The Great Gelfandini's Hanukkah Present: Ricky Rubio

Hanukkah has come early for me.  The NBA is just about back and that means one thing: Ricky Rubio.

 Ricky Rubio will make his highly anticipated debut in a few weeks.  The spanish phenom who emerged into the basketball world with his impressive performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics may be one of the top stories this year.  Some scouts have already declared him the best passing prospect ever.  His pistol pete comparisons are through the roof.  Even though he has not played a single game in the NBA, people are expecting big things.  Hes going to be able to have some fun with his new teamates.  With the likes of rookie Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley running the wings, Rubio will not have a shortage of athletes to throw the one and only alley-oop to.

So why isn't there more hype? Well, scouts have questioned two aspects of Rubios game: His athleticism and jumpshot.  Personally, im not worried about either.  Lets start with the athletiscim.  I understand that the NBA consists of an elite group of athletes, but that didn't stop Larry Bird from being one of the best to ever play the game.  What Ricky lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in hustle, smarts, and some really long arms.  As for his jumpshot, it will get better.  There are plenty of point guards in this league who could not hit an elbow jumper if their life depended on it during their rookie year (Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, John Wall).  Rubio will develop it and it surely will not hold him back.


So, Get your popcorn ready and admire what could be one of the most decorated careers in the history of the NBA.