[Lotto StudParticipant]

ESPN bottom line reports he is in talks with Barcelona about his future with the team next year.

[NYFLAVA2K9Participant]

Is he a great pg in this league or the next Brevin Knight…

[Lotto StudParticipant]

So much for the Minny talks this offseason.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Ricky Rubio’s comments raise questions

 

BILBAO, Spain — Recent comments made by Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Ricky Rubio have raised questions about his future, despite reports earlier this month that his NBA arrival was imminent.

"We are talking with Barcelona and we will soon see," Rubio said after Barcelona beat Bilbao for the Spanish league title Tuesday night.

Earlier this month, The Associated Press and The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported that Rubio, the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA draft, finally had reached an agreement to join the Timberwolves after two seasons with Barcelona.

 

[+] Enlarge

Ales Fevzer/EB/Getty ImagesDespite Ricky Rubio’s offensive struggles this season at Barcelona, he’s still seen as the Timberwolves’ point guard of the future.

 

The Timberwolves did not confirm those reports, which followed years of speculation that Rubio, 20, did not want to leave Europe or pay a multimillion-dollar buyout of his Barcelona contract out of his own pocket

Rubio said he was "very happy" after Barcelona won the Spanish league title, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. "This title is the most widely appreciated. At last I have it and we must all be proud of it."

On Wednesday, a source close to Rubio told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher that he is unaware of any change to Rubio’s plans to play in the NBA next season.

Timberwolves president David Kahn called Rubio "a virtuoso and somebody special" after drafting him in 2009. Kahn and agent Dan Fegan had an agreement to bring Rubio to the NBA that summer, but Rubio withdrew from that deal at the last minute after deciding he did not want to pay a $6 million-plus buyout.

With the passing of two seasons, Rubio’s buyout from Barcelona has decreased to $1.4 million. The Timberwolves can contribute up to $500,000 of that amount under current league rules.

Rubio was faced with a difficult decision this spring — sign with the Timberwolves and lock himself into the guaranteed money of the NBA’s current rookie wage scale, while risking losing games of his first NBA season to a potential lockout, or wait to see what unfolds with the league’s uncertain labor situation.

Rubio averaged 6.5 points per game on 39 percent shooting this season at Barcelona, where he dealt with a foot injury and fell out of the starting lineup. The Timberwolves believe Rubio will flourish in the NBA, where guards have more freedom to create than they do in the stricter offensive schemes common in the European game.

"He’s gotten bigger and he plays outstanding defense, and because he’s a pass-first guard he’s going to be liked by everybody who plays with him," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last year. Krzyzewski coached Team USA against Rubio and Spain in the Beijing Olympics.

Rubio dominated the junior circuit in Europe and turned professional at 14. His flashy style and baby face made him an instant sensation in Europe.

Although Rubio’s stock dropped this season, the woeful Timberwolves — winners of a combined 32 games the past two seasons — remain in need of a point guard to feed the ball to Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

[darkman97Participant]

As a Minnesota T-wolves fan, we need an answer from this guy before the draft. Are we able to pass on the point gaurd with the second pick or do we need to go after Irving or Knight. i believe if he doesn’t join the team we need a point, if he does then we can go for Kanter. Hate that he has this much control over my team.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Dude yall are going to make the biggest mistake EVER if Iriving is on the board @ #2 and Kahn passes on him.

[What The DevilParticipant]

 If Irving is on the board the Wolves should pick him and trade Rubio and move on. Seriously, this is getting ridiculous.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I wanna see Rose drop 100 on Rubio.  I would FLY to Chicago to watch that game.  He will be on BOTH sides of a ton of highlights.

[BBall4life88Participant]

He’s pulling a Farve…Not this again!

We need to know Rubio!

…this is the Farve situation all over again, except with a PG instead of a QB.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

ESPN has already put this report to bed. He’s signed – http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6663540.  And breathe.

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Didnt Rubio lose his starting spot this year??  So he plays in a league that isnt as tough as the NBA and he cant even start??? 

I need to see this kid in action before it is a big deal that he wants to stay in Spain… I am starting to think that he is all hype.. He is probably nervous that he cant live up to the expectations…

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

He lost his starting job because his coach yanked him around and Euro leagues rarely give young players a lot of time, favoring veterans. 

And he isn’t hype. I know it’s easy to seem that way now, but re-read all the old articles about him – that many scouts in unison are rarely wrong, including my personal favorite at this kind of thing David Thorpe.  He’s 20.  I don’t expect a monster right away, but the tools are there and by the time he’s 24-ish, he should be absolutely excellent.  Remember how few PGs are truly effective and consistent their first year in the league (D-Rose, Kidd, Paul… is that the whole list?)

[Author]

Posts