Can Ricky Rubio save the Timberwolves?

The NBA Draft is this week, and it might be one of the worst drafts in recent memory. It's an even bigger week for the Minnesota Timberwolves because not only do they hold the #2 pick in the draft, but they finally just signed their 2009 first round pick, Ricky Rubio. Ricky has been hanging out in his native Spain for the last two years 'refining' his game, while waiting to decide if he wanted to play for the Wolves. His FC Barcelona team just won their league championship, and shortly after he decided to finally bring his talents to the NBA.

He's being widely touted, especially by the Timberwolves brass, as the savior of the team. He was drafted fifth in 2009, and when you take a player that high, he better be the savior. The problem is, there a lot of questions around Ricky's game, and his two year absence from the NBA did nothing to answer those questions. In Spain, he didn't start for his team, he only played 21 minutes a game, and averaged less than 5 points a game. Not exactly savior like numbers. He was drafted so high in 2009 largely on the hype of the 2008 Olympics where he played very well, including in the game against the United States. Kobe Bryant offered a lot of praise for Rubio, and by all accounts everyone felt his game was tailor made for the NBA.

Here's the issue with Rubio, he's all style and no substance. There is no doubt he's an unbelievable passer and loves to drop the flashy assist, and has great court vision. Unfortunately, from my perspective, that is where the positives stop with Rubio. Outside of being able to throw these amazing passes, what does he bring to the table? He's a 30% shooter, with no range, and awful shooting mechanics. He was drafted on potential at 19, but now it's two years later and he's actually regressed as a player. Rubio supporters will tell you that the European game is very restrictive and it's not well suited for his skill set, and he'll thrive in the wide open NBA. Umm, in theory that sounds fantastic. In reality it's a load of crap. The NBA is more wide open than Europe, but even the best teams in the NBA are only getting 20 fast break points a game. The fact of the matter is, he's going to have to be able to play in a half-court offense to be effective. Now, I keep hearing he's a beast in pick and rolls because of his ability to get to the rim, and find open cutters. Now, I'm no coaching genius, but if I'm coaching against a point guard who only shoots 30%, wouldn't I just come under every single pick and roll and make Rubio shoot outside shots? Doesn't seem like it is too complicated to me. So then, if he is able to actually get to the rim, can he actually finish? The kid has arms like pipe cleaners, and one of the biggest knocks on him is he isn't tough. So I can only imagine what happens the first time he comes down the lane and gets clotheslined by Kenyon Martin.

The place where I'm really concerned about Rubio is defense. The Timberwolves already have a defensive issue, mostly the fact that they don't play any, and they are adding a very poor defender to a league filled with fantastic point guards. I keep hearing about how quick Rubio is, but I've seen the highlights, he ain't quick. He's got long arms and good size, but he definitely lacks quickness and strength. He's going to get lit up like the 4th of July on defense.

I think Rubio has a place in the league, I really do. His place is that of a backup point guard on a team full of scorers that he can distribute too without issue. Instead, he's being asked to lead the worst team in the league with skill set that can't get it done. I hope, I truly do hope he can come in and bring some excitement to the Target Center, but I think he's going to be a colossal bust. He would be perfect for the Miami Heat, but he's going to be awful for the Minnesota Timberwolves.