SH Blog: Scouts critical of Rondo, Irving and Rubio, D’Antoni not happy with Gasol’s public criticism

NBA writers have been speaking with anonymous scouts as of late, and you have to wonder if some of those scouts are paying as much attention as they really should, based on some of their questionable analysis.

For example, saying you don’t like the Golden State Warriors’ chances in the playoffs because they’re not good enough defensively simply makes no sense, given that they are the third best defensive team in the league – the very best if you only count teams in the West. Objectively speaking, the statistics simply don’t back up such analysis. The Warriors are, however, a middling offensive team with too much dependency on Stephen Curry’s ability to create for the rest of the team. It would make much more sense to doubt them for their offensive woes than defense.

Still, it’s interesting to hear what people that evaluate the skill level of players for a living have to say about relevant players or teams around the league. Chris Broussard of ESPN took some notes on veteran scouts’ take on underrated and overrated players. Some noteworthy names that came up include Ricky Rubio, Kyrie Irving and Rajon Rondo. If you are a fan of those players, though, you’re not going to love what the scouts had to say.

Lets start with Rubio:

“Part of why he’s overrated is the ‘Rubio thing.’ If he was Ricky Rubio from Wichita State, there’d be no conversation about him. But since he came over with so much hype, he gets scrutinized more than he otherwise would. If you watch Minnesota closely, you’ll see that he doesn’t even finish games. It’s one of the biggest contentions within that organization — the fact that Rubio doesn’t finish the games. It drives management crazy because he’s their guy. He’s supposed to be their future. They tried like crazy to trade [backup] J.J. Barea at the trade deadline, and that’s one of the reasons why, because Barea’s been finishing games.

“I like the way he passes and runs a team, but his lack of shooting ability is really an issue. If you’ve got four capable scorers on the floor, you can kind of get away with him, but if not, Rubio gets exposed. Guys back off of Rubio. He shot an air ball 3-pointer the other night, missing it by 3 feet. It landed in the paint. He’s good in transition and he can make plays in the open court, but in the playoffs, when the game gets slower and compressed, you don’t have to guard that guy and he becomes a liability.”

Another scout says Irving reminds him of Stephon Marbury, via RealGM:

“I think Kyrie is overrated because he’s the anointed one; he was the first pick in the draft, and his team doesn’t win,” said the scout.

“I think Kyrie is Stephon Marbury. Marbury was a great talent, too, but he never won. Steph was a pain in the butt, and Kyrie’s not like that. He’s not malicious. He’s smart, he’s more polished than Marbury. He’s got the commercials and he’s an engaging personality, but engaging only takes you so far. I really think he’s just a scorer, and that’s what Steph was. Kyrie can do whatever he wants to. He’s got the ball on a string, he can get in the lane whenever he wants, but so far, he’s chosen just to be a scorer rather than getting other guys involved. Guys say he doesn’t trust his teammates, but you’re talking about Luol Deng and Tristan Thompson. Those are good players. I’m just not buying into Kyrie.”

Here is one more scout’s take on Rondo, via Bleacher Report:

Three years ago, I was the only scout saying Rondo is overrated, and I was crucified for it. I was saying he was awful. I think he’s a selfish player. He’s only going to pass it to you if he thinks he can get an assist. I’ve seen him come out for pregame warm-ups with his shoes untied, shooting lefty foul shots. For him to come out for a game with that attitude makes me question his work ethic. I’ve never liked his game.

If you play with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen at close to their peak, they’re going to raise everyone’s game. Defensively, Rondo’s a bit of a gambler, and I don’t think his defense is all that. If I was starting a team and had my choice of any point guard, he would be 40th. I mean it. I’d take some backups before him.

The take on Rondo is particularly troubling. Whoever the scout was, he clearly isn’t looking at things from an objective standpoint. Saying you’d take 39 point guards over one that has led his team to two NBA Finals and a countless number of playoff games is highly questionable. Saying you have a problem with a point guard who passes only to teammates that are in position to get him an assist also makes little sense: isn’t that what all great point guards try to do? The ones that can pinpoint the best plays available are the best point guards in the league. Rondo may unnecessarily fish for assists at times, but there is no denying that his skill level is not dime a dozen.

As interesting as it is to read the analysis of these experts, it would be nicer to hear a more objective and sensible view on some of these matters.

CLIPS OF THE DAY:

Damian Lillard decided to do a shooting impression of Chris Bosh and Shawn Marion. Money:

Here is something you’ve probably never seen before: Manu Ginobili’s foot literally drove through his sneakers while playing defense:

OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE: 

• DeMarcus Cousins was suspended for one game for punching Patrick Beverley and fined $20,000 for throwing a tantrum against a referee on Wednesday.

• As expected, the New York Knicks have signed Shannon Brown and Earl Clark, from USA Today: “New York Knicks announced Thursday they had signed guard Shannon Brown and forward Earl Clark to 10-day contracts. The Knicks had the open roster spots after releasing Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih. Brown appeared in 10 games for the San Antonio Spurs this season, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds and 10.3 minutes… Clark was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Philadelphia 76ers last week and was immediately waived. He has averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in five seasons with Phoenix, Orlando, L.A. Lakers and Cleveland.”
  
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