Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio Represents What A Point Guard Is

Ricky Rubio doesn’t have the most fashionable game, but his traditional play style is why he’s underrated, and why he represents what a true point guard is.

Ricky Rubio may still lack a three-point shot, he may not have the explosiveness of Russell Westbrook and, yes, his Minnesota Timberwolves are having a dreadful season. Even though the way Rubio plays may not be fashionable, it represents what a true point guard is. Not to mention, he’s making improvements to his game this year that should not go unnoticed.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

After missing a large portion of this season due to a severely sprained ankle, Rubio has finally made his comeback. The Timberwolves may have acquired an athletic rookie sensation in the form of Andrew Wiggins, and most recently brought back the old wily warrior that is Kevin Garnett, but they still aren’t going to be collecting much silverware for a while (other than Zach LaVine dunk trophies at least).

Regardless of having the third worst win percentage in the league (21.7 percent with a 13-47 record), the Timberwolves at least have some promising young talent that fans can pin their hopes and dreams on. Leading the way (other than Wiggins and LaVine who are too busy dunking) is the Spaniard whose name doesn’t even end with Gasol; Ricky Rubio.

Rubio has always been renowned for his court vision, ability to intercept passing lanes and his flashy, quick-trigger passes. Even though we’ve only had a relatively small sample of Rubio this year, he’s shown a new dynamic to his game that may begin to put him in the back of people’s minds when they ramble on endlessly about the NBA’s plethora of elite point guards.

Rubio isn’t without flaw, as he still lacks a consistent three-point shot and efficiency when attacking the basket (he’s only shooting 30 percent within three feet this year). But if we could remind ourselves of a simpler time, when not all point guards were 6’4″ guys who could dunk like small forwards or shoot lights-out from behind the arc, then Rubio would pretty much be as good as they come.

Just look at Maurice Cheeks or Dennis Johnson, for example. Both lacked a long distance jump shot (with career three-point percentages of 25.5 and 17.2, respectively) but excelled defensively. Johnson was the higher volume scoring (with three seasons averaging 18+ points per game) and Cheeks was a better passer (averaging 7.6 assists per 36 minutes for his career). Their defensive talents made them so important to their teams, though.

By today’s standards, this style of how to run the point is close to extinct. Although, during the the 1980’s when defense was held in far higher regard than it is today, Cheeks and Johnson were both multiple time All-Stars.

What makes Rubio special is that he has these old fashioned roots to his game. But with his 6’4″ frame, quickness, far greater flare and awareness as a passer, a steadily improving mid-range game and startling triple-double threat, his talent has gone unnoticed and unappreciated.

Especially because he’s stuck in Minnesota.

Team success aside, the reason why Rubio is so underrated hinges primarily because his play style simply isn’t fashionable anymore. He just doesn’t conform to the NBA’s new-era image of what a ‘point guard’ should be.

But is that really so much of a problem?

Feb 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) passes in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

What can help Rubio’s case among the league’s golden age of guards is that he’s gradually improving jump shot. He is still only shooting 27.5 percent from three-point range, but after a 17-game stretch this year he’s really upped his game from within the arc.

Now taking 47.2 percent of his total field goal attempts from at least 16 feet out, Rubio has been making his long range two’s at a 42.2 percent rate. He’s not only taking twice as many shots from this range as he was a year ago, he’s also improved his shooting efficiency from said range by 12 percent.

(2013-14) 15-19 ft Jump Shot Chart

(2014-15) 15-19 ft Jump Shot Chart

Rubio doesn’t need to be like Stephen Curry to succeed with his jump shot though, because defenders have grown far too used to giving him a foot of space and tempting him to shoot instead of driving and dishing to a teammate.

Now though, that strategy might need to start changing.

Rubio’s passing has always been the most dynamic aspect of his game, and even though he’s never had any major talent or star power around him through his four year career (other than Kevin Love), he has still tallied at least 8.6 assists per 36 minutes every season. In fact, make that at least 9.6 assists over the last two.

Feb 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) passes the ball around Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) in the third quarter at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

In seven of his 17 games this season, Rubio has recorded at least 10 assists, including his current streak of four straight double-doubles. Whether it’s an effortless full court pass to create a fast break, or swinging a one handed, no-look pass from the hip, Rubio makes setting up his teammates look easy.

After returning from injury, his rebounding has even been at a career high level, averaging 6.7 boards per 36 minutes to help emphasize his constant triple-double potential. Not surprisingly, he was able to record his first of the season against the Los Angeles Clippers just a few days ago, with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Possibly the best element of Rubio’s game though, is how he embodies traditional, defensive-minded basketball.

His length, speed and instincts allow him to excel at locking down the perimeter, which is why he’s had the highest steal percentage in the NBA for the last two years (most notably averaging 2.9 steals per 36 minutes during the 2012-13 season).

What reveals Rubio’s most significant impact for the Timberwolves though, is their major drop-off whenever he takes a seat on the bench. The T-Wolves offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) falls by four points when Rubio is off the floor. In order to operate anywhere near their best, they need his play making ability to create scoring opportunities. Because when he’s off the floor, there is no one else who can consistently create offense (whether that’s by scoring themselves or setting up teammates).

Nov 5, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) dives over Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) for a loose ball in front of guard Joe Johnson (7) during the third quarter at the Barclays Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nets 98-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Yet again, it is Rubio’s defensive prowess that helps him resemble the great point guards of the ’80’s and ’90’s. When he’s off the floor, the offensive rating of Minnesota’s opponents rises by a ridiculous 10.2 points (102.4 to 112.6).

That kind of difference, for a player who is virtually never considered in the conversation of the NBA’s best point guards, speaks volumes about just how underrated Ricky Rubio is.

His defensive rebounding inside and lock-down standard on the perimeter is essential for any success his team hope to have. And to make a comparison to the league’s best defensive point guard, Chris Paul, their impact as defenders (in this category) isn’t even close right now. Whilst opponents score 10.2 more points per 100 possessions whenever Rubio is off the floor, opponents of the Clippers actually score more points when Paul is on the floor (1.4 more, to be exact).

This isn’t to say that Paul isn’t an elite defender, but it does illustrate just how much Rubio can alter a game with his defense, as well as showing how important he is to the Timberwolves.

Regardless of the fairly small sampling we’ve seen of Rubio so far this year, his improved accuracy from mid range, and the ability he’s shown to actually be able to pull-up from time to time is key. It helps him add more diversity to Minnesota’s offense, as he can take the ball inside to draw opponents and open up teammates before sending out a pass, or he can look to surprise defenders by making a few shots from 16 feet.

But trying to become a scorer to blend into the NBA’s latest fashion (explosive scoring point guards) is not what Rubio is about.

He passes first and brings more to a defense than most point guards in the league can hope to; by restricting shots on the perimeter, rebounding, and constantly diving into passing lanes to set up fast break opportunities.

Maybe it’s time the basketball world stopped putting so much emphasis on flashy crossovers, deep threes, posterizing dunks or any play that can fit into a Vine. Rubio may not be an amazing shooter, but he excels as a passing maestro and defender; as an actual point guard.

The new era of point guards isn’t necessarily a bad thing (just look at all the talent we have to watch), and witnessing the game evolve is merely a part of sport. But what with the amount of two-guards parading as point guards, the term itself is nearly extinct.

When the Timberwolves’ young talent develops, from Wiggins to LaVine to Gorgui Dieng, Rubio being on a team that can at least challenge top teams should elevate his status compared to the NBA’s top guards.

His traditional style of play though, is the main reason why he is still so underrated. And why Rubio represents what a point guard really is.

Next: The myth of the Toronto Raptors

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves