Ricky Rubio: Small Town Preference Gives Minnesota Fans Reason for Hope

That loud exhale you're hearing is coming from the state of Minnesota's basketball fans, who are hearing that emerging star Ricky Rubio enjoys the environment there. 

In an interview with J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today, Rubio said that the environment in Minnesota is close to perfect for him. 

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I prefer a small town where everybody knows everybody. I like Minneapolis because it's not a small city or a (big) city. I call it a big town because it's not like (Los Angeles) or New York. I prefer this style a lot.

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He didn't stop there, taking a soft jab at Los Angeles.

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They don't attack you (in Minneapolis) like they do in L.A., for example, with Pau Gasol. It's easier starting here...You don't feel the pressure, but you know that you have to win here, too, and give 100%.

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This is what small market teams need to do to be competitive over the long term. They need to find stars that enjoy the small market environment (Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant), and build around those guys. So, when you get a player outwardly stating that he prefers the small town way of life, it gives you something to build on. 

Rubio is a player to build around. Yes, they're 5-8, but take a look at the records of this team since losing Kevin Garnett after the 2006-2007 season. 

2007-2008	22-60
2008-2009	24-58
2009-2010	15-67
2010-2011	17-65

Even in Garnett's last two seasons, they were 33-49 and 32-50. All of a sudden 5-8 doesn't look that bad. Rubio is not a small part of that. 

In 13 games, he's averaging just less than 11 points a night, complimenting it with better than eight assists a game. Remember that he's still only 21 years old and in his first NBA season. There is plenty to build on in Minnesota, especially if they can lock up Kevin Love.

That would give the Timberwolves a young presence both at the point and in the paint for a long time. That's a solid building block for anyone, and gives the Timberwolves a good shot at winning. Small market or not, other players will want to go play with those two in the future.

Rubio liking Minnesota means that the franchise has a foundation player at an important position that's not looking to bolt or get traded. It may not show this year, but that's a good start to building a long term winner.

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