Ricky Rubio Needs to Start for the Minnesota Timberwolves

This is not breaking news. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a better team when Ricky Rbuio is in the lineup. Exactly how much better, and where they are better, might be a bit of a shock, though. 

Based on data from NBA.com's Stats Cube, the 'Wolves are a whole lot better on both sides of the court. 

While Rubio is on the court, Minnesota scores 104.0 points per 100 possessions. While he's on the bench, they score 92.7 points. That's a difference of 11.3 points. That they are a better offense with him on the floor is not surprising. That they are that much better might be, though.

While Rubio is on the bench, the defense is a whole lot worse, too. In fact, the impact on the defensive end is even greater than on the offensive end. They yield 9.5 more points per game, 102.2 while he's on the bench compared to the 92.7 while he's on the court. That he has that big of an impact on defense is surprising. 

Combined, that's a 20.8 net rating change while Rubio is on the court. In Tarzan words, Rubio on court, Timberwolves good. Rubio on bench, Timberwovles bad. 

While Rubio is on the court, the 'Wolves turn the ball over less, 13.75 to 15.93, and they have a better, more effective field-goal percentage, 51.2 percent compared to 46.9 percent.

And if all of that isn't enough for you, here's the kicker. Kevin Love is better playing with Rubio than with any other player. Rubio and Love together are a plus-32, the best partner that Love has. 

All of this begs the question: Why isn't Ricky Rubio starting? If the goal of a starting lineup is to put your best five-man unit, your best five players or the unit which gives your team the best chance to win on the court to start a game, Rubio should be starting. 

The irony is that even the player who is starting over him, Luke Ridnour, is at his best when Rubio is on the court. It's time to let the kid start! 

And if all of that isn't enough, here's a selfish reason. If they start Rubio, I don't have to endure watching the offense sputter for 20 minutes before they finally put in Rubio and get things going!