Ricky Rubio Won’t Be Starting for the Timberwolves Just Yet

Ricky Rubio has impressed just about everyone so far in this young season, but head coach Rick Adelman says the time for him to join the Wolves’ starting lineup isn’t now. Reports the Star Tribune: “When’s Ricky Rubio going to start games rather than just finish them? ‘I think that’s something that’s still down the line,’ Wolves coach Rick Adelman said before Sunday’s game against defending NBA champion Dallas at Target Center. Rubio’s NBA career barely has begun, but the season’s opening week already has suggested the Wolves have a different kind of pulse when the ball is in his hands. On Sunday, he delivered a 14-point, seven-assist, four-rebound performance that included five consecutive points scored after the Mavs chopped a 15-point lead to just one. ‘We’re still evaluating the team, and he’s going to have his minutes, he’s going to get a chance to play,’ said Adelman, who played Rubio an average of 28.3 minutes in his first three games. ‘Those types of things will happen over time. You’ll know when it’s the right time to do it. Right now, we’re just trying to get a win.’ Many Wolves fans probably came to that conclusion after opening night, but for now Adelman continues to start Luke Ridnour and brings Rubio and J.J. Barea off the bench. Asked if he is bringing Rubio along slowly so the rookie doesn’t feel too much pressure, Adelman said: “It’s one thing I really admire about him: He’s got a lot of pressure on him. The expectations are so high for him. It’s there all the time. He doesn’t seem to buy into that at all. He’s just trying to play his game. I don’t see him pressing or anything like that. ‘Every rookie is going to go through ups and downs in this league, and he’s not going to be away from that. He’ll have to face that, too, but so far he’s done a nice job.'”