Ricky Rubio vs. Kyrie Irving: Which Rookie PG Will Have a Better Career?

The start of the 2011-12 NBA season has given us a look at a pair of promising young rookie point guards in Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio and Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving.

Irving comes in with a lot of hype as the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. Rubio comes in with his own hype, as fans have been waiting to see what he can do for a couple of years now.

Both are off to very good starts to their careers, but which one will have the better career when it's all said and done?

Rubio is going to be a highlight reel, especially when it comes to passing the ball. He will likely be the better defensive guard and should be the better floor general.

When it's all said and done, Rubio will likely be more of a winner as well. Minnesota is a team that's already close and their future looks much brighter in the short term.

Irving has similar qualities when it comes to running a team. He's a good facilitator and can hold his own on the defensive end.

What separates the two is Irving's offensive game, which is already light year's ahead of Rubio's.

Irving can drive to the rim with either hand and is a much better perimeter shooter.

Rubio's perimeter game needs a lot of work and while it can still get better, it likely will never be as good as Irving's.

That's really the one thing that separates Irving from Rubio.

Down the road, while both will be very good point guards, Irving will be the more complete guard and likely end up with the better career overall.