Minnesota Timberwolves: Best players of the 2010-19 decade

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 13: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball away from Marcin Gortat. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

4. Ricky Rubio

While Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Love, and Andrew Wiggins share the title of top-3 most talented Timberwolves from this decade, most Minnesota fans would agree that Ricky Rubio has been the most beloved and fun to watch among recent Wolves players.

Although Rubio lacked in the shooting category, and particularly early in his career during his tenure in Minnesota, Rubio’s elite passing ability is practically unmatched around the league.

There are few point guards today who can move the ball and run an offense as smoothly and as well as Ricky does, a skill that he’s possessed since he was a teenager playing with professionals in Spain.

Rubio was able to showcase his passing ability immediately after entering the league, averaging 8.2 assists per game throughout 41 games during his rookie season in Minnesota in 2011-12.

Not only did he average a high volume of assists, but the creativity, skill, and flair behind his assists was a huge draw for Wolves fans who were starving for talent and watchability at the time.

After six seasons with the Timberwolves during which he averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, Ricky proved that he was not only a great teammate and a fan favorite, but a tremendous player who can put up numbers.

Barring an unexpected return up North, Rubio sits behind only KG in terms of career assists (2,991) and steals (747) with the squad and has played in the fourth-most games in a Wolves jersey this decade, behind only Gorgui Dieng, Wiggins, and Love.