Because we don't have enough to argue about as it is, I thought I would post Ricky Rubio's 2008 Olympic stats, per 36 minutes:

Rubio
9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.9 turnovers, 4.1 steals on 28% from the field, 17% from three and 78% from the line.  Rubio shot 5.6 free throws per 36 minutes.

For the sake of comparison, here are the stats from Rubio's teammate and fellow point guard Jose Calderon:  (Calderon is 9 years older and averaged 12.8 points and 8.9 assists for the Raptors last season.)

Calderon
12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 turnovers, .87 steals on 40% from the field, 33% from three and 100% from the line. Calderon shot 1.5 free throws per 36 minutes.

The obvious question is, what conclusions can we draw from these stats?  I think we have to be careful about making blanket observations for a number of reasons.  First, the sample is small.  Rubio played 8 games and Calderon played 6.  Second, international basketball is a different style from NBA basketball, so one doesn't necessarily translate to another.  On the other hand, Olympic basketball talent is as close to NBA talent as you can get.  There are a significant number of NBA and NBA-caliber players in the Olympics, so I think there is some value in looking at these statistics. 

Having said all that, Rubio didn't score much, but had great rebounding numbers for his position.  His steal numbers were off the charts and he drew a ton of fouls.  On the negative side, his shooting was absolutely horrific and his turnovers were way too high.

There has been talk that Rubio's only real strength is passing, and that may be true.  But these numbers suggest that rebounding and drawing fouls are also strengths - and those are extremely valuable qualities at the point guard position.  Shooting and turnovers can be fixed with practice and experience.

Rubio doesn't remind me of Pistol Pete as much as he reminds me of a younger, more talented, more experienced and more stable Jason Williams.  Williams was quick but not particularly athletic, couldn't shoot and threw the ball all over the arena when he came into the league at 23.  What's not to like about an exciting, creative player who does the same things and more at 19?

Scott Howard-Cooper (can I just call him Scoop for short?) wrote a well-researched article about how much it will cost the Lakers to take on Kenny Thomas with Ron Artest.  The jist of the article is that the Lakers would take an enormous luxury tax hit by including Kenny Thomas Thomas in the deal for Lamar Odom.  Scoop notes that substituting Qunicy Douby and Shelden Williams for K9 would save the Lakers $25 million over the next two seasons.

Sam Amick reports that the Mavericks offered Brandon Bass and Jerry Stackhouse for Ron Artest.  Amick also notes that the Mavs are unlikely to offer Josh Howard and that he doesn't see Petrie doing the deal as offered.

Amick's post indicates that Lamar Odom is available, but the potential Artest and Kenny Thomas for Odom deal is on hold until the Lakers decide whether to match the Warriors offer for Ronny Turiaf this Friday.

Via Sam Amick:

I made the comment about making a mistake on my opt out clause because I really did make a mistake. I had wrong info about extension options and it could have cost me a new deal. I was informed that the kings had me in their long term plans so that's why I decided to stay in contract. I just wanted to show loyalty. However when I spoke to the kings that was not an option and I grew frustrated with my decision immediately. I do apologize for being mistakenly frustrated with the kings. It was a mistake that I made and I will move on from. I dont know my future but I'm still a King Haters:)

(From the FanPosts. Carl asks all the right questions. - TZ)

The current Kings roster is essentially the same as it was last season.  The Kings won 38 games in a stacked Western Conference.  How do they get better?  Hawes will play better and get more minutes.  Maybe Jason Thompson starts by December and puts up All-Rookie team numbers.  Beno is more comfortable with the team and has training camp to prepare. 

How many wins is that worth?  Can this team contend for a playoff spot?  Is Geoff Petrie in a position where he has to make a trade to improve the team, or will he go into the season with roster the Kings have now?

PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby
C: Brad Miller, Spencer Hawes
PF: Mikki Moore, Jason Thompson, Shelden Williams
SF: Ron Artest, John Salmons

Others: Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim

(From the FanPosts. -TZ)

The only point guard on the Kings roster is last night's second round draft pick Sean Singletary.  What should the team do to get another point guard?

Do the Kings re-sign Beno for three to five years at mid level exception of $6 million per year?  Is it better to save the $18 million to $30 million in salary to sign a less expensive point from the free agent market?  Should the Kings look at trading with teams overloaded with point guards, like Memphis and Portland?

Since we know how well Petrie listens to our draft advice, let's help him find the Kings a point guard.

Marty McNeals' column this morning says:

Over the years, several Kings from the 2001-02 season have voiced off-the-record thoughts about how they believed they'd been had in Game 6. Some said as much as soon as the game ended.

McNeal goes on to quote one unnamed player who may have a current connection to the NBA and is convinced that Game 6 was fixed.

However, if you have current ties to the NBA, you likely don't want your name linked to such comments.

That's why one player on that squad said: "What? I've been telling you that ever since it happened. That game was called with one thing in mind – the Lakers winning. But I can't say that publicly. …

"But they got us, didn't they?" said the player, who wouldn't go on the record for fear of repercussions from the NBA. "Just like I told you they did when it happened."