Why are we so enamored of point guard Ricky Rubio?
The golden-skinned Rubio qualifies as exotic, in the United States. It's the name, so pleasing to the ear. It's the court vision, the occasional Pistol Pete pass. He turns 19 at the start of the 09-10 season, and he's fun to watch.
We're left to wonder: why did Minnesota draft Rubio and PG Jonny Flynn?
There are good reasons to think he'll be All-Star caliber. (Assuming he ever plays here. Just because he was drafted, doesn't mean he'll choose to play NBA ball.) Anyone who intellectually honest will admit that his Olympic play was stellar. He was 17, remember. My guess is he'll peak five or six seasons into his career. He is already an outstanding passer--anticipatory the way John Stockton was. Obviously he's got to get stronger and improve his defense (like 95% of draftees every year).
Yet the reaction to Rubio's NBA debut is a huge man-crush. I don't remember ever getting excited about a NBA rookie. Because no matter how good they are, they all get humbled. Bron, Kobe, Jordan, Bird--name anyone you want. No one is that good.
It's the exotic-ness.
There is a segment of NBA fans that will support Rubio because he's (euphemism alert) "different."
Ricky Rubio is from Spain, which is the original Hispanic-producing region, depending who you ask. But it's hard to imagine Rubio getting quite the same love, if his parents had both been Mexican, or Cuban. We like to claim that it's all about talent. In sports, more than any other sphere right now, it is.
Reality is not always so simple. When what I hear clashes with what I see, I go with my eyes. Don't you?
The whole idea of Rubio confuses some people. Even admitted racists are confused. A 'white power' site commenting on Spainards had the forum split between they're white, leave them alone and be careful of those Spainards. Penelope Cruz has a mulatto-looking father...
But let's not judge the I like Ricky because he's 'different' types too harshly. For there is another segment, just as vocal, who already hate on Rubio for the exactly the same reason: racism. He's not black, and he's getting some early love... and these fans can't stand it. Knowing that if Rubio was black, according to the amorphous and random definitions in the U.S., they'd be kissing his behind.
Both of these groups should just let the kid play. Preferably for a few more seasons in Europe. He's still a little undercooked.
The golden-skinned Rubio qualifies as exotic, in the United States. It's the name, so pleasing to the ear. It's the court vision, the occasional Pistol Pete pass. He turns 19 at the start of the 09-10 season, and he's fun to watch.
We're left to wonder: why did Minnesota draft Rubio and PG Jonny Flynn?
There are good reasons to think he'll be All-Star caliber. (Assuming he ever plays here. Just because he was drafted, doesn't mean he'll choose to play NBA ball.) Anyone who intellectually honest will admit that his Olympic play was stellar. He was 17, remember. My guess is he'll peak five or six seasons into his career. He is already an outstanding passer--anticipatory the way John Stockton was. Obviously he's got to get stronger and improve his defense (like 95% of draftees every year).
Yet the reaction to Rubio's NBA debut is a huge man-crush. I don't remember ever getting excited about a NBA rookie. Because no matter how good they are, they all get humbled. Bron, Kobe, Jordan, Bird--name anyone you want. No one is that good.
It's the exotic-ness.
There is a segment of NBA fans that will support Rubio because he's (euphemism alert) "different."
Ricky Rubio is from Spain, which is the original Hispanic-producing region, depending who you ask. But it's hard to imagine Rubio getting quite the same love, if his parents had both been Mexican, or Cuban. We like to claim that it's all about talent. In sports, more than any other sphere right now, it is.
Reality is not always so simple. When what I hear clashes with what I see, I go with my eyes. Don't you?
The whole idea of Rubio confuses some people. Even admitted racists are confused. A 'white power' site commenting on Spainards had the forum split between they're white, leave them alone and be careful of those Spainards. Penelope Cruz has a mulatto-looking father...
But let's not judge the I like Ricky because he's 'different' types too harshly. For there is another segment, just as vocal, who already hate on Rubio for the exactly the same reason: racism. He's not black, and he's getting some early love... and these fans can't stand it. Knowing that if Rubio was black, according to the amorphous and random definitions in the U.S., they'd be kissing his behind.
Both of these groups should just let the kid play. Preferably for a few more seasons in Europe. He's still a little undercooked.
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