Ricky Rubio: Timberwolves Rookie Making the Haters Look Like Fools Early in 2012

Minnesota Timberwolves' rookie Ricky Rubio is quieting critics and making fools of the haters thus far in the shortened 2011-12 NBA season.

Rubio led the Wolves to their third win of the season on Sunday afternoon over the Washington Wizards in DC. The 21-point win was highlighted by a 13-point, 14-assist effort churned out by Rubio; his third career double-double.

The Spanish roundball sensation has been blowing early-season projections out of the water thus far, averaging 9.4 PPG and 6.7 APG in just over 27 minutes per night in seven games.

Rubio's most questioned skill set is also becoming an afterthought, his shooting. The rookie is shooting better than 52 percent from the field this season, and 50 percent from beyond the arc for his short NBA career.

His eye-popping passes have also drawn early comparisons to names like Pistol Pete and Magic Johnson.

Rubio's premature crowning as the next best thing was highly questioned by American basketball fans when he was drafted back in 2009 by the Wolves, and his toughness and competitiveness became an issue when he decided to season his game in Europe for a few more years before joining Minnesota this past offseason.

Although Rubio hasn't achieved anything significant during his short time in the league, he's already managed to flip the opinions of NBA fans who had painted a stereotypical picture of the modern day European baller.

Rubio has looked anything but soft and in over his head this season, but instead the leader of a young and coming pro squad in Minnesota.

Plays like these from Rubio will make fans happy even if the Wolves are not winning every night. And the NBA is about excitement first and foremost.

After just seven quick games of watching Rubio do what he's done since he was an adolescent boy in Spain, we have learned that the dazzling pass-first point guard is primed for the main stage and will occupy it for a long time.