Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio Needs to Be Full-Time Starter

There might be a bandwagon in Denver right now, but a new bandwagon needs to be started up in Minnesota for Ricky Rubio.

The Timberwolves may be just 3-7 at this point, but when Rubio is on the floor the Timberwolves can run the floor with anyone. They proved so last night when they nearly took down the Chicago Bulls.

Rubio started on the bench last night against the Bulls, and it looked in the early going that the Bulls were going to completely embarrass the Timberwolves on their home floor. That was until Rubio came into the game and made the team much more dynamic.

As an undersized rookie that is playing with a load of confidence, Rubio is averaging a shade under eight assists per game and is making the Timberwolves a fun team to watch.

Even though Rubio is averaging a solid amount of minutes at this early point in the season, the problem is the Timberwolves are getting off to slow starts without him starting the game. Last night was just one painful example.

In six of Minnesota's seven losses this season they've been outscored in the first quarter.

It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Timberwolves to consider starting either Rubio and Luke Ridnour together, or even starting with Rubio in place of Ridnour at the point guard position.

This is no knock on Ridnour and how solid he's played to start the season, but Rubio is clearly making this offense a lot more efficient when he's on the floor.

Rubio isn't just making the offense run more smoothly, but he's also helping the defense right now to the tune of 12 fewer points allowed when he's on the floor. He did an exceptional job against Derrick Rose last night, even though Rose made some ridiculous shots to notch his season-high in points.

The only negative thing you can find about Rubio at this point is that his jumpshot clearly still needs a little work, but that's to be expected with most NBA rookies. That jumpshot will continue to improve.

Finally, the Timberwolves really have nothing to lose at this point, so why not throw all the chips on the table and see what happens? Rubio is an exciting player who helps give the young Timberwolves a chance against even the best teams.

All this young team is really missing at this point is a dynamic point guard. They've got the coach, they've got the inside presence and they've got a couple athletic forwards.

Who knows what can happen if you give this young man a chance to change the culture in Minnesota?