[Old General Record] The golden boy has not been completed, but he has never been disappointed!

"He has a very high and very high talent." After Barcelona's overseas game against the Lakers in 2010, Kobe Bryant commented on him.

That year, a young man was galloping on the field in Barcelona. For fans at that time, if they wanted to see the player's video, they still had to search everywhere on the Internet to find it, but even so, it was difficult to resist the fans' pursuit of this "golden boy". And it is these vague video clips that still ignite the hope of Minnesota fans.

The name of this young man is Ricky Rubio.

In the 2009 draft, Rubio was selected by the Timberwolves with the fifth pick in the first round. However, due to the contract buyout, he failed to enter the NBA with the rookie of the same class, but continued to compete for Barcelona.

It was not until the 2011-12 season that the long-awaited Golden Boy of Minnesota fans was able to debut at the target center.

For Rubio, he is not a young man with a reputation. As early as 15 years old, he was famous for his excellent stadium vision and gorgeous passes. Unlike Doncic who rose to prominence later, Rubio's aura is fully reflected in the art of passing. His existence is the core catalyst of the team.

Rookie season, Rubio delivered a data order that averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals per game. Relying on passing again and again to ignite the scene, the long-lost Timberwolves also gave the long-lost lively atmosphere. That year, the team's record was nearly 50%, and such progress mainly came from the changes brought by Rubio.

But fate is cruel. In March 2012, Rubio suffered a torn cruciate ligament and was reimbursed in advance for the season. This injury ultimately led to Rubio's ups and downs in Minnesota. The appearance of Rubio gave the Timberwolves hope, but the team's top leaders were always in chaos and sway. Minnesota was not without talent at that time. The team had Kevin Love, who averaged double-double, Pekovic, the inside gate, and Rubio, the natural control commander. The only problem is that the team management has never been able to determine the direction. How should they build a competitive and powerful lineup?

As a highly anticipated internal and external combination, Rubio and Love's duo has not been able to achieve a legendary combination like Stockton and Malone. Compared with that, Love is more inclined to the outside and is used to pick-and-roll and external breaking. Rubio's projection shortcomings are obvious, and it is difficult to support the offensive structure of pick-and-roll. The combination of the two seems outstanding, but there are always some flaws in fighting each other.

In the 2013-14 season, Rubio's only full-time appearance in his career, the Timberwolves won 40 wins and 42 losses. Such a record may be able to make the playoffs in the East, but in the fierce environment of the Western Conference with many powerful men, such a victory is far from enough. That year also became the closest opportunity for the Timberwolves to the playoffs before Butler.

For Rubio, he is not without a chance to choose. He can make a deal request when he feels uncomfortable like many stars, but he doesn't do that.

Time returned to 2011 when Rubio first entered the league. He set up a home in Los Angeles and often met NBA players near his apartment. That year he met Kevin Garnett:

"Ricky! Child, I heard you are going to Minnesota. Believe me, that city may be cold, but as long as you give your heart, they will hug you with the same enthusiasm."

Rubio, who couldn't even explain English clearly at the time, did not answer, but just listened quietly to the seniors, but it was from that moment that the long-haired boy began to recognize his mission:

"Minnesota is my second home."

In 2015, Rubio moved into a residence in downtown Minneapolis where you could see the Mississippi River. That was the first time he really wanted to settle here. His teammates, fans, coaches, and even senior executives have given him family-like care. But even so, the storm on the field still put Rubio in trouble again and again.

Love's departure put the Timberwolves in the fog of reconstruction again, and Rubio, as the only core left of the team, naturally it is difficult to avoid being involved in trade rumors:

"I can understand Love's choice. What I can do now is to continue to do my best for this city."

This persistence comes from Rubio's mother's teaching. And the premature death of his mother gave Rubio a new understanding of life. In his letter to his mother, Rubio wrote:

"Everything in the world has its meaning."

Even though he was in the whirlpool of rumors on and off the court, the boy still loved Minnesota and the fans here. And if we fail to lead the Timberwolves out of the quagmire in the NBA, then Rubio is a veritable Golden Boy boy in the international arena.

Whether it is the Olympics or the World Cup, Rubio encompasses almost all the honors. In the 2019 World Cup, the 29-year-old Rubio led the Spanish men's basketball team to the top and won the championship and MVP. It is no exaggeration to say that if you want to select the strongest player outside the NBA, Rubio is definitely worth this position.

In 2017, the Timberwolves finally chose to trade Rubio and exchanged him for their future first-round pick assets. Even if he was abandoned by the team, the commander still had no complaints:

"This is an important part of life, and I am grateful to Minnesota."

He tattooed a lion pattern on his arm, symbolizing strength and perseverance. Although he failed to lead the Timberwolves into the playoffs in the end, Rubio spent six years leaving his best years in this snowy and ice land.

He never let down this city, and this city never forgets this golden boy.

Looking back at Rubio's NBA journey, he has experienced injuries and faced with the chaos at the top, and has many unfinished regrets. But for Minnesota, what he left behind was the wonderful passage that made fans stand up and cheer, and the figure who was still persistent in facing difficulties.

Even though he failed to lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs, he still shone with hope in the darkest years of the team, and that alone was enough for the Timberwolves at that time.