Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 best players all-time at each position

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 10: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves passes the ball. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Point Guard

1. Ricky Rubio
2. Sam Cassell
3. Stephon Marbury

The voting for franchise point guards was close, although Rubio was the only one to garner at least a first, second, or third-place vote from our panel. Cassell edged out Marbury by the slimmest of margins for second on the list. Terrell Brandon received a few third-place votes and Chauncey Billups received one.

Rubio finished his time with the Timberwolves No. 7 on the franchise’s all-time list in Basketball-Reference’s Win Shares. He spent the first six seasons of his career in Minnesota after he was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft.

The Spaniard never made the playoffs with the Wolves, but averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game in a Timberwolves uniform while playing stellar defense and remaining a fan-favorite throughout his tenure.

Cassell spent just two years in Minnesota, but made his only All-Star team in Year One while he joined Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell in leading the Wolves to their first-ever playoff series win and ultimately the Western Conference Finals.

Marbury’s two-plus years in Minnesota evoked dreams of a Stockton-and-Malone-esque pairing in the Twin Cities, but egos got in the way and a requested trade from Starbury led to an unceremonious divorce at the 1999 trade deadline.

Comments from our contributors

Zach Lung

Ricky provided a much needed spark during one of the darkest stretches of Timberwolves’ basketball. From his first game, Rubio was must-watch television and quickly made the team relevant again.

Brandon joined the Timberwolves late in his career but was an absolute joy to watch during his tenure. Brandon was a magnificent passer and a great complement to KG for four seasons and should receive consideration for the top-three.

Jeff Thompson

While his numbers don’t jump off the chart, Rubio is by far one of the most electric players in Timberwolves history. His no-look passing and savvy defense brought a much-needed energy to a spiraling organization.

Jack Borman

No point guard in Wolves history has captivated the screaming thousands at Target Center like Starbury. His speed, finishing ability, and creativity wowed crowds on a nightly basis and wins him the top spot on my list.