NYK Still Goes to Get All-Star

Despite a published report indicating the Knicks are showing renewed interest in Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, a representative for Rubio's agency in Spain says he isn't likely to land at Madison Square Garden anytime soon. I think Minnesota knows what they have so I don't see his rights getting traded so easily. Knicks are not any better off in getting him than anyone else in the league. Rubio has been on record saying he wanted to remain in Spain for two seasons before coming to the NBA. Rubio has also "publicly said that he wants to win some championships in Europe before he goes over." So better luck NY on trying to get your All-Star team set up.

Going to be Missed

Timberwolves are that Rubio will be staying in Spain for at least the next two seasons, Flynn had to be pleased with the side benefits, right? Not so fast. "Especially for a guy like me, he can make me so much better," Flynn told The Associated Press. "I would have sat here and learned from him. I would have taken things out of his game and put them into my game. "You definitely lose something that could have made our team better. But that's the decision he made and I guess we're just going to have to wait for maybe two years until he comes over here." Flynn has insisted from the start that he wants Rubio here as soon as possible. "I just look forward to coming in and contributing," Flynn said. "Even if Ricky was here, we both would have been playing a lot of minutes together." Rather than viewing Rubio as competition, Flynn said he sees Rubio's four years of playing in the top pro league in Europe, along with his experience in the Olympics with the Spanish national team, as resources to be tapped.

--via ESPN

More Rubio Rumors

Spanish media outlet Marca reports Ricky Rubio is set to sign a 6-year deal with Regal Barcelona that will include a buyout clause that could bring him to the NBA and the Timberwolves in 2011. If it comes to pass, Rubio’s transfer from DKV Joventut to Barcelona will be the most expensive buyout ($5.3 million) in Europe basketball history. David Kahn said this in a statement, “Based on the information I have attained today, no team in any league has reached a deal with DKV Joventut concerning Ricky’s buyout, which must be accomplished before Ricky is released from his contract.” The X Factor is whether Rubio, for whatever reason, decides he’d rather stay at home in Spain rather than leave at age 18 for NBA. The big issue, though, remains that buyout with Joventut, of course. Any team wanting Rubio in its uniform come October needs to solve that first. Everybody knows that he does not want to play this year, especially not for the T-Wolves. So he will probably just take this year off and see how they do and for them to make more moves so he can go to a team that will win more than 29 games.

Ricky Finally Speaks

Translation:
* I told my agents that I wanted to come to the European, and just be thinking in the European and not be thinking in where I'm going to go play...but well, I think if I've taken this too fast and hasty it could be bad choice for my future. I haven't decided but, almost decided, and well now I'm just thinking in the European.
* The NBA I see it a bit difficult more than anything because they can't pay the buyout, I would have to pay it myself. As for Joventut I have a contract with them and if I can stay there then I will stay there. In two to three days I was intending to do something I have spend most of my summer trying to fix but well, now wearing this jersey I'm only going to think in winning the European and give the best I possibly can.

Rubio Rumors

El Periodico reported Wednesday that Regal FC Barcelona is prepared to give Rubio a five-year contract worth $1.4 million annually with an escape clause that would allow him to play in the NBA after two years. The point guard has two years remaining on his contract with his current Spanish team, DKV Joventut, and has been seeking to have his $6.6 million buyout reduced. Marca.com reported that DKV Joventut has an agreement on the buyout with Real Madrid, but Rubio wants to stay in Barcelona. Looks like he won't be staying to play NBA this season. "I do not know how long it will take to clear my future," he said. Rubio also said, "I have not decided, but almost," adding that going to the NBA would be "very difficult."

Might be a Change of Plans

General manager David Kahn is planning a trip to Spain to meet DKV Joventut officials about lowering the steep $6.6 million buyout clause in draft pick Ricky Rubio's contract. Rubio has warmed to the idea of playing in Minnesota, which is determined to make him the franchise’s cornerstone player. Jonny Flynn, who is another point guard they drafted, he’ll run the team should Rubio have to stay in Europe for another season. If Rubio gets the buyout done, most expect Kahn will trade Flynn, who was considered one of the elite point guards in the draft.

A Commercial? already?

Ricky Rubio did not leave without making his mark.

Gone

Minnesota Timberwolves international sensation, Ricky Rubio, will reportedly play out his contract with DKV Joventut. He is choosing to remain with the Euroleague team for the next two seasons. Rubio will withdraw his contract lawsuit against his club. He would have had to pay an expensive buyout if he were to negate his contract and play for Minnesota next season.

Overseas or NBA

A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season. Also Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him." If the Timberwolves traded Rubio to the Knicks, it could sway Rubio into playing in the NBA next season. The Knicks are the preference of Rubio's parents. But I highly doubts Kahn will trade Rubio despite Walsh's offers. His parents loved New York and thought it would be the best place because they have a European style coach in Mike D'Antoni.

Stay or Go

There are plenty of questions about whether Rubio will end up signing with and playing for Minnesota this season or return to his Spanish team. An interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, the Rubio's dad said: "He might go now or he might remain (in Europe) one more year...or even two. It's all open, although the most likely scenario is that he stays in Europe more time. We have to talk with the folks in Minnesota...and see what happens, because, at this point, we can go to Minnesota or otherwise." The Wolves took Flynn, another point guard, with the pick after Rubio, raising speculation that one will be traded, even though the they [T-Wolves] believes they can play in the backcourt together.

You on that List?

The list for the NBA's draft Green room was released. The list consist of

• James Harden
• Blake Griffin
• Hasheem Thabeet
• Ricky Rubio
• Jordan Hill
• Tyreke Evans
• Stephen Curry
• Jonny Flynn
• Demar DeRozan
• Jrue Holiday
• Gerald Henderson
• Brandon Jennings
• Tyler Hansbrough
• B.J. Mullens (potentially declining)
• James Johnson (declining invite)
• Eric Maynor (potentially declining)

Rick Rubio's Interview

Big Talk

Brandon Jennings have begun smashing Rick Rubio's reputation. He feels that he is overrated and overhyped beacuse he has been playing in the Olympics and pro since he was 14. I mean I'm sensing a little jealous from the Jennings camp. I mean he [Jennings] isn't the next coming of MJ himself. Jennings then went on to say that he himself is a better scorer and better overall player. Then he said other PGs in the draft should be ahead of him [Jonny Flynn, Ty Lawson, Jrue Holiday, and Steph Curry]. Sounds like a lot of talking I just hope he can back it up. 

"When I played him he had zero points, two assists, and two turnovers, so you tell me how that was for him," said Jennings. "I can't wait to play him in Summer League. I'm just letting you know I can't wait."

Spaniard Version of Pistol Pete

The young [18] overseas phenom, Ricky Rubio, is considered to be the best point guard in the draft right now. I say right now because he may take his name out of the draft if he does not get to go to a team of his choice. His agent would like for Rubio to play for L.A. or Sacramento. If he ends up anywhere else, there is a chance he will back out and re-enter in 2010 draft. He has already expressed he has no interest in going to Oklahoma City or Memphis [his likely location]. This is the same thing that Yi Jialian tried to do with the Bucks. The only difference is withe Rubio is, the team that drafts him would have to buyout his contract [$8 mil]. So it will be interesting to see how his deal goes down. 

Here is the video if you do not know why he is getting so much props and being herald as the next big PG in the NBA. To me he looks legit but you never know until he plays a game. He did beat Brandon Jennings [another top prospect] off the dribble multiple times when they played.