Ranking the Minnesota Timberwolves a Healthy Ricky Rubio Can't Wait to Pass to
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now an even .500 for the season, and fans eagerly await the day when the full roster will be listed as healthy. All-Star forward Kevin Love returned to action Nov. 21, but point guard Ricky Rubio looks to be out until January.
Rubio averaged 10 points and 8.2 assists per game in the 2011-12 season, and he's sure to deliver numbers just as strong when his knee is back to strength. When Rubio returns, who will be his top targets on the court?
Let's take a look at the Timberwolves' power rankings in the order of how well they'll play off Rubio.
No 12: Lou Amundson
1 of 12Position: Power Forward
Current 2012-13 Stats: .8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, .7 BPG
New addition Lou Amundson will be the least of Rubio's targets, primarily because he earns the least number of minutes.
Amundson isn't what you'd call a memorable player. Minnesota brought him in as a third-string PF, and Adelman utilizes him as a relief guy. The big man works well to come in for a few minutes and bang around beneath the basket, but he rarely even shoots the ball.
He's not an offensive tool, and Rubio won't be feeding him much of the ball.
No. 11: Greg Stiemsma
2 of 12Position: Center
Current 2012-13 Stats: 4.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Third-year center Greg Stiemsma has been a good pickup for the Wolves, but he's utilized primarily as a defensive weapon. Stiemsma plays hard beneath the basket and uses his length and flexibility to grab steals and blocks.
He's not the guy you call on when you need points, though, and he won't work well off Rubio when he returns.
No. 10: Derrick Williams
3 of 12Position: Power Forward
Current 2012-13 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, .7 BPG
Derrick Williams may have been a No. 2 pick, but his second year with the Timberwolves isn't looking much better than 2011. The young forward has a ways to go in this league, and he doesn't exhibit the type of ball handling skills that will be an asset with Rubio returns.
Rubio loves to dish out quick, no-look passes, and Williams won't prove to be his first-choice target.
No. 9: Dante Cunningham
4 of 12Position: Dante Cunningham
Current 2012-13 Stats: 9.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, .7 BPG
Fourth-year forward Dante Cunningham is an excellent addition to Minnesota's bench. He's quick on his feet and proves one of the scrappiest players on the roster. Cunningham will constantly be the man fighting for a jump ball, chasing a play out of bounds and giving 100 percent until the buzzer sounds.
Cunningham may develop into a more prominent scorer after a few months playing with Rubio, but at this point he and the injured point guard have yet to even practice together.
It will be a while before the offense runs naturally between the two.
No. 8: Andrei Kirilenko
5 of 12Position: Small Forward
Current 2012-13 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.1 APG, 8.3 RPG
Andrei Kirilenko has been the best thing to happen to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Kevin Love's and Rubio's absence.
AK47 is an aggressive veteran able to play on both ends of the floor. While he is a guy who can add points to the board, his biggest tool is a defensive prowess Minnesota hasn't seen in a few years.
He scores primarily on tip-ins and put-backs. Kirilenko's point totals will hopefully increase when Rubio's added to the mix, but it will take awhile for the two to get used to playing together.
No. 7: Luke Ridnour
6 of 12Position: Point Guard
Luke Ridnour comes in lower on this list for one main reason: he won't be playing alongside Rubio very often. Adelman has used Ridnour as the primary point guard in Rubio's absence, and the veteran is doing a solid job of running the offense and playing smart basketball.
When Minnesota's prized player makes his comeback later this winter, the Wolves will be well set with two talented point guards. Because Ridnour and Rubio are each reliable at the No. 1 spot, I don't anticipate them sharing the floor often.
No. 6: Josh Howard
7 of 12Position: Small Forward
Current 2012-13 Stats: 6.0 PPG, 0.0 APG, 2.0 RPG
Veteran forward Josh Howard lands in the middle of the power rankings. He holds a ton of potential, and he's already been a position addition since joining the Timberwolves only one week ago.
Minnesota brought the free agent in when it became clear that Chase Budinger will be sidelined almost the entire season with a knee injury. Howard has added a level of energy to the floor, and I anticipate he and Rubio playing well together.
No. 5: JJ Barea
8 of 12Position: Shooting Guard
Current 2012-13 Stats: 10.4 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.1 RPG
Though small in stature, JJ Barea is an explosive force off the bench, and he's been a great help in Rubio's absence. The two play with a similar energy and quickness that plagues defenses, but they play stronger opposite each other in rotation then they do beside one another.
When Rubio returns, I expect Adelman Barea's numbers to decrease a bit as Adelman uses him as more of a relief player. When he switches up the lineup and plays the two guards together, though, it will generate a faster-paced game to combat bigger defenses.
No. 4: Malcolm Lee
9 of 12Position: Shooting Guard
Current 2012-13 Stats: 3.9 PPG, 1.3 APG, 1.9 RPG
He might not have a ton of league experience, but Malcolm Lee shows potential and has already earned the trust of the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching staff.
His shooting percentage can use some work, but his strongest contribution to the game is his quick maneuvers and ability to read the floor.
There's no doubt about it—Rubio and Lee will create some highlight-reel plays together.
No. 3: Alexey Shved
10 of 12Position: Shooting Guard
Current 2012-13 Stats: 10.4 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.1 RPG
Alexey Shved has certainly impressed since joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. The young guard sported a new haircut upon coming to the States, and he's transitioning just as well into the NBA. Shved proves to be an asset both offensively and defensively, and he's extremely quick on his feet.
Similar to Rubio, Shved is accustomed to playing ball overseas, and the two display a similar offensive style. Although they have yet to play together in a game, fans can expect a strong connection between the two guards when Rubio's healthy.
No. 2: Nikola Pekovic
11 of 12Position: Center
Current 2012-13 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG
Nikola Pekovic may be a big man, but the guy can certainly score. He played well with Rubio during the 2011-12 season, and the point guard's return will help to increase Pek's scoring totals.
Rubio dishes the ball inside a bit more smoothly than Ridnour, and the center is able to effectively read Rubio's passes. When the Spaniard returns to the floor, the big picture will start to come back together.
No. 1: Kevin Love
12 of 12Position: Power Forward
Current 2012-13 Stats (one game): 34 PPG, 14 RPG, 2.0 APG
All-Star forward Kevin Love made his 2012-13 debut in front of an ecstatic Target Center crowd on Nov. 21. Previously sidelined with a broken hand, Love is listed on ESPN as day-to-day. Love delivered a strong performance despite wearing a soft cast around his hand and thumb.
As a duo, Love and Rubio are the engine that drives this team. The talented pair played excellently together during the 2011-12 season, and the same will happen this year when Rubio returns to action.
Rubio's no-look passes and quick plays make Love even better, and the Wolves won't be at full strength until both are on the floor together.
