Originally Posted by
Pelicanidae
No.
The skill I pointed out was Rubio's ability to shoot free throws, meaning that getting to the line is a potential threat that defenses have to react to.
Picture a play. Lonzo is on the perimeter, holding the ball. He doesn't have an easy pass to an open man, and the rest of the team is ballwatching (happens a lot). He can't shoot, so it's in the opposing team's interest to give him space to allow him to jack up a three. But because of that space, he could potentially put the ball on the floor and drive uncontested, at least at first. What does he do?
He's Lonzo Ball, so he shoots the ball and clanks it, because he knows that if he drives, his man will already be dropped back in position to defend it and because he can't shoot free throws, getting the contact and being sent to the line is a death sentence for the possession. So he takes the three.
Now imagine that exact same scenario, but instead of Lonzo Ball, it's Ricky Rubio. What does Rubio do, in that scenario? Well, he drives. Why? Because he knows that if he gets to the rim and is fouled, he'll be able to make the free throws without any issue. His opponent knows that too, so rather than allow him to get the full head of steam, the opponent will have the help defense come over to at least provide a stunt in that direction, which will momentarily free up the guy the help defender is the primary assignment for, which means Rubio now has the option to either attempt the shot, knowing he can hit the FTs if he gets them, or he can make the pass.
For Lonzo, no help is needed because even if the defender is forced to foul, he won't hit the free throws so nobody cares, and nobody leaves their man.
What makes Rubio better here is the fact that he can hit the free throws, because it gives him the option to drive with intention to score, which can open up other opportunities for teammates. He is able to create plays for others using his ability to hit free throws as the backup option, meaning he doesn't have to just sit on the 3pt line and clank like Lonzo does.
I have explained this so many times, and now you've got me to the point where I'm literally drawing up X's and O's for you. Please don't come back with that trash again.