Ricky Rubio Praises Timberwolves Fans, Takes Possible Shot At Kevin Love

The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t known as a basketball powerhouse, but the fans they have helped convince Ricky Rubio to take less than he wanted on his contract extension.

When Kevin Love left the Minnesota Timberwolves, fans were scorned as they felt like they weren’t good enough for a superstar talent to appreciate. Ricky Rubio changed that this week when he signed a contract extension right before the deadline to do so this past Friday.

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Rubio made mention of how much he loves Minnesota fans for embracing him when he came over from Spain in 2011. He was drafted in 2009, but took a few years to come over, and was met with warm and open arms upon his arrival. As a result, Rubio is trying to make Minnesota his second home.

“I want to call Minnesota home for a long time. My mom’s going to get mad at me, but I don’t leave home when I’m here,” Rubio said to the AP. “I didn’t want to disappoint them and I want to stick here and play for them.”

Some may perceive this as a shot at Kevin Love, who gave up on Minnesota and demanded a trade this summer to Cleveland — or anywhere but Minnesota. To be fair, Love never hated on the fans or called them out. Rather ,he remained unhappy with management and left for that reason. Still, Rubio staying for the love of the fans shows that he’s going to be a big part of the Wolves future and is going to be one of the faces of the franchise.

His desire to stay in Minnesota and not ditch what is essentially the basketball boneyard, gives Wolves fans some serious pride to lean on and may help the franchise turn things around faster than we think.

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