June 18, 2014

Who should he make it out to?

Rubles has an ugly jump shot. A really ugly jump shot, even. And as the 0% three point shooting shows, they don't go in.

This speaks to, and is the main part of, significant offensive limitations. A very inefficient scorer from all areas - except the foul line, to which he gets fairly often - Rubles is a very limited offensive talent who was even further limited by the significant offensive problems of his team. There are some offensive skills in there - for example, Rubles is surprisingly good at driving and kicking, and has a surprisingly effective fake considering he is completely ineffective outside of 10 feet, insisting on testing this at least once every game - but not much. Rubles has little handle (while again insisting in trying), commits some dumb turnovers, takes some bad shots, is too easily stripped, often travels, and really thinks he can handle the ball on the top without a body of work to evidence it.

However, he any played for good reason. Rubles's D is tenacious. Forming quite the defensive pairing with Justin Jackson, Rubles could switch to the perimeter or contest around the basket, readily and effectively helps, and is able to defend multiple positions at the college level. With size, length and very good athleticism, Rubles was a key defensive cog on a very good defensive unit, and seems to really enjoy the challenge on that end. That same athleticism also gives him some offensive usage, very willing and able to coast to coast and occasionally able to get by his defender and get to the rim through speed and stride length, if not much skill or poise. Cincinnati needed more offensively than he could give them, but they could not have played the D they did without him.

A lot of people project as three-and-D players. Rubles, however, projects only as a D player. This is fine at the right level. I bet coaches will love him.

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