Ricky Rubio is now in his sixth season with the Timberwolves, and I think it might be time to say that he is maybe kind of pretty good.
As a long time self-described Ricky Rubio hater, it takes a lot for the Wolves’ sixth-year point guard to impress me. And as of late, well, he has impressed me.
The Timberwolves are starting their climb to the playoffs, and while it won’t be easy, it is possible to grab that eighth seed — and especially if Rubio continues his scorching-hot play.
Rubio has been on fire in the last few games. Six games ago, against the Spurs, he put up a triple- double. Against Washington, he put up 22 points and a Timberwolves-record 19 assists. Not to mention 17 points and 13 assists in a huge win over the Warriors.
I am by no means selling out and saying Rubio is a great player; it’ll take a pretty big jump for me to call Rubio a great player.
I became a Ricky Rubio hater when he got drafted. When he was drafted by the Timberwolves, he decided that he would have a sweeter deal playing in Spain, so he sat out two seasons. I really didn’t like that he entered the draft only to say “nah, this isn’t for me right now.”
I also disliked him more and more every time I think about the Timberwolves drafting Rubio and Johnny Flynn over Steph Curry in 2009. It’s not his fault, but it just makes me mad. When the rumors came up of Rubio being traded for Derrick Rose I thought it would be great for the Wolves. At least the other teams would have to guard Rose on offense because Rose can score the ball.
— Swendig (@alswendig) March 14, 2017
Rubio’s style of play frustrates me. He’d fit in real nice in the NBA if he was playing in the 1970’s when there was no three-point line and point guards would get ten assists and no points.
But all of a sudden, Ricky Rubio is playing at a top-notch level. I complained about his lack of scoring, and then he goes out and scores 22 points two nights in a row. I said he can’t shoot threes and all of a sudden he can’t miss a three. In the month of March, he’s done everything he can to prove me wrong.
When Rubio plays well (and especially when he’s an actual scoring threat) the Timberwolves are a very tough team to beat. In the month of March, the Wolves have beat the Jazz, Clippers, Warriors, and the Wizards, in addition to taking the Spurs to overtime.
With the playoffs coming up, it’s time for the Wolves to kick it into high gear. Their window is closing, and if the Wolves are going to make it to the playoffs, Rubio needs to play to the best of his ability. He needs to score 15 points with eight-plus assists almost every night.
So this is me giving the nod to Ricky Rubio and saying…sometimes he’s good. With the playoffs just around the corner, I’m not going to waste my time complaining about Rubio. As long as the Wolves get that playoff spot, I’ll be happy.
Next: The Timberwolves Playoff Hopes Remain Alive
So please, Rubio, keep it up.