Ricky Rubio: Scorching-Hot Rookie Has Already Surpassed John Wall

Last year, were it not for the dunking exploits of a certain Blake Griffin, the rookie of the year might have been John Wall. This year, the front-runner for the award might be another rookie, Ricky Rubio.

That raises the question, who is better right now, Ricky Rubio or John Wall? The answer to that question is Rubio. 

Now, I know the easy response here is that I'm jumping to a conclusion based on a small sample size of career games. However, before you go there, keep one thing in mind: Rubio has a far more extensive history than John Wall. 

While it seems some people are loathe to involve the "S" word "statistics" in any kind of comparative analysis, it's my fastidious devotion to objectivity which compels me to include it in spite of the plethora of "stats don't mean everything" platitudes which it is sure to provoke. 

So for now, just humor me and look at their per 36 minutes next to each other. 

Rk	Player	FG%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
1	Ricky Rubio	.463	.690	4.8	9.8	2.0	0.2	4.1	2.6	12.7
2	John Wall	.341	.709	3.9	6.7	1.5	1.2	3.5	2.3	13.1

Probably the most surprising thing here is that the scoring per 36 minutes is relatively close. Wall gets a lot of blocks for a point guard, but with combined blocks and steals, Rubio is better. He also is a far better shooter and a better rebounder. 

On passing, though, it's not even close. Adjusted on a per-minute basis, it's really not even close. Rubio is just better statistically. 

Now, I know stats don't mean everything. You're absolutely right. Intangibles are meaningful, too. So let me ask you a hypothetical question: Who would you rather have leading your team in the playoffs? For me, it's not even one that I have to think about. 

Rubio and Wall are the same age, but on a maturity level they are in different places. Rubio is 21 going on 30 and Wall is 21 going on 16. 

Some of that is hard to put on Wall. When you look at the type of "mentors" he's had in his pro career, it's amazing he even has the wherewithal to call a team meeting. 

Think of the kinds of teammates he's had in his brief career: the "mentor" in Gilbert Arenas who poops in rookies shoes; Rashard Lewis, who gets in a shouting match with a coach before the game and refuses to go in; Josh Howard, who has his own sort of history and in college he was with DeMarcus Cousins. 

If you were to write up a list of players who were around poisonous players without themselves getting poisoned, Wall would be at the top of the list. It's obvious it's getting to him though. His game has taken a step back this year, as his numbers are down across the board. 

Rubio, on the other hand, has had to be an adult since he went pro at 14. He's lived in a different world. His 21 is not the same as Wall's 21. 

That maturity is why when you see Rubio play you don't think of him as being a kid like you do with John Wall. Rubio is a man. Wall is a kid. 

Really, this isn't a question of whether Rubio has passed John Wall, it's a matter of John Wall has not yet caught Ricky Rubio. Wall has a higher ceiling, and if he ever hits it, he'll surpass Rubio, but he hasn't done so yet.

Rubio's arrival to the NBA shows us just how far ahead he really is though.