Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams: Who Is More Affected by the Lockout?

It must feel like the first week of December for Minnesota Timberwolves fans. Except Christmas might not come for months. The team's new presents, Derrick Williams and Ricky Rubio, will continue to be mysteries to fans.

Should Wolves fans be concerned? Both Rubio and Williams have been deemed ready for the NBA game. Williams impressed many scouts during the 2011 NCAA tournament. Rubio has a more "American" basketball style.

Both players are not absolute locks for NBA superstardom. Williams was one of the top players in an otherwise mediocre draft and eyebrows were raised over Rubio's subpar for FC Barcelona. Rubio and Williams will have to develop in the league and the lockout is not helping.

How does the labor situation affect Rubio and Williams' transition to the pro game?

NBA Game

Fortunately, both Williams and Rubio are suited for the pro game. Williams is a powerful athlete who can finish strong at the rim. He is also quick and has a good basketball IQ. He will be able to run with other forwards in the league. Williams lacks a mid-range jumper and may struggle against other long small forwards on defense.

Rubio is an acrobatic passer in the mold of Pete Maravich. He is fast and is suited for the NBA transition game. However, he does not have a good set shot and will have to get used to NBA defense.

Are these major issues? Not really. Both Williams and Rubio will have to make adjustments to the NBA game, but their transition will not be as rocky as other prospects.

NBA Life

Both Williams and Rubio are kids in the strange hinterlands of Minnesota. Rubio must adjust to life in the United States in addition to the NBA. While Ricky has already adjusted to one aspect of American life, shopping, January in Minnesota is not for the faint of heart.

Williams is used to being under the microscope at Arizona and the transition from college will be made easier by the league's player network.

Neither player has signed any major American endorsement deals, yet. So both players will have to adjust their financial lives accordingly.

Williams and Rubio would both be more comfortable if they knew they were playing basketball come November. Rubio may have a slightly more difficult time adjusting to life over in the states due to culture shock.

Pro Experience

Rubio has a slight advantage in the experience department. Having played professionally since age 14, he knows about the rigors of playing pro ball.

Rubio won a championship with FC Barcelona and played on a very good, silver medal winning Spanish national team in the 2008 Olympics with other NBA professionals.

Williams put together a solid NCAA tournament portfolio, but he still needs to adjust to an 82 game schedule and life on the road.

Rubio is a slightly more seasoned professional in this case.

Team Role

Rubio knows his role: starting point guard. David Kahn has been pursuing Rubio for the last two years. There is no doubt he will be in the starting lineup on day one.

Williams' situation is a bit murkier. Scouts say that he is suited for power forward. He insists he can play small forward. The Timberwolves have a ridiculous surplus at the front court. Love and Beasley don't mind sharing minutes and position time with Williams. Add Beasley's recent trouble with the law and it's a good old fashioned mystery what the team is going to do at the three and four spots.

Williams is working out with Beasley and Wes Johnson in LA. That gives him a chance to get a feel for some of his teammates. Without a coach though, it will be hard to figure out any sort of team system.

Fundamentals

High expecations are on both players. Williams knows that responsibility comes with being selected number two over all. Rubio is one of the most heralded Euro prospects ever and Minnesota fans anxiously awaited his arrival for the past two years. (David Kahn's professional career probably depends on how he does).

I don't think either of these guys will show up to camp out of shape or with a bad attitude. The expectations for both of them are far too great.

Overall

Both Rubio and Williams are solid basketball players with a high maturity levels. Unfortunately, their pro development is being stinted due to the lockout. Both players bring a lot of tools that make them already suited for the NBA game, but holes remain.

Rubio's biggest advantage is his experience playing with and against high level professionals. He already knows what pro life is like.

Rubio's biggest disadvantage is the culture transformation. He needs to get used to living in Minnesota without being able to do his job. The team cannot provide any sort of assistance during the lockout period. He will have to rely on his teammates, his agent, and 'the kindness of strangers'.

Williams' biggest advantage is that he already has a solid basketball network. He could still workout in Arizona and chum around with players.  

Williams biggest disadvantage is that he does not know what his role on the team. No plan can be worked out amongst the Wolves forwards. Williams also cannot get help from his coach (whomever it will be).

Derrick Williams is the player more affected by the lockout. More people are probably curious to see what Ricky Rubio can do in an NBA game. Derrick Williams has the resources and knowledge to play the NBA game, but no direction. That is the key to the Wolves next season.