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PAINFUL. / DOLOROSO.

3/10/2012

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Cae Ricky y perderá el resto de la temporada. / El Kid injured & will miss the rest of the season.
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¡Dios mio!

2/18/2012

1 Comment

 
Sí se puede:
http://deadspin.com/5886206/ricky-rubio-pulled-off-an-insane-blind-pass

¿Queda alguna duda sobre El Kid?
Any doubters left?

No creo.
Thought not.
1 Comment

If I ran the Target Center Jumbo-tron...

2/17/2012

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I'd play this clip before Ricky Rubio entered the game. Or during 4th quarter timeouts.

"Rubio!
Rubio!
Roo-Bee-OOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Recomiendo que usen este video clip en la pantalla grande de Target Center para animar el público antes de que Ricky Rubio entre al partido o durante el cuarto período.
Also, twenty thousand Wolves fans waggling their fingers in front of their chins - a la the Lost Boys - would be pretty bangerang.
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Fab Ricky

2/16/2012

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Picture
Ricky Harrison, Ricky McCartney, Ricky Lennon, and Ricky Starr from Hardwoodparoxysm.com
Clint Peterson re-wrote the lyrics to The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon" to tell the story of Ricky Rubio. Here's a taste below, with the complete posting here.

Now somewhere in the blue Mediterranean coast off El Masnou / There lived a young boy named Ricky Raccoon / And one day David Kahn picked up him and Beas / Brought young Ricky o’erseas Ricky didn’t like that / He said I’m not playin’ for them boys / But one day he flew into town / Joined himself a team just ’bout out of steam

Ricky Raccoon checked in with his team / Only to find it’s a lockout

Ricky checked in equipped with a grin / To disarm the D of his rivals...



*Thanks Joe for first sending me this link.
Clint Peterson cambió la letra de la canción "Rocky Raccoon" (por los Beatles) para contar la historia de Ricky Rubio y su llegada a los Timberwolves. Lee el original en inglés aca.

Traducirla me tardaría más tiempo que probablemente perdió Sr. Peterson en componerla (¡no pudo haberlo sido poco!).

Sin embargo - para que no pierdan el humor de este post - les copié abajo la letra MAL traducida por el google translate (fuente de risa ilimitada):

Ahora en algún lugar de la costa azul del Mediterráneo de El Masnou / Allí vivía un joven llamado Ricky Raccoon / Y un día, David Kahn, cogió él y Beas / traído al joven Ricky o'erseas Ricky no le gustó / El dijo que yo no soy jugando para ellos los niños / Pero un día voló a la ciudad / se unió a un equipo sólo "pelea del vapor

Ricky Raccoon registramos con su equipo / Sólo para encontrar que es un cierre patronal

Ricky registramos equipado con una sonrisa / Para desarmar el desarrollo de sus rivales ...
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Nickname Necessary?

2/13/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
Tough loss to New York on Saturday night. The larget newspaper in Spain points out what none of the American recaps I read noted: that Ricky Rubio committed two crucial turnovers in the final minute, which likely cost the Timberlobos the game. The El Pais article (Ricky Comes Up Short Against Linsanity) breaks down the matchup:

"Lin led his duel with Ricky, especially in points. But Ricky managed his team well and committed few mistakes. While the Knicks' point guard tallied 6 turnovers, Ricky didn't lose a single ball. Until exactly the game's decisive moments when Ricky twice lost possession, crippling his team's chance of winning."

Of course the Spanish media is going to scrutinize Ricky most closely. I do, too - as writer of this blog - and especially after Ricky was in a hero's position after his basket gave the Timberlobos a 3-point lead with just over 30 seconds to go. It's interesting to compare their coverage with the American coverage, which seems to have left out Ricky's end-of-game mistakes, focusing instead on Lin's go-ahead free throw.

But I didn't actually see any of the game because it wasn't televised. Repeat: Ricky Rubio vs. Jeremy Lin was not televised. Too bad. Rubio and Lin are the NBA youth zeitgeist right now, two players fans can't get enough of. That game should have been aired to bring in fans and showcase the NBA's most in-demand product. If I were Wolves owner Glen Taylor, I would've paid what it took to air it. (Or Zygi Wilf. Or The Pohlads. Or David Stern...) What a great chance to showcase the revived Minnesota fan base, as well. From what I could hear over the radio broadcast, Linsanity and RubiOMG lit up the Target Center crowd. I got the willies just listening.

