Ricky Rubio is passing the test

In a league that values the score above all other statistics, Ricky Rubio is a throwback to, well, I'm not sure when. Wherever that may be, the rookie point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves could probably fling a basketball there … while looking the other way

"I'm trying to play as the team needs," the 21-year-old slight-of-hand specialist said. "I try to do the best for win. Sometimes it's doing a great pass or sometimes it's doing a great defense. Not only shining, it's sometimes doing the work, too. But you have to do it if you want to win."

Rubio shines, all right. From the mop top to his scruffy Spanish baby face, Ricky is a marketing dream from Minneapolis to Madrid to Madison Ave.

But for those that appreciate the art of the game, Rubio is worth so much more than a commercial spot. He sees passing lanes as only a select few can.

"He has the vision of understanding situations and picking up the defense schemes pretty fast," said Jason Kidd, a certain future Hall-of-Fame playmaker. "He doesn't have a problem finding the open guy."

With each passing game, Rubio surprises. His Minnesota teammates were often caught unaware and with their eyes diverted when a Ricky sling came speeding their way.

"Especially in the beginning because you're always looking for a shot before a pass," Rubio said. "And I'm the kind of who prefers sharing the ball than shooting the ball."

While many have likened Rubio to Pete Maravich, going so far as to dub the Spaniard, La Pistola, a more appropriate barometer may exist in Kidd. Arguably the best and most instinctive passer of the last two decades, the quarterback of the Dallas Mavericks recognizes court awareness in Rubio that's on alternate plane from today's generation of top point guards.

Rubio belongs in a category separate from Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook.

"He sees it differently, but those guys are different players," Kidd said, comparing Rubio to young All-Star crop. "They're so athletic and can score, and Rubio is more of a set-up type of guy for his teammates. A lot of young guys are going to want to play with him because they know they'll get the ball."

All-Star teammate Kevin Love has already signed an extension through at least 2015, saying he likes where the Timberwolves are headed. Love and Rubio are two nice selling points for a franchise hoping to attract free-agent talent down the line.

It's taken Rubio about a 24-second shot clock to pick up on the NBA. He went into this week ranking third in the NBA in assists and steals. Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman leaves his Spanish point guard on the floor for virtually all fourth quarters.

Rubio was also leading the NBA in offensive charges drawn and alley-oop assists, while sitting second in 3-point assists. If it's been a tough transition, we haven't seen it.

"At the end of the day it's basketball, so nothing changed," Rubio said. "I played professionally in Europe for six years and it's different, but at the end of the day it's basketball. You like to be 100 percent ready for all the games."

Gregg Popovich has more experience than most with international players, and the San Antonio coach has been a fixture on the world basketball scene going back nearly two decades.

When asked about how Rubio would adjust to life in America, the man who's coached Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Hedo Turkoglu, Beno Udrih and more could only scoff.

"These guys, they travel around the world," Popovich told Minneapolis Star Tribune earlier this month. "They're more cultured than we are. Everyone acts like Americans are the ones ... we have sort of an arrogance about us. Like we're the cultured ones? Are you serious?

''Have you watched TV lately? Have you seen what Americans do? How many languages do you speak? And you wonder how they're going to adjust to our culture? I hope they avoid it and keep their own."

Rubio isn't worried about Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Opposing defenders are having a hard enough time keeping up with No. 9 for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"It's amazing," Rubio said. "That's why I came here to the NBA, to play against the best players in the world."