Phoenix Suns pull off opening night shocker in blowout of Kings

3. Suns announcers called Rubio the best point guard in the world

Now in all fairness, it’s the job of the team announcers to make players on their respective teams look good. They actually said Ricky Rubio was the best point guard in the world. Granted the comments were tongue in cheek (there are dudes like Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry. I could go on!), but Rubio was the starting point guard for the FIBA World Cup champions.

So a point could be made for their argument. It’s a weak one, but it’s still an argument nonetheless.

Rubio is nowhere near being the best point guard in the world. He is however the best point guard for the Phoenix Suns and that’s what matters. Rubio will be Devin Booker’s saving grace from all of the playmaking duties that wore him down last year.

Rubio’s 11 assists was the highest total for a Suns point guard in a debut game. He joined other point guards such as Stephon Marbury, Elliot Perry (also known as Socks) and Gail Goodrich.

Suns announcer Eddie Johnson also laid out comparisons to another Suns icon, Steve Nash. Rubio will never get the stats of Nash, but they do have the same instincts in running the pick and roll.

Notice Mikal Bridges cutting the baseline and Rubio setting him up for the easy basket with a bounce pass. These types of plays were not around last year. Most of the time, the ball was in Booker’s hands and he was looking for his shot instead of making plays for his teammates.

Rubio did not shoot well in this game (4-for-12), but it was plays like these that will build confidence in his teammates and they will be willing to cut to the basket with purpose.