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Ball Don't Lie

Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:00 am EDT

BDL 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Pick No. 2, Grizzlies

By J.E. Skeets


With the NBA Draft just a few days away, Ball Don't Lie has decided to weigh in with its own 2009 Mock Draft, just for shots and giggles. But since we know so little about college basketball, we called in SB Nation's team experts (and few others) to throw their darts at the board. Let's see what sticks ...

With the second pick in the 2009 Ball Don't Lie NBA Mock Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select ...

Ricky Rubio: PG, DKV Joventut (Int.)

3 Shades of Blue:

"Memphis will most likely trade Ricky Rubio on Thursday night, but the team has no choice but to take the second best player in the draft with the No. 2 pick. Rubio is the youngest player in the draft, is the most prepared after playing in the ACB and has too much flair to be passed over by a team desperate to draw fans.

Rubio's entourage has done everything in their power to dissuade Memphis from taking him, but it would be the height of stupidity to pass on Rubio at this time. No one in Memphis wants to see the Grizzlies make a mistake like Portland did with Sam Bowie.

Rubio merges the flair of a Pete Maravich with the defensive ability of a Jason Kidd(notes) and the court vision of Steve Nash(notes). Throw in a cute face and there is something for every fan to appreciate.

Outside chances include Stephen Curry, Hasheem Thabeet and local boy Tyreke Evans, but Rubio is the correct choice at No. 2. If Memphis does trade down it won't be until after Blake Griffin's name is called."

For more NBA Draft coverage, visit Yahoo! Sports NBA Draft HQ and Ridiculous Upside.

Related: 2009 NBA Draft

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89 Comments

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  1. Dobs
    1. Posted by Dobs Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:30 am EDT

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    Wrong. Rubio will not be the second pick. Unlike fans/media real basketball people realize he will not be a productive NBA player. Look for for a combination of lots of turnovers plus very bad field goal percentage and durability issues.
  2. Rahsaan
    2. Posted by Rahsaan Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:01 pm EDT

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    3 Shades of Blue:
    "Rubio merges the ".
  3. eli c
    3. Posted by eli c Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:10 pm EDT

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    rubio is not 2
  4. eli c
    4. Posted by eli c Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:10 pm EDT

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    rubio is not 2
  5. ao
    5. Posted by ao Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:15 pm EDT

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    because dobs is a real basketball person and im the president or north korea
  6. K NEL
    6. Posted by K NEL Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:17 pm EDT

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    All I know is that Brandon Jennings locked him up when they played and Rubio only had 3 pts 3 ast and 3 t.o. And Jennings is on records saying that Rubio is overrated and isn't better then Curry, Evans, or Lawson..He's going to go #4 IF that.
  7. monk
    7. Posted by monk Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:37 pm EDT

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    Dudes... Did any of you watch him play at the Olympics? The dude is incredible...just a wizard with the ball and with size and quickness.
    Oh, and BTW, Mark T, if Rubio is, then I'm sure you'll be the first on your knees, closet boy.
  8. idizzle
    8. Posted by idizzle Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:48 pm EDT

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    A Sam Bowie reference? Lame-O..........
  9. ABD
    9. Posted by ABD Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:55 pm EDT

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    keeping it real rubio is no joke, after watching him at the olmpics i was shocked at how good he was.
  10. Kenny
    10. Posted by Kenny Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:59 pm EDT

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    thats my boy
  11. whoaaa
    11. Posted by whoaaa Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:10 pm EDT

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    this dude can play. I dont even see why he wouldn't stay in memphis, marc gasol is there!
  12. CB
    12. Posted by CB Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:14 pm EDT

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    dude started in the championship game in the Olympics!!!! sergio rodriguez didnt even get the nod over this kid and he is a back up PG for the blazers.. so u cant hate on that...
  13. K NEL
    13. Posted by K NEL Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:14 pm EDT

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    that was the Olympics. If Jennings can lock him down what makes you think an elite level pg won't? They kid can pass and has a good ball IQ. but he just isn't worth the #2 pick. Even Sacremento may pass on him if he's still on the board.
  14. God s Gun
    14. Posted by God's Gun Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:29 pm EDT

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    Glad to hear they'll trade him. I'm a fan of Ricky's, but he doesn't want to play in Memphis, so yah, nice & hopefully they will trade him. He's a gamer!
  15. Erock
    15. Posted by Erock Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:37 pm EDT

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    Isn't this kid like 18? That is what makes him good, his potential. Jason Kidd is a horrible shooter too btw, and some people think he was pretty good. This guy plays PG, 'real basketball people' know that the PG needs to be able to control tempo, be smart, and make the pass. Hmmm, check, check, and check for this kid. Now if you get a versatile defensive player on top of that you are talking future all star possibilities. The crop of PG in the NBA is pretty weak, excluding the Chris Paul's and Deron Williams (sorry Jameer, can't fit you in here), so to not pick up a possible great at PG is folly. If nothing else, this kid will have trade intrigue for a few years because even if he is horrible, people will assume it is because he plays for Memphis and still be willing to take a chance.
  16. IRSIRA
    16. Posted by IRSIRA Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:39 pm EDT

