After waking up with a draft hangover, the chief emotion I felt was anger. I still feel anger. I’m angry at the Warriors and I’m angry at the Wolves. But I have a really strong feeling that the Knicks are going to land Rubio.
First the Wolves:
The Wolves painted themselves into a corner. Kahn was a little too cute for his own good, I think. He traded Miller and Foye to the Wizards, for, essentially Flynn, since it really seems like Rubio doesn’t plan on putting on a T-Wolves uniform any time in the next two years. I think Kahn knew this before hand but he decided to play hard ball. OK, that happens in sports sometimes. But now Kahn has to sell his fan base and his ownership that he made the right move in gutting his team and taking on extra salary, with just Jonny Flynn to show for it.
I’m sure Kahn thought that he had massive leverage by employing the Rubio strategy but that thought should have been fleeting. It should have given way to reality by now. Here’s a scenario…Rubio stays in Spain, the Wolves play Flynn and McCants Wayne Ellington in the backcourt and continue to be awful, having traded away two nice assets for nothing. I’m sure that’s what Kahn wanted out of this draft, and how he wants to start off his tenure.
I’m sure he’s thinking he is going to trade Rubio to the highest bidder. Guess what though Kahn, everyone knows you’re boxed in. If I’m the Knicks, I’m not offering Chandler, and maybe not even Hill. You can have some money and Nate, put him back there with Flynn for a lilliputian backcourt. Maybe I’d throw in a first rounder, protected into the 20s for the next 10 years.
Maybe some other team will beat that offer, but you aren’t going to have 28 other teams clamoring over Rubio, because he can pull the same “I’m staying in Spain for two years” on any team that comes knocking.
I understand that Kahn wanted to make bold moves as he started out his GM career, but he should have toned it down a little. This Rubio move was amateurish and is liable to get a GM fired. When a prospect says, “I don’t want to play for you”, it’s hard to keep your ego in check, just say OK, and move on, but that is what he should have done. I mean, look what happened to the Grizzlies when Francis said he wouldn’t play in Vancouver. How’d the Yi situation play out for Lenny Harris? Kahn is a rookie and he made a bush, rookie move.
Teams set at point won’t want Rubio, and Rubio will direct himself to one of a handful of teams. I’m sure he’d play for the Knicks, and then maybe both LA teams, Sacramento, Miami, Philly, Houston, Dallas, maybe Oklahoma? Maybe Phoenix? He’d report immediately, something he’s been unwilling to do so far in Minnesota.
Also check out this column.
Even Jennings gets into the act, via Twitter…”What is the T-wolves gon do with all those Guards. about 10 hours ago from Sidekick ” I don’t know Brandon…I don’t know what is they gon do.
Jon: He only has a sidekick?
Now the Warriors:
The Warriors have been dysfunctional for about 24 out of the last 25 years, but with Nelson, they’ve just been insane. Seems to me like they have 8 guards and 4 forwards or something like that. Commentators have said Curry is going to play for an “offensive genius”. It’s funny though, for a genius Don Nelson sure seems like a freaking moron, and sure seems to lose a ton of games. Curry, we really wanted you here. Maybe some day. For now try not to be discouraged as you’re directed to run around in circles playing small forward out on the court with Ellis, Jackson, Maggette and Kelenna Azubuike.
God I hate the Warriors.
