Wounded Wolf

Living Up to the Hype

Rubio's arrival to Minnesota could mean
great things in the future.

It's been a long road to the NBA, but Ricky Rubio has finally made, and is making his presence felt in his first season.

It's been more than six years since Rubio became the youngest player to play in the Spanish ACB League at 14, impressing many. And another two and half since he was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Playing for DKV Joventut, Rubio refused to sign with Minnesota after Joventu agreed to buy out his contract. It wouldn't be long after until they would trade his rights to FC Barcelona, where Rubio would agree to a contract extension.

A year and a half into that six-year contract, Rubio agreed to join the Timberwolves for the 2011-12 season.

His debut was put on hold due to the the NBA's 161-day lockout, but nonetheless the 21-year-old Spaniard is here, and here to stay.

In his first NBA season, Rubio has become one of the best playmaking point guards in the league. His 8.9 assists per game rank fourth among qualifying players and leads all rookies. He also leads all rookies in steals per game. In just 21 games, Rubio's 47 steals average out to 2.24 steals a game. That is third in the league behind only Chris Paul (2.46) and Mike Conley (2.39).

Rubio's 11.4 PPG is fifth among active rookies, but his shooting percentage has been nothing to ride home about. Rubio is shooting just 38 percent from the field, drawing comparisons to Boston's Rajon Rondo.

However, Rondo has never averaged under 41 percent, that coming in his rookie season.

On the other hand, New Jersey Nets' point guard and free agent-to-be, Deron Williams, is having the worst shooting season of his career. Williams, who is a career 45 percent shooter, is averaging 19.6 PPG this season, but is making just 39 percent of his baskets.

Being a point guard, much like Williams, Rubio constantly possesses the ball, making the possibility of turnovers a lot more likely, something he has done a lot in his brief rookie campaign.

Rubio's 3.2 turnovers a game for a first-year player is second-worst only to Cleveland's Kyrie Irving's 3.3 However, Irving is currently leading all rookies his scoring, averaging 17.9 PPG.

That being said, Rubio has still been one of the game's most productive point guards thus far, helping All-Star teammate Kevin Love flourish in the beginning of his fourth NBA season. Love leads the league with 19 double-doubles and a career-high 25.5, being the anchor of a last place, but emerging Timberwolves team.

Rubio also find himself among the league leaders in double-doubles. He is currently tied with five other players, including Williams and LeBron James, for 11th with nine double-doubles.

Soon enough, Rubio and Co. will have the Timberwolves roaring back to the postseason.

I'm Lovin' It

Manu Down

There is no question Ginobili has fought the
injury bug most of his career.

The San Antonio Spurs road to repeating as the top seed in the Western Conference just got a whole lot harder. In the team's 106-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night, guard Manu Ginobili broke his shooting hand and will be out indefinitely.

Ginobili, a southpaw, injured his hand late in the second quarter after fouling Minnesota center Anthony Tolliver on a shot attempt.

After being taken back for X-rays, it was revealed to the Argentinian native that he'd in fact broke the fifth metacarpal, right below his pinkie.

Prior to the injury, Ginobili had been 3-for-6 from the field, scoring 8 points in 12 minutes on the floor. Averaging 19.8 point per game thus far, the two-time All-Star has started all four games for San Antonio this season, after spending most of his career better served off the bench for three championship teams.

Ginobili captured the Sixth Man of the Year Award back in 2008 after setting career-highs in point per game (19.5), field goal percentage (.401) and minutes (31).

Despite Ginobili being hampered by injury much of his career, the now-34-year-old veteran set career-highs in games played (80) and games started (79) a year ago, helping the Spurs to the best record in the Western Conference (61-21) and an impressive 36-5 home record.

With Ginobili averaging just 66 games a year the last three seasons and no time table for his return, a mix of young players and talented veterans will need to continue the tradition thats has been laid.