*

At this point, Ricky Rubio’s fame is assured. He’s been featured in Sports Illustrated and most recently in ESPN the magazine. Everyone from Dwyane Wade to Jason Kidd has weighed in on his arrival. The Timberlobos even withheld Kevin Love a 5-year contract in what some are saying is a way to leave the option open for the youngster from El Masnou (town where Ricky grew up. The name means “new house” in Catalan).

The kid has only played 28 NBA games (averaging: 10.9 points, 8.7 assists). There's lots of basketball to be played.

Among the many stats, contracts, endorsements, buzzer beaters, no-look passes, and other basketballia yet to be written, however, remains the question of a nickname.

Ric Bucher of the above ESPN article wants to call him Latka Bieber after the Andy-Kaufman inspired foreign man character Latka Gravas (and Bieber for the hair). We’ve already heard the comparisons to Pistol Pete Maravich provoking votes for “El Pistolero.” And then, of course, there’s the fact that folks seem pretty happy just calling him Ricky Rubio - a name that, as we’ve already pointed out, sounds nickname-y enough as it is.

Here are a few nickname ideas of my own...

El Cartero: “The Mail Man” This was Karl Malone’s nickname when he played because Malone 'always delivered.' But The Mail Man always seemed to me better suited to an assist maker. El Cartero would fit, but of course, it doesn’t role off the North American tongue. And Karl Malone is still alive, delivering headlines.

Mowgli: Yes, that Mowgli, of The Jungle Book. Bangs? Check. Boy raised by Wolves? Check. Boy raised by Wolves who eventually comes to lead them? Check! Even the translation, Mowgli means ‘the little frog,’ which seems apt in the way Ricky splits the defense (Frogger 2.0?).

Love Potion Number 9: Not a nickname, but so close to being a great promotions tag line for the Wolves in that it combines Kevin Love & Ricky (jersey #9) in a popular song title. How can we use this?!

RubiOMG: On second thought, please don't let this catch on.

El Mago de Minnesota: The Wizard of Minnesota. It's accurate and alliterative.

But of all contenders, I think my favorite is...

El Kid: Simple. Easy to say. It's a play on both El Cid and Da Kid. El Cid was one of Spain's greatest historical figures and military leaders (played in the movie by Charlton Heston). Da Kid was Kevin Garnett’s self-given nickname (Garnett: the Timberlobos' previous draft sensation). El Kid speaks to Ricky's youth and singularity, as well as being a simple, gringo-friendly nod to his Spanish heritage.
PictureStatue of El Cid in Burgos, Spain

But those are just my ideas. Leave a comment with your own. Meanwhile...

¡Vive El Kid!

¡Y que viven los Timberlobos!


2 Comments

El Kid versus Linsanity

2/11/2012

1 Comment

 
In his most recent column, Grantland's Bill Simmons made this case for including Ricky Rubio in the 2012 All-Star game:

It's the All-Star Game. It's supposed to be fun. As I have written roughly 10 million times, the quality of an All-Star Game ebbs and flows with the passing DNA of the point guards. This year's game is in relatively good hands (Paul and Nash for the West, Rose for the East), but you can't tell me that Ricky Rubio — a player blessed by no less than Larry Legend in my podcast this week as someone Bird's watching "every night" — wouldn't improve the game by 10 to 15 percent. Having an NBA All-Star Game without Ricky Rubio is like having a hot dog without mustard or ketchup.

Meanwhile, tonight's game at Target Center features two of the NBA's most exciting new talents: Ricky "El Kid" Rubio vs. Jeremy "Linsanity" Lin (New York Knicks).

Go Wolves!
Bill Simmons, creador de Grantland.com, quiere que incluyan a Ricky Rubio en el juego de estrellas 2012:

Es el juego de estrellas. Debe ser divertido. Y he escrito mil veces que la calidad de un juego de estrellas depende de los armadores. Es cierto que el juego de este año esta en manos seguras. El equipo Oeste tiene Chris Paul y Steve Nash mientras que el equipo Este tiene Derrick Rose. Pero les aseguro que Ricky Rubio - bendecido durante esta semana por el legendario Larry Bird como un talento que Larry vea jugar "cada noche" - mejoraría el juego entre 10 a 15 por ciento. Tener un juego de estrellas sin Ricky Rubio sería como servir una salchicha sin mostaza y ketchup.

En otras noticias, esta noche se enfrentan dos de los nuevos talentos más llamativos en el NBA: Ricky "El Kid" Rubio contra Jeremy "Lincura" Lin (New York Knicks).

