The Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid that is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The most frequent speculation is that the creature represents a line of long-surviving plesiosaurs. It is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies from one account to the next.
While the Loch Ness won't be coming to a Minnesota lake near you, it's safe to say that the distant cousin of the Loch Ness, the Ricky Rubio Monster will be coming to Minnesota instead.
After two long years of negotiating and fear that Rubio might refuse to play in Minnesota, he agreed to a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves that will pay him around 3 million dollars next season (and I'm assuming grows for a 3-4 year contract).
Rubio will also have to pay his Spanish league club a buyout of about 1.5 million dollars. The Wolves will pitch in 500,000 dollars, while endorsements and Rubio's new salary should take care of the balance of the buyout.
Enough business talk though. Can the kid play in the NBA?
From what we know of Rubio, it's that he's an amazing passer. Fans saw that a little bit in the 2008 Olympics in Bejing when Rubio executed plenty of highlight reel passes that made people say "woah".
The Timberwolves, looking for a franchise player in the 2009 NBA Draft selected Rubio with the 5th pick in the draft even though there were concerns that Rubio would never play for the team. It's been hinted that's still the case, but it's also known that Rubio's only way into the NBA would be to go through the Wolves, hence him signing the contract.
Another concern about Rubio has been his Euroleague statistics. Rubio hasn't exactly been filling up the stat sheet in Barcelona, as he spent half the season on the bench because of a foot injury, and then the other half on the bench...well, nobody is sure why.
So it begs the question again. Can he play in the NBA?
Recent history might be in the Wolves favor. In the same draft, the Milwaukee Bucks took Brandon Jennings, who instead of going to Arizona decided to play in Rubio's Euroleague. Jennings' stats weren't eye-popping and he dipped in the draft because of it. He turned out alright, as Jennings averaged 15.5 points per game and is considered to be one of the best up-and-coming point guards in the league.
But there's still concerns about Rubio's game. Rubio has not gotten bigger in terms of his wiry frame and he still hasn't put up numbers as a scorer, but some say that Rubio is simply too unselfish to ever be a prime-time scorer ala Jennings.
This may be exactly what the Wolves need. While many are hoping that Rubio can be the savior, it may be more beneficial for the Wolves to have a guy who can simply get Michael Beasley and Kevin Love the basketball.
Kahn's other pick in the 2009 draft, Jonny Flynn has not worked out (some say it's because of coach Kurt Rambis' complex schemes, which Rubio might not have to deal with) and Luke Ridinour thinks he has the world's best jumpshot (not so much). If anything, the Wolves need a guy who will be unselfish to let two of the most selfish guys in the NBA take their scoring ability to a whole new level.
When you think of it, Rubio might not be like Brandon Jennings, but he might be someone like a John Stockton, who could make a shot if he needed to, but primarily used a pick-and-roll combination with Karl Malone that everyone knew was coming, but could not stop.
Either way, Rubio brings excitement and anticipation to a franchise that desperately needs it. Now, can Rubio bring some wins along with it?
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