Timber-Wolf: Rubio Wins EuroleagueTitle, What Does That Mean for Wolves?

Ricky Rubio, the fifth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spanish sensation that resembles that of a young "Pistol Pete" Maravich—if you don't believe me—if you have 10 minutes...

While more than likely, Rubio would have been the starting point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he elected to stay overseas, a decision that will allow him to get stronger, more experience, and play on the best European team in the Euroleague.

Boy, did it pay off.

Not only did he start for them, he led them to their second Euroleague title, and proved himself to be a winner while handling the pressure of being the starting point on the best team in the Euroleague.

He's had to balance egos, play without the ball, and play under the pressure knowing that Barca has invested a lot of money in him, and that they expect him to be worth every dime. I'm pretty sure that Barca didn't expect him to cash in this quickly.

"To be in the Final Four of the Euroleague, this is where I want to be," said the recipient of the league's Rising Star Award, given annually to the best young player. "I've worked hard to make it to this goal. And this shows me that I chose the best option. I am so happy on this team. These players help me improve every day and so do the assistant coaches and other staff."

"And this shows me that I chose the best option."

This says to me that Rubio did, in fact, think of joining the Wolves this past season. Rubio stated that he wanted to win the Euroleague title, and a few Wolves fans thought, "What if he wins it in his first year?"

What does that do for the Wolves if anything?

I'll tell you what, from a scale of one to 10—one being nothing, two being a little, five being something, and 10 being everything—only two, five, and 10 actually matter.

On one hand, it could have Rubio say, "I've won the title, I think I'm ready now, but one more year will help." It could have him say, "Maybe I should go to the NBA this upcoming season since I've accomplished my dream." Or it could say, "I will go to the NBA because I won the title now."

At the very least it says, "Ricky, you've won the title," there should be no excuse for you not to join the Wolves when your contract is up.

Right?

It gives the Wolves a little bit of optimism. Are there any chances he joins the Wolves this upcoming offseason?

I think it depends on the draft, I feel if the Wolves add Evan Turner, another game-changer like Granger, and another big, then the Wolves increase their chance of doing that.

It would have to take a buzz around Minnesota for Ricky to want to come early, otherwise he'd rather win another Euroleague title.

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