¡Vamos Wolves!
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This is The Year

2/10/2012

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A rollicking 17-5 run to close the 3rd quarter fizzled into an otherwise easy Dallas win preventing the Timberlobos from sweeping the Mavs on the season. And yet: any Minnesotan will happily take a 2-1 record versus Dirk & the defending NBA champs in 2012.

When the Timberlobos reached .500 last week, I was here in Boston where most folks are disappointed with anything less than a championship (this was not the case when I arrived, way back in Sept 2000). Being a Wolves fan this season, I told my brother, is actually as good as it gets. After years as the NBA's doormat, suddenly we are winning games. We have dynamic young players and re-energized fans. We get to watch Kevin Amor ice victories, Ricky Rubio light up defenders, and Nikola Pekovic get beastly with KLove-esque numbers.

Yet we're not so good that we have to worry about all the pressures and let-downs of success. Sure, big games can be fun and Minnesota teams have won a few. And we all derive some pleasure out of sharing our agonizing sports anecdotes of loss. But living them sucks, let's be real.

This isn't The Year for the Timberlobos and, as a fan, that really takes the pressure off. This squad could be a contender in the coming years, if players stay healthy, if management deals smartly, and if the basketball deities smile favorably on yon 'Sota...

But before all that.

This is The Year for pure fan enjoyment. The best possible season to tune in and watch fifteen fierce, hungry Timberlobos play their guts out.
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Are we having fun yet?

1/21/2012

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Here are the clips from last night.
Aquí estan los clips de anoche.
Don't miss El Kid's face at 00:54 watching his game-tying three pointer go in.
No pierdan la cara de Ricky a las 00:54 cuando entra su tiro triple para el empate.

And below: Kevin Amor turns out the lights in LA.
Y abajo: Kevin Love apagando las luces en Los Angeles.
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"We learn"

1/20/2012

2 Comments

 
Unbelievable!!!

The Wolves came back from down 12 points in the 4th quarter to defeat Blake Griffin's division-leading LA Clippers 101-98 on a last second buzzer beating 3 pointer by Kevin Love in front of a sold out crowd at Staples Center.

I was listening to the WCCO radio broadcast as the Wolves staggered behind the Clippers for most of the game trailing by double-digits. By the 4th quarter I was already in bed, lights out, but I just couldn't turn the game off. This wouldn't have happened over the past few years, but this team has got something.

Then the Timberlobos made a run. Ricky Rubio hadn't scored all game, but he started getting to the line, hitting free throws in the clutch. Finally, in the closing minute, Rubio hit his only basket from the field - a GAME-TYING 3 POINTER.

Billups tried to run out the remaining clock, missed a potential game-winner, and KLove grabbed the rebound with 1.5 seconds left. Coach Adelman's final play somehow got KLove alone off the inbounds pass for the clincher and a highlight clip to boost Love's All-Star stock.

That's 3 in a row for the Timberlobos.

Two years ago, I was shooting pool at The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, MN when I overheard a guy say that he had bet $500 that the Timberwolves would win three-in-a-row at some point that season. Every time the team won two-in-a-row that year, I thought of him. And every time, they lost the third. Tonight, I hope that guy found his way through some double-or-nothings.

The Wolves are also 7-5 since losing their first three games (by a combined 9 points). Almost a quarter of the way through this strike-shortened season, they're just one game below .500. I joked to a friend just yesterday that mediocrity never felt so good - and it's true coming off three seasons as the NBA's doormat.

But win-loss records aside, you can see this team is more than mediocre. They got something. The tenacity of Kevin Love. The spark and sizzle of Rubio - El Kid. The relentlessness of Ridnour. The dark horse Darko (season high 22 points tonight). The strength of Derrick Williams. The Able Man Rick Adelman. Hey man, this is fun.

But I think Ricky, in his surprisingly poignant English and mature professionalism which are becoming as dependable as, well, El Kid himself in the clutch, said it best in the WCCO postgame interview: that the Timberlobos have been in these situations already this season - playing from behind, tight 4th quarters, final shots - and "we learn," he said.

We learn.

So far, that is the difference between this year's team and those talented, young squads previous. The ability to learn and build from both early setbacks and success.

And what are we, the Timberlobos fan base, learning in return?

To stay up and stay tuned in, until the very end.

