With Ricky Rubio out for most of the season thus far, Pau Ribas has been forced to shoulder a bigger role for DKV Joventut this season, seeing significant time as the teams primary ball-handler. The result has been a large drop in shooting efficiency alongside a large gain in assists produced, but all in all its hard not to respect the level hes playing at his tender age.
Ribas is a player with very specific strengths and weaknesses. Incredibly smart, and highly opportunistic, he can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, despite his average percentages this season. He sees the floor well and does a great job getting everyone involved unselfishly, having somewhat of a calming influence on what otherwise becomes a somewhat chaotic team at times when things begin to break down. He also plays with a good deal of focus and intensity, which lends itself to the defensive end as well, although not always with the best results due to his average physical tools.
Ribas is a fairly poor athlete with a frame that is extremely underdeveloped at the moment. He often lacks the quickness needed to create his own shot, and thus is a bit limited when asked to shoulder the majority of his teams ball-handling duties in end of shot-clock situations, particularly asked to break the defense down off the dribble. His lack of strength makes it a bit difficult for him to finish strong at the basket, and the majority of his field goal attempts come from beyond the arc, which makes him a bit predictable. That same lack of strength and athleticism can be a hindrance in certain defensive matchups as well, as quicker, stronger guards can take advantage of him at times.
As far as the NBA is concerned, Ribas is unlikely to interest most NBA decision makers due to his limited upside. For Europe, though, he looks like a very high-level player and will likely be on the radar for quite some time, thanks to his high skill level and terrific feel for the game.
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