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    He's got a learning curve to go through, just like Dirk did. He'll be good, but he'll struggle early. don't give up on him folks, he's gonna be good, but I wouldn't take him at 2, he won't earn his first few tears.
  17. rob
    17. Posted by rob Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:39 pm EDT

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    just to point out one thing, coming from a basketball fan in rome who followed bj thouroughly over the season and is familiar with rubio's potential: when bj "supposedly" locked rubio up, ricky was coming off a bad wrist injury and played less than 10 minutes on a comeback after 2 months on the injured list . i don't want to take anything away from bj, whom i absolutely loved in his stay here in rome, but rubio is by far a much better player at the moment as far as playing experience, size and talent are concerned. that said, i think it's gonna be hard rubio will land anywhere outisde the top 3 picks.
  18. u already know!
    18. Posted by u already know! Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:42 pm EDT

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    Does'nt Memphis have a good PG named Mikje Connelly JR. Do they want to get rid of him after 2 years, It figures
    they wouldnt know a good pick if it bit them.(Pau Gasol, White Chocolate and Mike Miller)
  19. eric h
    19. Posted by eric h Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:50 pm EDT

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    I don't know what it is that has everybody googy over Ricky R. you folks must not have kept up with the ABC league or the Euroleague. Take a look at his stats. The kid just near the end of the Euro season made it up to the big club DKJ. Look at his shooting percentage from 3's,2pt fg. His defense is suspect. Just because he played with the Spannish Nationals don't be fooled. This is not a #2 pick. He really needs to play another yr with DKJ all season and then try the NBA. He is not going to beat out many starting pg's. He's not CP or DW at this stage of his career. Just hope he doesn't still be on the board when the Wizards pick!! You GM's are going to get hurt idf they think he is ready now. Better had think twice,don't say you weren't WARNED!! He couldn't guard LB with Real Madrid and LB is going on 33yrs old. Now this guy should be on somebodies NBA roster.Check it out.
  20. ASGisChillin
    20. Posted by ASGisChillin Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:00 pm EDT

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    the guy will be a good pro just not right away. i agree this is the right pick. thabeet is big and so far by my estimation thats about it. in the nba the big guys always get picked but often turn into just being role players. a guy like rubio has the potential to be a game changer. the biggest thing he needs right now is a consistent elbow jump shot. until he gets that he'll just be an assist man. but he's young and improving a shot is a lot easier that learning court vision. i'd take him but temper my first and maybe 2nd year expectations.
  21. Erock
    21. Posted by Erock Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:07 pm EDT

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    On a separate note, I can not stand that players have the gall to try to dictate where they go, threatening to not play if a certain team picks them. I think the NBA should crack down on this behavior. Some team's fortunes are seriously damaged by these actions (Orlando fans mutter Fran at this time), if a player in the draft stiffs the NBA because of the team that chooses him, then he should be banished from the NBA, and the team should get a trade exception or something for their troubles. In fact anyone in the draft should have to sign a good faith document or be liable for damages. These guys get paid to play basketball and travel around the country, if that is not good enough to spend a few years in a city you might not prefer, then don't come to the NBA in the first place.
  22. chris w
    22. Posted by chris w Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:14 pm EDT

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    what rubio is, is a defensive point guard that is 6'7"...and a great passer...from my understanding no other team in the league has someone that matches those qualities, thats what makes him elite and will eventually provide match up problems when his offensive game comes around...if you look at the spanish national team there is no reason for him to be a scorer, they have a lot of talent as it is
  23. K NEL
    23. Posted by K NEL Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:21 pm EDT

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    Don't get me wrong the kid has talent and potential. But he isn't great at Defense where a guy like Evans is a lockdown defender and scorer. Also has good strength and can play the point and the 2. if the Grizz take Rubio he'll be gone by the end of the draft. His best bet is the Kings...I think the Grizz should trade down or something.
  24. u already know!
    24. Posted by u already know! Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:27 pm EDT

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    Does'nt Memphis have a good PG named Mikje Connelly JR. Do they want to get rid of him after 2 years, It figures
    they wouldnt know a good pick if it bit them.(Pau Gasol, White Chocolate and Mike Miller)
  25. facificafalacfactnm69
    25. Posted by facificafalacfactnm69 Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:30 pm EDT

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    #2 poster Dobs is an idiot. You're probably black and jealous of all the international players, just like Brandon "No Talent" Jennings. Get a life and open your eyes, moron.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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