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Remembering Ricky Rubio: 5 memorable moments from his time with the Wolves

By Henry Zimmerman

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Ricky Rubio
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Ricky Rubio /
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NEW YORK – JUNE 25: NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the fifth overall draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 25: NBA Commissioner David Stern poses for a photograph with the fifth overall draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio during the 2009 NBA Draft at the Wamu Theatre at Madison Square Garden June 25, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

5. Draft night

If you’re a long time Timberwolves fan, you know that the 2009 NBA Draft held some major players.

And while the Wolves didn’t have the chance to draft Blake Griffin or James Harden, they did have three first-round picks, including the fifth and sixth pick overall.

If you were an NBA then and are an NBA now, you probably know that the Wolves famously passed on Stephen Curry (who was selected seventh overall) to pick Jonny Flynn at six and Ricky Rubio at five.

It’s widely noted as having been a huge letdown of a draft for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

While Flynn was an interesting pick, it was nothing compared to the gamble of drafting such a young guard with no domestic experience.

Rubio showed flashes of skill in Spain; enough to be noticed by newly-hired General Manager David Kahn.

Kahn rolled the dice on Rubio, and at first it didn’t look like Wolves fans would ever see him play stateside.

Ricky Rubio’s contract situation and desire to play in the U.S. resulted in a two-year delay before he ever played his first NBA game.

This left a sour taste in the mouths of a lot of fans and wasn’t the best look for David Kahn.

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