Ricky Rubio has been struggling of late, with his shooting percentages going off the rails and his production dipping. Rubio shot 33 percent in February and is at 22 percent through three March games. He averaged 12 points and nine assists per game in January, and just 10 and 7.7 in February.
Everything We Thought About Ricky Rubio Was Apparently Accurate
The Minnesota Timberwolves think the slippage can be attributed to overly physical play from opponents. Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the team has sent footage to the league showing bumps that should be called fouls but haven't been, bumps that are keeping Rubio from playing his game.
For what it's worth, one of the biggest knocks on Rubio in the run-up to the 2009 NBA Draft (in addition to his contract situation and shooting stroke) was his frame and potential inability to excel in the physical NBA. The Sacramento Kings certainly cited Rubio's lack of strength as a major concern as to how effective he'd be in the NBA.
It’s pretty interesting: just about every single strength and weakness of Rubio’s game and situation discussed at length in 2009 has played out. The contract worries were legit. The amazing court vision is legit. The defensive potential, especially in the passing lanes, is legit. The bad shooting stroke is real. The trouble with physical play is real. The boy idol hair is real. It’s all coming true.
Now when is that unicorn horn going to poke through?
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