Ricky Rubio: 5 Signs the Minnesota Timberwolves PG Can Be an NBA Superstar

The Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio has been one of the most talked about players in the NBA this season.

I personally have said from the start that he doesn't need to be Chris Paul in order to validate his draft selection.

His duty is to pass the ball, not score, and so far he has exceeded those expectations by drilling a jumper every once in a while.

Here are five early signs that the 6'4'' Spaniard can exceed everyone's expectations and become a superstar in the association.

Follow @JosephFafinski

Vision

Ricky's vision is his most obvious superstar-esque characteristic.

You just have to watch SportsCenter's "Top 10 Plays" to validate this characteristic.

His vision is unparalleled for a rookie, and with a young nucleus in Minnesota, expect this trait to only get stronger.

He's averaging seven assists per game in limited minutes. Imagine how scary his numbers would be if the team gave him 30-plus minutes per contest. That's Hannibal Lecter stuff right there!

Basketball IQ

Have you ever seen anyone with as little NBA experience garner as much attention to a Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team? Kevin Love didn't have this attention his rookie season. Heck, neither did Kevin Garnett!

Rubio's decision-making is comparable to, dare I say, Derrick Rose!

His feel and comfort for the pace of the NBA game is impressive thanks to the cerebral way he plays.

Hustle

Have you seen a Timberwolf that goes all out to grab every loose ball, rebound and potential steal? Anthony Tolliver, J.J. Barea and Kevin Love are the only ones who even come close to the way Rubio hustles on a nightly basis.

That's part of the reason why Rubio is so popular with Timberwolves fans.

His tough play on both sides of the ball must inspire his teammates to bring their A-games too.

Rick Adelman must be thrilled with the metamorphosis this team is showing this year, and he can thank Rubio for his hustle and determination to bring the Wolves back to relevancy.

Leadership

At age 21 and nine games on his NBA odometer, I believe it's safe to say that Ricky Rubio can lead a basketball team.

As he and his teammates play together more, his leadership is sure to only get stronger.

Like Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder will prove over the next few years, leadership at an early part of an NBA career can lead to ultimate success.

He Can Score

Believe it or not, Rubio's ability to score was a serious concern coming into this season. Aside from possessing the third-highest PER on the team (below Love and Barea), Ricky has shown poise when it comes to his shot.

He's put up 16 three-point attempts this season, and he's drilled exactly half of them. That's pretty solid considering everyone thought he'd be a Rondo-like shooter.

Did I also mention that he's averaging nearly 10 points a game and making just under half his shots?

Give him some time and he could develop into an All-Star.

Follow @JosephFafinski