Ricky Rubio - Take the Money and Limp

[CavsKermit]

Just recently I liked the Agbaji pick a lot (and said as much). I'm just not a fan of this move, for the reasons I already laid out. Obviously I don't hate it, and I can see why people like it... Rubio became something of a symbol of unexpected success for these Cavs last season.

But I thought we could have found a younger backup PG who could shoot a bit. I've followed Rubio's career since he was a teen and always liked his quirky game, but at this point, he's well and truly damaged goods. We're not getting him to "mentor" anyone or to be a practice body or to act as a behind-the-scenes leader / father figure. When Rubio is on your team, he plays. And last season, he played a ton of minutes and had a green light like never before. I wasn't crazy about the results. He took way too many early shots at bad percentages and couldn't finish at the basket at all. That too has a price.

Anyway – whenever we add shooting and play modern basketball with a lot of movement and unselfishness, I'm generally happy. Rubio coming back may again lead to to a situation where we have three non-shooters out there at the same time, and that just doesn't work in this NBA.

Appreciate all the counter points! As always, I may be totally wrong about everything. Let's hope I am in this case.

That really wasn't in the cards. This backup PG crop was thin. Ty Jones got $30M over two years. Wright got more than the tax MLE from the Wizards and he can't shoot. Lonnie walker had his Q.O. pulled, can't shoot, and still got the tax MLE. If you wanted to call Bruce Brown a PG (he's at best a combo guard), maybe the Cavs could've pushed hard, but he's represented by CAA and after the Sexton fallout, I can't see them steering him towards Cleveland. I'll take my chances with Rubio's health if the next best option is Exum.

 

[NMCav]

That really wasn't in the cards. This backup PG crop was thin. Ty Jones got $30M over two years. Wright got more than the tax MLE from the Wizards and he can't shoot. Lonnie walker had his Q.O. pulled, can't shoot, and still got the tax MLE. If you wanted to call Bruce Brown a PG (he's at best a combo guard), maybe the Cavs could've pushed hard, but he's represented by CAA and after the Sexton fallout, I can't see them steering him towards Cleveland. I'll take my chances with Rubio's health if the next best option is Exum.

There were multiple better options then Exum. Aaron Holiday, DJ Augustin, Austin Rivers, Campazzo. I'm not disagreeing Rubio was the best option left especially for this team. But setting the bar at Exum? Really.

 

[CavsKermit]

There were multiple better options then Exum. Aaron Holiday, DJ Augustin, Austin Rivers, Campazzo. I'm not disagreeing Rubio was the best option left especially for this team. But setting the bar at Exum? Really.

I might agree on Austin Rivers, but there's a lot of suckage on this list.

 

[NMCav]

I might agree on Austin Rivers, but there's a lot of suckage on this list.

Exum is the definition of suckage. It's why he is playing in Europe now and likely won't be back in the NBA. But aside from Augustin being older he's better. Holiday is better because he can shoot a little bit. What do you actually think Exum is?

 

[33Y0]

Man, I love this for Cleveland and for Rubio. Perfect fit. Welcome back.

 

[CavsKermit]

Exum is the definition of suckage. It's why he is playing in Europe now and likely won't be back in the NBA. But aside from Augustin being older he's better. Holiday is better because he can shoot a little bit. What do you actually think Exum is?

Exum can't stay healthy, but when he's healthy and on the court, he's a lot better than every one on that list than except maybe Rivers. Augustin is, at best, a third-string emergency PG. He's in the Rondo tier.

 

[NMCav]

Exum can't stay healthy, but when he's healthy and on the court, he's a lot better than every one on that list than except maybe Rivers. Augustin is, at best, a third-string emergency PG. He's in the Rondo tier.

Exum is below Rondo tier. Exum is a good defender. That is literally all. Exum is not good at creating. He certainly can't shoot. He's not better then the players I listed. Unless your only factoring in defense.

 

[Cavatt]

I don't care about Rubio not being back immediately. Need this team to peak later than they did last year.

 

[Cavatt]

Pretty sure your hand has to be underneath the ball.

And you never call that on the chosen one.

I think the Devil just got the ball from Jesus due to a bad call from the refs. He's gonna get the last shot...

 

[kookoo]

Uno mas, por favor.

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

You can tell Ricky love his time on this team I’m glad he is back

 

[Dr No]

We desperately need a reliable backup point guard. Garland will almost certainly miss some games over the course of a season and can’t be our only playable option if we hope to make the playoffs. If something close to the old Ricky shows up ready to play before the all-star break this year and is quality through next year (23-24) then this is great. If we get the ghost of Ricky and he’s just taking a roster spot this is bad. I honestly think it’s a coin flip.

 

[Heat Check]

We desperately need a reliable backup point guard. Garland will almost certainly miss some games over the course of a season and can’t be our only playable option if we hope to make the playoffs. If something close to the old Ricky shows up ready to play before the all-star break this year and is quality through next year (23-24) then this is great. If we get the ghost of Ricky and he’s just taking a roster spot this is bad. I honestly think it’s a coin flip.

Well put.

I'm open to the possibility of Ricky defying the odds and once again being a huge statistical plus on the court.

However... counting on that would be insane.

 

[Sebastian]

Muy. Bueno.

 

[Douglar]

We desperately need a reliable backup point guard. Garland will almost certainly miss some games over the course of a season and can’t be our only playable option if we hope to make the playoffs. If something close to the old Ricky shows up ready to play before the all-star break this year and is quality through next year (23-24) then this is great. If we get the ghost of Ricky and he’s just taking a roster spot this is bad. I honestly think it’s a coin flip.

I think of Ricky as an insurance policy instead of a load bearing wall. The team has ~30 games to evaluate Sexton before Ricky comes back ( assuming they resign sexton ). There's a definite chance that by the time Rubio is ready to return, he'll be relegated to the deep bench because there's no spot in the rotation for him. Hopefully it's better than last year when Sexton and Rubio both went down. Felty like they were pulling in guys off the street to fill the need and nothing clicked.

The third year partially guaranteed season on Rubio's contract is interesting. That's probably so that the team can do a longer stretch waive if Ricky isn't back to business they way they hope