2. Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio’s defensive prowess is definitely something that will be missed during the upcoming season. His fast hands and ability to pickpocket an unsuspecting dribbler is remarkable, to say the least. After spending all six of his NBA seasons with the Timberwolves, he was traded to the Utah Jazz over the offseason.
Like many great defensive point guards, Rubio has amassed steals at an impressive rate. He tallied 747 steals over his six seasons, edging out the next closest player on the list by over 200 steals. Over his NBA career so far, he has averaged an impressive 2.1 steals per game. In the 2013-2014 campaign, Rubio led the entire league in steals with 191 in just one season.
In addition to steals, Ricky Rubio has also averaged over 10 points per game and 8.5 assists per game over his career. His impact as a floor general on the offensive side of the court is often underestimated due to his defensive skill and lack of a long-range shot, but his role as the facilitator is essential and his court vision is second to none.
Rubio’s defensive pressure, hustle, and awareness were big factors on the Timberwolves’ team defense over the past couple years, and it led to them being able to force such a high amount of turnovers. Plus, Rubio’s steals often led to offensive sparks like this one: