Ricky Rubio's 2011-12 NBA Tracking Thread

[EmpireWF]

Please don't be a bust like everyone thinks you will be.

He's coming off the bench in his NBA debut tonight for the TWolves with their guard-infested roster.

Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio's wait is over


Minnesota Timberwolves rookie point guard Ricky Rubio is not expected to start in his NBA debut tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center.

But new coach Rick Adelman plans to use the 22 year-old Spanish phenom as the primary backup to nine-year veteran Luke Ridnour in the regular-season opener.

"It will be amazing after two long years to finally play here in (an) NBA game," Rubio, a 2009 first-round draft pick of the Timberwolves, said after this morning's shootaround. "I'm excited and a little nervous, but once I get in the game I will only be thinking about basketball."

Rubio, who grew up in Barcelona, played overseas the last two years with Regal FC Barcelona before taking advantage of a buyout in his contract to join the Timberwolves. Rubio said he's been nursing a sprained right ankle but is fit to play tonight.

"My ankle feels a lot better," Rubio said. "It's not sore anymore."

Rubio was injured in the second quarter of the first exhibition game, Dec. 17 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He did not play in the Timberwolves' exhibition win at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Tonight's game also represents the NBA debut for rookie forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 Williams will be used off the bench as part of a rotation with forwards Kevin Love, Michael Beasley and Anthony Tolliver.

"I've been waiting for this day a long time," said Williams, who starred for two years at the University

of Arizona. "We don't have to worry anymore about the lockout or anything like that. Now it's all about basketball. As soon as the season starts, we'll keep playing, and that's a good feeling."
The Timberwolves' starting lineup tonight is expected to be Ridnour at point guard, Love at power forward, Beasley at small forward, Wesley Johnson at shooting guard and Darko Milicic at center.

As of noon today, Timberwolves media relations director Mike Cristaldi said, about 500 tickets were available for tonight's game. If those are sold, it would be the team's first sellout for a home opener in four years. The Timberwolves drew a sellout crowd of 19,443 against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 2, 2007. Capacity for Timberwolves' home games at Target Center is 19,356.

 

[Point Blank]

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Him balancing out ball on the other in the picture will be the highlight of his NBA career.

 

[EmpireWF]

Him balancing out ball on the other in the picture will be the highlight of his NBA career.

Why the hate?

 

[EmpireWF]

Game #1
Loss vs. Thunder, 104-100

26 Minutes
2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT
6 Pts
5 Reb
6 Ast
4 Fouls


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vno5QTmq0JE"]Ricky Rubio Sick Pass To Randolph - YouTube[/ame]

More highlights @ Deadspin
http://deadspin.com/5871222/

 

[ralaw]

I can't help to think that this thread is a Rubio tracking thread to NY.....Empire :seeyou:



Rubio is going to be a good player...He won't be an elite PG, but he'll be on that second tier. You can't teach court vision like he has. He obviously will need to work on his jumpshot, as he's going to have to be a scoring threat, but I'm sure that'll happen. He has a certain flair to his game that really makes you want to watch.

 

[NAHSTE]

He looked good last night. Certainly didn't embarrass himself, and showed some incredible court vision.

The assist to Randolph was sick.

 

[j.hen]

Rubio is going to be the shit. Fuck all you haters. :smh:

 

[BrntO4Life]

6 AST to 0 TO is a pretty fucking good debut.

 

[Mogriffjr]

amazing court vision...Rondo-esque with the bounce pass, etc. He sure got that place jumping.

 

[Rudi]

Rubio and Dwill are going to be a force to reckon with. Minnesota may have their own claim to Lob City eventually

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

He's going to be good. Not elite. But good.

 

[Hasselbeck]

I'm with Kuz.. I think he busts .. but we'll see

 

[Rudi]

Gotta check out their game tonight. He better not disappoint.

 

[strahanfan92]

How he do

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

He was pretty forgettable to say the least. He had some decent passes and did a decent job at the helm but even compared to Ridnour its pretty evident who the better player is at this point.

The Bucks didn't do a good job of it but whenever he plays alongside Ridnour or Barea (which seem pretty often) they are going to get exploited like crazy.

 

[EmpireWF]

Game #2
Loss vs. Bucks, 98-95

27 Minutes
2-3 FG, 2-3 FT
6 Pts
3 Reb
4 Ast
3 Steals

3 Fouls
3 TOs


Don't see any highlights from him on YouTube in this game yet....here's one of his turnovers.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H50MUBUKRSc"]Timberwolves Vs Bucks - Jennings Slam Dunk - (27-12-2011) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ralaw]

Come on Ricky Rubio.....I'm a believer!!

 

[EmpireWF]

Game #3
Loss vs. Heat, 103-101

30 Minutes
4-7 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-3 FT
12 Pts
6 Reb
12 Ast
1 Stl

1 Foul
5 TOs


DOUBLE-DOUBLE #1

 

[BrntO4Life]

Game Two was rough. All I care about is his AST:TO ratio and 4:3 won't cut it.

12:5 is better, but it's still way too many TOs.