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The European PG's Battle: Who's Really Better, Rubio or Jennings?

Matthew Hayden by Analyst Written on June 22, 2009
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Both are under the age of 21 and both are pure point guards.

But, who is truly better, pound for pound?

I've evaluated both Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings to the fullest extent, and here's my opinion on who's actually better as a point guard.

I will be breaking everything down, not based on stats, but based off of the comments from other players on the two, other draft experts opinions, and the games that I've seen them play in.

Shooting

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26:  Al-Farouq Aminu #42 of the East team goes to the basket against Jrue Holiday #21 and Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team during the 2008 McDonald's All American High School Boys basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Cent

Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings are both intermediate shooters, and they both have a long way to go.

Jennings is inconsistent from the three-point mark, and Rubio does not take as many threes because he knows he cannot shoot them very well.

However, I do think that Jennings and Rubio possess upcoming mid-range games. Still, Jennings wins this one due to his quickness to shoot off of the dribble, and I do think that Jennings will develop his jumper sooner than Rubio.

Jennings shoots a 4.5 out of 10 (college level) on his jump shot, and Rubio gets a 4.2 out of 10 (college level).

Size

BEIJING - AUGUST 24:  Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain moves against the defense of Chris Bosh #12 of the United States in the gold medal game during Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 24, 2008 in Beijing

Rubio is skinny, but so is Jennings.

Rubio has one advantage in that he is three inches taller, and 6'4'' is a powerful height for a pure point guard.

Rubio wins this one.

Defense

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26: Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team (L) passes off to Willie Warren #12 under the basket during the McDonald's All-American High School basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonat

Brandon Jennings and Ricky Rubio both happen to be intermediate defenders, with sticky fingers.

They both can steal the ball, but all NBA players and fans know that there is more to defense than just stealing the ball.

Due to Jennings' quickness and ability to move his feet, Jennings wins this one by just a centimeter.

Speed

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26:  Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team goes up with the ball over Kemba Walker #15 of the East team during the 2008 McDonald's All American High School Boys basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wiscons

This really is a no-brainer.

Jennings is the quickest thing since Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo started competing in a 20 yard dash on the court during halftime.

Basketball I.Q.

BEIJING - AUGUST 12:  Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain calls a play while taking on China in the preliminary round basketball game held at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium during Day 4 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 12, 2008 in Beijing, China.

Despite being younger, Rubio has a basketball I.Q. similar to that of a young Chris Paul.

Jennings' I.Q is high as well, and if Rubio is Chris Paul, then Jennings is Deron Williams or Rondo.

Give this one to Rubio and not Jennings. Jennings can pass the ball with the best of them, but sometimes is overly flashy in making the simple pass, and can lead to a lot of turnovers.

Leadership

BEIJING - AUGUST 22:  Pau Gasol #4, Carlos Jimenez #10 and Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain reacts against Lithuania during a men's semifinal baketball game at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, C

There's no doubt that Jennings is a mass competitor, but let's face it, Rubio's been a leader since the age of 14.

He's been playing pro ball since then, and is the face of the franchise. He takes command and does not need a play call from his coach.

I feel if the GM that takes Jennings gives him 25 MPG, Jennings will develop into a leader due to his high competitive warrior-like instincts, but for now, give this one to Rubio.

Athleticism

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26: Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team dunks the ball during the McDonald's All-American High School basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Brandon Jennings is 6'1'' and dunks like he's 6'6''. He's ultra impressive and is often catching alley oops and (at the same time) lobbing one as well.

Rubio has no athleticism and has not been seen dunking "EVER."

This was a no-brainer as well.

Ball Handling

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26:  Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team dribbles during the 2008 McDonald's All American High School Boys basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Rubio and Jennings are both great ball handlers.

Jennings has the handles of a young Iverson, while Rubio has the handles of a guy like Steve Nash.

Rubio can cross, but is not as quick as you would expect, nor is he explosive.

Jennings has a ball handle like no other, and you would not expect a guy to switch hands so often without changing speed.

Jennings wins this one.

NBA Ready

BEIJING - AUGUST 20:  Ricard Rubio #6 of Spain falls during play in the men's basketball quarterfinal game against Croatia at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by

Jennings is probably not NBA ready right now.

The only reason I think not is that he does not have the I.Q. and the decision making to become a star point guard right now.

Rubio does, and he is slightly more NBA ready right now.

Give this one to Rubio.

Potential

MILWAUKEE - MARCH 26: Brandon Jennings #3 of the West team moves around Chris Singleton #31 of the East team during the McDonald's All-American High School basketball game on March 26, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan

This was the hardest to decide, but I have to give this one to Jennings.

In high school, Jennings had numbers that could compare to LeBron James' numbers in high school, and he's also played over here.

Rubio has played overseas all of his life and does not know both styles of play as well as Jennings does.

I give this one to Jennings for his athleticism.

If he is drafted by a run-n-gun team, he's going to be great.

The Winner

BEIJING - AUGUST 10:  Ricky Rubio #6 of Spain looks on while taking on Greece during the day 2 preliminary game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium on August 10, 2008 in Beijing, China.  (Photo by Phil Walter/Gett

Well, I'm not going to say that it's Rubio, and I'm not going to say it's Jennings.

I think people can tell by my previous slides who I like more.

On one hand, you have a no mistake guard who makes decisions with the ball so well that Picasso could only paint a picture of the critique.

On the other hand, you have a guy so flashy and athletic with a tremendous upside, and he's so underrated it's ridiculous.

It's hard to pick, but I'll say one thing. If I had to start a team from scratch, I'd pick Rubio.

But, I'm a die hard Wolves fan, and If I had to pick a guy for the Wolves, it'd be Jennings.

Thanks for reading!

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written on June 22, 2009 Opinion

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