Has Ricky Rubio been treated unfairly by the NBA and its officials? The Timberwolves believe he has. Rubio is having an extremely efficient season by rookie standards, averaging 10.6 points and 8.3 assists per game. But if you ask Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman, the point guard would be having a better year if opponents weren’t allowed to be so physical with him.
“All our young guys are learning that, Ricky especially,” Adelman said when asked about opposing defenses shutting down the Wolves offense, according to the Star Tribune. “They’re putting bigger guys on him. …They’re beating the hell out of him right now. The league has figured out you have to be physical with him. And he’s kind of learning on the fly.’’
Minnesota president of basketball operations David Kahn said the team has sent tape to the league in an attempt to call attention to what they believe is overly physical play against their rookie. If Rubio has been bothered by it, he is not tipping his hand.
“I mean, it’s close to end of the season, everybody wants to get a spot in the playoff and everybody start to play more physically,” Rubio said. “You know, it is what it is. We just have to play at the same level or even harder.”
As for whether or not the game is more aggressive in America, Rubio said it’s bound to be tougher since you’re going against the best players in the world. At this point in the season, I doubt the refs are going to start giving Rubio more calls. In Minnesota’s eyes, whining to the league can’t hurt.
