Minnesota Timberwolves: Thanks for the memories, Ricky Rubio
Breaking up is hard to do, but when it’s over, it’s over.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves trying to acquire a new franchise point guard in Eric Bledsoe, that leaves their current point guard Ricky Rubio in dire straits.
Rubio wants a max contract deal. On the opposite hand, the Timberwolves feel there is no need to sign him to that type of contract.
I couldn’t agree more.
That leaves each party at a stonewall. The Timberwolves have all the leverage in this case and I can imagine a breakup between the two fairly soon.
*On another note: I haven’t been this sad about a point guard leaving Minnesota since Jonny Flynn Stephon Marbury left the Wolves.
I picture the break up between Rubio and the Wolves like this. One day Rubio walks into the office of general manager Milt Newton.
Newton: Shut the door.
*Rubio looks around awkwardly and closes the door behind him*
Rubio: You wanted to see me?
Newton: Yes, I’ll get straight to the point. We were renovating the Target Center and your locker with all of your items got destroyed in a terrible construction fire. We’re going to have to reimburse you for our faults.
Rubio: Are you serious?
Newton: No. We’re actually trading you this offseason. We got Eric Bledsoe.
Rubio: So my stuff is ok, then right?
As much I love La Pistola, there is no reason to have him sign a long contract extension. The Timberwolves (one of my league pass teams for the last two years) are getting more athletic and a lot more balanced offensively. They drafted a shooting guard in Zach LaVine, traded for a small forward in Andrew Wiggins, and brought in two power forwards in Anthony Bennett and Thad Young.
Their nucleus has shifted and even though they need a point guard to help their athletic players run in transition, they are bringing in a point guard in Bledsoe who better suits their team.
Don’t get me wrong, I watched a lot of Timberwolves games and it is easy to see that Rubio is one of the talented point guards in the game.
He is one of the best passers in the NBA. In 2013-14, his 8.6 assists a game left him with the second highest assist total in the league. In addition, he is a great off the ball defender. Rubio averaged 2.3 steals a game last year and has never had a season with less than two steals a game.
Where Rubio makes teammates better with his defense and his passing, he has failed to improve on his scoring numbers and jump shooting.
For his career he is a woeful 36 percent shooter from the floor, and is a 32 percent shooter from the three-point line.
Opponents do not guard Rubio on the perimeter anymore. The defense finds the best offensive player in the lineup and double down on him. Former Timberwolves player Kevin Love induced double teams constantly because of the (lack of) shooting balance that Rubio failed to provide.
Nevertheless, there have been many memories that Rubio has brought the Timberwolves. We all enjoyed the wonderful the half court alley oops, the awesome dribble penetration, or him encouraging Alexey Shevd in games.
But all great things must come to an end right? Thankfully because of his talent, Rubio will continue to have a long and productive career in the NBA.
Knicks, Mavericks, Rockets, Pacers, Lakers, Kings, are should all have their offers ready to sign the 6-foot-4, 180 pound 24-year-old guard.
Then again, how difficult is it to find someone else on the rebound?
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