Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 Bold Predictions After The All-Star Break
3. Ricky Rubio Will Average 35 Minutes Per Game The Rest Of The Season
Ricky Rubio hasn’t averaged over 32.2 minutes per game since his rookie season when he played 34.2 a game. However, due to the lack of quality point guards on the Timberwolves roster that will change after the All-Star break.
Rubio will average 35 minutes per game down the stretch as Thibodeau, who hates losing games, tries to make a push for that final playoff spot. Thibodeau has a bad habit of playing his players too many minutes and not respecting the wear and tear the NBA game puts on one’s body.
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Thibs has not seemed to buck that trend after sitting out a year and becoming the head man in Minnesota this offseason. As it stands today, the Minnesota Timberwolves have three players ranked in the top eight in minutes played per game.
Rubio’s overabundance of playing time after the All-Star break will say less about him as a player and more about the two young guys below him on the depth chart. Both Tyus Jones and Kris Dunn have struggled mightily this year.
So far in February, Dunn has seen his minutes dip even with LaVine going down with an injury and minutes opening up at the 2. As far as Tyus Jones goes, he has not yet shown the ability to make up for his slight frame and average to below-average athletic ability. I see lots and lots of Rubio to finish the season.