Utah Jazz: 2017-18 player grades for Ricky Rubio

After George Hill departed in free agency, the Utah Jazz brought in passing wizard Ricky Rubio to fill the void. How well did he do in 2017-18?

Before Ricky Rubio entered the league in 2011, many fans knew him simply for his dazzling passes.

The passing prodigy came to the United States with a great deal of fanfare, but ultimately fell short of those expectations. Against elite NBA athletes, Rubio’s flaws were exposed, particularly his inability to consistently put the ball through the hoop.

When Rubio suited up for the Utah Jazz this season, he looked like a different player, and not just because he resembled a Seth Rollins doppelganger. He came out of the gates more aggressive and more efficient, averaging 17.5 points per game with a healthy .437/.372/.919 shooting line over the season’s first eight games.

As the year wore on, Rubio regressed to his career levels and took a backseat to emerging star Donovan Mitchell. However, the Spaniard provided a steadying presence as the starting floor general.

At age 27, Rubio may never reach superstardom, but he has proven to be a reliable starting NBA point guard. So what was his actual value to the Jazz? By taking a deep dive into Rubio’s stats, I hope to answer that question.