Minnesota Timberwolves: Rubio Is the Real Deal, Plenty to Look Forward to

RUUUUUUUUUUUBIO.

And now that we have that out of the way.

The harsh Minnesota winter is about to be slightly less miserable for Timberwolves fans this year. While living in Minnesota may seem like a circle of hell out of Dante's Inferno, fans can receive some comfort from the fact that they can tune into their friends Ricky, Kevin, and Michael 66 nights this season. Now all they have to worry about is keeping Ricky Rubio past his rookie deal. No amount of lockout negotiations can make "The Star of the North" state a more desirable place to live. Somebody make sure he checks out the Mall of America. Get him some bug spray and a parka too. There is a reason why they speak of Barcelona Nights and not Minneapolis Nights. Trust me.

So, he is here. The wait is over. Ricky Rubio: balling professionally since the age of 14, incredible court vision, clever with the ball, never gives up on a pass, sees angles most do not. Expectations could not be higher. That is what happens when you play hard to get. Now it's time for him to turn water into wine and feed the multitude with only a couple fish and a few loaves of bread. I have to say that even after a few games played this season, I am in. Rubio is for real. You can feel the excitement whenever he is on the floor. It's electric. His handle of the ball and the way he finds his man is beautiful. Don't get it twisted, there will be those nights where he gets lit up and eaten alive – probably quite a few of them, this is the NBA. But from what little I have seen, I am in on the Rubio train.

This team isn't just the Minnesota Rubios either. David Kahn has amassed himself a nice foundation of players over the past few years – half a decade in the lottery will do that for a team. You have a new and improved, self proclaimed basketball fiend in Kevin Love. Then you have Michael Beasley, the crazy but loveable scoring threat, and Darko Milicic, who will defile your mother, and your daughter, if you have one. Anthony Tolliver, given the opportunity, will stroke it from outside. A serviceable point guard in Luke Ridnour will keep things from unbuttoning too wildly. There's the confusing acquisition in J.J. Barea, but I guess if you like a guy, you like a guy. And then there's the rookie lottery pick out of Arizona, Derrick Williams. Rest assured, this team has plenty of upside and potential, but when the dust settles, this group will be nowhere near the playoffs. What you see is a very raw, untested team, in the genesis of something very interesting. Immaturity, inexperience, and defensive shortcomings will get the best of this team, but they will make for some exciting basketball in the process. Rick Adelman has his hands full, but there is nobody better for this run and gun squad.

So here's what you can take away from this: The Minnesota Timberwolves are a young, exciting, and talented team. Do not expect wins, but do expect some really fun basketball. The hype behind Rubio appears to be real upon first glance. Kevin Love will continue to be a guy that maximizes his potential. And Michael Beasley will continue to make poor decisions. In all, the Minnesota Timberwolves are definitely a team to keep an eye on for the rest of this season.

Come on Minnesota. You know it's all love.

Starting Five:

C: Darko Milicic; PF: Kevin Love; SF: Michael Beasley; SG: Wes Johnson; PG: Luke Ridnour

Bench:

PG: Ricky Rubio; SG: J.J. Barea; SF: Anthony Tolliver; PF: Derrick Williams; C: Brad Miller