All Rubio, All the Time
After posting what feels like 25 Ricky Rubio updates in the past 24 hours, I'm starting to wonder if David Kahn is all there.
Many folks are wondering the same thing after he drafted about 15 point guards last night, but, ironically, that's one of the most sane things he's done since he's been in Minnesota. I think Kahn absolutely made the right call in drafting Rubio with the No. 5 pick last night. And I think that Kahn knew there was an excellent chance that Rubio wouldn't be walking through those frozen doors any time soon, so he got an insurance policy by taking Jonny Flynn at No. 6. That part, at least the insurance side of it, makes perfect sense to me. And we can't really count the Ty Lawson pick, as that was made under the direction of the Nuggets, and then they traded Nick Calathes. So the Wolves really only drafted two point guards in my mind.
But there are more questions than answers with Mr. Kahn, who some have referred to as "Kahn-descending." Here are my questions, as you can consider this my own open letter to my fan base.
1. Why did it take Kahn so long to fire Kevin McHale? Would it not have made sense to lose McHale as soon as he knew he wasn't keeping him around and get another basketball mind in there to help with such an important draft? You have all these kids on that team, a brand new GM and still no coach with July on the radar? That makes no sense to me. Hire Sam Mitchell, who can mold all those young guys and make them men, and be done with it.
2. Does he really think Rubio and Flynn can play in the same backcourt? He keeps talking about Ainge & DJ and Isiah & Dumars. I don't care, because Rubio and Flynn are not even capable of attempting to play shooting guard. They are POINT GUARDS in the truest sense of the word. Kahn keeps talking about what a dynamic scorer Flynn is going to be. Really? I don't see it, Chad Ford doesn't see it, and no one who has seen the kid play can see it. Maybe we're all wrong and Kahn is right, but I would like to see just one person come out and agree with him on this.
3. In relation to point No. 2, many folks were upset he didn't take Stephen Curry instead of Flynn after drafting Rubio, and I was one of them. Then he said in interviews that he didn't want to draft two guys who play the same posiition. What!? Yeah, really. Here's what Sportsradiointerviews.com translated from the Dan Patrick show:
All draft season Steph, his father Dell who I respect, his agent kept saying…Steph’s a point guard, Steph’s a point guard, Steph’s a point guard. So if we had taken Steph Curry, we’d have taken another point guard. So the point I’m making is we think the fight between Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn is a much better fit for us.”
I mean, seriously? My opinion is Curry and Rubio (or Curry and Flynn) would make a much more reasonable backcourt pair, but regardless, the logic just doesn't make sense either way - because he still DRAFTED TWO POINT GUARDS.
4. Why in the world would you write an open letter like this one if you are Kahn? Basically calling Rubio's bluff and just daring him to go back to Spain until whenever. And now if the Knicks step in and offer a solid package for Rubio, how do you say yes after you just stood up on the roof of the First Avenue (hi, Sonia) and said he was the future of your franchise and that you were prepared to wait for as long as it takes? I must be stupid or naieve, because I just don't get the strategy.
Anyway, I could go on and talk about the quirkiness Kahn displays when you watch him speak, or his war with Kenny Smith on NBA TV last night (about whether his two miniature point guards could survive in the same backcourt together), or this gem: "I also believe that, together, we will have one of the most dynamic defensive backcourts in the NBA over time." And yes, he's talking about Ricky Rubio (150 pounds wet?) and Jonny Flynn (5'11" - maybe?).
Anyway, it will be very interesting to see what becomes of Rubio with the Timberwolves, but I really get the sense he may never even put on their uniform. Mom says it's too damn cold, Dad says Ricky's going back to Europe for a year or two, Rubio says he has no idea what his plans are, and even Kahn says he's perfectly comfortable with Rubio going home for a few years. Before I read Kahn's letter, I thought Rubio to the Knicks (or Rockets, etc.) was as good as done. Now I'm thinking we may not see Rubio play in the NBA for several more years. Unless, of course, Kahn's simply playing some sort of bizarre game of poker with himself, trying to confuse everyone, and then swoops in for the kill. And if he somehow makes this all work or pulls off a mega-trade for Rubio, I will take back every word. But for now, I just think he's kinda nutty.





Comments
Doctor A, You're coming from assumption that NBA GMs are always acting rationally. But we know it is often not the case, especially regarding drafts.
But if I try to rationalize Mr. Kahn's picks 5 & 6 anyway, I can see two possible explanations:
A) He and his staff were so exhausted ( by numerous pre-draft talks with other teams about trading up ) that concentration left them in a crucial moment. Next morning Kahn sees he made error, but he cannot admit it, that would conflict with his (self-imposed) role of a franchise savior. So he is more and more stubborn, he's right and rest of the world is wrong, if not against him.
B) He is as bad GM as McHale was
Posted by: Silvio | June 26, 2009 10:57 PM
Nice one...
Posted by: doc | June 26, 2009 11:39 PM
I tried to look into Rubio buyout situation
http://tinyurl.com/klzlas
It looks Hahn is right saying time is working for him. Though he's not right telling drafting two PGs was smart decision. Hadn't he done so, he wouldn't be in trouble in first place.
I asked Larry Coon if I'm right about buyout on his Facebook page. I could mail him, but he doesn't know me so he probably wouldn't answer.
Posted by: Silvio | June 29, 2009 12:47 AM
Rubio is simply a valuable asset. He will be traded, and he will fetch a player more valuable than anyone taken after him in the draft. On top of that, his value increases every year he doesn't play for you - you don't have to pay him while he's 18 and developing, and his buyout eventually goes to zero. So it's actually beneficial to the T-wolves that he doesn't want to play in cold MIN.
If you're Kahn, and you know Rubio is simply a trade chip, and you already had trades lined up for Lawson and Calathes, then you only drafted one PG. But you still have to talk like you want Rubio to play for you or he loses value. I consider it a smart draft, with no redundancy, and Kahn is saying what he has to say.
They still have Corey Brewer, a past 7th pick, who can be a shutdown defender at SG. Maybe that's the defensive backcourt Kahn is referring to.
I'd rather build around Flynn, Brewer, Love, and Jefferson plus the Rubio trade chip than what Phoenix is rebuilding around.
How funny would it have been to see Sebastian Telfair's face during the draft when his team took 4 PGs?
Posted by: Ocean Man | June 29, 2009 06:58 PM
nwrRBB
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Posted by: Uqvgyrkp | July 14, 2009 06:12 PM
T0nBAb
Posted by: Qobsscmu | July 16, 2009 01:23 PM