Its Groundhooogggg DAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!

Well it is Thursday November 10th day 133 of the lockout and still...

No Deal.

If you will recall this process has happened 2 other times both sides have been in a room for an extended period of time in the recent past. In each case movement was described; however, no deal was reached.

Cynically I can't wait to see which group of cry baby whiners’ storms out of the room this time and goes weeping to the media about he said this she said that.

ENOUGH ALREADY!! Both sides need to get a deal and start playing basketball before all the dignity of the NBA is gone.

This message brought to you by the once proud fans of the NBA.

At least the NFL was smart enough to only cancel one Preseason game.

Ricky Rubio a positive outlook

The negative outlook I have been hearing on the man from spain, who is gonna make it rain, here on the plains is:

How can a bench player in an inferior league possible translate into a great NBA Player?

Let us look at some stats shall we:

G Pts Avg 2FGM-A % 3FGM-A % FT M-A % Reb St As Bl
16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 25 19 26 1
TOT 16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 25 19 26 1
AVE 16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 1.6 1.2 1.6 0.1

This player moved to the NBA and did this his first season:

G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
AVE 82 82 32.6 0.371 0.374 0.817 0.6 2.8 3.4 5.7 1.3 0.2 2.44 2.33 15.5

Rubio this year did this in the EuroLeague:

G GS Min Pts 2FG M-A 3FG M-A FT M-A Reb As St Bl
TOt 20 17 454:57 129 20/51 11/49 56/67 64 71 33 2
Ave 20 17 22:44 6.5 39.2% 22.4% 83.6% 3.2 3.5 1.6 0.1


Brandon Jennings is the First Player who 2 years ago came over from the Euroleague. If we compare Euroleague stats between Rubio and Mr. Jennings we can see that while Rubio is a worse shooter than Jennings was in the Euroleague he is a better Rebounder, Passer and defender than Jennings was. This is after Rubio has "regressed".

While I can't guarantee that Rubio will light up the NBA I can say as a Euroleague player he was as good if not better than Jennings in a couple different areas. Now lets compare what really counts. The stat line of current Timberwolves Point Guards:

Jonny Flynn

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
53 8 18.5 0.365 0.310 0.762 1.5 3.4 0.6 0.1 5.3

Luke Ridnour

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
71 66 30.4 0.468 0.440 0.883 2.8 5.4 1.2 0.1 11.8

Can we not assume Ricky Rubio is an upgrade to these two players.

Sorry Sebastian, I was sick of watching you the first time and I don't have the heart to put your numbers on this blog.

I can't wait to see Mr. Rubio in a Twolves Jersey!

Fire Rambis?

No idea where CBS sports line is getting this rumor. The Minnesota media doesn’t feel this is the case. I believe that this would make the Timberwolves look even more absurd. I think firing Rambis before his contract is up is irrational and premature. He has one year left on his contract and the Wolves knew the state of their team going in. The wolves were not suppose to win this year. They were supposed to lose.

They are supposed to win next year. After Beasley, Millicic, Johnson and Love had a year to get better and learn their roles on the team. I think if you fire Rambis now they would be setting the growth and the progress this team has made back even further.

I think it is unfair to judge Rambis on this season. A season in which he has had injured players such as Jonny Flynn, Michael Beasley, and Martell Webster absent for much of the season. Flynn is just now starting to look more comfortable after hip surgery. Michael Beasley is learning a new position and has had a sprained ankle for most of the season. Martell Webster may never be the same after back surgery.

Kevin Love has been quoted saying Rambis has made him better and that they have a close relationship. The national media has continued to print stories that may not be true. This story about friction between Kevin Love and Kurt Rambis can be filed with the report that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love didn’t get along. Right in the old circular file.

I believe Rambis has done a good job with this team. He has incorporated a rookie into his starting lineup and Wesley Johnson looks to be a fantastic player. He has been patient through a rather difficult and injury riddled year for Flynn and Webster and has handled the immaturity of Beasley, Love and Millicic effectively.

I don’t believe Rambis’ job is in jeopardy this season. I think the story that started this is exactly what it appears to be: Fluff from someone who doesn’t know the situation. If they win tonight they will be on a 3 game win streak. If Darko continues to play basketball like it is soccer; they will lose this game. However, even with that, I believe we are looking at good things next year. And yes, Rambis will be at the helm.