Yesterday a video of Ricky Rubio completing a shooting practice before the Cleveland Cavaliers game in Toronto went viral on Twitter. It will soon be a year since the Spanish point guard suffered a torn ligament that has kept him in the dry dock since last December. Both things arouse speculation about a return that is just around the corner. But the franchise has stepped in to calm expectations. In the words of JB. Bickerstaff, his technician: «Everything is progressing well. It is only a matter of time and a proper recovery before he can play again.” However, he emphasizes that there is still no deadline for his return.
The Cavaliers’ entourage has made it clear that they have no intention of rushing Rubio. The organization has blind faith in the Spaniard, whom they were forced to trade last February before ‘repeating’ him without blinking when he became a free agent this summer. Ricky was probably playing some of the best basketball of his career and the untimely injury cost him a few million dollars, but the Cavs have bet big on him continuing to be one of their leaders on and off the court. Three years at a rate of a total of 16 million which means a tremendous vote of confidence in the base.
As Rubio finalizes his recovery, his figure in the locker room is already an intrinsic value for Cleveland. Especially from a young core avid for the teachings of someone who has seen them in all colors as he is. “He always tells me to control my spikes. Not too high and not too low,” says Darius Garland, embodying one of Ricky’s mantras, “He sees a lot of things that escape me. He comes to the matches and advises me on things that I can improve. It is very useful, ”says the young All-Star.
The Cavs have taken a qualitative leap with the arrival of Donovan Mitchell and the growth that their youngsters continue to register. But his second unit still doesn’t look quite what you’d expect. For whose improvement a good Ricky would be crucial. Last year his averages were 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 28 minutes per night. Most of them coming from a bench that longs for his return.
(Cover photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