2 Comments

CONVIVIR & Ricky Rubio

1/11/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
Cuando yo viví en Madrid, ya hace años en el 2003, mi novia en aquel entonces y yo nos sorprendió  una promoción que apareció en las latas de Aquarius:

VIVE CON PAU GASOL UNA SEMANA EN MEMPHIS

Memphis es una gran ciudad americana. ¿Pero extiende su fama a un nivel internacional? ¿Podría esta rifa mobilizar el consumismo español como deseaba Aquarius?

Recordé de esa promoción cuando Ricky Rubio estaba entre firmar con los Timberwolves o quedarse en Barcelona esperando tal vez la oportunidad para jugar en New York, Los Angeles o Miami.

Y me pregunté: ¿Cuán atractivo será Minnesota para ese joven?

Durante los dos años que Ricky se quedaba en España cumpliendo su contrato allí, yo me preocupaba que no vendría. (Entiendan: así es el pesimismo de nosotros que apoyamos equipos fuera de los mercados principales.)

La verdad es que Minnesota tiene mucho para alabar. Y me gusta ver que Ricky en sus entrevistas va reconociendo lo bueno que es el lugar y que es la gente. Con su inglés (idioma que domina muy bien) esta integrándose muy bien y llevándose excelente con sus compañeros Wolves y con la comunidad.

Y es más, ve abajo:

Me gusto mucho este video en que Ricky visita a la hospital de niños en Minnesota. Actualmente yo trabajó en el hospital de niños en Boston. He visto la influencia que tienen estos héroes de la cancha dura cuando toman tiempo para inspirar a los que más necesitan ser inspirados. Es un acto sencillo con impacto sensacional.

Además el servicio comunitario hace que Ricky conocerá mejor a nuestro pueblo. Indica que no solo conocerá al estadio Target Center y los bares alrededor, al frio y a la nieve – también Ricky se esta conectando con nuestra comunidad, con los verdaderos Minnesotanos.

Hace 6 años hoy que yo empecé una jornada por latinoamérica que duraba 17 meses. La experiencia me ha afectado mucho, sobre todo gracias a los tiempos que dedique a echar una mano al servicio del pueblo, o de la gente, que me dieron hospedaje.

La jornada de Ricky Rubio, al fin y al cabo, también tiene que tratar de más que el juego.

Ricky ya no solo vive en Minnesota: convive. Convivir es fundamental para un equipo y también para nuestra sociedad. Fieles a la ética de convivir, no solo ganan los Timberwolves: ganamos todos.

When I lived in Madrid, this back in 2003, my then-girlfriend and I were surprised by a promotion on the Aquarius soft drink cans:

LIVE ONE WEEK IN MEMPHIS WITH PAU GASOL

Memphis is a great American city. But we wondered if it had international appeal. Would a free trip to Memphis inspire the kind of consumer demand among Spaniards that the advertisers sought?

I was reminded of this promotion when Ricky Rubio was deciding between signing with the Timberlobos or staying in Barcelona and waiting for a different opportunity to play in New York, Los Angeles, or Miami.

And I wondered: How attractive could Minnesota seem to the Spanish youngster?

During the two years that Ricky stayed in Spain fulfilling his contract, I worried that he would decide not to come to Minnesota. (Understand my Spanish friends: such is the pessimism of small-market sports fans in the USA.)

The truth is that Minnesota has a lot to praise. And it's cool to hear Ricky already speaking well of both the place and the people in interviews. With his excellent English, he is integrating himself very well, getting along with his teammates and with the community.

What's more: (see video clip in the left column or click here)

I love this video of Ricky and Anthony Tolliver visiting the Children's Hospital of Minneapolis. I currently work at Children's Hospital in Boston. I've seen the influence these hard court heroes can have when they take time to inspire those who most need the inspiration. It's a simple act with sensational impact.

Volunteering will also help Ricky get to know his new home better. It means that he won't just experience the Target Center, its surrounding bars, cold, and snow - he'll also connect with our community, with actual Minnesotans.

Six years ago today, I began a 17-month walkabout through Latin America. This journey continues to inform the person I am today - above all, perhaps, were the times along the way when I volunteered, giving back to the communities that housed me.

Ricky's journey, ultimately, will add up to more than basketball, too.

The Spanish word CONVIVIR means "to live with" in a mutually supportive sense; living equally, side by side.

It seems this is what Ricky Rubio is starting to do in Minnesota: CONVIVIR. It is a foundation of teamwork as much for basketball as for our global society. So the Timberlobos aren't the only ones who win with CONVIVIR.  We all do.
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