Ricky Rubio expressed willingness to take rookie Kris Dunn, the player projected to take his spot in the starting lineup eventually on the Minnesota Timberwolves, under his wing next season.
Kris Dunn was selected fifth overall in this year's draft. Getting a young guard automatically triggered trade rumors for Rubio. But the Spaniard, who is fresh from getting an Olympic bronze medal, remains unfazed amid speculations his days in Timberwolves are already numbered.
He knows the rookie will need all the help he can get coming in for his first season. From Jon Krawczynski for Associated Press:
“Really it’s a challenge. When a young guy like him who has a lot of potential comes, I think we can really play together,” Rubio told The Associated Press. “But if we don’t (share the floor often), I can really help him.”
Rubio also said he is pleased with what new head coach Tom Thibodeau has been doing and believes the coaching staff will turn things around for a franchise that infamously holds the longest active playoff drought in the NBA at 12 seasons.
Rubio has dealt with a difficult summer, grieving his mother's demise and focusing on the Spain national team in Rio Olympics. He said he does not pay attention to rumors around him and instead wants nothing but to win. He envisions the Timberwolves adapting the selfless system that they run in Spain:
“All we do (with Spain) when we click is put all the egos apart and really click as a team,” Rubio said. “The guy who really knows how to (play) defense, put him in on defense. The guy who is exceptional on offense, give him credit and give him the ball. Put everything apart and the team first.”
It's impressive to hear these things from Rubio. After all, there is no guarantee that a spot is still there for him when he returns to training with Minnesota. Now that the Olympics are over, Rubio and Thibodeau, who is also an assistant coach for USA Basketball, need to sit down and talk about the future and whether the Spaniard is still part of plans moving forward.
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