Minnesota Timberwolves: Top 30 greatest players of all-time
By Ben Beecken
86. . Point Guard. Minnesota Timberwolves. Ricky Rubio. 8. player
- Six seasons with the Timberwolves (2011-17)
- Averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 assists, and two steals per game
- Second in Timberwolves history in total assists and total steals
Ricky Rubio was a worthy fifth-overall selection back in 2009; there was zero shock when the pick was announced. But you’d be forgiven if that part of the Rubio story has been forgotten.
David Kahn and the Timberwolves picked Syracuse Orange point guard Jonny Flynn one slot later at No. 6, essentially ensuring that Rubio wouldn’t come stateside immediately, and, of course, passing on Stephen Curry.
But that’s not what this list is about, so let’s forget about it. Or, as best we can, at least.
When Rubio eventually came over in the lockout-shortened season of 2011-12, he averaged 10.6 points, 8.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game before tearing his ACL in a March game against the Lakers.
The big knock on Rubio, of course, has always been his shooting ability. Indeed, Rubio shot just 35.7 percent from the field (that’s from the field, not on threes) as a rookie, and didn’t improve much from there, shooting just 37.5 percent from the field in his six years with the Wolves.
His final two years in Minnesota featured marginal improvement when it came to shooting efficiency, although the distribution numbers faltered a bit as he transitioned from coach to coach. After spending his first three years with Rick Adelman as his head coach, Rubio played for three different coaches in the next three years, which surely had an effect on his overall production.
Rubio was traded to Utah in the summer of 2017 as head coach and front office boss Tom Thibodeau made room to sign veteran Jeff Teague in free agency, whom he had identified as a better fit next to the newly acquired Jimmy Butler on the perimeter.
Overall, Rubio’s longevity, consistent play, and status as second in both total points and assists in franchise history and popularity as a player are enough to get him to the No. 8 spot on this list.