clearing space and maybe a Parsons return to NY is a possibility.

Gonna be interesting to follow your team this season, good luck man!

LakeshowAK7 wrote:Rubio belongs in the spotlight of New York City.  He needs to develop more, and you may need another big piece, but this I was definitely a good pickup for you.

I wonder if Bosh has ever had a chance to play with a pass first point guard like Rubio.  Bosh could be in store for a big year.

Rubio's Spanish compadre Jose Calderon was nothing if not a pass first point guard. Rubio is way more dynamic and creative and also much younger but yeah Calderon/Bosh pick and roll/pop was done to death in Toronto.

It's funny, when I saw the rumour I was sure it was Cyrisnyte who had traded for him. We had many talks about the merits of a pass-first vs. score first PG and I know he LOVES Rubio, and combine that with ORL having assets and a huge need for a point guard I really though he was headed to Orlando. Lin and Rubio had comparable seasons but Lin had a career year while Rubio had a down year and given that the spanish wizard could lead the league in assists one day it's solid move.

Cyrisnyte (ORL) wrote:Nice addition man.  Nothing but a man crush on Rubio here.

Just commented on this! With Len/Wiggins as the top 2 picks and Antetokounmpo/Noel on board you have a few options but either way your frontcourt looks good. I'm sure you'll have a Rubio/Rondo type PG soon enough!

blackice (ATL) wrote:[...] the spanish wizard could lead the league in assists one day it's solid move.

Not one day, he will starting next season, and by a large margin     

Great trade for NY - Rubio is a special talent. Gonna make the Knicks that much more dangerous next year

But yeah - need a bit more scoring on this team

Rubio with 15+ assists next season:D?
Great article man, I know how hard you were after him and how disappointed you were at some time of the negotiations because jake didnt want to pull the trigger:D... glad to see you finally got your man, good luck for next season Jamal!

Def a unique player to have on your team. If you can find a way to surround him with the right talent, you will be tough to beat.

I am a fan of Rubio and think he's a great pick up for you. He's definitely a special talent and will embrace the New York spotlight.

However, I do think you gave up quite a haul for him. Parsons/Lin are a very solid combo and that's a lot to give up. Regardless, still really think he's a good fit for you.

I like the fact that you've handed the reigns to a floor general - Lin was capable but, despite the fact that I didn't really see this from his ratings, he seemed to develop into a shoot first guard.

I think Rubio's ability to get Bosh the ball should help RuPaul become the force he needs to be.

In order to contend with a player as pass-first and as anti-scoring as he is at point, you are going to need scorers at virtually every other position. I don't personally think an entirely pass-first point can lead a team to a championship.

DennisJ (BOS) wrote:Rubio with 15+ assists next season:D?

That's maybe a lot for his first year, but I would be he could average +12 eyes closed.
That would be +2.5 more than this years CSL leader Jose Calderon, and you can quote me on that and we'll talk next season   

Myles (SAS) wrote:In order to contend with a player as pass-first and as anti-scoring as he is at point, you are going to need scorers at virtually every other position. I don't personally think an entirely pass-first point can lead a team to a championship.

I would like anyone to prove you're wrong on that one, cause I love pass-first PGs in the game of basketball (even though that doesn't mean I don't want them to score).
As for Ricky his main weakness is and will be his shooting%. He did have a 50% TS% this season (that's even slightly better than Lin), so I guess I'll be lucky if he can improve that next season.
But I think he's a 14-15 ppg guy, or that he could be that in this Knicks team. That's far from the 20ppg Lin averaged this season (23 in the last 37 games), but to me it's more important that he can nearly duplicate Lin's asists.

As far as defense goes, I've read several times that he can't defend, and I think he could easily be a 90% stop% guy on 20+ drives for sure, not to mention how many TOs que can force with the right defensive setup.

So overall I'm not really concerned about his performance next year. Even with a worst team around (losing Parsons is a big setback, and also Asik as he was playing 20+ minutes off the bench, I'm sure he'll perform the way I expect him, or at least that's what I hope.
At least I think this team's performance right now (with Ricky instead of Lin but without Parson, Jamaal and Asik for C.Lee) wouldn't be that far from this past year's one.

I loved ricky.great jamal! I know ricky very well. You have a fantastic pg for many years. I think ricky rubiocan play a total styles slow/fast with higth defense and full court. The best form for shoot a decent percentage is full court 8-10.
3, 5 steals and forced 4-5 turnovers per game.
Only have one problem. Your shoot is poor, but compense. Ricky 100-120 touches per game.
In back court need sg and sf with 50 or less passing.
If he has sg and sf with a great pass loss your fantastic habilities.

Was it you or goikiri who called rubio "riki" all the time in the NAH?

Jeje yes i like "riki" in spain is a diminutive the name "ricardo".
But jamal doesn't like this diminutive  
E
Be ause your name o basketball nick is ricly
I will use both names.

dapralbe (UTAH) wrote:Jeje yes i like "riki" in spain is a diminutive the name "ricardo".
But jamal doesn't like this diminutive  
E
Be ause your name o basketball nick is ricly
I will use both names.

If we want to be exact his exact name is 'Ricard' as you know, in Catalan, and not 'Ricardo' in spanish   
Also his diminutives, (of the spanish Ricardo), are: Ricky, Richi, Ricar, Riches, Yayo, Richard, Ri, Caco. But nothing close to 'Riki', or even 'Riqui' that would be more exact in spanish.

So you can obviously call him as you want, but don't take anyone for a ride cause Ricardo is not his name (just his equivalent in spanish as closest), nor 'Riki' exist in spanish as a diminutive.

Dixit!