Ricky Rubio will be introduced to media and fans tomorrow at Target Center. He signed a multi-year contract with the Wolves last week, ending two years of speculation about whether he would ever play for the NBA team housed at First Ave. North.
That commitment ended one phase of the Rubio story, but another begins when the much discussed Spanish guard plays his first NBA season. Rubio’s NBA potential is hotly debated. Detractors point to his single digits per game averages in scoring and assists in Europe, an inferior basketball environment to the states. Admirers gush about Rubio’s court vision, passing and ball handling.
A psychic may know how Rubio’s NBA future looks, but the rest of us will have to see whether the Wolves, winners of only 17 games last season, have a savior or a dud in the controversial 20-year-old who has been playing against pros since he was 14. The years ahead will tell if we’ve got another “Pistol” Pete Maravich or Marko Jaric, but Sports Headliners offers the following on what Rubio can expect during his introductory months in the NBA, and what his arrival means to the Wolves franchise and this town.
- Rubio can expect to be verbally and physically targeted by the many “characters” playing in the NBA. Expletives and body blows will say, “Welcome to the NBA, Rook.”
- The greeting will be friendlier inside the Wolves’ locker room where forward Kevin Love will likely lead the friendship committee. The Wolves are a team searching for both talent and leaders, and that will make the locker room chemistry a lot better for Rubio than if a veteran star or two (see Kevin Garnett) saw this club as his domain.
- Rubio will find the NBA more wide open and favorable to his fast break style of basketball. He will play more minutes per game than in Europe and presumably have a coaching staff interested in building a system around him.
- The grind of the 82-game season will test the young body and mind of the 6-4, 190 pound Rubio who is still maturing. That could be “code” for saying Rubio will play inconsistently, some nights making brilliant plays and other games making us pine for Jonny Flynn.
- The scouting report on Rubio is his passing and ability to drive to the basket are world class, but his shooting needs work. And his defense might, too, because he lacks foot speed although his quick hands will compensate.
- Rubio can expect criticism from media and fans here, some of it nasty and undeserved. Welcome to a cynical society.
- But he can also expect adoration. He plays with flair and is good looking. The groupies are dancing in anticipation of his arrival downtown.